Destiny 2 Beginner’s Guide#
Destiny 2 is a shooter MMO with a fairly steep learning curve for newcomers. This primer gives new Guardians the essentials: choosing a class, the onboarding flow, awakening your Light, and planning your first week.
Choosing Your Starting Class#
New players pick one of three classes at the start: Titan, Warlock, or Hunter. Which one to choose mostly comes down to your preferred combat style.
| Class | Style | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Titan | Frontline brawler | Players who like to charge in |
| Warlock | Support and damage | Players who like team buffs |
| Hunter | Precise and mobile | Players who like repositioning and damage |
All three classes can experience every piece of content, so don’t overthink it. If you’re unsure, just pick whichever looks appealing — you can always level up other classes later.
The Onboarding Flow#
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Awakening | Choose your class and appearance |
| Basic controls | Learn movement, shooting, and abilities |
| Light awakening | Receive your first Light subclass |
| The Last City | Arrive at humanity’s final stronghold |
| Earth campaign | Fight off the enemy forces |
Basic Controls#
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Movement | WASD + jump/sprint |
| Shooting | Aim and fire |
| Abilities | Grenade, melee, Super |
| Pickup | Grab gear and resources |
| Fast travel | Warp via the destination map |
Getting Started with Light Subclasses#
After awakening, you receive your first Light subclass. Understanding a subclass’s Super, grenades, and passives is the foundation of combat — see the Light Subclasses page for details.
First-Week Goals for New Players#
| Goal | Description |
|---|---|
| Finish the campaign | Learn the story and controls |
| Raise your Power level | Farm regular gear drops |
| Earn Pinnacle rewards | Complete weekly bounties |
| Run Strikes | Get a feel for PvE pacing |
| Collect Exotics | Pick them up from the shop |
Gear and Weapons Basics#
During the early game, prioritize higher-Power gear drops and don’t obsess over perk rolls. As your Power level climbs, you can gradually fine-tune your build.
Common New-Player Mistakes#
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Sticking to one class only | All three classes are worth trying |
| Obsessing over perk rolls | Focus on Power level first |
| Ignoring bounties | Weekly Pinnacle rewards matter a lot |
| Skipping weeklies | Weekly challenges are the core of Power gains |
| Going solo | Team up and play with others |
Resource Planning for New Players#
- Don’t waste Bright Dust and Silver early on; save them for Exotics you’re missing.
- Run plenty of bounties to build up reputation and resources.
- Prioritize Seasonal Challenges to earn Pinnacle rewards.
- Join a Clan for a steady group to play with.
Advice for New Players#
New Guardians should push through the main campaign, getting comfortable with the controls, the Light, and the gear systems along the way. Don’t chase high-end content in week one — aim to “finish the campaign, raise your Power level, and collect Exotics,” and build out your loadout step by step.
New Player Quests and Onboarding#
Once the main campaign unlocks, new Guardians get a batch of guided quests that introduce the various systems.
| Guided quest | Objective |
|---|---|
| Light awakening | Unlock your first subclass |
| First Strike | Take part in a Strike |
| Gear upgrades | Learn armor and mods |
| Head to the Tower | Access the main hub’s features |
The New Guardian Node (New Light Intro)#
New players enter the onboarding flow through the New Guardian node, which offers step-by-step tutorials and rewards. Following the node’s guidance quickly teaches you the basics: heading to the Tower, awakening your Light, and running your first activities.
Sample First-Week Daily Plan#
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Finish the campaign and awakening |
| Day 2 | Run Strikes and get used to PvE |
| Day 3 | Collect gear and raise your Power level |
| Day 4 | Do bounties and earn Pinnacle rewards |
| Day 5 | Try a Dungeon |
| Day 6 | Collect Exotics |
| Day 7 | Refine your build and join a Clan |
New Player FAQ#
- What’s the fastest way to raise Power level? Complete weekly bounties and Seasonal Challenges to earn Pinnacle rewards.
- Should I buy the expansions? Try the free base game first, then buy as needed.
- Can I play solo? Yes, but playing in a team is far more efficient.
- Do I need to level all three classes? No — focus on one first, then branch out later.