Powerful Gear (Tier 1)

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Powerful Gear (Tier 1) is a reward type in Destiny 2 that provides Guardians with Legendary equipment at a higher Power Level than their current maximum equipable Power. It is the most common tier of Powerful Gear rewards.

Overview

Powerful Gear (Tier 1) represents the baseline tier of the Powerful reward system introduced to help players progress from the soft cap to the hard cap (also known as the Powerful cap). When a Guardian receives a Tier 1 Powerful reward, the item will drop at +3 Power Levels above their highest equipable Power Level across all items in their inventory, vault, and characters.

Mechanics

Power Level Calculation

The system calculates rewards based on the highest Power Level gear available to the character, not necessarily what is currently equipped. This includes:

• Items in the character's inventory
• Items in the Vault
• Weapons on other characters (armor from other classes does not count)

Tier System

The Powerful Gear system uses a tiered structure:

• Tier 1: +3 Power Level increase
• Tier 2: +4 Power Level increase
• Tier 3/Pinnacle: +5 Power Level increase (or +1/+2 for Pinnacle rewards above the Powerful cap)

Power Level Caps

Powerful Gear (Tier 1) functions within Destiny 2's three-tier Power Level system:

1. Soft Cap: The maximum Power Level achievable through world drops
2. Hard/Powerful Cap: The maximum Power Level achievable through Powerful Gear sources (typically 50 Power above the soft cap)
3. Pinnacle Cap: The maximum Power Level achievable only through Pinnacle sources

Once a Guardian reaches the hard cap, all Powerful Gear sources, including Tier 1, cease to provide Power Level increases.

Sources

Powerful Gear (Tier 1) can be obtained from numerous weekly activities and challenges:

• Crucible playlist completions
• Vanguard Strike playlist completions
• Gambit match completions
• Flashpoint completions
• Various weekly bounties and challenges
• Clan weekly rewards
• Prime Engrams (random drops from enemies)

Strategy

For optimal Power Level progression:

1. Play normally until reaching the soft cap
2. Complete Tier 1 Powerful rewards along with higher tiers
3. Focus on filling slots that are lagging behind your average Power Level
4. Save higher-tier rewards for when Tier 1 rewards provide diminishing returns

Comparison to Other Rewards

Unlike regular Legendary drops, Powerful Gear is guaranteed to increase a Guardian's Power Level until they reach the hard cap. Regular Legendary items can drop at or below current Power Level, while Powerful Gear always provides progression.

Trivia

• The Powerful Gear system replaced the previous "Powerful Engram" system
• Prime Engrams function as Tier 1 Powerful rewards but can drop randomly from enemies
• The system ensures consistent progression regardless of player skill level

References

• Bungie Help: Power Level Guide
• Shacknews: All Powerful Gear Tiers and Sources
• The Gamer: Powerful Gear Tiers Explained