Are you ready to ignite your Guardian's potential with the power of the sun? In Destiny 2, Solar energy is more than just a damage type; it's a versatile tool for offense, defense, and support. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a new Lightbearer, understanding how to effectively wield Solar energy can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about harnessing Solar energy in Destiny 2, from acquiring Solar subclasses to mastering Solar weapons and armor.

Understanding Solar Subclasses

First off, let's dive into the Solar subclasses available for each class in Destiny 2. Each subclass offers a unique playstyle and set of abilities, allowing you to customize your Guardian to fit your preferred combat approach. Mastering these subclasses is key to effectively utilizing Solar energy.

Hunter - Gunslinger

The Gunslinger is the Hunter's Solar subclass, known for its high damage output and precision-based gameplay. Hunters, if you love dealing massive damage with a single shot, then Gunslinger is your go-to. The Super ability, Golden Gun, allows you to summon a flaming pistol that can incinerate enemies with a single shot. There are different variations of the Golden Gun, such as the six-shooter variant, which fires more shots with reduced damage per shot, or the precision-based variant, which rewards accuracy with increased damage and refunds a shot on a precision hit.

Key Abilities:

• Golden Gun: Summons a flaming pistol that incinerates enemies with Solar Light.
• Knives: Throwing knives that can ignite enemies or deal precision damage.
• Gambler's Dodge: Dodging near enemies fully recharges your melee ability.

The Gunslinger subclass has undergone several changes, but its core identity remains the same: a high-damage, precision-focused subclass that excels in both PvE and PvP. Experiment with different aspects and fragments to find a build that suits your playstyle.

Titan - Sunbreaker

The Sunbreaker is the Titan's Solar subclass, renowned for its explosive area-of-effect damage and resilience. Titans, if you enjoy raining down fiery hammers upon your foes, then Sunbreaker is tailor-made for you. The Super ability, Hammer of Sol, allows you to summon a flaming hammer that can be thrown at enemies, creating explosive Solar flares upon impact. The Sunbreaker is all about controlling the battlefield with fiery devastation.

Key Abilities:

• Hammer of Sol: Summons a flaming hammer that can be thrown at enemies, creating explosive Solar flares.
• Sunspots: Creating Sunspots on the battlefield that empower you and your allies.
• Roaring Flames: Defeating enemies with Solar abilities increases your Solar damage.

One of the key aspects of the Sunbreaker is the ability to create Sunspots, which are pools of Solar energy that empower you and your allies while damaging enemies who dare to step within. This makes the Sunbreaker a formidable force in both offensive and defensive situations. Experiment with different builds to maximize your Sunspot uptime and Solar damage output.

Warlock - Dawnblade

The Dawnblade is the Warlock's Solar subclass, celebrated for its aerial mobility, support capabilities, and devastating Solar projectiles. Warlocks, if you like soaring through the skies and unleashing fiery death from above, then Dawnblade is the perfect choice. The Super ability, Daybreak, allows you to summon a flaming sword that can launch waves of Solar energy at enemies. The Dawnblade is a versatile subclass that can excel in both offensive and support roles.

Key Abilities:

• Daybreak: Summons a flaming sword that can launch waves of Solar energy at enemies.
• Healing Grenade: Grenades that can heal allies and provide restoration.
• Phoenix Dive: Dive to the ground and create a burst of Solar energy that heals you.

The Dawnblade offers two distinct playstyles: Well of Radiance and Daybreak. Well of Radiance creates a powerful healing and empowering aura, making it ideal for supporting your team in challenging activities. Daybreak, on the other hand, focuses on dealing massive damage with Solar projectiles. Experiment with both to see which one suits your playstyle better.

Acquiring Solar Weapons

Now that we've covered the Solar subclasses, let's move on to Solar weapons. These weapons are essential for dealing Solar damage and triggering Solar-related effects. Here's how you can acquire them.

Exotic Weapons

Exotic weapons are unique, powerful weapons with intrinsic perks that can significantly impact your gameplay. Several Exotic weapons in Destiny 2 deal Solar damage and synergize well with Solar subclasses.

• Sunshot: A Solar hand cannon that causes enemies to explode upon death, spreading Solar damage to nearby foes. This is great for clearing out groups of weaker enemies.
• Polaris Lance: A Solar scout rifle that grants a perfect fifth shot, which ignites enemies upon impact. This is perfect for sustained damage output and triggering Solar ignitions.
• Skyburner's Oath: A Solar scout rifle that fires explosive, seeking projectiles when hip-fired and deals increased damage to Cabal enemies. A must-have for dealing with Cabal forces.

