Destiny 2: Two Key Ways to Enhance Exotic Class Items

Destiny 2 has experienced numerous highs and lows with its loot system over the years. From the infamous "two tokens and a blue" meme during the Curse of Osiris era, when players received minimal rewards from the toughest Heroic Events, to the complex weapon crafting system where players can fine-tune every aspect of their guns, the game's journey with loot has been tumultuous. While the new weapons and armor from The Final Shape are among the best yet, even they are not without flaws. One of the most contentious issues has been the Exotic class items, which have sparked considerable debate since their introduction.

These Exotic class items were heavily marketed as part of The Final Shape, boasting two Exotic perks from existing armor pieces. However, their release has been met with disappointment. The first major issue arose from the associated Exotic mission, Dual Destiny, which requires two players to communicate extensively and cannot be completed solo. Moreover, each of Destiny 2's highly sought-after armor pieces has 64 possible perk combinations, resulting in a total of 192 rolls across all three classes. With no bad luck protection or knockout system in place, players are often left frustrated. Yet, Bungie has a couple of potential solutions to address these issues, alongside changes planned for the upcoming early August patch.

Currently, Bungie is adjusting the drop rates for these Exotic class items. They are decreasing the chances of obtaining them from random Pale Heart chests but increasing the drop rate from Overthrow chests. Additionally, the first weekly completion of Dual Destiny will now reward players with two Exotic class items instead of just one.

Why Exotic Class Items Are Causing Controversy

Exotic class items have been a hot topic in the Destiny 2 community, and it's easy to see why. With no form of loot protection, farming for these items can be extremely frustrating, especially when players are seeking one or two specific rolls. The odds of obtaining any given roll are 1 in 64, a probability that remains constant regardless of how many items or specific rolls a player has already acquired.

This situation can be highly aggravating. While Bungie’s upcoming adjustments to Overthrow chests and Dual Destiny are a step in the right direction, they may not be enough to fully address the underlying issues. The reduced drop chance from random Pale Heart chests has also been met with criticism from the community, though it is a measure aimed at countering macro users who farm items while AFK.

How Bungie Can Improve the Exotic Class Item Grind

Bungie could significantly enhance the Exotic class item farming experience by taking inspiration from Destiny 2's Brave Arsenal. These weapons, which were first introduced in previous content and then returned with new rolls in Into The Light, are obtainable through the Onslaught activity in the Vanguard tab. When these weapons were released, players could attune to specific Brave weapons to increase their drop rate. This feature is returning with the early August patch, even without the Hall of Champions.

Applying a similar attunement feature to Exotic class items could improve drop rates for specific perks, although players should be able to attune to only one perk at a time. This would greatly increase the likelihood of obtaining desired rolls, making the grind less frustrating.

Introducing a Master Mode for Dual Destiny

Another potential solution would be to introduce challenges or a Master mode for Dual Destiny. This mode could guarantee double perks in at least one column of the Exotic class item, if not both. This concept is already implemented in Destiny 2's Grandmaster Nightfalls, where Adept weapons can feature multiple perks in one or more columns based on the number of reputation resets with Zavala. Such a system would make targeting specific rolls more manageable.

By implementing these two changes, Bungie could significantly improve the Exotic class item grind, making it both more accessible and rewarding, while still preserving the thrill of obtaining a god roll. Given the controversies surrounding Exotic class items, these adjustments would go a long way in enhancing their appeal and restoring player satisfaction.