Strand In 2026: How Destiny 2's Green Psychic Power Changed The Game
Destiny 2 Strand, Lightfall's psychic subclass, redefined Neomuna mobility with a grappling hook.
I still remember the moment Bungie's showcase introduced Strand. It was 2023, and the studio was hyping up Destiny 2: Lightfall. The expansion promised a trip to Neptune's neon metropolis, Neomuna, and a new subclass that looked like pure, green psychic chaos. As a longtime Guardian, I was sold the second I saw a Warlock fire a barrage of green missiles. 😅
At the time, Strand was the fifth subclass in Destiny 2, joining Solar, Arc, Void, and Stasis. Bungie described it as awakening a 'third eye' for Guardians. Depending on your class, that psychic power took a different shape. It was not just another set of grenades and melees; it was a movement tool, a weapon, and a story device all rolled into one. The showcase trailer showed Guardians swinging through Neomuna's skyscrapers while fighting Calus' Shadow Legion, and it felt like Destiny was finally getting a proper grappling hook.
Let me break down how Strand worked for each class back then, because the fantasy was different for everyone.
| Class | Strand Fantasy | Super |
|---|---|---|
| Warlock | Telekinetic mind magic | A barrage of green missiles that obliterates foes |
| Hunter | Acrobatic slasher | A kyoketsu-shoge-style blade on a cord |
| Titan | Dual-wielded arm blades | A spiraling, violent whirlwind |
For Warlocks, Strand was all about telekinesis. The super was a volley of green projectiles, and it felt like you were ripping enemies apart with your brain. For Hunters, it was a slashing weapon. Their super looked like a kyoketsu-shoge, a blade attached to a cord, which fit the class's acrobatic identity perfectly. Titans turned Strand into two blades attached to their arms, then spun through enemies like a green tornado. If you ask me, that Titan super is still one of the most satisfying 'delete' buttons in the game.
But the most innovative part of Strand was not the damage. It was the grapple. Bungie gave every Guardian a grappling hook, and that changed how we moved through Neomuna. The city is full of skyscrapers, and the grapple let us sling across rooftops, dive into combat, and escape bad situations. It was mobility as a core power, not just a perk on a weapon. Honestly, I spent the first week after Lightfall just swinging around and ignoring the story. No regrets.
Destiny 2: Lightfall launched in February 2023 on PC and consoles, and Strand has been part of the sandbox ever since. In 2026, it is no longer the new kid on the block. Bungie has added Prismatic in The Final Shape, which mixes Light and Darkness powers, and the subclass landscape has grown. Still, Strand remains one of the most distinct playstyles in Destiny 2. It is green, it is psychic, and it is still a blast to use.
What I appreciate most about Strand is how it tied into the story. Bungie said the power was like a third eye opening for our Guardian. It was not just a random unlock; it was part of the journey through Neomuna and the conflict with the Shadow Legion. The expansion had its critics, sure, but Strand itself was a highlight. It gave each class a new identity, and it made traversal feel fresh in a game where we have been jumping around the same maps for years.
In 2026, if you are a new player, you can still unlock Strand through the Lightfall campaign. If you are a veteran, you probably have your favorite grapple tricks already. Either way, the subclass is a reminder of what Destiny 2 does best: mixing sci-fi spectacle with mechanics that make you feel powerful. I am still waiting for Bungie to top the feeling of grappling across a neon city while firing green missiles at aliens. Until then, I will keep swinging.