Board Thread:Questions and Answers Forum/@comment-5673350-20150705125611/@comment-24057866-20150706020440

Now that you're level 20, earning experience only applies to leveling up weapons, armor, and subclass abilities. What you're really looking for now are (1) better weapons and (2) armor with the Light attribute. Better weapons will allow you to deal more damage, and Light allows you to increase your level beyond 20.

The most reliable way to attain better weapons and armor is from the Tower vendors. The Vanguard vendors take Vanguard Marks and the Crucible and faction vendors take Crucible Marks. Don't worry about engrams; legendary gear is something like a 0.05% chance from blue engrams, and purple engrams about as rare as well. Consider engrams mainly a source of upgrade materials.

For now, here's your to-do list:


 * 1) Do the daily Vanguard (and Crucible, if you so choose) bounties.
 * 2) *This will level up your reputation. (Keep in mind that you can gain faction reputation by wearing faction marks.) At ranks 2 and 3, you'll be able to purchase armor and weapons (respectively), and you'll get a free legendary item upon ranking up starting at rank 3.
 * 3) *This also will be your main source of XP (each mob gives between 10 and 55 XP, and bounties give 2,500 or 5,000 XP), so make sure to equip any unleveled weapons or armor when you turn in bounties. Also make sure to start leveling up your other subclass.
 * 4) *You'll also get a chance at obtaining the Vanguard Mentor Missive.
 * 5) Earn Marks.
 * 6) *Do the Daily Heroic Story Mission and Vanguard Strikes to earn Vanguard Marks and use them to purchase weapons and armor from the Vanguard vendors.
 * 7) **Daily missions also give planetary resources and XP bonuses, both of which are important to leveling up gear.
 * 8) *Play Crucible to earn Crucible Marks and use them to purchase weapons and armor from the Crucible and faction vendors.
 * 9) Do the Weekly Heroic Strike to earn Strange Coins, which you can use to purchase exotic weapons and armor from Xûr.

Vendor gear is only a stepping stone to get you to the end-game content: Weekly Nightfall Strikes, raids, Prison of Elders challenges, and the timed Iron Banner and Trials of Osiris Crucible tournaments. That's where the fun really starts and where the best loot can be found.