I have played each of the new subclasses in the Destiny 2 beta and really liking each of them so far. They are making it hard for me to choose what to pick on launch, but hopefully my breakdown can help you decide.
The header video has some clips of each new subclass, so check that out if you want to see them in action.
There are quite a few changes to the overall Destiny 2 system and even how subclasses work, but this article is going to focus mostly on the new ones — Sentinel Titan, Arcstrider Hunter, and Dawnblade Warlock. Before I start, let me go over the new class skills feature for each class.
Class Skills in Destiny 2
Destiny 2 still has grenade, melee, and super abilities like in the previous game, but now there’s an added “Class Skill”. These are unique to each class, but can be used by each subclass. For example, the healing and empowering rifts that warlock get can be used in Dawnblade or Voidwalker, and they work exactly the same.
Each class has 2 versions of their class skill that you can choose from. You will want to change between them depending on the situation. These skills also have cooldowns, but they are usually shorter than your other ability cooldowns.
Titan (Barricade)
- Towering Barricade: Press and hold the class skill button to deploy a large barrier to cover you from enemy fire.
- Enemies can shoot the barricade until it is destroyed, but you cannot shoot through it.
- Rallying Barricade: Deploys a small barrier that allows you to use it as cover. Aiming down the sights allows you to peek out of cover and fire at enemies.
- This is fantastic because your weapon instantly reloads when you go back into cover behind the rallying barricade.
Hunter (Dodge Roll aka Shadestep)
- Marksman’s Dodge: Double-tap the class skill button to perform a dodge roll.
- This version automatically reloads your weapon.
- Gambler’s Dodge: Dodge Roll that fully recharges your melee ability.
Warlock (Rifts)
- Healing Rift: Conjures a well of Light that continuously heals those inside it.
- Empowering Rift: Conjures a well of Light that increases weapon damage for those inside it.
Playing the Sentinel Titan in Destiny 2
This was the first character I tried and I had a blast. The super ability, Sentinel Shield, is amazingly fun.
You can run around and bash people with melee, hold the aim button to shield yourself, or throw it at enemies which will chain into multiple enemies if they are close enough.
Class Perks
The class perks you could choose in the last game have been changed to include 2 separate groups. For Titan, that’s the Code of the Protector and Code of the Aggressor.
The beta shows that it costs “Upgrade Points” to unlock these, but you can’t earn them in beta. Every class in beta starts with the top section unlocked. We will have to wait until Bungie releases more info or the full launch to see how these other perks work and if you can mix and match.
The beta Sentinel Titan has great perks though, especially for team play. Killing an enemy with a melee will restore health and grant and overshield to not only you, but also nearby allies. The overshield you get from this will also increase your melee damage and reload speed.
You can also hold your super to use the Ward of Dawn, like the Defender Titans had in the first game. There currently are no upgrades for the ward of dawn, like weapons or blessing of light, so I don’t think it will be used as much.
Plus, it takes up your super when you could be using it for your Sentinel Shield.
Misc.
I’ve noticed that “Titan Skating” has been reduced. You can still sort of do it with the Strafe Lift jump option, but it is nowhere as fast and fluid as it was before.
Overall, Sentinel Titan is a great class that brings a lot to your team.
Arcstrider Hunter Breakdown
This is definitely my favorite Super ability in the game. The movements and attacks look and feel so much smoother compared to the Bladedancer in the first game.
The best way to describe the Arc Staff is playing as Darth Maul or Gambit. There are multiple combos you can do with the staff, and you do a cool dodge cartwheel when you dodge roll during your Super. This class is best for taking out groups of enemies.
Class Perks
The Way of the Warrior is what we get in beta, and it looks so smooth. Melee kills will recharge your dodge, regen health, and increase your melee damage temporarily. Dodging increases your melee range and causes each Arc Staff hit to create a damaging shockwave.
If you use Gambler’s Dodge, you can keep switching between melee and dodge. Melee kills will automatically recharge your dodge — and if you dodge near enemies, your melee automatically recharges. Your melee damage also goes up and you get health regen while doing this, so it becomes really fast-paced if done right.
Misc.
I do love the Hunter, but they don’t bring any team buffs like the Titan and Warlock. Gunslingers get Chain of Woe, which causes precision kills to increase reload speed for you and nearby allies — but that’s nothing compared to the other classes.
But this is just a beta, so that might change. And the arcstrider is so fun that I’m willing to wait and see what happens.
Dawnblade Warlock Breakdown
If you like the air, you’ll love this subclass. They can glide higher and stay in the air longer than Voidwalkers. Their Super, Daybreak, allows them to use a sword to send flaming projectiles to enemies from the skies. This is a fun and satisfying Super, but it is shorter than the Sentinel and Arcstrider.
Class Perks
The beta gives you access to the Attunement of Sky, which is all about air combat. You can fire weapons and throw grenades while gliding, airborne kills recharge your grenade and melee energy, casting your super automatically recharges your abilities, and you can perform a mid-air dodge.
You can also melee enemies to gain a temporary boost to movement and reload speed. This takes some getting used to and you become very “floaty” when playing this way.
Luckily there is another option, Attunement of Flame, but is not available in beta. This option also lets you increase your super duration when you get kills, so it will most likely be my preferred option.
Misc.
This is a great subclass as well and one I’m leaning towards playing first on full release. The air combat is cool, but I’m more excited about the other options.
Being able to extend Daybreak duration is huge for me because of how short it lasts currently. I’m hoping you can mix and match perks, but after seeing how they synergize, that might not be an option. In any case, the Attunement of flame will mostly likely be what I play the most, and I think many other players will enjoy it as well.
Also, voidwalker has always been fun for me, and the changes they made could make it even more fun.
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I am pleased with all 3 of the new subclasses in Destiny 2 thus far. Each super ability is enjoyable and had me wanting more. The perks and class skills are also great, though Hunter is lacking a little bit overall at the moment.
Stay tuned to GameSkinny for more Destiny 2 guides as the beta continues and we creep closer to the game’s full release!
