Strand: Weaving the Fabric of Reality
Strand is a powerful new subclass introduced in Destiny 2's Lightfall expansion, offering Guardians the ability to manipulate the very fabric of reality. This paracausal energy allows for unique traversal, crowd control, and offensive capabilities, fundamentally changing how Guardians interact with the game world.
Strand draws its power from the Witness's paracausal influence, allowing Guardians to harness its unique properties. It's characterized by its green, ethereal aesthetic and its focus on entanglement, suspension, and the creation of Tangles. Each class has access to distinct Strand abilities, offering a fresh playstyle and opening up new strategic possibilities in both PvE and PvP content.
Core Strand Mechanics
Strand's gameplay revolves around several key mechanics:
- Tangles: These are small, throwable orbs of Strand energy. When thrown, they can entangle enemies, dealing damage and causing them to explode. They can also be picked up by Guardians to gain a temporary buff or be used to activate certain abilities.
- Grapple: A signature Strand ability that allows Guardians to latch onto surfaces and rapidly pull themselves towards them. This provides unparalleled mobility, enabling quick repositioning, evasion, and aggressive pushes.
- Suspend: Certain Strand abilities can suspend enemies in the air, rendering them immobile and vulnerable. This is an incredibly powerful crowd-control tool, capable of neutralizing dangerous threats or setting up devastating combos.
- Threadlings: These are small, autonomous Strand creatures that can be summoned to attack enemies. They provide consistent damage and can distract foes, allowing Guardians to focus on other threats.
Strand Abilities by Class
Each Guardian class has unique Strand abilities:
| Class | Class Ability | Grenade Ability | Melee Ability | Super Ability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titan | Barrier (Creates a defensive barrier) | Shackle Grenade (Suspends enemies) | Threaded Spike (A returning melee projectile that can sever targets) | Woven Mail (Grants damage resistance) |
| Hunter | Dodge (Grants reload or melee energy) | Grapple (Allows for rapid traversal) | Threaded Specter (Creates a decoy that explodes) | Silkstrike (A Super that allows for aerial grappling and melee attacks) |
| Warlock | Rift (Creates a healing or empowering rift) | Grapple (Allows for rapid traversal) | Threadlings (Summons Threadlings to attack enemies) | Needlestorm (Summons a barrage of Strand projectiles) |
Recommended Loadouts and Playstyles
- Mobility is Key: The Grapple ability fundamentally changes how you move. Embrace it to flank enemies, escape dangerous situations, and reach objectives quickly.
- Crowd Control: Utilize Suspend abilities to lock down groups of enemies, making them easy targets for your fireteam.
- Tangle Synergy: Experiment with different ways to use Tangles. Throwing them at groups, using them to activate abilities, or even using them as makeshift grenades can be highly effective.
- Weapon Choices: Weapons that synergize with Strand, such as those that generate Tangles or benefit from Strand buffs, can be very powerful. However, any weapon that complements your playstyle will work. Consider weapons with perks that enhance ability regeneration or provide utility.
- Exotic Armor: Several exotic armor pieces have been updated or introduced to synergize with Strand, offering unique benefits that can further enhance your chosen playstyle. For example, the Cyrtarachne's Facade for Hunters grants Woven Mail when grappling.
Strand offers a fresh and exciting way to play Destiny 2. By mastering its unique mechanics and understanding its potential, Guardians can weave their way to victory and unravel the mysteries of the Witness's power.