The Final Shape is over. Now it’s about survival.
Renegades marks the beginning of the Fate Saga in the Destiny universe, throwing Guardians into the chaos of the Outlands — a lawless frontier ruled by Syndicates, rival Assassins, and black market tech. No gods. No Light vs. Dark. Just power, grit, and the next big score.
Here’s what this guide covers:
- How to unlock the Renegades campaign, use Fireteam Finder, and master the new Orders system
- All 3 Syndicate factions explained — and how to exploit the Betrayal loop for loot
- Renegade Abilities tier list: Which ones break PvE?
- Frontier Mode tips: How to survive PvEvP, farm Contraband, and trigger Rival invasions
- Blasters explained — Destiny 2’s new “heat mechanic” guns and how to use them right
- All new Exotic weapons & armor — and how to guarantee drops
- Major changes to crafting, Deepsight drops, and Artifact 2.0
- Crucible meta update: 3 new maps, Checkmate changes, and Trials loot rework
Let’s ride.
How to Access Renegades Content (Fast Guide)
For returning players, the Director looks different. Here is how to find the new content:
- The Portal Tab: The Renegades Campaign, The Frontier, and the Seasonal Hub are now accessed exclusively via the “Portal” tab in the Director (top center node).
- Fireteam Finder: Now fully integrated into the Director map screen. Use this for Frontier Tier 2 & 3 if you don’t have a squad.
- Orders (Not Bounties): Do not go to the Tower to pick up bounties. Open your Director > Seasonal Hub to view your active “Orders.” These are auto-tracking objectives.
Syndicates Explained: How to Pledge, Betray, and Farm Loot
Renegades introduces three rival factions operating out of Tharsis Outpost. You must align with one to gain Notoriety, but loyalty is fluid.
The Syndicates & Vendors
- The Pikers (Eliksni Outlaws):
- Vendor: Avrok the Cutter (Tharsis North).
- Focus: Speed & Vehicle buffs.
- Tharsis Reformation (Rogue Vex):
- Vendor: Proxy-7 (The Spire).
- Focus: Ability Regen & Teleportation.
- Totality Division (Cabal Psions):
- Vendor: Valus Krog (Iron Dock).
- Focus: Heavy Ammo & Damage Resistance.
The “Betrayal” Loop
Pledging is not permanent. You are encouraged to farm one faction to Rank 10, then defect to another to chase their unique loot.
- Note: When you switch, you keep your loot, but your Notoriety with the old faction decays slowly over time.
Syndicate Rank Rewards: What You Unlock at Each Tier
| Rank | Reward Type | Unlock |
| Rank 3 | Mod Slot | Unlocks specific “Renegade Ability” options for that faction. |
| Rank 5 | Economy | Access to Elite Orders (High XP/Pinnacle objectives). |
| Rank 7 | Exotics | Unlocks “Priority Contracts” (Guaranteed Exotic Reward upon completion). |
| Rank 10 | Signature | Unique Vehicle (e.g., Slipstream Engine), Shader, and Masterwork Catalyst. |
Frontier Mode Guide: Loot Runs, Extractions, and PvEvP
The Frontier is an Extraction Shooter mode that replaces the traditional seasonal activity. It features a 3-Tier difficulty scale.
The Loop: How It Works
- Pick a Job: At the mission select screen, choose your contract type (Smuggling, Bounty Hunt, or Sabotage).
- Infiltrate: Drop into a semi-randomized sector of the Outlands.
- Complete Objectives: Finish your contract within the time limit.
- Secure Contraband: High-value loot drops as “Contraband Engrams.” You cannot decrypt these yet.
- Extraction: You must reach the Exfil zone and survive a final wave to bank your Contraband.
- Failure Condition: If your team wipes or the timer expires, you lose all Contraband collected in that run.
Tier 3 & Invasions (The Risk)
In Tier 3 (Warlord Difficulty), you can toggle “Rivalry Mode” ON.
- What it does: Allows a rival player (a “Syndicate Assassin”) to invade your instance.
- Solo Players: You cannot be invaded as a solo player unless you specifically toggle Rivalry Mode ON.
- The Invader: The invader appears as a red-bar Guardian. If they kill you, they steal your Contraband. If you kill them, you get their banked loot.
- The Incentive: Playing with Rivalry Mode ON grants Double Loot Drops and high-stat armor.
