Players of the popular first-person shooter Destiny 2 will soon have access to a new subclass called Strand. This subclass is based on the Darkness and allows players to use a green strand-powered grappling hook to fly through the air, even grappling onto moving objects like other players or vehicles. While Strand is an exciting addition, it's not the first time a shooter has implemented in-air movement mechanics. Anthem, a multiplayer action RPG developed by Bioware, has its own traversal mechanic, where players can use their javelins (exosuits) to fly through the air for long periods of time. Meanwhile, Destiny 2 looks to set itself apart in how Strand's grappling mechanics will be used from a gameplay perspective.
With Strand's grapple hook, players do not need to latch onto a physical surface to grapple. They can instead use their hook to swing through their environment by attaching it to the Weave, a concept that ties into the game's theme of manipulating space and time. This is especially relevant in the new location of Neomuna, which looks to have a lot of verticality to it, a departure from most Destiny 2 environments and maps. Being able to seemingly grapple onto anything thanks to the Weave could open traversal opportunities that not even Bungie could predict.
Destiny 2's Strand's Grappling Hook Could Be A Game-Changer
In many ways, Strand's traversal role in Destiny 2 is a departure from the traditional elemental powers that have been a mainstay of the game since its release. While Arc, Solar, Void, and Stasis subclasses all have their own unique abilities and playstyles, Strand brings something entirely new to the table with its grappling hook and emphasis on manipulating space. Each of the three Guardian classes will have its own unique Strand abilities and Supers, such as the Warlock's ability to form and shoot telekinetic missiles, the Titan's use of a massive claw, and the Hunter's use of a long chain.
One of the critical differences between Strand and Anthem's flight mechanics is that Strand is tied to a subclass rather than being a standalone ability. This means that players will have to choose Strand in Destiny 2 as their subclass to access its unique abilities, including the grappling hook. This decision will likely significantly impact the player's character build and gameplay style, as each subclass in Destiny 2 offers a distinct set of abilities. It's reasonable to assume that Strand will be one of the most popular subclasses for at least a few Seasons, with how prevalent the grappling hook may be in Destiny 2's PvE and PvP modes.
Comparing Destiny 2's Strand With Anthem's Flight Mechanics
It's not impossible that Bungie has taken inspiration from Anthem's flight mechanics and looking to improve upon them with Strand. While it's still too early to assume the subtle nuances of the Strand grappling hook ability, the fact that it can be used to attach to moving objects and that it's based on manipulating space rather than simply adhering to a physical surface likely already sets it apart from Anthem's flight mechanics.
Ultimately, only time will tell if Strand's grappling hook truly lives up to Destiny 2 players' anticipation for it. Destiny 2's Lightfall expansion, which will introduce Strand, is set to release in February, so players won't have to wait long to try it out for themselves. Until then, fans of the game can only excitedly speculate on how Strand will impact gameplay and how it could be a worthy addition to the game's already diverse array of subclass abilities.
Destiny 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
