Bungie’s Plans for a Balance Between Gunplay and Abilities in PvP Have Backfired
Destiny 2 has been perpetually struggling to find the perfect balance between PvP and PvE, but just as perfection is impossible to achieve, so is Bungie’s dream of achieving the aforementioned balance.
The premise of Destiny 2 is set in such a way that Guardians’ abilities are central to the game. Each subclass has something unique to offer, and the way Destiny 2’s build-crafting system works now, it allows players to customise their loadouts as per their playstyle. However, this has historically, and even in the current state of the game, left gunplay behind where players are still relying more on the abilities, which is the opposite of what Bungie intended.
In a TWAB post from December 2021, the developers had mentioned how they planned to find that balance between weapons and abilities in PvP, especially in Crucible, considering that is what players usually want in PvP activities. However, with the introduction of Void 3.0 in the Witch Queen, it seems Bungie has “shot itself in the foot”.
There was a lot of ability and weapon reworking in that came with the DLC, which also included a revamped mods system. For example, the only way weapons can generate Orbs of Power now is by using specific armor mods. However, this was just the tip of the iceberg as all the subclasses got some amazing Void 3.0 class abilities.
As of this moment, the Crucible is full of Titans running a barricade that give them a void overshield, who will also shield-bash the bejesus out of you if you get too close. On the other hand, there are Warlocks who are running the Child old the Old Gods build or a Void Axion Bolt build where the void projectile will track you to the depths of hell. And, if there isn’t any void being used, there are Hunters running Duskfield grenades to get their resist on! Oh, and there is some amount of gunplay in between these exchanges as well.
Just take a look at the following clip posted on Twitter and you’ll see what the current state of
Ladies and gentlemen, Destiny 2 PvP. pic.twitter.com/7Zg7IoJ5rx
— Sho 🇺🇦 ☀️ (@TheBossManSho) April 2, 2022
There is a lot of work to be done here if Bungie actually wants to have more balanced gunplay in Crucible. However, with the announced arrival of the Arc and Solar 3.0, it seems highly unlikely that it will happen considering it will just add more fuel to the ability buildcrafting fire.
But here’s the thing, there isn’t any frustration amongst the fans about this. It is Bungie who needs to make up its mind and fix a path for PvP. So far, they are constantly trying to do multiple things at a time which has misfired big time. PvP in Destiny 2 is here to stay and Bungie really just needs to focus on one thing at a time if it is to achieve the desired result.
