Destiny 2 Incandescent: Weapons and Perk guide

by | Nov 29, 2023

Solar 3.0 has been tearing it up in PvE and PvP for a while now. Not only is it fun as hell to use, but it also introduces new mechanics and powerful new perks. Namely, Incandescent.

Incandescent has been extremely popular this season, with top players incessantly farming weapons that can roll with it, but what does it do, and how does it pair with Solar subclasses? We’ll cover that and more below.

Checkmark icon V3Updated as of Season of the Wish (S23).

Scorch weapons: Weapons with the Incandescent Perk

Incandescent can only roll on Solar weapons, meaning it’s relatively exclusive for now. That said, a few select Energy and Power weapons can have this S-Tier perk. Here is a list of all of the Solar weapons available that can roll with Incandescent:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Eyasluna artEyaslunaHand CannonAdaptiveLegendaryPrimaryStasis30th AnniversaryYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStasis Stasis
Best

S

PvE + PvPGrasp of Avarice DungeonError icon V2 NoDestiny 2 30th anniversary icon
30th Anniversary
30th Anniversary eventKineticNoTop-tierIncandescent
IKELOS SG v1.0.2 Destiny 2 artIKELOS_SG_v1.0.3ShotgunRapid-FireLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Best

S

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 19EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
IKELOS_SR_v1.0.2 artIKELOS_SR_v1.0.3Sniper RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 19EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Igneous Hammer artIgneous HammerHand CannonAggressiveLegendaryPrimarySolarLightfallNoPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvPTrials of OsirisError icon V2 NoLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 13EnergyNoTop-tierIncandescent
Tyranny of Heaven art Destiny 2Tyranny of HeavenCombat BowLightweightLegendaryPrimarySolarForsaken PackYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvELast Wish RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesForsaken Destiny 2 icon
Forsaken Pack
Season 4EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Trustee Destiny 2 artTrusteeScout RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimarySolarBeyond LightYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvE + PvPDeep Stone Crypt RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Destiny 2 icon
Beyond Light
Season 12EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Reconstruction
Uzume RR4 artUzume RR4Sniper RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Strong

A

PvE + PvPNightfall: The OrdealsError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 14EnergyNoTop-tierIncandescent
Twilight Oath artTwilight OathSniper RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Average

B

PvPShattered Throne DungeonError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 14EnergyNoIncandescent
Compass Rose artCompass RoseShotgunPrecisionLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlaySeasonalSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Strong

A

PvPEvent: SolsticeError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 14EnergyNoTop-tierIncandescent
Jurassic Green artJurassic GreenPulse RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlaySeasonalPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvPEvent: Festival of the LostError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 15EnergyNoTop-tierIncandescent
Retraced Path artRetraced PathTrace RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEDares of EternityCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
30th Anniversary eventEnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
BxR-55 Battler artBxR-55 BattlerPulse RifleLegacy PR-55LegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Best

S

PvE + PvPDares of EternityCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
30th Anniversary eventEnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Staccato-46 artStaccato-46Scout RiflePrecisionLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEGunsmithError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 17EnergyNoTop-tierIncandescent
Strident Whistle artStrident WhistleCombat BowPrecisionLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEVanguard FocusingError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 17EnergyNoTop-tierIncandescent
Without Remorse artWithout RemorseShotgunLightweightLegendarySpecialSolarBeyond LightYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Average

B

PvPPresageCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Destiny 2 icon
Beyond Light
Season 17EnergyCraftableIncandescent
Beloved artBelovedSniper RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialSolarBeyond LightYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Best

S

PvPPresageCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Destiny 2 icon
Beyond Light
Season 17EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
CALUS Mini-Tool artCALUS Mini-ToolSubmachine GunMIDA SynergyLegendaryPrimarySolarBeyond LightYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Best

S

PvEPresageCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Destiny 2 icon
Beyond Light
Season 17EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Drang (Baroque) artDrang (Baroque)SidearmTogether ForeverLegendaryPrimarySolarBeyond LightYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Best

S

PvE + PvPPresageCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Destiny 2 icon
Beyond Light
Season 17EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Ammit AR2 artAmmit AR2Auto RiflePrecisionLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvE + PvPGunsmithCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Mindbender's Ambition artMindbender's AmbitionShotgunAggressiveLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Average

B

PvPNightfall: The OrdealsError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyNoIncandescent
Zaouli’s Bane artZaouli’s BaneHand CannonAdaptiveLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEKing's Fall RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Judgment of Kelgorath artJudgment of KelgorathGlaiveAggressiveLegendarySpecialSolarThe Witch QueenYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Best

