Destiny 2: Frontiers brings Guardians beyond the Sol System for the first time, and Day 1 raid competition is about to intensify. If you want that time-to-kill emblem and a shot at world-first glory, preparation starts now. This guide covers everything you need before the raid drops.
Note: Verified as of July 2026. Check official Bungie patch notes for updates on Light Level caps, material requirements, and artifact details.
1. Bounty Hoarding Strategy
Even with XP adjustments from recent updates, bounties remain one of the most efficient sources of Artifact Bonus Power before a raid launch. Here is how to optimize your approach.
Weekly Bounties
Prioritize your three weekly character bounties across Cosmodrome, Europa, and the Moon. These grant both Glimmer and weapon/material experience. Make sure all three characters have 8/8 bounties turned in by the daily reset.
Seasonal Bounties
Do not invest time in seasonal bounties right now. They are slated for deletion when the new season cycle begins, meaning any progress you make will not carry forward. Focus your energy on weekly bounties instead.
Character Spread
Having 8/8 bounties completed on all three characters maximizes your Artifact Bonus Power gain. If you only have two active characters, prioritize those two — three is ideal but two will still give you a solid buffer going into the raid.
2. Resource Management
Material management is critical before a major content drop. Stockpiling now prevents scrambling later when every Guardian is chasing the same resources.
Glimmer
Cap your Glimmer storage at 500,000. If you are over the cap, spend the excess on Phantasmal Fragments from the Moon. Think of them as a secondary Glimmer bank — you can convert them back later if needed.
Ascendant Shards and Ascendant Alloys
Cap both Ascendant Shards and Ascendant Alloys in your vault inventory and in the Postmaster. The upcoming Exotic Class Item upgrade path is expected to be costly in both materials, and vendors may run dry during launch week when demand spikes.
Spoils of Conquest
Aim to have at least 240 Spoils of Conquest in your vault. These are primarily used for weapon enhancement and gear upgrades. If you are short, a single run of Vow of the Disciple will top you off quickly — it is one of the most consistent sources for this currency.
Arcane Enhancements
Stock up on random Arcane enhancements from Last Wish, Crown of Sorrow, and Duality. With multiple artifact choices available, having a reserve of Arcanes means you are not forced to RNG-farm engrams right before launch. Check the Seasonal Artifact tab for what is required and farm accordingly.
3. Weapon Meta Predictions
Based on artifact leaks and recent community analysis, Pulse Rifles and Rocket Sidearms are expected to dominate the anti-Champion meta in the new raid. Here is how to prepare your arsenal.
Primary: Pulse Rifles
Secure a god-roll Pulse Rifle before the raid launches. Indebted Kindness remains a top-tier option due to its versatility and high impact range. If you have not already built one, prioritize Rampage, Impact Mag, and Accelerated Coils for maximum damage output against Challenging Enemies.
Sidearm: Rocket Sidearms
Rocket Sidearms are seeing a major resurgence. The new dungeon rewards a Rocket Sidearm, and the smaller static boss hitboxes shown in early concept art favor precision weaponry with high splash damage. Farm the dungeon for a god-roll with perks like Outlaw, Killing Wind, or Accurately Weighted.
Heavy: Rocket Launchers
Apex Predator continues to be the strongest Rocket Launcher in the meta, but Whisper of the Worm could make a strong comeback. Its high damage per shot excels against large, stationary boss weak points. If the new raid design features predictable chokepoints and static armor plates, this weapon becomes extremely viable again.
