As Destiny 2's The Final Shape expansion brings a 10-year saga to a close, one lead promises Bungie has taken deliberate steps over the past year to erode "barriers" to entry
What specific barriers to entry has Bungie addressed in Destiny 2's The Final Shape expansion?
In Destiny 2's The Final Shape expansion, Bungie has taken deliberate steps to erode certain barriers to entry for new players. Some of the key barriers addressed include:
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The perception of being too far behind: Bungie has implemented features such as New Light, which allows newcomers to skip the introductory campaign if they are comfortable playing shooters or already familiar with Destiny.
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Inability to play with friends: With the introduction of Fireteam Power and Fireteam Finder, new players can now more easily play with their veteran friends and find other random players to participate in Raids with.
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Inaccessibility of endgame content: The Final Shape expansion resets all players' overall Power level, allowing everyone to start on the same foot and have equal access to endgame content.
These changes aim to make Destiny 2 more accessible and appealing to new players while also providing a fresh start for existing players.
How does the ability to skip the New Light campaign affect new players' experience in Destiny 2?
The ability to skip the New Light campaign in Destiny 2 significantly affects new players' experience by allowing them to jump straight into the action without having to go through the lengthy introductory questline. This change addresses one of the main pain points for new players, as the New Light campaign could be time-consuming and potentially discouraging for those eager to join their friends or explore the game's content.
By skipping the New Light campaign, new players can quickly access higher-level content, engage with the game's end-game activities, and enjoy a more streamlined experience overall. Additionally, players who choose to skip the introductory questline are granted a New Light starter kit, which includes a curated set of gear and abilities based on their chosen subclass6. This helps new players to be better equipped when entering the game and makes it easier for them to catch up with more experienced players.
In summary, the ability to skip the New Light campaign in Destiny 2 provides new players with a more accessible and enjoyable experience by removing barriers to entry and allowing them to quickly engage with the game's content alongside their friends or other experienced players.
What changes does The Final Shape expansion introduce regarding player Power levels?
The Final Shape expansion in Destiny 2 introduces several changes regarding player Power levels. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of Fireteam Power, which allows players to enjoy endgame content with friends, even if their Power levels are not high enough5. Fireteam Power boosts the levels of players with lower Power levels to within five points of the highest-level player in the team, ensuring a balanced playing field for all participants5.
Another major change is the removal of Power limits from legacy items, making older gear viable again. This change is aimed at allowing all players, including new and returning ones, to join in the fight against the Witness in The Final Shape's story.
The expansion also brings adjustments to Power bands, with the new levels being:
- Power Floor: 1,900
- Soft Cap: 1,940
- Powerful Cap: 1,990
- Hard Cap/Pinnacle Cap: 2,000
Additionally, The Final Shape introduces account-wide Power level, meaning that gear rewards earned on any character will now drop with a Power level relative to the highest Power character on the account. This change is aimed at saving time for players who run multiple classes and want to maximize rewards.
Finally, there are changes to activity power, with two new categories of activities: Power Enabled and Power Disabled. In Power Enabled activities, players' Power levels directly impact their effectiveness, while in Power Disabled activities, all players will be on the same level, regardless of their Power level5.