So I was having a similar issue when I hit 20. Here's my possibly terrible advice. 1. Spend your vanguard and crucible marks on gear. Sometimes you luck out, I managed to get arms and a helmet via rep packages. I've also gotten two legendary guns, which are kind of meh for both but better than rares (kind of). 2. Don't forget your reputations! Getting those above 3 nets you rewards from the post master. That changed a bit with the patch, but I think it's better than it was. 3. Don't count on equipping yourself via drops. I mean, they can be SUPER COOL when you get them, but don't have your game plan centered around those drops. 4. Save those strange coins! I'm super casual and i JUST got the armantarum (however it's spelled, and yes, I didn't have strange coins until last Friday, yes I have been playing since launch. See, I'm Captain Casual here). The armor pieces are 13 coins, secondary weapons 17, and primary 23 (I think). So save those coins for Friday! For someone like me, Xur is a good starting point for exotics. Hopefully I can get some time to play strikes and stuff to get some engrams, but for now it's all about those strange coins! 5. Do strikes and crucible for marks, and sometimes engrams. Tiger list and daily heroic stories are good, easy places to start getting your blues up. I got a legendary chest and arm from blues (yay!) so it does happen, though rarely. Spend your marks on gear. If you like the offerings of a faction, get their mark and level them up. Remember, after rank 3, all factions give you a reward package! There can be some good surprises in there (or some meh depending on the gear rolled...My Hex Arc Caster has NO stability mods...ewww). Good luck Guardian!