On August 23, Bungie introduced gamers to the next stage of Destiny 2, showcasing the next expansion to the science-fiction FPS MMO, Lightfall. The expansion, set to release on Feb. 28, 2023, will see the game's Guardians take on new threats and uncover new mysteries. As such, it's shaping up to be a perfect time for new players to begin the game.
Lightfall will be kicking off Destiny 2's Year 6 and looks to be introducing a plethora of new systems and mechanics. The expansion will be adding a new Darkness subclass called Strand for Guardians, following the addition of Beyond Light's Stasis in 2020. Players will also be introduced to new races and enemies. While new expansions are always a good time for gamers to return to the proceedings, Lightfall seems to be bringing with it a host of updates and features that will make the game far more friendly to new players.
The complexity of Destiny 2's systems can be daunting for new players, and it appears that Bungie has recognized the need to make these systems easier to understand. The Guardian Rank system is described as a "knowledge ladder," with players earning ranks by gaining familiarity with Destiny 2's mechanics. Not only will this ranking better prepare new players for the specific steps they need to take in order to understand all the functions of the game, but Bungie also says veteran players will earn rewards for helping out new players.
The game will also be gaining an LFG (looking for group) system in 2023, allowing Guardians to team up to play any in-game content without requiring a 3rd party system to find players looking to play through the same content. The classic MMO feature has been missing from Destiny, and its inclusion will make it far easier for new players to find teams. Guardians will also be able to give commendations to players at the end of activities to recognize their contributions.
Lastly, the in-game loadout and mod systems will be seeing an upgrade, with a change to the UI that will make it simpler for players to be able to manage what mods and armor they have equipped. Destiny 2's armor is one of its most important and complex systems to master, so providing a cleaner approach will allow new players to be able to better grasp the intricacies of their equipment.
With all the benefits Bungie is adding to provide new players with a smoother introduction to the world of Destiny, joining the game with Lightfall will provide them every chance to discover things along with the veterans. The Strand Darkness subclass will no doubt shake up the game's meta, even with Arc 3.0 still fresh, so tried and true builds will still be getting worked out as fresh Guardians get used to the game.
Even though the game's story is coming close to the end, with the Light vs Darkness battle concluding with The Final Shape expansion expected after Lightfall, the game will continue on thanks to its live service model. Joining the game with this major expansion will give new players enough time to grow comfortable before joining in on the climax of Destiny 2's long-running story, and the improvements Bungie is planning will allow them to learn fast.