I watched the reveal video a couple of times and noticed that every new HOW's weapon and armor does not use ascendant materials for upgrading but they all need Etheric Light. Etheric light is used to upgrade an old piece of gear to the new max (which is very cool) but also to upgrade HOW gear to the max. More specifically new gear can be upgraded through the perks (the circles of perks) but to get to the new level of light or base damage you need Etheric Light. Look at the video when DeeJ goes to New Monarchy and while he is re-rolling the shotgun. So what does this mean? -It's all about the drop rate of Etheric Light, no question about it; = If Etheric Light does not drop regularly, we are in for a long, long, grind. Imagine getting 1-2 pieces of Etheric Light a week, How many pieces of armor and weapons do you have now that you want to upgrade? and how many new pieces of gear are you going to get that you need to upgrade? It will take forever. If the drop rate for Etheric Light is the same as the Crux, we are screwed. = On the other hand, if Etheric Light drops regularly, lets say 6-8 per week, then we are golden! - I was very excited about the ability to exchange energy for shards, or motes of light or glimmer. I thought that Bungie was finally getting it and giving the players what they have been asking for. Now I feel deceived. The exchange is a clever way to get rid of ascendant materials without actually telling us that these materials are no longer necessary (unless you want to upgrade an old piece of gear). Don't get me wrong, at least we can get rid of hundreds of materials and get something (glimmer or motes of light). I just think that they should had been more forthcoming with the information. The way they announced the Commendations change was great, they should have done the same with ascendant materials. HOW is not here yet (maybe it was an oversight) so they still have time to explain, but I think that Bungie should had been straight forward and told us that new gear will not use ascendant materials. I am still looking forward to HOW...