Destiny 2 Power and Progression Updates Leave Players Stunned

At the start of the Ash and Iron Update, Destiny 2 players noticed the power leveling was not what they expected. With Ash and Iron, max power was raised from 450 to 550. Everyone thought they would get +3 power increases from activities until 500. However, you only received +1 from completing Portal activities at 400 and above. Prime Engrams are giving +2 instead of the previous +3. These changes infuriated players, and Bungie has now responded.

Destiny 2 Power and Progression

The recent TWID announced the power and progression updates that are now available in Destiny 2. The changes are below the expectations of players at the start of Ash and Iron, and everyone is confused. The changes are as follows:

• Platinum (450-500 power)
  • A+ grades now grant +2 power
  • A grades now grant +2 power
  • B+ grades now grant +1 power
  • B grades now grant +1 power
  • C+ grades now grant gear at your power level
• Gold (400-450 power)
  • B grades now grant +1 power
  • C+ grades now grant gear at your power level
• Silver (300- 400 power)
  • C+ will now grant +1 power

The scoring system is also problematic in the update. With Bungie removing the Featured Gear score bonus and reducing the amount locked loadout contributes, players had to go to a -70 power delta to receive A rewards. Bungie has addressed that problem in the update:

• Reducing the number of modifiers needed to reach score forecasts
• Granting everyone the Featured Gear score bonus by default

Destiny 2 Upcoming Update Increases Activity Rewards

The Patch 9.1.0.1 release on September 16th has changes to increase player rewards. The first are aimed at Prime Engrams:

• All power bands: Players will have a chance for a Prime Engram drop per Portal Activity completion reward.
• From 450 to 500: Power increased up to +3 power (was +2).

Many Fireteam Ops activities in Destiny 2 are not worth running, given their rewards. Bungie is increasing the reward count for many of these activities.

• Battleground: Conduit
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• Battleground: Delve
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• Battleground: Oracle
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• Liminality
  • 2–>3 Rewards
• Proving Grounds
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• Savathun’s Spire
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• The Devils’ Lair
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• The Glassway
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• Fallen SABER
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• Insight Terminus
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• The Inverted Spire
  • 2–>3 Rewards
• Hypernet Current
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• Onslaught: Midtown
  • 3–>4 Rewards
• Onslaught: Widow’s Court
  • 4–>5 Rewards
• The Coil
  • 3–>4 Rewards
• All Expeditions
  • 1–>2 Rewards
• Contest of Elders
  • 3–>4 Rewards

The other changes coming in the upcoming patch are an increase to bonus times for Avalon and Presage exotic missions.

• Avalon – 35 Minutes
• Presage – 20 Minutes

Final Thoughts

Bungie is treading a tightrope, and discontent is increasing. The Destiny 2 community believed the power grind to 500 would not be arduous. Unfortunately, even with these updates, it is not where it should be. We can not keep having situations where Bungie is “listening” but then releases an update that the community voiced they did not want.