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Destiny 2 Allegiance quest: All Stand with Drifter or Vanguard decision steps explained

Whose Allegiance do you choose - the Drifter or the Vanguard?

Destiny 2's Allegiance quest is something new for the series - a decision to be made between two factions as part of the story.

Not only does the decision to stand with the Drifter or the Vanguard change how you interact with certain characters, but it also changes the type of missions you'll play - and could have wider story implications down the line.

It's worth nothing this has nothing to do with the Thorn quest, which was released at the same time during Forsaken's Season of the Drifter - so feel free to do that quest entirely separately when you are ready.

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How to start the Destiny 2 Allegiance quest

If you've just started the Season of the Drifter, you won't have access to the Allegiance quest right away. Visit The Drifter and complete the various steps that introduce both the Gambit Prime and the Reckoning modes.

This includes completing a Gambit Prime bounty, then by investigating the Weak Synthesizer you receive to create a Weak Mote using one of the Synths rewarded from Gambit Prime matches to spend in the Reckoning mode. Once you have spent it, then completed a round, win or lose you'll then be able to get started with the Allegiance quest.

Now visit The Drifter again to get the Drifter or Vanguard choice. As to what you should choose, it's entirely up to you based on your experiences with The Drifter so far.

If you want to be practical about it, then look at the steps for each choice below, and see which you fancy completing. There is a lot of overlap between the two, so you won't be missing much, so perhaps go with a gut feeling!

Destiny 2's Allegiance Stand with the Vanguard decision quest steps

If you decide to Stand with the Vanguard, here are the steps to complete the Allegiance quest:

  • Visit a terminal in the Tower Hangar (on the right as you enter) then send a message via a courier (underneath Dead Orbit in the Hangar)
  • Plant bugs in The Drifter's area of the Tower (prompts will appear)
  • Monitor feed by visiting the terminal in the Hangar
  • Visit the Spider in the Tangled Shore and spend 50,000 Glimmer
  • Complete Titan mission Looking for a Lead (a reprise of Siren Song, 650 Power Level)
  • Bank 50 Motes on Gambit Prime
  • Defeat 25 Guardians in the Crucible
  • Visit the Tower Hangar terminal again
  • Complete the 'Mystery and Potential' mission from the Gambit mission selector, by turning right and following the corridor round to a tape
  • Find seven tapes in the EDZ (this video by Ninja Pups can help:)
Watch on YouTube

Thanks to Esoterickk on YouTube for helping flesh out the above steps:

Watch on YouTube

Destiny 2's Allegiance Stand with the Drifter decision quest steps

If you decide to Stand with the Drifter, here are the steps to complete the Allegiance quest:

  • Visit the Spider in the Tangled Shore and spend 50,000 Glimmer
  • Complete Titan mission Dead Drop (a reprise of Thief of Thieves, 650 Power Level)
  • Defeat 25 Guardians in the Crucible
  • Bank 50 Motes on Gambit Prime
  • Gather fuel by defeating 2 Vex Strike bosses, gather meat by defeating 2 Cabal strike bosses
  • Complete the 'Mystery and Potential' mission from the Gambit mission selector, by turning right and following the corridor round to a tape
  • Find seven tapes in the EDZ (this video by Ninja Pups can help:)
Watch on YouTube

Thanks to MisterBo on YouTube for helping flesh out the above steps.

Watch on YouTube

The Season of the Deep is here alongside the Into the Depths quest. You can know go fishing too! Don't forget to keep an eye on the Lost Sector and King's Fall challenge rotation schedule!


Destiny 2's Allegiance Vanguard and Drifter rewards

Once you found the seven EDZ tapes, you to return to Ikora or the Drifter respectively to receive your reward - either a Crew or Praxic Loyalty Package.

Inside is one piece of Vanguard or Drifter gear at Powerful Gear level, as well as a small number of consumables. It's pretty underwhelming, and offers nothing unique beyond some Triumphs.

However, let's assume learning more about The Drifter is the real reward, as well as the possibility that completing this Allegiance quest might influence some character interactions to come. It'll be interesting to see what happens!

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