How To Get Ascendant Shards In Destiny 2
Ascendant Shards are a rare and valuable currency in Destiny 2. They are used to upgrade Masterworked weapons and armor to their maximum potential. In addition to their usefulness, Ascendant Shards are not easy to come by. However, there are a few ways to farm them. Below are a few methods you can do to get the currency in the game.
Master Nightfalls
Master Nightfalls are the most reliable way to get Ascendant Shards. They are challenging, but they also offer the highest rewards. Completing a Master Nightfall on Platinum difficulty guarantees one Ascendant Shard. Additionally, you have a chance to get more Ascendant Shards from the Platinum and Diamond Chests.
Pit of Heresy Dungeon
The Pit of Heresy dungeon is another good way to get Ascendant Shards. The final boss, Zulmak, has a chance to drop an Ascendant Shard. Additionally, you can get Ascendant Shards from the secret chests in the dungeon.
Weekly Bounties
Banshee-44, the Gunsmith, offers a weekly bounty that rewards an Ascendant Shard. This bounty requires you to complete 8 Gunsmith bounties. It is a relatively easy bounty to complete, and it is a good way to get a guaranteed Ascendant Shard each week.
Ascendant Shards Overview
Ascendant Shards are a rare and valuable currency in Destiny 2, used to upgrade certain Masterwork weapons and armor to their maximum potential. They are primarily obtained through end-game content, such as raids, dungeons, and Nightfalls. Ascendant Shards are essential for min-maxing gear and maximizing a player’s power level.
Obtaining Ascendant Shards
Ascendant Shards can be obtained through various activities in Destiny 2, including:
- Completing raids (one per week)
- Completing dungeons (one per week)
- Completing Master and Grandmaster Nightfalls
- Reaching the max rank with each faction
- Purchasing from the Monument to Lost Lights (requires Spoils of Conquest)
The most reliable way to obtain Ascendant Shards is through weekly completions of raids and dungeons. These activities guarantee a drop of one Ascendant Shard upon completion, provided the player has not previously obtained one that week.
Additionally, players can earn Ascendant Shards by dismantling certain high-tier weapons and armor. Dismantling a Masterworked weapon or piece of armor with a 10-energy Masterwork will yield a small chance of obtaining an Ascendant Shard.
Using Ascendant Shards
Ascendant Shards are primarily used to upgrade Masterwork weapons and armor to their maximum potential. Once a weapon or armor piece has been Masterworked, players can use Ascendant Shards to enhance its Masterwork stat bonuses. This process requires multiple Ascendant Shards, with the number required increasing with each enhancement level.
Sources of Ascendant Shards
Master Raids and Dungeons
Completing Master-difficulty raids and dungeons offers a fair chance of obtaining Ascendant Shards as a reward. These high-end activities demand a coordinated fireteam and tactical execution to overcome challenging encounters and earn valuable loot, including Ascendant Shards.
Nightfall: The Ordeal (Adept)
If you seek a high probability of acquiring Ascendant Shards, Nightfall: The Ordeal (Adept) is your ideal choice. This pinnacle-level activity not only presents a formidable challenge but also guarantees an Ascendant Shard for the first completion each week on Adept difficulty. Prepare your fireteam for an intense and rewarding experience.
Table of Nightfall: The Ordeal (Adept) Reward Chances
| Difficulty | Ascendant Shard Chance | Reward Source |
|---|---|---|
| Adept | Guaranteed for first completion each week | Completion |
| Heroic | Low chance | Completion or Platinum Tier |
| Legend | Medium chance | Platinum Tier |
Nightfall: The Ordeal
The Nightfall: The Ordeal is a weekly activity that grants Ascendant Shards for completing it on Legend or Master difficulty. The higher the difficulty, the more Shards you’ll earn. The Ordeal can be challenging, but it is one of the most reliable ways to farm for this rare currency.
Tips for Completing the Nightfall: The Ordeal on Legend or Master Difficulty:
- Matchmake with experienced players or form a fireteam of friends.
- Bring high-level gear and weapons that match the modifiers of the week.
- Communicate with your teammates and coordinate strategies.
- Use your abilities wisely and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Don’t give up! If you fail, try again with a different strategy.
Rewards for Completing the Nightfall: The Ordeal on Legend or Master Difficulty
In addition to Ascendant Shards, you can also earn other rewards for completing the Nightfall: The Ordeal on Legend or Master difficulty. These rewards include:
Table of Rewards:
| Difficulty | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Legend | 1-2 Ascendant Shards, Enhancement Cores, Enhancement Prisms, Powerful Gear |
| Master | 3-4 Ascendant Shards, Enhancement Cores, Enhancement Prisms, Exotic Gear |
Master Ketchcrash
Master Ketchcrash is a more challenging version of the regular Ketchcrash activity. It requires a higher Power Level and offers increased rewards, including Ascendant Shards. To access Master Ketchcrash, you must first complete the normal Ketchcrash activity.
Once you have completed the normal Ketchcrash activity, you can launch Master Ketchcrash from the Director. The recommended Power Level for Master Ketchcrash is 1595.
Master Ketchcrash features the following modifiers:
Increased enemy density – There are more enemies in Master Ketchcrash than in the normal activity.
Increased enemy damage – Enemies in Master Ketchcrash deal more damage than in the normal activity.
