Bringing back old Exotics to Destiny 2 is not that easy. Gjallarhorn has also received drastic adjustments for its return in December. Only the heart of the weapon has remained the same. Nevertheless, players are going to have a damn good time with it, as Joe Blackburn, Bungie’s Game Director, promises.
When Gjallarhorn returns to Destiny 2, a full circle is completed. Some players associate the exotic rocket launcher with their best memories in Destiny. Now is the time to revive those memories and create new ones.
What makes this weapon so special? Gjallarhorn, an exotic rocket launcher, could fire small homing projectiles known as “wolfpack rounds.” These were only unleashed on the enemy once your rocket had hit them. The smaller projectiles also dealt explosive damage. The effect is quite similar to that of the rocket launcher “Eyes of Tomorrow”.
So when the big anniversary event with “30 Years of Bungie” kicks off on December 7th, this icon from Destiny 1 will finally be available again. Many D1 veterans have been waiting for this moment for a long time, and new players can also look forward to it.
The weapon is simply a legend, and for several reasons:
- The rocket launcher was rare. Very rare.
- Those who finally owned Gjallarhorn were basically gods among guardians.
- Its damage was so enormous that it could circumvent and break game mechanics.
- The firepower of the “wolfpack rounds” obliterated raid bosses in seconds.
- It was like “The golden ticket” to the toughest endgame activities.
How effective is Gjallarhorn after its rework?
With such an iconic and legendary image, some players are questioning whether Gjallarhorn can still live up to its former reputation.
Bungie emphasizes in this context that Gjallarhorn will not return in any way “underpowered.” But also not the opposite of that. They don’t want players to be able to play with it for a week and then melt everything in the game, only to have to send a cruise missile and say, “Get this thing out of here!”.
Joe Blackburn, Bungie’s Game Director, mentions in an interview:
We are always concerned when we bring something from Destiny 1 to Destiny 2. “Hey, will this live up to the hype?” I am quite confident that we will achieve this, and I am confident that you will have a lot of fun with it.
Joe Blackburn | Game Director at Bungie
Gjallarhorn will benefit from the rocket launcher buff: Gjally (as Bungie lovingly calls the rocket launcher) has been very carefully updated for the Destiny 2 sandbox. The developer wants to elevate the iconic status of the weapon “to the next level.” It needs to fit into the current sandbox and meta.
It should not be forgotten that rocket launchers have received a major buff overall this year. So Gjallarhorn comes just in time to get in on the action.
Joe Blackburn adds:
It will be the absolute “min-max-best weapon.” [Minimum the best that players want, and maximum the best that players will need.] So that you can always say to someone: “Hey, that’s one of the best weapons in Destiny, and you will always have a good time with it.” If I say any more, the sandbox team will probably come and kill me!
Joe Blackburn | Game Director at Bungie
Bungie promises players that with the continuation of its icon in 2021, there will be a version of the cult rocket launcher that should meet expectations.
When is the cult Exotic returning to Destiny 2? Not long now, and players will be able to test Gjallarhorn themselves against the bosses in Destiny 2 and form their own opinion on how well Bungie has completed this task. On December 7, 2021, it’s finally here. Destiny 2 players will, however, need to own the “30 Years of Bungie” package for this.
Will Gjallarhorn be able to live up to its former reputation? After all, Bungie has also succeeded, albeit very awkwardly, in bringing back a cult weapon with the Vex Mythoclast. Or do you think that Gjallarhorn cannot be tamed and will melt the game as Telesto 3.0?
