Top 10 Rarest Shaders in Destiny 2 (Feb 2025)

There’s no denying that Shaders are highly sought-after in Destiny 2, and the rarest ones are often viewed as the most exclusive cosmetic items a player can obtain.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but be captivated by those elusive Shaders that seem to materialize only during special events or demand an almost superhuman effort to obtain. The stringent conditions and challenging tasks they require might make them hard to get, but owning one is undeniably a status symbol in the gaming world, explaining their allure.

On the other hand, while both are rare Shaders, those on the following list are exceptionally so, making them coveted bragging rights among Guardians eager to distinguish themselves from others.

10. Shed Carapace

To get us started, Shed Carapace is an uncommon Shader that has been claimed by just 20,984 Guardians. You can acquire it as a prize for successfully completing a perfect run of Crota’s End without any member of your raid team losing health during the entire process.

In appearance, it’s reminiscent of the initial armor from Destiny 1’s original raid. Despite its prestige, this Shader isn’t widely favored; some players requested Glowhoo in place of it when Crota’s End was reintroduced. However, its scarcity is undeniable, and possessing it signifies that you’ve mastered the toughest PvE challenges.

9. Offset

19,364 individuals are currently the only owners of Offset, and it’s unlikely that number will increase since it is no longer available. To obtain this Shader, a donation of $25 was required during the Game2Give 2025 charity event, which concluded on February 9, 2025.

It’s worth noting that Game2Give revealed that the ‘Caped Cruiser Sparrow + Offset Shader’ bundle was bought 21,898 times. This implies that approximately 2,000 unused shader codes remain unclaimed. With its distinctive cell-shaded art style and scarcity, it’s hard not to speculate about the potential value of these codes in the future market.

How to get the Chatterwhite shader in Destiny 2

8. Vicious Alloy

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about the latest addition to my collection: Vicious Alloy, freshly dropped in Episode Heresy. This coveted Shader is now available for purchase at the Eververse Store for 1,100 Silver, making it an affordable luxury. Yet, only a select 15,393 Guardians have managed to claim this rare gem, solidifying its status as one of the eight most elusive Shaders out there.

To get your hands on Vicious Alloy, you’ll first have to buy the Chainripper Pack. This set not only gives you access to Vicious Alloy but also comes with the Chainripper weapon ornament for Monte Carlo and the Brutal Projection as bonuses. However, remember that these items may eventually become available in the Bright Dust Store, similar to other seasonal cosmetics nowadays.

7. Terrachroma

One of Destiny 2’s most peculiar distribution methods led to the acquisition of Terrachroma, a reward given for redeeming a code found in a Weekly Famitsu issue dated December 2022. As it was only available for a limited time and came from an unconventional source, it’s not surprising that fewer than 6,000 Guardians currently possess this Shader.

Mentioning that Famitsu is an influential Japanese video game publication dating back to 1986 isn’t incorrect, but let me put it another way: For almost four decades, Famitsu has been a prominent magazine in Japan’s gaming industry. Since its debut, more than 1,800 issues have been published, and this specific Shader can be found starting from issue #1733. Although you might buy the digital version instead of sourcing a physical copy directly from Japan, such issues are scarce and primarily treasured by dedicated collectors.

6. Diametric Crush

The Shader known as “Diametric Crush” is an uncommon in-game acquisition, not obtained through promotional events. So far, only approximately 4,867 players, or Guardians, have unlocked it. To secure this shader, a perfect run of Salvation’s Edge is required, which means that no member of your fireteam may perish from the beginning to the end of the gameplay.

Achieving ownership of this Shader signifies the peak in gaming accomplishments. This raid isn’t just tough but also ruthless. It’s equipped with various mechanisms that can abruptly terminate your progression, and to conquer it, you require a team that has mastered each one comprehensively. Given its demanding nature, it’s no wonder that only a select few have been successful in doing so.

5. Kilted Out

Moving on from discussing game shaders, it’s important to note that the unique Shader called “Kilted Out” is currently owned by approximately 3,998 individuals, who contributed $10 or more during the Kilt For Kids charity drive in April 2024. This special event was brief and not widely publicized, which accounts for the rarity of this particular Shader.

Although it’s improbable that Kilted Out will come back as a reward, Bungie has collaborated with Kilt For Kids previously, which suggests they might release another similar Shader in the future. As an alternative, make sure to check if you own Highlander – a Shader distributed via Prime Gaming that bears a striking resemblance to it.

4. Small Luminance

The unique Shader named “Small Luminance” is one of the four exceptionally scarce Shaders that originated from the Light Keepers Guild charity event. In this event, participants were tasked with raising substantial funds for charity in order to acquire exclusive shaders. The Small Luminance was obtained by only 167 Guardians, making it a rarity 24 times greater than Kilted Out.

It’s not hard to understand that amassing such a significant amount of money for charity is beyond the reach of most individuals. Consequently, this Shader and the ones coming up next are usually owned by creators and large groups focused on fundraising. Even though it may be disappointing that the typical person won’t own these, they still served as a motivator for a noble purpose.

3. Principled Porphyry

As a dedicated fan, I’m excited about the next level up from Small Luminance – Principled Porphyry, another incredible Shader from the Light Keepers Guild charity event. However, the price point of $25,000 needed to acquire it has significantly narrowed down the number of owners. Only 59 fortunate Guardians have managed to secure this exclusive Shader.

As a dedicated fan, I can tell you that tracking down the elusive Shaders has become quite the challenge. With Bungie keeping them under wraps and few videos available online, spotting them in-game feels like finding a needle in a haystack. If you’re fortunate enough to come across Principled Porphyry, consider it a rare gem indeed!

2. Hearts of Gold

32 Guardians have been fortunate enough to acquire the uncommon Shader known as Hearts of Gold, making it one of the less frequently found. Similarly, Principled Porphyry, this is another prize from the Light Keepers Guild charity event, granted if you managed to raise at least $50,000 in donations.

Interestingly, the Shader itself isn’t particularly unique, offering a blue and golden hue similar to more frequently seen ones such as Calus’s Treasured and Dreamtide Daybreak. Nevertheless, Hearts of Gold carries a high level of prestige, and those fortunate enough to possess it can take pride in their charitable endeavors.

1. Argent Champion

As a devoted Destiny 2 enthusiast, let me tell you that Argent Champion is undeniably the most elusive Shader in the game, held by a mere 10 of us Guardians. This extraordinary reward is the pinnacle achievement for the Light Keepers Guild charity event, where players must rally together to raise an astounding $100,000 to claim it.

It takes an enormous amount of money to become Argent Champion, even big content creators like Krypz (with 113,000 subscribers and over $57,000 raised) struggle to reach that level. This just goes to show how incredibly challenging it truly is for regular players to achieve this status.

Currently, these are the 10 least common Shaders available. We’ll make sure to refresh this list whenever new ones arrive, keeping you up-to-date. In the interim, explore our lists of Top PvE Weapons and Top PvP Weapons to give yourself an edge across the entire gaming environment.

2025-02-19 13:52