Destiny 2 class guide: List of subclasses, abilities, trees, and more

Destiny 2 (Image credit: Bungie)

Since its 2014 debut, Destiny's responsive shooter gameplay has become synonymous with the franchise. One of the game's most defining traits is its class-based mechanics, separating players into three groups, with their own associated play styles.

Destiny 2 brings back Titans, Warlocks and Hunters, and the associated subclasses that define your abilities in battle. While entirely new subclasses are being introduced, three existing fan favorites are also being revived with their own set of changes. We've broken down what subclasses mean in Destiny 2, and details on all six available for its September 6 launch.

What is a subclass in Destiny 2?

While classes somewhat outline your personal playstyle in Destiny 2, subclasses are an additional choice to be made, which determines your in-game abilities. At launch, two subclasses are available for Titans, Warlocks, and Hunters – each based on one of the game's three energy types. Each of these subclasses come with their own unique skill trees, which serve as one of the main forms of progression in your early days of playing Destiny 2.

Each subclass is hugely defined by its "Super ability," which allows players to charge up and utilize a single powerful move during combat. This is now complemented by a "Class ability," which also grants access to a secondary less powerful talent, with a fast recharge time. The choices within your subclass tree also determine your available grenade types, movement options, and passive abilities. These are the six subclasses available in Destiny 2 right now, across all classes.

Sentinel (Titan)
Striker (Titan)
Dawnblade (Warlock)
Voidwalker (Warlock)
Arcstrider (Hunter)
Gunslinger (Hunter)

With only two energy types available per class it's also assumed three more will be added later down the line, via DLC. For veterans from the first game, the Defender, Sunbreaker, Stormcaller, Sunsinger, Bladedancer and Nightstalker classes are all removed for the sequel.

Sentinel (Titan, Void)

The Sentinel subclass is the latest addition for Titans, offering abilities that leverage multiple traits of the class. This Void light class can be used for both aggressive and defensive play, with abilities that incentivize melee kills and heavy weapon use. The "Void Shield" Super ability makes this one of the most unique subclasses in Destiny 2, through a throwable shield, which serves as a fast projectile dealing heavy damage.

Super Ability

Sentinel Shield: Press "LB and RB" to summon a shield of Void Light. While Sentinel is active, press "RB" to attack. Hold "LT" to guard. Press "LB" to perform a Shield Throw.

Class Skill

Towering Barricade: Press and Hold "B" to create a large barrier that can be used to reinforce a position with cover from enemy fire.
Rally Barricade: Press and Hold "B" to create a small barrier that allows you to peek over it while aiming down sights, and which instantly reloads your equipped weapon when you take cover.

Grenade

Magnetic Grenade: A grenade that attaches to enemies and explodes twice.
Voidwall Grenade: A grenade that creates a horizontal wall of burning Void Light.
Suppressor Grenade: An explosive grenade that prevents enemies from using abilities for a short time.

Movement Mode

High Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air at greater heights.
Strafe Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air with strong directional control.
Catapult Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air with a strong initial burst of momentum.

Code of the Protector

Turn The Tide: Your Overshield from Defensive Strike lasts longer and increases melee damage and reload speed.
Rallying Force: Melee kills restore Health for you and nearby allies.
Ward of Dawn: When Super energy is full, press and hold LB and RB to create a shielding dome to protect you and your allies.
Defensive Strike: Kill an enemy with this Melee Ability to create an overshield around you and nearby allies.

Code of the Aggressor

Shield Bash: After sprinting for a short time, use this Melee Ability to unleash a devastating Shield Bash that disorientates enemies.
Superior Arsenal: Grenade kills recharge your Grenade energy.
Second Shield: Gain an additional Shield Throw charge while Sentinel Shield is active.
In The Trenches: Kills while surrounded by enemies reduce the cooldown of your Super.

Striker (Titan, Arc)

Strikers make a return for Titans in Destiny 2, with some tweaks upon the first revision. While some minor changes have been made across the board for this Arc-based class, the biggest overhaul affects its super ability, "Fists of Havoc." Unlike in the original Destiny, where players would receive a single supercharged ground-pound, the ability now activates over a period, allowing for multiple attacks in rapid succession. Overall this class is now better suited for an offensive play style, taking full advantage of the Titan's damage-dealing properties.

Super Ability

Fists of Havoc: Supercharge your fists and slam the ground with the force of a maelstrom.

Class Skill

Towering Barricade: Press and Hold "B" to create a large barrier that can be used to reinforce a position with cover from enemy fire.
Rally Barricade: Press and Hold "B" to create a small barrier that allows you to peek over it while aiming down sights, and instantly reloads your equipped weapon when you take cover.

