Highlights

  • Destiny 2 should bring back Exotic class items from the original game, as they could be a game-changer for fashion enthusiasts and hardcore players.
  • The Exotic class items provide increased faction reputation and character, Subclass, and weapon experience gains, similar to Exotic Ghosts and legendary class items in Destiny 2.
  • The return of Exotic class items would incentivize players to complete new and existing endgame challenges and add a new layer to cosmetic customizations in the game.

By early 2024, many of the Exotic Armor pieces and Weapons from the original Destiny are already in Destiny 2. Not to mention, more are on the way in the upcoming The Final Shape expansion. However, Destiny 2 has left out an entire category of Exotics from the original game, which should be reconsidered.

Exotic class items from the original Destiny are a highly useful feature that Destiny 2 should bring back. Even if they don’t end up providing the same utility as they did in the original game, this feature could still be a game-changer for fashion enthusiasts and hardcore players in Destiny 2.

Hammerhead and Breachlight weapons from Destiny 2
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Why Destiny 2 Should Bring Back Exotic Class Items

How Exotic Class Items Work in the Original Destiny

In the original Destiny, there are only 3 Exotic class items available for each character class, one from the Future War Cult, New Monarchy, and Dead Orbit factions. Each of the Exotic class items provides increased faction reputation for their related faction, as well as providing increased character, Subclass, and weapon experience gains.

Since these Exotic class items don’t provide the typical over-the-top effects like some of the best Exotics in the Destiny games, Exotic class items could be equipped at the same time as another Exotic armor piece. In many ways, Exotic class items from the original Destiny provide the same utility as Exotic Ghosts and legendary class items in Destiny 2. Consequently, it’s a missed opportunity that, despite class items still existing in Destiny 2, none of them are Exotic-rarity.

How Exotic Class Items Could Work in Destiny 2

While this could be a good opportunity to change or improve Exotic class items, these Exotics from the original Destiny could seemingly be introduced in the sequel without any changes. Ultimately, whether they receive a complete overhaul, a slight rework, or no changes at all, Destiny 2 should strongly consider bringing back Exotic class items.

The progression systems in Destiny 2 are slightly different from those in the original game, but not enough that the return of Exotic class items would warrant a complete overhaul for this gear to work. For example, certain legendary class items in Destiny 2, like the ones from the Iron Banner and the Seasonal vendors, already serve the same purpose as the Exotic class items from the original game of granting increased reputation. Also, earning weapon experience is still useful for upgrading any of the craftable weapons in Destiny 2.

One of the main reasons why Destiny 2 should bring back Exotic class items is as an incentive for players to complete new and existing endgame challenges. Otherwise, it would be a bad look if Destiny 2 were to introduce Exotic class items and lock a majority of them behind a paywall in the Eververse Store. At the same time though, it could arguably be justified for future crossover events in Destiny 2 to include Exotic class items, especially if they are purely for cosmetic purposes compared to their existing Legendary counterparts. There are already Exotic ships, Ghosts, and Sparrows as part of challenge rewards and premium cosmetics, which makes the absence of Exotic class items in Destiny 2 seem strange in hindsight.

How players can express themselves through their appearance and emotes is a big part of the game’s social appeal, so much so that fashion has influenced features like Commendations in Destiny 2 in the past. Consequently, it’s a missed opportunity that Destiny 2 hasn’t brought back Exotic class items from the original game by now, considering that it could add a new layer to the cosmetic customizations in the game, as well as extra incentives for completing endgame content. Future expansions and updates for Destiny 2 should consider the benefits of reviving this otherwise dead-in-the-water feature.