Summary
There are plenty of big changes coming inDestiny 2’s highly anticipated expansion, The Final Shape, including a new location and the return of the beloved Exo Hunter, Cayde-6. However, there is one impending feature that Bungie has only hinted at, and it could very well flipDestiny 2on its head when added.
The upcoming bounty-replacement system currently known asPathfinder was revealed in Bungie’s State of the Game postin August 2023 byDestiny 2’s Game Director, Joe Blackburn. While not much information has been disclosed about the new system, it looks to be quite the game changer once it arrives with The Final Shape expansion in June.
The Final Shape’s Pathfinder System Could Change the Game
Very Little Is Known About the Pathfinder System
While Joe Blackburn revealed the Pathfinder system in last year’s State of the Game blog, he has yet to reveal its full purpose. In the blog post, Blackburn stated that Bungie has “plans to replace some bounties” with Pathfinder, starting with those onThe Final Shape’s Pale Heart destination. He then went on to say that Pathfinder would eventually replace core ritual bounties later in the year. Based on this limited information, it seems like the Pathfinder system could very well change the game that its host of dedicated players have become all too familiar with over the years.
The Pathfinder System Could Increase Destiny 2’s Accessibility
Despite a lack of concrete information provided about Pathfinder, it’s still possible to speculate on its purpose using what information has been divulged, as well as the image that was shared in the aforementioned State of the Game blog post. Currently, players can complete 8 bounties for each ofDestiny 2’s core ritual activities(Vanguard, Crucible, and Gambit) to obtain one Pinnacle Gear per week per activity per character and increase the Power Level of their characters until they reach their maximum. Once a character’s Power Level is at its maximum, Pinnacle Gear continues to drop at the maximum Power Level (currently 1810).
In the image of Pathfinder shared in the State of the Game blog post, several pathways are shown branching across the screen and ultimately converging at what is most likely a Pinnacle Gear engram — if Blackburn’s comment on a system that will replace bounties is applied as context. Given this information, players may be able to choose their path toDestiny 2’s Pinnacle Geareach week rather than being forced to do every single core ritual activity in the game. For some time, gamers complained about essentially being forced to complete activities they’re not interested in playing to obtain more powerful gear to strengthen their character. Bungie has since updatedDestiny 2in kind to honor those requests, so it’s likely the recent update is a reflection of what Pathfinder will bring to the table.
[With Pathfinder], players may be able to choose their path to Pinnacle Gear each week rather than being forced to do every single core ritual activity in the game.
To speculate further, according to the image, the Pathfinder tree starts with a total of six paths, and while there are currently only three core ritual activities, it’s either possible Bungie will be adding more in the future or these nodes could represent something else entirely. For instance, a couple of the nodes appear to be only partially filled, so it’s possible that rather thancompletingDestiny 2bountieseach week, players will simply be required to complete a certain task to fill the node and create a path to the next tier. This would ultimately result in a more accessible system than bounties, as it seems the whole point of the Pathfinder system is to put more control into the hands of the player.
Destiny 2’s upcoming Pathfinder system is currently still being kept under wraps by Bungie. However, it’s likely that more will be revealed about the upcoming game-changer beforeThe Final Shape releases on July 05, 2025, and if the above-mentioned speculations turn out to be fact, the new system could changeDestiny 2entirely and thoroughly please its most dedicated fans.
Destiny 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian’s look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.An Immersive StoryYou are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.Guardian ClassesChoose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.
