With the 2024 edition of Guardian Games launching, Destiny 2 has seen the addition of Skimmers or 'hoverboards' as an all-new vehicle type alongside the trusty Sparrow options that have been in the game for years. While Skimmers in Destiny 2 function pretty similarly in a few ways, some key differences may make them the superior vehicle.

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Destiny 2 introduces a new vehicle class with the Skimmer, allowing players to live out their hoverboard fantasies like a Cloud Strider.

Skimmers are essentially hoverboards that allow players to zip around and pull off tricks while literally grinding the air, forming a rail to grind on with their subclass's element. Alongside this, the hoverboards come with a small jump, allowing them to clear small obstacles, making Skimmers incredibly fun for general traversal both in and out of Raids.

5 Infinite Boost

It Is Impossible To Run Out Of Energy While Boosting On A Skimmer

• Boosting doesn't take Skimmer energy
• Dodging doesn't take Skimmer energy
• Jumping and grinding will take Skimmer energy

On Sparrows, no matter how good they are, players will always run out of energy when activating the 'boost' mode by pressing right-click on a mouse or the right trigger on the controller. This means that, eventually, if a player stops and starts enough, they will run out of energy. The Skimmer doesn't have this issue.

While jumping and grinding the rails will cost some of the Skimmer's energy, boosting and dodging doesn't, meaning players can stop, start, and weave on the battlefield as much as they'd like on a Skimmer, making them a bit easier to use than a typical Sparrow as players will always be able to go fast on a Skimmer.

4 Dodging Off Ledges

Dodging While Going Over A Cliff Gives A Boost Of Momentum

• Using the dodge input while going over a ledge gives a major boost to speed
• Players can perform incredibly tight turns with the dodge
• Dodges typically retain momentum

Everyone knows that a trick to gaining speed on a Sparrow is to re-apply the boost while going over a ledge. However, there is a similar trick players can do with the dodge on Skimmers, giving them the edge in terms of speed over Sparrows, meaning that if the Sparrow Racing League were to return, it'd be better named the Skimmer Racing League.

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While it may not be as fast as some historical Sparrow glitches, dodging to the right or left while going over will continue the momentum thanks to the Skimmer dodge retaining the initial momentum. This also allows players to perform some very sharp turns as the Skimmer will end up moving in the direction players turn their camera and doge almost instantly.

3 Spamming Boost

Spamming The Boost Provides Even Greater Speeds

• Spamming the boost input will take zero energy, meaning players can do it forever
• Players will reach high top speeds by spamming boost
• All vehicles gain an initial boost of speed upon beginning to boost

Going fast in Destiny is not only important in certain situations, like the traversal section in Grasp of Avarice, but it is also incredibly entertaining. Speeding through the Destiny landscape and traversing large areas in seconds is always enjoyable. Previously, players could only use 'Always On Time' to go fast, but now, Skimmers are the better option.

By simply spamming the boost keybind or input, players can reach incredible top speeds. This can be done infinitely as well, thanks to our earlier tip on Skimmer energy never running out. Upon starting a boost, the Skimmer (and all vehicles) gain an initial increase in speed before gradually slowing down, meaning spamming boost on Skimmers is definitely the most efficient way to get around.

2 Airborne Dismounts

Dismounting And Re-Summoning The Skimmer In The Air Resets Energy

• Re-summoning the Skimmer refills the Skimmer's energy
• Allows players to continue grinding in the air
• Must be high up to avoid hitting the ground

While grinding the air might not be the same as having a jet ski Sparrow, there are a number of tricks players can do to stay airborne for longer, one of these is 'airborne dismounts'. In practice, it is straightforward to do. All players must do is be high enough to get off their Skimmer and re-summon it before hitting the ground.

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This is a helpful tip for situations where players must traverse a very long area, such as the Deadsea area in Prophecy. Grinding the air will quickly drain the Skimmer's energy, so resetting it by re-summoning the Skimmer means players will be able to go much further than they would have been able to before.

1 Skimmer Skating

With Certain Inputs, Players Can Go Incredibly Fast, & High, On A Skimmer

• Grind on the air with the Skimmer to essentially fly

The brand-new Skimmers can be used in many different ways, from grinding rails to even cosplaying superheroes; there is a lot a player can do with a Skimmer. One of these uses is 'Skimmer Skating'. Using a combination of specific inputs, players can carry their momentum from dodges into the rail grind, meaning they can go incredibly fast.

There is a technique similar to Sparrows. However, it is much more complicated to do than this. All players must do to Skimmer skate is dodge to the side, grind, and then grind again, repeating this pattern. This will allow the Skimmer to retain momentum during the grind and allow the player to soar easily through the air.

Destiny 2

Platform(s)

PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC , Stadia

Released

August 28, 2017

Developer(s)

Bungie

Genre(s)

FPS