As guardians continue their journey through Destiny 2, the acquisition of Ascendant Shards becomes paramount for upgrading their gear to max power and unlocking the full potential of their characters. These elusive materials are essential for infusing pinnacle gear and crafting some of the most coveted weapons and armor in the game. While obtaining Ascendant Shards can be challenging, there are specific methods and strategies that players can employ to increase their chances of acquiring these valuable resources.
One reliable way to obtain Ascendant Shards is through weekly activities such as Nightfalls, Raids, and Crucible matches. Completing these activities on higher difficulties yields a greater chance of earning Ascendant Shards as rewards. Additionally, participating in seasonal events and completing triumph seals can also reward players with these coveted materials. For those seeking a more direct approach, purchasing Ascendant Shards from Xur, the enigmatic merchant who appears in various locations throughout the solar system, is another viable option. However, Xur’s inventory is limited and his prices can fluctuate, so players should carefully consider their purchases.
As players delve deeper into Destiny 2’s endgame content, they will encounter master-level activities such as Master Nightfalls and Master Raids. These high-stakes challenges offer a substantial chance of earning Ascendant Shards as rewards for successful completions. Additionally, certain in-game quests and bounties may also yield Ascendant Shards upon completion. Remaining vigilant for these opportunities and actively engaging in challenging content will significantly increase a player’s chances of accumulating these valuable resources.
How to Obtain Ascendant Shards in Destiny 2
Defeating Ascendant Champions
The main method of obtaining Ascendant Shards is by vanquishing Ascendant Champions. These formidable foes emerge from the Ascendant Plane during certain activities and Nightfall: The Ordeal missions. Focus your efforts on eliminating as many Ascendant Champions as possible, and they will reward you with chances to acquire Ascendant Shards.
Completing Master and Grandmaster Nightfalls
Tackling Master and Grandmaster Nightfall: The Ordeal missions presents an additional avenue for earning Ascendant Shards. These challenging variants of Nightfalls offer increased rewards, among which Ascendant Shards are included. The higher the difficulty level you conquer, the greater the likelihood of receiving these coveted resources.
Weekly Pinnacle Challenges
Some pinnacle challenges that reset weekly, like the Nightfall: The Ordeal, have a small chance of rewarding Ascendant Shards. Completing these challenges and obtaining their pinnacle rewards can potentially yield Ascendant Shards.
Purchasing from Spider
In the Tangled Shore, the enigmatic vendor Spider sells Ascendant Shards for Legendary Shards. Visit Spider’s den and exchange your hard-earned Legendary Shards for Ascendant Shards, but be mindful of the fluctuating cost.
Season Pass Rewards
Progressing through the Destiny 2 Season Pass can occasionally unlock Ascendant Shards as rewards. The tiers and rewards available in the Season Pass are subject to change with each season, so keep an eye out for opportunities to claim Ascendant Shards.
Seasonal Challenges
Seasonal Challenges are weekly in-game objectives that reward progress towards the Season Pass, as well as other rewards such as gear, currency, and Ascendant Shards.
To participate in Seasonal Challenges, players must first purchase the Season Pass for the current season. The Season Pass can be purchased from the in-game Eververse store or from the Bungie store.
Once the Season Pass is purchased, players can begin completing Seasonal Challenges. Challenges are typically divided into three tiers, with each tier offering different rewards. The first tier of challenges is usually the easiest to complete, while the third tier is the most difficult.
As players complete Seasonal Challenges, they will earn Season Pass experience points. These experience points will progress the Season Pass, which will unlock new rewards as it levels up. Some of the rewards that can be unlocked through the Season Pass include Ascendant Shards.
Ascendant Shards from Seasonal Challenges
Ascendant Shards are a rare and valuable currency in Destiny 2. They are used to upgrade certain pieces of gear, including Exotic weapons and armor. Ascendant Shards can be obtained from a variety of sources, including Seasonal Challenges.
There are three ways to earn Ascendant Shards from Seasonal Challenges:
- Complete the Ascendant Shard Weekly Challenge: Each week, there is a Seasonal Challenge that rewards Ascendant Shards upon completion. This challenge is typically the most difficult of the week’s challenges, but it also offers the greatest reward.
- Reach Season Pass Rank 100: Once a player reaches Season Pass Rank 100, they will be rewarded with an Ascendant Shard.
