Game Modes

Learn the ins and outs of Destiny's PvP game modes like Clash, Control, Rumble, Skirmish, and Salvage. Get tips and strategies to dominate the competition.

Hey there, Guardian! Ready to jump into the Crucible and test your skills against other players? Destiny's got a few different ways to play PvP, each with its own flavor. Let's break 'em down so you know exactly what you're getting into.

Clash

Think of Clash as your classic 6v6 Team Deathmatch. It's all about racking up kills for your team. The team with the most points from kills wins. There aren't any special objectives, so you can kind of do your own thing, but remember to help out your teammates when you can. Feel free to use whatever Super Abilities you like best, as it's not a team-decided thing here.

• Tips: Be a bit selfish and go on the offensive. Aid teammates when necessary, but don't feel tied down since there are no objectives. Use your Super Abilities based on your personal preference.

Control

Control is also a 6v6 mode, but it's a bit more strategic than Clash. It's often confused with Domination, but here, you'll be capturing and holding Zones. While kills still matter, controlling these Zones earns your team bonus points over time. Plus, capturing a Zone actually gives you Super Energy, letting you charge up your powerful abilities faster. It's a great way to keep the pressure on and get your Supers back quickly.

• Tips: Focus on crowd control and zoning to best score. Use Grenades to push enemies out of objectives and control them. Supers like Fist of Havoc, Nova Bomb, Ward of Dawn, and Arc Blade are great for clearing and defending Zones. If you're focused on pure kills, Golden Gun and Radiance can rack up points while your team has Control.

Rumble

This one's a free-for-all! Rumble is a 6-player Deathmatch where there are no teams. It's just you against everyone else. You'll need to be highly aggressive to rack up the most points, as no one's got your back but yourself.

• Tips: Classes like Bladedancer, Gunslinger, and Sunsinger excel here due to their one-on-one combat prowess. Grenades are your best friend for blocking off areas or focusing on other targets. A Sunsinger with Radiant Skin, Firebolt Grenade, Viking Funeral, and Touch of Flame offers a lethal combination for duels. Hunters also have great kits; Tripmine Grenades and Arc Bolt are particularly useful.

Skirmish

Skirmish switches things up with a 3v3 team deathmatch. While you're fighting as a team, you also have the ability to revive your fallen teammates, which helps them get back into the fight faster and earns bonus points. Just be aware that dying comes with a higher penalty here, as the respawn timer is longer.

• Tips: Teamwork is key in Skirmish. Supers like Golden Gun and Nova Bomb aren't as favored as in other modes. Strikers, Bladedancers, and Voidwalkers can be great for quickly taking out enemy teams, but a Defender using Ward of Dawn can create a safe zone for counter-attacks.

Salvage

Salvage is another 3v3 mode, similar to Skirmish in that you can revive teammates. However, the main objective here is to capture a Relic by deploying your Ghost. It's a race to secure the artifact while fending off the enemy team.

• Tips: Approach Salvage much like you would Skirmish. Use your Super Abilities strategically to claim the objective, not just for getting kills.