Destiny 2: Top 10 Best Ghost Shells

Image: Bungie

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Human Made

Kody is our expert Destiny 2 and shooter genre writer. He lives in Oregon.

Ghosts have been around since the original Destiny. Up until the release of Beyond Light, these chatty little respawn machines were simply nonessential unlockables. Since then, they’ve gained mod slots that actually let them help out in more ways than respawning you. But since every Ghost has the same mods, picking your favorite is purely about appearance.

10. Contender’s Shell

How to Get: Originally unlocked by completing Leviathan encounters, but now acquired through random Bright Engrams.

Another Ghost Shell associated with original Destiny 2 content, this one required completing the Leviathan raid (usually multiple times) to get. It was the first Ghost design to use the rounded edges that many shells featured throughout the first few years of new content. It even includes the original Seeker of Glory Perk, which tracks the number of encounters you defeat on the Leviathan. This is somewhat worthless since the Leviathan is gone, but it’s certainly a cool flex these days if you have one from back when it was still in the game.

9. No Love Lost

How to Get: Complete the Rock Bottom Triumph in the Deep Stone Crypt raid.

This Exotic Ghost Shell can only be obtained as part of the Deep Stone Crypt raid. It requires you to find the five Exo Stranger logs littered throughout the level, allowing you to finish the Rock Bottom Triumph. It’s a unique shell that requires a bit more work outside of completing an already intense raid. The design matches the overrun aesthetic of the DSC raid, with wires running everywhere and exo technology abound.

8. Slasher Shell

How to Get: Originally from the Festival of the Lost event, but now likely available in Eververse around Halloween.

As a big horror movie fan, it’s hard not to love the Slasher Shell. Featuring a copyright-free version of the Ghostface mask from the Scream franchise, the Slasher Shell is a must-have for horror fans. It was originally available via the Festival of the Lost event around Halloween, but since seasonal events are no longer happening, I’m not sure how it will next be available. I expect it to be in the Eververse shop around Halloween, as event or no event, Bungie isn’t going to miss out on the chance to let us spend money.

7. Cocoa Shell

How to Get: Eververse

There’s something special about a nice cup of hot chocolate, and this Ghost Shell perfectly matches the vibe I would expect from this. I absolutely love all the small details, from the mints to the overflowing hot chocolate and slowly-melting candy canes. Obviously this is more of a seasonal Shell, but nothing’s wrong with that. It’s definitely one I use at least a little bit each year around Christmas.

6. Hareball Shell

How to Get: Complete the Prophecy dungeon solo.

The Hareball Shell is one of the harder shells to acquire, as it requires you to complete the Prophecy dungeon solo. Even though Prophecy was the first dungeon, it’s still not easy to do when you’re alone. Especially the cube room encounter, which I personally hate due to the randomness and all the ads. I wish more good Ghost Shells required you to do something challenging, as it makes the shell all the more cool to have. Bungie certainly abandoned (or at least moved away from) the idea of putting the best shells behind challenges, instead opting for putting everything into Eververse most of the time. But this one is still one of the best.

5. IX Shell

How to Get: Eververse

The IX Shell is one of the best newer Ghost Shells in Destiny 2. It’s based on the IX, a mysterious group of which little is known. Their main emissary, Xur, has been visiting us every weekend since the first Destiny, usually in random places throughout the solar system. This Ghost Shell is based on Xur’s appearance, and it does a great job of capturing his presence. Xur and his weekend arrival was one of my favorite things in the first Destiny, and this Ghost Shell is a good ode to the good times.

4. Spelunking Shell

How to Get: Eververse

It’s a Ghost Shell with a cowboy hat. How could I not put it on this list? No reasoning necessary.

3. Planter Shell

How to Get: Eververse

The Planter Shell is truly beautiful. It reminds of the aesthetic in Hall of Heroes on Neomuna where you get the Strand subclass fragments. Destiny’s universe is full of locations which are genuinely full of plant life, and I wish we had gotten to spend more time in those places. The Planter Shell is just gorgeous, and that’s all you really need for a Shell most of the time.

2. Winterview Shell

How to Get: Eververse

I love snow globes, so naturally the Winterview Shell is a favorite of mine. It’s perfect for the winter or holiday season, and I often use it outside of those times as well. It depicts snow falling onto abandoned ruins, like something directly off the frozen tundras of Europa. It’s just a beautiful Ghost Shell with a nice aesthetic. If you like snow, you’ll like the Winterview Shell.

1. Fettered Shell

How to Get: Eververse

The Fettered Shell is truly my favorite Ghost Shell in Destiny 2. It’s simple, bright, and fun to look at, which is really everything I’m looking for. The chains it wears adds to the overall look, but the main reason I love it so much is the unique color. I love the glow-in-the-dark look it goes for, which matches perfectly with so many shaders that you can definitely make a really cool full look based on this Shell. It’s not the most over-the-top or niche Shell, but it’s my favorite.