Destiny 2 Buffs and Debuffs Guide: The Final Shape

by | Aug 20, 2024

Succeeding in Destiny 2’s toughest content requires more than just well-rolled weapons and high armor stats—it also requires extensive knowledge of additional ways to maximize your Guardian’s damage output.

With the correct setup, you and your fireteam can double your damage and then some. Here, we’ll cover the major buff and debuff sources within Destiny 2, explain how they stack with one another, and more. Let’s begin.

Episode 1 Echoes icon Destiny 2Updated as of Episode 1: Echoes.

What is a buff? How is it different from a debuff?

In gaming, a buff benefits those affected by it, while a debuff harms those affected by it. In this context, we’ll talk specifically about all the effects you can use for your advantage: buffs that apply to you and debuffs that apply to your enemies.

In this guide, we focus on buffs and debuffs that affect damage. While there are other effects that work differently (Cure, Suppression, Blind, etc.),  damage effects are the most common and intricate, introducing complex stacking rules when used together.

Buffs and Debuffs: The Complete List

Given their sheer abundance, navigating the world of Destiny 2’s effects can be difficult. To help clarify this (and allow us to explain stacking rules easily), we’ll split this section into three categories:

  1. General Buffs
  2. General Debuffs
  3. Weapon surges

While there are a multitude of other damage modifiers available (legendary weapon perks, activity modifiers, etc.), we won’t cover them here for reasons explained later.

Radiant Buff screen Destiny 2

Radiant Buff, Destiny 2

General Buffs

AmplificationSource/ActivationCategoryDamageDurationNotesType
Banner ShieldTitan Void SuperSubclass40% PvE
35% PvP
Super DurationExpires quicker as Banner Shield
takes more damage
Buff
Well of RadianceWarlock Solar SuperSubclass25% PvE
25% PvP
30sGrants Radiant for 8s after
leaving the Well
Buff
Empowering RiftWarlock Class AbilitySubclass20% PvE
15% PvP
15sCan be extended through
Sanguine Alchemy
Buff
Blessing of the Sky
(Lumina)
Firing Noble Rounds at AlliesExotic35% PvE
15% PvP
11sOnly works in team content; synergizes
with Boots of the Assembler
Buff
Gyrfalcon's HauberkFinishing while InvisibleExotic35% PvE6sCannot be used in PvP (can't
Finish Guardians)
Buff
No Backup PlansHaving Void Overshield
(applies to Shotguns only)
Exotic35% PvE
10% PvP
VariableApplies to Shotguns onlyBuff
Hazardous PropulsionDamaging targets with Exodus RocketsExotic35% PvE
?% PvP
10sApplies to all rocket-based weapons
(Rocket Launchers, Rocket Sidearms, etc.)
Buff
Blessing of the Sky
(Boots of the Assembler)
Using Empowering RiftExotic35% PvE
15% PvP
5sRequires Empowering Rift;
Synergizes with Lumina
Buff
Helm of Saint-14Passing through Ward of Dawn
(requires Exotic + Super)
Exotic25% PvE
25% PvP
15sCan be refreshed by stepping through
Ward of Dawn again
Buff
Wormgod CaressMelee, Glaive Melee, or Finisher killsExotic35% PvE
25% PvP
VariableDamage values are for max stacks (x5),
duration is shortened with higher stacks
Buff
Song of FlameSuper ActivationSolar Radiant25% PvE
10% PvP
Super DurationOnly applies to userBuff
Lightweight KnifePrecision hit w/ KnifeSolar Radiant25% PvE
10% PvP
10sOnly applies to userBuff
Rain of FireLinear Fusion Rifle or Fusion Rifle KillSolar Radiant25% PvE
10% PvP
7.5sSynergizes with Vex MythoclastBuff
Facet of DawnPowered Melee HitSolar Radiant25% PvE
10% PvP
4sApplies to allies and lasts longer on
kill instead of hit
Buff
Well of RadianceLeaving Well of RadianceSolar Radiant25% PvE
10% PvP
8sStanding in Well of Radiance grants
slightly different buff
Buff
Acrobat's DodgeClass Ability ActivationSolar Radiant25% PvE
10% PvP
10sApplies to allies within 8mBuff
Ember of TorchesPowered Melee HitSolar Radiant25% PvE
10% PvP
8sApplies to allies within 8mBuff
Radiant OrbsPicking up an Orb of PowerArtifact25% PvE
10% PvP
10sGrants Solar RadiantBuff
Prismatic TransferCasting Super Ability near alliesArtifact20% PvE
15% PvP
10s PvE
5s PvP
Requires allies to be using a Super with
a different element to your own
Buff

