Destiny Quick and Dirty Beginner's Guide

Resposted from gameskinny

[gtdroptop: I've edited this down for brevity, check out the original for anything you'd like to know more about]

Destiny Quick and Dirty Beginner's Guide

Everything you need to know to get started in Bungie's Destiny!

by Synzer

Destiny is more than your average shooter. There are classes, special abilities, leveling, exploration, and more. Things seem daunting at first, and players new to the game might wonder about some of the things you can do in the game.

This guide will cover the basics of Destiny including:

• Gear - The types of things you can equip.
• Controls - Helpful tips for doing things in Destiny.
• Classes - Each class and the differences between them.
• Tower - What it is and everything important about it.
• Game Modes - Explanations of each game mode currently available.

Gear

There are 8 different gear slots. For details on the weapon options visit the Destiny Weapon Options guide.

• Primary Weapon - Your main weapon and what you sue the most/have most ammo for. (Dropped ammo is White)
• Special Weapon - Secondary weapon that's more powerful and has less ammo than your primary. (Dropped ammo is Green)
• Heavy Weapon - Special weapon that does a lot of damage and has low ammo. (Dropped ammo is Purple)
• Helmet 
• Gauntlets 
• Chest Armor
• Leg Armor
• Class Bond - Special visual item unique to your class.

Sometimes you'll loot gear that looks green and says Encrypted Engram. You have to decode them to see what the gear is and use it. Do this by going to the Cryptarch at the Tower.

Grimoire Cards

See gameskinny if you're interested, but these are not critical to gameplay.  Venisia wrote a Destiny Codes article for free grimoire cards and other goodies.

Controls

Most things are simple and natural to anyone who has ever played a first-person shooter. I found a few things that people should know however that aren't clear. 

• Aim down the sights of your gun (using left trigger) when you can. For weak enemies it doesn't make a big difference, but you will get significantly more accuracy while aiming down the sights.
• When you unlock heavy weapons, hold the weapon swap button (Y) down to switch to it.
• Click the right stick when targeting someone to interact with them.

Classes

There are 3 classes in Destiny. They are: Titan, Warlock, and Hunter.

• Titan is like your soldier class. They have more defense than other classes and the ability to shield allies.
• Warlock is like a Mage class. They can glide and use magical abilities to destroy their foes.
• Hunter is the rogue/thief of the game. They use knives, attack quick, and can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time.

Tower

This is the social space/vendor area of the game. You walk around in 3rd-person and with your helmet off to show you beautiful face. You can also meet with other people to form fireteams before adventuring or doing Crucible. I'll explain the places listed on the map below.

• Vaults - You can deposit gear in here to give you more room in inventory. This is also shared for your account, so you can give items to your other characters
• Cryptarch - Where you go to decode and Encrypted items you get
• Postmaster - When you get a quest item to turn in, you go here
• Gunsmith - Sells guns

Game Modes

• Story - Missions that explain the game's story and progresses you through the game.
• Patrol - Free-roam areas that also have missions you can complete if you choose. (Awards Vanguard Reputation)
• Strike - These are missions for 3 players. The enemies are harder than normal and has very strong bosses.
• Crucible - The competitive multiplayer of the game.  [NOTE: Bada Bing will *not* be playing crucible.]

Bounties

See gameskinny if you're interested, but these are not critical to gameplay. 

Destiny Companion App

See gameskinny if you're interested, but this is not critical to gameplay. For more info, check the Destiny App description.
Originally Published Jul. 18th 2014