Destiny 2's Codename: Frontiers Armor Overhaul - New Stats, Archetypes & Set Bonuses Explained

Destiny 2 Codename: Frontiers brings a massive armor system overhaul, enhancing buildcrafting and gear engagement for all Guardians.

Hey Guardians! As a fellow player who's spent countless hours min-maxing stats and hoarding armor in my vault, I have to say the recent Bungie developer blog about Codename: Frontiers has me genuinely excited and a little nervous. We're finally getting that massive armor system overhaul we've been discussing in the community for years, and it's launching next summer alongside what looks like a transformative period for Destiny 2. With Episode Revenant just launching last week, it's clear Bungie is thinking long-term about how we build-craft and engage with our gear. Let me break down what this all means for us, based on what they've shared.

The core goal here is to make the armor system less confusing and a more active part of buildcrafting. I don't know about you, but I've definitely felt that "lock-in" effect Bungie mentioned. You know the feeling: you finally get that perfect triple-100 stat roll on a set, and you're terrified to change anything for fear of breaking your build. The new system aims to dismantle that by completely reworking how stats function.

🔄 The Complete Stat Rework

First, the biggest change: stat effects will be capped at 200 points, and we're saying goodbye to the tiered bonuses we got every 10 points. This is huge! It means our stat distribution will be much more granular and fluid. No more stressing over being at 99 versus 100 in a stat. Some stats are getting more significant attention than others. For example, Strength and Discipline (governing melee and grenade cooldowns) are in for some "bigger changes" according to Bungie, which likely means their scaling or effect will be adjusted to fit this new 200-point paradigm.

But wait, there's more! Bungie is also introducing Stat Archetypes directly into some Legendary armor. This means pieces will be innately biased toward certain stat distributions, offering bonuses to specific playstyles right out of the gate. Imagine finding a chest piece with an "Agility Archetype" that naturally boosts Mobility and Resilience. This should make hunting for gear with a specific purpose much more intuitive.

⚔️ Introducing Armor Set Bonuses

This is the part that really has my build-crafter brain buzzing. With Codename: Frontiers, armor will lean into thematic sets that grant bonuses for wearing multiple pieces. We're talking about bonuses for equipping 2 or 4 pieces from the same set. These perks are designed to highlight specific playstyles. Bungie gave a few examples, though they're subject to change:

• A "Skirmisher" set bonus might enhance your weapon handling and sprint speed after a dodge.

• A "Bulwark" set could grant escalating damage resistance when you're surrounded by enemies.

• A "Conduit" set might boost ability energy regeneration for you and nearby allies when you cast your Super.

The brilliant part? Bungie has confirmed these set bonuses are being designed to account for players using exotic armor. So, you could potentially run an exotic helmet with three pieces of a legendary set and still activate the 4-piece bonus. This is a game-changer for build diversity!

❓ What About My Old Gear?

This was my first question, and probably yours too. Here's the breakdown:

• Exotic Armor: Largely being left alone for now. Bungie says they have "one meaningful update" planned as part of the roadmap, but the core identity and perks of our favorite exotics should remain intact.

• Old Legendary Armor: Isn't getting direct changes or retroactive set bonuses. However, since the stat mechanics and types are global changes, all our existing armor will be translated into the new system. Your god-roll armor today will still be your god-roll armor tomorrow, just functioning within the new 200-point stat paradigm. You might notice some tweaks to the numbers, but the relative value should be preserved.

🗄️ The Eternal Struggle: Vault Space

Let's talk about the elephant in the room—or should I say, the hundreds of pieces of armor in our vaults. Bungie explicitly acknowledged that "vault pressure" is a real problem. We all have those pieces we're saving "just in case" for a future meta or build. While the studio is considering adding more vault space as a short-term fix, they're aiming for a longer-term solution they hope to have ready around the launch of the second major expansion, Codename: Behemoth. This overhaul might include better sorting, mass dismantling with locking, or a complete reimagining of how we store gear. The fact they're addressing it directly is a good sign.

🎮 How This Fits With Episode Revenant & Beyond

It's important to view this armor overhaul not in isolation, but as part of Bungie's renewed long-term vision for Destiny 2. We're currently exploring the Potion Brewing mechanics in Episode Revenant, which offer limited-time combat bonuses—a neat parallel to the more permanent bonuses we'll get from armor sets. The updated Onslaught: Salvation activity with its new maps and enemy types shows Bungie's commitment to refreshing core playlists.

The Codename: Frontiers update feels like the foundation for the next era. By simplifying the stat chase and adding meaningful, themed set bonuses, Bungie is empowering us to experiment more. The fear of "breaking" a perfect build is reduced, encouraging us to try new synergies, especially with the upcoming weapon and ability sandbox changes they inevitably pair with this.

As we look ahead to 2026 and the launch of Codename: Frontiers next summer, my advice is to start thinking about your armor in terms of potential and playstyle, not just raw stat numbers. That set of armor with wonky distribution you've been holding onto? It might just become the core of a powerful new archetype build. The future of building our Guardian looks brighter, more intuitive, and far more creative. I, for one, can't wait to dive in and start theory-crafting the ultimate sets. See you starside!