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That’s when all those awesome activities in Destiny 2 stop giving you improved stuff, and your Light Level just stops going up. The real challenge doesn’t start until you hit Power Level 260. Gaining levels, equipping better gear, finishing Strikes and playing in the Crucible - it’s all an easy path toward improving your Power Level. While fighting to reach Level 20 and completing the campaign, just about everything will increase your Power Level. The better your gear, the more your Power Level will increase. This isn’t an old, pre-expansion Light Level situation, where Light was some statistic on your gear - that system got an overhaul in Destiny 1, and it’s getting an overhaul here. Power Levels are determined by the gear you equip, and a higher Power Level provides increased weapon damage, armor, and mobility. Like Light, Power Level provides small boosts to your stats. For instance, it’s recommended you don’t start attempting Nightfall Strikes until you’ve hit Power Level 260 - just like Light, you’ll know which Raids, Strikes, and other challenges your Guardian can handle depending on that little Power Level.
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Like Light, Power Level is (basically) a general summation of your current power, and becomes very important after hitting the Level 20 cap. Destiny 2 changes the formula, removing Light and replacing that system with Power Levels.
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