Summary
Destiny 2’s Revenant brought a bit of new life to the game thanks to its emphasis on Stasis with new Exotic and changes to the subclass, and for better or worse, it also focused on Onslaught and made the entire Act 1 storyline available on day one. As much as each Episode is trying to change the game or improve on its shortcomings, the core of these releases is mainly seasons under a new identity, which shows in several ways. For example,Destiny 2’s Artifact in Revenantcomes with the usual rows and columns system as any other seasonal artifact, including Champion mods. Unlike many artifacts before it, however, Revenant’s is the definitive proof that Champion mods must either change or be removed.
Champion mods have long been a sore spot within theDestiny 2community for various reasons, and they’re not too different from the concept of seasons and seasonal artifacts in general. In fact, with each release, Bungie tends to promote a given meta with Champion mods, artifact mods, and new gear that are all supposed to work in tandem. This can sometimes be effective and go even above and beyond Bungie’s expectations, but other times, it can feel like a restriction imposed on players' freedom with builds. In particular, many Guardians dislike Revenant’s anti-Barrier Champion mods.
Destiny 2’s Champion Mods Are a Double-Edged Sword
Why Destiny 2 Revenant Proves That Champion Mods Need Changes
The main problem withChampion mods inDestiny 2is that they dictate which weapons or builds with Champion-stunning effects players should run in a given season. If only a single weapon family has a given Champion mod, players must either use that or change their builds to accommodate for some intrinsic effects to stun those Champions (such as Jolt for Overload, Shatter for Unstoppable, and Radiant for Barrier). However, these methods can feel inconsistent, and they can still limit what kind of loadout players are using.
EnterDestiny 2’s Revenant Episode, which includes two types of anti-Barrier mods - scout rifles and shotguns. The problem with this selection is that while shotguns can be great for depleting Barrier shields, they inherently require a shorter range to be used, meaning they are often skipped altogether in high-end content. On the other hand, scout rifles take a long time to destroy Barrier shields, which is far from ideal as well. Scout rifles in particular have been inconsistent against Champions, with their best mod type being Unstoppable Scout Rifles. Against Barrier Champions, however, they tend to be lackluster.
How Destiny 2 Should Change Champion Mods
What follows is thatDestiny 2’s Heresy Episode and futureCodename: Frontiers contentshould try and either give multiple weapon families Champion mods with a single mod, like has happened in the past, or move away from this concept altogether and make Champion mods work on all weapons. The latter wouldn’t really make Champion mods worth having in the first place, though, as it would just feel like a required pick in the artifact and nothing more. The first option has its merits, as it can give players more tools to do what they already do without feeling limited by that season/Episode’s selection.
It’s unclear at the moment if Codename: Frontiers will still have seasonal artifacts.
Champion mods could be made for two or more weapon families or for all weapons within a given range. For example, anti-Barrier mods could apply to sniper rifles, scout rifles, and pulse rifles to allow players to choose what they prefer. While still restricting in a way, this approach would almost guarantee that each player has at least one or two weapons they would like to use against a given Champion. Champion mods do make for interesting choices in terms ofDestiny 2buildsat times, but the reality is that there will always be some mod tied to a specific weapon family that is generally unpopular, making the system flawed.
Destiny 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian’s look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.An Immersive StoryYou are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.Guardian ClassesChoose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.