Renegade Abilities Guide: Best Powers by Faction
Once unlocked at Syndicate Rank 3, you gain a new “Tactical Slot” in your inventory (next to your Ghost). You can only equip ONE ability at a time.
Pikers:
- Piker Mortar: Calls down a localized cluster missile strike.
- Revitalize Shank: Deploys a drone that heals nearby allies.
Tharsis Reformation:
- Vex Portal: Creates a short-range teleport gate for quick escapes.
- Vex Deflector: Deploys a stationary energy shield that absorbs incoming fire.
Totality Division:
- Totality Overload: Spawns a crate that buffs nearby allies’ ammo regeneration.
- Phalanx Wall: Deploys a wider, heavy-duty riot shield.
Blaster Weapons Guide: Heat, Venting, and Combat Flow
Blasters occupy Special (and sometimes Primary) slots. They abandon reloading for a heat mechanic.
The Mechanics:
Heat Management: Shooting builds Heat.
Venting: Hold the reload button to release heat. Timing matters—venting just before max heat speeds the cooldown.
The Penalty: If the bar hits 100%, the weapon Overheats. It locks up, cannot fire, and the vent animation takes 3 seconds (brutal in combat).
Archetypes:
- Dynamic: High damage, generates heat fast.
- Balanced: Runs cool, vents instantly.
Economy, Deepsight & Artifact Overhaul (What Changed)
1. The “Orders” System (RIP Bounties)
- How it works: Orders are “always on.” Check the Seasonal Hub tab.
- Progression: Completing a “Vanguard Order” instantly rewards XP and may roll over into a higher-tier “Elite Order.”
- Returning Player Bonus: If you haven’t played recently, you receive a “Lapsed Asset” buff that boosts Order rewards for 20 hours.
2. Artifact 2.0 (Year 8)
- Static Perks: Unlike previous years, Artifact Perks do not rotate or reset weekly. Once you unlock a perk row, it remains active. You can reset your selection manually at any time for free.
3. Crafting Update
- Pattern Progress: While there is no “guaranteed bar” for drops, completing Tier 3 Frontier jobs and Sabotage missions significantly increases your Weapon Pattern Progress (red borders).
- Spider’s Black Market: Located in Tharsis Outpost, Spider sells Deepsight Harmonizers for “Spoils of Fate” (the new Raid/Dungeon currency).
4. Power Level
- No Reset: Your Power Level (and Artifact bonus) did not reset.
- Infusion: “Unstable Cores” are gone. Infusion uses Glimmer + Enhancement Cores.
New Exotic Weapons & Armor (How to Get Them All)
New Exotic Weapons
- Praxic Blade (Kinetic Sword): Infinite block/projectile reflection.
- Heirloom (Solar Bow): Hip-fire tracks marked targets (Smart Pistol style).
- Service of Luzaku (Strand LMG): Kills extend Blaster heat capacity.
New Exotic Armor
- Titan: Praxic Vestment (Chest): Manually venting a Blaster creates a Solar shockwave and benefits Arc melee kills.
- Hunter: Desperado’s Handshake (Arms): Precision kills with Sidearms grant “Quickdraw.” Swapping weapons instantly reloads them with a damage buff.
- Warlock: Mind of the Reformation (Helmet): Casting Rift converts Blaster heat into ability energy for allies.
How to Acquire Exotic Armor
The new armor is NOT locked to specific Syndicates. You can acquire them via:
- Legendary Campaign: Completing the campaign on Legendary guarantees your class Exotic.
- Priority Contracts: Reaching Rank 7 with any Syndicate unlocks these contracts, which guarantee an Exotic drop.
- Frontier Drops: Rare chance to drop from Tier 3 “Contested” extractions.
- Keycards: Open hidden chests in the Outlands using “Exotic Keycards” found in loot.
PvP Update: New Crucible Maps, Checkmate, and Trials Loot
New Maps: Three new maps—Eventide Lab, Cirrus Plaza, and Dissonance—have been added to the rotation.
Checkmate: This modifier applies a ruleset focused on primary gunplay. It is active in the Competitive playlist and rotates through other core nodes.
Trials of Osiris:
- Loot: New weapon “The Inquisitor’s Lash” (Strand Scout Rifle) and a new “Syndicate Enforcer” armor set.
- Rep: Win streak bonuses are flattened. Resetting rank takes slightly longer.