Infinite ammo – You have infinite ammo for all of your weapons in Master Ketchcrash.
Increased reward chance – You have a higher chance of getting rewards from chests and boss kills in Master Ketchcrash.
To complete Master Ketchcrash, you will need to work together with your team to defeat all of the enemies and complete the objectives. You will also need to be careful not to die, as dying will reset your progress.
If you are successful in completing Master Ketchcrash, you will be rewarded with a chest that contains Ascendant Shards, Enhancement Prisms, and other valuable items.
Rewards
The following table shows the rewards that you can get from completing Master Ketchcrash:
| Reward | Chance |
|---|---|
| Ascendant Shard | 20% |
| Enhancement Prism | 50% |
| Core Harmonic100% |
Trials of Osiris
Trials of Osiris is a high-stakes PvP mode in Destiny 2 where players compete in 3v3 Elimination matches. By participating in Trials, you have a chance to earn Ascendant Shards as a reward for completing certain objectives.
The Trials of Osiris has a weekly reset on Tuesdays, and it is only available during specific weekends. To participate, you must have a pre-made fireteam of three players and a Trials Passage.
The Trials Passage is a consumable item that tracks your progress and rewards in Trials. There are two types of Passages available: a free Passage and a paid Passage (Flawless Passage). The paid Passage offers additional rewards, including increased Ascendant Shard drop rates.
To earn Ascendant Shards in Trials, you must complete Flawless runs. A Flawless run is a series of seven consecutive wins without any losses. Completing a Flawless run will reward you with a large number of Ascendant Shards, as well as other valuable rewards.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Ascendant Shard rewards for each Flawless run in Trials of Osiris:
| Flawless Tier | Ascendant Shards Rewarded |
|---|---|
| 1-3 | 3 |
| 4-6 | 5 |
| 7 | 10 |
In addition to Flawless runs, you can also earn Ascendant Shards by participating in Trials matches and completing bounties. However, the drop rate for Ascendant Shards is much lower through these methods.
Iron Banner
The Iron Banner is a Crucible event that occurs periodically throughout the Destiny 2 Season. During the Iron Banner, you can earn Iron Banner Tokens by completing matches. These tokens can be turned in to Lord Saladin, the Iron Banner vendor, for a variety of rewards, including Ascendant Shards.
The Iron Banner is a great way to earn Ascendant Shards, as you can earn up to 10 tokens per match. However, the Iron Banner is also a challenging event, so be sure to prepare yourself accordingly.
Here are some tips for earning Ascendant Shards in the Iron Banner:
- Participate in as many matches as possible. The more matches you play, the more tokens you will earn.
- Win matches. Winning matches will earn you more tokens than losing matches.
- Complete bounties. Bounties are special quests that can be completed during the Iron Banner. Completing bounties will earn you additional tokens.
- Donate tokens to Lord Saladin. Donating tokens to Lord Saladin will increase your reputation with him. As your reputation increases, you will earn more rewards, including Ascendant Shards.
The Iron Banner is a great way to earn Ascendant Shards, but it is important to be prepared for a challenge. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of earning Ascendant Shards and other valuable rewards.
Here is a table summarizing the ways to earn Ascendant Shards in the Iron Banner:
| Method | Tokens Earned |
|---|---|
| Participating in matches | 1-5 |
| Winning matches | 2-10 |
| Completing bounties | 1-5 |
| Donating tokens to Lord Saladin | 1 per 10 tokens donated |
Season Pass Rewards
The Season Pass offers a steady stream of Ascendant Shards as you level up. Each season, players can earn up to 10 Ascendant Shards through the Season Pass. These shards are typically rewarded at specific tiers, such as Tier 25, Tier 50, and Tier 75.
| Season | Tiers With Ascendant Shards |
|---|---|
| Season of the Risen | Tier 25, 50, 75 |
| Season of the Haunted | Tier 25, 50, 75 |
| Season of Plunder | Tier 25, 50, 75 |
Tips for Maximizing Ascendant Shard Rewards from the Season Pass:
To maximize your Ascendant Shard rewards from the Season Pass, consider purchasing the Premium Season Pass, which includes additional tiers with rewards. Additionally, completing weekly challenges and bounties can provide bonus XP, allowing you to level up the pass more quickly.
How To Get Ascendant Shards In Destiny 2
Ascendant Shards are a rare currency in Destiny 2 that are used to upgrade Masterworked weapons and armor. They can be obtained through a variety of activities, but the most common way to get them is by completing Nightfall Strikes. Nightfall Strikes are challenging missions that can be completed solo or with a team of up to three players. The higher the difficulty of the Nightfall Strike, the more likely you are to get an Ascendant Shard as a reward. Ascendant Shards can also be obtained by completing the weekly Ascendant Challenge, which is a special mission that is available once per week.
In addition to Nightfall Strikes and the Ascendant Challenge, Ascendant Shards can also be obtained from the following activities:
- Opening chests in the Shattered Throne dungeon
- Completing bounties from Petra Venj
- Purchasing them from the Eververse store
Ascendant Shards are a valuable currency in Destiny 2, so it is important to know how to get them. By completing Nightfall Strikes, the Ascendant Challenge, and other activities, you can stock up on Ascendant Shards and use them to upgrade your gear.