Editing Engram

{{Outdated|[[Destiny 2]]}}
[[File:Engram.jpg|thumb|Example of an Engram. In this case, the golden color indicates it is Exotic.]]
{{Quote|The unique datastatic structure of relic crystals inspired Doctor [[Willa Bray]] to develop the first engram matter-encryption techniques during the [[Golden Age]].|[[Ghost]]<ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, Item Description, [http://www.ishtar-collective.net/items/in-good-temper-2 In Good Temper]''</ref>}} 
'''Engrams''' are crystals<ref>[http://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/272oxj/game_master_july_2014_destiny_cover_issue/ '''Destiny the Game''': ''Game Master July 2014 Destiny Cover Issue & PlayStation UK Magazine June 2014 Destiny Hands-on: Breakdown'']</ref> that are encoded with the patterns of armor, weaponry and other items. There are five basic types of Engrams: Encoded, Encrypted, Decoherent, Legendary, and Exotic.<ref name = "DDD">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbWOZoMZSUQ '''DattoDoesDestiny''': ''Destiny Alpha Gameplay! Exploring: The Tower'']</ref>

==History==
Engrams are a unique, "pure" state of matter,<ref>'''Bungie (2015-5-19)''', ''Destiny: House of Wolves, PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Allies/The_Queen#Master Ives, Cryptarch|Master Ives, Cryptarch]]''</ref> the form solid matter takes when physically encrypted. First successfully generated by Willa Bray, [[Clovis Bray (corporation)|Clovis Bray]] proceeded to head the field of engram research and application.

Engrams were often used to store information, such as manuscripts or research. They were known to degrade over time. Engrams dating from the Golden Age were normally mostly illegible.<ref>'''Bungie (2017/9/8)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Hastilude]]''</ref><ref>'''Bungie (2015/9/15)''', ''[[Destiny]]: [[The Taken King]] Playstation 4, Activision Blizzard, [[Grimoire]]: [[Grimoire:Inventory/Primary Weapons#Fabian Strategy|Fabian Strategy]]''</ref>

One of the most significant applications of engrams is for computing. By the end of the 21st century, computer engineers had reached the physical limits of transistor-based computing, unable to overcome quantum incoherence at the nanoscopic level. This halted research for some time. However, engram encryption allowed quantum incoherence to be bypassed: transistors encoded into engrams could store exponentially more information in a smaller space. The discovery of engrammic computation, one of Clovis Bray's last developments before the [[Collapse]], led to a vast leap in human processing power.

==Overview==
Encoded Engrams are sold by the [[Cryptarch]], and are coded with the patterns of known items, such as a particular section of armor or class of weaponry. Once purchased by the player, the engram is converted into a random example of that item by the Cryptarch.<ref name="DDD"/> While decoding an engram will generate a random item, it's still possible to know the type of item that will be discovered. Each Engram will indicate whether the item is armor, a primary weapon, a special weapon, a heavy weapon, or an item shaped like the Engram. The quality of the item is also identified, as Engrams use the same color coding as [[weapon]]s and [[armor]]: White for Basic, green for Uncommon, blue for Rare, purple for Legendary, gold for Exotic.<ref name = "Alpha">'''Bungie (2014/6/12)''', ''Destiny: Alpha PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard.''</ref>

Encrypted engrams are defined in-game as having "unusual properties". These must also be taken to the [[Tower]] where the Cryptarch will convert them if (in certain cases) only after he has attained the necessary Rank. The Cryptarch is also known to have these rarer Engrams for sale from time to time, which are more common if his skill is higher.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/28/destiny-hands-on-bungie-xbox-playstationshared-world-shooter '''The Guardian''': ''how the makers of Halo plan to change the future of shooters'']</ref><ref name="DDD"/>

Engrams are also found as [[loot]], and appear as colored crystals on the ground (white for Encoded, green for Encrypted, blue for Decoherent, purple for Legendary, yellow for Exotic). Enemies may drop them randomly, or they may be picked up from boss encounters or inside chests. Any engrams that the player hasn't picked up may show up in the [[Postmaster]]'s office.

