Destiny 2 Power Level Optimizer

How to calculate your Power Level?

Your Base Power Level in Destiny 2 is calculated using the arithmetic mean of your highest-rated gear pieces across all eight equipment slots. The game checks your inventory and vault to find the best item for your Kinetic, Energy, and Power weapon slots, as well as your Helmet, Gauntlets, Chest, Legs, and Class Item armor slots.

Power = (Sum of 8 Gear Slots) / 8

Using the Power Optimizer: an example

Suppose you have gear at 1990 Power in seven of your slots, but a 1980 Power piece in your Energy slot. Your exact average would be 1988.75, which the game floors to a Base Power of 1988.

In this case, a random +2 Pinnacle drop might hit a slot that is already 1990, resulting in a 1992 piece. However, if you target your "weak" 1980 slot with a Powerful drop, that item will drop at your current Base Power (1988). Replacing a 1980 item with a 1988 item is an +8 gain for that slot, which is far more efficient for raising your overall average than a minor upgrade in a slot that is already high.

Step-by-step calculation

• Summation: Add together the highest possible Power Level of the best item you own for every slot.
• Division: Divide the total sum by 8.
• Flooring: Destiny 2 always rounds down to the nearest whole number. You only level up once your average hits the next full integer (e.g., 1988.875 is still 1988).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hard Cap? The Hard Cap is the level at which standard world drops stop providing upgrades. From this point on, only Powerful and Pinnacle rewards will increase your Gear Power.

What is the Pinnacle Cap? This is the ultimate ceiling for gear level in a season. Once you hit the Powerful Cap, only Pinnacle rewards (from endgame activities like Raids or Trials) can bridge the final gap to the Pinnacle Cap.

When do Artifact levels reset? Your Artifact Power is a bonus added on top of your gear. This bonus resets to zero at the start of every new Episode or Season, meaning you must rely on your base gear level until you earn more XP.