Weapon Crafting in Destiny 2 Has Become Bungie’s Biggest Blunder Which Is Breaking Its Legacy

When Bungie introduced weapon crafting in Destiny 2 with The Witch Queen expansion in 2022, it became a game-changing update. The system allowed players to craft weapons with perfect rolls, eliminating much of the grind traditionally associated with looter shooters.

Yet, two years later, this once-celebrated feature has become one of the most contentious issues in the game. The developer’s attempts to pivot away from crafting have divided the community who now question its purpose. So should it be removed entirely?

Destiny 2‘s crafting system has become a problem

Weapon crafting debuted as a way to give players control over their loot. By unlocking patterns and shaping weapons at The Enclave, players could create gear with ideal perks and stats, sidestepping the frustrations of RNG (random number generation). Initially, this seemed like a win.

As someone who used to play a lot of Destiny 2, nothing makes me laugh harder having quit than hearing the moment they try and drop seasonal crafting that literally their entire RNG system never worked.

— 💾Accentier📟『YokaiLive』 (@CSAccentier) December 19, 2024

Weapons like Apex Predator and Commemoration became easily accessible in their most optimal forms. However, the convenience of crafting quickly eroded the excitement of loot drops. When every crafted weapon could be perfect, the thrill of earning a “god roll” through hard work disappeared. And players then questioned what the point of doing anything else was.

The heart of Destiny 2 lies in its loot chase, grinding activities for a chance at the perfect weapon. With crafting, this pursuit became irrelevant for many players. Why farm endlessly for a rare roll when you could craft a nearly identical weapon in minutes?

The problem with crafting is you get what you want and once you’ve got it, you won’t play that activity again. I get it that our time should be respected but where is the fun/chase? I think there needs to be a mixture of both for total harmony

— Gary Godspeed (@GaryGodspeed1) December 12, 2024

Recognizing the problem, Bungie removed crafting from Episode Revenant’s seasonal weapons, forcing players to engage with traditional RNG loot farming. While some players praised the return to old-school mechanics, the shift was met with backlash. The community criticized the lack of adequate RNG mitigation systems, such as more frequent drops or improved targeting methods.

To remove it, or try to make it work, is the question

Bungie has acknowledged the problems with both crafting and RNG-based loot systems. The introduction of enhanced traits for non-craftable weapons in The Final Shape is a step in the right direction, offering players a way to upgrade random drops. The tonics added in Episode Revenant were also flawed but a step in the right direction.

NEW: Bungie has confirmed major changes to Weapon Crafting in Destiny 2.

Starting in Episode Revenant, Seasonal weapons will not be craftable – https://t.co/7GZtoYEdjh pic.twitter.com/qr4aeQz9ha

— Destiny Bulletin (@DestinyBulletn) October 4, 2024

The debate over crafting highlights Bungie’s ongoing struggle to balance accessibility with challenge. On one hand, crafting appeals to casual players who lack the time to grind for perfect rolls. On the other, it risks alienating dedicated players who value the sense of accomplishment that comes from earning rare loot.

Weapon crafting was introduced as a solution to the frustrations of RNG, but it has inadvertently undermined one of Destiny 2’s defining features: the excitement of discovery. Bungie’s recent changes suggest the studio recognizes the problem, but the road to a satisfying solution remains uncertain.

Even as Bungie scales back crafting, the damage has been done. The community is now divided between those who prefer the deterministic nature of crafting and those who long for the thrill of RNG. So is the game a looter-shooter driven by random rewards, or an RPG where players can meticulously customize their gear?

What do you think of the current state of weapon crafting in Destiny 2? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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