Finally, there are also occasions where Guardians may encounter Engram-like objects; [[Araskes, the Trickster]] notably disguised explosives as Exotic Engrams, and the [[Grasp of Avarice]] is filled with both unstable Exotic Engrams and what appear to be "discharged" or "inert" crystals that resemble Engrams in shape but have a dull purple-ish coloration.

==Decoding Engrams==
Engrams have a chance of being decoded into an item that is higher or the same quality as the Engram itself. That item will almost always correspond to the type of Engram it comes from; the exception to this is that sometimes a Rare Engram will decode into a [[Mote of Light]] or [[Strange Coin]] instead. Also, certain items will never be decoded from an engram and can only be acquired a certain way; this applies to any item acquired through a [[Raid]], Exotic [[Bounty]], the [[Iron Banner]], [[Trials of Osiris]], or as a reward for a [[Story mission]].

There are nine Weapon Engrams, seven Armor Engrams, and three Class Engrams. Each is marked with a weapon or armor piece symbol to indicate what type of gear it is ([[Shotgun]], [[Auto Rifle]], [[Machine gun]], etcetera).

===Umbral Engrams===
Introduced during ''[[Season of Arrivals]]'' and returning in ''[[Season of the Chosen]]'' and every subsequent season for ''Destiny 2'', Umbral Engrams are a less common variant of Legendary Engram which can be "focused" into dropping more specific kinds of loot, such as one of two short range weapons, seasonal armor with a specific high stat, and so on; this typically requires additional investment of seasonal resources and/or appropriate [[Triumphs|Triumph]] unlocks, which can also grant additional benefits such as a chance for decrypted weapons to have an additional selectable perk in their third and/or fourth columns.

Focusing occurs at the [[H.E.L.M.]], whilst unfocused Umbral Engrams can be decrypted as-is at [[Master Rahool]] in the Tower if no specific reward is desired.

With the launch of [[Lightfall]] and ''[[Season of Defiance]]'', Umbral Engrams have been retired, with Vendor Engrams replacing their functionality for seasonal vendors.

==Engram types==
===Destiny===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Engram Type !! Color !! Item Quality !! Cryptarch Rep !! Availability
|-
| encoded || White || Common || +5 || Random drops until level 15, purchase from Cryptarch.
|-
| encrypted || Green || Uncommon || +10 || Random drops, purchase from Cryptarch; automatically decoded after level 15. As of the January 2017 update, Uncommon Engrams automatically decrypt into either Weapon Parts or Armor Materials if the player is above a level where they would otherwise be useful.
|-
| decoherent || Blue || Rare || +75 || Random drops after Level 15, Story mission rewards, faction rank-up rewards; use to drop [[Glass Shard]]s.
|-
| legendary || Purple || Legendary || +150 || Random drops after Level 15, purchase from Cryptarch, faction rank-up rewards; can acquire [[Ascendant Energy]] or [[Ascendant Shard]]s.
|-
| sublime || Purple || Legendary || +150 || Random drops on PlayStation only; contain PlayStation-exclusive Armor pieces.
|-
| exotic || Yellow || Exotic || +300 || Purchase from [[Xûr, Agent of the Nine]] for nineteen [[Strange Coin]]s each to acquire Year 2 Exotic Armor.<ref name = "Destiny">'''Bungie (2014/9/9)''', ''Destiny PlayStation 4, Activision Blizzard.''</ref>
|-
| legacy || Yellow || Exotic || +300 || Purchase from Xûr, Agent of the Nine for 31 Strange Coins each to acquire Year 1 Exotic Weapons.
|-
| deceptive || Green || Exotic || +300 || A green-painted Exotic Engram given as a gift by Master Rahool during the [[Veteran's Tour]] [[Quest]] for players who qualified for the [[The Taken King#Founder's Fortune Pack|Founder's Fortune Pack]]; contains a random Year 1 Exotic Weapon.
|-
| iron || Purple || Legendary || N/A || Purchase from [[Lord Saladin]] to acquire [[Year One]] or [[Year Two]] Iron Banner Armor.
|-
| dusty || Purple || Legendary || N/A || Purchase from Lord Saladin for five Silver Dust to acquire a [[Year Three]] Iron Banner Armor piece.
|}

===Destiny 2===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Engram Type !! Color !! Item Quality !! Availability
|-
| encoded || White || Common || Randomly dropped until about level 10, automatically decrypted. No longer available.
|-
| encrypted || Green || Uncommon || Randomly dropped after level 5 until about level 15, automatically decrypted. No longer available.
|-
| decoherent || Blue || Rare || Random drops after level 10 (automatically decrypted) and mission rewards (requires decryption). Always automatically decrypted as of the ''[[Shadowkeep]]'' expansion. No longer available after reaching the soft cap as of the ''[[Season of the Seraph]]''.
|-
| legendary || Purple || Legendary || Random drops after reaching the soft cap. Automatically decrypted upon collection, but encrypted at postmaster. Always automatically decrypted as of the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion.
|-
| exotic || Yellow || Exotic || Random drops from defeating powerful combatants. Always automatically decrypted as of the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion until the ''[[Season of the Deep]]'', after which can be decrypted or focused at [[Rahool]] for Exotic armor pieces from various expansion cycles. Precision focusing require [[Exotic Cipher]]s.
|-
| EDZ || Purple || Legendary || Turn in EDZ Tokens and Dusklight Shards to [[Devrim Kay]]. No longer available as of the ''Season of the Seraph''.
|-
| arcology || Purple || Legendary || Turn in Arcology Tokens and Alkane Dusts to [[Sloane]]. No longer available as of the ''[[Beyond Light]]'' expansion.
|-
| nessus || Purple || Legendary || Turn in Nessus Tokens and Microphasic Datalattices to [[Failsafe]]. No longer available as of the ''Season of the Seraph''.
|-
| io || Purple || Legendary || Turn in Io Tokens and Phaseglass Needles to [[Asher Mir]]. No longer available as of the ''Beyond Light'' expansion
|-
| lighthouse || Purple || Legendary || Turn in Mercury Tokens and Simulation Seeds to [[Brother Vance]]. No longer available as of the ''Beyond Light'' expansion.
|-
| cradle || Purple || Legendary || Turn in Mars Tokens and Seraphite to [[Ana Bray]]. No longer available as of the ''Beyond Light'' expansion.
|-
| crucible || Purple || Legendary || Complete Crucible matches and challenges to earn Crucible Tokens for Lord [[Shaxx]]. No longer available as of the ''[[Season of the Chosen]]'', instead replaced by Crucible Engrams.
|-
| gunsmith || Purple || Legendary || Turn in Gunsmith Materials and Weapon Telemetry to [[Arcite 99-40]] or [[Banshee-44]]. No longer available as of ''[[The Witch Queen]]'' expansion.
|-
| vanguard research || Purple || Legendary || Complete Meditations (Story mission replays) to earn Vanguard Research Tokens for [[Ikora Rey]]. No longer available.
|-
| vanguard tactician || Purple || Legendary || Complete Strikes and challenges to earn Vanguard Tactician Tokens for Commander [[Zavala]]. No longer available as of the ''[[Season of the Lost]]'', instead replaced by Vanguard Engrams.
|-
| imperial || Purple || Legendary || Complete the [[Leviathan (raid)|Leviathan]] [[Raid]] and its challenges to earn Emperor Calus Tokens for [[Benedict 99-40]]. No longer available as of the ''Beyond Light'' expansion.
|-
| trials || Purple || Legendary || Complete [[Trials of the Nine]] matches to earn Trials of the Nine Tokens for [[The Emissary]]. Retired with Trials of the Nine.
|-
| iron || Purple || Legendary || Complete [[Iron Banner]] matches to earn Iron Banner Tokens for [[Saladin Forge|Lord Saladin]]. No longer available as of the ''[[Season of the Haunted]]'', instead replaced by Iron Banner Engrams.
|-
| dead orbit || Purple || Legendary || Align with [[Dead Orbit]] during [[Faction Rallies]] to earn Dead Orbit Tokens for Arach [[Jalaal]]. Retired with Faction Rallies.
|-
| FWC || Purple || Legendary || Align with [[Future War Cult]] during [[Faction Rallies]] to earn FWC Tokens for [[Lakshmi-2]]. Retired with Faction Rallies.
|-
