With the upcoming launch of Episode Heresy, Destiny 2 looks to regain its momentum following the underwhelming reception of the previous episode, Revenant. The changes on the horizon suggest that Bungie is keen on addressing player feedback, though not all aspects of the new release hit the mark. Notably, Heresy appears to be moving away from crafting in Destiny 2, creating a more challenging environment for securing seasonal weapons and their desirable god rolls. A significant shift in the game’s meta will emphasize Arc subclasses and builds, with substantial changes to existing Exotics. However, there’s a distinct absence of new items in this category.
The push toward Arc subclasses in Heresy is fueled by widespread buffs and Artifact perks centered around Arc keywords and the introduction of the new Bolt Charge verb. This episode will introduce new Arc Aspects for Warlock and Titan, alongside reworked Exotic armor pieces possessing Arc-related effects, enhancing build diversity. Yet, despite the commendable updates, Destiny 2’s forthcoming episode will lack new Exotic armor pieces across all three classes, potentially leaving players feeling a bit shortchanged.
Exotic armor pieces in Destiny 2 often kick off a new season or episode with a bang, giving players a tangible goal for their efforts. Although unlocking these new pieces can be quite a grind—they require resetting Reputation Rank with Master Rahool at the Tower through a significant investment of Exotic Engrams—they invigorate the game’s meta by diminishing the monotony of frequently used items, even if some additions fall short of expectations.
As a game rooted in the looter-shooter genre, Destiny 2 may disappoint fans by omitting these fresh additions in Heresy, especially when the game is in dire need of a win. The absence of new Exotic armor often stirs discontent in the community, as these pieces fuel discussions about buildcrafting and inspire content creators to explore innovative builds. This is a critical element that drives in-game engagement, though there have been instances when certain Destiny 2 seasons forego adding new Exotic armor.
Nevertheless, some might argue that not introducing new Exotic armor in every episode can be a blessing in disguise. The repetitive task of resetting Master Rahool’s Reputation Track with each season or episode can indeed be tiresome, given the limited sources of Exotic Engrams. Moreover, the substantial reworks of existing Exotics in Heresy could address the void created by the absence of new ones. For instance, the revamped Sealed Ahamkara’s Grasp for Hunters functions so differently from before that it feels almost like a new Exotic entirely.
Additionally, Arc Warlocks in Destiny 2 have received a considerable buff with Geomag Stabilizers, making them formidable in various activities and levels of play. While combining these meaningful alterations with brand-new Exotic armor would have been ideal, the modifications at least offer players refreshed gameplay mechanics without necessitating entirely new designs from scratch. Only time will unveil whether Bungie’s decision was the right one, but for the moment, the next set of new Exotic armor pieces is scheduled to arrive with Frontiers.
