Mastering D2 Commendations: A Comprehensive Guide on Earning in Destiny 2

Destiny 2 Commendations are an exciting new social feature introduced with the Lightfall expansion. They allow players to recognize and acknowledge each other’s contributions in team-based activities throughout the game. Bungie has implemented Commendations to celebrate and encourage Guardians who make Destiny 2 an exceptional experience for all players. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into how the Commendations system works, the various types of Commendations you can earn, and how you can both give and receive them.

In a recent blog post titled “Lightfall and the Year Ahead,” Destiny 2 game director Joe Blackburn described Commendations as “icebreakers” that allow Guardians to quickly assess what a player can contribute to the team in this FPS game. Commendations are exclusively positive, preventing them from being used as a means to troll teammates. With the release of Lightfall, the system is now fully operational. Let’s explore how it functions.

At the end of an activity, Destiny 2 players have the option to award Commendations to their fellow Guardians. Certain activities have specific Commendations, such as ‘Pacesetter’ and ‘Saint’s Favorite,’ which are exclusive to Trials of Osiris, Destiny’s hardcore PvP mode. Raid and dungeon content also offer unique Commendations like ‘Perceptive’ and ‘Knowledgeable.’ Commendation options will appear in activities such as strikes and Crucible as well. It’s important to note that players do not need to own the Lightfall DLC in order to give or accept Commendations.

Destiny 2 Commendations are divided into four categories: Ally, Fun, Mastery, and Leadership. To grant a Commendation to a teammate, simply select them on the ‘Summary’ screen and choose from the available options. Commendations are represented by ‘medals’ that honor players who have enhanced the overall game experience for others.

It is worth mentioning that Commendations cannot be given to friends. They are designed specifically for matchmade experiences. While the main objective is to foster sportsmanship throughout the broader Destiny 2 community, Commendations can also indicate when a seasoned player is open to answering questions from a New Light player, or when a teammate enjoys lightening the mood with a few jokes during a challenging activity like a Destiny 2 Nightfall.

Earning Destiny 2 Commendations

Even less skilled players can benefit from Commendations. While there are options that signify skill and leadership, players can also earn Commendations simply by being enjoyable to play with or by demonstrating good teamwork. For example, in Crucible Control, being a good teammate could mean diligently holding and defending zones, even if their kill-to-death ratio is relatively low.

You can view the total number of Commendations you’ve received on the new ‘Journey’ screen, accessible from both your inventory and the Director screen.

Commendations are also connected to Destiny 2 Guardian Ranks, although Bungie has not provided details about this connection prior to the release of Lightfall. It is possible that players will need to achieve a certain number of Commendations in specific activities to increase their Guardian Rank. Guardians who earn a high number of Commendations can also look forward to special rewards, although Bungie has yet to disclose the nature of these rewards.

In essence, one of the main goals of this new feature is to allow players to “accumulate a ton of different commendations that help build a story for how others in Destiny 2 perceive you,” as Blackburn shared in the blog post. While some players may express skepticism regarding their inherent value, the overall objective is to reward players for traits such as helpfulness and organization.

Now you’re fully equipped with all the information you need about the Commendations system in Destiny 2. But if you’re hungry for more details about what’s to come in the highly anticipated Lightfall update, we have you covered. Dive into our comprehensive guides on the Destiny 2 Strand subclass and the exciting content of season 20. Discover the latest updates and enhancements in one of the best free games you can experience on your PC. Don’t miss out!