History of Shader

Shaders are cosmetic items that change the color and appearance of individual pieces of armor, weapons and other equipment, rather than a whole outfit at once. They can be applied individually to non-Exotic kinetic, energy and power weapons, helmets, chest armor, gauntlets, leg armor and class items, as well as Ghost Shells, Ships and Sparrows.

Shaders come from several sources. The most common is the Eververse Trading Company, which offers shaders in nearly every season. Many are Season Pass or Rewards Pass rewards, and others come from Vendors. Faction rank-up packages reward shaders for activities such as Crucible (for Lord Shaxx), Iron Banner (for Lord Saladin), strikes (for Commander Zavala) and Gambit (for the Drifter). Seasonal events such as The Dawning, Festival of the Lost and Guardian Games also award them, along with raids such as Vault of Glass and King's Fall, and activities such as Trials. Some were limited to special offers, and some older shaders were earned by dismantling an item with the shader applied.