In Destiny 2 PvP is not doing well. PvE players chronically hate it, and even Crucible enthusiasts are really angry. Bungie is now trying to save it, but is it worth it?
The special situation: The ways players of Destiny 2 spend their Guardian daily life can be very diverse. Casually traverse the different locations and complete a few quests for new exotics. Fight solo or in a team through missions and level up. Or would you rather be in raids or test your loadout for endgame suitability in the Trials.
Guardians can also compete against other Guardians. PvP is played in the Crucible or sometimes in Gambit (PvEvP). The PvP often plays a significantly more prominent role in Bungie’s loot shooter than in comparable games. The Division has the Dark Zone and PvP arenas, okay – but with Anthem, Borderlands, and recently also Outriders, PvP is not an issue. The focus is clearly on the cooperative “let’s mow everything down” experience.
However, this tightly interwoven PvP continually troubles Destiny players. And currently, the fights between Guardian and Guardian are really not going well. MeinMMO wants to hear your opinion on the Crucible and how Bungie should deal with it. Before we get to the survey, we’ll briefly address the topic.
The fun mode that has only brought frustration since Destiny 1?
This is the PvE criticism: When a new exotic quest requires a trip into the Crucible, countless Guardians feel stepped on. Specifically, those who primarily play Destiny as a PvE shooter. They hate competing against others and find it unreasonable that Bungie constantly forces them into PvP.
Anyone who wants to save the Destiny universe from aliens, gods, and time-traveling robots is understandably annoyed that for the new super weapon they suddenly have to play a mode they have no interest in. We also read your frustration in the comments on MeinMMO (and that since 2014).
Only because of the alleged fun mode has the entire PvE been patched into the ground, killing the soul of the game.
Tomas Stefani via MeinMMO
The second major critique, which we also regularly see in the comments, is that PvP destroys PvE (also since 2014). In order to maintain the balance in the Crucible – which many say doesn’t exist – Bungie regularly pulls out the nerf hammer and excessively weakens overpowered weapons.
Often this resulted in the aforementioned weapon also being weaker in PvE. Instead of a god-slayer, Guardians then held a toy gun in their hands. Here again, the criticism is understandable. A mode that you only visit for quests should be responsible for making your hard-grinded favorite weapon weaker?
Crucible enthusiasts feel like second-class Guardians
This is why PvP Guardians are angry: One might think that only the PvE Guardians are complaining about PvP. But especially the Crucible enthusiasts have recently been the loudest in their protests. In Destiny 2, players are now rebelling against PvP – why?
- There have been no new maps for PvP for over a year. With the Content Vault, some have even been removed. While PvE Guardians have recently received treats like a Creepy Ship and a new strike, there is no change in the Crucible in sight.
- Especially on PC, cheaters are rampant and the PvP endgame (Trials) had to be canceled twice due to unfair practices in the current Season 13.
- The Trials also have other problems that make the mode less attractive for “normal mortal” players. Unless the new super weapon is basically given away.
- In the Iron Banner event, stagnation reigns; instead of fresh loot, there are only re-skins of old guns.
- A constant issue is also balance. Many of the Guardians who enjoy PvP complain about the new Stasis abilities. For months it was either you play Stasis yourself or you lose.
- There is also grumbling about the same old meta. Especially hated are the shotgun slides and jumping with shotguns, which seem to be intertwined with Felwinter’s Lie.
In short: PvP players feel neglected by Bungie. And like the PvE Guardians, they have every right to be angry. Especially now, when the current season has spent a large part of its content load on PvE, the Crucible should actually provide incentives to play Destiny 2 during the dry spell. Or should it …
Bungie commits to saving the Crucible
After a long silence, the Destiny developer has spoken up. In the big plans for 2021, the new head, Joe Blackburn, also addressed the Crucible. Notably, Bungie is now really trying to differentiate between PvP and PvE balance. We can also track the long-awaited wish quite well in the latest patch notes.
What is going to happen or has already happened to save PvP:
- Quests for new weapons allow freedom of choice whether to play in PvE or PvP (or Gambit)
- They want to address Trials issues (like Three-Peeking) and have already brought some really hot loot.
- Providing a Security Team twice as large to make it more difficult for cheaters. Additionally, they are already taking legal action against cheat sellers.
- They have already reacted to Stasis. A whole series of patches and adjustments for the nasty ice abilities have now been made.
- In the future, the dusty Light classes will be revamped to keep up with Stasis (also in PvE).
- In the last Iron Banner, players were used as test subjects for a new algorithm.
Should experts take care of it? Additionally, it seems that Bungie is now seeking help from PvP professionals from the community. Recently, a secret meeting took place with streamers and content creators in attendance, discussing a “rosy PvP future”. We also read statements like “Bungie is really listening and actually making changes” on Twitter.
What is really behind this remains to be seen. Some of you expressed concerns on MeinMMO that not everyone feels represented well by a professional or streamer. Some even blame the streaming prominence for much of the current state of PvP.
Now we need your opinion
If you were in charge at Bungie, how would you deal with the ongoing contentious issue of PvP? MeinMMO wants to know this from you in a survey.
Here’s how to participate: Each reader has only one vote available. So choose wisely from the 6 options. Be sure to explain to us and the other Guardians why you voted the way you did. You can also post your own ideas for saving the Crucible in the comments.
Have fun with the survey and thank you for participating!