The universe is quieter now—but the Frontier is louder than ever. Pick a Syndicate, watch your heat gauge, and don’t trust anyone who isn’t in your fireteam. Saddle up, Guardian.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Destiny 2: Renegades and how is it different from previous expansions?
Renegades kicks off Year 8 and the Fate Saga, trading god-slaying epics for dirty jobs, black market tech, and Syndicate politics. It introduces new gameplay systems like extraction shooter mechanics, Rivalry Mode PvEvP, and a faction-based economy. No Light. No Darkness. Just grit.
Is Destiny 2’s Renegades expansion like Star Wars?
Yeah — but not Jedi Star Wars. Think more Andor meets The Mandalorian: outlaw factions, merc jobs, dangerous alliances, and double-crosses. You’re not saving the galaxy — you’re surviving it.
How do I access Renegades content in Destiny 2?
Head to the Portal Tab in your Director. It’s the central node that replaces older map clutter. From there, you’ll launch the Renegades campaign, jump into Frontier missions, and manage your Orders and faction alignments.
What are Syndicates in Destiny 2 Renegades?
Syndicates are Destiny’s take on outlaw factions. Choose from the Pikers (Eliksni), Tharsis Reformation (Vex), or Totality Division (Cabal). Each offers unique loot, perks, and abilities — but you’re not locked in. Defection is part of the grind.
Can I switch Syndicates in Destiny 2 Renegades?
Yes, and you’re supposed to. Once you hit Rank 10 and milk a faction for its best loot, you can betray them and pledge to a new Syndicate. You’ll keep your gear, but your Notoriety with the former faction starts decaying.
How does the Frontier mode work in Destiny 2 Renegades?
Frontier is a PvE-focused extraction shooter. Pick a job type (like Smuggling or Bounty Hunt), drop into a randomized map, complete objectives, collect high-value Contraband, and extract safely. Wipe or miss extraction? You lose everything from that run.
What is Rivalry Mode in Destiny 2’s Frontier?
Rivalry Mode is a Tier 3 (Warlord-level) toggle that lets real players invade your extraction session as Syndicate Assassins. Kill them and take their loot. Get killed? They steal yours. It’s brutal — but offers double drops and top-tier rewards.
How do Renegade Abilities work?
Once you hit Syndicate Rank 3, you unlock a new Tactical Slot to equip powerful utility abilities. Each faction has its own set — from mortar strikes and healing drones to riot shields and teleport gates. They add strategy and flair to every run.
What’s the Blaster weapon archetype in Destiny 2?
Blasters ditch reloading for a heat system. Firing builds heat, and if it maxes out, you overheat and get locked out for 3 seconds. Smart venting (reloading just before overheat) keeps you in the fight. They’re risky but deadly in rhythm.
How do I get Exotic armor in Destiny 2 Renegades?
Options include:
- Completing the Legendary campaign
- Unlocking Priority Contracts (Rank 7)
- Extracting loot from Tier 3 Frontier missions
- Using Exotic Keycards
Where is Spider’s Black Market in Destiny 2 Year 8?
Spider is now in Tharsis Outpost, running a shady Deepsight exchange. Trade him “Spoils of Fate” (Raid/Dungeon currency) for Deepsight Harmonizers — a clean workaround if RNG isn’t being kind to your pattern progress.
Did Power Level reset in Destiny 2 Year 8?
Nope. For the first time, there’s no seasonal reset. Your current Power Level, Artifact progress, and bonus damage all carry over into Renegades. You’re not starting from scratch — which makes jumping back in painless.
What’s changed with the Destiny 2 Artifact system?
Artifact 2.0 ditches the weekly rotation. Perks are now static: once unlocked, they stay active until you manually reset for free. This gives players more consistency and long-term build planning with no fear of losing a meta loadout.
Are there new Crucible maps in Destiny 2 Renegades?
Yes — three new maps are live: Eventide Lab, Cirrus Plaza, and Dissonance. Each is tied to the new Outlands theme and introduces fresh layouts optimized for the Checkmate ruleset and Trials meta.
Is Destiny 2 Renegades worth playing if I quit after Lightfall?
Yes, especially if you’re into looter shooters or Star Wars-style outlaw stories. Renegades feels like a clean slate: new factions, better loot systems, and no endless grinding just to chase Light levels. It’s Destiny with teeth.
