‘Destiny’ Iron Banner 18.0: What You Need To Know As Clash Hits
The first Iron Banner following the Destiny 2.2 update for April has arrived. PlayStation and Xbox players can look forward to what is hopefully a more rewarding competitive multiplayer event with rewards at the new max Light levels.
Note that there is currently an issue with ranks not getting reset from the previous Iron Banner. Bungie is looking into it. Update: The ranks were quickly reset by Bungie.
When Does It Run?
This Iron Banner event started Tuesday, April 26 and will run until the Destiny weekly reset on Tuesday, May 3. This typically occurs at 5 a.m. ET / 2 a.m. PT.
What Modes And Maps Are Supported?
Bungie is bringing Clash back for another go-round in Iron Banner. This was previously used in February’s event as the studio continues to rotate between game modes.
While not as team-oriented as Control or Rift, working with a fireteam does increase your chance of success. Consider running with a group of friends, a clan, or a pickup group from sites such as the100 and DestinyLFG.
All maps regularly used in the Clash playlist from The Taken King are available. Some are weighted more than others, though.
Rewards
As the Inquisitr previously reported, Bungie has made Iron Banner more rewarding for players with the following changes from the April 2.2 update plus the ability for armor and weapons to drop at up to 335 Light.
- Lord Saladin’s inventory has been updated with items at Ranks 3-5, some with re-rolled perks
- Rank package rewards have been adjusted
- Increased Rank 3 package Artifact to 320 Light
- Increased Rank 5 package Ghost to 320 Light
- Rank 5 packages can now reward items from the current event
- Iron Banner Armor and Weapons can now be earned at Rank 0 at the end-of-activity
- Removed Legendary Engrams from the possible end-of-activity rewards list, creating a greater chance to receive Iron Banner specific items
Does Gear And Level Still Matter?
Yes. A difference in 10 levels of light represents approximately a 2 percent difference in damage. Another way of looking at it is if you are at a 280 Light level facing off against someone at a 300 Light level, you will be at a 4 percent damage disadvantage.
The approximately 2 percent damage drop in every 10 levels of light continues until a 50 light level difference represents a 10 percent difference in damage. It then gets slightly steeper, to a 2.6 percent damage drop per Light level over the next 100 Light levels. The Destiny power curve then goes into free fall at this point, with every 10 levels representing a 10 percent power difference.
In short, you stay competitive within 20 light levels of a player you are facing and can still do damage up to a 50 light level difference. You will probably get stomped after that. Since most Destiny players are hovering around 320 Light now with the April update raising the cap to 335, it’s probably a safe bet that 300 Light is the safest starting point.
Your Standing Has Been Reset?
Yes. All Destiny players start each Iron Banner event with their reputation at zero. You max out at level five.
Iron Banner Ranks
You start out at rank 0 and should be able to quickly reach rank 1 after the first win. The climb to the max rank is a bit steeper but still obtainable thanks to all the buffs added to Destiny.
| IB Rank | Reputation Points Needed |
| 1 | 100 rep points |
| 2 | 1,200 rep points |
| 3 | 2,400 rep points |
| 4 | 2,400 rep points |
| 5 | 2,400 rep points |
Equip Your Iron Banner Items
If you still have the Iron Banner emblem, shader, and class item, go ahead and equip them. Each gives a 10 percent experience and reputation boost, and they do stack with each other for the possibility of a 33 percent total bonus. If you don’t have any Iron Banner items yet, purchase the Iron Pride emblem from Lord Saladin as soon as you reach rank one to begin earning bonus experience and reputation points.
| Name | Type | Cost | IB Rank |
| Iron Pride | Emblem | 1000 Glimmer | 1 |
| Million Million | Armor Shader | 1000 Glimmer | 2 |
| The Ironwood Tree | Emblem | 1000 Glimmer | 5 |
| Goldspiral | Armor Shader | 1000 Glimmer | 5 |
The Tempered Buff
The Iron Banner Tempered Buff is now applied automatically to Destiny characters every day.
Here is the progression that the Tempered Buff follows:
- Tuesday: +10 percent
- Wednesday: +15 percent
- Thursday: +25 percent
- Friday: +40 percent
- Saturday: +60 percent
- Sunday: +100 percent
- Monday: +150 percent
Multi-Character Buff
Your second and third Destiny characters can receive a 100 percent reputation boost in addition to all the other buffs when playing Iron Banner. The buff is active as long as one or more of your characters are at least one Iron Banner rank ahead of the character being played.
