Overview
Author’s insight: The Prismatic subclass in The Final Shape expansion allows players to blend Light and Darkness abilities for unprecedented customization and power.
- Prismatic Subclass Abilities are unlocked after the first campaign mission, offering unique Supers and perks.
- Advanced buildcrafting with extra Fragments and Fragment slots provides extensive customization options.
- Activating Transcendence by balancing Light and Darkness meters grants full grenade and melee charges, weapon damage bonuses, and more.
Prismatic Subclass Overview
So, what makes the Prismatic subclass in Destiny 2 so special? For the first time ever, it lets players blend powers from both Light and Darkness. It’s like mixing fire and ice but in a much cooler, intergalactic way.
Once you complete the first campaign mission in The Final Shape expansion, you’re good to start experimenting with this subclass. This blend of elements offers unique Supers capabilities and perks that you can’t find anywhere else in the game.
This subclass doesn’t hold back when it comes to customization. You get more Fragments and Fragment slots compared to other subclasses, which means you can tailor your build exactly to your liking. And for those who love optimizing, the advanced buildcrafting options are a dream.
The Aspects and Fragments Galore
Diving into the specifics, you can unlock new Aspects and Fragments to keep your Prismatic abilities fresh and versatile. Every new Aspect adds a different kind of flavor to your gameplay, providing endless new combinations.
On the technical side, you’ve got two meters to keep an eye on—one for Light and one for Darkness. You need to fill both to activate Prismatic Transcendence, a game-changing feature that grants you special grenades, full melee charges, and more.
I’ve found that managing these meters adds a layer of strategy that keeps things interesting. Balancing between Light and Darkness can feel like juggling, but once you get the hang of it, the payoff is immense.
- Activate Prismatic Transcendence with full Light and Darkness meters
- Unlock new Aspects and Fragments for more customization
- Advanced buildcrafting options with extra Fragments
Light and Darkness: A Perfect Mix
The stand-out feature is being able to mix and match abilities from different elements. Imagine using Arc and Strand powers in perfect harmony. It feels like breaking the rules in the best possible way.
This combination gives you flexibility in combat that’s both strategic and fun. You can mix Solar and Stasis for some fiery and icy shenanigans or pair Arc with Strand for dynamic setups.
Personally, I love experimenting with different setups just to see what new ways I can outsmart my opponents. It adds a whole new layer to the gameplay that keeps me coming back for more.
Prismatic Transcendence: The Game Changer
Let’s talk about Prismatic Transcendence. Activating this is like flipping a switch to God mode. You get full grenade and melee charges, and a weapon damage bonus that seriously stacks with other buffs.
In heated PvP battles or intense raid moments, that bonus can make or break the situation. I’ve had matches where popping Transcendence turned me from just another player to the MVP of the game.
Evolving Over Time
What’s truly exciting is that the Prismatic subclass is here to stay and will evolve with future updates. Bungie has a knack for keeping things fresh, and I can’t wait to see what new abilities and customization options get introduced down the line.
Being a permanent addition means it’s worth investing time in mastering this subclass. As the game updates, we’ll likely see even more layers of complexity and new strategies emerging.
Light and Darkness Bars
When focusing on the Light and Darkness bars in Destiny 2’s Prismatic subclass, it’s crucial to understand their mechanics. These bars represent your ability to draw from Light and Darkness for your attacks and abilities. The more you use your class-specific powers, the quicker these meters fill up, giving you some strategic decision-making to deal with.
Dealing damage with Light abilities fills up the Light meter, while using Darkness-powered attacks contributes to the Darkness bar. It’s not just about your class abilities either; even your weapons can influence these bars. Equipping guns aligned with either Light or Darkness will help you fill the respective meters faster.
Managing the Meters
Like any strategic aspect in gaming, balancing these meters becomes second nature after a while. At first, it might seem like a lot of plate spinning, but that’s part of the fun. I remember during a raid, using a Solar grenade and watching that Light bar shoot up. Meanwhile, my darkness bar filled slower because my weapons were Light-based. Mixing it up keeps things exciting.
One particularly cool aspect of the Prismatic Subclass Abilities is how dealing kinetic damage also helps fill a general Prismatic bar. It’s a nice touch since it rewards you for being versatile and keeping yourself engaged in all aspects of combat. It’s like a mini-mission within each encounter.