Champion-Specific Recommendations
| Enemy Type | Recommended Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Barrieree Champions | Pulse Rifles | High impact range pierces barriers efficiently |
| Overhealth Champions | Rocket Sidearms | Splash damage bypasses overhealth protection |
| Unraveler Champions | Arc Pulse Rifles | Supercharger adds burst damage on each hit |
| Incendiary Champions | Pyrostatic Weapons | Amplified flames exploit fire resistance weakness |
4. Light Level Goals
Understanding the Power floor and soft cap is essential for entering the raid with the right baseline. Here is the breakdown:
| Threshold | Light Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Floor | 2100 | Minimum to enter any activity |
| Soft Cap | 2150 | Unlimited progression from normal activities |
| Hard Cap | 2200 | Requires specific endgame sources |
| Contest Mode Target | ~2180 | Estimated requirement minus artifact bonuses |
How to Reach the Contest Mode Target
For Contest Mode, you likely need to be at approximately 2180 Light Level before factoring in the Seasonal Artifact Bonus. The artifact typically provides 5–10 bonus Power depending on your track progress, which can push you into the 2185–2190 range during raids.
Vault Cleanup Priority
Before the raid drops, clean your vault aggressively. Delete any weapons and armor with a total stat line below 65. Space will be at a premium once new Frontier weapon archetypes arrive, and you do not want to be stuck choosing between an 82-stat shotgun and a 78-stat sidearm because your vault is full.
5. Gear and Build Prep
Preparing your builds ahead of launch saves hours of rerolling engrams and scrambling for materials mid-raid.
Exotic Class Item
Expect the new Exotic Class Item upgrade system to require a significant investment of Ascendant Shards and Alloys. Upgrade it now while vendors are still stocked and the economy has not spiked.
Subclass Arcanes
Run your favorite subclasses through the Dreaming City cryptoms and Last Wish raid to seed your Arcane enhancements. Having 2–3 fully upgraded Arcanes per subclass means you can switch between builds quickly without farming engrams on launch day.
Weapon Perks
Before the new raid weapons become available, consider what perks to prioritize:
- Barrel: Accurately Weighted or Rampage for damage dealers
- **Magazine:**FMJ or High Caliber rounds for armor-shredding
- Perk 3: Vorpal Weapon or High-Impact Reserves for boss damage
- Perk 4: Dragonfly or Kill Clip for consistent clears
6. Pre-Raid Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you are fully prepared before the Frontiers raid goes live:
- All three characters at 2180+ Light Level
- 500k Glimmer capped with excess spent on Phantasmal Fragments
- Ascendant Shards and Alloys capped in inventory and Postmaster
- 240 Spoils of Conquest stored in vault
- 8/8 weekly bounties completed on all active characters
- Exotic Class Item upgraded
- At least 3 god-roll Pulse Rifles or Rocket Sidearms ready
- Vault cleared of low-stat items under 65 total stats
- Subclass Arcanes seeded for all three characters
- Faction rep at Exalted for potential armor drops
FAQ
What is the Light Level soft cap for Destiny 2 Frontiers? As of July 2026, the Soft Cap sits at 2150 Light Level. You can reach it freely through normal gameplay activities without spending Ascendant materials.
How many Spoils of Conquest do I need for raid prep? You should aim to stockpile at least 240 Spoils of Conquest. These are used for weapon enhancement and are consumed rapidly during launch week when everyone is upgrading simultaneously.
Are Rocket Sidearms viable in the new raid? Yes. Early concept art suggests smaller, more static boss hitboxes, which favors precision weapons with splash damage. Rocket Sidearms with perks like Outlaw or Killing Wind will be strong choices for anti-Champion work.
Should I buy Phantasmal Fragments or save Glimmer? Cap your Glimmer at 500k and spend the excess on Phantasmal Fragments. They serve as a secondary Glimmer reserve and can be converted back if vendor prices shift after launch.
How much does the new Exotic Class Item cost to upgrade? The Exotic Class Item merge system is expected to be expensive, requiring multiple Ascendant Shards and Ascendant Alloys. Upgrade early while vendor stock is still available, as launch-week shortages are common.
Stay tuned for post-launch updates as the raid drops and real-time data becomes available. This guide will be revised as artifact bonuses, Light Level caps, and meta shifts are confirmed by Bungie.
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