S

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Witch Queen
Season 19EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Coronach-22 artCoronach-22Auto RifleAdaptiveLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Average

B

-Lost SectorError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 20EnergyNoIncandescent
Royal Executioner artRoyal ExecutionerFusion RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialSolarSeason 20YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Strong

A

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Trust artTrustHand CannonPrecisionLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Average

B

PvE + PvPPlaylist: GambitError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 20EnergyNoIncandescent
Jorum's Claw artJorum's ClawPulse RifleAdaptiveLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Average

B

PvPIron BannerError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 20EnergyNoIncandescent
Acasia's Dejection artAcasia's DejectionTrace RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialSolarLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Best

S

PvERoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Reconstruction
Last Foray art Destiny 2Last ForaySniper RifleAggressiveLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Weak

C

-Lost SectorError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 21EnergyNoIncandescent
Bug-Out Bag art Destiny 2Bug-Out BagSubmachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryPrimarySolarSeason 21YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Average

B

PvEFishingError icon V2 NoSeason of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21EnergyNoIncandescent
Greasy Luck art Destiny 2Greasy LuckGlaiveRapid-FireLegendarySpecialSolarDeluxe EditionYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Best

S

PvE + PvPGhost of the Deep DungeonError icon V2 NoThe Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 21EnergyNoTop-tierIncandescent
No Survivors SMG art Destiny 2No SurvivorsSubmachine GunAggressiveLegendaryPrimarySolarDeluxe EditionYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEGhost of the Deep DungeonError icon V2 NoThe Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 21EnergyNoTop-tierIncandescent
Pre Astyanax IV artPre Astyanax IVCombat BowPrecisionLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvENightfall: The OrdealsError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 22EnergyNoTop-tierIncandescent
Heliocentric QSc artHeliocentric QScSidearmLightweightLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Best

S

PvE + PvPLost SectorError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 22EnergyNoTop-tierIncandescent
Abyss Defiant artAbyss DefiantAuto RifleHigh-ImpactLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvECrota's End RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 22EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Sword Logic,Reconstruction
Adhortative art Destiny 2AdhortativePulse RifleAdaptiveLegendaryPrimarySolarSeason 23YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEUndyingCheckmark icon V3 YesSeason of the Wish icon Destiny 2
Season 23
Season 23EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Avalanche art Destiny 2AvalancheMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlaySeasonalHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Average

B

-Event: DawningError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 12HeavyNoIncandescent
Apex Predator art Destiny 2Apex PredatorRocket LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarForsaken PackYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvELast Wish RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesForsaken Destiny 2 icon
Forsaken Pack
Season 4HeavyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Explosive Light,Reconstruction,Bait and Switch
Abide the Return artAbide the ReturnSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Average

B

PvEShattered Throne DungeonError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNoIncandescent
Fixed Odds artFixed OddsMachine GunHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavySolarDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEDuality DungeonCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 17HeavyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Roar of the BearRoar of the BearRocket LauncherHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Weak

C

-Iron BannerError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyNoIncandescent
Unwavering Duty artUnwavering DutyMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvETrials of OsirisError icon V2 NoLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 19HeavyNoTop-tierIncandescent
Marsilion-C artMarsilion-CGrenade LauncherRapid-FireLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvELost SectorCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 20HeavyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Explosive Light
Caretaker artCaretakerSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarSeason 20YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20HeavyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Briar's Contempt artBriar's ContemptLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavySolarLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvERoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Reconstruction
Throne-Cleaver artThrone-CleaverSwordAggressiveLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Average

B

-Engram FocusingCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 20HeavyCraftableIncandescent
Just in Case art Destiny 2Just in CaseSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarSeason 21YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Weak

C

-FishingError icon V2 NoSeason of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21HeavyNoIncandescent
 
Incandescent weapons

Incandescent weapons in Destiny 2, a few examples

This list effectively covers all the weapons that can currently apply scorch to a target as of Season of Plunder (S18).

What does Incandescent do: Hard Figures

The perk description of Incandescent does a pretty good job of explaining the basics of it:

Defeating a target spreads scorch to those nearby. More powerful combatants and opposing Guardians cause scorch in a larger radius.

