Hey Guardians! Are you ready to dive deep into the Taken King expansion for Destiny on PC? This guide is your ultimate resource for understanding everything this epic chapter has to offer. From battling Oryx to mastering new subclasses and exploring revamped content, we've got you covered. Let's get started, and may your Light guide you!

What is Destiny: The Taken King?

The Taken King represents a pivotal moment in the history of Destiny. Released as the third major expansion, it brought significant changes and improvements to the base game. The Taken King storyline revolves around Oryx, the Taken King, who arrives in our solar system seeking revenge for the death of his son, Crota (whom we vanquished in a previous expansion). This sets the stage for an intense and engaging narrative filled with new enemies, missions, and challenges.

The Taken King expansion isn't just about adding new content; it's about refining the entire Destiny experience. One of the most impactful changes was the overhaul of the leveling system. Previously, leveling up often involved a grind, but the Taken King introduced a more streamlined and rewarding progression path. Gear played a more significant role in determining your character's power, making loot feel more meaningful. Speaking of loot, the expansion introduced a plethora of new weapons and armor sets, each with unique perks and aesthetics. Finding and equipping these items became a core part of the gameplay loop, encouraging players to explore all corners of the Destiny universe.

Beyond the leveling and loot improvements, The Taken King also added three new subclasses, one for each class: the Stormcaller for Warlocks, the Sunbreaker for Titans, and the Nightstalker for Hunters. These subclasses brought fresh abilities and playstyles to the table, allowing players to customize their Guardians in exciting new ways. Each subclass featured a unique Super ability, which could turn the tide of battle in the blink of an eye. For example, the Stormcaller could unleash devastating arc lightning, while the Sunbreaker could summon fiery hammers to crush their foes, and the Nightstalker could fire a void bow to tether enemies and make them vulnerable.

Setting Up Destiny on Your PC

Before you can face Oryx, you'll need to ensure Destiny is properly installed and optimized on your PC. While Destiny 1 is no longer officially supported on PC, you can still experience The Taken King through private servers or emulators. Here's a breakdown of what you'll need to do:

System Requirements

First, ensure your PC meets the minimum or recommended system requirements. Although Destiny 1 is an older game, having adequate hardware will ensure a smoother experience. Here’s a general guideline:

• Minimum:
  • OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
  • Processor: Intel Core i3 530 or AMD Phenom II X4 910
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 470 or AMD Radeon HD 6950
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 40 GB available space
• Recommended:
  • OS: Windows 7/8/10 64-bit
  • Processor: Intel Core i5 2400 or AMD FX 8350
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 or AMD Radeon R9 280
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Network: Broadband Internet connection
  • Storage: 40 GB available space

Installation

Since the official servers are no longer active, you'll need to explore alternative methods to play. This usually involves joining a private server community. Follow their specific instructions for downloading and installing the game files.

Configuration

Once installed, configure the game settings to optimize performance. Lowering graphics settings like texture quality, shadow detail, and anti-aliasing can significantly improve frame rates on less powerful hardware. Experiment with different settings to find the best balance between visual quality and performance. Also, ensure your drivers are up to date for your graphics card for the best possible experience.

Exploring the New Subclasses

One of the highlights of The Taken King is the introduction of new subclasses. Each class gets a unique subclass with its own set of abilities and playstyle. Let's take a closer look:

Warlock - Stormcaller

The Stormcaller subclass allows Warlocks to harness the power of Arc energy in devastating ways. Their Super ability, Stormtrance, unleashes a torrent of lightning from the Warlock's hands, chaining between enemies and dealing massive damage. Stormcallers excel at clearing groups of enemies and controlling the battlefield. They also have access to abilities that enhance their mobility and survivability, making them a formidable force in both PvE and PvP.

Titan - Sunbreaker

Sunbreakers are Titans who wield the power of fire. Their Super ability, Sunstrike, allows them to summon flaming hammers that explode on impact, incinerating enemies. Sunbreakers are excellent at dealing sustained damage and can also provide support to their team with abilities that create sunspots, which damage enemies who enter them. Sunbreakers are particularly effective in close-quarters combat and can withstand significant amounts of damage.

