Even before Destiny 2 Beyond Light, players had a critical view of sunsetting, also known as weapon retirement. Now they are feeling its full impact. However, the Destiny director has some encouraging words about it.
What’s it about? Since the expansion Destiny 2: Beyond Light was released on November 10, several changes have made their way into the game. As much as Guardians are excited about the new Stasis supers, the story on Europa, and the new powerful exotics, they criticize the so-called weapon retirement. Currently, this is one of the biggest points of criticism regarding Destiny 2.
Weapon retirement or sunsetting means that weapons and armor can no longer be endlessly leveled up – they have a fixed infusion limit, a kind of expiration date (exotics excluded). Once an item reaches this limit, it becomes nearly useless in the current endgame; the item is not destroyed but plays no role in the most challenging activities anymore – hence the term “sunsetting” (retirement).
Sunsetting also means that the weapons can eventually be brought back from retirement and become relevant again – meaning they will have a current power level and potentially some changes. However, they will need to be re-earned.
Already upon the announcement of weapon retirement in the summer of 2020, this caused upheaval in the community, including on MeinMMO. Now that Beyond Light and sunsetting are live, the full extent of this design decision is painfully visible.
This was the plan: In fact, sunsetting was supposed to ensure that powerful weapons would have their moment in the sun to shine. Bungie would then send them into retirement after a year of glory.
This keeps the sandbox fresh, and players could enjoy a cool toy. However, new weapons should then come into focus.
Here are the problems now: For this to work, there also need to be new weapons that are interesting and act like carrots in front of the players’ noses.
- Many old and beloved weapons are now no longer competitive in the Iron Banner, Trials, on Europa, and even in the new raid – some of these weapons were grinded for months, they have blood, sweat, and tears in them.
- However, there simply aren’t enough new alternatives to fill the empty ranks.
- Currently, there are just over 30 new guns in Beyond Light, but over 100 are affected by weapon retirement.
- Players are also annoyed that they sometimes have to “re-obtain” the exact same weapons and armor they had a year ago, just to show the current power level and thus be relevant again. But if they level the items now (again), they’ll have to discard them after a while.
On reddit, there are threads like “Sunsetting in Beyond Light is abysmally bad”. This has nearly 4,000 upvotes and 450 comments.
Also, on MeinMMO, you have already expressed your dissatisfaction with the loss of your favorite guns:
I had to put my beloved 21% Delirium into retirement due to sunsetting, it literally broke my heart… ? That was the best machine gun I’ve ever had.
UnderSkilled_and_OverGeared via MeinMMO
In summary: For players to accept sunsetting, there needs to be an appealing amount of new loot that is also worth hunting. Although we do not yet know the entire arsenal of Beyond Light and the Season 12 doesn’t kick off until November 17, the frustration among players is very high and understandable. And not much new weaponry is likely to come.
Destiny director says: “It’s never as simple as copy and paste”
This is how Bungie reacts: The game director for Destiny at Bungie, Luke Smith, addressed the contentious issue of sunsetting during an interview with gamesradar.
According to Smith, they learned a lot from Season 11 and the Umbral Engrams. And yes, old weapons will be brought back into the game. However, it will “never be as simple as copy and paste”. He understands: “I know our players would describe it that way, but I can assure you, it’s not just that.”
He further explains: “We wanted to ensure that we bring the perks and stat values up to date, so it doesn’t feel like you’re going out and getting exactly the same version again.”
Therefore, Bungie will bring back not only completely new guns but also the favorites from the past – but never in the way we once had them in our hands.
The question that remains is: will there also be enough exciting new weapons? Or is a large part of the “new” weapons just slightly modified, reheated versions? What do you think? How will this topic develop in the upcoming seasons?
In Season 12, Guardians can soon expect the return of one of the most popular weapons: Destiny 2 brings back the iconic exotic Hawkmoon – how and when can you get the weapon?
