A new theory in Destiny 2 suggests that we could already be working on the rebuilding of the Lighthouse and the return of the Trials of the Nine (or the Trials of Osiris) in Season 9. What’s the truth?
What’s going on with the Trials? Many players had hoped that the Trials of Osiris (in Destiny 2: Trials of the Nine), a popular Crucible format, would make a comeback in Season 9: Are the Trials coming back? Season of Dawn brings hope
The new seasonal setting around Mercury and Osiris would indeed be perfect – additionally, we have been waiting for more than a year for the return of the Trials and PvP urgently needs more love in general.
It hasn’t happened yet; the Trials are still not back in the game – but that is probably only a matter of time. Because current signs are increasingly pointing to a potential return.
What is the new theory about the Trials? In short: Currently, several theories are circulating about how and when the Trials could return.
For instance, the Forbes author Paul Tassi has put forth an exciting new theory in an article that sounds plausible and anything but far-fetched. We want to introduce it to you here.
Are we already preparing for the return of the Trials in Season 10?
What is the theory about? His theory suggests that although the Trials are not yet back as hoped, we, the Guardians, could actively contribute to their return – for example, by assembling the Sundial – a time machine. This all unfolds towards the end of the Season of Dawn, which is why we might not yet feel or notice the impacts.
This is what the theory says in detail: Even in Tassi’s eyes, it’s not a question of if, but only a question of when the long-awaited Trials will return.
Because when you consider all the hints and info snippets and relate them to one another, it seems according to Tassi that it will happen in Season 10. In this context, he has presented 7 points that all connect and create an interesting overall picture:
- 1: According to the roadmap for Season 9, there will be a new activity in February called Empyrean Foundation – essentially the last activity of the season aside from the Valentine’s Day celebration “Crimson Days”. Bungie has not uttered a single word about this activity so far. However, the image apparently shows the free world of Mercury, which has been transformed into the “Idyllic Past” of Mercury. This transformation is also evident on the official page for Season 9 – but so far not in the game.
- 2: There is now a shader in the collection called Lighthouse Sun, which is currently not available. However, the description states “Participate in the Empyrean restoration efforts” to obtain this shader.
- 3: This implies in Tassi’s eyes that there will be some kind of “Season Project” – something the players will have to contribute to. For example, the Vex Tor at Ikora in Season 8. Only this time, we are bringing the beautiful Mercury back from the past through time before the Vex and Cabal completely devastated it. After all, we are helping Osiris build the Sundial – a time machine in Season 9.
- 4: Empyrean Foundation is marked on the roadmap with the regular Destiny symbol. This means that it will be freely available to all Destiny 2 players and should not disappear at the end of the season. If the Trials return, they will most likely not do so as a seasonal activity, but as a permanent addition to the game. So that would fit as well.
- 5: Tassi has a good relationship with Bungie. When he asks them behind closed doors about the Trials, they always jokingly say that he is too impatient. While this could generally mean “Trials will come back at some point”, he personally thinks it might also imply that Trials could soon return as a result of the current Season 9.
- 6: Recently, some known PvP experts were flown to Bungie behind closed doors for a kind of community event. At first, this seemed to be generally for Season 9, but it gives the impression that they may have already tested the Trials for their debut in Season 10. From a timing perspective, it would make sense. By the way, afterwards, 2 major former Trials streamers became active again (both were there) and speak very highly of what they saw at Bungie. However, they likely cannot reveal details. Additionally, recently, after Update 2.7.0, a beta placeholder for the Trials map was discovered in the game. This would also suggest an upcoming return.
- 7: How do all these pieces fit together? Tassi believes that the “season project” of Season 9 involves helping Osiris and Saint-14 in rebuilding Mercury in a certain way – restoring a timeline where Mercury was not a sandy ruin. He is convinced that we will be the ones actively rebuilding the Lighthouse or whatever the equivalent of the new Trials format will be in Season 9. And once this is completed, the new Season 10 would immediately start – with the arrival/return of the Trials as a result of our actions and with Osiris or Saint-14 as the corresponding vendor NPC.
Thus, he believes the Trials will find their way back into the game in the next season.
While it is just a theory, the existing hints all point in this direction. Moreover: What better way for Bungie to showcase their philosophy of a living and evolving world than to let the Guardians themselves “build” what many of them long for so dearly, according to Tassi.
What are the Trials anyway? The Trials of Osiris were a very popular Crucible format and essentially THE highlight for the PvP elite in Destiny 2. Week after week, players came together to fight their way to the Lighthouse, where there was coveted Trials loot that could be obtained nowhere else.
The Destiny 2 version of the Trials was then the Trials of the Nine. However, due to some questionable design decisions, this did not match the success of the format from its predecessor and ultimately flopped. In August 2018, the last Trials in Destiny 2 took place. The mode was then removed from the game for a thorough overhaul. Fans have been waiting for its return ever since.
What do you think? Could Tassi be right with his theory? Or are his arguments too thin for you? When and how do you think the Trials will return?