For example, if you get one character up to level 3, your second and third Destiny character will be able to reach the same level in approximately half the time. This is especially true when combined with all of the other buffs.
Iron Banner Weapons
Note that you also have a chance to receive other weapons as end-of-match drops after you reach Iron Banner reputation rank two. This is the best way to obtain Iron Banner weapons in Destiny, as there is a chance for them to drop at high Light levels.
| Name | Type | Perks | Cost | IB Rank |
| Tormod’s Bellows |
Auto Rifle |
|
90 LM | 4 |
| Haakon’s Hatchet | Rocket Launcher |
|
90 LM | 5 |
“LM” is short for Legendary Marks.
Iron Banner Armor
Here is the armor that is being sold by Lord Saladin in Destiny. Curiously, Gauntlets are being offered as rewards and for sale again after being available in February’s Iron Banner. Note that they all start with a Defense rating of 280. They can be infused to higher levels just like the weapons, though.
You should not break down any of these armor items, as you will not receive Legendary Marks or materials. Also, like the weapons, end of match drops are the best way to obtain Iron Banner armor at high Light levels.
It’s also worth noting that PlayStation owners of Destiny will have the opportunity to get exclusive gear.
| Name | Class | Max Stats | Perks | Rank | Cost |
| Wolfswood Mark | Titan | 25 Intellect / 27 Strength |
|
3 | 40 LM |
| Wolfswood Cloak | Hunter | 26 Intellect / 28 Discipline |
|
3 | 40 LM |
| Wolfswood Bond | Warlock | 26 Intellect / 25 Discipline |
|
3 | 40 LM |
| Iron Companion Greaves | Titan | 62 Intellect / 62 Discipline |
|
4 | 40 LM |
| Iron Companion Boots | Hunter | 60 Intellect / 59 Discipline |
|
3 | 40 LM |
| Iron Companion Legs | Warlock | 57 Intellect / 60 Discipline |
|
4 | 40 LM |
| Iron Camelot Mark (PS Exclusive) | Titan | TBD |
|
3 | 40 LM |
| Iron Camelot Cloak (PS Exclusive) | Hunter | TBD |
|
3 | 40 LM |
| Iron Camelot Bond (PS Exclusive) | Warlock | TBD |
|
3 | 40 LM |
Iron Banner Bounties
Destiny changed the daily bounties for Iron Banner with the release of The Taken King. There are now three-week-long bounties, along with three daily bounties that are available each day. The daily bounties come from a pool of nine to allow for a little more variation than in previous events.
Tip: Wait to turn in the Weekly bounties toward the end of the week to make the most of the Tempered Buff to boost your character up to level 5.
Remember that Crucible bounties can be completed in Iron Banner too. Destiny players will want to pick those up to advance their reputation with the different factions and gain additional experience.
| Bounty Name | Description | IB Rep | Experience | Legendary Marks |
| Iron Gauntlet (Weekly) | Impress Lord Saladin with extraordinary feats in the Iron Banner. Get 10 kill streaks, 5 double kills, the top overall score in a match, and reach Iron Banner Rank 4. | +525 | +5,000 | +25 |
| Iron Marathon (Weekly) | Complete 13 Iron Banner matches and win 7. | +525 | +5,000 | +25 |
| Iron Versatility (Weekly) | Defeat 50 Guardians with Primary Weapons, 25 with Special Weapons and 13 with Heavy Weapons. | +525 | +5,000 | +25 |
Iron Medallions
Destiny players will receive an Iron Medallion for each match you lose in Iron Banner. You can carry up to five at a time in your inventory. These will be redeemed automatically after your next win for Iron Banner reputation.
If you still have Medallions left over after Iron Banner ends, hold on to them. They can still be redeemed when the next event rolls around.
Is The Taken King Required?
Yes. The Iron Banner has a level 40 requirement to participate and uses maps from the expansion. The only way that can be achieved is with the purchase of Destiny: The Taken King.
Good Luck!
Do you have any Destiny Iron Banner tips you want to share? Please post them in the comments section below!
[Images via Bungie]
