‘Destiny: The Taken King’ Light Levels Explained, What Matters

Destiny: The Taken King launched Tuesday with the 2.0 update already in place with the light level split from character’s overall level. PlayStation and Xbox players quickly realized which of the two really matters (hint: it’s the former). Here’s how Bungie implemented the light level system with the latest expansion to Destiny.

A character’s overall level should be thought of as nothing more than a gate to equip better gear, similar to traditional MMOs. Moving up through the levels is surprisingly quick thanks to experience from the wealth of bounties and quests found in Destiny. In fact, many players that were at level 34 when The Taken King launched hit the new level 40 cap within a handful of hours.

Light Level Math Matters

Since level 40 is easily obtained, Destiny players will be most concerned about the individual attack and defense rating for every piece of armor and gear plus their overall light level. The three weapon slots – primary, secondary, heavy, and ghost – plus the five armor slots – helmet, gauntlets, chest, legs, and the class item – along with the Ghost Shell and the new artifact that unlocks at level 40 all combine to form the light level.

An enterprising Reddit poster named FluxDipole already figured out how Destiny is calculating light level from gear by trying different combinations and some simple linear algebra. See, math is good at something.

When there is no artifact unlocked, the three weapon slots are responsible for 13.04 percent of the light score each while the four armor pieces are 10.87 percent each. Meanwhile, the Ghost Shell and class item are 8.7 percent each.

When the artifact is unlocked, the weapon slots drop down to 12 percent each, armor 10 percent, while the Ghost Shell, class item, and artifact are all eight percent each.

Individual Ratings

Obviously, an individual weapon’s Attack rating can do more to boost a character’s light level more than an individual piece or armor’s Defense rating. However, a good set of armor will provide 40 percent of the light level and offer solid protection.

Activities are now divided up by a required overall level and recommended light level. For example, the Nightfall Strike requires players be at least level 40 and recommends you have a light level of 290. Whereas before, characters couldn’t damage enemies that were more than four levels above them, they now need to be within 40 light of the recommended light level. That means you can start the Nightfall Strike at light level 240, but you will have a tough time. It will get gradually easier after an increase of every five light levels.

While overall light level is the largest determining factor in the damage characters give and take, the Attack rating for weapons will factor into how much damage is dealt while the combined Defense rating for armor will determine how much damage characters receive. This means that Year One weapons and armor with 170 Attack/Defense ratings can still be viable up to a point.

The “too long didn’t read” (tl;dr) version of this is the following:

• Overall level will determine the gear that can be worn and activities that can be entered
• Individual weapon Attack rating determines 12 – 13 percent of light level
• Individual armor Defense rating determines approximately 10 percent of light level
• Ghost Shell, class items and artifacts determine approximately eight percent of light level
• Characters need to be within 40 light level of an activity to do damage to enemies
• The effectiveness of light level increases every five levels
• Year One weapons and armor are still viable up to a point thanks to the overall light level

How are you enjoying Destiny: The Taken King so far? Sound off in the comments below.

[Images via Bungie]