The Umbral Engrams and Prismatic Recaster make their return in Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen. Here’s our guide to help you out.

Note: For more information, check out our Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen guides and features hub.

 

Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen – Umbral Engrams and Prismatic Recaster guide

We last saw the Prismatic Recaster and Umbral Engrams during the Season of Arrivals. Indeed, the feature was one of the best additions at the time.

Sadly, its Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen iteration leaves a lot to be desired. For one thing, it seems that the drop rate of Umbral Engrams has been lowered. It’s likely that you’ll need to unlock a few Hammer of Proving perks first to get more of these to drop.

The Umbral Engrams you pick up are also below your base PL and, worse, their PLs are lowered if you use the focusing mechanics. You can rely on the non-focused ones just a bit when you’re trying to reach the PL cap.

Anyway, you’ll be able to check the focusing options for Umbral Engrams if you head to the HELM command center. That’s where the Prismatic Recaster is.

I should warn you because, at a glance, the Prismatic Recaster’s focusing rework is even more tedious than before.

Tier I Focusing

These are unlocked as you complete Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen‘s fairly short questline. While all focusing actions require a non-focused Umbral Engram and some legendary shards, the two here (“Chosen Arms” and “Chosen Regalia”) also need one Hammer charge.

Tier II Focusing

From this point onwards, several focusing actions require hundreds of kill tallies with specific weapon types. Oh, and because you’re trying to get Season of the Chosen items, you’ll need Hammer charges, too.

Tier III Focusing

You’ll need to complete multiple tallies (i.e., kills with specific weapon types, kills with supers/grenades, Cabal Gold amassed, and so on). Lastly, focusing to obtain these gear pieces requires five Hammer charges.

Long story short, focusing Umbral Engrams via the Prismatic Recaster now requires several grindy tasks:

  • Kills/collection tallies.
  • Activities completed so you can obtain Cabal Gold for the Hammer of Proving.
  • Battleground runs to smash Tribute Chests in order to have Hammer of Proving charges.

Is this the “fun and engaging core gameplay loop” that we can expect from Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen? Well, I’m personally disappointed. You have to slog just to unlock and obtain focused Umbral Engrams and, in the end, you’re still at the mercy of RNG.

Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen is available via Steam. For more information, check out our guides and features hub.