Destiny 2 shows new power levels with Witch Queen – And a souped-up Xur

As with every new Destiny 2 Expansion will also change The Witch Queen’s power level caps and the availability of some exotics and their catalysts. We tell you what the new maximum power is, when you can enter the endgame and why Xur will soon be offering former quest exotics.

Guardians in Destiny 2 define the strength of their character via the so-called power level. Bungie publishes maximum limits for this, which change upwards with each new season and expansion. The power level determines when a player can enter the endgame or play more demanding challenges. With Witch Queen, these power levels will change as follows:

• The new minimum power level base value (power floor) is 1350
• The soft cap starts at power level 1500
• The power cap is 1550
• The hard cap is 1560

What do these power level limits mean?

If you’re new to Destiny 2 or don’t remember the exact names of each power level tier:

The “power floor” is the base power level: It is traditionally automatically raised to a general base level at the start of an expansion. (Also for items that you then pull from the collection.) This ensures that every player can stay tuned, even if he hasn’t played for a long time. Each engram increases your power so that you quickly reach the next level phase, the soft cap.

Everyone can easily reach the “soft cap”: From this power level, players can only further increase their power level through “powerful equipment”. You get them in Destiny 2 with most activities and you don’t have to go to the endgame.

Only “Top Equipment” still gives progress: The power cap is then the biggest challenge when leveling. From here there is only a plus on the items if you play activities that drop the so-called “top equipment”. These are only available in limited quantities per week and guide players to the maximum possible power level that Wardens can achieve without Artifact Power Plus.

Before Witch Queen launches, players can also “pre-level” a little bit by completing certain bounties now and then picking them up in inventory via release. Bungie has made it clear that Iron Banner bounties, for example, will not be removed at the end of the season, as initially assumed.

Good to know: If you earn top equipment right away, you can level up faster. Players can play any activity at any time as long as it is not limited in access to a certain power level, such as Leader Dawns.

This power level information in the game is comparable to a sell-by date. You should have at least this power level, but you don’t have to.

However, consider: Before you now join with the base power level in a grandmaster twilight, note that all activities that promise you top loot are also more demanding. Your opponents won’t care about your lower power level and you’re underpowered by all one-shots. So this is only for Guardians who love a challenge.

The artifact grants even more power plus: Basically, the maximum achievable power level in Destiny 2 with Witch Queen is 1560. But that’s not the end of what’s possible. The Seasonal Artifact allows players to further increase their power level. However, this is no longer a “real” power plus, but only applies to the respective season.

Exotic weapons with random rolls coming to Xur soon

Xur also gets an upgrade with the new expansion. He can expand his range and offer you exotic weapons with random rolls, because the two exotic missions “Omen” and “Ominous” come into the content vault.

Bungie has included such weapons in the Memorial to the Lost Lights lineup in the past, but that will not be the case. Instead, they come into Xur’s offering and are available there with random rolls every week.

How much does a weapon like that cost at Xur? Since you’ve pretty much emptied Xur’s treasury, he has to fill it up again. The weapons then cost you 1 Ascendant Shard, 1 Exotic Cipher, 125,000 Glimmer and 200 Legendary Shards.

But not only Xur is becoming more relevant. Banshee-44 also gets its long overdue rework with the launch of Witch Queen. The annoying mod components and weapon master materials will soon be history.

Where to get Missing Catalysts? Since some things will be removed and the seasonal activity will soon no longer be available, catalysts that previously could only be obtained there will be moved. Bungie has also added three catalysts not previously available in Destiny 2.

These catalysts will soon be available via playlist activity completions (Strikes, Crucible, and Gambit):

Bungie has also adjusted the requirements for completing the Perfected Outburst and Whisper of the Worm catalysts. You can now complete them without access to their original activities.

When are these changes in game? With the launch of Witch Queen, the latest Destiny 2 expansion on February 22, 2022, players will both get the new caps and leveling can begin. From then on, the exotic weapons will also be available from Xur.

Bungie has apparently rediscovered Xur and is not only giving him his own game show, but is making him more interesting bit by bit. Maybe he will also offer missing shaders soon, who knows?

What else do you think about the new maximum power level? Are you looking forward to leveling up or is this cap way too high for you? How far have you leveled up so far and do you dare to take on the challenges with top gear right away? Tell us in the comments.