From what I remember this is what the people wanted and they did do this in D1 in one form or another, You wanted that gear you had to raid, you wanted that weapon you had to raid. Locking gear behind end game content is a major incentive to play that content, That incentive needs to be worth it.... and since armor is cosmetic in D2 they couldn't do the same thing as in D1 so our incentive is catalysts and event armor. 100% of the clan I was in was upset at D2 launch for the same reason a majority of veteran D1 players were: They tried to attract a larger portion of new players aka casuals that either can't or won't put in the time to do it all and most of them only played for a couple weeks before moving to another game. The end game content is by no means unobtainable for any player that will just put in the time, after our clan practiced the raid we can now clear all three in about 2 hours and we all only play for 3-4 hours at the end of the day when our families go to bed. We all have full time jobs and responsibilities along with families and real life things going on but we put that time in to do the games content. Just like in D1 we'd all run the VoG 3 times in one day just trying to get Fatebringer to drop but now we'll run these raids in hopes that the emote drops or the catalyst drops and we have a fun time doing it. Now I don't disagree with everything said here even in the comments, Solo players do need more incentives to play, they should listen to the whole population but a majority wanted incentives to play the hardest end game content. They could have gone about this a different way but so could you, No arguments can be made unless there is a valid counterpoint ( even though they won't listen ) Team based looter shooter requires friends which is why they did more for clans. The only problem I have with this game is the constant adding of reworked things just to turn around and take them out ei: buying gear from vendors with otherwise useless tokens and they taking it away for ranking rewards instead ( which I do like better but constantly reworking the rework is irritating )

They don’t just listen to them they take commands. The streamers put bungies product out for the masses and therefore promote their game. That’s why they get exclusives, event invitations, vips etc. If you want a change DO NOT BUY THE EXPANSION AND STOP SUBBING TO THESE PEOPLE WHO DESTROY THE GAME BY HAVING BUNGIE CATER TO THEIR AGENDAS.

Someone calling themselves an “elitist” in relation to video games is probably the dumbest thing I’ve heard. It’s a hobby. Be an elitist are your job, be an elite dad/husband/whatever. But to think that some form of digital reputation is something to hang your hat on is pretty dumb.

I actually like the idea it lets the best get the best

Too bad. The game shouldn't just allow every single item to be easily unlocked. The game should have items only unlockable if you venture out to other activities.

What do you propose?

I guess I just don't understand the logic to put the Sleeper Simulant catalyst in the raid. It was a D1 exotic tied to the Warmind expansion quest that was quite fun actually. Why not have the catalyst associated with the Warmind expansion also? If there is a raid exclusive weapon with an exclusive catalyst, for sure, tie that into the raid.

Well this is destiny. It's always had abysmally low completion percentages. Back in d1 its less than 30% have fully upgraded a subclass tree. even less for those who've ever even equipped an exotic. And only about 50% for those who have even finished the vanilla campaign

Here's a tissue.

I don't mind the fixed loadouts, but having to cycle through 1 clip of kinetic to get to energy is stupid. People I know, who don't even play D2 agree. Two others who do play also agree.

Yes, I certainly won't be getting them. It's disappointing to say the least. Even if I did the prestige raid, how many times would I have to do it to get a catalyst? 50 times? 100 times? Not going to happen. It isn't worth doing something I dislike for the chance to get a catalyst.

Has it been said if they are in the raid loot pool permanently or will they be available elsewhere eventually like the faction catalysts? I’d rather wait than go anywhere near that leviathan again.

You can get the catalyst drops from the first couple chests in each raid encounter - the first chests do not require incredible teamwork or maxed out power levels - they just need 6 people to go in together and have a general idea of what is needed. With that being said - the catalysts are ok, but not game breaking. Everybody can still get all the exotic weapons. If you really want the catalysts, you can LFG and specifically go in with a group that is just farming for catalysts. Make your own group and specify that.

Join a clan that’s more active than yours.

They made it rewarding?! How could they!! I’m triggered!!!!!!!

Challenging content needs incentives to make it worth the time. If those same incentives can be obtained through easier means it trivialities the activity and reward. [spoiler]Tl;dr You do more, you get more[/spoiler]

The raids are not that difficult, and I’m fine with these catalysts being prestige version drops. The content is fun when you do it with friends. But that’s where the problem lies. Not in the difficulty, but rather that most people don’t have 5 other friends to do the raid content with and don’t want to play with pugs. I myself hate looking for pugs because I don’t really like playing with people I don’t know. I have done the raid several times and plan on doing both of the raid lairs at least once just for the triumph points. But I wish there was more 3 man endgame content. Raid type content I mean. Every week that dogs are the first encounter, myself and two other friends low man the castellum and dogs. It’s a ton of fun. Requiring a full 6 people for endgame is where the wall is for me. Probably why I enjoyed PoE so much when it came out in D1.

Just watching it all play out like it is makes it almost impossible to not believe that Bungie is trying to run off everyone that doesn’t raid. Which is unfortunate because most experienced Raiders DO NOT welcome rookies into their Fireteam. “Most”, not all. Take note.