Everything you need to know about Iron Banner in Destiny 2

Iron Banner is back in Destiny 2. This week-long event is a great way not only to get your hands on some returning old loot but also shaders, game modes, and new weapon perks. The Iron Banner event in Destiny 2 is a free-for-everyone event that pits players against each other in a quest to complete achievements, rack up points, and unlock as much of the great-looking gear as possible.

A guide to Iron Banner in Destiny 2

The premise is simple. Play in the week-long event, rack up those points, and get the loot. But what are the best methods for the quickest route to glory, and how does it all work?

How to start Iron Banner

Screenshot by PC Invasion

To get started, you’ll just need to go to The Tower and speak to Lord Saladin. He’s front and center as you drop in, so you’ll have a hard time missing him. If this is your first time playing Iron Banner in Destiny 2 with this account, you’ll have to go through a quick tutorial before you get your teeth into the real matches.
Once you’re through with that, simply head to the crucible section and select the Iron Banner event.

Screenshot by PC Invasion

Destiny 2 Iron Banner rewards

Why bother with the Iron Banner at all? Well, first and foremost, it is the opportunity to get your hands on some amazing gear. As you play Iron Banner in Destiny 2, you will be rewarded with Iron Banner engrams. These can be traded in with Lord Saladin for the Iron Banner weapons and armor or traded with Master Rahool. Trading with Rahool will reward players with random weapons, whereas Saladin will always provide Iron Banner items.
Engrams are earned by winning matches and leveling up with Lord Saladin. If you are wearing pieces of Iron Banner armor, you will have an increased chance of an Engram being awarded at the end of the match. You also get to look really cool.

Related: How to Get the Singular Orbit Triumph in Destiny 2

Iron Banner event times

Iron Banner is only ever on for the duration of one week. This week usually pops up twice in a season, but this time, in Season of Defiance, we get to enjoy it three times. The first event takes place between March 21st – 28th, the second between April 4th – 11th, and the third between April 25th – May 2nd.

There are plenty of opportunities to get your hands on Lord Saladin’s merchandise. Each week will feature a new game mode, but more about that next.

Destiny 2 Iron Banner game modes

Screenshot by PC Invasion

• Week 1: The first game mode we see this season is Control. This 6×6 PvP mode pits you against another team to take and hold control points. If your team holds more than one point, then your kill counts double towards the score. If your team takes full control, the locations all lockdown for a time, and all kills score triple. Once this timer expires, all points reset to neutral.
• Week 2: The second game mode will be Fortress. This is similar to control in that there are three points to capture. Rather than a lockdown situation, a single central point becomes available halfway through the game. This point is populated by Cabal and captured by one of the teams. Holding this single point grants huge amounts of points.
• Week 3: Week three sees the introduction of Eruption. The aim of the game is to get as many kill streaks as possible. The higher the streak, the more points your skills are worth and the more super and ability energy you earn. Once you hit a five-kill streak, you become primed. This means you are visible to everyone in the match, kills are worth three points, and if you fail to kill an enemy in fifteen seconds, you explode. Fun.

How to earn points in Iron Banner

Screenshot by PC Invasion

There are three ways to earn points in Iron banner in Destiny 2.

• Matches: Of course, the easiest way to win points is by simply playing the Iron Banner matches. It slowly ticks over the points but will not get you to that final stage alone.
• Boosts: There are a number of ways to boost your score after matches. Wearing Iron Banner armor and using the weapons will boost your score dramatically. Each piece, up to 5, boosts your score by 40%. Completing the daily challenges, which can be seen by hovering over the Iron Banner tab, boosts your score by 50%.
• Play Streaks: For every game of Iron Banner in Destiny 2 you play, you will receive a boost. Keep playing for a better boost of up to 20%.

Note: Don’t forget to check out our Destiny 2: Lightfall guide for everything you need to know.