Levels
Levels increase when players gain experience points by defeating enemies and completing in-game objectives. Players do less damage to enemies that are higher levels than them. They also take more damage from enemies that are higher levels than them. The maximum level in Year 1 is 20 (not including Light Level). The maximum level in Year 2 is 40.
Difference between Level and Light: Level is based on the experience points you've earned while Light is based on the gear you've equipped.
Year 2
The highest level in Year 2 is 40.
After the release of The Taken King, the initial character level is determined by the highest Light level of your Year 1 characters (34 is the highest obtainable). Additionally, players can advance any character to level 25 with the Spark of Light.
Year 1
The highest level (not including Light Level) in Year 1 is 20. Players can level their guardians to 20 from killing enemies, completing bounties, Story Missions, Strikes and Patrol Missions.
- Players can use Light stats from Endgame Gear to increase their levels beyond 20.
At the release of Destiny, the maximum Light level was 30. When its first expansion The Dark Below was released, max Light level was increased to 32, it was increased to 34 after the release of House of Wolves.
To reach Light level 32, players need to have gear from Crota's End.
| Level | Required Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | 20 | |
| 22 | 32 | |
| 23 | 43 | |
| 24 | 54 | |
| 25 | 65 | |
| 26 | 76 | |
| 27 | 87 | |
| 28 | 98 | |
| 29 | 109 | |
| 30 | 120 | Original Max Light Level |
| 32 | 144 | Max Light Level in The Dark Below |
| 34 | ?? | Max Light Level in House of Wolves |
Level vs. Damage Test
Using the same weapon against the same enemy (Level 24 Acolyte) with only Light Level as the variable.
- Light 21: 184 damage per shot
- Light 23: 261 damage per shot
- Light 24: 383 damage per shot
- Light 26: 383 damage per shot
- Light 28: 383 damage per shot
Level vs. Damage Scaling
Damage Scaling:
- If you are 4 levels or lower below the enemy: 100% damage penalty
- If you are 3 levels the enemy: ~52% damage penalty
- If you are 2 levels the enemy: ~42% damage penalty
- If you are 1 levels the enemy: ~32% damage penalty
- If you are 0 levels below or higher than the enemy: 0% damage penalty