Grenade

Flashbang Grenade: An explosive grenade that disorients enemies it damages.
Pulse Grenade: A grenade that periodically damages enemies inside its explosion radius.
Lightning Grenade: A grenade that sticks to any surface and emits bolts of lightning

Movement Mode

High Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air at greater heights.
Strafe Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air with strong directional control.
Catapult Lift: Jump while airborne to activate Lift and launch into the air with a strong initial burst of momentum.

Code of the Earthshaker

Magnitude: Gain an additional grenade charge. Increases the duration of grenade effects.
Aftershocks: Damaging enemies with Seismic Strike recharges your grenade.
Terminal Velocity: Fists of Havoc's ground slam attack leaves a damage-dealing field in its wake and deals more damage the longer it's in the air.
Seismic Strike: While sprinting, activate this melee ability to slam shoulder-first into your target and release an Arc explosion on impact.

Code of the Juggernaut

Frontal Assault: Strike an enemy with this Melee Ability to reload your weapon and increase your weapon stability.
Reversal: Melee kills immediately trigger health regeneration.
Trample: Killing enemies with Fists of Havoc extends its duration.
Knockout: Critically wounding an enemy or breaking their shields increases your melee range and damage.

Dawnblade (Warlock, Solar)

Warlocks now have access to "Dawnblade" in Destiny 2 – a new subclass centered around Solar light. The new super ability, "Daybreak," allows players to levitate for a brief period while throwing flaming blades woven with light. Under the hood, this ability works similarly to the Sunbreaker Titan subclass available in the third Destiny expansion, The Taken King. Other abilities available to this class build on its Solar damage abilities, and agility in combat.

Super Ability

Daybreak: Weave Solar Light into blades and smite your foes from the skies.

Class Skill

Healing Rift: Press and Hold "B" to conjure a well of Light that continuously heals those inside it.
Empowering Rift: Press and Hold "B" to conjure a well of Light that increases weapon damage for those inside it.

Grenade

Solar Grenade: A grenade that creates a flare of Solar Light that continuously damages enemies trapped inside.
Firebolt Grenade: A grenade that unleashes bolts of Solar Light at nearby enemies.
Fusion Grenade: An explosive grenade that deals bonus damage when it attaches to a target.

Movement Mode

Strafe Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with strong directional control.
Burst Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with a strong initial boost of speed.
Balanced Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with both moderate speed and directional control.

Attunement of Sky

Heat Rises: Airborne kills recharge your Grenade and Melee energy. Casting Daybreak instantly refills all your ability energy.
Winged Sun: Engage your enemies mid-flight. Fire weapons and throw grenades while gliding.
Icarus Dash: Press "B, B" while in midair to dodge.
Swift Striker: Strike an enemy with this Melee Ability to burn your target and temporarily increase your movement and reload speed.

Attunement of Flame

Igniting Touch: Strike an enemy with this melee ability to burn them and cause them to explode when killed.
Phoenix Dive: Hold "B" while in midair to quickly descend and restore your health. While Daybreak is active, Descend cause explosive damage.
Everlasting Flame: Killing an enemy with Daybreak extends its duration.
Fated for the Flame: Daybreak projectiles seek targets as they travel and, upon impact, launch a streak of deadly flames.

Voidwalker (Warlock, Void)

The Voidwalker subclass has also been revived for Destiny 2, and while some changes have been made, its mechanics are almost unchanged from the first game. The subclass' devastating Nova bomb still serves as its super ability, dropping an explosive ball of Void light, damaging enemies in its blast radius. Otherwise, the recommended approach to using the Voidwalker subclass is the same – encouraging a more offensive style of play. This subclass is also the only class to offer the blink ability, which allows for a short-distance teleport.

Super Ability

Nova Bomb: Hurl an explosive bolt of Void Light at the enemy, disintegrating those caught within its blast.

Class Skill

Healing Rift: Press and Hold "B" to conjure a well of Light that continuously heals those inside it.
Empowering Rift: Press and Hold "B" to conjure a well of Light that increases weapon damage for those inside it.

Grenade

Vortex Grenade: A grenade that creates a vortex which continually damages enemies trapped inside.
Axion Bolt: A bolt of Void Light that forks into smaller bolts on impact that seek out enemies.
Scatter Grenade: A grenade that splits into many submunitions and covers a large area with multiple explosions.

Movement Mode

Strafe Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with strong directional control.
Blink: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with a strong initial boost of speed.
Burst Glide: Jump while airborne to activate Glide and start an airborne drift with a strong initial boost of speed.

Attunement of Chaos

Bloom: Void ability kills cause enemies to explode.
Chaos Accelerant: Hold "LB" draw power from your Super to overcharge your grenade, making it deadlier and more effective.
Cataclysm: - Nova Bomb travels slowly and seeks enemies. Detonations shatter into smaller seeker projectiles. Fire your weapon at the Nova Bomb to detonate it early.
Entropic Pull: Strike an enemy with this Melee Ability to drain your enemy's life force and use it to recharge your grenade.

