Summary
While the game was mostly bare bones in terms of buildcrafting when it first came out,Destiny 2has evolved in a way that makes every little choice for customizing what characters can do matter. From a revamp of the Light subclasses after the release of Stasis to the launch of Prismatic,Destiny 2builds for all classeshave started becoming ever more unique and stronger, in some cases determining if some kind of content can be run with ease or solo. Now, Episode Heresy made several changes to existing builds and created new ones, and the best one shouldn’t be next on the chopping block and instead go the opposite direction.
Balancing the sandbox is a big part ofDestiny 2’s live-service appeal, as players are motivated to try out new features or changed builds. For example, Heresy made the Warlock’s Geomag Stabilizers an OP Exotic alongside the many Arc changes, and the Titan’s Khepri’s Horn Exotic helm (and Spirit of the Horn on Stoicism) went from borderline unusable to very good. Unless things dramatically change with Act 3, the current best build is Storm’s Keep for Arc Titans, as it’s incredible for all kinds of PvE content in the game. Bungie’s immediate reaction could be to tone it down in the future, but it shouldn’t.
Destiny 2 Should Make More Builds Like Storm’s Keep on Arc Titan
TheStorm’s Keep Titan build inDestiny 2is a prime example of reinventing a class' own identity, which doesn’t happen very often - especially in a franchise that started over ten years ago. Titans inDestiny 2have been needing some form of buff or change for a while, and the new defensive features for the Barricade were a step in the right direction, but not enough. Storm’s Keep makes Titans able to deal great damage from a distance, which has been sorely needed for “the melee class,” and Bungie shouldn’t take this away.
Instead, Storm’s Keep and the success it has found within the community should start a chain reaction that not only leaves the status quo of the build as is, but also makes this just the first of many. The game needs innovation in many areas, and giving a class that has been getting mostly melee-focused items and abilities the chance to shine in a different role is fantastic. That’s why Bungie should capitalize on Storm’s Keep to further buff otherTitan builds inDestiny 2or create new niches for the class, and then follow the same logic for Warlock and Hunter.
Why Bungie Shouldn’t Nerf Storm’s Keep in Destiny 2
For example, one of the bestbuilds for the Warlock inDestiny 2at the moment is on Prismatic with Lightning Surge and Solipsism rolls like Spirit of the Inmost Light and Spirit of Synthoceps. Warlocks have never had great melee builds, but this one can consistently clear high-end PvE content even solo, making it stand out more. This kind of build, much like Storm’s Keep on Arc, should be cherished by the game and get more support, possibly inspiring more unique builds. Nerfing these builds would simply change the meta in unhealthy ways, and that’s not what the game needs now.
If Bungie ends up nerfing Storm’s Keep, it would remove the only tried and true ranged DPS option for Titans beyond niche scenarios like boss damage with Stoicism rolls that include both Spirit of the Eternal Warrior and Spirit of the Star-Eater to boost the damage on Twilight Arsenal. This is not applicable in every situation and requires buildup that only someboss fights inDestiny 2can allow. Storm’s Keep requires a few other elements to be good, to the point that players can even use any Exotic they like with it. It remains to be seen what Bungie will do, but hopefully, the result is to make more builds like this rather than nerf them.
