Destiny 2: How to Get Mementos (& What They Do)

While some of the most significant challenges in Destiny 2 come in the form of Grandmaster Nightfall strikes or the Trials of Osiris PvP mode, veteran players know the true endgame is looking cool. There is no shortage of ways for players to customize their Guardians in Destiny 2, from different ships and armor shaders to the animation shown when players load into an area. One type of cosmetic, however, requires a little more work and know-how before players will be able to show them off. Mementos allow players to display their prowess with a unique weapon appearance and customization, but players will need to put in a little effort first.

Destiny 2 has many different ways for players to express themselves. Of course, there are limited appearance options during character creation, but the real meat of customization goes to the armor, weapons, and equipment Guardians use. There are different ships and sparrows, both able to use unlocked shaders to change colors, and the same applies to armor, too. While players can additionally customize ships with transmat effects, and armor's appearance can be altered via the Armor Synthesis system, non-Exotic weapons only have shaders. And that's where Mementos come in.

What are Mementos?

Aside from the traditional shaders available for purchase through the Eververse Store or unlocked through other means, each Memento offers a specific unique shader, a weapon title, and a tracker aligned with the source of the Memento. Mementos can only be used on crafted weapons, which must reach level milestones before certain Memento features are available.

How to Get Mementos

There are currently three Mementos available in Destiny 2: the Gambit Memento, Nightfall Memento, and Trials Memento. While the steps for getting each Memento can vary, players should keep in mind that they can only hold one of each type of Memento.

The Gambit Memento is a random reward that can drop after a game of Gambit.
The Nightfall Memento is a guaranteed reward for completing any Grandmaster Nightfall strike. Drops are limited to one per week.
The Trials Memento, similar to the Nightfall option, always drops after completing the challenge of going flawless during Trials of Osiris. This Memento comes from the chest at the Lighthouse and is also limited to one drop per week.

How Do Mementos Work?

Once players have obtained the desired Memento, they'll want to pay a visit to The Enclave on Savathûn's Throne World (actually on Mars). There, Guardians can approach the Relic to either reshape an existing weapon or craft a new one if needed. In the crafting menu, the Memento slot is between the perks and the "Finalize Shape" option. There is no cost for this process other than consuming the Memento selected.

After installation, players will notice the inclusion of a new optional tracker on the weapon, corresponding to the activity the Memento came from. If Guardians bump the crafted weapon to level 20, a title for the crafted weapon unlocks and is automatically equipped. Pushing to level 30 allows players to equip a unique shader on the weapon.

Memento Ranks and Rewards

Destiny 2 Tarnation grenade launcher with scaly keepsake shader

Nightfall Memento

Level 1 Weapon	Tracker for Nightfall combatants defeated is unlocked.
Level 20 Weapon	"Dusk Tamer" weapon title is unlocked and visible on the weapon.
Level 30 Weapon	Guardians can equip the Triumphant Keepsake shader. It is orange and white with gold or black trim on some weapons.

Gambit Memento

Level 1 Weapon	Tracker for Gambit targets defeated is unlocked.
Level 20 Weapon	"Primeval Usurper" weapon title is unlocked and visible on the weapon.
Level 30 Weapon	Guardians can equip the Scaly Keepsake shader. It appropriately has a scaly texture and is green with white and red trim.

Trials Memento

Level 1 Weapon	Tracker for Trials of Osiris opponents defeated is unlocked.
Level 20 Weapon	"Pathmaker" weapon title is unlocked and visible on the weapon.
Level 30 Weapon	Guardians can equip the Gleaming Keepsake shader. It is almost entirely metallic gold, with some weapons also showcasing a little white trim.