Destiny 2's New Exotic Mission is a Hit, But Solo Players Are Unhappy

This week, Destiny 2's The Final Shape expansion introduced a new exotic quest called Dual Destiny, hidden within The Pale Heart. Unlocking this mission requires some effort, but the reward is a powerful exotic class item with randomly rolled perks combining effects from two existing exotic armour pieces.

The new exotic item includes potent perks from buildcrafting favourites like Heart of Inmost Light, Synthoceps, and Star-Eater Scales. This ability to merge two strong exotic effects promises some exceptionally powerful Prismatic builds. However, the excitement over this new exotic item has also sparked controversy in the Destiny community.

As the name suggests, Dual Destiny is a two-player activity. The mission's puzzles and challenges are designed for two Guardians working together, and you can't start it unless you're in a fireteam of two. There is no matchmaking, so players must either team up with a friend or use the game's LFG tools.

The lack of a solo play option has upset many players. Comments on the DestinyTheGame subreddit reflect this frustration, with users lamenting the need for communication and teamwork. Some players feel excluded from accessing one of the expansion's key features because they prefer to play solo or dislike using LFG tools.

However, not everyone is sympathetic to these complaints. Some players argue that the mission's cooperative nature is a non-issue. "It seems odd to me that a non-trivial number of people would rather miss out on the exotic class item and demand Bungie remove and rework a feature rather than have minimal interaction with a stranger for like 10 minutes," states u/Jimithyashford in a popular subreddit post.

The backlash to the backlash is partly because Dual Destiny is considered the best exotic mission Bungie has released in years. Unlike recent exotic missions, which have been straightforward combat challenges, Dual Destiny is more complex. Its puzzles require players to exchange information under time pressure, and the mission includes three major encounters, taking about 50 minutes for a first run.

For many players, Dual Destiny represents the challenging, intricate content they've been craving. Bungie has delivered a mission that not only tests players' skills but also offers a valuable reward, making it a standout addition to The Final Shape expansion.