Forsaken brings the Gambit mode to Destiny 2. Here are tips, tricks, and loadout recommendations to help you be more successful in this new mode.
Gambit is a hybrid mode that combines PvE and PvP in Destiny 2 for the first time. The goal is to slam particles into a bank in a race against another Guardian team to summon the Primeval and then take him down. The team that defeats the final boss first wins the Gambit round.
How to approach Gambit? However, Gambit also has PvP elements – as soon as you collect 25 and 50 particles (and when the opposing team is fighting the Primeval), a portal opens allowing you to reach the opposing Guardians and shoot them for 30 seconds each. Many Guardians wonder how to best approach this “PvEvP mode.”
3 Recommendations for the Perfect Gambit Loadout
The site Polygon spoke with Bungie’s design leads Lars Bakken and Robbie Stevens about Gambit and asked what tips they have for the Guardians regarding this mode.
The following three recommendations for loadouts come directly from Bungie.
Play as a Team and Take on Different Roles
When you start a Gambit match with a pre-made fireteam of 4 Guardians, you can determine your roles and loadouts in advance.
- PvE Role: If you primarily collect particles and defend the bank, choose a loadout that you would also use in the Nightfall strike. Bakken recommends a shotgun, a sniper, or a fusion rifle, along with a suitable primary weapon.
- PvP Role: If you want to take on the PvP part and frequently dash through the portal to the opponents, choose your best PvP loadout. Bakken recommends the Wings of the Heeler, a sniper, and a rocket launcher to create a lot of chaos.
Currently strong PvP weapons can be found here:
Don’t Be Afraid to Change Your Loadout Mid-Match
If you are not satisfied with your loadout in the Gambit match, find a quiet spot to quickly adjust your weapons, armor, or focus.
According to Stevens, the Gambit mode does not penalize you as much as the Crucible when you change weapons during the match. After the change, you retain most of the corresponding ammunition.
Especially in the first weeks, you will need to experiment a lot with which items are best for which maps and against which enemies. Be bold and make changes during a Gambit match.
Your Subclass is Crucial
Choose a Guardian subclass – a focus – that you enjoy playing and combine it with exotics that enhance that focus. Many of the new exotic armor pieces enhance the new focus options from Forsaken.
A few suggestions from Bakken:
- Titan hammers are strong against PvP opponents but also powerful in PvE.
- A Golden Gun with 6 shots might not seem like a good idea in PvE, but in Gambit, it can shine against blockers and in a rush against many enemies.
- The slow version of the Nova Bomb is not recommended in PvP, but it can be destructive in PvE.
It will not be possible to find the “perfect loadout” for all roles in Gambit. Therefore, coordinate with your teammates and look to create good combinations.
10 Tips to Get Better at Gambit
Here are a few general tips about Gambit from Bakken, Stevens, and directly from the community.
If Nothing Works, Collect Motes
According to Bakken, Gambit was designed as a game mode that all Destiny players can enjoy, regardless of whether they prefer PvE or PvP.
Due to the complexity of Gambit, it can be easy to run around aimlessly in the early rounds and feel lost. Here, Bakken recommends initially focusing on defeating PvE enemies and bringing motes to the bank.
Because at the most basic level, that’s what Gambit is about. When you collect motes and bring them to the bank, you are definitely helping your team. If you are still unsure, better run to the bank one more time before you die and lose the motes.
Stay Alive
In some Destiny 2 activities, it can be “cool” and rewarding to dive into enemy crowds with your super, taking out dozens of enemies and sacrificing yourself to be revived immediately. Gambit is not one of those activities.
Being killed has significant downsides in Gambit. All motes you carry upon death are lost forever. They don’t drop to the ground and cannot be picked up by teammates. This mote loss severely harms your team.
So play safely when you are carrying a large number of motes!
Movement and Multitasking are Important
You will lose in Gambit if you just run behind your teammates all the time. Don’t all shoot at every single PvE enemy; spread out. Look for where you are needed most.
Don’t steal motes from your teammates; find your own enemies. Or defeat enemies at the bank. Or deal with the opposing Guardian that came through the portal.
Consistently Block Opposing Guardians
Blockers are additional enemies that can be sent to the other team by a Guardian depositing a certain number of motes in the bank. The blockers block the opposing bank and only become free again when defeated.
- If you deposit 5 motes at once, a Taken Phalanx will appear for the enemy.
- If you deposit 10 motes at once, a Taken Knight will appear.
- If you deposit 15 motes, which is the maximum number you can carry, a Taken Ogre will be sent to the enemy.
It’s a waste if you deposit 4, 9, or 14 motes to the bank. Aim to deposit 5, 10, or 15 if possible.
Always Keep an Eye on the Scoreboards
At the top center of the screen, you can always see how many motes your team and the opposing team currently have in the bank. Keep an eye on it to know when the portals open and the Primevals appear.
Furthermore, you can see how many motes your teammates are currently carrying. So don’t take motes from a teammate when you see they have already got 14, so they can deposit the 15 and send an Ogre against the enemies.
Ensure Strong Invasions
You don’t have to rush into the opposing arena as soon as the portal opens. You can prepare for the invasion, such as:
- Deposit all your motes in the bank first
- Make sure you have a full super
- Make sure you have heavy ammo
- Send a blocker to distract your enemies first
During the invasion, quickly locate the enemy that is carrying the most motes and defeat him. This way, you disrupt the opposing team the most.
If an opposing Guardian enters your arena, communicate with each other about where he is and eliminate him as quickly as possible.
Adjust Your Strategy
If you lose your first Gambit round, discuss what you can do better and adjust your strategy.
If the opponents have released many Ogres on you, it’s a good strategy to send many 5-mote blockers to the enemy at first and quickly allow for an invasion.
So collect 25 motes as quickly as possible and defeat the opposing Guardians who are trying to collect 15 motes at once during the invasion.
Don’t Give Up Early
Every team wants to get ahead quickly in Gambit and maintain that lead – however, comebacks are always possible.
- If you are down, a glowing enemy will spawn that drops a lot of motes. Kill him and make a comeback.
- You can extend the Primeval phase of the opponent by repeatedly going through the portal and defeating opposing Guardians. This will recharge the Primeval’s health.
Bakken and Stevens emphasize that you are never out of options. You can always turn the game around.
Use Your Supers Wisely
While your PvP player can use their super attacks during invasions, the other Guardians should ensure they have their super ready for the fight against the Primeval.
The final boss can be defeated relatively quickly with super attacks. If you use them concentrated, you will take down the Primeval quickly – and win the match.
Take Care of the Primeval’s Lieutenants
When the Primeval spawns, he does not come alone. He brings some strong lieutenants with him, who have a lot of health themselves and increase the Primeval’s damage resistance.
Therefore, defeat the lieutenants first, wait until no opposing Guardian is in your arena, and then unleash everything on the Primeval (super, heavy weapons).
How Does Gambit Actually Work?
In Gambit, two Guardian teams of 4 players each compete against each other. They are teleported to two different arenas where they must defeat PvE enemies and collect motes.
Once you collect 25 and 50 motes (and when the opposing team fights the Primeval after they have 75 motes), a portal opens that allows you to reach the opposing Guardians and shoot them for 30 seconds each. Only one Guardian may enter the opposing arena per open portal.
Once you have 75 motes in your bank, the Primeval appears. Defeat him to win the round. But be careful: If an opposing Guardian defeats a member of your team, the Primeval’s health will be restored.
The team that first wins 2 rounds is the winner in Gambit.
You can find the detailed rules here:
