The seasonal model and the power level grind of Destiny 2 simply do not harmonize, says MeinMMO shooter expert Sven Galitzki. At least for the seasons, a different solution would be appropriate in his eyes.
This is how I see the power level system currently: Season after season, expansion after expansion, the level cap goes up and Bungie keeps making Guardians grind for new power levels.
However, while the power or light level was once an expression of the Guardians’ power, the system has now become a cumbersome, almost pointless accessory and an artificial barrier, simply to stretch out or delay access to certain content – especially with the seasonal model. This became especially clear to me in Season 11.
What are the problems with the power level? The biggest problem in my view is that the power level currently serves almost no real purpose except to set an artificial barrier to certain activities.
No matter how high you level, once you overcome a certain level barrier for specific activities, it essentially makes no difference how much further you push your power level – even though you can level it infinitely with the artifact.
There is also no sense of power or dominance. Even if I am several power levels above an activity, everything is scaled. The experience in strikes, Gambit, or old raids remains the same – regardless of whether I approach them with a power level of 750, 900, or 1080.
Unfortunately, really stomping through and feeling powerful and over-leveled is not possible, even though I would expect exactly that as a reward for my regular effort with a higher power level.
Moreover, I see the current power level model, especially in the seasons (which Destiny 2 will hold onto for the foreseeable future), as annoying and problematic.
Why the power grind fits well with DLCs – but not with seasons: In larger DLCs, the grind for power takes a back seat and somehow fits the setting.
We might run new strikes, new missions, enjoy ourselves on new multiplayer maps, or indulge in other new activities. Throughout this, we level up passively, become stronger, and prepare for new high-level activities like a raid. All of this while we enjoy new content. There is not really much to criticize about it. But this is where I see the big difference.
In the seasons, we are essentially doing the same. However, in old content. The seasonal power level grind constantly runs us through activities that we have also played in the seasons since the last expansion. And for what? So we can finally enjoy the few new and truly exciting contents like the new dungeon “Prophecy”, as in the current Season 11.
To effectively tackle this really well-done activity, you should be around power level 1040. And that is not something you can quickly achieve – especially if you cannot play for 8 hours every day. As a result, some players will see this excellently crafted dungeon only late due to this artificial hurdle – even though it will first disappear with the new expansion Beyond Light in the fall for now.
For beginners, this may not be such a noticeable problem. However, once you have a few seasons under your belt, as a veteran, you could definitely feel frustrated.
In short: While the power grind at the start of larger expansions or DLCs still fits reasonably well into the game and the context, during the seasons it is simply bland, very repetitive, and almost lazy from a gameplay perspective. The path to the “endgame” is thereby significantly more annoying and monotonous in the seasons. Additionally, you are artificially excluded from exactly the content you want to play.
Not everything is bad about the seasonal system. However, the power level system in its current state simply does not fit with it and feels more demotivating than promoting.
What improvements could be made to the power level system? The most important thing in my opinion would be to give the power level and the associated grind real meaning. That may sound trivial at first, but it’s exactly what the system lacks at its core.
If I could stomp through “older” content with a higher power level like an immortal god and truly feel powerful while doing so – even that alone should be very motivating for many Guardians.
Moreover, I do not necessarily have to collect top loot. But if I could access missing and interesting armor pieces from an old raid, dungeon, or the Menagerie, the power grind would already be much more attractive. This way, many things could be easier to catch up on, which you previously missed out on and for which it is no longer easy to find enough players.
Even when I eventually reach max power level and have driven my seasonal levels far beyond all new activity requirements with the help of the artifact, it would be cool if I could also power through the latest contents as an OP Guardian with 1-2 friends. Because that’s what you are leveling for, right?
Many would appreciate content for which a power grind is actually worthwhile. Through noticeable level differences and the possibility of being able to become OP (in older content faster, in current content only with a lot of effort), I believe this could be achieved quite easily without making the latest high level content obsolete.
Conclusion: Destiny 2 should really start considering improving the power level system – at least in the seasons. Because these will remain a fixed part of Destiny 2 for the foreseeable future, and it is especially there that the weaknesses of the system are most noticeable.
And after numerous conversations with many veterans who are still actively playing or have already dropped out, it has become very clear to me: this is what annoys many players a lot and is often responsible for players quitting Destiny 2 or taking breaks.
Moreover, some note that it is not exactly helpful for re-entry when one returns after a break and immediately encounters the monotonous and essentially pointless artificial power grind without a real goal. This can quickly dampen a Guardian’s desire to play.
What do you think about the whole matter? What improvements would you make to the current power level system or wish for? Or do you find the current status quo acceptable and can live well with it? Players are currently also wondering: Has Destiny 2 secretly become harder in Season 11?
