In an eagerly anticipated reveal, Bungie has disclosed significant updates to Destiny 2’s abilities, set to launch with the forthcoming expansion, The Final Shape, on 4th June 2024. This expansion, heralded as one of the most pivotal in the game’s history, promises to introduce extensive new content and changes, fundamentally reshaping the gameplay experience.
The End of an Era
The Final Shape marks the conclusion of a decade-long narrative arc that began with the original Destiny in 2014. Known as “The Saga of Light and Darkness,” this story has been the backbone of the Destiny universe. In this climactic chapter, players, as Guardians of the Last City, will venture into the Pale Heart of the Traveller. This celestial body, the source of the Guardians’ power, becomes the stage for the ultimate confrontation with the Witness, the architect of the first Collapse and the primary antagonist throughout the series.
The Road to The Final Shape
Leading up to the expansion’s release, Bungie has steadily unveiled snippets of what players can expect, including the introduction of the Prismatic subclass and modifications to various Exotic weapons. The latest blog post delves into comprehensive changes to Guardian abilities, particularly focusing on Stasis subclasses, Well of Radiance, Ward of Dawn Supers, and other assorted abilities.
Stasis Subclass Overhaul
Introduced in the Beyond Light expansion, Stasis has undergone few substantial updates since 2021. The Final Shape aims to rectify this with a thorough rework. A notable addition is “Frost Armour,” a new feature replacing the previous overshield effect of Stasis Shards. Frost Armour offers a stacking damage reduction buff when players collect Stasis Shards. Additionally, various class-specific adjustments and new fragments enhance the utility and integration of Stasis with the Prismatic subclass.
Key Stasis Changes:
- Frost Armour: Reduces incoming damage, stacking up to five times.
- Whisper of Rime: Extends Frost Armour duration and maximum stacks.
- Harvest Aspects (Grim, Tectonic, Glacial): Grants Frost Armour and health from Stasis Shards.
- Whisper of Chill: Creates Stasis Shards on weapon final blows.
- Whisper of Chains: Generates Stasis shards when defeating enemies with Frost Armour.
- Whisper of Fractures: Awards Frost Armour stacks when shattering frozen targets.
- Whisper of Torment: Grants static grenade energy gains, boosted by Frost Armour.
- Whisper of Reversal: Slows attackers or victims during melee attacks.
- Base PVE Shatter Damage: Doubled.
- Warlock Shadebinder: Increased Iceflare Bolt seekers.
- Hunter Revenant: Winter Shroud provides damage reduction in PVE and boosts ability regeneration.
- Titan Behemoth: Enhanced reliability for Shiver Strike and Glacial Quake, reworked Cryoclasm, and Diamond Lance.
Changes to Well of Radiance and Ward of Dawn
Two of Destiny 2’s most iconic Supers, the Solar Warlock’s Well of Radiance and the Void Titan’s Ward of Dawn, will see notable changes. The aim is to balance their defensive and offensive capabilities, particularly in PVP scenarios.
Well of Radiance Adjustments:
- Grants radiant for 8 seconds upon exiting the well.
- Healing rate reduced by 50% (from 100 hp/s to 50 hp/s).
- Increased initial heal on casting.
- Damage resistance against non-boss and boss combatants reduced.
- Increased Orb of Power generation.
Ward of Dawn Adjustments:
- Allies near the Ward gain Void Overshield gradually.
- Armour of Light now grants damage resistance instead of overshield.
- Weapons of Light buff now requires the Helm of Saint-14 exotic.
- Orb of Power generation enabled through melee kills near the dome.
Super Recharge Mechanic Overhaul
In response to the dominance of specific Supers in PVP, Bungie plans to standardise Super energy recharge based on damage dealt. This change will increase the uptime for roaming Supers while reducing it for burst Supers, aiming for a more balanced gameplay experience.
Additional Class and Subclass Changes
Beyond the headline updates, each class and subclass will receive tweaks to address long-standing issues and improve compatibility with the new Prismatic subclass.
Hunter Adjustments:
- Arc Hunter: Improved survivability and utility, added blinding effects to Arc Staff.
- Solar Hunter: Enhanced Lightweight Knife and Knock ‘Em Down abilities, reduced potency of Golden Gun – Marksman Super.
- Void Hunter: Improved Snare Bomb duration, added damage-over-time effects, updated Stylish Executioner.
- Strand Hunter: Nerfed Ensnaring Slam and Threaded Spike in PVP.
Warlock Adjustments:
- Arc Warlock: Increased Stormcaller’s resilience and reliability of Ball Lightning.
- Void Warlock: Enhanced damage for Magnetic Grenade and Nova Bomb Super variants.
- Strand Warlock: Weaver’s Call can generate perched Threadlings.
Titan Adjustments:
- Arc Titan: Improved Thunderclap damage resistance, reworked Knockout Aspect.
- Solar Titan: Increased Consecration Aspect PVE Ignition damage, improved Hammer of Sol Super.
- Void Titan: Enhanced Shield Throw and Offensive Bulwark ability.
- Strand Titan: Reduced Into the Fray melee energy regeneration, improved Frenzied Blade targeting, and adjusted Banner of War timer and damage bonuses.
Looking Ahead
As Bungie prepares to launch The Final Shape, the scope and scale of these changes underscore their commitment to evolving Destiny 2’s gameplay. The extensive ability updates, alongside the introduction of new content, promise to rejuvenate the game and offer fresh experiences for veteran players and newcomers alike.
The Final Shape not only marks the end of an era but also sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in the Destiny universe. As Guardians gear up for this monumental expansion, the anticipation is palpable, with the community eagerly awaiting the next evolution of their beloved game.