Striking a Balance
The real magic happens when you fill both Light and Darkness bars simultaneously. When this happens, you activate a state called Transcendence. In Transcendence, you get access to full grenade and melee charges, and trust me, popping off those abilities back-to-back feels amazing. I once turned the tide of a Crucible match by hitting Transcendence just as we were about to lose a control zone.
This state doesn’t just give offensive perks; I noticed how the weapon damage bonus stacks with other sources of damage, making you a force to be reckoned with. Imagine entering a boss fight with all your meters filled and activating Transcendence right as things were getting tough. It’s incredibly satisfying.
The Practical Upside
Another great part? During this heightened state, you get a new grenade ability that deals both Light and Darkness damage. I experimented with this in some PvE content and found it effective for crowd control and dishing out burst damage. It’s almost like you become a dynamic Swiss Army knife in combat.
Switching between Light and Darkness abilities becomes almost second nature once you get used to it. I found that certain raids or missions required more careful management of these bars, adding a layer of tactical depth that wasn’t there before. Imagine coordinating with your team so everyone hits Transcendence at the right moment!
State of Transcendence

Prismatic Subclass Abilities – State of Transcendence
The State of Transcendence in Destiny 2 is where the Prismatic subclass shines the brightest. It’s all about harnessing both Light and Dark abilities to fuel up two unique meters. Once these meters are full, the magic happens.
Achieving Transcendence grants players a special grenade that, spoiler alert, combines both Light and Dark damage. This is a game-changer, especially in intense PvE scenarios like Nightfall strikes where versatile damage types can be the difference between success and failure.
- Full grenade and melee charges on activation
- Weapon damage bonus stacks with other buffs
- Increased damage resistance and ability recharge
Maximizing Meter Management
Meter management is key to reaching Transcendence effectively. Think of balancing them as a mini-game within the game. Using Light-based weapons and abilities will fill your Light meter, while Dark-based tools work on the Darkness meter. It’s a bit like playing hot potato, constantly switching between damage types to keep both meters filling at a steady rate.
One cool aspect is that kinetic damage also contributes to the Prismatic bar. This is a bit of a twist because it encourages a more well-rounded approach to combat. Imagine laying down headshots with a kinetic rifle while alternating between Solar and Stasis grenades. It’s all about finding that rhythm.
Unlocking Potential through Grenades
During Transcendence, each class gets access to its unique special grenade. Titans might throw a combination Solar Void bomb, while Hunters whisk around tossing Arc Strand grenades. I found that tailoring these grenades to the situation gives you an edge in combat, whether you’re controlling adds in a PvE environment or creating chaos in PvP.
These grenades not only dish out hybrid damage but also synergize with your other abilities. For instance, imagine a warlock combining a special grenade explosion with a Nova Bomb. It’s chaos, but the good kind.
One time in a raid, we coordinated as a fireteam to hit Transcendence together, and the amount of synergy was insane. We were shredding through enemies faster than ever before. That’s what makes the Prismatic subclass and its abilities so captivating—the combo potential is endless.
Stacking Damage Buffs
Another neat feature is how the weapon damage bonus during Transcendence stacks with other buffs. So, if you’re rolling with a Well of Radiance in a raid and you hit Transcendence, expect to see some crazy damage numbers.
This bonus isn’t limited to just your abilities; your weapons gain significant boosts too. I recall a moment in the Crucible where I activated Transcendence in the final moments of a match. Switching to my shotgun and melting through opponents felt ridiculously satisfying.
These buffs help turn the tide in difficult encounters. Whether you’re neck-deep in Hive territory or trying to capture a control zone, hitting Transcendence at the right moment can be a game-changer. The Prismatic subclass abilities are all about timing and maximizing these game moments.
Team Synergy
Coordinating with your team becomes essential when managing Transcendence. Imagine linking up with your fireteam to activate it simultaneously. The ensuing chaos and combined buffs can melt even the toughest bosses. It adds a new layer of strategy to endgame content that I haven’t felt in Destiny 2 before.
The increased damage resistance, combined with rapid ability recharge, means you can chain abilities, creating a cascade of Light and Dark havoc. It’s not just about solo glory; it’s about how well your team can strategize and harmonize these states for maximum impact.