Destiny 2 brought the hearts of PvP Guardians back to life with the new TWaB. The Crucible is being entirely revamped, and with it come cool rewards intended to entice players to Shaxx, Lord Saladin, and the 14th Saint. We will show you what to expect.
What has been announced? Destiny 2 has finally detailed significant information about upcoming changes in PvP in its weekly “This Week at Bungie” blog, short TWaB. These are major areas that Bungie wants to address in the coming weeks so that Lord Shaxx and his NPC colleagues can finally earn the reputation they deserve.
This includes:
- The implementation of a ranked system
- A new seal for the Crucible
- Crucible playlists will be revised and optimized
- New matchmaking, briefly “FBMM,” will be introduced
- Further techniques for matchmaking are in planning
- Three maps will be added
- Two known from Destiny 2 and one completely new
- The Iron Banner will receive a new mode and one of the most popular armors from Destiny 1
We will now take a closer look at the most important points and show you what to expect soon in PvP.
A brand new ranked system will be introduced
How does the new system work? The new ranked system, also known as “Competitive Division,” is meant to replace the old glory system. You will receive a clear ranking system where you can rise through 3vs.3 matches.
With this new system, you should find better and more balanced matches that fit your skill level. Based on your skills, you will then be placed in your corresponding division. There are seven divisions, which are as follows:
- Copper
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
- Adept
- Ascendant
The first stage is called “Unproven” and is assigned to every player who hasn’t yet stepped into the competitive mode. You will receive 7 rounds at the beginning during which you will not be tested. After that, you will be evaluated and placed in your corresponding division during your matches.
Note that in the first competitive season, you can only rank up to Gold Rank 3. However, to motivate you in the ranking, you will have the chance to earn the legendary version of the Thorn “The Rose”.
Every week, when you complete the challenge in competitive mode, you will receive one version of The Rose per character at the start of the next week. So, you want a god roll? Then you have to farm hard.
More cosmetic items will be added at the start of Lightfall. Thus, The Rose is just the first reward that PvP enthusiasts can chase.
When will the ranking system take effect? The new division system of the Crucible will start with Season 19.
The Crucible is getting adjustments
Bungie has also taken a look at the regular and casual modes in PvP and shuffled some things around.
Based on actual player data and feedback from the Guardians, Bungie has combined certain modes into the rotation and clarified which matchmaking system will be turned on during their active time:
- Quickplay – 6v6
- This is now a playlist with Control and Conflict
- Uses relaxed, skill-based matchmaking (SBMM), optimized in Season 18.
- Weekly Rotator 6v6
- Switches weekly between Momentum Control, Clash, Showdown, Rift, and Rumble. Uses pure connection-based matchmaking (CBMM).
- Competitive / Freelance 3v3
- This is now a playlist that randomly selects Survival, Rift, and Showdown. These modes present a variety of playstyles to showcase how good you really are.
- Uses a new SBMM setting created with concepts Bungie developed for a relaxed SBMM setting, but which has been tightened to align more closely with opponents of your skill.
- Crucible Labs
- During Season 19, Labs will showcase 3v3 Rift with asymmetrical maps.
- Labs have a stackable +25% rank booster
- Uses CBMM.
- Private Match
- This will continue to be your place to practice in a specific mode, play against your friends, host small tournaments, or tinker with activity settings to create silly modes.
Those were all mode changes, but Bungie has more in store. A new matchmaking system is intended to ease your nerves, as teams have caused a lot of frustration in the past. Welcome FBMM.
What is FBMM? You surely know the situation when you want to play a match solo in the Crucible, but you have to face a full 6-Guardian team that is even coordinated. That should be a thing of the past with FBMM.
FBMM, also called Fireteam-Based Matchmaking, will be implemented in Season 19 in the casual modes. You will thus have less dealing with teams. Depending on the duration and connection, the FBMM system will ensure that teams are matched more with larger groups.
However, if the connection time is longer, the system adjusts the search and ensures that duos, trios, or 4-player teams come into question. Matches where 6 solo Guardians face a team should rarely occur. But not only matchmaking is increasing, but also the map pool.
Which maps will appear in PvP? This is not yet known. Bungie remains silent, but it is known that over the course of Lightfall three maps will be added to the pool. Two of these are well-known from Destiny 2, as well as one completely new map that no one knows yet.
The Iron Banner finally receives a chivalrous armor
What armor can Guardians expect? The Iron Banner has a medieval flair, but appropriate armors for the mode were always lacking. In Season 19, however, Guardians are finally set to roam the galaxy like iron knights, as the famed Iron Banner armor from Destiny 1 is set to return. Have you always wanted to wear a wolf as a hood? Then head into the Iron Banner.
A new mode is coming – The Fortress: In the Iron Banner in Season 19, a new mode will also be implemented. This is called “Fortress” and sends you to the battlefield to capture zones. Thus, there are familiar mechanics of Control present, but Caiatl, whom Lord Saladin now serves, interjects and adds a special Cabal flavor to the battle.
You will learn more details when the mode is active in Season 19, so stay tuned.
What do you think of the changes Bungie is planning? Do you find it cool that adjustments regarding the Crucible are finally taking place? Let us know in the comments!
