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Bungie Making Changes To Some Exotic Armor, Addresses Destiny 2 Escalation Protocol Feedback
Next week Destiny 2 fans can expect some major changes to some of their favorite pieces of rare gear, but matchmaking for the new Escalation Protocol activity is still up in the air.
With the release of the Warmind expansion came a number of changes to exotic weapons, and many new weapons became a lot more fun (and useful) to wield. Exotic armor pieces remained untouched, however. That's changing in next week's update on May 29, according to Sandbox designer Victor Anderson.
Each Destiny 2 class is getting two pieces of exotic armor changed up: Titans will get a more consistent punch out of Synthoceps and have more maneuverable air superiority with Lion Rampant, Hunters can expect more utility out of Dragon's Shadow and more kick out of sidearms when switching to them while wearing the Mechaneer's Tricksleeves, and Warlocks will have an easier-to-use Lunafaction Boots and more powerful solar abilities with Sunbracers.
In other news, designer Jacob Benton also addressed feedback from players on Warmind's new activity, Escalation Protocol. After realizing the mode was extremely difficult when played while below max power, players began creating workarounds to play the three-person mode with nine people. This then lead to widespread desire for dedicated, nine-player matchmaking for the mode.
Benton responded to this notion by saying the mode was designed for three players who are all at maximum power (with the aid of whoever happens to be out in the world when that team initiates the activity), but the team at Bungie is looking into it. "We’re going to continue to monitor as more players progress up to max Power and are able to attempt Escalation Protocol at the difficulty it was designed for and we’ll determine what, if any action, is necessary," Benton said. "We also hear players are really enjoying large groups of players fighting against enemies, so we’ll use that feedback to inform our future plans."
[Source: Bungie Official Blog]
Our Take
Having been in one of those nine-player groups earlier this week, I much preferred the chaos of nine swords banging around Mars than the few times I've attempted it with three people. Hopefully Benton's right in that playing the mode at max power actually makes it manageable, but I'm doubtful it'll be more effective than the nine-person trick. Maybe we'll get a nine-player co-op mode in the near future as a result of the feedback?
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