Destiny 2’s Heresy Exotic Quest: A Blessing and a Curse

Destiny 2 has long been known for its tradition of launching new content in tandem with each new season or episode. Typically, this means a fresh Raid or Dungeon, along with the introduction of a new Exotic weapon tied to the season pass. These elements have become staples of the game, providing a sense of familiarity amidst the ever-changing landscape of Destiny 2. So far, Episodes 1 and 2 have continued this trend by offering players exciting new Exotic missions to explore. However, with the introduction of the Taken Path Exotic mission in the Heresy episode, Bungie is taking a very different approach.

In today’s weekly update, Bungie added a slew of intriguing new secrets to the Dreadnaught, which has now been transformed into a patrol zone for Heresy. The main activity in this area is the Nether, where players must complete various objectives and possibly uncover hidden secrets as they progress. Today, players encountered Taken Blights scattered across the Dreadnaught, leading them to a new area where they could access the newly added Exotic mission, The Taken Path. While it’s exciting to see this mission arrive as a surprise drop, it also raises significant questions about what lies ahead for Heresy.

Heresy had a challenging task upon its launch—addressing the lingering issues from Episode 2 and simultaneously delivering an enjoyable experience. While there have been minor hiccups, it has largely succeeded. Interestingly, Heresy is also the final episode under the current model, as the upcoming Frontiers update promises to shake things up. The immediate addition of the Taken Path mission is a welcome surprise. However, given that previous Exotic missions were typically released during Act 3, this early release suggests that there is more at play.

Destiny 2’s episodic structure, divided into three acts, has not been without its share of controversy, primarily due to concerns about FOMO. Historically, Exotic missions were introduced in Act 3, but it seems Bungie has opted to make the Taken Path available earlier, during Act 1 of Heresy. This move likely aims to make the mission more accessible before the sweeping changes expected with Frontiers. If Heresy represents a transitional phase, the absence of an Exotic mission in Act 3 (though not confirmed, is likely) indicates that Bungie might have some surprises in store.

The decision to unveil The Taken Path so early offers players ample opportunity to obtain the new Exotic Strand SMG, Barrow-Dyad. However, if this mission’s intended release was Act 3, it could mean that Heresy has a significant gap to fill before the launch of Frontiers. If this earlier release was part of the plan all along, Bungie might have some strategic content lined up to keep players engaged during this potentially quieter period.

Introducing The Taken Path sooner rather than later might help address ongoing FOMO concerns within the community, but it also presents Bungie with challenges for Act 3. Given the success of the Into The Light update, which served as a connecting chapter between previous content and The Final Shape, Act 3 could focus on delivering something similar. Perhaps the return of long-missed shiny weapons could rekindle players’ enthusiasm ahead of Frontiers. Without such plans, however, Act 3 might end up being a relatively uneventful lull when Destiny 2 needs engaging content the most.