During your adventures on Destiny you may have noticed that you have been collecting a wide array of various currency in the form of coins, points, glimmer, etc. It can be confusing to keep track of all of these different types of Destiny currency and what they can actually get you, so we are here to help. Below we have listed what each type of Destiny currency can be used for in game, and also listed ways you are able to earn the currency as well.
Glimmer:
Glimmer is the main Destiny currency, and is the easiest to obtain. You can obtain Glimmer by dismantling Armor and Weapons, as well as killing enemies when you consume certain itmes (Ether Seeds, Black Wax Idol, etc.). Glimmer is used to upgrade weapons and gear, as well as purchase items from majority of the vendors in the tower, such as the Gunsmith and Cryptarch. Your Glimmer amount is transferred between all three of your characters, so spend it wisely on the upgrades you want for each Guardian.
Strange Coins:
Strange Coins are one of the more rare currencies in Destiny. These coins are earned through various methods: completing public events, completing Heroic and Nightfall Strikes, and finding them when you Decrypt Rare or Legendary engrams. The main purpose for these Coins is found each weekend, when Xûr, Agent of the Nine appears in the tower. Xûr will sell Exotic Weapons and Armor in exchange for Strange Coins (usually around 13 Coins per item). As stated previously, the best way to grind for these coins would be through Public Events and Weekly Strikes.
Motes of Light:
Motes of Light, another rare currency, can be found a little bit more consistently than Strange Coins. As you may have noticed, your XP will no longer level you up after you’ve reached level 20. Instead, you must find better gear to raise your level. That of course leaves the question: “Where does my XP go?” The answer are the Motes of Light. Now, when you fill your XP bar, you will earn one Mote of Light. Motes of Light are also obtainable through Engrams and other Quest Rewards, but the primary way to earn them is through continuous XP gain. Motes of Light are also spendable on Xûr’s Exotic Gear, but you may also find yourself turning them in for some very fancy cosmetic items at The Speaker. Check out this Legendary Hunter Cape which is purchasable for 20 Motes of Light.
Vanguard Marks:
Now we get into Marks, which are divided into the two categories of Destiny: Vanguard and Crucible (a.k.a. PvE and PvP). Vanguard Marks are earned through Public Events, as well as Strikes in the Vanguard Playlists. The higher level Strikes you complete, the more Vanguard Marks they will award. When you speak to your respective Class Vanguard (Armor) or the Vanguard Quartermaster (Weapons), you will notice that they will be selling Legendary gear for Vanguard Marks. In order to purchase this gear, you must have the appropriate amount of Vanguard Marks, as well as a high Vanguard Rank. Your rank is rasied by earning reputation, which can be obtained by completing bounties, completing Patrol missions, and finishing Strikes.
Crucible Marks:
Crucible Marks function similarly to Vanguard Marks in the sense that they are spent at the Crucible Quartermaster (Weapons) and Crucible Handler (Armor). Crucible Marks are earned by completing matches in the Crucible; three are earned per each win, two per each loss. You must also have a certain Crucible Rank to buy from these vendors, just like the Vanguard rank. To earn Crucible Reputation, you must complete Bounties and play Crucible matches.
Unlike Vanguard Marks, however, Crucible Marks can also be spent at the three Faction Vendors in the tower. These vendors will sell gear for Crucible Marks, however instead of requiring a Crucible Rank and Reputation, you must earn a Rank for that faction. To do so, you must purchase a Class item from that Vendor. This will convert any reputation you earn from the Vanguard or Crucible, into rep for that Faction. As an example, if I purchase and wear a Hunter Cloak from the New Monarchy faction, any reputation I earn from playing Crucible matches will instead go towards ranking up in New Monarchy to purchase their gear with Crucible Marks.
Hopefully this clears up some of the confusion about Destiny’s multiple currencies!
source:beyondentertainment
