Ascendant Shards are an essential currency in Destiny 2, used to purchase powerful gear and upgrade your existing arsenal. However, farming them can be a time-consuming and challenging task. In this article, we’ll delve into the various methods you can employ to farm Ascendant Shards efficiently and effectively.
One of the primary ways to acquire Ascendant Shards is through Nightfall activities. Nightfalls are challenging missions that offer generous rewards upon completion, including Ascendant Shards. The higher the difficulty of the Nightfall, the greater the chances of obtaining Shards. By completing Nightfalls regularly, you can steadily accumulate a sizable stash of this valuable currency.
Another reliable method of farming Ascendant Shards is through the Shattered Throne dungeon. The Shattered Throne is a solo-only dungeon that requires both skill and patience to navigate. Upon completing the dungeon, you’re guaranteed to receive several Ascendant Shards as a reward. Additionally, you have a chance to obtain a bonus chest that may contain even more Shards, making the Shattered Throne an excellent farming location.
Identifying Ascendant Shard Sources
Ascendant Shards, a crucial resource for upgrading Pinnacle gear in Destiny 2, can be acquired from various sources throughout the game. These sources range from completing weekly challenges to engaging in endgame content. Knowing where to find Ascendant Shards is essential for players seeking to enhance their gear and maximize their power level.
Master and Grandmaster Nightfalls
Master and Grandmaster Nightfalls are challenging end-game activities that provide a significant chance to earn Ascendant Shards. These difficulties offer higher rewards based on performance, making them a reliable source for obtaining this valuable resource. However, completing these Nightfalls requires a well-coordinated team with a high level of skill and strategy.
Weekly Challenges
Weekly challenges offer a consistent way to acquire Ascendant Shards. Completing all eight weekly challenges, including the powerful and pinnacle ones, guarantees a total of four Ascendant Shards. These challenges are typically straightforward tasks that can be completed through regular gameplay, making them accessible to players of all skill levels.
Iron Banner and Trials of Osiris
Iron Banner, a competitive PvP event, and Trials of Osiris, a high-stakes PvP activity, both offer Ascendant Shards as potential rewards. Ranking up in Iron Banner or performing well in Trials of Osiris increases the likelihood of acquiring these shards. However, these activities require a high level of skill and can be challenging for newer players or those without a dedicated team.
Seasonal Activities
Seasonal activities, such as the Season of the Haunted’s Nightmare Containment, can also be a source of Ascendant Shards. Completing certain objectives or challenges within these activities may reward players with this valuable resource. The availability of these shards through seasonal activities varies depending on the current season and its specific activities.
Exploring Blind Well Activity
The Blind Well is a public event in the Dreaming City that offers a chance to farm Ascendant Shards. To participate, head to the Blind Well location in the Rheasilvia region, where you’ll find a large circular platform with a central column. When the public event is active, a portal will appear in the center of the platform, and waves of enemies will begin to spawn.
To earn Ascendant Shards, you need to defeat the Tier 4 boss that appears at the end of the event. The Tier 4 boss is a powerful enemy, so it’s important to coordinate with other players and use powerful weapons. Once you defeat the Tier 4 boss, you’ll be rewarded with a chest that has a chance to contain Ascendant Shards.
Tips for Farming Ascendant Shards in the Blind Well
Here are some tips to help you farm Ascendant Shards in the Blind Well:
- Join a fireteam: The Blind Well is a difficult public event to complete solo. It’s best to join a fireteam with other players so that you can coordinate your efforts and defeat the Tier 4 boss.
- Use powerful weapons: The Tier 4 boss is a powerful enemy, so it’s important to use powerful weapons to defeat it quickly.
- Complete multiple Tier 4 bosses: The more Tier 4 bosses you defeat, the more chances you’ll have to earn Ascendant Shards.
| Tier | Enemies | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taken Thrall, Acolytes, and Knights | Small chance at Ascendant Shards |
| 2 | Taken Hobgoblins, Wizards, and Ogres | Medium chance at Ascendant Shards |
| 3 | Taken Captains, Blights, and Minotaurs | High chance at Ascendant Shards |
| 4 | Taken Ravagers, Ascendant Knights, and Taken Hydras | Guaranteed Ascendant Shards |
Defeating Nightfall Strikes
Nightfall Strikes are challenging weekly missions in Destiny 2 that offer greater rewards than regular strikes. These strikes are available at three difficulty levels: Adept, Hero, and Legend. Defeating Nightfall Strikes is a reliable way to obtain Ascendant Shards, especially on higher difficulty levels.
