Since its inception in the original Destiny, Iron Banner has been a proving ground for Guardians wishing to test their mettle at the highest level of PvP play that wasn’t Trials of Osiris. Hosted for one week a month by Lord Saladin, Iron Banner was different in that it relied on Light Level and would grant advantages to those with a higher level. But did that carry over to Destiny 2?

Destiny 2 Iron Banner - Is there still a level advantage?

Light Level was still a factor in Iron Banner for the first five years. It wasn’t until Season 17 that Bungie finally decided to change that and render it moot, aligning it with Crucible. Since then, Light Level for PvP has only mattered in Trials of Osiris. Season 17 was also when Bungie changed the default game mode for Iron Banner from Control to Rift. With Season 18, the mode changed once more from Rift to Eruption. It would appear that Bungie is more than okay tinkering with the recipe to get things just right for Iron Banner.

Does Light Level matter in Destiny 2 Iron Banner?

Some feel the removal of Light Level advantages was a bad move. Grinding out power and raising one’s level to then have a competitive edge was part of the appeal of Iron Banner. Throw in the numerous Pinnacle Engrams one could earn to pump up that number further. It was a mode that sat firmly in the middle of the metas for the Crucible and Trials of Osiris. There’s a chance it may make a return, but until then, now is the time to tinker with builds, as Guardians won’t be punished for not running with their highest gear.

For more Destiny 2 goodies, check out Destiny 2 – Roar of the Bear god roll and best perks on Pro Game Guides.