What’s in store for Destiny fans past level 20? Quite a lot actually. I had the impression that after the fairly short story campaign there wouldn’t be much to do apart from the multiplayer side of things. Well how wrong I was. As soon as you reach level 20 things start to get interesting and more challenging, and according to the studio themselves, Bungie have stated that this is the beginning of a new journey in what is to be an ever evolving game.
So to start, you can actually level up past level 20 using special armour that grants you light energy. The more light energy you have attached to your armour the higher you level can become.
A character is shown as being higher than level 20 by it’s light level as above
Rare armour (blue) contains anything from +2 to +15 light, legendary armour (purple) will grant users between +18 to +28 light and exotic is even higher still.
A legendary piece of armour with +20 light
There are many ways that you can obtain these types of armour, most of which start as soon as you reach the coveted level 20.
One such way is to obtain special engrams by simply playing the game and destroying enemies. Which has led to “Engram Farming” among the masses.
How an Engram looks in game. The above being an uncommon Engram.
These can be taken to the Cryptarch who will decode these Engrams into weapons and armor. The more you decode the higher you Cryptarch level becomes. When you level up with the Cryptarch you will receive a message with the postmaster which will usually contain a legendary and a rare engram.
You can also partake in many multiplayer matches to raise your crucible level and complete crucible bounties. Once you are at the rank of 2 or 3 along with crucible marks, you can spend said marks to receive special weapons and armor. The same can be said for the Vanguard missions, although this will require completing campaign or roaming missions and bounties.
Above shows the Vanguard Quartermaster with the various level 20 weapons
Altenatively you can opt to join the Dead Orbit, Future Wars or New Monarchy Clans/Cults by purchasing one of their special level 20 cloaks/bracelets/badges for 2500 glimmer. You will receive points (much in the same manner as crucible or vanguard) but for all campaign, roam and multiplayer missions and bounties.
The New Monarchy Cult
On Fridays through until Sundays a special shop master (Xur Agent of the nine) is available next to the crucible quartermaster, who will exchange exotic (gold) weapons and armor for “Strange Coins”
Be Warned you will require at least 13 of these coins to obtain any gear.
Xur Agent of the Nine. Or Creepy Wormface tower dude as I’ve heard him referred to.
You can also participate in special strike missions which will randomise the strike missions for each planet and match you with 2 other players (or just your fireteam). You can choose a difficulty and each will give you a different pay out, the higher the level the more opportunity of rare gear and more vanguard points and marks.
Then there are the newly released “Raid”. This game type will pit you and 5 friends in one of the hardest missions you will play on a first person shooter. Much like a strike mission but a lot harder and more difficult. These are only available for a week, with progress being able to be saved through your party/ Fireteam leader.
With all of this, more free content is planned to be rolled out in the coming months (story extension missions also included). Not to mention the content that will be rolled out with the season pass. So only the beginning of an ever evolving game.
When Bungie say Destiny is going to last for years to come, I genuinely believe them and look forward to everything due to come.
Happy Gaming Destiny Fans!
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