Destiny 2 Weapon Farming If Crafting Is Not Going To Continue

Bungie, the developers of Destiny 2, have introduced and evolved numerous gameplay systems throughout the game's lifespan. Among the most significant additions is the weapon crafting system. This system, introduced with The Witch Queen expansion, promised players more control over their gear, allowing them to forge weapons with specific perks and stats. However, the crafting system has faced challenges, and questions have arisen about its future. If Bungie decides to move away from weapon crafting, it becomes crucial to address the existing issues with weapon farming. This article delves into the current state of weapon crafting, the problems with current weapon farming methods, and potential solutions Bungie could implement to make the pursuit of desired weapons more player-friendly.

The Promise and Problems of Weapon Crafting

Weapon crafting was initially hailed as a groundbreaking addition to Destiny 2. The idea of players being able to create their perfect weapon, tailoring it to their exact specifications, was incredibly appealing. The system involves acquiring weapon patterns, completing specific objectives to unlock perks, and then shaping the weapon at The Enclave on Mars. The ability to choose specific perks and even enhance them provided a level of customization previously unseen in Destiny 2.

However, the crafting system is not without its drawbacks. One of the primary issues is the grind required to obtain weapon patterns and the necessary materials. Players often need to complete numerous activities, sometimes with low drop rates, to acquire a pattern. Once a pattern is obtained, players need to level up the weapon by using it in combat and completing specific objectives to unlock the desired perks. This process can be time-consuming and, at times, feel repetitive. Moreover, the crafting system is not universally available for all weapons. Many weapons, especially those from older content or seasonal activities, cannot be crafted, limiting the system's overall impact.

Another challenge is the cost of crafting materials. The materials required to reshape or craft a weapon can be scarce, especially for players who do not engage in all aspects of the game. This scarcity can create a bottleneck, preventing players from experimenting with different perk combinations or crafting multiple weapons. While Bungie has made adjustments to the material economy, the cost remains a significant consideration for many players.

If Bungie decides not to continue expanding the crafting system or decides to phase it out, these issues become even more pressing. Players may feel that their time invested in the system was wasted, and the limitations of the crafting system become more apparent when compared to the traditional methods of weapon acquisition.

The Current State of Weapon Farming in Destiny 2

Weapon farming in Destiny 2, outside of the crafting system, typically involves engaging in specific activities such as strikes, raids, dungeons, and seasonal events. Each activity has a loot pool, and players must repeatedly complete the activity in the hope of receiving the desired weapon with the desired perks. This process can be incredibly time-consuming and often relies heavily on RNG (Random Number Generation).

One of the major problems with the current farming methods is the unpredictable nature of the perk rolls. A weapon might drop with undesirable perks, rendering it less useful or even useless to the player. The frustration of receiving multiple drops of the same weapon, each with different but equally unwanted perks, is a common experience among Destiny 2 players. This randomness can lead to a sense of burnout and discouragement, especially when players are targeting a specific weapon for a specific build.

The implementation of deterministic sources for certain weapons has helped alleviate some of the frustration. Activities like Trials of Osiris and Iron Banner offer focused loot pools, allowing players to target specific weapons by completing specific objectives or earning enough reputation. However, these deterministic sources are not available for all weapons, and many players still rely on random drops from general activities.

The seasonal model in Destiny 2 also presents challenges for weapon farming. Seasonal weapons and activities often become unavailable once the season ends, creating a limited window for players to acquire them. If a player misses out on a particular weapon during its season, they may have to wait for it to return in a future season or through other means, which can be unpredictable.

Potential Solutions to Make Weapon Farming More Forgiving

If Bungie decides not to expand or continue with the weapon crafting system, it is essential to address the issues with weapon farming. Several solutions could make the process more forgiving and player-friendly:

1. Enhanced Weapon Focusing Mechanisms

One of the most effective ways to improve weapon farming is to implement more robust weapon focusing mechanisms. This could involve allowing players to focus their loot drops on specific weapon types or even specific weapons within an activity. For example, a player might be able to spend a currency or complete a specific challenge to increase the likelihood of receiving a hand cannon or a specific hand cannon from the activity's loot pool.

This approach would give players more control over their loot acquisition and reduce the reliance on pure RNG. It would also make the time spent farming feel more rewarding, as players would be working towards a specific goal rather than simply hoping for a lucky drop.

2. Perk Rerolls or Perk Pools

Another potential solution is to introduce a system that allows players to reroll perks on a weapon or select from a curated pool of perks. This could be implemented through a currency or material cost, similar to the crafting system. Players could then reroll a single perk or choose from a limited selection of perks, allowing them to fine-tune their weapons to their preferences.

This approach would provide a middle ground between the complete control of crafting and the complete randomness of traditional weapon drops. It would allow players to salvage weapons with otherwise desirable perks but one or two unwanted rolls, increasing the value of each drop and reducing the frustration of receiving near-perfect weapons.

3. Bad Luck Protection

Implementing a bad luck protection system could also make weapon farming more forgiving. This system would increase the drop rate of a specific weapon or a weapon with specific perks the more times a player completes an activity without receiving it. This would prevent players from experiencing extreme streaks of bad luck and ensure that their time investment eventually pays off.

Bad luck protection systems are common in other games and have proven effective in mitigating the frustration of RNG-heavy loot systems. By ensuring that players are eventually rewarded for their efforts, Bungie could make weapon farming feel less like a gamble and more like a meaningful pursuit.

4. Increased Drop Rates and Streamlined Activities

Simply increasing the drop rates of desired weapons and streamlining the activities associated with farming them could also improve the player experience. If weapons drop more frequently, players are more likely to receive the rolls they are looking for, reducing the overall time investment required.

Streamlining activities could involve reducing the length of encounters, increasing the efficiency of reward systems, or adding mechanics that allow players to target specific loot within the activity. By making activities more efficient and rewarding, Bungie could encourage players to engage with them more frequently and reduce the sense of grind associated with weapon farming.

5. Legacy Gear Acquisition and Availability

Addressing the availability of legacy gear is also crucial. If crafting is not going to be the primary method for acquiring weapons, Bungie needs to ensure that players have reasonable access to weapons from previous seasons and expansions. This could involve adding these weapons to the loot pools of existing activities, introducing new activities that offer legacy gear, or creating a vendor system that allows players to purchase specific weapons for a currency or material cost.

Ensuring that legacy gear remains accessible is important for maintaining build diversity and allowing players to experiment with different playstyles. It also prevents players from feeling like they have missed out on essential weapons if they were not playing during a specific season or expansion.

Conclusion

The future of weapon crafting in Destiny 2 remains uncertain. If Bungie decides not to continue expanding the system, it is crucial to address the existing issues with weapon farming. The current reliance on RNG and the time-consuming nature of farming activities can lead to frustration and burnout among players. By implementing solutions such as enhanced weapon focusing mechanisms, perk rerolls, bad luck protection, increased drop rates, and improved access to legacy gear, Bungie can make weapon farming more forgiving and player-friendly.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a system that rewards players for their time and effort, allowing them to acquire the weapons they desire without feeling like they are engaged in an endless grind. By listening to player feedback and implementing thoughtful changes, Bungie can ensure that the pursuit of the perfect weapon remains a rewarding and enjoyable experience in Destiny 2.