Destiny 2 Praxic Blade Review: A Star Wars’ Fans Dream Come True
Seeing the Praxic Blade for the first time, during the Renegades reveal, felt like a fever dream. Once we got our hands on the Praxic Blade, that dream became a reality. The Blade is a perfect representation of the iconic Star Wars’ Lightsaber, both in gameplay and its unlock components. It has set a high standard that most exotics will struggle to reach in the future.
What is the Praxic Blade Exotic?
The Praxic Blade is a Kinetic Special Ammo Sword and is Destiny 2’s representation of a Lightsaber. Players can earn the Blade by progressing the Renegades Campaign quest and completing the Fire and Ice Exotic mission. The Blade has numerous customizable options. Unlike other Swords, the Praxic Blade is throwable and can deflect projectiles back at enemies. Players can combo three light attacks followed by a heavy attack to execute a combo.
Praxic Blade Catalysts
There are four catalysts players can earn for the Blade. Three of them are obtainable in the Fire and Ice mission, while the last one comes from completing the Way Between Equilibrium quest.
- Upper Hand
- Increases the damage of the thrown Sword and reflected shots while on higher ground than the target.
- Echoing Blade
- Increases the number of targets that the thrown Sword can hit.
- Energy Conduit
- Grants health regeneration based on the number of targets hit by the thrown Sword.
- Hyperblade
- Reflecting shots causes you to become amplified and grants this Sword increased lunge distance for a single swing.
The Praxic Blade Feels Like a Lightsaber
All the elements of a Lightsaber are there. There have not been many Exotics that feel better to use than the Praxic Blade. Its ability to take down hordes of enemies at close and medium ranges is high. It can also deal significant damage to higher health combatants, while providing a survivability option. It pairs exceptionally well with the Titan, Stronghold Exotic.
The concern for the Praxic Blade, before testing, was its capabilities in higher-end content. But after spending numerous hours with it, in Contest Mode and Lawless Frontier, we can safely say it is exceptional. You can make use of the Blade in any PvE context.
The Customization Is Spot On
One aspect missing from many Exotics is customization. The Praxic Blade does not disappoint on this metric. From all the crystals to the catalysts, everything feels rewarding to get. The random drop chance of the majority of the crystals is what Exotics need. It introduces the replayability of activities. The reward is not necessary to get, but it does feel magical to get the crystal you have been chasing. One day, we too will gain access to the Taken and Cyan crystals.
A PvP Nightmare
The Praxic Blade is not a meta PvP choice, but it is terrifying. The deflect does not block most damage, but the threat of a one-shot is evident. A charged-up throw from the Blade will kill almost any Guardian in its path. Getting close to opposing Guardians is difficult, making the Blade an inconsistent option in the Crucible.
Setting the Bar High
The Praxic Blade has set the bar for Exotics incredibly high. As a result, many future Exotics will fall short of their mark. The Praxic Blade had to be successful for players to accept it being taken from Star Wars. It is not only successful. It knocks players’ expectations out of the ballpark. Will we see the level of customization for other Exotics? It is unlikely. The Praxic Blade presented a unique opportunity for the Destiny 2 creators to work with.
