Destiny 2 Renegades: Syndicates & Active Orders Guide

Destiny 2 Renegades: Syndicates & Active Orders Guide

25 Dec 2025 Joy 6 views
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Introduction to Renegades Endgame Systems

Destiny 2: Renegades introduces two interconnected progression systems that shape the expansion's endgame: Syndicates and Active Orders. Syndicates represent three factions competing for control over the Tharsis social hub, offering unique abilities, weapons, and upgrades as you pledge allegiance and increase reputation. Active Orders function as a simplified objective system that rewards progression materials, seasonal mods, and exclusive cosmetics. You'll need to understand both systems to maximize your efficiency in obtaining Tier 5 equipment and seasonal power.

This guide covers choosing a Syndicate, leveling faction reputation efficiently, getting fragile mod drops from Active Orders, and unlocking the yellow Praxic Blade crystal.

Tharsis Social Hub Overview
The Tharsis social hub where all three Syndicates operate

The Three Syndicate Factions

Syndicates control Renegades' endgame structure. Three distinct factions operate from the Tharsis social hub, each offering different rewards and gameplay advantages.

Pikers of the Eliksni

Alignment: Fallen-aligned faction

Focus: Mobility-focused abilities

Exclusive Weapon: Refurbished A499 (Heavy Legendary Sniper Rifle)

Totality Division of the Cabal

Alignment: Cabal-aligned faction

Focus: Combat-oriented abilities

Exclusive Weapon: Modifier B-7 (Hand Cannon with unique Stasis perks)

Tharsis Reformation of the Vex

Alignment: Vex-aligned faction

Focus: Defensive and offensive abilities

Exclusive Weapon: All or Nothing (Pulse Rifle)

How Syndicate Allegiance Works

You can pledge allegiance to one Syndicate at a time, but you're not permanently locked into this choice. Change your alliance anytime by interacting with the banner in each Syndicate's office within the Tharsis social hub. Your pledged faction determines which Priority Contracts become available and which reputation gains are accelerated.

Alternatively, you can function as a "triple agent" by completing contracts for all three factions without pledging exclusively to one. This approach provides small reputation gains across all factions but sacrifices the accelerated progression available through Priority Contracts.

Pro Tip
If you run multiple characters, pledge each one to a different faction (Cabal, Vex, and Fallen) to complete Priority Contracts for all three factions daily, accelerating progression across all Syndicates.

Unlocking the Syndicate System

Access to Syndicates requires completing specific campaign progression.

  1. Complete the Renegades Campaign - Finish the main story campaign to unlock post-game content
  2. Progress "The Territory War Begins" Mission - This post-campaign mission introduces the Syndicate system
  3. Pledge to a Syndicate Banner - Interact with faction banners in each office to choose your allegiance

The system becomes fully functional after this progression, allowing access to contracts, reputation leveling, and faction-specific rewards.

Syndicate Rewards Breakdown

Each Syndicate offers three categories of rewards that unlock as you increase reputation rank: Renegades abilities, Praxic Blade upgrades, and exclusive weapons. All rewards reach their full potential once you've maxed out the respective Syndicate's Reputation Rank.

Pikers of the Eliksni Rewards

Fallen Faction Rewards
Renegades Abilities
Pike with integrated firing system, Mortar ability
Praxic Blade Upgrade
Grip mod (Guard Resistance & Endurance)
Exclusive Weapon
Refurbished A499 (Heavy Legendary Sniper Rifle)

Totality Division of the Cabal Rewards

Cabal Faction Rewards
Renegades Abilities
Behemoth mecha, Drop Pod/Restoration Drone
Praxic Blade Upgrade
Crystal Strength mod (Increased Charge Rate)
Exclusive Weapon
Modifier B-7 (Hand Cannon with Stasis perks)

Tharsis Reformation of the Vex Rewards

Vex Faction Rewards
Renegades Abilities
Defensive Dome, Stunning Airstrike
Praxic Blade Upgrade
Forceful Blade mod (Increased Damage)
Exclusive Weapon
All or Nothing (Pulse Rifle)
Note
To view Renegades Abilities, speak with the Quartermaster in each faction's area. To view Praxic Blade Upgrades, inspect the Praxic Blade weapon and navigate to the fourth tab.
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How to Level Syndicate Reputation

Reaching maximum reputation rank with a Syndicate is necessary for accessing Tier 5 equipment drops and unlocking the full potential of faction-specific rewards. The reputation system uses a tiered structure requiring 15,000 total reputation across five ranks.