| new monarchy || Purple || Legendary || Align with [[New Monarchy]] during [[Faction Rallies]] to earn New Monarchy Tokens for Executor [[Hideo]]. Retired with Faction Rallies.
|-
| luminous || Purple || Legendary or Exotic || Complete weekly milestones: [[Flashpoint]], [[Call to Arms]], [[Nightfall]], Prestige Nightfall, and Clan XP Contribution. Only be available during [[Curse of Osiris]], now retired.
|-
| bright || White || Rare, Legendary or Exotic || Received upon leveling up after reaching the level 20 cap, or purchased from [[Tess Everis]]. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. The Red War only.
|-
| illuminated || White || Rare, Legendary or Exotic || Received upon leveling up after reaching the level 25 cap, or purchased from [[Tess Everis]]. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. Curse of Osiris only.
|-
| prototype || White || Rare, Legendary or Exotic || Received upon leveling up after reaching the level 30 cap, or purchased from [[Tess Everis]]. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. Warmind only.
|-
| steadfast || White || Rare, Legendary or Exotic || Received upon leveling up after reaching the level 50 cap, or purchased from [[Tess Everis]]. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. Season of the Outlaw only.
|-
| etched || Black || Rare, Legendary, or Exotic || Received upon leveling up after reaching the level 50 cap, or purchased from [[Tess Everis]]. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. Season of the Forge only.
|-
| notorious || Green || Rare, Legendary, or Exotic || Received upon leveling up after reaching the level 50 cap, or purchased from [[Tess Everis]]. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. Season of the Drifter only.
|-
| best of year one || Rainbow || Rare, Legendary, or Exotic || Received upon leveling up after reaching the level 50 cap, or purchased from [[Tess Everis]]. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. Season of Opulence only.
|-
| nostalgic || Blue, Pink, and Cyan || Rare, Legendary, or Exotic || Received for free upon logging in for the first time during the season, from the seasonal rewards track, or purchased from [[Tess Everis]]. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. Season of the Undying only.
|-
| fond memories || Magenta, Red, and Yellow || Rare, Legendary, or Exotic || Received for free upon logging in for the first time during the season, from the seasonal rewards track, or purchased from [[Tess Everis]]. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. Season of Dawn only.
|-
| luminous || Orange, Blue, and Purple || Rare, Legendary, or Exotic || Received for free upon logging in for the first time during the season or from the seasonal rewards track. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. Season of the Worthy only.
|-
| mnemonic || Pink and White || Rare, Legendary, or Exotic || Received for free upon logging in for the first time during the season or from the seasonal rewards track. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]]. Season of Arrivals only.
|-
| eververse || White || Rare, Legendary, or Exotic || Received from the seasonal rewards track or sometimes obtained after reaching past seasonal rank 100. Requires decryption at [[Eververse]].
|-
| ephemeral || Purple || Rare, Legendary or Exotic || Can be purchased from [[Eververse]] or obtained upon leveling up past the level cap during the 2018 [[Festival of the Lost]]. Requires decryption at Eververse.
|-
| fated (isochronal) || Yellow || Exotic || Guarantees a world drop Exotic item that has not been previously obtained. Account-based purchase once per week from [[Xûr, Agent of the Nine|Xûr]] for 97 Legendary Shards and an Exotic Cipher if it was collected from the season pass or the Xenology quest. If all world drop Exotics have been claimed, gives a random world drop Exotic instead.
|-
| golden age || Yellow || Exotic || Gives the [[Sturm]] Hand Cannon, and must be brought to [[Tyra Karn]] at [[The Farm]] for decryption. No longer available as of the ''Beyond Light'' expansion.
|-
