As long as special weapons, Exotics and abilities are allowed, Trials will never be a playlist where skill is the determining factor. It needs standardised loadouts and for ability usage to be restricted enough that the difference between classes is negligible. If the player count drops dramatically, then it's an admission by many that they can't play unless they have Hand Cannons and Shotguns, and refuse to use anything else; they would say it's because other weapons are unenjoyable, when it's actually because they're just bad at using them.