Destiny has a “soft” level cap of 20, though you can level your Guardian all the way up to level 30 using “Light.” Destiny is quite vague when it comes to explaining the best ways in which players can achieve this, and the majority of guides we’ve stumbled across don’t offer a comprehensive look at the best methods in which to achieve the max level cap in the game. Fortunately for you, we’re here to help.
Here’s CraveOnline‘s guide to level 20 and beyond.
What is the purpose of Light and how do I get more of it?
While the pre-level 20 game in Destiny is all about securing more XP, the post-level 20 game is firmly based upon Light.
Light is what you will use to level up your Guardian, and can only be gained through armor, not weaponry or class items such as the Titan Mark, Hunter Cloak and Warlock Bond. However, unless you’re purchasing your armor through one of the vendors located in the Tower, you’ll mostly be acquiring it through rare drops in the single-player Vanguard mode, or through activity rewards in the PvP Crucible. This means that Light-filled armor will mostly be given to you at random, so theoretically you could spend three hours grinding your post-level 20 Guardian and receive little Light in return, while a friend could have a couple of games in the Crucible, be very fortunate in his loot drops and almost immediately be rewarded with a level 21/22 Guardian in return.
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It should also be noted that a piece of armor having more Light doesn’t necessarily make it better than armor that features very little Light. I’ve found myself dismantling armor with great stats simply because it only boasts Light +2, as you’ll need be as high a level as possible to take part in some of the more difficult Strike/Raid missions.
What do the Vanguard and Crucible factions do?
Both the Vanguard and Crucible factions are the default factions you can purchase items from after reaching level 20. After level 18, you will begin earning Marks for these factions through completing Vanguard missions and Crucible matches. These Marks can be used as currency in order to buy the Legendary gear that these factions sell, though most of this gear will only be obtainable once you have increased your reputation with them.
You will have been visiting the class-specific leader of the Vanguard faction since the beginning of your game in order to obtain class-specific items, though after reaching level 20 you can then begin to unlock the Legendary armor that they supply.
Here’s how to earn reputation for both default factions:
Vanguard: Vanguard reputation can be increased by completing single-player missions, so jumping into a Strike playlist is the best way to achieve this. Cashing in Vanguard bounties is also essential, with them now granting you Vanguard reputation points rather than the XP they would award in the pre-level 20 game.
Crucible: Crucible reputation can be increased by playing Crucible matches. Like the Vanguard bounties, Crucible bounties also do a great job of increasing your reputation with the faction.
What are the Dead Orbit, New Monarchy and Future War Cult?
There are three factions which you can join in the Tower outside of the default Vanguard and Crucible factions: the New Monarchy, Dead Orbit and Future War Cult. Here are their locations and what they each offer to players who choose to join them:
Dead Orbit: Located in the hangar portion of the Tower. Can be found to the left of the stairs leading down towards the hangar.
Specialties: Strength and Discipline.
Future War Cult: Located on the second floor of the Hangar.
Specialties: Intellect and Discipline.
New Monarchy: Located in the portion of the Tower which also features the Speaker, on the ground level.
Specialties: Intellect and Strength.
How do I join Dead Orbit, New Monarchy and Future War Cult?
You can join a faction by purchasing either a Hunter Cloak, Titan Mark or Warlock Bond from the relevant faction vendors, though you can only join one faction at a time.
Purchasing these class-specific armor items from the vendor will ensure that for each Vanguard/Crucible bounty you hand in, PvP match you take part in and Patrol and Strike mission you complete, you’ll increase your reputation with your chosen faction that will then allow you to buy Legendary gear from them.
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Prior to joining a faction, you should survey the Legendary gear they each offer (along with the stats that they favor) in order to decide which faction is best-suited to your class and style of play. The three attributes you can build upon with your guardian are as follows:
- Intellect: reduces the cooldown time of your Super.
- Discipline: reduces the cooldown time of your grenade.
- Strength: Reduces the cooldown time of your melee modifier.
No faction favors one particular class, but they do favor your style of play. If you love busting out your Super, then the New Monarchy or Future War Cult are the factions for you. However, if you frequently make use of your melee attack and grenades, then Dead Orbit are the guys you should be siding with.
How do I purchase equipment from these factions?
In order to purchase items for factions you will need to increase your reputation with them, through playing Crucible matches, Strike playlists and daily/weekly stories. However, Crucible Marks are the currency you will use to purchase the Legendary items they provide, which can be obtained from playing in the Crucible.
What do Strange Coins do?
Strange Coins act as a currency that you can use to buy goods from the mysterious, tentacle-faced vendor Xur, who only appears at the Tower on weekends (and appears directly facing the Crucible Handler).
Xur hands out Exotic weaponry and upgrades for a bunch of these Strange Coins, including perks for Sparrows. The Exotic weapons are by far the most unique in the entire game, though Strange Coins are difficult to get a hold of.
In order to obtain Strange Coins, you must participate in events such as daily/weekly Heroic Vanguard Strikes, though they can also be randomly obtained through other measures such as decrypting an engram. There’s no way to rely on this happening, though, so you’re best to stick with completing public events if you want to obtain more of them, as Xur requires over 20 in exchange for his goods.
What do Motes of Light do?
Motes of Light are a special type of currency similar to the Strange Coins, and can also be used to purchase items from Xur along with The Speaker.
A Mote of Light is given to the player once they reach level 20, though experience gained from that point on goes towards acquiring another Mote of Light, and can also be obtained through Crucible matches, Strikes, loot chests and decrypting an engram.
How do I level up faster?
Leveling up after you’ve hit level 20 seems to be a lot more reliant upon chance, as a great loot drop following a Crucible match/Vanguard Strike can see your character rising up a level or two immediately. However, dedicating yourself to either the Vanguard or Crucible component of Destiny will ensure that you’ll begin rising in the reputation ranks faster than you would if you were to split your time between the two.
While rare loot drops can seem slightly unfair, putting yourself on the fast-track to acquiring Legendary gear will mean that you aren’t solely reliant upon luck to help you reach level 30. If you’d prefer building up reputation with your Vanguard leader, be sure to spend a lot of time in Strike playlists and in Raids, but if the Crucible or the optional factions are where you’re looking to obtain that Legendary gear from, then you’re going to want to invest a lot of time in PvP.
With a little dedication getting to level 30 shouldn’t be too much of a hassle, and you should have your Guardian suited ‘n’ booted with all that Legendary and Exotic equipment in no time.
