What Infusion Does and Why It Matters
Infusion is Destiny 2’s system for moving power, stats, and perks from one item to another. By infusing, you raise the level of gear you want to keep while retiring pieces you no longer need. This guide explains how to infuse destiny 2 choices so you can focus your resources on the best rolls, maintain higher power during seasonal transitions, and avoid wasting valuable mods and enhancement materials. It covers when to infusion, which items to prioritize, and how to plan for future power spikes with minimal downtime.
Core Concepts of Infusion
At a high level, infusion consumes a target armor or weapon and transfers selected attributes to a master piece. You can boost power, move mods, shift stats like resilience or recovery, and even preserve special perks such as triggers or kill feeds. The process follows a consistent pattern across seasons, though costs and restrictions evolve as new expansions add infusion variants. Understanding these fundamentals helps you make consistent, high-value decisions rather than reacting to every new vendor or vendor refresh.
Key Terms
- Masterwork: The item that receives stats, mods, and power.
- Target: The item sacrificed to supply power, mods, and stats.
- Infusion Materials: Glimmer, weapon parts, and planetary materials consumed in the process.
- Stat Investment: The additional cost to raise the masterwork’s base stats during infusion.
When and Why to Infuse
You will primarily use infusion when you need to push an item to a higher power floor, correct a bad stat distribution, or preserve a valuable mod setup. Early in a season, infusion helps you climb to the required power level with gear you trust. Later, it lets you rotate powerful legacy mods into new frames without starting from zero. Infuse proactively before seasonal power resets and defensively when a beloved piece is about to become obsolete. Planning infusion windows around your play schedule reduces wasted materials and ensures you always have a high-power option ready.
Common Goals
- Raise power level to meet seasonal or endgame thresholds.
- Transfer mods from an outdated frame to a current favorite.
- Optimize stats like resilience, recovery, or intellect for your role.
- Lock in kill feeds, triggers, or other special perks you enjoy.
Infusion Costs and Materials
Infusion consumes Glimmer, planetary materials depending on the source and destination, and a modest amount of upgrade materials. Weapon infusions often require weapon parts, while armor infusions draw from planetary pools tied to the item’s origin. Stat upgrades add a variable cost that increases with each additional point. Costs also scale with the gap between the target’s current power and the intended infusion level. Tracking these variables helps you batch operations and manage your economy across a season.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Power Level Required | Increases with seasonal progression; check current season thresholds | Seasonal Vendor/DB |
| Base Infusion Cost | Glimmer + planetary materials; varies by target/masterwork | In-game Vendor |
| Stat Upgrade Cost | Incremental Glimmer cost per additional stat point | In-game Vendor |
| Mod Transfer | Preserved when moving mods between compatible items | In-game Behavior |
| Special Perks | Kill feeds, triggers, and other perks can be retained | In-game Behavior |
How to Infuse Step by Step
Open the inventory screen, select the masterwork you want to upgrade, and choose the infusion option. Pick a target from your inventory or vault, review the resulting stats, mods, and power, then confirm. For more control, use the infusion detail panel to see exact material costs and alternative targets. On console, navigate via the item’s radial menu; on PC, right-click or use the infusion window’s filters to identify optimal donors. Plan multiple infusions in a single session to minimize repeated vendor visits and maximize material efficiency.
Best Practices
- Use filter presets to find low-power donors with high-value mods.
- Compare stat distributions before and after infusion to avoid regrets.
- Batch items from the same planetary source to save on material costs.
- Keep at least one high-stat legacy weapon or armor as a flexible donor pool.
- Check vendor refreshes for discounted infusion rates or bonus materials.
Advanced Infusion Strategies
Experienced players use infusion to maintain a stable power pipeline across multiple characters. By rotating a small pool of donor items, you can continuously push your primary loadouts without farming excess materials. Some infusions are irreversible regarding stat distribution, so prioritize moves that align with long-term builds. Seasonal recipes and vendor offers can reduce costs or enable special infusion types, making it worthwhile to review limited-time opportunities before committing your resources.
Strategic Tips
- Track your average material income vs. infusion spend to avoid shortages.
- Schedule infusion sessions after major resource surges, such as rank resets or season launches.
- Reserve high-tier planetary materials for legacy-influenced infusions when relevant.
- Keep a spreadsheet or in-game tags to mark donor items with unique mod combinations.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Not every infusion moves all mods or stats; compatibility depends on item type and slot. Infusion does not automatically guarantee optimal builds, so you still need to evaluate perks and stat weights for your playstyle. The process also does not refund original upgrade materials invested in the target, so treat infusions as forward commitments. Understanding these nuances prevents disappointment and supports more deliberate planning.
Integrating Infusion into Your Routine
Treat infusion as a routine maintenance tool rather than a one-time chore. Set clear objectives each season, such as maintaining a minimum power buffer or preserving a core mod setup. Regularly audit your inventory to identify donors that can be safely consumed without losing key perks. Align infusion sessions with your progression goals, whether that’s endgame raids, pinnacle strikes, or competitive playlists. Over time, a consistent approach reduces wasted resources and keeps your roster adaptable to future seasons.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
Infusion in Destiny 2 is a powerful tool for managing power growth, mod value, and long-term build planning. By understanding costs, prioritizing the right items, and batching operations, you maintain flexibility across expansions and seasons. Focus on clear goals, track your material economy, and preserve versatile donors to maximize returns. Used intentionally, infusion keeps your arsenal competitive and your playtime focused on what matters most.
Quick Comparison: Infusion vs Reforge
| Aspect | Infusion | Reforge |
|---|---|---|
| What It Changes | Moves power, mods, and selected stats to a new item | Re-rolls stats and possibly perks on a single item |
| Cost | Glimmer, planetary materials, and upgrade materials | Planetary materials and upgrade materials | Use Case | Preserve mods or transfer power across frames | Optimize stats on an item without changing mods |