Tag along to a group doing the normal raid-U probably won't finish it at level 25-but if u get lucky on the chests, and manage to kill the Templar (push him off) you might get some decent drops? Or level up vanguard/dead orbit/FWC/new monarchy to get better gear? Or vanguard strike playlist on lvl 24?

i found the 24 strike list was the best for lots of engrams so higher chance one will turn into legendary and lots of vanguard marks to buy armor i was missing

Vanguard marks through strikes was the way I found. No RNGesus there - you can buy legendary gear from your Vanguard that should take you beyond 25. Will need to farm materials to upgrade still...

Use glimmer buffs (seeds etc.) relevant to the event your doing to maximise glimmer income. Check the tower bounties on offer every day and take the ones that can be done in conjunction with the missions below Do the daily mission every day Do weekly nightfall on tuesdays for the XP buff for the rest of the week Do weekly heroic sometime in the week Do the vanguard 24 strikes. On all the above i recommend using your best weapons/gear and then just before the end switching it around to the weapons/gear you need levelled so you get the completion bonus for those and don't waste XP gains on already fully upgraded stuff. Don't waste strange coins or glimmer on engrams or aesthetic stuff. Save coins for xur (not the random engram) and excess glimmer for ammo packs (so you can keep shooting to maximise your productivity in game instead of waiting for reserve ammo to kick in) Trying to raid at the barest minimum level hoping for a drop is far less productive than getting guaranteed returns from the above. One week of doing the above for a couple of hours a night and you'll be 27-28, then raiding can take the place of the vanguard strikes and they'll be far less frustrating. And finally my personal opinion only. Dismantle, don't gear hoard. Just because its legendary/exotic doesn't mean its any good. Saving a class specific item in your bank "in case", or, "when" you roll a diff class is a waste of upgrade materials on the character your playing NOW.