General Debuffs

AmplificationSource/ActivationCategoryDamageDurationNotesType
Tether SuperDeadfall Tether & Morbius Tether Super AbilitiesSubclass30% PvE
50% PvP
VariableDeadfall lasts longer than MorbiusDebuff
Felwinter's HelmFelwinter's Helm Warlock ExoticExotic30% PvE
30% PvP
VariableDuration depends on combatant
rank killed (5s-20s)
Debuff
Tractor CannonTractor Cannon DamageExotic30% PvE
50% PvP
10sAlso applies SuppressionDebuff
DivinitySustained Divinity DamageExotic15% PvE
7.5% PvP
VariableAlso produces precision cage, but
debuff applies to entire enemy model
Debuff
Flash CounterLegendary Sword PerkPerk20% PvE
20% PvP
4sTriggers Echo of Harvest, Repulsor
Brace, and Stylish Executioner
Debuff
Buried BloodlineBuried Bloodline Shots while Devour is active (req. Catalyst)Void Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
5s PvE
2.5s PvP
Requires CatalystDebuff
Collective ObligationCollective Obligation Damage after Weaken is SiphonedVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
10s PvE
5s PvP
Tractor Cannon and other sources work,
but the buff is downgraded to base Weaken
Debuff
Deterministic ChaosEvery 4th Heavy Metal ShotVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
6s PvE
3s PvP
Requires 16 shots total to trigger
Weaken
Debuff
HeartshadowHeartshadow Heavy AttackVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
6s PvE
3s PvP
Also makes user InvisibleDebuff
TessellationCharged Shot w/ Void Grenade
(requires Catalyst)
Void Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
6s PvE
3s PvP
Requires Catalyst and Void
Grenade
Debuff
Second ChanceShield Throw hitVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
10s PvE
5s PvP
Also provides Anti-Barrier
functionality
Debuff
Chromatic FirePrecision kill (Void AoE)Void Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
6s PvE
3s PvP
Requires Void SuperDebuff
Spectral BladeHeavy AttackVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
6s PvE
3s PvP
Can be refreshed with additional
heavy attacks
Debuff
Snare BombSmoke Bomb damageVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
8s PvE
2.5s PvP
Lasts shorter than Trapper's
Ambush
Debuff
Stylish ExecutionerMelee while Invisible via Stylish ExecutionerVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
5s PvE
2.5s PvP
Interacts with Flash Counter
(see above)
Debuff
Trapper's AmbushQuickfall Smoke Cloud damageVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
10s PvE
5s PvP
Lasts longer than Snare BombDebuff
Twilight ArsenalAxe Super HitsVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
6s PvE
3s PvP
Can be refreshed with additional
axe hits
Debuff
Child of the Old GodsVoid Soul tether damageVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
5s PvE
2.5s PvP
Continuously applies Weaken
throughout ability uptime
Debuff
Echo of UnderminingVoid Grenade damageVoid Weaken15% PvE
7.5% PvP
5s PvE
2.5s PvP
Lingering Void Grenades refresh
Duration
Debuff

*A quick note about Solar Radiant: Radiant also buffs Golden Gun Super damage by 25%. However, standing in a Well of Radiance overrides “generic” Radiant, which has the same percentage for PvE but doesn’t apply to Golden Gun. Therefore, it is good practice to use Golden Gun outside of a Well of Radiance, then step back in to deal weapon damage.

Weapon Surges

For this final table, every source grants the same type of buff, attuned to different elements, that can stack up to x4 (unless otherwise noted). In all of the following cases, the percentages are: 