Reputation Rank Tiers

Rank Reputation Required Cumulative Total
Rank 1 1,000 1,000
Rank 2 2,000 3,000
Rank 3 3,000 6,000
Rank 4 4,000 10,000
Rank 5 5,000 15,000
Critical Note
The visual wheel display suggests six levels, but there are only five ranks to max out. Don't be confused by the interface!
The three Syndicates in the game
All three Syndicates together.

Methods for Gaining Reputation

Priority Contracts (Most Important Daily Activity)

Priority Contracts offer double reputation compared to standard contracts and appear once per daily reset. These contracts provide increased reputation XP for your pledged Syndicate and better loot quality, making them crucial for fast progression toward maximum rank.

If you maintain multiple characters, you can pledge each character to a faction and complete Priority Contracts three times per day (once per character). This approach triples your daily reputation gains.

Standard Contracts

Regular contracts provide 160 faction XP per completion. At least one contract for your pledged faction appears during each activity run. Contracts for all three factions are always active simultaneously, so you can complete multiple contracts during a single run if requirements overlap.

Requirements vary but can be straightforward, such as using a faction loadout ability during a run. Completing contracts for non-pledged factions provides small reputation gains for those factions, allowing gradual progression across multiple Syndicates.

Dark Matter Ingots (Fastest Reputation Method)

Dark Matter Ingots represent the most efficient reputation leveling method available. Depositing ingots into a faction's chest at their base provides:

  • 100 reputation per 10 ingots
  • 1,000 reputation per 100 ingots

Approximately 60% of reputation gains come from ingot donations if you prioritize this method. Ingots also provide loot from faction chests, though at lower tiers initially. Chests can also reward "shinies," valuable items with enhanced properties.

Pro Tip
The fastest ingot farming method involves three-minute invasion activities. Winning invasions provides additional ingots. Balance your time between invasions for quick ingot bursts and mission runs for thorough progression.

Reputation Leveling Timeline

With focused effort on a single faction, reaching maximum reputation rank within one week is achievable. Players can reach rank 3 in multiple factions simultaneously through contract overlap and rank 5 in a primary faction within four days of focused effort.

Claiming Your Tier 5 Upgrade

Warning
After accumulating enough reputation to max a faction, you must claim the "faction max" triumph on the season achievement page AND speak with Spider in the Tharsis social hub to actually claim the Tier 5 upgrade. If you skip either step, ingot donations and activity completions won't provide Tier 5 rewards!

Choosing the Best Syndicate for Your Playstyle

While all three Syndicates eventually provide valuable rewards, prioritizing one faction for maximum reputation rank first provides the fastest path to Tier 5 equipment. The choice depends on which abilities and weapons best fit your preferred activities.

Totality Division (Cabal)
Tharsis Reformation (Vex)
Pikers of the Eliksni (Fallen)

Recommended Priority: Totality Division (Cabal)

Based on gameplay experience and ability effectiveness, the Totality Division of the Cabal makes the best first choice for maximizing progression.

Pros
  • Behemoth mecha highly effective against PvE enemies
  • Multiple firing modes provide versatile combat options
  • Drop Pod helps during invasions for ammo resupply
  • Modifier B-7 features unique Stasis perk combinations
  • Restoration Drone is one of the two best abilities in the game
  • Strong utility in both PvE and PvP content
Cons
  • Requires learning Behemoth controls effectively
  • Drop Pod has cooldown limitations
  • Less mobility compared to Pike

Second Priority: Tharsis Reformation (Vex)

The Vex faction works well as your second Syndicate to level.

Pros
  • Forceful Blade upgrade significantly increases Praxic Blade damage
  • Most valuable blade modification available
  • All or Nothing Pulse Rifle provides solid weapon rewards
  • Defensive Dome offers survivability in challenging content
  • Stunning Airstrike provides crowd control
Cons
  • Abilities more situational than Cabal options
  • Defensive focus may not suit aggressive playstyles
  • Less impactful in standard content

Third Priority: Pikers of the Eliksni (Fallen)

The Fallen faction ranks third in overall priority.