| rasputin's gift|| Black || Legendary || Gives the [[IKELOS HC v1.0.1]]. Can only be obtained once through the Mars world quest after completing the [[Warmind Campaign]], and must be brought into [[Rasputin]]'s chamber for decryption. No longer available as of the ''Beyond Light'' expansion.
|-
| prime engram || Purple-Yellow || Legendary || Drops randomly from powerful combatants, or completing ritual activities. Always drops gear up to the powerful cap, after which drops to the character's highest Power Level. Looks like a standard Legendary Engram, but with golden glow in the center & particle effects.
|-
| black armory engram || Dark Purple || Legendary || Dropped from a completed [[Black Armory]] Forge Ignition. Somewhat elongated and modified compared to regular Engrams. Distinctive blue-white hex-spiral effects. No longer available as of the ''Beyond Light'' expansion.
|-
| umbral engram || Black and Purple || Legendary || Dropped from enemies and activities during ''[[Season of Arrivals]]'' and reintroduced in ''[[Season of the Chosen]]''. Requires decryption at the [[Umbral Decoder]] (until ''The Witch Queen'' expansion), Rahool, or focusing at various seasonal vendors in the H.E.L.M. for seasonal items, with a chance for seasonal weapons from ''[[Season of the Risen]]'' onwards to drop with Deepsight. Shows streams of [[Darkness]] upon dropping. No longer available as of the ''[[Lightfall]]'' expansion, instead replaced with Seasonal Engrams.
|-
| vanguard engram || Blue with a Vanguard logo || Legendary || Dropped from reaching Vanguard reputation rank promotions and can be decrypted or focused at Commander [[Zavala]] for Vanguard and Nightfall items. Adept Nightfall items require [[Nightfall Cipher]]s for focusing.
|-
| crucible engram || Red with a Crucible logo || Legendary || Dropped from reaching Crucible reputation rank promotions and can be decrypted or focused at [[Lord Shaxx]] for Crucible items.
|-
| gambit engram || Green with a Gambit logo || Legendary || Dropped from reaching Gambit reputation rank promotions and can be decrypted or focused at the [[Drifter]] for Gambit items.
|-
| trials engram || Gold with a Trials of Osiris logo || Legendary || Dropped from reaching Trials of Osiris reputation rank promotions and can be decrypted or focused at [[Saint-14]] for Trials of Osiris items. Adept Trials of Osiris items require entry into the Lighthouse once before focusing can be unlocked for that item.
|-
| iron banner engram || Dark green with an Iron Lord logo || Legendary || Dropped from reaching Iron Banner reputation rank promotions and can be decrypted or focused at [[Saladin Forge]] while Iron Banner is active for the week for Iron Banner items.
|-
| throne world engram || Purple || Legendary || Dropped after reaching reputation rank 30 with [[Fynch]] and can be decrypted for Throne World items, with a chance for Throne World weapons to drop with [[Deepsight]].
|-
| neomuna engram || Purple || Legendary || Dropped after reaching reputation rank 30 with [[Nimbus]] and be decrypted for Neomuna items, with a chance for Neomuna weapons to drop with Deepsight
|-
| seasonal engram || Dark purple with a Season logo || Legendary || Dropped from completing ritual and seasonal activities and can be decrypted or focused at various seasonal vendors at the H.E.L.M. for seasonal items, with a chance for season weapons to drop with Deepsight.

|}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Encoded Engram.jpg|An Encoded Engram.
File:Encrypted Engram.png|An Encrypted Engram.
File:Decoherent Engram.gif|A Decoherent Engram.
File:Legendary Engram.gif|A Legendary Engram.
File:Destiny-Exotic-Engrams.jpg|A pile of Exotic Engrams.
File:Prime_engram_static.png|A Prime Engram.
File:Black_armory_engram.png|A Black Armory Engram.
File:Umbral Engrams.jpg|A pile of Umbral Engrams.
File:Inert engram.png|An inert engram from Grasp of Avarice.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Destiny]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Destiny 2]]''

==References==
<references/>

{{Loot}}
{{Golden Age}}

[[Category:Items]]