-Weapon PerkPvE Damage increasePvP Damage increaseDurationActivation | EffectsTypeWeaponsReleased
Incandescent Perk Destiny 2 artIncandescent30 scorch-Kills apply scorch to nearby enemies. Killing Powerful enemies and Players increases the range to 8 meters.SpecificVariousSeason 17

In clearer terms, Incandescent does the following:

  • Kills apply 30 Scorch to enemies within a few meters.
  • Ember of Ashes increases this to 40 Scorch.
  • Killing Powerful Combatants and Players increases the range to 8 meters.

The enhanced version of the perk does the following:

  • PVE: Scorch stacks increased to 40 and to 85 with Ember of Ashes equipped
  • PVP: Scorch stacks stay at 30 and are increased to 45 with Ember of Ashes equipped

These precise figures come from always excellent Light.gg.

But what is Scorch in Destiny 2?

Scorch is a stacking Solar 3.0 debuff that causes damage over time to enemies. If an enemy reaches 100 stacks of scorch, they will ignite, causing a high-damage area of effect explosion.

Incandescent applies 30 scorch stacks at its base to affected targets, and the “larger radius” extends to 8 meters.

All of that makes Incandescent similar to Dragonfly or Firefly while not requiring a precision kill (and having significantly more synergy with other abilities). There are numerous ways to make this perk even more potent; we’ll cover those in the next section.

How do you trigger Incandescent, and what synergizes with it?

Proccing Incandescent is as simple as getting a kill with your weapon while other enemies are nearby. However, there are tons of ways to make its effect even better.

Enhanced Incandescent

The first is to get the enhanced version of the perk, available by crafting a weapon capable of rolling with the trait. Doing so will increase the scorch stacks applied to enemies from 30 to 40. While that doesn’t sound like much, it reduces the kills needed to ignite a nearby enemy from four to three.

Solar Warlock

Incandescent with a Solar 3.0 build, Destiny 2

A Solar 3.0 fragment

While using a Solar subclass, you can also utilize the Ember of Ashes fragment to make Incandescent more powerful. This fragment increases the number of all scorch stacks applied by 50%. That means you’ll add 45 scorch stacks to an enemy with regular Incandescent and 85 with the enhanced version. With both Ember of Ashes and enhanced Incandescent, you only need to get two kills to trigger an ignite explosion!

There are many other ways to pair an Incandescent weapon with a Solar subclass—we’re just scratching the surface here. We encourage you to experiment with various Solar 3.0 fragments and abilities to make Incandescent fit your playstyle better! This perk is already substantial on its own, but its synergies make it as popular as it is.

Before you go…

New ways to increase Incandescent’s potency and synergy with Solar builds are always coming. As always, we encourage you to take this perk a step further and make it your own! And just as this is a top-tier Solar perk, definitely check out Voltshot, its Arc counterpart.

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
3 Comments
  1. Hugh Q

    Hi Andrew, thank you very much for this article! It was very informative, well organized, easy to read, and straight to the point. I have not played Destiny 2 in about 2 years, but I am very interested in starting again soon. I miss the game, honestly. In the second-last paragraph, you said that with Solar 3.0 and the enhanced version of Incandescent, the scorch stacks applied to an enemy would be 85. Would it not be 60 scorch stacks, or is there something I’m missing? Based on the info from this article, this is the math I’m doing: (30 + 10) * 1.5 = 60

    I’m sorry for nitpicking. I just found this confusing and thought I’d leave a comment to ask you about it. Also, since I’m already making a comment, I have a couple other questions. Do scorch stacks expire after a certain amount of time, or under certain conditions (besides when they reach 100 and explode)? If so, do they go away all at once or is it gradual? Lastly, can the scorch stacks contributed by one player add with those applied by another, detonating when the combined value reaches 100, or is it up to the individual player to reach 100 stacks on their own? Thanks so much!

    Reply
  2. John doe

    In leu of the author posting I will say this, I’m not sure the mathematical result of how it’s actually applied as regular incandescent has a different variable compared to it’s enhanced variance through crafting. However in regards to the other questions, all buffs/debuffs in the game have timers so if you switch targets eventually it will reset the stacks. Unsure if it’s gradual or all at once but I would assume the latter as it’d just make it easier to code into the game. In regards to team/individual stacking of Incandescent I believe that all stacks are team based contribution rather than solo contribution due to it’s interactions in higher level content. This is just my personal opinion through running similar ignition builds and loving the constant explosions that happen. Hope this helps, cheers.

    Reply
  3. Wes Tafoya

    sky burners oath exotic… has scorch when shooting from the hip…

    Reply
Submit a Comment

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