In addition to the weekends-only Trials of Osiris, Destiny 2 brings another regular PvP event in the form of Iron Banner.
Hosted by Lord Saladin (even after he went to the Cabal army as part of Season of the Risen), the mode happens three times per season and runs through the whole week, kicking off on the Tuesday reset and staying available until the following Tuesday.
In 2022’s Season of the Haunted, Bungie overhauled the mode to keep it more in line with other vendors and activities. Saladin now has his own reputation track, following the newer model with rank-based rewards as opposed to the token system it used in the past. Players can also focus Iron Engrams into specific weapons, akin to Saint-14 or The Drifter.
In Season of Defiance and Lightfall, Bungie also added the ability to focus older armor with the Iron Lord. Older Iron Banner armor sets that were seemingly lost to time are now back, and players can earn them by spending their hard-earned Iron Engrams.
Since then, Iron Banner has settled into a routine that players can expect to enjoy often. If you’re already counting the days until Iron Banner’s return, here’s when you can see Lord Saladin again.
When is the next Iron Banner in Destiny 2?
The next Iron Banner is on track to begin on Nov. 26, 2024 and end on Dec. 3.
More information about the next iteration of the week-long PvP event is expected to come in upcoming This Week in Destiny blog posts from Bungie, but mark your calendars for the week of American Thanksgiving to queue up with friends in some good, old-fashioned IB.
With Iron Banner back in town, players can grind the mode to get new weapons and reprised ones from Lord Saladin in the simplified event. Play, earn engrams, and focus engrams to choose what drops you wish to aim for.
For upcoming Destiny 2 Iron Banner dates, Bungie will also release information on them once the next Iron Banner is over.
Destiny 2 Iron Banner explained
Iron Banner is a week-long PvP event that happens several times per season, where Guardians take part in ritual combat to honor the Iron Lords before them while earning some sweet, exclusive weapons and armor.
Initially, there are a few prerequisites that must be met before players can take part in Iron Banner:
- Complete the quest “A Guardian Rises” and unlock the Tower.
- Speak with Lord Shaxx in the Tower Courtyard and complete the “Light Reforged” quest.
- Speak with Lord Saladin in the Tower Courtyard when Iron Banner is active.
Every match played during Iron Banner in the special Iron Banner Crucible playlist can earn gear, XP, or engrams featuring gear. Lord Saladin will also have gear to unlock, and weekly challenges for each Iron Banner gear, too. Additionally, players can earn more Iron Banner reputation with Lord Saladin by equipping an Iron Banner emblem, or equipping any five pieces of Iron Banner gear.
The most avid Iron Banner players can also chase and gild the Iron Lord title. Bungie expects it to take 15 to 20 hours to unlock the title, so even though it is possible to get it in one go, players may need more than one Iron Banner to unlock it.
To know whether Iron Banner is on, Saladin will now be front and center of the Tower when Iron Banner is on, taking up the spot that usually goes to Eva Levante instead of his usual brooding spot above Lord Shaxx. This means it’s a lot harder to miss him, and the smoke and flames and the howl of the Wolves may even tempt you to join the fray.
This article will be updated over time, so check back here for the upcoming Iron Banner schedule.
