Summary
By early 2024, many of the Exotic Armor pieces and Weapons from the originalDestinyare already inDestiny 2. Not to mention, more are on the way in the upcomingThe Final Shape expansion. However,Destiny 2has left out an entire category of Exotics from the original game, which should be reconsidered.
Exotic class items from the originalDestinyare a highly useful feature thatDestiny 2should bring back. Even if they don’t end up providing the same utility as they did in the original game, this feature could still be a game-changer for fashion enthusiasts and hardcore players inDestiny 2.
Why Destiny 2 Should Bring Back Exotic Class Items
How Exotic Class Items Work in the Original Destiny
In the originalDestiny, there are only 3 Exotic class items available for each character class, one from the Future War Cult, New Monarchy, and Dead Orbit factions. Each of the Exotic class items provides increased faction reputation for their related faction, as well as providing increased character, Subclass, and weapon experience gains.
Since these Exotic class items don’t provide the typical over-the-top effects like some of the best Exotics in theDestinygames, Exotic class items could be equipped at the same time as another Exotic armor piece. In many ways, Exotic class items from the originalDestinyprovide the same utility as Exotic Ghosts and legendary class items inDestiny 2. Consequently, it’s a missed opportunity that, despite class items still existing inDestiny 2, none of them are Exotic-rarity.
How Exotic Class Items Could Work in Destiny 2
While this could be a good opportunity to change or improve Exotic class items, theseExotics from the originalDestinycould seemingly be introduced in the sequel without any changes. Ultimately, whether they receive a complete overhaul, a slight rework, or no changes at all,Destiny 2should strongly consider bringing back Exotic class items.
The progression systems inDestiny 2are slightly different from those in the original game, but not enough that the return of Exotic class items would warrant a complete overhaul for this gear to work. For example, certain legendary class items inDestiny 2,like the ones from the Iron Banner and the Seasonal vendors, already serve the same purpose as the Exotic class items from the original game of granting increased reputation. Also, earning weapon experience is still useful for upgrading any of thecraftable weapons inDestiny 2.
One of the main reasons whyDestiny 2should bring back Exotic class items is as an incentive for players to complete new and existing endgame challenges. Otherwise, it would be a bad look ifDestiny 2were to introduce Exotic class items and lock a majority of them behind a paywall in the Eververse Store. At the same time though, it could arguably be justified forfuture crossover events inDestiny 2to include Exotic class items, especially if they are purely for cosmetic purposes compared to their existing Legendary counterparts. There are already Exotic ships, Ghosts, and Sparrows as part of challenge rewards and premium cosmetics, which makes the absence of Exotic class items inDestiny 2seem strange in hindsight.
How players can express themselves through their appearance and emotes is a big part of the game’s social appeal, so much so that fashion has influenced features likeCommendations inDestiny 2in the past. Consequently, it’s a missed opportunity thatDestiny 2hasn’t brought back Exotic class items from the original game by now, considering that it could add a new layer to the cosmetic customizations in the game, as well as extra incentives for completing endgame content. Future expansions and updates forDestiny 2should consider the benefits of reviving this otherwise dead-in-the-water feature.