- Purchase Ascendant Shards from the Season Pass: Players can also purchase Ascendant Shards from the Season Pass for 100 Season Pass experience points each. This is a good option for players who need Ascendant Shards quickly.
| Method | Reward |
|---|---|
| Complete the Ascendant Shard Weekly Challenge | 1 Ascendant Shard |
| Reach Season Pass Rank 100 | 1 Ascendant Shard |
| Purchase Ascendant Shards from the Season Pass | 1 Ascendant Shard for 100 Season Pass experience points |
Grandmaster Nightfalls
Grandmaster Nightfalls are the pinnacle PvE activity in Destiny 2, offering the greatest rewards and the most challenging gameplay experience. They are available for a limited time each season and require a Power level of 1350 or higher to participate.
Completing Grandmaster Nightfalls awards Ascendant Shards, which are essential for upgrading your gear to the maximum Power level. The chances of obtaining an Ascendant Shard increase with the difficulty of the Nightfall:
| Difficulty | Chance of Ascendant Shard |
|---|---|
| Master | 20% |
| Grandmaster | 30% |
To increase your chances of getting an Ascendant Shard, aim for a Platinum or Gold tier completion. This means completing the Nightfall with a high score and meeting certain objectives, such as killing all Champions and completing optional challenges.
Grandmaster Nightfalls are challenging, but they are also a great way to test your skills and earn valuable rewards. If you are looking for a way to get Ascendant Shards, then this is the activity for you.
The Season of the Lost
The Season of the Lost is the current season of Destiny 2, and it introduced a new currency called Ascendant Shards. These shards are used to upgrade Exotic armor and weapons to their maximum power level, which makes them essential for endgame content.
How to Get Ascendant Shards
There are several ways to get Ascendant Shards in Destiny 2:
- Completing the weekly Nightfall: The Ordeal on Master difficulty
- Completing the weekly raid on Master difficulty
- Completing the weekly dungeon on Master difficulty
- Purchasing them from the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower
- Buying them from the vendor Xur when he sells them
Purchasing Ascendant Shards from the Monument to Lost Lights
The Monument to Lost Lights is a vendor in the Tower that sells a variety of items, including Ascendant Shards. You can purchase Ascendant Shards from the Monument for 100,000 Glimmer and 10 Enhancement Prisms.
The following table shows the cost of Ascendant Shards from the Monument to Lost Lights:
| Quantity | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100,000 Glimmer, 10 Enhancement Prisms |
| 5 | 500,000 Glimmer, 50 Enhancement Prisms |
| 10 | 1,000,000 Glimmer, 100 Enhancement Prisms |
You can also purchase Ascendant Shards from Xur when he sells them. Xur is a vendor that appears in a different location each week, and he sells a variety of items, including Ascendant Shards. Xur usually sells Ascendant Shards for 125,000 Glimmer, but the price can vary.
The Witch Queen Expansion
Introduced in Destiny 2: The Witch Queen expansion, Ascendant Shards are a rare and valuable currency used to upgrade various in-game items. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to acquire Ascendant Shards:
Master Raids and Dungeons
Completing endgame activities like Master Raids and Master Dungeons has a chance to drop Ascendant Shards.
Flawless Raids and Dungeons
Completing a Raid or Dungeon without any deaths grants a guaranteed Ascendant Shard.
Master Wellspring
Defeating challenging enemies in the Master Wellspring activity can yield Ascendant Shards.
Presage Mission
Completing the Presage mission on Legendary difficulty has a chance to reward an Ascendant Shard.
Vow of the Disciple Raid
Killing Rhulk, the final boss of the Vow of the Disciple Raid, guarantees an Ascendant Shard.
Exotic Mission: Operation Seraph’s Shield
The Exotic quest associated with Operation Seraph’s Shield grants an Ascendant Shard upon completion.
Ritual Activities
Completing the weekly pinnacle challenges in Crucible, Gambit, and Strikes has a small chance to reward an Ascendant Shard. Additionally, completing the Weekly Raid Milestone also offers a chance at a Shard.
| Activity | Chance of Ascendant Shard |
|---|---|
| Master Raid | Moderate |
| Master Dungeon | Low |
| Flawless Raid/Dungeon | Guaranteed |
| Master Wellspring | Low |
| Presage (Legendary) | Low |
| Vow of the Disciple (Rhulk) | Guaranteed |
| Operation Seraph’s Shield | Guaranteed |
| Ritual Activities | Very Low |
The Duality Dungeon
The Duality Dungeon is a challenging end-game activity in Destiny 2 that rewards players with Ascendant Shards, a rare and valuable resource. To complete the dungeon, players must navigate through a series of labyrinthine encounters and defeat powerful bosses. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get Ascendant Shards from the Duality Dungeon:
1. **Unlock the Duality Dungeon:** To access the dungeon, players must first complete the “Duality” questline, which is available from the HELM vendor in the Tower.
