Destiny 2’s Solstice of Heroes Guide – quest steps, loot, and the European Aerial Zone

Tuffcub 30/07/19 Comments Closed

Destiny 2’s Solstice of Heroes event should be going live around 6pm BST today, July 30th, and is free to all players. It brings new armour, new emotes, new Sparrows, new triumphs, and of course a bunch of quest steps to gain the loot.

“The Solstice of Heroes is a tradition in which Guardians reflect on past hardships and celebrate the resilience of humanity’s foremost defenders,” say Bungie, “Celebrate with other Guardians in this limited-time event!”

Let’s take a look at the trailer and then head into what we know about the quests, loot and the new European Aerial Zone.

The incredibly suspicious Eva Levante is back in the Tower once more dishing out treats. I can’t be the only one who thinks she’s a Taken in disguise or one of the Nine, can I? doesn’t anyone in the Destinyverse remember old fairy tales? Nice little ladies handing out treats always turn out to be evil witches!

Anyway, Eva will hand out your quest steps for the armour – more on that below – and you will be also be creating Elemental Orbs by matching your elemental damage to the daily element. Create 30 orbs and get an empowerment buff.

Elemental Buffs and Bounties

SOLAR ELEMENTAL BUFF
Equip your Solar subclass and weapons to generate Solar orbs. Then, collect them to wield their Solar elemental power. While empowered, Guardians emit a burning wave of energy that damages anything around them.
VOID ELEMENTAL BUFF
Equip your Void subclass and weapons to generate Void orbs. Then, collect them to wield their Void elemental power. Crouch while empowered to become invisible and gain Truesight plus enhanced ability regeneration.
ARC ELEMENTAL BUFF
Equip your Arc subclass and weapons to generate Arc orbs. Then, collect them to wield their Arc elemental power. While empowered, Guardians move with enhanced speed and deal greater melee and Sword damage.

These effects will last for a short time or until you are defeated by your enemies. Have no fear… These buffs will not be active in Competitive or Gambit Prime.

Each of the Elemental Buffs have bounties to go with them:

Arc

Aggravated Battery: Defeat high-value targets as an Arc subclass.
Enlightened: Defeat enemies in the EAZ with an Arc subclass and an Arc loadout equipped.
Expect Resistance: Collect Arc energy from Fallen enemies as an Arc subclass.
Gold and Joules: Loot a chest in the EAZ as an Arc subclass
I’m In Charge Here: Defeat enemies using Arc Power weapons.
In the Thunderclouds: Defeat enemies in the EAZ using Arc abilities.
Into the Broken Ark: Finish the “Exodus Crash” Strike on Nessus.
Lightning Strikes Once: Defeat enemies in strikes using Arc abilities.
Lightning Strikes Twice: Defeat enemies in strikes with an Arc subclass and an Arc loadout equipped.
Make ‘Em Hertz: Defeat enemies in the EAZ with Arc weapons.
Neutrinos and Ozone: Defeat Taken enemies in the EAZ using an Arc subclass.
Renewable Energy: Finish Heroic public events as an Arc subclass.
Shocking Skill: Defeat other Guardians in the Crucible or Gambit using Arc abilities.
Stress Outlet: Collect Microphasic Datalattices from Nessus or Etheric Spirals from the Tangled Shore.
The Electrician: Complete bounties as an Arc subclass.

Solar

Arson? No, It’s My Sun: Defeat Taken enemies in the EAZ using a Solar subclass.
Cooked Well-Done: Defeat other Guardians in the Crucible or Gambit using Solar abilities.
Extinguish Them: Defeat high-value targets as a Solar subclass.
Fire Drill: Finish Heroic public events as a Solar subclass.
Form a Fireteam (Literally): Defeat enemies in strikes using Solar abilities.
Hold Your Fire: Collect Solar energy from Cabal enemies as a Solar subclass.
Hot Commodity: Collect Dusklight Shards from the EAZ or Seraphite from Mars.
Hot Stuff: Loot a chest in the EAZ as a Solar subclass.
Let the World Burn: Defeat other Guardians in the Crucible with a Solar subclass and a Solar loadout equipped.
Live Fire Exercise: Finish the “The Arms Dealer” Strike in the EAZ.
Too Hot to Handle: Defeat enemies in the EAZ with a Solar subclass and a Solar loadout equipped.
You’re Fired: Defeat enemies in the EAZ with Solar weapons.
Packin’ Heat: Defeat enemies using Solar Power weapons.
Preaching to the Fire: Defeat enemies in the EAZ using Solar abilities.
Smell What I’m Cookin’: Complete bounties as a Solar subclass.