Pros
  • Pike mobility fun for traversal and combat
  • Refurbished A499 Heavy Sniper Rifle is noteworthy
  • Guard Resistance and Endurance from Grip mod offer defensive benefits
  • Mortar ability provides area denial
Cons
  • Overall reward package less impactful
  • Pike less effective in confined spaces
  • Limited endgame utility compared to other factions

Understanding Active Orders

Active Orders function as a simplified objective system introduced in Destiny 2: Renegades. Unlike traditional bounties, Active Orders adapt to your playstyle, can be rerolled for different objectives, and provide a progression path toward valuable seasonal rewards including fragile mods and exotic items.

You can access Active Orders through your seasonal hub within the Portal. Three tiers of orders exist: Common, Legendary, and Exotic, each offering increasingly valuable rewards.

Active Orders Interface
The Active Orders interface showing Common, Legendary, and Exotic tiers

Why Active Orders Matter

Active Orders serve multiple progression purposes:

  • Provide XP and Bright Dust for character leveling
  • Reward fragile mods (powerful seasonal modifications for weapons)
  • Grant Tier 5 weapon drops
  • Offer exotic armor pieces and exclusive cosmetics
  • Include the only method to obtain the yellow Praxic Blade crystal

While the common rewards (XP, Bright Dust) are modest, the system's true value lies in progressing toward Legendary and Exotic orders.

Common Orders: The Foundation

Common Orders represent the baseline tier of Active Orders. These objectives are designed to align with your current loadout and playstyle, though the system's accuracy isn't perfect.

How Common Orders Work

Common Orders automatically generate based on your equipped weapons and subclass. For example, if you're using auto rifles and solar abilities, common orders will typically involve auto rifle kills or solar ability usage. The system generally aligns with player loadouts but doesn't always match perfectly.

Rerolling Common Orders

You can spend Glimmer to reroll any active order you dislike. This is particularly useful when orders require activities you don't want to play (like multiple Crucible orders when you prefer PvE) or when objectives don't match your current loadout or goals.

Pro Tip
Reroll cost increases with each successive reroll up to a daily maximum. Completing other common orders reduces the cost of rerolling remaining orders. Strategic completion of easy orders can make expensive rerolls more affordable.

Legendary Orders: Fragile Mods and Progression

Legendary Orders represent the primary reason to engage with the Active Orders system. These orders have a chance to reward fragile mods, seasonal weapon modifications that provide significant power increases.

How to Unlock Legendary Orders

Legendary Orders don't appear automatically. They generate after completing Common Orders. An ammo meter-style gauge appears at the bottom of the Active Orders screen, filling as you complete common orders. Once this meter fills completely, a Legendary Order becomes available.

Legendary Order Objectives

Legendary Orders feature more challenging requirements than common orders. Examples include:

  • Achieving specific letter grades (B or higher) on Master difficulty activities
  • Completing activities with major negative modifiers active
  • Obtaining rapid kills or precision kills with specific weapon types
  • Completing objectives in either PvE or PvP environments
Note
Legendary Orders typically don't require specific activities. Instead, they let you choose any activity that meets the difficulty or modifier requirements. This flexibility lets you combine Legendary Order completion with other farming activities.

Understanding Legendary Order Rewards

Legendary Orders can provide two different reward types:

  • Legendary Payout (Standard rewards including Tier 5 weapons)
  • Lawless Weapon Mod Payout (Fragile mods)

When you view a Legendary Order before accepting it, the "Potential Rewards" section displays which type of reward is available. Orders showing only "Legendary Payout" won't provide fragile mods. Orders showing "Lawless Weapon Mod Payout" have a chance (described as "uncommon") to provide a fragile mod.

Critical Strategy
You can reroll Legendary Orders to change both the objective and the potential rewards. When a Legendary Order generates with only "Legendary Payout" listed, spend Glimmer to reroll it. The order will stay Legendary tier but may change to offer "Lawless Weapon Mod Payout" as a potential reward.