To participate in Nightfall Strikes, you must be at least 1250 Power Level. Higher Power Levels make the strikes easier and increase your chances of obtaining Ascendant Shards. It’s recommended to team up with other players for Nightfall Strikes, as they can be particularly challenging solo.
The rewards for completing Nightfall Strikes vary depending on the difficulty level:
| Difficulty | Rewards |
|---|---|
| Adept | Chance for Ascendant Shards, Enhancement Prisms, and Adept Nightfall weapons |
| Hero | Increased chance for Ascendant Shards and Enhancement Prisms |
| Legend | Guaranteed Ascendant Shards, Enhancement Prisms, and a chance for Timelost weapons |
To maximize your chances of obtaining Ascendant Shards from Nightfall Strikes, focus on completing the more difficult levels, such as Hero and Legend. Additionally, completing Nightfall Strikes on multiple characters will increase your chances of earning Ascendant Shards.
Completing Raids and Dungeons
Venturing into raids and dungeons is a lucrative way to acquire Ascendant Shards. These challenging end-game activities offer guaranteed rewards upon completion, including a chance to obtain Ascendant Shards.
Raids
Raids are six-player activities that require coordination, teamwork, and a high level of skill. Completating a raid typically yields multiple Ascendant Shards, making them a valuable source for farming these materials.
Recommended Raids for Ascendant Shard Farming
| Raid | Number of Guaranteed Ascendant Shards |
|---|---|
| Deep Stone Crypt | 2 per encounter (10 total) |
| Vault of Glass | 1 per encounter (7 total) |
| Last Wish | 2 per encounter (10 total) |
Dungeons
Dungeons are three-player activities that are less difficult than raids but still provide a decent chance to earn Ascendant Shards. Completing a dungeon once per week guarantees at least one Ascendant Shard.
Recommended Dungeons for Ascendant Shard Farming
| Dungeon | Guaranteed Weekly Ascendant Shard |
|---|---|
| Prophecy | Yes |
| Pit of Heresy | Yes |
| Shattered Throne | Yes |
Participating in Nightmare Hunts
Nightmare Hunts are challenging PvE activities introduced in Season of the Hunt. These hunts offer a high chance of dropping Ascendant Shards as rewards for successful completion. To participate in a Nightmare Hunt, follow these steps:
- Speak with Crow in the Tangled Shore and select the Nightmare Hunt you wish to undertake.
- Form a fireteam of three Guardians or use matchmaking to find other players.
- Navigate through the hunt, fighting through hordes of enemies and eventually facing a powerful boss.
- Defeat the boss to claim your rewards, including a potential Ascendant Shard.
- Nightmare Hunts can be repeated multiple times, but Ascendant Shards are only guaranteed as first-time completion rewards. Subsequent completions have a chance of dropping the shards but are not guaranteed.
Tips for Farming Ascendant Shards in Nightmare Hunts
Here are some additional tips to help you farm Ascendant Shards efficiently in Nightmare Hunts:
| Tip | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Prioritize first-time completions | Guaranteed Ascendant Shard drop on first completion |
| Complete all three weekly Nightmare Hunts | Maximize chances of obtaining Ascendant Shards |
| Use the “High-Value Target” mod | Increases chances of Ascendant Shards dropping from high-value targets |
| Farm with a fireteam | Increases efficiency and reduces completion time |
| Don’t forget the Dreaming City bounties | Additional opportunities for Ascendant Shard rewards |
Shattering Ascendant Droplets
Shattering Ascendant Droplets is a crucial step in the farming process of Ascendant Shards. These Droplets are obtained by dismantling Ascendant Alloys, and can be shattered using the following methods:
- Gunsmith: Visit Banshee-44 at the Tower and select the “Shatter an Ascendant Droplet” option. The cost is 10 Legendary Shards per Droplet.
- Rahool: Head to the Cryptarch in the Tower and choose the “Shatter an Ascendant Droplet” option. This option costs 10 Enhancement Cores per Droplet.
- DIM (Destiny Item Manager): If you have the DIM extension installed, you can shatter Droplets directly from your inventory by clicking the “Shard” button.
Each Ascendant Droplet yields one Ascendant Shard, which can be used in various crafting recipes, including the creation of Ascendant Alloys and Masterwork weapons.
