Bungie has found its sweet spot with Destiny 2's seasonal model, because it allows the studio to add content in bits to the game while providing an overarching story, new weapons, and more. Season of the Splicer is a great example of all that Destiny 2 can be at its apex, with the allegiance between the Vanguard and the Eliksni, the Quria reveal, and the theories about Osiris being Savathun in disguise. However, with the Witch Queen expansion fast approaching, it is time for Destiny 2 to do something about its current PvP landscape, including adding a new Crucible map after over 600 days.
Even the Stasis debate that occurred over the past few months demonstrates how Destiny 2 has a PvP issue. Bungie nerfed Stasis on account of PvP, and this had repercussions on PvE. This started a new debate in return, one about whether or not Bungie should permanently separate Destiny 2's PvE and PvP in a way that allows the studio to do whatever it wants with each sandbox without worrying about affecting the other. Still, the announcement regarding the reveal for The Witch Queen coming August 24 has many fans excited to see what's coming early next year, and there is hope that Bungie will indeed have something to show about PvP.
Why Destiny 2 Needs New Maps When Witch Queen Launches
PvP in Destiny 2 can be a lot of things, and its meta was just shifted with mid-season changes made by Bungie targeted at the dominance of hand cannons and shotguns. This is not something that occurs often, much like the Stasis changes, and goes to show that PvP was needing some attention. These changes don't fix the PvP situation, but they make it more bearable while players wait for something more, and The Witch Queen is the perfect time to take action.
Every new major expansion does come with a brand-new area to explore, and for The Witch Queen, the setting seems to be Old Chicago - although nothing is confirmed at this point in time. The official showcase happening on August 24 for The Witch Queen might show a new Crucible map or two set in the same area where the expansion takes place. The last ones to be added to Destiny 2 were Twilight Gap, Widow's Court, and Fragment, back when Shadowkeep launched in October 2019.
Instead, because of the studio's new file reduction plan, many older PvP maps were removed from the game because their corresponding planets and areas are now inaccessible. This includes Mars, Titan, Mercury, and Io, which were vaulted when Beyond Light launched last November. Unfortunately, this doesn't bode well for when The Witch Queen launches, because there have been talks on Bungie's side about eventually vaulting content like Forsaken and the EDZ.
Bungie does need to shake things up with Destiny 2's PvP, and that's not something that a few weapon changes and players establishing a new meta can do. For example, Trials of Osiris is a place where many players end up being stomped by a few elite players or cheaters who want to go flawless for rewards. This also poses the question as to why PvE players must play PvP content (and vice versa) only to get extra gear and power level on their characters, something that has been brought up many times over the years by the Destiny 2 community.
Ultimately, PvP in Destiny 2 can sometimes feel unfair or repetitive, and both feelings are not great for the longevity of the game. With the game finally being in a healthy state overall, there is room for improvement in the Crucible. Here's hoping that The Witch Queen does exactly that.
Destiny 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