Fragile Mods: Seasonal Weapon Modifications

Fragile mods represent powerful seasonal modifications that can be applied to any tiered weapon in the game, including weapons from previous seasons. These mods are only available during the current season but can dramatically increase weapon effectiveness in both PvE and PvP content.

How Fragile Mods Work

  • Application: Can be applied to any tiered weapon (not limited to current season weapons)
  • Duration: Only available during this season
  • Drop Rate: Not exactly common, so expect to complete many Legendary Orders before obtaining specific mods

All Five Fragile Mods

Fragile Mod
Calm Emits Chaos
Effect:

After not taking damage for a short duration, this weapon gains significantly increased aim-down-sight speed, handling, and flinch resistance until the next shot is fired

Best Use: PvP-focused mod, particularly effective on sniper rifles
Analysis: Functions as a pseudo-Snapshot perk with added flinch resistance
Fragile Mod
Kill Shots
Effect:

Reloading after a final blow loads a high-powered round, causing the next hit to deal improved additional splash damage. Strong against Barrier Champions.

Best Use: PvE combat, particularly against Barrier Champions
Analysis: Similar to Temporal Blast but requires kill activation for higher damage
Fragile Mod
Opening Salvo
Effect:

This weapon gains bonus range and deals more flinch at the start of combat for an improved duration. Strong against Unstoppable Champions.

Best Use: PvP encounters, potential Unstoppable Champion utility
Analysis: Provides advantages in opening moments of engagements
Fragile Mod
Overpressured Munitions
Effect:

This weapon gains improved bonus damage against Cabal targets

Best Use: Activities featuring Cabal enemies, potentially the upcoming dungeon
Analysis: If the new dungeon features Cabal enemies as expected, this mod may become critical
Fragile Mod
Stay in the Fight
Effect:

When your shields are broken, this weapon gains an improved period of increased stability and ammo generation

Best Use: Defensive/recovery scenarios in challenging content
Analysis: Provides "last stand" benefit when taking heavy damage

Fragile Mod Priority

Recommended Farming Priority

Overpressured Munitions
S+
Calm Emits Chaos
S
Opening Salvo
A
Kill Shots
A
Stay in the Fight
B

Exotic Orders: Premium Rewards

Exotic Orders represent the rarest and most valuable tier of Active Orders. These orders generate very infrequently and provide substantial rewards including exotic armor, high-quality weapons, and exclusive cosmetics.

How Exotic Orders Generate

Exotic Orders appear occasionally as you complete Common and Legendary Orders. The generation rate is quite rare, so expect to complete many orders before seeing an Exotic Order appear. No specific trigger or guarantee exists; they appear randomly during progression.

Like other order types, Exotic Orders can be rerolled if you want to target specific rewards.

Exotic Order Reward Types

Exotic Orders provide two distinct reward categories:

Standard Exotic Payout Orders

These orders reward multiple items simultaneously:

  • Exotic armor pieces (examples: Felwinter's Helm, other exotic armor)
  • Tier 5 weapons (example: Tier 5 A Good Shout crossbow)
  • Ascendant Shards
  • Substantial Bright Dust quantities
  • Significant XP
  • Glimmer and upgrade cores

Praxic Professional Orders (Yellow Crystal)

This specific Exotic Order type is the only method to obtain the yellow Dark Matter Crystal for the Praxic Blade.

Obtaining the Yellow Praxic Blade Crystal

The yellow crystal represents an exclusive cosmetic modification for the Praxic Blade weapon. Acquiring it requires completing the specific "Praxic Professional" Exotic Order.

  1. Generate an Exotic Order - Continue completing Common and Legendary Orders until an Exotic Order appears
  2. Reroll Until Praxic Professional Appears - When you receive an Exotic Order, check if it's labeled "Praxic Professional." If not, spend Glimmer to reroll
  3. Review the Objective - The order requires: Defeat combatants in Pinnacle Ops (Expert difficulty or higher), can't die during run, must use Praxic Blade for kills
  4. Complete the Whisper Mission Strategy - Use the Shadow Thrall farming method described below
  5. Claim Your Reward - The yellow blade crystal will be awarded

Whisper Mission Shadow Thrall Strategy

Optimal Farming Route

Launch Pinnacle Ops
Select Whisper Mission
Drop Underneath Platform
Farm Shadow Thrall

Get approximately 400-500 kills with the Praxic Blade. The Whisper mission timer doesn't force you to orbit, allowing indefinite farming. Return to orbit without finishing the mission.

