Unleashing Prismatic Power: A Comprehensive Guide to Destiny 2's Latest Subclass in The Final Shape

In the ever-evolving universe of Destiny 2, the introduction of new subclasses brings excitement and complexity to the gameplay. The latest expansion, Destiny 2: The Final Shape, delights players with the addition of the Prismatic subclass. This unique system allows Guardians to blend elements of both Light and Darkness, creating an entirely new realm of possibilities. With various Supers, Aspects, grenades, and fragment options, the Prismatic subclass offers a refreshing twist for seasoned players and newcomers alike. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore how to unlock the Prismatic subclass, delve into its features, and provide tips for the most effective builds to enhance your gameplay experience.

Unlocking the Prismatic Subclass

Unlocking the Prismatic subclass is a key step in utilizing the unique capabilities offered in The Final Shape. Unlike previous subclasses, Prismatic becomes available early on in the campaign, granting players immediate access without the need to complete extensive prerequisites. As you embark on the campaign, you will begin to harness the power of Light and Darkness as you prepare to confront The Witness, one of the primary antagonists of the expansion.

As you progress, you will discover new Supers and Aspects that correspond to the elemental subclass you're using in conjunction with Prismatic. This blend of existing powers allows you to engage in uniquely varied combat strategies, helping you adapt to diverse enemy encounters throughout the campaign.

Expanding Your Arsenal

The excitement of Prismatic lies in the extensive customization options that await players as they advance in the game. Initially, completing the campaign will provide you with a limited range of Supers, grenades, Aspects, and Fragments. However, there are many more options to explore and unlock.

After finishing the main campaign, you will gain access to the Destined Heroes quest, which will unveil the powerful Ergo Sum Exotic sword. This quest entails completing additional missions packed with lore and story elements, as well as offering the opportunity to expand your Prismatic arsenal. During this quest, players will encounter two Transcendence quests provided by Ghost, offering rewards aligned with either Light or Darkness. Completing these quests—and the accompanying Adventures—yields access to additional grenade choices, Aspects, and Supers.

Fragments, however, are unlocked differently. Look out for hidden Prismatic chests scattered throughout the Pale Heart, as they contain the pieces needed to complete your collection. A dedicated guide to Fragment locations will prove helpful as you search for these chests.

Exotic Class Items

Another novel feature included in The Final Shape is the introduction of Exotic class items. These items combine modified versions of existing Exotic perks from various armor pieces, offering players uniquely powerful combinations. However, it’s crucial to note that these Exotic class items can only be equipped while utilizing a Prismatic subclass. Therefore, building a solid foundation with your subclass is paramount for optimizing your performance.

Understanding Transcendence

At the heart of the Prismatic subclass experience is the new Transcendence mechanic, which adds depth to gameplay and encourages strategic thinking in combat. As you wield Prismatic, two progress bars appear beneath your Super meter: one for Light and one for Darkness. The Light bar fills when you deal damage using Void, Solar, or Arc ability and weapon damage, while the Darkness bar fills through Stasis or Strand abilities and weapons. Kinetic weapons contribute to both bars gradually.

Once both bars are filled, activating Transcendence grants a temporary power surge. This state amplifies your capabilities, allowing you to inflict damage on Bound enemies who display a unique pink or purple glow. While in Transcendence, any damage dealt pierces their defenses, making them vulnerable to all damage types. This state can be maintained longer by securing eliminations and standing on glowing patches found during special encounters and missions.

Notably, Transcendence pairs incredibly well with the Ergo Sum sword, which features the Transcendent Duelist perk. This perk not only accelerates the rate at which your Light and Darkness bars fill but also boosts your damage output while in Transcendence, making it a formidable weapon in your arsenal.

Tips and Strategies for Prismatic Play

Taking full advantage of the Prismatic subclass requires thoughtful planning and adept playstyle. Here are some tips to help you optimize your build and gameplay experience:

• Combination of Abilities: Prismatic encourages creative combinations of abilities from different subclasses. Experiment with different Supers, Aspects, and Fragments to uncover effective synergies that suit your playstyle.
• Focus on Team Synergy: Coordinate with your fireteam to strategize and select subclass builds that complement each other's strengths. This teamwork can lead to an efficiently executed combat approach.
• Embrace Exploration: While completing missions, take time to explore environments thoroughly, as hidden chests and opportunities for gathering fragments abound throughout the game.

Recommended Builds

As players continue to explore the vast possibilities offered by the Prismatic subclass, here are some preliminary recommended builds for specific classes:

Titan Build

A compelling Titan strategy revolves around the Consecration Aspect. By sliding, players can unleash a melee charge that projects Solar energy to scorch enemies, followed by a slam attack that ignites the target. Coupling this with the Frenzied Blade charge (which can hold up to three charges) maximizes the potential for repeated Consecration use. Additionally, equipping the Facet of Ruin Fragment enhances Solar ignitions' area of effect, making for an even more impactful combination.

Hunter Build

For Hunters, the agility of going invisible synergizes beautifully with subclass perks. Utilize the Stylish Executioner Void Aspect to become invisible and gain Truesight upon defeating weakened enemies. To further amplify your damage ability, pair this with Gambler's Dodge—the Arc subclass ability—which replenishes your melee charge when used near an enemy. Combining these with the Combination melee will allow for powerful loops that reward tactical play, enabling continuous weakening and buffing effects.

Warlock Build

Lastly, Warlocks can greatly benefit from pairing the Getaway Artist Exotic gauntlets with the Bleak Watcher Aspect. This combination allows for the activation of Radiant, Devour, and Amplified states simultaneously, while deploying multiple Bleak Watchers and maintaining Arc Souls in combat situations. This setup enables sustained damage and heals throughout challenging encounters, positioning Warlocks as valuable assets in any fireteam.

Conclusion

The introduction of the Prismatic subclass in Destiny 2: The Final Shape represents an exciting evolution in gameplay mechanics. With its unique blend of Light and Darkness capabilities, players have the chance to experiment with a wide array of abilities and builds. By unlocking the subclass, exploring combinations, and fine-tuning strategies, every Guardian can find their niche within this innovative system. As the community continues to uncover the intricacies of Prismatic, countless possibilities await in the ever-expansive Destiny 2 universe.