Attunement of Hunger

Devour: Kill an enemy with this melee ability to fully regenerate your health. For a short time afterward, kills restore additional health.
Feed The Void: Hold "LB" to consume your grenade energy to regenerate your health. Grants the Devour effect.
Insatiable: While the Devour effect is active, killing enemies extends its duration and recharges your grenade.
Vortex: Nova Bomb creates a singularity which continually damages enemies trapped inside.

Arcstrider (Hunter, Arc)

Arcstriders are the stylish melee subclass for the Hunters, sporting Arc-based abilities. This new class bears strong similarities to the Bladedancer class, although swaps out its blades of a stylish staff. The Arcsrtider Super ability also activates of a period of time, allowing for multiple repeated melee attacks while activated. This class' moves mostly specialize in its sleek melee attacks, alongside swift locomotion.

Super Ability

Arc Staff: Form a staff of pure Arc energy and acrobatically take out your foes.

Class Skill

Marksman's Dodge: Dodge "B, B" to perform an evasive maneuver with a steady hand. Dodging automatically reloads your weapon.
Gambler's Dodge: Dodge "B, B" to perform a deft tumble, avoiding enemy attacks. Dodging near enemies fully recharges your Melee Ability.

Grenade

Skip Grenade: A grenade which splits upon impact, creating multiple projectiles that seek enemies.
Flux Grenade: An explosive grenade that deals additional damage when attached to enemies.
Arcbolt Grenade: A grenade that chains bolts of lightning to nearby enemies.

Movement Mode

High Jump: While airborne, jump a second time to reach greater heights.
Strafe Jump: While airborne, jump a second time with strong directional control.
Triple Jump: While airborne, sustain your air control with a second or third jump.

Way of the Warrior

Deadly Reach: Dodging increases your melee range, allowing you to lunge further to strike enemies.
Combat Flow: Melee kills recharge your dodge ability.
Lethal Current: After dodging, each Arc Staff hit creates a damaging lightning aftershock.
Combination Blow: Kill an enemy with this melee ability to trigger health regeneration and increase your melee damage temporarily.

Way of the Wind

Disorienting Blow: Strike an enemy with this melee ability to disorient the target and nearby enemies.
Focused Breathing: Sprinting recharges your dodge ability. Increased maximum sprint speed.
Lightning Reflexes: You are harder to kill while dodging.
Combat Meditation: While critically wounded, melee and grenade recharge drastically faster.

Gunslinger (Hunter, Solar)

Gunslingers are also back in Destiny 2, although a new approach to its Solar light capabilities makes for a slightly new style of play. The "Golden Gun" ability has seen the biggest change, allowing for up to six solar revolver shots, rather than the first game's three. This can be a huge help when taking on multiple enemies, although the individual damage of each shot has been reduced.

Super Ability

Golden Gun: Summon a flaming pistol that disintegrates enemies with Solar Light.

Class Skill

Marksman's Dodge: Dodge "B, B" to perform an evasive maneuver with a steady hand. Dodging automatically reloads your weapon.
Gambler's Dodge: Dodge "B, B" to perform a deft tumble, avoiding enemy attacks. Dodging near enemies fully recharges your Melee Ability.

Grenade

Incendiary Grenade: A grenade whose explosion catches enemies on fire.
Swarm Grenade: A grenade that detonates upon impact, releasing multiple drones that seek nearby enemies
Tripmine Grenade: A grenade that sticks to surfaces and detonates upon enemies who pass through its laser trigger.

Movement Mode

High Jump: While airborne, jump a second time to reach greater heights.
Strafe Jump: While airborne, jump a second time with strong directional control.
Triple Jump: While airborne, sustain your air control with a second or third jump.

Way of the Outlaw

Deadshot: Significantly improves your ability to hit with Golden Gun.
Chains of Woe: Precision kills increase weapon reload speed for you and nearby allies.
Six-Shooter: Golden Gun can be fired quickly up to 6 times, but has a short duration.
Explosive Knife: Throw a knife from a distance that explodes shortly after impact with this Melee Ability.

Way of the Wind

Knife-juggler: Throw a knife from a distance. Precision knife kills with this Melee Ability immediately recharge it.
Practice Makes Perfect: Enter a trance with each precision hit, reducing the cooldown of your Super.
Line 'em up: Precision hits with Golden Gun increase its damage and extend its duration.
Crowd-pleaser: Enables precision damage with Golden Gun. Precision hits with Golden Gun generate Orbs of Light.

What is a subclass in Destiny 2?

Sentinel (Titan, Void)

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Striker (Titan, Arc)

Dawnblade (Warlock, Solar)

Voidwalker (Warlock, Void)

Arcstrider (Hunter, Arc)

Gunslinger (Hunter, Solar)

Further reading