Destiny 2’s Prismatic Subclass: Redefining the Meta, One Ability at a Time

Destiny 2’s upcoming expansion, The Final Shape, is set to introduce a groundbreaking new subclass called Prismatic.

This subclass is poised to revolutionize the way players approach buildcrafting in the game, offering unprecedented flexibility and power. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the Prismatic subclass, exploring its unique features and the abilities available to each class.

What is the Prismatic Subclass?

The Prismatic subclass is a hybrid subclass that allows players to combine abilities from both Light and Darkness subclasses.

This mix-and-match approach enables the creation of highly unique and powerful builds, leveraging the strengths of different subclasses.

However it’s important to note that not every ability from each subclass will be available for combination. Bungie has carefully selected the most underutilized abilities to breathe new life into them through the Prismatic subclass.

Advanced Buildcrafting

One of the most exciting aspects of the Prismatic subclass is the advanced buildcrafting possibilities it opens up.

Players will have access to more slots for aspects and fragments, allowing for greater customization and synergy. Additionally, the introduction of the Prismatic ability bar adds a new layer of depth to gameplay.

The Prismatic ability bar is divided into two sections: light and darkness. Using light class abilities fills up the light bar, while using darkness class abilities fills up the darkness bar.

Dealing kinetic damage also contributes to filling both bars. When both bars are full, players enter a state called Transcendence.

Transcendence: A Mini Super

Transcendence is a mini super ability that offers significant benefits to players. During Transcendence, grenade and melee abilities are refreshed, weapon damage and damage resistance are increased, and a special grenade ability becomes available.

This grenade ability is unique to each subclass and deals both light and darkness damage.

Moreover, during Transcendence, using grenade abilities recharges melee abilities, and vice versa, creating a powerful synergy that encourages aggressive playstyles.

Prismatic Abilities for Each Class

1. Hunter:

1. Supers: Storm’s Edge (Arc), Golden Gun: Marksman (Solar), Silence and Squall (Stasis), Silkstrike (Strand), Shadowshot Deadfall (Void)
2. Class Abilities: Marksman’s Dodge, Gambler’s Dodge, Acrobat’s Dodge (Solar)
3. Movement Modes: High Jump, Strafe Jump, Triple Jump, Blink (Arc)
4. Melee Abilities: Combination Blow (Arc), Knife Trick (Solar), Withering Blade (Stasis), Threaded Spike (Strand), Snare Bomb (Void)
5. Grenade Abilities: Arcbolt Grenade (Arc), Swarm Grenade (Solar), Duskfield Grenade (Stasis), Grapple (Strand), Magnetic Grenade (Void)
6. Aspects: Ascension (Arc), Gunpowder Gamble (Solar), Winter’s Shroud (Stasis), Threaded Specter (Strand), Stylish Executioner
7. Warlock:

1. Supers: Song of Flame (Solar), Nova Bomb: Cataclysm (Void), Stormtrance (Arc), Winter’s Wrath (Stasis), Needlestorm (Stasis)
2. Class Abilities: Healing Rift, Empowering Rift, Phoenix Dive (Solar)
3. Movement Modes: Burst Glide, Strafe Glide, Controlled Glide, Blink (Void)
4. Melee Abilities: Incinerator Snap (Solar), Pocket Singularity (Void), Chain Lightning (Arc), Penumbral Blast (Stasis), Arcane Needle (Stasis)
5. Grenade Abilities: Healing Grenade (Solar), Vortex Grenade (Void), Storm Grenade (Arc), Coldsnap Grenade (Stasis), Threadling Grenade (Stasis)
6. Aspects: Helion, Feed the Void (Void), Lightning Surge (Arc), Bleak Watcher (Stasis), Weaver’s Call (Stasis)
7. Titan:

1. Supers: Twilight Arsenal (Void), Thundercrash (Arc), Bladefury (Strand), Hammer of Sol (Solar), Glacial Quake (Stasis)
2. Class Abilities: Towering Barricade, Rally Barricade, Thruster (Arc)
3. Movement Modes: High Lift, Strafe Lift, Catapult Lift
4. Melee Abilities: Shield Throw (Void), Thunderclap (Arc), Frenzied Blade (Strand), Hammer Strike (Solar), Shiver Strike (Stasis)
5. Grenade Abilities: Suppressor Grenade (Void), Pulse Grenade (Arc), Shackle Grenade (Strand), Thermite Grenade (Solar), Glacier Grenade (Stasis)
6. Aspects: Unbreakable, Knockout (Arc), Drengr’s Lash (Strand), Consecration (Solar), Diamond Lance (Stasis)

Unlocking Prismatic Abilities

Each subclass will have a starting Prismatic build available from the beginning, featuring a selection of the abilities mentioned above.

To unlock more Prismatic abilities, players will need to progress through The Final Shape’s campaign and explore the pale world.

Why the Prismatic Subclass is a Game-Changer

The Prismatic subclass has the potential to be a game-changer for Destiny 2 for several reasons:

• Unprecedented flexibility: The ability to mix and match abilities from Light and Darkness subclasses allows for the creation of highly unique and powerful builds, offering a level of flexibility in buildcrafting never seen before in Destiny 2.
• Revitalizing underutilized abilities: By including previously overlooked or weak abilities in the Prismatic system, Bungie is giving them new life and purpose, potentially leading to the discovery of new, meta-defining builds.
• Advanced buildcrafting: With more slots for aspects and fragments, the Prismatic subclass offers greater depth in buildcrafting, allowing for more diverse and engaging playstyles.
• Prismatic ability bar and Transcendence: The introduction of the Prismatic ability bar and the powerful Transcendence state adds a new layer of resource management and rewards players for actively using their abilities.

• Synergy between abilities: The synergy between grenade and melee abilities during Transcendence promotes aggressive playstyles and could lead to the development of new, fast-paced combat strategies.
• New gameplay experiences: The addition of new supers, movement modes, and abilities for each class could significantly alter the way players approach combat encounters and provide fresh and exciting gameplay experiences.
• Potential for balance changes: The introduction of the Prismatic subclass may prompt Bungie to reassess the balance of existing subclasses and abilities, potentially leading to balance changes that make other subclasses more viable and encourage diversity in loadouts.

The introduction of the Prismatic subclass in Destiny 2’s The Final Shape expansion is set to shake up the game’s meta and provide players with unparalleled flexibility in buildcrafting.

By combining the strengths of Light and Darkness subclasses, Prismatic offers a fresh and exciting approach to gameplay.

With the ability to mix and match abilities, enter the powerful Transcendence state, and unlock new possibilities through exploration, the Prismatic subclass is poised to become a game-changer for Destiny 2 players.

Its potential to revitalize underutilized abilities, promote advanced buildcrafting, introduce new mechanics and synergies, and prompt balance changes makes it an innovation that could significantly impact the future of Destiny 2. Preorders for The Final Shape are open now, and visit Destiny 2 and our featured game page for more information and news.