2. **Gather a Fireteam:** The Duality Dungeon is designed for three players, so it’s recommended to team up with two other Guardians before attempting it.
3. **Enter the Dungeon:** The entrance to the Duality Dungeon is located on the Moon in the Sorrow’s Harbor region.
4. **Navigate the Labyrinth:** The dungeon consists of a series of interconnected rooms and corridors. Use the map to find your way through the labyrinth and locate the various encounters.
5. **Defeat the Bosses:** The Duality Dungeon features three bosses: Nightmare of Gahlran, Nightmare of Inotam, and Caiatl, the final boss.
6. **Collect the Ascendant Shards:** Each time a boss is defeated, they will drop an Ascendant Shard. There is a total of three Ascendant Shards to be earned from the dungeon.
8. **Additional Tips for Maximizing Ascendant Shard Rewards:**
– Use a fireteam of three players with strong DPS builds.
– Prioritize defeating the bosses quickly and efficiently.
– Utilize Supers and Heavy weapons to maximize damage output.
– Communicate effectively with your fireteam to coordinate boss encounters.
– Don’t forget to grab the hidden chests scattered throughout the dungeon for additional rewards.
By following these steps and utilizing the additional tips provided, players can successfully complete the Duality Dungeon and earn valuable Ascendant Shards.
Weekly Rotator Rewards
What are Weekly Rotator Rewards?
Each week, a rotating activity will offer bonus rewards, including Ascendant Shards. This activity can be one of the following:
- Nightfall: The Ordeal
- Nightmare Hunts
- Altar of Sorrows
- Pit of Heresy Dungeon
- Garden of Salvation Raid
How to Get Ascendant Shards from Weekly Rotator Rewards
To earn Ascendant Shards from Weekly Rotator Rewards, simply complete the featured activity on its highest difficulty level. The first completion will reward you with Ascendant Shards.
Additional Notes
- The featured activity for the week is reset every Tuesday at 10am PST.
- You can only earn Ascendant Shards from the Weekly Rotator Rewards once per week per character.
- The amount of Ascendant Shards awarded varies by activity:
| Activity | Ascendant Shards Awarded |
|---|---|
| Nightfall: The Ordeal (Master or Grandmaster) | 1 |
| Nightmare Hunts (Heroic) | 1 |
| Altar of Sorrows (Tier 5) | 2 |
| Pit of Heresy Dungeon (Solo Flawless) | 3 |
| Garden of Salvation Raid (Completion) | 5 |
How to Obtain Ascendant Shards in Destiny 2
In Destiny 2, Ascendant Shards are a valuable currency used to upgrade Masterwork weapons and armors. Acquiring them can enhance your character’s capabilities significantly. Here’s how to obtain Ascendant Shards in Destiny 2:
- Nightfall Difficulty: Complete Nightfall Ordeals on Master or Grandmaster difficulty for a chance at Ascendant Shard rewards.
- Trials of Osiris: Participate in Trials of Osiris and reach seven wins to earn an Ascendant Shard once per week.
- Raid Challenges: Complete specific challenges in raids to obtain Ascendant Shards as rewards.
- Exotic Cipher Exchange: Exchange 100 Legendary Shards and an Exotic Cipher at the Monument to Lost Lights for one Ascendant Shard.
- Season Pass Rewards: Certain seasons offer Ascendant Shards as rewards for completing seasonal activities and leveling up the Season Pass.
People Also Ask About Destiny 2 How To Get Ascendant Shards
What is the fastest way to farm Ascendant Shards?
Completing Nightfall Ordeals on Master or Grandmaster difficulty is the most efficient way to farm Ascendant Shards.
How many Ascendant Shards can I earn per week?
You can earn up to three Ascendant Shards per week through Nightfall Ordeals, Trials of Osiris, and the Exotic Cipher exchange.
Can I trade Ascendant Shards?
No, Ascendant Shards are not tradable items.
