I've been looking all over and I just can't get a solid answer on this. We know based on the streams that the level 32 PoE will reward an armor core, the level 34 will reward a weapon core, and the level 35 will reward both. These cores are needed to purchase the PoE specific weapons and armor being sold that week by Variks. But the level 28 mode, the only one with matchmaking, does not have these items listed as a reward. So what I want to know is, does that mean that it will be impossible to acquire the new PoE weapons and armor without completing the higher level, non-matchmade challenge modes? Is it the case that these cores will simply have a chance at dropping from the level 28 mode, but be guaranteed from the challenge modes? Or will they only be obtainable through the challenge modes? Can the gear drop directly from any modes, or is trading in a core to Variks the only way to get it? I'm asking because I'm mostly a solo player. None of my friends play Destiny on my platform. And before I get a thousand replies saying "just go on [insert LFG forum here]," that's not really my thing. I honestly prefer playing by myself, so I rely on matchmaking to find people in modes where playing alone is simply not an option. And I really don't like having to use a mic and communicate. I had far too many negative experiences with jerks online back in the old Halo days, so I'm very averse to it now. If I can avoid it, I will. So if the higher levels of PoE are something that absolutely necessitate communication, and Bungie doesn't think matchmaking randoms will be able to pull it off (btw that's a dumb excuse for not even allowing them to try, you wouldn't be forced to play with randoms if you've already got a team anyway), then so be it. I'll just avoid those modes. But I really do not think that should mean it will be 100% impossible for me to get the new gear.