Ability

Player abilities are magic-like powers wielded by all Guardians depending on class and subclass. Light abilities are granted to guardians through the Traveler. Stasis abilities are gifted to Guardians by the Darkness.

The abilities available to a player are determined primarily by the player's subclass. In turn, the subclasses that the player can use are determined by that player's class and which subclasses the player has discovered or unlocked. Abilities can be unlocked and upgraded by gaining XP in Destiny. In Destiny 2, most abilities are unlocked by default, with notable exceptions being Stasis and the new subclass skill trees released with Destiny 2: Forsaken.

Lore
Light abilities are granted to guardians through the Traveler. Stasis abilities are received through a connection to the Darkness.

Ability Types
Abilities may be divided into several categories, and each subclass contains at least one ability under each category:

Destiny Abilities

 * Movement Abilities - Abilities that affect the player's vertical movement, such as Glide, Lift, or Double-Jump abilities.
 * Melee Abilities - Bonuses that affect the style and damage of a player's melee attacks.
 * Grenade Abilities - Abilities that involve a Grenade.
 * Super Abilities - Abilities that, when activated, allow a player to unleash powerful offensive, defensive, or healing powers.

Abilities added in Destiny 2

 * Class Abilities

Trivia

 * In interviews and media, Bungie employees jokingly refer to abilities as "space magic."