If Iron Banner had a giant flaming Battle Ax as an exotic reward, I would play it
Like the public events in Rise of Iron. A quest line that rewards something completely unique, in the sword category (which lacks an exotic solar sword), would entice players to play.
Otherwise, the rewards are a bit lacking to motivate some players. Aside from triumphs and collectors wanting every piece of gear, the new quest seems a bit on the long side, for gear that's not a huge upgrade over what we already have.... or what we can already get in the game.
Even with enhanced perks and a second mod slot, that's not a pre-nerf Luna's, Recluse, or Mountaintop level of awesome.
But a Battle Ax? That shoots a floor of flames towards people like a thermite grenade? That would get people to play. That would be something worth grinding for.
Won't the pve community whine that an exotic is locked behind pvp even though it's directly connected to iron banner?
I mean even cool exotics like outbreaks zero hour mission was great, yet a good deal of people complained about timers and simple jump puzzles.
And now you want to lock an exotic behind a pvp event that only comes around once a month?