In Destiny, “The Rise of Iron” brings back the exotic rocket launcher Gjallarhorn. Bungie provides reasons why there will be a Year 3 version.
The Gjallarhorn was undoubtedly the most coveted and powerful weapon in the game during the first year of Destiny. It quickly gained a high status among Guardians and has always been regarded as the most iconic weapon of the MMO shooter.
Accordingly, many Guardians looked on in disbelief when the news broke: “The Gjallarhorn is coming back this Fall!” That disbelief quickly turned into boundless anticipation – thanks to her, the Destiny hype train is back in full motion.
“I think people would go crazy”
Developers probably anticipated this fan reaction. Scott Taylor, executive producer of “Rise of Iron,” told The Verge how the return of the Gjallarhorn was initiated.
Apparently, it all started with a text message in the middle of the night. Taylor received a question from Chris Barrett, the Game Director, asking what might happen if they brought the Gjallarhorn back. Taylor replied, “I think people would go crazy.” Barrett followed up: “Crazy in a good or a bad way?” And Taylor said: “Good Crazy!”
Moreover, the Gjallarhorn fits into the story of “Rise of Iron”: The wolf has always been a motif of the Iron Banner, and a rocket launcher with a wolf’s head motif integrates perfectly. After all, the Gjallarhorn is also the weapon with the most wolves in the game. According to Taylor, the setting is suitable for incorporating a bit of nostalgia through the Gjallarhorn.
According to DeeJ, you will receive the rocket launcher in “The Rise of Iron” by “forging” it yourself in a quest – from the armor of fallen heroes. This should make the “G-Horn” feel like something “own”, something “special”. Something that you made yourself. The Gjallarhorn will be a product of your future adventures. Thus, it will always remind you of those experiences.
Additionally, Taylor reveals: When you will own the Gjallarhorn with “Rise of Iron”, it will function exactly as you wish. This suggests that it will still be tracking and feature “pack shots”. However, he warns against expectations that it could be as overpowered as it once was. Bungie is always working on sandbox balance.