(stack number) x1/x2/x3/x4  :  PvE 10%/17%/22%/25%  :  PvP 3%/4.4%/5.5%/6%

AmplificationSource/ActivationCategoryDamageDurationNotesType
Armor ModsAdds x1 Surge stack per mod applied to leg armor (up to x3)ModDependentVariableDuration is variable, and effect can
stack up to x3 with only mods
Weapon Surge
Eternal WarriorAbout 2 Arc Kills (adds x1 stack) or,
Fist of Havoc Super ends (x4 stacks)
ExoticArc11s PvE
6s PvP
Duration can be refreshed with
additional Arc kills
Weapon Surge
The Path of Burning StepsAbout 2 Solar Kills (adds x1 stack) or,
Solar Grenade Kill (x4 stacks)
ExoticSolar11s PvE
6s PvP
Duration can be refreshed with
additional Solar kills
Weapon Surge
Doom Fang PauldronAbout 2 Void Kills (adds x1 stack) or,
Void Powered Melee Kill (x4 stacks)
ExoticVoid11s PvE
6s PvP
Duration can be refreshed with
additional Void kills
Weapon Surge
Icefall MantleAbout 2 Stasis Kills (adds x1 stack) orr,
Barricade activation (x4 stacks)
ExoticStasis11s PvE
6s PvP
Duration can be refreshed with
additional Stasis kills
Weapon Surge
Mask of BakrisStasis Class Ability activation (x4 stacks)ExoticArc, Stasis11s PvE
11s PvP
Lord of Wolves gains x4 Solar
Surge while equipped
Weapon Surge
Raiju's HarnessArc Staff Super deactivation (x4 stacks)ExoticArc21s PvE
16s PvP
Duration is not refreshable; req.
Arc Staff Super
Weapon Surge
Ballidorse WrathweaversFrostpulse Rift (x2 stacks) or,
Winter's Wrath heavy attack (x4 stacks)
ExoticStasis11-15s PvE
6s PvP
Can be granted to allies, and grants
x4 stacks after leaving Winter's Wrath
Weapon Surge
FoetracerElemental Ability Damage on Powerful Combatants/Guardians (x4 stacks)ExoticDependent11s PvE
6s PvP
Powerful combatants include Elite,
Miniboss, Champion, and Boss enemies
Weapon Surge
Mantle of Battle HarmonyWeapon Damage Kill while Super is charged (x4 stacks)ExoticDependent11s PvE
6s PvP
Requires weapon kill to match
Super element
Weapon Surge
Sanguine AlchemyWhile in a Rift or Well of Radiance (x2 stacks)ExoticDependentVariableDamage buff removed when you step
out of rift, or when it expires
Weapon Surge
Spirit of the Eternal
Warrior
Super ends (x4 stacks)Exotic Class ItemDependent30s PvE
6s PvP
Active only on Prismatic Subclass;
found on Titan (Stoicism)
Weapon Surge
Spirit of the FoetracerElemental Ability Damage on Powerful Combatants/Guardians (x4 stacks)Exotic Class ItemDependent11s PvE
6s PvP
Active only on Prismatic Subclass;
found on Hunter (Relativism)
Weapon Surge

A note about weapon surges: You are allowed to have multiple different elemental weapon surges active at once. However, same-element surges from different sources will not stack. For instance, if you have two Stasis Weapon Surge mods equipped, but also use Mask of Bakris’ dodge, you will only get the x4 Surge from Mask of Bakris. 

Weapon Surges screen Destiny 2

Weapon Surges, Destiny 2

Damage Stacking Rules

As a general rule, only one effect per category can be active at once: one general buff, one general debuff, and one weapon surge. However, these do stack with each other.

For example, utilizing Weaken, Radiant, and surge mods simultaneously will result in all three stacking multiplicatively. However, in the case of utilizing multiple of the same type, only the highest percentage will be present (if you have both Well of Radiance and Banner Shield active, you’ll only gain the 40% from Banner Shield since it’s a greater buff. The Well of Radiance’s damage won’t matter until it is the highest general buff on your character).

 

Every other damage modifier in the game not in the above categories—including legendary weapon perks, activity modifiers, exotic intrinsics, and more—will stack with everything. This includes both other buffs in their individual categories (Kill Clip stacks with Rampage) and with ones outside (Kill Clip stacks with Overcharged weapon modifiers, which also stacks with Weaken and Radiant).

Activity Surges screen Destiny 2

Activity Surges, Destiny 2

Let’s create a random scenario to help explain. A Guardian enters an activity with the Void Activity Surge modifier. In this activity, they use a Hammerhead rolled with Rampage and Killing Tally. They use their Mobius Tether Super on a boss, are standing in an ally’s Well of Radiance, and have x3 Void Weapon Surge mods on their boots.

In this scenario, all of the above effects would stack with one another, assuming they’re all active at the same time. This would result in the following:

25% (Void Activity Surge) * 33% (Rampage x3) * 30% (Killing Tally x3) * 30% (Tether Super Debuff) * 25% (Well of Radiance) * 22% (Void Weapon Surge x3) = 4.28x damage, or a 328% increase

Of course, this situation is extremely rare and compares the result with a completely unchanged Hammerhead (without any buffs/debuffs whatsoever, including weapon perks). While this example was created primarily to show off the boundaries of buff stacking, knowing the basics of this system allows you to deal an absurd amount of increased damage.

Before you go…

Don’t forget about Weapon Perks and Armor Mods, the two other indispensable ingredients of buildcrafting in Destiny 2.

About The Author

Andrew Sideris
Andrew Sideris
With my over seven years of game knowledge, six months of writing experience for Blueberries.gg, and hundreds of Blueberries already guided through endgame content, I hope to allow newcomers to have the same great introduction I had all those years ago. You can find Andrew on Twitter.
More from Andrew Sideris
0 Comments
Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hunter Prismartic Build Twitter Card v2 Destiny 2

Best Destiny 2 Infographics

Get our exclusive D2 infographics before everyone else, for FREE! Also, a weekly email covering all the best loot at reset.

You have Successfully Subscribed!