Void

A Nova One Bites the Dust: Collect Captured Void energy from Hive enemies as a Void subclass.
Dark Matters: Finish the”Savathun’s Song” Strike on Titan.
High-Value Vortex: Defeat high-value targets as a Void subclass.
Nebulous Agenda: Finish bounties as a Void subclass.
Nova to Run, Nova to Hide: Defeat enemies in the EAZ using Void abilities.
Nova Turning Back: Finish Heroic public events as a Void subclass.
Null and Void: Defeat enemies in the EAZ using Void weapons.
Schaden-void-e: Defeat enemies using Void Power weapons.
Screaming into the Void: Defeat enemies while exploring as a Void subclass and with a Void loadout equipped.
The Shape of [Void]: Defeat Taken enemies in the EAZ as a Void subclass.
The Unknown, Weaponized: Defeat enemies in the EAZ as a Void subclass and with a Void loadout.
Un-A-VOID-Able: Defeat other Guardians in the Crucible or Gambit using Void abilities.
Vacuum It Up: Collect Alkane Dust from Titan or Phaseglass Needles from Io.
Void of Fear: Defeat enemies in strikes using Void abilities
Void of Riches: Loot a chest in the EAZ as a Void subclass.

European Aerial Zone

This is a new PvE arena for the game which is rather like the Forest from previous events. With your fireteam of three players you will need to fight through as many mini bosses as you can in the limited time available. Once the clock has run down there will be one more boss to defeat, and once he/she/it has been defeated you can go searching for chests which will contain Solstice packages.

These packages can only be opened with Solstice Key Fragments – yes, yet another thing to clog up your inventory – and they will contain Enhancement Cores, rare and legendary loot, and materials. Once you have the Solstice Armour, the packages will include new amour “so you can hunt for rolls with enhanced perks.”

There are also Armor Glows based on the Elemental Orb colours and some fruit themed shaders: Pomegranate Gloss and Tangerine Gloss. Why are they fruit themed? We have no idea, but it’s as good a way to get one of your five a day as any.

Solstice Armour Quest Steps

Get ready to grind, some of these steps are a bit of a pain.

Step 1: Speak to Eva Levante in the Tower

“The Solstice of Heroes is a holiday in which Guardians reflect on past battles and celebrate their many efforts to defend humanity. Eva Levante has returned to help usher in the festivities.Speak to Eva Levante in the Tower.”

Your first job is to go and find the ~~evil witch~~ lovely old lady in the Tower and have a natter. Simple! Bungie have a horrible habit of padding out quests with pointless visits to the Tower just to update a quest, which makes no sense when all the characters can talk to you over comms, so let’s hope we don’t have to visit Eva too often.

Step 2: Classified

“Keep it secret. Keep it safe.”

Oh. Well this isn’t much help is it? However, from the next quest step we do know you will be going to the European Aerial Zone, as we will explain that a little further down.

Step 3: The Solstice Begins

“As you finish your exploration of the Aerial Zone, Ghost receives a message from Eva herself. She’d like to speak to you at your earliest convenience. Visit Eva Levante in the Tower.”

OK, Bungie are doing the ‘padding out the mission with pointless visits to the Tower’ thing? Rubbish. Back to the Tower.

Step 4: The Solstice Begins

“Eva has suggested you take the drained armor she’s given you and meditate with it at the Statue of Heroes in the Tower courtyard.”

Oh has she now? Couldn’t she pick up the phone and tell us that? Annoying old biddy. Anyway, the Tower is going to have a makeover for the Solstice and there will be a nice statue which you will have to visit and meditate with. And by meditate we almost certainly mean “Hold down a button on a joypad and make a mockery of actual meditation”.

Step 5: The Solstice Begins

“Meditating at the statue has infused your new armor with the Light… but its connection to the Traveler could be made stronger. Return to Eva.”

Oh Jesus smegging Christ, really? Back to Eva we go.

Step 6: Solstice of Heroes 2019

“Strengthen your Drained Solstice armor set’s connection to the Light by completing armor objectives.”

Finally we get to do something fun! The requirements for each piece of armour and each class are different, so here’s what you need to do.:

Chest Armor
- Hunter: Loot chests in the European Aerial Zone, collect Elemental Orbs of any type in any activity, and defeat enemies in the European Aerial Zone while equipped with a Solar subclass.
- Titan: Complete adventures, collect Solar orbs in strikes, and defeat opposing Guardians in the Crucible or Gambit.
- Warlock: Complete adventures, collect Arc orbs in the Crucible or Gambit, and unlock Solstice Packages.
Gauntlets
- Hunter: Complete playlist strikes, collect Solar orbs in Gambit, and unlock Solstice Packages.
- Titan: Loot chests in the European Aerial Zone, complete Solstice of Heroes bounties, and defeat enemies in the European Aerial Zone while equipped with an Arc subclass.
- Warlock: Complete playlist strikes, collect Elemental Orbs of any type in any activity, and defeat opposing Guardians in the Crucible or Gambit.
Class Item
- Hunter: Complete adventures, collect Arc orbs in any strike, and complete Crucible or Gambit matches.
- Titan: Complete playlist strikes, collect Elemental Orbs of any type in any activity, and complete Crucible or Gambit matches.
- Warlock: Complete public events on Nessus, complete Solstice of Heroes bounties, and complete Crucible or Gambit matches.
Helmet
- Hunter: Complete runs through the European Aerial Zone, land precision final blows, and defeat Fallen combatants.
- Titan: Complete runs through the European Aerial Zone, land precision final blows, and defeat Hive combatants.
- Warlock: Complete runs through the European Aerial Zone, land precision final blows, and defeat Cabal combatants.
Leg Armor
- Hunter: Complete public events on Nessus, complete Solstice of Heroes bounties, and defeat opposing Guardians in the Crucible or Gambit.
- Titan: Complete public events on Nessus, collect Void orbs in the Crucible or Gambit, and unlock Solstice Packages.
- Warlock: Loot chests in the European Aerial Zone, collect Solar orbs in strikes, and defeat enemies in the European Aerial Zone while equipped with a Void subclass.

