Destiny 2, developed by Bungie, is an online multiplayer first-person shooter game set in a fictional world. As a Guardian, you embark on a quest to reclaim your lost home, the last city on Earth. With a wide range of weapons, armor, and abilities at your disposal, understanding damage resistance is key to surviving and progressing through the game.
What is Damage Resistance?
Damage resistance determines the amount of damage you can absorb from enemy attacks before taking damage yourself. In Destiny 2, both weapons and armor have different damage resistance values. The higher the resistance value, the more effective your armor or weapon will be in combat.
Armor is the primary source of damage resistance, with each piece having its own resistance value. You can increase your armor resistance by equipping pieces with higher resistance values, using mods that boost resistance, or wearing armor sets with set bonuses that increase resistance.
Weapons can also provide intrinsic perks that grant damage resistance, while mods can enhance resistance against specific damage types. By combining different sources of damage resistance, you can create builds that withstand specific types of damage and survive longer in combat.
The Resist Buff Explained
It’s important to note that the Resist buff doesn’t always depict your actual damage resistance accurately. It only shows certain sources of damage resistance, excluding others. To gauge your true resistance, consider the values on your armor and weapons, as well as the effects of active mods and perks.
How Stacking Damage Resistance Works
While stacking multiple sources of damage resistance can be effective, it’s essential to weigh the benefits against other perks and mods. Consider factors like increased mobility, reload speed, and weapon handling when deciding whether to prioritize stacking damage resistance.
Another crucial factor is the type of damage you’re trying to resist. Destiny 2 features various damage types such as Kinetic, Arc, Solar, and Void. Different activities emphasize specific types, and certain mods and perks provide resistance against particular damage types. Customize your loadout accordingly to maximize survivability.
Damage Resistance vs. Reducing Enemy Damage
Damage resistance and reducing enemy damage are distinct mechanics. Damage resistance reduces incoming damage to your character, mitigating the amount of damage you take. On the other hand, reducing enemy damage focuses on diminishing the damage enemies deal. It involves tactics like taking cover, using mods and gear that offer specific damage resistance, and employing abilities that disrupt enemy attacks.
All Damage Resistance Sources
Destiny 2 offers several sources of damage resistance, applicable to both PvP and PvE activities. These include:
- Armor Mods: Mods like Concussive Dampener, Energy Converter, and Momentum Transfer increase damage resistance against specific damage types.
- Exotics: Certain Exotic armor pieces, such as The Stag, Ward of Dawn, and Transversive Steps, enhance damage resistance.
- Subclass Nodes: Select subclass nodes like Resilience, Shelter, and Iron Harvest raise damage resistance.
- Resilience: Investing points into Resilience raises damage resistance in PvE activities. 100 Resilience provides a significant 40% damage resistance, stacking multiplicatively with other sources. Higher ranks also grant bonus shields, boosting your effective health pool.
- Damage Resistance Mods: Add these mods to armor pieces to reduce damage from specific sources, such as void, arc, and solar damage. Some mods even reduce damage taken while using specific weapon types.
- Activity-Specific Damage Resistance Mods: These mods decrease damage from specific enemy types in particular activities, like Nightfall Strikes and Raids. Examples include Hive Barrier, Taken Barrier, and Fallen Barrier.
- Weapons and Exotics: Certain weapons and Exotic armor pieces provide brief periods of damage resistance or offer increased health regeneration and ability energy.
Super Damage Resistance
Super abilities play a vital role in combat situations, granting damage resistance while active. Abilities like Titan’s Sentinel Shield provide substantial resistance, allowing you to absorb significant damage. Others, like Warlock’s Dawnblade, provide more limited resistance but enhance mobility and offensive capabilities. Exotics such as Aeon Soul gauntlets enhance Super energy regeneration and duration.
Reducing Enemy Damage Sources
Reducing enemy damage sources is crucial for surviving challenging encounters. Employ environmental cover, strategic positioning, and mods that offer damage resistance against specific enemy types or elements. Defensive barriers created by abilities and Supers, like Titan’s Ward of Dawn, can protect you and your allies. Abilities that stun or knock back enemies can also disrupt their attacks and make them less effective.
What is the Best Damage Resistance Source?
In PvE, the best source of damage resistance combines Resilience and chest DR mods, providing a total of 80% damage resistance. The Well of Tenacity mod delivers an additional 40% resistance while active.
In PvP, using a Super is the most reliable source of damage resistance. Almost all Supers in Destiny 2 offer damage resistance while active. Other options include the Hunter’s Omnioculus Exotic, the Sentinel Titan’s overshield, and the Warlock’s Stag Exotic.
Choose the right combination of damage resistance sources based on the situation. Be aware of the available options and seize every opportunity to reduce incoming damage.
In conclusion, mastering damage resistance is essential for success in Destiny 2’s PvE and PvP activities. Whether you’re equipping Exotic armor, utilizing Super abilities, or wielding mods, understanding these mechanics will enhance your performance and increase your chances of victory. Adapt your loadout to each situation, prioritize damage resistance, and reduce incoming damage to conquer the toughest challenges.
