Destiny 2
Jan 13, 2026
Complete Destiny 2 Renegades guide. Story explained, new activities, expansion features, and best weapons, gear, and loadouts for PvE and PvP. Photo by: GamesRadar
Destiny 2: Forsaken takes Guardians into some tough moral situations, mixing a story where your choices matter with risky missions and a focus on how you build your character. Here’s what you should know about the expansion, from the story to what gear you'll want at the end.

If you're between 14 and 25, Renegades is all about what makes Destiny great: quick fights, good rewards, stuff you can play over and over, and ways to make your character unique that reward smart choices.
This guide will talk about:
The story of Renegades
What's new and different in the expansion
The best weapons, gear, and setups to use (in 2026)

The Renegades story is about Guardians who don't follow Vanguard rules. It's a tale of broken teams, outlaw groups, and foes you can't beat with simple Light versus Dark strategies.
Independence or loyalty?
Power always has a price.
Choose your path instead of just following orders.
Renegades isn't like other games with simple stories. Here, your choices change the story, what you get, and even how the game ends.
“Not every Guardian fights for the same reason anymore.”
Renegades stands out as a Destiny campaign you'll want to play again and again.

Renegades adds new stuff to Destiny, so there's something for quick plays and long game sessions.
“Renegades rewards players who build smart, not just grind longer.”
Here's a new 3-player activity that features:
Lots of enemies to fight.
Modifiers that change.
Objectives you get to pick.
Each run gives you different risk/reward choices, so every time you win, it feels special.
Here's what you'll find in the big patrol areas:
World events that change.
Secret boss fights.
Rewards that depend on your reputation.
Outlaw Zones encourage exploring and playing alone more than normal patrol areas do.
Fracture Protocol is a scalable, endgame activity that blends dungeon mechanics with raid-level teamwork. Seasonal challenges will rotate to keep it fresh all year.
Renegades puts its attention on the systems that power the game, not only new content.
Renegades emphasizes character builds with:
Subclass Aspects: Expect big damage and better survival.
Weapon Mod Changes: Mods now work together for stronger builds.
Armor Set Bonuses: Old

Renegades brings you weapons designed for those who like to play hard and aren't afraid to take chances.
Weapon Type | Why It’s Strong |
|---|---|
Hand Cannons | Burst damage + perk synergy |
SMGs | Close-range DPS in Renegade Ops |
Linear Fusion Rifles | Boss damage and precision |
Shotguns | High-risk, high-reward builds |
Damage boosts that grow as you move
Abilities that recharge faster together
Perk combos that work best in certain missions
Renegades rewards smart weapon picks, not just high power.
Armor is now more important than before.
Playstyle | Priority Stats |
|---|---|
PvE DPS | Discipline, Resilience |
Solo Play | Recovery, Resilience |
PvP | Mobility, Recovery |
Wearing a complete set of Renegades armor gives you bonuses, so it pays to go all in on a single set.
Primary: A hard-hitting Hand Cannon
Special: Shotgun or Fusion Rifle
Heavy: Linear Fusion Rifle
Subclass: A build that lets you dish out a lot of damage quickly
For your primary weapon, go with an SMG or Pulse Rifle.
Grab a Sniper Rifle for your special weapon.
When picking armor, focus on mobility and reducing ability cooldowns.
These setups are all about being fast, getting into good spots, and taking fights head-on.
Yep, it's better than the earlier ones.
Here's why:
Easy to get into
Templates to aid new players
Less work to get good gear
Renegades values your time, so it's good if you're in school or just busy.
Renegades is a Destiny 2 expansion that puts player choices first in its story and has fresh things to do. It also lets you build up your character the way you want.
Yes, definitely. The stuff you do and the way the game works are made to stay fun all year.
Right now, hand cannons, SMGs, linear fusion rifles, and shotguns are the best.
Yep. Fracture Protocol is something you can keep playing even after you're done with the main story. It gets harder as you go, so it stays interesting.
For sure. Outlaw Zones and Renegade Operations are great if you like playing solo.
Destiny 2: Renegades was made to stick around. It’s got a good story, activities for all kinds of players, and lots of ways to tweak your gear. If you like playing your way, getting things done fast, and feeling like you're actually getting somewhere, this is one of the best Destiny expansions out there.