Like most activities in Destiny 2, the PvP Crucible mode will be receiving a massive overhaul once the Lightfall expansion goes live. In an update, Bungie detailed plans to adjust PvP by tweaking its progression, rewards, and how matchmaking will work in the future.
These changes begin with the Competitive Division freelance node going away, as Bungie believes that fireteam matchmaking is solving the problem it was originally intended to solve in a way that is healthier for the game overall. “This will merge the player populations into one larger, healthier pool while still protecting smaller fireteams from getting stomped by larger more coordinated groups,” Bungie explained.
Season 20’s quality-of-life changes include a number of tweaks to which modes and maps cycle into the competitive playlist, with Javelin-4, Endless Vale, and Altar of Flame having a higher chance of being cycled into rotation. Disjunction and Cathedral of Dusk have been removed entirely, while Rift and Showdown modes will be seen less frequently. Bungie expects Survival to show up two-thirds of the time when launching into Competitive, while Rift and Showdown will be split between the remaining third of this system.
For players who use an Exotic armor-swapping strategy during PvP, things are changing for the better. The overall idea with this tactic is to have a powerful neutral game Exotic on during PvP while your Super is building and then to quickly swap it out for a Super-enhancing Exotic once your Super is full. This move is especially prevalent on PC, but Bungie plans to squash this strategy once Lightfall begins.
“In Season 20, we are introducing the Notswap modifier to Trials of Osiris and Competitive Division.,” Bungie explained. “In activities with Notswap, if you change your Exotic armor during the match, all of your ability energy is removed, just like if you swapped your subclass. We will be monitoring gameplay and community discussion around this issue, but we are not currently planning on adding it to Gambit or other Crucible playlists.”
In case you missed it, Bungie has been sharing many details on how Destiny 2 will be changing from next week. The game will be getting more challenging from Season 20, weapon crafting is evolving, and Titans will be less of a menace in PvP.