Recommended Droplet Shattering Method
The most cost-effective method of shattering Ascendant Droplets is through the Gunsmith (Banshee-44). At a cost of 10 Legendary Shards per Droplet, it is significantly cheaper than using Enhancement Cores at Rahool. However, if you have a surplus of Enhancement Cores and are looking to save time, Rahool’s option can be convenient.
| Method | Cost per Droplet |
|---|---|
| Gunsmith (Banshee-44) | 10 Legendary Shards |
| Rahool (Cryptarch) | 10 Enhancement Cores |
Acquiring Ascendant Shards from Banshee-44
Banshee-44, the enigmatic Gunsmith at the Tower, is a valuable source of Ascendant Shards. By completing specific tasks for him, Guardians can earn these rare and valuable materials.
1. Gunsmith Bounties
Completing Gunsmith Bounties is the most direct way to acquire Ascendant Shards from Banshee-44. These daily bounties reward Guardians with Legendary Engrams, which have a chance of dropping Ascendant Shards upon decryption.
2. Gunsmith Reputations
As Guardians increase their reputation with Banshee-44 by completing bounties, they will unlock additional rewards. At certain milestones, Ascendant Shards become available as purchase options from the Gunsmith.
3. Banshee-44 Quests
On occasion, Banshee-44 offers special quests that require Guardians to complete specific objectives. These quests often reward Ascendant Shards as a completion bonus.
4. Calibration Rituals
Guardians can participate in Calibration Rituals with Banshee-44 to improve their weapons and test their limits. These rituals sometimes grant Ascendant Shards as rewards.
5. Gunsmith Packages
By completing Gunsmith Bounties, Guardians earn Gunsmith Reputation. This Reputation can be used to purchase Gunsmith Packages, which have a small chance of containing Ascendant Shards.
6. Gunsmith Enhancement Cores
Ascendant Shards can be acquired through the dismantling of Gunsmith Enhancement Cores, which are obtained from Banshee-44’s bounties and packages.
7. Exotic Weapon Disassembly
Dismantling Exotic Weapons can sometimes yield Ascendant Shards. Banshee-44’s exotic weapon bounties provide a convenient opportunity to acquire these rare weapons and potentially obtain Ascendant Shards in the process.
| Source | Chance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gunsmith Bounties | Low | Decrypted Legendary Engrams |
| Gunsmith Reputation | Variable | Milestone unlocks |
| Banshee-44 Quests | Rare | Special objective completion |
| Calibration Rituals | Moderate | Ritual completion rewards |
| Gunsmith Packages | Low | Purchase with Gunsmith Reputation |
| Gunsmith Enhancement Cores | Moderate | Dismantling Enhancement Cores |
| Exotic Weapon Disassembly | Low | Banshee-44’s exotic bounties |
Salvaging Old Ascendant Energy
One of the most straightforward ways to farm Ascendant Shards is by salvaging old Ascendant Energy. You can obtain Ascendant Energy from various activities in the game, including Public Events, Lost Sectors, and Nightfalls. Once you’ve accumulated a decent amount of Ascendant Energy, you can visit the Gunsmith in the Tower and salvage it for Ascendant Shards. Each Ascendant Energy you salvage will yield one Ascendant Shard.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the salvaging process:
- Go to the Tower and speak to the Gunsmith, Banshee-44.
- Select the “Salvage” option from the menu.
- In the “Materials” tab, locate and select “Ascendant Energy.”
- Enter the amount of Ascendant Energy you wish to salvage.
- Click on the “Salvage” button.
You will receive Ascendant Shards in your inventory based on the amount of Ascendant Energy you salvaged.
| Amount of Ascendant Energy | Shards Received |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 10 | 10 |
| 25 | 25 |
| 50 | 50 |
| 100 | 100 |
Using the Ascendant Shard Exchange
The Ascendant Shard Exchange is a convenient way to obtain Ascendant Shards, but it requires a significant investment of Bright Dust. Each Shard costs 100 Bright Dust, and you can exchange up to three Shards per week. This method is best suited for players who have excess Bright Dust and are willing to spend it on Ascendant Shards.
