Bungie has made a significant change to Destiny 2 by removing the Encore exotic mission from the game after it became a popular shortcut for players to rapidly level up their characters. The recent release of the Edge of Fate expansion brought a major reset for players, sending everyone back to Power Level 10 and establishing a new cap of 450. However, many players discovered that the Encore mission, available in the Portal’s Pinnacle Ops, was yielding rewards far greater than intended.
By utilizing the Strand Grapple modifier, players could complete the Encore mission in just 10 to 13 minutes, allowing them to exceed Power Level 350 within mere days. Recognizing the unintended consequences of this farm, Bungie decided to take action. They first disabled the Grappler modifier and subsequently removed the Encore mission, replacing it with a more challenging mission called Starcrossed, which offers fewer rewards for completion.
In a statement posted on their official X account, Bungie acknowledged the issue, explaining that the Encore mission was too easy and giving out excessive rewards. They assured players that both the mission and the Grappler modifier would be re-enabled at a later date.
The reaction from the Destiny community has been largely negative, with many players expressing frustration about the handling of the situation. Those who were able to exploit the Encore mission gained a significant advantage by rapidly progressing in power levels, putting them in a favorable position ahead of the upcoming Desert Perpetual raid launch. Players who did not get to take advantage of this farming opportunity are now faced with a slower leveling process, which may hinder their readiness for the new raid content.
Content creators and players have voiced their criticisms as well, with some suggesting that comprehensive communication from Bungie could have alleviated much of the frustration. Critics highlighted that the timing of Bungie’s intervention felt misplaced, as many players had already benefited significantly from the exploit before it was removed.
This scenario underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing gameplay in evolving online environments. Bungie’s swift action to address the power-leveling exploit may have been necessary, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive communication with the player community. As Destiny 2 continues to evolve, fans remain hopeful that these growing pains will lead to more balanced and satisfying gameplay experiences in the future.