Destiny 2 has changed a lot with the launch of Shadowkeep. Bungie has reworked several of the game’s systems, including how players go about upgrading their gear. Previously, players spent Legendary Shards, Glimmer, and Enhancement Cores to infuse and boost weapons and armor. Shadowkeep introduces three new materials to the mix: Upgrade Modules, Ascendant Shards, and Enhancement Prisms.
Infusing Gear in Destiny 2 With Upgrade Modules
In Destiny 2, infusing is the process by which you increase your gear’s power level. You select one piece of gear, mouse over to the Infuse option, and dismantle another piece with a higher power. That process requires Upgrade Modules. You can get these modules in a few different ways. First, you can unlock some at certain levels of the Season Pass. Second, you can buy them from Banshee-44 on the Tower. And third, you can complete certain pursuits and activities.
If you want to buy Upgrade Modules, you’ll have to cough up a variety of currencies. As of this writing, the cost is one enhancement core, 10 legendary shards, 25 planetary materials, and 5,000 glimmer. The other way to get them through Banshee-44 is to complete weekly bounties. You can get one Upgrade Module a week this way.
You can use Upgrade Modules if you find a higher power piece of gear but already have something in that slot you prefer. Just keep in mind that Shadowkeep starts you at 750, and it’s going to be a long climb from there. You don’t need to hoard your Upgrade Modules — in fact, you can only hold 25 at a time — but it’s worth holding onto some.
How to Masterwork Armor in Destiny 2 With Ascendant Shards
Previously in Destiny 2, Masterworking gear involved progressively upgrading it with Glimmer, Legendary Shards and Enhancement Cores. You still need to use those for the first few upgrades, but after that you’ll have to employ an Ascendant Shard. There are three different ways to get them. First, you can find them in certain levels of the Season Pass. Second, you can buy them from Banshee-44, just like Upgrade Modules. And finally, they have a chance to drop from The Nightfall: The Ordeal.
If you want to buy an Ascendant Shard, it’s going to cost a staggering 10 Enhancement Prisms, 100 planetary materials, and 50,000 Glimmer. Keep in mind that you can only hold 10 Ascendant Shards at a time.
Upgrading Legendary Equipment with Enhancement Prisms
If you want to upgrade your Legendary gear, you’re going to need Enhancement Prisms. You can get this new material in the same ways as Ascendant Shards, though they’ll cost less to purchase from Banshee-44 — right now, they’re going for 10 Enhancement Cores, 25 planetary materials, and 10,000 Glimmer.
There’s a lot to take in when you log in to Shadowkeep for the first time, but keep in mind that most of the upgrade materials are most important in the endgame. While you can certainly upgrade your gear as you go, it’s worth holding off on trying to Masterwork everything you have right away, since you’ll likely come across something better down the line.
While you’re here, check out the rest of our Destiny 2 Shadowkeep coverage for guides, features, tips and more.
