Destiny 2’s premium currency, Silver, unlocks a world of cosmetic flair, Season Passes, and exclusive Eververse items. While Silver is typically purchased with real money, many Guardians seek ways to earn it without opening their wallets. Whether you’re eyeing that sleek Exotic ornament or saving up for the next expansion, this guide breaks down legitimate methods to acquire free Silver and the pitfalls to avoid.
Understand Silver and Why It Matters
Silver is Destiny 2’s premium currency, used to purchase:
- Cosmetics: Armor sets, weapon ornaments, emotes, and shaders.
- Season Passes: Access to seasonal activities, rewards, and story content.
- Event Passes: Limited-time bundles like Festival of the Lost or The Dawning.
While Silver doesn’t grant gameplay advantages, it’s essential for personalizing your Guardian. However, Bungie rarely gives Silver away freely, so most free methods require patience, strategy, or participation in third-party programs. Before diving in, note that several trustworthy services are available, like Skycoach offering Trials carries Destiny 2 (paid carries for PvP rewards) often demand Silver or real money.
1. Participate in Bungie-Affiliated Promotions
Bungie occasionally partners with brands or platforms to offer Silver as a reward. Past examples include:
- Twitch Drops: Watch Destiny 2 streams during special events to earn Silver or Bright Dust. For instance, viewers earned Silver during The Witch Queen launch by watching partnered streamers for two hours.
- Prime Gaming Loot: Link your Amazon Prime account for monthly rewards, which sometimes include Silver (though Bright Dust is more common). Check the Prime Gaming page every month for updates.
- Raid Race Rewards: Top clans in World First raid races have received Silver prizes. For example, the Vow of the Disciple World First winners earned 10,000 Silver per team member.
Pro Tips:
- Follow Bungie’s social media (Twitter, Instagram) and enable notifications for giveaway announcements. Turn on tweet alerts for hashtags like #Destiny2Silver.
- Join the Bungie Rewards program to earn exclusive emblems or physical merch—Silver rewards are rare but possible. For example, pre-ordering Lightfall through Bungie Rewards netted players an emblem and discount codes.
2. Earn Microsoft Rewards Points
Xbox and PC players can convert Microsoft Rewards points into Xbox Gift Cards, which fund Silver purchases. Here’s how:
- Sign Up for Microsoft Rewards: Free for Xbox/Microsoft account holders.
- Earn Points: Complete daily searches (150 points), quizzes (30–50 points), and achievements (50 points per achievement). Weekly streaks add bonus points.
- Redeem Points: 9,300 points ≈ $10 Xbox Gift Card, which buys 1,100 Silver.
Limitations:
- Requires consistent effort (≈2-3 months for 1,100 Silver).
- Only available in supported regions (US, UK, CA, etc.). Does your region qualify? Check the Microsoft Rewards dashboard.
Maximizing Points:
- Use Microsoft Edge and Bing for searches (extra 20 points daily).
- Complete Xbox Game Pass quests for bonus points.
3. Join Community Giveaways
Destiny 2 content creators and clans often host Silver giveaways to engage their audiences. Platforms to watch:
- Twitch: Streamers like Datto or Aztecross occasionally raffle Silver during charity events. For example, Guardians for Impact raised funds for mental health while giving away 5,000 Silver to participants.
- Twitter: Search hashtags like #Destiny2Giveaway or #FreeSilver. Follow accounts like @DestinyTheGame and @Bungie for official contests.
- Discord: Join official Destiny 2 LFG servers or clan communities. More prominent clans like D2 Sanctuary host monthly raffles for active members.
Caution: Avoid scams by verifying giveaway legitimacy. Legit hosts will never ask for your account password. Look for blue-check verified accounts or partnerships with Bungie.
4. Use Survey and Cashback Websites
Sites like Swagbucks or InboxDollars reward users with gift cards (e.g., PayPal, Xbox, PlayStation) for completing surveys, watching ads, or shopping online. Convert these into Silver:
- Earn $10 via surveys ≈ 1-2 weeks of effort.
- Redeem for a PlayStation/Xbox/Steam gift card.
- Purchase Silver in-game.
Top Survey Platforms:
- Swagbucks: Offers 50–200 SB (≈0.50–0.50–2.00) per survey.
- Prolific: Academic surveys with higher payouts (≈$6/hour).
- Google Opinion Rewards: Quick Android/iOS surveys for Play Store credit.
Drawbacks:
- Time-intensive and low payout rates. Avoid sites requiring upfront payments.
- Regional restrictions apply. VPNs may bypass these but risk account suspension.
5. Leverage Referral Programs
Some gaming platforms offer referral bonuses:
- Steam Referrals: Invite friends to buy Destiny 2 via your referral link for Steam Wallet credit. Earn $5 for every friend who purchases the Legacy Collection.
- Xbox Game Pass: Earn 500 Microsoft Rewards points per referral, redeemable for Silver.
Example: Referring five friends to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate nets 2,500 points (≈$2.70 toward Silver).
6. Farm Bright Dust Instead
While not Silver, Bright Dust is a free alternative for Eververse items. Earn it via:
- Seasonal Challenges: Complete weekly objectives for 4,000–6,000 Bright Dust per season. Focus on “XP++” challenges for bulk rewards.
- Vendor Bounties: Repeatable bounties from Zavala (Vanguard), Shaxx (Crucible), and Drifter (Gambit) grant 10 Bright Dust each. Complete eight daily bounties for 80 Dust.
- Event Passes: Free tracks during festivals offer 500–1,000 Bright Dust.
Pro Tip: Prioritize Bright Dust for items that rarely discount (e.g., Exotic ornaments). Save Silver for limited-time bundles like armor sets.
Why Free Silver Is Rare and What to Avoid
Bungie monetizes Silver to fund Destiny 2’s live-service model, so free distributions are scarce. Avoid these risky shortcuts:
- Third-Party Sellers: Sites offering “free Silver codes” are often phishing scams. Reddit users report losing accounts to fake generators.
- Account Sharing: Letting others “gift” you Silver risks account theft. Bungie Support cannot recover items lost to scams.
- Trials Carries for Silver: Services offering Trials carries Destiny 2 in exchange for Silver or cash violate Bungie’s TOS. Carries aren’t illegal, but paying for them with real-world currency is.
Final Thoughts
While free Silver is elusive, combining Microsoft Rewards, community giveaways, and Bright Dust farming can net you cosmetics without spending a dime. Stay vigilant against scams, and remember: Destiny 2’s true magic lies in earned triumphs, not bought glimmer.
For those eyeing Trials loot, practice, and persistence, trump paid carries. After all, there’s no ornament sweeter than the one you’ve earned.