Following the release of The Final Shape, Destiny 2 has seen a marked shift in its development strategy. Bungie seems keen on moving away from reliance on expansive yearly updates and instead is steering toward more significant overhauls. These changes not only affect episodes and expansion schedules but also delve deeply into the mechanics of loot acquisition and weapon crafting. As Destiny 2’s universe continues to evolve, the upcoming Frontiers release heralds a new era that does not follow the traditional yearly or episodic content drops.
Seasonal weapons in Destiny 2 have long been a cherished part of the experience, offering players unique incentives and ensuring continuous engagement with fresh content. Take, for instance, the game’s Psychopomp grenade launcher from Heresy. Its Area-Denial frame, paired with standout perk combinations, makes it highly sought after. Although the introduction of craftable weapons initially looked promising, especially with the Witch Queen expansion, the game’s trajectory post-Episode Echoes has seen a decline in their significance. This shift renders certain Season Pass rewards outdated.
The Deepsight Harmonizers are another relic of Destiny 2’s past, once regarded as one of the best elements of the Season Pass. Exclusively available through this pass, these items allowed players to convert specific weapons into red-border guns, easing the journey toward weapon crafting. However, with Bungie’s pivot away from crafting, the relevance of Deepsight Harmonizers has waned. Their scarcity and the inability to accumulate more than five units limit their practicality, particularly since most major game activities, save for Raids, no longer feature craftable weapons.
Given the current landscape, it seems sensible for Bungie to reconsider the place of Deepsight Harmonizers in the game. One viable solution could be to replace them with Spoils of Conquest, a valuable in-game resource. While Spoils are currently the domain of Raids, this shift could encourage more players to participate in Raid activities, offering the potential to unlock new weapons. Purchasing weapons at a Raid’s end, with the chance of acquiring red-border drops, adds an extra layer of excitement and reward to the experience.
Spoils of Conquest can serve as a universal benefit across various play styles. Raiders, whether occasional or frequent, could amass more Spoils over time, enhancing their ability to complete collections swiftly. For those who seldom engage in Raids, Spoils could still be traded at Destiny 2’s Monument of Lost Lights for past exotic weapons and other treasures. Overall, introducing Spoils of Conquest in place of Deepsight Harmonizers would not only equalize the playing field among players but also enrich the overall gaming experience as Destiny 2 steps into its Frontiers phase. It remains to be seen how Bungie will choose to address these elements, but the potential for enriching player engagement is palpable.