Bungie Explains How to Raise the Attack of Defense of Current Exotics, Also Introduces Radiant Shards

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

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Source: Bungie