Elements Like most other games, RPGs, table tops, and so on, Destiny uses a basic elemental system. Currently there are three elements and Kinetic (non-elemental if you will). Elemental types are used in many forms and by all players and monsters. This will explain each version of elemental type and areas they are used. Types: Solar → can be identified by a flame symbol on screen and typically red/orange coloring from weapons and shields Void → can be identified by a swirl symbol on screen and typically is a purple coloring from weapons and shields Arc → can be identified by a Saw blade symbol on screen and typically is a blue coloring from weapons and shields Kinetic → No symbol to be identified by and typically a white coloring from weapons and shields Weapons: Primary Weapons are 90% Kinetic damage type. There are some that are elemental, one to take note of is Zhalo Supercell the exotic auto rifle. Special Slot weapons, or secondary as part of the community call them, will have all elements, but no Kinetic. Heavy Weapon slot weapons are the same as the special slot. It is my personal belief to mix up the elements. I like having a special weapon that has a different element of my heavy. This is usually countered by one reason; the weapons you get from drops or engrams have better perks or better light. So this can prevent the elemental mix up. Swords work a bit differently. They all have a defense to them that shields you from other damage. If using arc, then you can protect yourself from solar and void easily, but arc attacks will chew through you. Sticking to the Zhalo Supercell example, I would not use my Bolt-Caster defense aura to block bullets from this gun. I'll just die faster. Armor: Armor does not have a base element that is attached to it. Armor does though, have elements that it benefits from. These elemental advantages are given by Chest and Leg pieces. The element on a chest is a better defense against that element by providing a few options. Option one: increases recovery after taking splash of a certain elemental type. Option Two: increase your armor while using a certain elemental type sub-class. Option Three: reduce incoming burn damage from a certain type of element. Keep this in mind while examining your situation and adjust accordingly. Legs have a more offensive/defensive option. I say both, because I base your play style off of fight or flight. Legs will allow you to gain Agility after a double kill based off of a certain elemental type. Example would be arc. If I get a double kill with by any means and the element related to the double kill is arc, then I gain a boost to my agility for 5 seconds. This is where fight or flight comes in; do I back off my attack on my foes to recover? or do I keep up my onslaught? With higher agility, you move faster. Monsters: (See the post on monster shields) This first part will be a brief from the Monster Shields post. If a monster that has a shield glows a certain color (blue, red/orange, Purple) then make sure to match that color of the shield to the element type and you will melt them down quick. White shields note a Kinetic Shield, but do not notice Kinetic weapons doing extra damage to these. I'm certain of this when playing at higher light levels, these white shields are a major pain to get rid of. The second part of this monster post is the elements they use. Some of the time it is obvious what they use. Example is the Taken Knight and their fire spit ability. This is, well you guessed it, fire! So using armor that gives you that extra benefits against solar will help protect you from them. Attacks that look blue, well are more than likely arc based, and the same can be said about void having a purple hue to it. Important to note while in strikes and raids. Certainly Nightfalls, take advantage of elemental weakness. Those are the basics to elements and from there you can be a better player, just by knowing how to expose weaknesses.