Summary
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Destiny 2's Episode 3 Heresy adds new gameplay elements, weapons, and Arc Aspects.
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The Bolt Charge buff for Arc subclasses and new Aspects aims to elevate the Arc element to the power players crave.
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Changes like Bolt Charge and new aspects are expected to improve gameplay at all levels in Destiny 2.
It could be argued that Episode Revenant was one of the lowest points in the history of Destiny 2with community morale very low after a flurry of errors broke the game. Episode 3 is called Heresy, and it will tackle Hive themes and take players back to The Dreadnaught, Oryx's ship, which will be Heresy's new zone of quests and exploration. Destiny 2's Heresy needs to nail every aspect of the launch, whether it's new game additions, weapons, crafting, or other parts of the game. Fortunately, today's TWID post sheds some light on the changes planned for Heresy, and Bungie is finally polishing the game's weakest subclasses.
It's not uncommon for Bungie to add some new gameplay elements to the game over time, with new releases being the perfect time to do so and create more hype. After the launch of Destiny 2s Prismatic subclasses in The Final Shape, the game's meta across both PvE and PvP changed dramatically for better or worse. Prismatic subclasses are probably the strongest in the game because of what they offer, or at least among the very best. Solar, Void and Strand are all powerful, with Stasis being below par and Arc arguably in the worst spot. Heresy is about to change that.
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The Destiny 2 update makes big changes to weapons and exotic gear
Bungie is releasing a major Destiny 2 weapon and armor update, addressing lingering bugs while making balance changes to certain archetypes.
Destiny 2 is Buffing Arc Subclasses, adding new aspects to Heresy
With Destiny 2In Episode 3, Bungie adds a new verb for Arc subclasses called Bolt Charge. This is a buff that grows over time with stacks, unleashes a powerful bolt on targets when it reaches max stacks, and is meant to fill the power fantasy of a devastating damage dealing tool on Arc subclasses. There are different ways to get Bolt Charge, including Aspects, Fragments, and Weapon Perks, and then weapon damage will build stacks up to 10. Ability Gas damage will then trigger the lightning from Bolt Charge, dealing massive damage to enemies.
In addition to Bolt Charge, Bungie is also adding three new aspects Destiny 2 subclasses – namely On The Prowl Aspect for Void Hunters, Storm's Keep Aspect for Arc Titans and Ionic Sentry Aspect for Arc Warlocks. Although On The Prowl is not an Arc Aspect, hunters need not worry, as they will be able to obtain Bolt Charge from the following sources:
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Tempest Strike – Killing a hit target grants a stack of Bolt Charge
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Disorienting Blow – Now deals a moderate amount of Bolt Charge stacks on damage
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Arc Staff – Reflecting an attack will give a stack of Bolt Charge
It's also worth mentioning that Hunters got a new Arc Aspect with The Final Shape, called Ascension, while Titans got Unbreakable (Void) and Warlocks got Hellion (Solar).
Destiny 2's new arc aspects explained
As for the new Arc Aspects, they are meant to be used in conjunction with Bolt Charge to take Destiny 2s Arc subclasses to the next level. Storm's Keep allows Titans to gain Bolt Charge stacks as well as give them to nearby allies when they cast their Barricade ability, gain even more stacks while standing behind the Barricade, and discharge them when they reach 10 with any weapon damage. This is a huge boost to the Titans' offense against the Arc, and it allows them to stay out of close range if they so choose.
Warlocks gained the Ionic Sentry Aspect, which must be charged up by defeating enemies with Arc abilities or weapons before it can be used. Then it allows players to send out an arc turret that blinds enemies on impact and then chains lightning to enemies in an area, giving Bolt Charge stacks as it defeats enemies. With Blind, players can easily be safe even in Destiny 2s endgame content and then build up Bolt Charge stacks to deal heavy damage to bosses or champions, if needed.
Overall, these additions and changes are likely to be made Destiny 2The Arc element is much more powerful at all levels of play, and it's something that Arc subclasses desperately need. It remains to be seen if and how effective Bolt Charge will be, but it's a good start for Heresy.