Posted Wed Dec 3, 2014 at 01:10 PM PST by Brian Hoss
And it's about time.
Earlier this week, Bungie finally reworked the current state of 'Destiny's Exotic weapons. (check out how here) Now, it seems, the real changes are about to begin. Current Exotic weapons and armor are going to be a class below the new Exotics due in the Expansion pack, but there is a method to upgrading them.
In essence, players will need to take their current Exotic gear to Xur along with an exotic shard. On a weekly rotating basis (like all of Xur's stuff) the Exotic gear upgrades will available to purchase for an Exotic Shard plus 7000 glimmer. Unfortunately, once purchased, the Exotic gear's leveling progress will be reset.
Meanwhile all Legendary gear on sale now will be replaced by higher level gear. Unfortunately, to purchase this gear, players will need a new currency, Commendations. There will be both Crucible and Vanguard Commendations, and these are earned whenever a player reaches a new level of reputation with the respective vendors.
Finally, it seems that even Raid Gear is going to require new methodology. While Bungie says that more Raid gear will drop in Crota' End (which requires level 30 to attempt), that Gear will require new Radiant shards to upgrade. Radiant Shards can be obtained from breaking down unwanted Raid gear. Bungie has also noted that Raid set primary weapons will "only drop in the harder version of Crota's End," which is coming in January.
New Legendary Gear
Existing Legendary gear on display in the Tower will be replaced
New Legendary gear will feature higher Attack and Defense values
Legendary items will still require Ascendant Materials for upgrades
This new, more powerful gear will be available to all players of Destiny
Legendary gear will not be as powerful as new Raid gear or Exotics
New Rank Commendations
In addition to Crucible or Vanguard Marks, purchasing new Legendary items will require a Crucible or Vanguard Commendation
Commendations are received in Reputation Reward Packages delivered by the Postmaster upon reaching a new Reputation Level
Exotic Talent Changes
As part of the December 1st Destiny Update, Exotic Armor and Weapons no longer require Ascendant Materials for upgrades
The final power node of all Exotic Gear will require an Exotic Shard
This new material is obtained by one of the following means:
Dismantling unwanted Exotics
Purchased from Xûr for 7 Strange Coins
New Exotic Upgrading
Exotic Gear in The Dark Below will have higher Attack and Defense values than current Exotic Gear. For players and their current caches of Exotics, a path will exist to bring them forward into The Dark Below.
Starting December 9th, Xûr will offer players the opportunity to upgrade Exotics to the higher Attack and Defense values
Upgrading an Exotic in this way will require an Exotic Shard
The upgrade will reset the progression invested into the item
Each week, Xûr will possess a selection of upgrades for existing Exotics in his inventory
Crucible (PvP) Changes
Expansion I will include two new exclusive competitive playlists
New Crucible arenas (Pantheon, Skyshock, and The Cauldron) will be featured in map rotation
Playlists available in the Director will change week over week
Experiences will alternate between 12 and 6 player engagements
Map rotation will alternate between focusing solely on new expansion arenas and including original launch maps in the mix
Heroics and Nightfall (PvE) Changes
With the Light level increase to 32, Heroics and Nightfalls will be increased by 2 Light levels to keep up with new content, level increases, and gear items
New Raid: Crota's End
The new Raid, Crota's End, will unlock on December 9th
Players at Light level 30 can lead a Fireteam immediately upon release
The reward system in Crota's End will address some issues reported in the Vault of Glass:
Raid loot in Crota's End will drop at a higher rate
New Raid gear will contain a wider variety of potential perks
Weapons and Gear from Crota's End will not require Ascendant materials for upgrades
Radiant Shards and Radiant Energy acquired in the Raid will be used to upgrade new Raid gear
Unwanted weapons and gear from Crota's End will dismantle into Radiant materials
Primary weapons will only drop in the harder version of Crota's End, released sometime in January
Order the Digital Guardian Edition here for $89.99.
Source: Bungie
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