In Destiny, the April update is coming. The live events lead designer from Bungie talks about the details of the upcoming update.
In an interview with Gameinformer, live events lead designer Ryan Paradis discusses the details of the upcoming update, which was already presented yesterday in one of three live streams. We summarize the key statements from Paradis, who was responsible for this update, in English.
What is the goal of the April update?
Our goal with the update was to work on several fronts. Many of our fans love exploring the raid ship, our strikes, and the Prison of Elders. We wanted to revive some of these favorites while also providing new challenges and rewards.
Another important aspect of this update was to provide players with more opportunities to become powerful. Even though the raid is a great endgame option, there are players who do not want to raid regularly, so we want to offer rewarding endgame gear upgrade options in the Prison of Elders, in strikes, in the Court of Oryx, and in Crucible activities.
What is the idea behind the main story of the update?
The focus of the April update is on the Reef and what happens there after the devastation. Although the people are defeated, they are far from being extinguished, and Variks will lead you through the update. While Oryx is dead, the Taken are still as powerful as before. The story is intended to be a small continuation of the Taken King storyline and leads up to the new strike and the Prison of Elders.
Will there be new Grimoire cards?
Yes, there will be new cards for new activities, for gear, and for bosses that you will encounter.
What is the concept behind the Blighted Chalice strike?
Variks will track a new Taken threat with you. The Blighted Chalice strike is the culmination of this questline.
How will the items from the King’s Fall raid change?
With the increase in the overall light level, both difficulty modes will be adjusted to provide additional challenges and appropriate rewards. The challenge mode will still be available, but we will not add any new “encounters” otherwise.
How will the Court of Oryx change?
You can still summon enemies using the existing runes. We have improved the drops from this activity to prepare the Guardians for the other challenges in this update.
How will the Prison of Elders change?
The Prison of Elders will see plenty of updates:
- A level 41 version of the Prison of Elders will be added, as players complained during House of Wolves that the 34 version was no longer a challenge.
- Variks has gathered Taken for the Prison. There will be brand new bosses and mechanics.
- A matchmaking system is to be available for the level 41 version.
- For the “Challenge of Elders”, players must team up in a fireteam to face different versions of the Prison. Each week, they must defeat three different bosses, with new skulls and active modifications. For example, there will be a Hive Knight that flings Guardians around the Prison, and a Servitor that teleports around the arena and releases bouncing grenades.
- Every week, the Guardians will face a different series of bosses, with various mechanics to strive for a high score. There are 16 weeks planned without repeats, and each weekly challenge will force players to change their builds and adapt to the challenges.
- All possible actions will earn you points, such as using super, precision kills, or assists. If you equip and play appropriately, your team will earn rewards. Additionally, you will appear on your friends’ and clan’s leaderboards.
- Furthermore, Variks will offer you bounties for the Prison of Elders.
What changes will the vendors in the Reef undergo?
Variks will guide you through all of this. His inventory has undergone a complete overhaul. He now has the “House of Judgement Reputation” and all his gear has received an update. More about this will be revealed in next week’s livestream.
Will there be sandbox and balance changes in the April update?
The sandbox team has been closely monitoring the players and assessing the data. More on this in the show in two weeks.
Will there be new cosmetic items?
The live team has been working hard on “vanity items” for the Guardians, including ships, sparrows, and gear that we cannot talk about yet.
What is the deal with the “Taken Guardians”?
There are some items that are “Taken-inspired” that the Guardians will encounter as part of this update. I am really not authorized to reveal more about it, but more details can be discussed next week.
You can read about the content of the first livestream for the April update here.
