History of Blastwave Striders

Blastwave Striders are Exotic Titan leg armor introduced during Episode: Revenant.

Overview

Bungie's June 9, 2026 Update 9.7.0 changed the perk substantially. The blast now builds from eligible defeats; explosive-perk kills such as Dragonfly and Firefly no longer trigger it, while passive explosive perks such as Explosive Payload still can. Activation now comes from damaging targets with Shiver Strike (including Howl of the Storm), not sliding. Melee activation produces a tighter projectile spread. The blast wave freezes combatants and slows players; shrapnel tracks slightly and no longer creates Stasis crystals. The update also lowered charge requirements to 10 weaker-enemy defeats or four powerful-enemy defeats.

Acquisition

Bungie’s July 15, 2025 Update 9.0.0.1 made Novel Focusing for Exotic armor from past expansions available immediately, without a Rahool rank reset. This is dated guidance from the Edge of Fate launch; the old solo Expert/Master Lost Sector source text is not presented here as a guaranteed current route.

Sources

• Bungie, “Destiny 2 Update 9.7.0” — June 9, 2026, shipped Blastwave Striders changes.
• Bungie, “Destiny 2 Update 9.0.0.1” — July 15, 2025, past-expansion Exotic armor focusing.
• Destinypedia: Blastwave Striders — Episode: Revenant introduction.