First Thing’s First: Get to Level 40
Destiny: The Taken King has changed everything when it comes to leveling up. In Year One, it was all about your gear but now hitting the cap is based on experience points instead. The first step for tackling Destiny: The Taken King’s highest level content is hitting that new level cap of 40. Let’s break down how to get to 40 and beyond (via light level) as quickly as possible.
If you’re just starting out or are creating a new character, your first step should be to use the Spark of Light if you have it to boost you up to level 25. This is where The Taken King’s content begins.
After hitting 25, you’re going to want to start working on The Taken King’s story. Work through its missions and quests making sure to take every bounty from the tower possible. This will make a huge difference and speed up your progress immensely. Use Ghost’s new tracking feature to keep tabs on your progress and knock out those bounties as you play. While we are on the topic of new stuff, by the way, remember that Ghosts, Class Items, and Relics all count towards your light level. Always wear the best gear you can.
If you’re not 40 by the time you kill Oryx, you should be pretty close. Either start working on the post game quests that appear after defeating Oryx, or grab some Crucible bounties and finish up there. Either way, once you hit 40, the real challenge begins and Light Level kicks in.
How to Increase Light Level Early on
Getting your light level up early on can be difficult. You can’t grind any of the Heroic and Nightfall Strikes yet as your gear isn’t strong enough. It’s kind of a catch-22 situation.
The first and most obvious solution is our old pal, Xur. Visit him on the weekend and use strange coins to pick up any helpful exotics or engrams that will boost your light. Also, make sure to pick up the new three of coins consumable which will boost your exotic equipment drop rate.
What you’re going to want to do is use your faction reputations to get some free legendary packages. As long as you’re at least Rank 3, you will receive some kind of reward that should boost your light level, be it armor or a weapon. Make sure to also pledge allegiance to one of the three tower factions, such as New Monarchy, as your completed quests’ bounties will also apply towards them, as well.
In addition to racking up packages, you’re going to want to also start building up your legendary mark bank. Although you probably won’t be able to do the Heroic Strike playlist quite yet, you can still do the daily Crucible map and complete quests that reward Legendary Marks. Use those marks to purchase legendary gear from the tower vendors. Finally, if you get something you don’t need from a package, dismantle it for some marks and put those towards something you do want.
Once your light level is high enough to start running the Heroic and Nightfall playlists, the final phase of your quest to get a high light level begins.
Take on Destiny: The Taken King’s Endgame
Once you’ve hit a respectable light level to take on events such as the Nightfall or the new raid Kingsfall, you’ve reached Destiny: The Taken King’s endgame. Things here will start to feel similar to pre-The Taken King Destiny.
Everything you’ve read so far still applies. Keep farming Legendary Marks and stalking Xur for new exotics. Now that you’re high enough, you’re going to want to start mixing in the Nightfalls and the Heroic Strike Playlist into your weekly rotations. Heroic Strikes will provide you with more Legendary Marks, while the Nightfall gives you a shot at something legendary or exotic. Also, quests such as the heavy weapon sales quest, can provide you with some high level equipment. All these activities should provide ample opportunities to upgrade your equipment.
When you think you’re ready, take your best equipment with you and enter The Taken King’s toughest challenge: the new raid, King’s Fall. This is what you’re leveling up for, so don’t cut corners. Wear the best equipment you have, stock up on ammo synthesis, and take your best shot for a chance to get the new raid equipment. The new raid gear will eventually get your light level to the highest it can be.
That just about does it! Follow these tips and you should be onto King’s Fall in no time! Be sure to check out our Destiny: The Taken King Wiki Guide for more guides, tips, and tricks, such as how to farm Legendary Marks. Safe travels guardians.
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