The Curious Case of Trials of the Nine: Why Bungie Retired Destiny 2’s Enigmatic Endgame

Bungie removed Trials of the Nine from Destiny 2 primarily because it failed to resonate with the player base in the same way its predecessor, Trials of Osiris, did. Several factors contributed to this, including the game mode itself, the rewards offered, and ultimately, the feeling that it didn’t quite capture the competitive spirit that players craved. Bungie wanted to rework the endgame PvP mode and bring back a competitive mode that aligned more closely with the original vision and player expectations. The removal was also part of a broader effort to manage the game’s content bloat and improve overall performance.

Unpacking the Nine’s Demise: Key Reasons for Removal

Trials of the Nine aimed to be a unique take on the Trials formula, offering a distinct aesthetic and lore connection to the mysterious Nine. However, its shortcomings ultimately led to its demise:

• Lack of Engagement and Player Rallying: Bungie felt the mode didn’t reach the highs of the original Destiny’s Trials of Osiris, especially when it came to rallying like-minded players to play at their best. The mode struggled to cultivate a dedicated and enthusiastic community, resulting in lower player participation compared to Trials of Osiris.

• Meta Issues and Gameplay Concerns: Trials of the Nine used a 4v4 format, a departure from the original’s 3v3, which many felt diminished the strategic intensity. The game modes themselves (Countdown and Survival) were not universally loved. The meta became stagnant and less dynamic, leading to less engaging gameplay.

• Reward Structure Problems: The rewards offered in Trials of the Nine were considered by many to be less compelling than those of Trials of Osiris. While the unique aesthetic of the armor and weapons was appreciated by some, the perceived value and desirability were lower overall.

• Content Bloat and Resource Allocation: As Destiny 2 grew, Bungie faced the challenge of managing content and resources. Removing Trials of the Nine allowed them to focus development efforts on other areas of the game, including bringing back Trials of Osiris in a more refined form.

• Story Integration Concerns: The connection to the Nine, while intriguing, felt somewhat underdeveloped. The narrative elements didn’t fully resonate, leading to a disconnect between the gameplay and the lore.

The Legacy of the Nine: A Hiatus Turns Permanent

Following the release of the Forsaken expansion, Trials of the Nine was placed on indefinite hiatus. This was a signal that Bungie wasn’t satisfied with the mode’s performance and was considering significant changes. However, rather than simply reworking Trials of the Nine, Bungie ultimately decided to reintroduce Trials of Osiris in Season of the Worthy, a decision that effectively sealed the fate of its predecessor.

The DCV or Destiny Content Vault contains all destinations and activities from both Destiny 1 and Destiny 2, with the potential for vaulted content to return to the game in the future. In August 2022, it was announced that Destiny 2 expansions would no longer be vaulted.

While some elements of the Nine’s aesthetic and lore might resurface in future Destiny 2 content, the Trials of the Nine as a distinct game mode is unlikely to return. Its removal represents a course correction by Bungie, prioritizing the revitalization of a beloved mode over maintaining a less successful alternative.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Trials of the Nine

1. Can you still play Trials of the Nine in Destiny 2?

No, Trials of the Nine is no longer available in Destiny 2. It was removed after the release of the Forsaken expansion and replaced by the reintroduction of Trials of Osiris.

2. Can you still get Trials of the Nine shaders, like Cognition of the Nine?

Trials of the Nine shaders, including the highly sought-after Cognition of the Nine, are currently unobtainable. Bungie is slowly reissuing shaders from the earlier years of Destiny 2, which has made some players hopeful that Trials of the Nine shaders will return. However, for now, Cognition of the Nine remains one of the rarest shaders in the game.

3. How did Trials of the Nine differ from Trials of Osiris?

Trials of the Nine differed from Trials of Osiris in several key ways:

• Team Size: Trials of the Nine was 4v4, while Trials of Osiris is 3v3.
• Game Modes: Trials of the Nine featured game modes like Countdown and Survival, while Trials of Osiris typically uses Elimination.
• Aesthetic and Lore: Trials of the Nine was connected to the Nine, featuring unique armor and weapons with a distinctive visual style. Trials of Osiris, on the other hand, is tied to Osiris and the Vex.

4. What were the requirements to participate in Trials of the Nine?

Players needed to complete the Destiny 2 campaign, the Call to Arms Milestone at least once, and have 260 Power to access Trials of the Nine.

5. When was Trials of the Nine available?

Trials of the Nine was available every weekend, from Friday to the weekly reset on Tuesday.

6. What was the “Third Spire” in relation to Trials of the Nine?

The Third Spire was a social space accessible to players who won at least one match in Trials of the Nine. It housed The Emissary, an NPC vendor who granted Engrams based on wins and allowed players to exchange Trials Tokens for rewards.

7. How many wins were required to go flawless in Trials of the Nine?

A flawless victory required a record of 7 wins and 0 losses. Achieving this opened the highest point of The Third Spire and granted exclusive rewards.

8. What happened to the rewards from Trials of the Nine?

The rewards from Trials of the Nine are generally no longer obtainable, except for possible future reissues of shaders or armor sets.

9. Was Trials of the Nine considered a success?

No, Trials of the Nine was generally not considered a success. It failed to capture the popularity and engagement of Trials of Osiris, leading to its eventual removal.

10. Why did Bungie choose to bring back Trials of Osiris instead of reworking Trials of the Nine?

Bungie likely chose to bring back Trials of Osiris because it had a stronger legacy and a more dedicated fanbase. Reworking Trials of Osiris allowed them to build upon a familiar foundation while addressing its past issues.

11. Is there any chance Trials of the Nine will ever return to Destiny 2?

While anything is possible, it is unlikely that Trials of the Nine will return in its original form. Bungie has focused on refining and iterating on Trials of Osiris, making a return of Trials of the Nine redundant.

12. Did Trials of the Nine contribute anything positive to Destiny 2?

Yes, Trials of the Nine introduced a unique aesthetic and lore that was appreciated by some players. It also served as a learning experience for Bungie, informing their approach to future competitive modes.

13. Do you need the Lightfall expansion to play Trials of Osiris?

Yes, to play Trials of Osiris you will need the most recent expansion (Lightfall).

14. What can Bungie ban you for?

Spamming, submitting abusive content, or otherwise violating the Code of Conduct may result in restrictions from contact forms, Bungie.net, or Destiny.

15. What is the Rarest Shader in Destiny 2?

The Rarest Shaders in Destiny 2: Small Luminance, Terrachroma, 3 Connections, Opaline Shatter, Sundered Flesh.