For years, the pursuit of higher Power Levels in Destiny 2 has been a journey fraught with both exhilaration and, at times, exasperation. As the guardian`s strength is inextricably linked to their gear, the “grind” has become a central, often contentious, element of the Destiny experience. With the imminent arrival of the Renegades expansion, Bungie appears poised to introduce a sweeping overhaul to this foundational system, promising a future where progression feels less like a treadmill and more like a diverse, rewarding adventure.
This isn`t merely a patch; it`s a philosophical recalibration. Following extensive player feedback spurred by the Edge of Fate expansion and its new Portal activity, Bungie has outlined a series of adjustments aimed at making the Power grind less intense, more inclusive, and ultimately, more enjoyable. The era of singular, dominant paths to peak power seems to be drawing to a close, replaced by a more varied landscape of challenges and rewards.
The Power Predicament: A Brief History of the Grind
To truly appreciate the impending changes, one must understand the context. Destiny 2`s Power Level dictates a guardian`s effectiveness in higher-tier content. Historically, reaching the pinnacle required dedicated engagement with specific activities, often rotating weekly. The introduction of the Portal activity with Edge of Fate aimed to streamline this, creating a centralized hub with a scoring system that determined loot quality based on chosen difficulty. While efficient, this system inadvertently overshadowed other valuable content, rendering destinations like Kepler and even beloved legacy raids and dungeons less appealing for Power progression.
The consequence was a narrowing of the endgame experience. Players, in their relentless pursuit of those precious Power Level increments, found themselves funneled into a relatively limited set of activities, often sidelining content they genuinely enjoyed. This led to a pervasive sense of repetition and, dare we say, a touch of digital ennui.
Diversifying the Ascent: More Paths to Power
One of the most significant changes heralded by Renegades is the revitalization of multiple Power-earning avenues. No longer will the Portal stand as the undisputed monarch of progression. The expansion`s new content, along with the venerable raids and dungeons of Destiny 2`s past, will now offer more substantial Power level rewards. This strategic rebalancing encourages players to engage with the full breadth of the game`s offerings, rather than feeling obligated to repeat the same few tasks.
The goal is clear: make every guardian`s time feel valuable, regardless of their chosen adventure.
The Portal`s Evolution: Feature-Free Flexibility
The Portal itself isn`t being abandoned; rather, it`s undergoing a significant refinement. Bungie is removing the “featured gear” element for many of its activities. This seemingly minor tweak has profound implications. Previously, the Portal`s scoring system heavily incentivized the use of new weapons and armor from Edge of Fate, effectively sidelining established builds and beloved Exotic gear. Guardians were often forced to adapt to a new meta, not out of choice, but out of necessity for optimal Power gains.
With Renegades, where featured gear elements persist, the definition will expand to include *all* Exotic weapons and armor. This allows players to bring their favorite, finely-tuned builds to the forefront without being penalized for their preference. It’s a subtle nod to player agency, a tacit admission that perhaps, just perhaps, guardians enjoy using the gear they`ve painstakingly acquired.
Gear Tiers Reimagined: Empowering Personal Arsenals
Another layer of complexity introduced with Edge of Fate was the concept of gear “tiers,” ranging from 1 to 5, with higher tiers boasting better perks and stats. While conceptually sound, this often led to frustrating scenarios where a perfectly rolled weapon at a low tier felt inherently less valuable than a mediocre roll at a higher tier. The digital scrap heap beckoned for many a cherished, but undertiered, firearm.
Renegades addresses this directly:
- Raid and Dungeon Rework: All gear dropping from raids and dungeons will now be at least Tier 3, immediately elevating the value of these endgame activities. Higher tiers (4 and 5) will be reserved for tougher versions, like the “epic” iteration of the Edge of Fate raid, Desert Perpetual. This ensures high-effort content yields commensurate rewards.
- Legendary Weapon Tier Upgrades: Perhaps the most exciting development is the ability to increase the tier of Legendary weapons using a new currency and mechanic. This means that a guardian who finds a weapon with a perfect perk combination, even if it`s a low tier, will no longer be forced to discard it. Instead, they can embark on a quest to elevate its tier, transforming a good roll into an endgame masterpiece. While likely an arduous process (lest everyone instantly become Tier 5 weapon hoarders), it promises unprecedented customization and longevity for player arsenals.
A Place for Everything: Vault Space Expansion
Speaking of hoarding, Bungie, with a foresight born of experience, has confirmed an increase in player Vault space. This practical adjustment directly supports the new tier upgrade system, acknowledging that if players are encouraged to keep more “keepers” for future upgrades, they`ll need somewhere to store them. The specifics of the expansion remain under wraps, but any additional space is a welcome relief for veteran collectors grappling with ever-expanding gear inventories.
Balance in the Cosmos: Nerfs, Buffs, and Philosophy
Beyond loot, Bungie is also making significant adjustments to weapon and ability balance. Following some recent, perhaps hasty, adjustments (such as to Exotics like Queensbreaker), the developers are hitting the brakes on “noncritical” nerfs. This pause allows for a reassessment of their balancing philosophy, ensuring that future changes are more deliberate and less disruptive to the meta. Critical adjustments, such as those necessary for the competitive “world`s first” races, will still occur, but the era of frequent, sweeping weapon changes appears to be temporarily suspended.
On the flip side, a wave of buffs is on the horizon, targeting the original Super abilities and their associated subclasses that launched with Destiny 2. These enhancements will roll out in phases, with some arriving in October and others alongside Renegades. A detailed roadmap is promised, offering players a clear vision of their favorite abilities` impending power spikes.
Beyond the Grind: More on Renegades
While the Power grind overhaul is a major focus, Renegades naturally brings a wealth of other content. Bungie has teased further details about the expansion itself and provided a glimpse into the upcoming Festival of the Lost Halloween event, including this year`s delightfully spooky armor sets. It seems guardians will have plenty to do, and look good doing it, once Renegades descends.
Conclusion: A Responsive Future for Guardians
The changes slated for Renegades paint a picture of a more responsive and player-centric development approach. By addressing long-standing frustrations with the Power Level grind, diversifying progression paths, and empowering players to invest in their preferred gear, Bungie is aiming to rejuvenate the Destiny 2 experience. The shift away from a restrictive “featured gear” meta and the introduction of Legendary tier upgrades are particularly welcome, promising a future where guardian agency and build diversity are truly valued. It’s an evolution that acknowledges the dedication of its player base, offering a meticulously crafted response to their calls for a more rewarding and less monotonous journey to the summit of power.
Ellis Thorne 
Gareth Fenton