Step 7: Solstice of Heroes 2019

“With your completed Drained Solstice armor set equipped, return to the Statue of Heroes to meditate.”

Back to the statue for more button holding.

Step 8: Solstice of Heroes 2019

“Strengthen your Renewned Solstice armor set’s connection to the Light by completing armor objectives.”

There’s more grinding to be done and once again the requirements change depending on your class and the armour you are upgrading.

Chest Armor
- Hunter: Complete Gambit matches, collect Elemental Orbs using a matching [Arc Kill] / [Solar Kill] / [Void Kill] subclass, and defeat enemy combatants with Void grenades.
- Titan: Defeat enemies in strike playlists using a subclass that matches the [Arc Kill] / [Solar Kill] / [Void Kill] Day, loot chests in the European Aerial Zone, and defeat Fallen using a subclass that matches the [Arc Kill] / [Solar Kill] / [Void Kill] Day.
- Warlock: Complete Gambit matches, complete daily or weekly challenges, and defeat enemy combatants with Void weapons.
Gauntlets
- Hunter: Complete Heroic public events, collect Arc orbs in any strike, and defeat Cabal combatants using a subclass that matches the [Arc Kill] / [Solar Kill] / [Void Kill] Day.
- Titan: Complete Heroic public events, complete daily or weekly challenges, and defeat minibosses in the European Aerial Zone.
- Warlock: Complete bounties, collect Elemental Orbs using a matching [Arc Kill] / [Solar Kill] / [Void Kill] subclass, and, as a team, defeat opposing Guardians in the Crucible or Gambit using Solar weapons.
Class Item
- Hunter: Complete patrols in the EDZ, collect Elemental Orbs of any type in the European Aerial Zone, and defeat minibosses in the European Aerial Zone.
- Titan: Complete patrols on Io, collect Elemental Orbs of any type in the European Aerial Zone, and defeat enemy combatants with Solar weapons.
- Warlock: Complete patrols on Titan, loot chests in the European Aerial Zone, and land Arc Super final blows on opposing Guardians in the Crucible or Gambit.
Helmet
- Hunter: Complete bounties, loot chests in the European Aerial Zone, and defeat enemies with Arc weapons.
- Titan: Complete Gambit matches, collect Elemental Orbs using a matching [Arc Kill] / [Solar Kill] / [Void Kill] subclass, and, as a team, defeat opposing Guardians in the Crucible or Gambit using Arc weapons.
- Warlock: Defeat enemies in strike playlists using a subclass that matches the [Arc Kill] / [Solar Kill] / [Void Kill] Day, collect Elemental Orbs of any type in the European Aerial Zone, and defeat minibosses in the European Aerial Zone.
Leg Armor
- Hunter: Complete daily or weekly challenges, defeat enemies in strike playlists using a subclass that matches the [Arc Kill] / [Solar Kill] / [Void Kill] Day, and, as a team, defeat opposing Guardians in the Crucible or Gambit using Void weapons.
- Titan: Complete bounties, collect Void orbs in any strike, and defeat enemy combatants with Solar melee attacks.
- Warlock: Complete Heroic public events, collect Solar orbs in any strike, and defeat Hive combatants using a subclass that matches the [Arc Kill] / [Solar Kill] / [Void Kill] Day.

Step 9: Solstice of Heroes 2019

“With your completed Renewed Solstice armor set equipped, return to the Statue of Heroes to meditate.”

Another pointless trip back to the statue for more button holding.

Step 10: Solstice of Heroes 2019

“Show Eva your fully-restored Majestic Solstice armor set.”

The final step of the upgrade, the Masterwork, and you are really going to need to be good at Destiny 2 to finish a couple of these final steps:

Chest Armor: Complete the dungeon “Shattered Throne” in the Dreaming City with a fireteam of two players or fewer.
Gauntlets: Complete playlist strikes with clanmates.
Class Item: Defeat challenging combatants throughout the system.
Helmet: Complete a Prestige Nightfall with a score of 200,000 or better.
Leg Armor: Reset your Season 7 Valor ranking in the Crucible.

If you want to get the new Legendary Sparrow then you will need to collect all three sets of armour, to which I say to Bungie “Get in the frickin’ sea”.

Eververse

Finally, Eververse will be trying to make a fast buck as usual, with new items including a Ghost shell that looks like a beachball and an admittedly very cool Sparrow made of wood. There also appears to the world’s smallest Sparrow. Also on offer for 50 bright dust is the Solstice Key Fragment Magnet (try saying that after a few beers) to help you picking up Solstice Key Fragments.