Warning
Don't complete the mission! Returning to orbit after reaching the kill count preserves your progress. Completing the mission may reset objectives.

Active Orders Strategy Guide

Daily Routine for Efficient Progression

  1. Check Available Orders - Review all active Common and Legendary Orders
  2. Reroll Unwanted Common Orders - Spend Glimmer to reroll activities you don't want to play
  3. Complete Easy Common Orders First - This reduces reroll costs for remaining orders
  4. Monitor Legendary Meter - Watch the progress gauge to know when a Legendary Order will appear
  5. Immediately Check Legendary Rewards - When a Legendary Order generates, check if it offers Lawless Weapon Mod Payout
  6. Reroll Legendary Orders for Fragile Mods - Don't complete Legendary Orders offering only "Legendary Payout"
  7. Complete Orders During Other Activities - Integrate order completion into Lawless Frontier runs and faction contracts

Glimmer Management

Rerolling costs can become expensive, particularly for Legendary Orders. Prioritize your Glimmer spending:

Order Type Priority Strategy
Common Orders Low Reroll once or twice maximum unless completely undesirable
Legendary Orders High Continue rerolling until Lawless Weapon Mod Payout appears
Exotic Orders Situational Reroll for Praxic Professional if targeting yellow crystal

Combining Systems for Maximum Efficiency

Active Orders integrate well with Syndicate progression:

  • Complete Common and Legendary Orders while running Lawless Frontier for faction XP
  • Stack order requirements with faction contracts when objectives overlap
  • Farm Shadow Thrall for Praxic Professional while also completing weapon kill orders
  • Use Syndicate abilities to complete ability-based orders more efficiently

Common Questions and Important Notes

Can I Change Syndicate Allegiance?

Yes, you can change allegiance anytime by interacting with the banner in a different Syndicate's office. Reputation progress remains saved for each faction independently.

Do I Need to Max All Three Syndicates?

Eventually, yes, to collect all rewards and weapons. Prioritizing one faction first provides the fastest path to Tier 5 equipment.

Are Fragile Mods Permanent?

No. Fragile mods are only available during the current season. Weapons with fragile mods equipped can continue using those mods after the season ends as long as the mod isn't removed from the weapon.

Can Fragile Mods Go on Any Weapon?

Yes, fragile mods can be applied to any tiered weapon in the game, including weapons from previous seasons. They're not limited to current season weapons.

What Happens to Tier 5 Gear When Maxing a New Syndicate?

Tier 5 gear is permanent once obtained. Maxing a Syndicate enables Tier 5 drops from that faction's specific sources. Portal drops from the previous season remain Tier 5 and didn't change with the new expansion.

How Long Does Syndicate Progression Take?

With focused effort on a single faction, reaching maximum rank within one week is achievable. Some players report reaching rank 5 in four days with dedicated grinding.

Yellow Praxic Blade Crystal
The exclusive yellow Dark Matter Crystal for the Praxic Blade

Conclusion

Destiny 2: Renegades offers interconnected progression systems that reward strategic planning and efficient time management. Prioritizing Totality Division for Tier 5 access while simultaneously working through Active Orders for fragile mods provides the fastest path to endgame power.

Pro Tip
The systems reward consistent daily engagement more than marathon grinding sessions. Complete Priority Contracts on reset, integrate order completion into your normal activities, and deposit ingots regularly to see steady progression toward maximum rank and optimal gear.

Focus on These Priorities

  1. Complete "The Territory War Begins" to unlock Syndicates
  2. Pledge to Totality Division and begin Priority Contracts daily
  3. Deposit all Dark Matter Ingots into Cabal faction chests
  4. Claim the faction max triumph and speak to Spider after reaching rank 5
  5. Complete Common Orders to generate Legendary Orders
  6. Reroll Legendary Orders until Lawless Weapon Mod Payout appears
  7. Target Overpressured Munitions if preparing for the Cabal dungeon
  8. Farm Exotic Orders by continuing order completion
  9. Reroll Exotic Orders for Praxic Professional if targeting the yellow crystal
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