Destiny 2 Solstice: Best Event Challenges to Complete First
Prioritize Destiny 2 Solstice best challenges to stack objectives, earn Kindling and Event Tickets, and upgrade Candescent armor faster.
Destiny 2's annual Solstice event has a way of turning a relaxing summer stroll through the solar system into a frantic checklist sprint. In 2026, that rhythm still feels familiar: the Event Card returns, Guardians chase Kindling and Event Tickets, and the Candescent armor set demands attention. The core lesson from the 2022 Solstice remains relevant—when time is short, not all Event Challenges are created equal. Some are like trying to fill a bathtub with a teaspoon while the drain is open, while others overlap so neatly they practically complete themselves. The smart play is to stack objectives, double-dip progress, and knock out the best challenges first.
The Event Card is the centerpiece. Every challenge rewards Kindling and Event Tickets. Kindling upgrades the Solstice Candescent armor, while Event Tickets go toward extra cosmetics in the Event Card. The standard card gives both currencies, but only the upgraded card—costing 1,000 Silver—lets players spend those tickets on the bonus cosmetics. That detail matters for completionists, but for efficiency-focused Guardians, the real goal is Kindling and armor upgrades.
A crucial vocabulary note: 'targets' means any enemy in PvP or PvE, while 'combatants' means PvE enemies specifically. That distinction changes where players should queue. For example, Trials of Osiris is a pressure cooker for overlapping PvP-friendly challenges. It can progress 'Forged in Flame' (defeat opposing Guardians), 'Like Wildfire' (defeat targets anywhere, with bonus progress for Guardians), and weapon-specific challenges like 'Hand Lighter' or 'Shotgun Solstice' at the same time. It is like using a single match to light three different candles—one strike, multiple flames.
Here are the best Solstice Event Challenges to complete first, based on overlap and ease:
| Challenge | Objective | Why prioritize |
|---|---|---|
| 🔥 Good Ignite | Defeat 20 Ignition Carriers in Bonfire Bash | Event-specific, quick in the activity |
| 🌑 Torch the Taken | Defeat 20 Taken in Bonfire Bash | Overlaps with Bonfire Bash runs |
| 🔥 Like Wildfire | Defeat targets anywhere; Guardians give bonus progress | Universal, progresses in any activity |
| ⚡ Superlative | Defeat targets with Super abilities | Natural during any playlist |
| ☀️ Pyromania | Defeat combatants with Solar abilities | Synergizes with Solar builds |
| ⚔️ Forged in Flame | Defeat opposing Guardians in any activity | Easy in Crucible, Trials, or Iron Banner |
| 🔫 Hand Lighter | Defeat targets with Hand Cannons | Weapon-specific, stack with PvP or PvE |
| 🎯 Shotgun Solstice | Defeat targets with Shotguns | Aggressive play, strong in PvP |
| 🏮 Lamplighter | Complete 10 Patrols on any destination | Earns Silver Leaves, low intensity |
The most efficient approach is to build a loadout that covers multiple challenges. A Solar subclass with a Hand Cannon and Shotgun can progress Pyromania, Hand Lighter, Shotgun Solstice, Superlative, and Like Wildfire in the same play session. Head into Bonfire Bash for Good Ignite and Torch the Taken, then swap to Trials or another PvP mode for Forged in Flame. Patrols for Lamplighter are a palate cleanser—mindless, steady, and perfect when matchmaking feels like herding cats.
In 2022, Solstice concluded on Aug 9 during the weekly reset. Once that reset hit, the Event Card and its challenges vanished from the quests tab, locking further armor upgrades. In 2026, the exact dates may differ, but the rule is ironclad: weekly reset is the guillotine. Guardians who play all three classes should double down on the overlapping challenges because progress often counts account-wide or can be repeated efficiently. The goal is to upgrade as many Candescent pieces as possible before the event card closes.
Ultimately, the best Solstice challenges to complete first are the ones that feed each other. Good Ignite, Torch the Taken, Like Wildfire, Superlative, Pyromania, Forged in Flame, Hand Lighter, Shotgun Solstice, and Lamplighter form a tidy web of progress. Treat the Event Card like a lighthouse keeper's logbook during a storm—every entry matters, but some entries keep the light on. Stack them, finish them, and spend that Kindling before the reset tide rolls out.