To use the Ascendant Shard Exchange, visit the Tower and interact with the Master Rahool. Select the “Exchange” tab and scroll down to the “Ascendant Shard Exchange” section. You can then exchange your Bright Dust for Ascendant Shards.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the Ascendant Shard Exchange costs:
| Shards | Bright Dust |
|---|---|
| 1 | 100 |
| 2 | 200 |
| 3 | 300 |
Maximizing Ascendant Shard Farming Efficiency
Ascendant Shards are a valuable currency in Destiny 2, used to upgrade Masterwork weapons and armor. Here are some tips on how to maximize your Ascendant Shard farming efficiency:
1. Run Nightfalls
Nightfalls are one of the best sources of Ascendant Shards. The higher the difficulty level, the more likely you are to get a Shard drop. Platinum and Diamond tier rewards guarantee at least one Ascendant Shard.
2. Complete Weekly Bounties
Banshee-44, the Gunsmith, offers a weekly bounty that rewards an Ascendant Shard upon completion. Make sure to complete this bounty every week for a guaranteed source of Shards.
3. Dismantle Masterwork Gear
When you dismantle Masterwork gear, you have a chance to get back an Ascendant Shard. The higher the Masterwork tier, the higher the chance of getting a Shard.
4. Complete Gambit Matches
Playing Gambit can reward Ascendant Shards as a post-match drop. The more Infamy you earn, the higher your chances of getting a Shard.
5. Participate in Iron Banner
During Iron Banner events, you can earn Ascendant Shards as rewards for completing bounties and ranking up your reputation.
6. Open Prime Engrams
Prime Engrams have a chance to drop Ascendant Shards when opened. These Engrams can be obtained from various activities, including Strikes, Nightfalls, and Crucible matches.
7. Farm High-Value Targets
High-Value Targets are powerful enemies that spawn in the open world. Defeating them has a chance to reward Ascendant Shards.
8. Participate in Public Events
Public Events sometimes reward Ascendant Shards as a completion bonus. Participating in Heroic Public Events increases your chances of getting a Shard.
9. Complete Seasonal Challenges
Seasonal Challenges often reward Ascendant Shards as a completion reward. Make sure to check the Season Pass menu to see which Challenges offer Shards.
10. Utilize the Moon Bounty Glitch
There is a glitch on the Moon that allows players to farm Ascendant Shards by repeatedly completing the “Essence of Brutality” bounty. This glitch involves rapidly completing the bounty and retrieving the Essence of Brutality from the Altar of Sorrows before the bounty timer expires. The bounty can be completed multiple times per hour, yielding a significant number of Ascendant Shards.
| Activity | Avg. Ascendant Shards per Hour |
|---|---|
| Nightfalls (Platinum/Diamond) | 2-3 |
| Weekly Bounty | 1 |
| Gambit Matches | 1-2 |
| Iron Banner | 1-3 |
| Prime Engrams | 0.5-1 |
| High-Value Targets | 0.5-1 |
| Public Events | 0.2-0.5 |
| Seasonal Challenges | 0.5-1 |
| Moon Bounty Glitch | 3-5 |
How to Farm Ascendant Shards
Ascendant Shards are a rare currency item in Destiny 2 that are used to upgrade Masterworked weapons and armor. They can be obtained through a variety of activities, but the most reliable way to farm them is through the following methods:
- Nightfall: The Ordeal – Completing Nightfall: The Ordeal on higher difficulties will increase your chances of getting Ascendant Shards as a reward.
- Pit of Heresy – The Pit of Heresy dungeon has a chance to drop Ascendant Shards as a reward for completing the final encounter.
- Ascendant Challenge – Completing the Ascendant Challenge that changes weekly will reward you with an Ascendant Shard.
- Xenophage Exotic Quest – The quest to obtain the Xenophage exotic sniper rifle has a chance to reward Ascendant Shards as a completion reward.
- Seasonal Activities – Participating in seasonal activities, such as the Seraph Tower public event or the Contact public event, can reward Ascendant Shards as a rare drop.
People Also Ask About How to Farm Ascendant Shards
Can you farm Ascendant Shards?
Yes, Ascendant Shards can be farmed through the methods listed above. However, they are a rare currency item, so it may take some time and effort to accumulate a significant amount of them.
What is the fastest way to get Ascendant Shards?
Completing Nightfall: The Ordeal on higher difficulties is the fastest way to farm Ascendant Shards. You can also try completing the Pit of Heresy dungeon, which has a chance to drop Ascendant Shards as a reward for completing the final encounter.
How many Ascendant Shards do you need for a Masterwork?
You need 10 Ascendant Shards to fully Masterwork a weapon or piece of armor.
