Did Destiny 2 Remove Factions? A Deep Dive into Faction Rallies and Beyond
Yes, Destiny 2 did remove factions as a regularly occurring in-game event. While the three factions – Dead Orbit, Future War Cult (FWC), and New Monarchy – remain part of the game’s lore and world, the Faction Rallies event, which allowed players to pledge allegiance and earn rewards, was removed. This removal happened at the end of Season 3 of Destiny 2, marking a significant shift in the game’s structure. The decision was made based on player engagement and the game’s direction. This change, though initially met with mixed reactions, has become a permanent feature of Destiny 2.
The Rise and Fall of Faction Rallies
What Were Faction Rallies?
Faction Rallies were a periodic event in Destiny 2 that pitted the three factions against each other. Players would choose a faction to pledge allegiance to, and then participate in various activities like completing Strikes, Crucible matches, and public events to earn Faction Tokens. These tokens were used to level up your faction rank and unlock unique rewards, including armor sets, weapons, and shaders. The faction that accumulated the most support from players throughout the event would be declared the winner.
The event aimed to encourage player participation in different activities and create a sense of competition and loyalty among the player base. For many, it was a fun and engaging way to acquire gear, showcase their favorite faction, and feel part of a larger community within the game.
Why Were They Removed?
The decision to remove Faction Rallies was attributed to several reasons. Bungie, the developer of Destiny 2, stated that the event wasn’t driving the level of engagement they had hoped for. Many players found it more efficient to farm other activities, such as Lost Sectors, which offered better and faster rewards. The monotonous nature of grinding for faction tokens made the activity feel repetitive and unfulfilling for some players. Furthermore, the rewards from Faction Rallies, while unique, often didn’t justify the time investment, leading to reduced participation and a lack of meaningful impact on player progression. Bungie also mentioned that the faction’s story and character cast were not growing alongside the game, which added to the reason for their removal. In addition, they stated “the reward gear hasn’t been used that much,” further solidifying the decision to remove them.
The developers acknowledged that players were finding better reward systems in other aspects of the game. This led to a reevaluation of how players engage with the Destiny 2 world and its reward structures.
The Aftermath of the Removal
When Faction Rallies were removed, Faction Tokens became unredeemable, and Exotic Catalysts that required event participation were moved to other activities. This transition was aimed at ensuring that players could still obtain these items without the need to grind for Faction Tokens. The removal marked a significant change in Destiny 2’s design philosophy, leaning towards more dynamic and rewarding activities.
While some players missed the competitive aspect and unique rewards of Faction Rallies, the decision was part of Bungie’s efforts to streamline the game and provide more meaningful activities for the player base.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are Factions Completely Gone From Destiny 2?
No, the factions themselves – Dead Orbit, FWC, and New Monarchy – still exist within the lore and world of Destiny 2. You will see them mentioned in dialogues and might encounter their representatives in the Tower, but they do not have their own events or reward systems any longer.
2. Can I Still Get Faction Gear in Destiny 2?
The faction gear that was tied to Faction Rallies is generally no longer obtainable through gameplay. Some items might be available through Xûr, a vendor who appears periodically, but there is no reliable method for farming faction gear in the current state of the game.
3. Will Faction Rallies Ever Return?
Bungie has stated that there are no plans to bring back Faction Rallies. They deemed the event as not driving significant engagement and prefer to focus on new and more engaging activities.
4. Why Did Bungie Remove So Much Content From Destiny 2?
Bungie has removed content to reduce the size and complexity of the game. This process, known as the Destiny Content Vault (DCV), is intended to allow the game to perform better and make implementing new content more manageable, given the size of the game. This included removing old campaigns, such as “The Red War”, Curse of Osiris, and Warmind.
5. What is the Destiny Content Vault (DCV)?
The Destiny Content Vault is a system where older content, including campaigns, destinations, and activities, is removed from the game and placed into storage. Bungie has stated they may reintroduce this content in the future.
6. Can You Still Play Old Destiny 2 Campaigns?
The original campaign, “The Red War,” as well as the Curse of Osiris, Warmind, and Forsaken expansions, have all been vaulted and are no longer accessible.
7. Is Destiny 2 Still Removing Content?
Yes, but less often and with a different structure. While entire expansions are no longer removed, seasonal content will typically be removed and placed into the Destiny Content Vault when a new expansion launches. Bungie has stated they may reintroduce vaulted content in the future.
8. What Are the Rarest Weapons in Destiny 2?
Some of the rarest weapons are those that are acquired through specific activities or have very low drop rates. Based on recent data, some of the rarest weapons include Whistler’s Whim, Edge of Concurrence, Edge of Action, Edge of Intent, The Inquisitor, Touch of Malice, Collective Obligation, and Heartshadow.
9. What Are the Rarest Emblems in Destiny 2?
Rarest emblems are usually those that are tied to specific, difficult accomplishments. Some examples include Artist Of The Week Emblems, Guided Games Emblems, Forum Ninjas Emblems, Fashion Show Emblems, Heavy As Death, Solo Flawless Dungeon Emblems, The Wolves Unleashed, and Day One Raid Emblems.
10. Are Destiny 2 Character Deletions Common?
No, Destiny 2 characters are not being deleted. There was a recent issue with the servers not communicating correctly with the game’s app, but all characters are safe.
11. Will There Be a Destiny 3?
Bungie has not officially announced a Destiny 3. While rumors and surveys occasionally spark speculation, the developers are currently focused on supporting and expanding Destiny 2.
12. Did Bungie Leave Activision?
Yes, Bungie ended its publishing deal with Activision in 2019 and now self-publishes Destiny 2 and any future installments.
13. Is Destiny 2 Ending Soon?
No, Destiny 2 is not ending after the release of the next expansion, The Final Shape. Bungie has confirmed that the game will continue with new stories and content centered around other factions and a new evil to fight against.
14. Can I Restore Deleted Characters in Destiny 2?
Unfortunately, Bungie does not offer character restoration services. If you accidentally delete a character, it cannot be recovered, and Bungie will not replace any lost gear.
15. What Are The Three Original Factions in Destiny?
The three original factions in Destiny are Dead Orbit, Future War Cult, and New Monarchy. These factions represent different ideologies about the future of humanity and how they should move forward.
In conclusion, while the Faction Rallies are a thing of the past, the factions themselves remain a part of the rich tapestry of Destiny 2. This game continues to evolve and adapt, and these changes have helped shaped it into the experience we see today. Despite the removal of Faction Rallies, Bungie is continually creating new events and challenges for the player base, and the future of Destiny 2 remains bright with more to come.