Newest Destiny 2 Update Has Made Tonics Worth Again Using but It Can Never Be a Weapon Crafting Replacement

The recent update to Destiny 2 on December 17, 2024, brought much-needed changes to the game’s Tonic system. The feature was bugged since its introduction in the Revenant episode but has now been fixed. Legendary Tonics now guarantee loot tied to their activity while increasing drop rates for specific gear, and their durations have been extended.

While these changes have made Tonics more effective and rewarding, they still fall short of replacing the versatility and simplicity of weapon crafting. The verdict isn’t clear on whether Bungie’s attempt to reintroduce the excitement of RNG loot has succeeded or failed.

Destiny 2‘s tonic system still needs a lot of work

The latest patch improved Tonics in two key ways. Legendary Tonics now guarantee their associated loot and increase the odds of acquiring targeted rewards from activity chests. Additionally, Tonic durations have been extended for all rarities, reducing the need to craft and reapply them constantly.

Revenant Tonics Update – Live Now

🧪 Legendary Tonics now 100% guarantee their specific reward.

🧪 Legendary Tonics now increase the chances of obtaining the specified gear from the activity they are made for.

Note: For instance, Tonic of Vangate Point (Onslaught) will… pic.twitter.com/V8QTMTCzdi

— Destiny Director (@D2_Director) December 17, 2024

These changes were warmly received, as they made Tonics less frustrating to use. However, despite these adjustments, the system still feels overly complicated and time-consuming compared to the weapon crafting introduced in The Witch Queen.

Compared to crafting, which offers direct control over weapon rolls with fewer barriers, Tonics are an inefficient way to target farm gear. For many players, this feels like a step backward, especially since crafting allowed them to bypass RNG and focus on building ideal loadouts. Maybe the solution is to remove crafting altogether.

Comment
byu/herr_boogeyman from discussion
inDestinyTheGame

Weapon crafting was introduced in The Witch Queen and allowed players to create guns with their desired perks. While this diminished the thrill of finding perfect rolls, it provided a solution to the frustration of endless farming. In contrast, Tonics seem like a step backward, offering little incentive to engage with the system over simply playing the game as before.

Should Bungie remove crafting altogether then?

Since the December update, community feedback has been mixed. Players acknowledge the improvements but question why the system wasn’t designed this way from the start. On forums like Reddit, many commend Bungie for making Tonics more functional but still find them inferior to both crafting and other old features.

Comment
byu/DTG_Bot from discussion
inDestinyTheGame

Comment
byu/DTG_Bot from discussion
inDestinyTheGame

Some players have even suggested that no matter how much Tonics are buffed, they will remain lackluster as long as alternative systems offer more efficient ways to farm desirable loot. Even with fixes, the system still lacks the elegance of crafting or the accessibility of past mechanics like Attunement.

Looking ahead, Bungie has hinted at further changes to the Tonic system in Revenant’s third act, set to launch in early 2025. These updates may improve the system’s functionality, but whether they can address the fundamental flaws remains to be seen. The game’s loot ecosystem needs a more cohesive approach that combines the best aspects of RNG, crafting, and farming.

Despite the shortcomings of Tonics, Bungie’s efforts to balance the looter shooter experience deserve recognition. The studio’s desire to reinvigorate the thrill of loot chasing aligns with the game’s core identity, even if its execution has been flawed.

In the end, Tonics are a step toward redefining Destiny 2’s loot ecosystem, but they are far from a replacement for crafting. What do you think?

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire