Engram

An engram is an encrypted state of matter considered to be an object's purest form. Engrams can be decrypted into a usable state by cryptarchs.

In gameplay, engrams can be dropped from defeated enemy species, obtained from completing various activities, and purchased from Cryptarchs.

Engrams in Destiny
Engrams come in five tiers of rarity:

Each engram is of a particular weapon or armor type and stored in the Guardian's corresponding inventory slot until decoded. When decoded, engrams become a particular weapon or armor piece, scaling with the player's level and Light at the time it is decoded. Engrams can sometimes be decoded into a different type of item, such as a Strange Coin, Mote of Light, or artifact.

Encoded Engrams can be decoded immediately by players in the field. Coded Engrams must be decoded by a cryptarch until the Guardian reaches Cryptarch reputation 1 and level 15, at which point coded engrams will be decoded immediately in the field. Some encrypted and rarer engrams may require to be decoded by a cryptarch.

Any encrypted, legendary, or exotic engrams that a Guardian fails to pick up in the field will be sent to the Guardian's Postmaster.​

This table lists all of the standard Destiny engram icons by type and rarity.

Other Engrams
Deceptive engrams decrypt into a random primary weapon of exotic rarity. One was given to all Year 1 Destiny players as part of the Veteran's Tour quest in Year 2.

Sublime engrams contain legendary PlayStation-exclusive items. They were previously available only on PlayStation platforms, but are now available to all other platforms.

Legacy engrams contain legacy (Year 1) exotic armor pieces or weapons. They can only be purchased from Xûr.

Iron engrams contain Year 1 Iron Banner Armor. They were sold by Lord Saladin during Iron Banner events in Rise of Iron, but can now be obtained from the Silver Dust Kiosk.

Engrams in Destiny 2
The following is a list of engrams that can be found in Destiny 2:

Retired Engrams
Engrams that you can no longer recieve in Destiny 2.