Hunter - Nightstalker

Nightstalkers are Hunters who embrace the shadows. Their Super ability, Shadowshot, fires a Void energy bow that tethers enemies, suppressing their abilities and making them vulnerable to damage. Nightstalkers excel at controlling the battlefield and providing support to their team. They can also use their abilities to become invisible, allowing them to sneak past enemies or set up ambushes. Nightstalkers are versatile and can adapt to a variety of combat situations.

Key Missions and Quests

The Taken King campaign is filled with memorable missions and quests. Here are some essential ones you shouldn't miss:

The Taken War

This questline introduces you to the conflict with Oryx and his Taken army. It involves a series of missions across different planets, culminating in a final showdown with Oryx himself. Completing this questline is essential for understanding the story and unlocking access to endgame content.

Regicide

Regicide is the final mission of The Taken King campaign, where you directly confront Oryx in his throne world. This is a challenging encounter that requires coordination and teamwork. Defeating Oryx is a significant achievement and marks the end of the main storyline.

Touch of Malice Quest

This exotic quest rewards you with the Touch of Malice, a powerful scout rifle that drains your health to deal extra damage. Completing this quest involves collecting fragments from various activities, including the King's Fall raid. The Touch of Malice is a highly sought-after weapon and is well worth the effort.

Raiding the King's Fall

No Taken King experience is complete without tackling the King's Fall raid. This raid takes you deep into Oryx's throne world, where you face a series of challenging encounters that require teamwork, communication, and skill. Here's a quick overview of the key encounters:

The Totems

The first encounter involves defending totems from waves of Taken enemies. This encounter requires coordination and communication, as players must rotate between different roles to keep the totems active.

Warpriest

The Warpriest is a powerful Taken knight that must be defeated by following a specific sequence of damage phases. This encounter requires precise timing and execution, as a single mistake can wipe the entire team.

Golgoroth

Golgoroth is a massive ogre that must be defeated by managing his gaze and dealing damage to his weak spots. This encounter requires coordination and communication, as players must rotate between different roles to maximize damage output.

Daughters of Oryx

The Daughters of Oryx are two powerful Taken witches that must be defeated simultaneously. This encounter requires coordination and communication, as players must time their attacks to prevent the witches from healing each other.

Oryx

The final encounter is a showdown with Oryx himself. This encounter requires precise timing and execution, as players must coordinate their movements to avoid Oryx's attacks and deal damage to his weak spots. Defeating Oryx is a monumental achievement and rewards you with some of the best gear in the game.

Tips and Tricks for Mastering The Taken King

To truly master The Taken King, here are some essential tips and tricks that will give you the edge:

• Optimize Your Build: Experiment with different armor perks and weapon combinations to find a build that suits your playstyle. Consider what activities you'll be participating in and tailor your build accordingly. For example, if you're planning to run the King's Fall raid, you'll want a build that maximizes your damage output and survivability.
• Master Your Subclass: Take the time to learn the ins and outs of your chosen subclass. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of each ability and practice using them effectively. The more comfortable you are with your subclass, the more effective you'll be in combat.
• Communicate with Your Team: Communication is key in Destiny, especially in challenging activities like raids and Nightfall strikes. Use voice chat to coordinate your movements, call out enemy positions, and plan your strategies. The better you communicate with your team, the more likely you are to succeed.
• Learn Enemy Weaknesses: Each enemy type in Destiny has its own unique weaknesses. Learn these weaknesses and exploit them to deal extra damage. For example, Hive Knights are vulnerable to solar damage, while Vex Goblins are vulnerable to precision shots.
• Stay Mobile: Staying mobile is essential for survival in Destiny. Avoid standing still for too long, as this makes you an easy target for enemies. Use cover to your advantage and constantly reposition yourself to stay one step ahead of the enemy.

Conclusion

Destiny: The Taken King is a fantastic expansion that revitalized the Destiny experience. Whether you're a seasoned Guardian or a newcomer, there's plenty to enjoy in this epic chapter. So gear up, Guardians, and prepare to face the Taken King! Good luck, and may the Light be with you!