In Destiny 2, the most powerful builds are hidden behind certain mods. MeinMMO explains what the Charged with Light mechanic is and why every Guardian should engage with it.
This is what the mechanic is about: For some time now, you can take advantage of the very powerful “Charged with Light” mechanic in Destiny 2. This allows you, for example, to massively increase your damage, generate ammunition, or become nearly immortal – in short: the most powerful builds are based on this mechanic.
Unfortunately, this somewhat complex mechanic is not really explained, and therefore is not used by everyone. MeinMMO shows you everything you need to know about the system behind it, the different mods, and how to use them correctly. Because no system before has brought so much fun and build diversity to the game.
These are the basics: Originally, the Charged with Light mechanic came into play with Season 9, but since then it has only been conveyed to players through (sometimes overloaded) item descriptions.
In the current Season 11, the system has received many new customization options, which is why we briefly explain the basics here.
“Charged with Light” is a two-tiered system:
- First, you need to charge yourself with Light
- Then you can use the Light Charge
So, we need to charge ourselves with Light and can then spend this buff (stack) for a powerful effect.
Think of your classic perks like “Rampage” or “Kill Clip”: First you land a kill, then you receive the damage buff. The Light Charge not only temporarily increases damage but is more like a resource that you then exchange for bonuses of your choice.
All about the important mods of the “Charged with Light” mechanic
The most important component of the mechanic are modifications, or mods for short. You insert these special items into your armor, thus determining what these Light Charges will be consumed for. This allows you to fully customize the system to your wishes.
In general, there are three different types of mods for your armor:
- Green mods: Grant you Light Charges through certain actions
- Yellow mods: Trigger a powerful bonus in exchange for a Light Charge
- White mods: Grant additional bonuses for you or your team or change how you charge yourself with Light
Note: Almost all special mods go into the right slot of your equipment. Keep in mind that some mods only work with certain elements, while others are more general armor mods.
This is how you get Charged with Light: Now it gets a bit tricky, because instead of simply landing a kill, the whole system works differently depending on the mod – meaning there is not just one way to charge yourself with Light.
Here are some examples of green mods that generate Light Charges:
- Quick Charge: Several kills in a row with pulse rifles, submachine guns, or hand cannons give you a stack of “Charged with Light”
- Charge Thief: Charges you up as soon as you collect a sphere of Light (also from masterwork weapons)
- Shield Breaker Charge: If you break an enemy shield, you receive a charge
- Empowering Finish: Deal a finisher to an enemy to get charged with Light (costs one-tenth of the Super energy)
You see, there is not just one way to charge yourself with Light. Instead, you determine which variant fits your play style and equip the corresponding mod. If you want, you can also combine the options and charge yourself with more than one variant. Don’t worry, in principle, every weapon category is taken into account with corresponding mods.
How long does a Light Charge last? Again, we use the example of classic buffs that are only active for a few seconds. In contrast, the Light Charges do not disappear by themselves.
You can switch your weapons, admire the beautiful scenery of Destiny for minutes or perform emotes – your Light Charge remains clearly visible as a resource:
You only lose the charge if you:
- Die
- Leave the activity or go to orbit
- Consume the charge
“Charged with Light” grants the strongest bonuses in Destiny 2
This is how you use Light Charges: Once you have charged with Light, that is half the battle, but what do you do with the stack? Again, there is not one standard answer.
Depending on the yellow mod, you have access to different bonuses that handle Light Charges differently. Here are some examples:
- High-Energy Fire: As long as you have at least one stack, every weapon deals 20% extra damage – only consumes a stack when an enemy dies
- Glowing Blade: Consumes a stack on a sword hit and lets you deal bonus damage with swords for 5 seconds
- Protective Light: Consumes all Light stacks but grants you significant damage resistance – buff lasts longer the more stacks are consumed
As you can see from the examples, some mods consume all Light Charges directly, while others remain active for as long as you are charged with Light. All effects share the characteristic that they bypass certain game mechanics or trigger extremely strong buffs that go far beyond normal weapon perks.
Maximizing Light Charges: We have covered the green and yellow mods, so you have essentially mastered the basics. However, those who use the additional white mods correctly are true experts.
By properly using these underrated mods, you can significantly ease the daily grind of the “Charged with Light” mechanic or make it even more effective. Here are some examples of additional mods:
- Stacked: For every gained Light Charge, you receive an additional charge for free – you automatically receive at least two stacks where you would otherwise only get one
- Powerful Friends: When you are charged with Light, your nearby allies are also charged
If used correctly, these supplemental mods ensure that you and your team are continually charged, and thus always have access to the powerful effects.
Pay attention to these special mods: Some of the mods have a second effect. This is grayed out in the armor menu, meaning inactive, until you fulfill a certain condition.
As an example, let’s look at the mod “Powerful Friends”:
- The first effect is immediately active as soon as you equip the mod
- However, if you also want to benefit from the significant boost of +20 to mobility, you need to install a second Arc mod in the same armor piece
- Once a second Arc mod is in the armor, you will then passively gain the mobility boost – even without a Light Charge
Getting new mods is easy
You likely already have many of the mods in your collection. Other new mods currently mainly come from seasonal reward levels through focusing Umbral Engrams.
You can obtain mods from these two vendors: You can currently earn even mods from past seasons quite easily:
- Banshee-44 and
- the Prismatic Reformer (with the Nomad)
offer a large collection of mods. Some of the mods even rotate daily. So be sure to check back here every now and then to replenish your arsenal.
“Charged with Light” build for Season 11
Example of a strong build: To summarize everything again, MeinMMO provides you with a small example of how the powerful mods of the “Charged with Light” mechanic can look in a build.
In Season 11, swords are very popular. Therefore, we show you an excerpt from one of the best builds for the new contact event.
These are the mods you need:
- Charge Thief: The green mod can be installed in any armor piece and costs 3 energy
- Glowing Blade: The yellow mod can be installed in any Arc armor piece and costs 4 energy – additionally, you should equip another Arc mod in the same armor
- Stacked: The white mod fits in any Void armor and consumes 4 energy
- Charged: The white mod allows you to collect additional stacks of Light Charge – it costs 2 energy and requires the Solar element
These were the essential mods. If you also use a masterwork sword, you’ll mow through enemies like a deadly tornado, dealing bonus damage almost consistently and charging your heavy attack faster – the Light stacks will not run out.
By following our sword recommendations, you will also receive ammunition and more damage during it.
In the displayed example build, there is still plenty of room for customization.
You could also incorporate mods from the seasonal artifact. There you might find additional bonuses for swords or the powerful ability “Overwhelming Darkness”.
The great thing about most “Charged with Light” builds is that they don’t have an expiration date. All mods that do not come from the artifact remain in your collection and can continue to be used in the following seasons.
Did you find this guide helpful or do you have additional tips for this mechanic? Let us know in the comments what powerful builds you’ve crafted through “Charged with Light”.