These Exotic weapons can be obtained through various means, such as completing quests, defeating challenging enemies, or purchasing them from Xûr, the weekend Exotic vendor. Keep an eye out for these weapons, as they can greatly enhance your Solar arsenal.

Legendary Weapons

Legendary weapons are more common than Exotic weapons but can still be incredibly powerful, especially when combined with the right perks. Many Legendary weapons in Destiny 2 can roll with Solar damage, offering a wide range of options for your Solar builds.

• BXR-55 Battler: A Solar pulse rifle that can roll with perks like Kill Clip and Incandescent, making it a potent weapon for both PvE and PvP.
• IKELOS_HC_V1.0.3: A Solar hand cannon that can roll with perks like Threat Detector and Incandescent, making it ideal for close-quarters combat.
• CALUS Mini-Tool: A Solar submachine gun that can roll with perks like Unrelenting and Incandescent, making it perfect for sustained damage and healing.

These Legendary weapons can be obtained through various activities, such as completing strikes, raids, and Crucible matches. Pay attention to the perks on these weapons, as the right combination can greatly enhance their effectiveness.

Optimizing Your Armor for Solar Builds

In addition to Solar subclasses and weapons, your armor plays a crucial role in optimizing your Solar builds. Armor mods can enhance your ability regeneration, increase your damage output, and provide additional utility.

Armor Mods

Armor mods are modifications that can be applied to your armor to enhance your abilities and provide additional benefits. Several armor mods synergize well with Solar subclasses and weapons.

• Ashes to Assets: Converts grenade damage into Super energy, allowing you to charge your Super more quickly.
• Grenade Kickstart: When your grenade energy is fully expended, you gain grenade energy. This is great for builds that rely heavily on grenades.
• Font of Wisdom: Gain a temporary increase to your Intellect stat after picking up an Orb of Power. This is great for builds that focus on ability uptime.

These armor mods can be obtained through various means, such as completing activities, purchasing them from Ada-1, or unlocking them through the seasonal artifact. Experiment with different combinations to find the ones that best suit your playstyle.

Exotic Armor

Exotic armor pieces offer unique perks that can significantly enhance your Solar builds. Each class has several Exotic armor pieces that synergize well with Solar subclasses.

• Hunter - Shards of Galanor: Grants Super energy back upon dealing damage with Blade Barrage. This is great for maximizing your Super uptime.
• Titan - Loreley Splendor Helm: Creates a Sunspot at your location when you are critically wounded, providing healing and empowering you. This is great for survivability.
• Warlock - Starfire Protocol: Fusion Grenades have an additional charge and restore grenade energy on weapon kills while empowered by Well of Radiance. This is great for supporting your team.

These Exotic armor pieces can be obtained through various means, such as completing Legend or Master Lost Sectors or purchasing them from Xûr. Keep an eye out for these armor pieces, as they can greatly enhance your Solar builds.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering Solar Energy

To truly master Solar energy in Destiny 2, here are some additional tips and tricks to keep in mind:

• Utilize Solar Wells: Solar Wells are small pools of Solar energy that can be created by certain abilities and weapons. Picking up a Solar Well grants a temporary boost to your ability regeneration, making it easier to spam your grenades and melee abilities.
• Ignite Enemies: Solar ignitions are powerful explosions that can be triggered by dealing a certain amount of Solar damage to an enemy. Ignite enemies to deal massive damage to them and nearby foes.
• Synergize with Allies: Coordinate with your teammates to create powerful Solar synergies. For example, a Warlock using Well of Radiance can empower their allies, allowing them to deal increased damage with Solar weapons.
• Experiment with Builds: Don't be afraid to experiment with different subclass setups, weapon combinations, and armor mods to find the builds that best suit your playstyle. The possibilities are endless!

By following these tips and tricks, you'll be well on your way to mastering Solar energy in Destiny 2. So go forth, Guardian, and unleash the power of the sun upon your foes!

Conclusion

Harnessing Solar energy in Destiny 2 is a rewarding endeavor that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. By understanding the Solar subclasses, acquiring Solar weapons, optimizing your armor, and utilizing various tips and tricks, you can become a true master of the sun. Whether you're a Hunter, Titan, or Warlock, Solar energy offers a wide range of possibilities for offense, defense, and support. So go out there, Guardians, and embrace the power of the sun! You've got this, and the enemies of the Light don't stand a chance against your newfound Solar abilities. Now go show them what you're made of!