In Destiny 2, New Light players who are playing for the first time are currently facing a tough start. The free anniversary activity “Dares of Eternity” was supposed to be a fun game show activity with a horse. However, new players are currently experiencing hell at a competitive level with nasty champions.
In fact, the “Dares of Eternity” promise new players free content, funny Xur comments, and an impossible horse. However, what sounds fun is currently a really frustrating first experience for new players in Destiny 2.
What kind of task is this? Right after the game starts, Bungie automatically brings its “New Lights” into the anniversary activity “Dares of Eternity” after the introduction mission. There, with a light level of 1100, not only are they underpowered. They also face off against the strongest opponents in Destiny 2 without legendary gear and are almost hopeless.
- The event activity has a minimum power level of 1150. New players start at 1100, so they are essentially playing at a competitive level.
- The activity includes champions of all kinds that can only be properly defeated with appropriate mods.
- Players had to fight for up to an hour at times, which is very frustrating.
It is understandable that this is not a good start for new players if they have such a bad experience right away. With a power level around 1100, you are almost a “one-shot” to nearly all NPCs.
The activity has now been running for almost a month, and Bungie has not made any changes to the entry point for new players since then. Was it perhaps overlooked that New Light players at power level 1100 do not have champion mods yet?
Players report negative entry experiences
More and more New Light players are now reporting their negative entry experiences, and even experienced Destiny 2 players, such as Hajoamine, show on reddit how devastating the “Dares of Eternity” can be when you are just starting out:
Frustrated, [a friend] told me that it actually took almost an hour to finish the activity. He told me that nobody inside knew what to do, they failed at all other encounters, and spent over 30 minutes defeating the final boss. Sounds super fun, right? […] At first, I didn’t believe him. But when I joined him for another run, everyone except me was level 1 [season rank].
Additionally, this also affects the gameplay experience of more experienced Destiny 2 players. So reports iamthedayman21 on reddit:
I played last night and got paired with a couple of level ones on my team. I was the only one getting buffs and destroying crystals. I was also the only one disarming mines in the next section. It was hellishly frustrating!
That’s why the activity isn’t simply canceled: Experienced players might now argue that you don’t have to play this activity, but rather can.
However, New Light players are often not aware of this fact at the beginning of the game. Many assume they must play through this automatically started activity. So they battle through the entire activity 50 levels underpowered and without champion mods. “It feels to them like a ‘Xur kidnapping you’ vibe.”
What is Bungie saying about this negative player experience? Bungie’s community manager cozmo23 responded on reddit on January 3. He initially informed players that they would be looking into the problem to improve the experience.
We have forwarded this issue to the team for investigation. Hopefully, we can make the first interaction with the fantastic horse more positive for new lights.
writes Bungie’s community manager cozmo23 on reddit
Update January 6, 2022
Bungie is calling for help and rewards you for it: After many players have pointed out the situation, Bungie has reacted again and is calling on you to help the New Light players. A fix for the problem is in the “pipeline”, but not within this week.
That’s why the developer is asking for your support. Some players have called this “Operation: Save the New Lights” and your efforts will be rewarded with an emblem, as dmg04 announced on Twitter.
Update January 7, 2022
In the meantime, Bungie has introduced the “Circumflex Diagnosis” emblem. It is the thanks if you have supported or still want to support New Light players in the activity.
How do you receive the thank you emblem? Just grab a few white or blue low-level items from the collection and complete the activity by January 18, 2022 to receive the special “Circumflex Diagnosis” emblem. Distribution will occur at a later time.
The event will remain in the game longer, as Bungie’s game director Joe Blackburn recently announced on Twitter: You can also play it at a later date.
Players do not want to be forced into activities: Players are now hoping that Bungie will redesign the entry into the event soon. Especially so that the start is less frustrating for new players. In general, no one should be forced into an activity where they have no chance of winning, as players repeatedly emphasize on reddit. The entry should be regulated by power level, and the game should automatically recognize when someone does not yet meet the necessary light level.
Did you know that the “Dares of Eternity” are so extremely frustrating for New Light players? What have your experiences been? Have you encountered many season rank 1 players in the Dares? Will you be paying attention to this in the future and help newcomers?
