Destiny 2’s Episode Heresy Act III, launched on 1st April 2025, introducing a wealth of new content, including the return of a classic Strike, a limited-time event, and innovative gameplay features.
Return of the Sunless Cell Strike
Guardians will revisit the Dreadnaught in the reimagined Sunless Cell Strike, originally featured in Destiny: The Taken King. This updated mission replaces the Darkblade with a formidable Subjugator as the final boss, which will offer new scenario for new players and some nostalgia for long-time players alongside fresh challenges. The Strike will debut as a Nightfall activity, providing opportunities for high-level rewards.
Rite of the Nine Limited-Time Event
Act III introduces the Rite of the Nine. This is a limited-time weekly event which will rotate among three dungeons: Prophecy, Spire of the Watcher, and Ghosts of the Deep. All Guardians can access these dungeons for free during the event. The event features three distinct difficulty modes:
- Explorer Mode: Beginner-friendly with mechanic explanations, no encounter wipes, and faster respawns.
- Eternity Mode: Standard difficulty experience.
- Ultimatum Mode: Contest-level difficulty with additional modifiers, rewarding Adept weapon variants.
Each of these dungeon offers players with revamped weapons alongside a Nine-themed aesthetic, updated perk pools, and the new Origin Trait, Gravity Well, which automatically gathers nearby ammo upon reloading. An attunement system allows players to increase drop chances for desired weapons. Completing challenges in higher difficulties grants exclusive rewards, including emblems, weapon cosmetics, and a unique Seal/Title.
Heavy Metal PvP Mode
Act III debuts a new novel Crucible mode called Heavy Metal where players pilot massive Fallen Brigs and Drake Tanks in team-based vehicle combat. This limited-time mode introduces dynamic gameplay, with Drake Tanks now capable of rocket-boosted manoeuvres.
Artifact Perks and Exotic Armour Updates
The new Artifact perks in Destiny 2 enhance gameplay variety by focusing on Strand synergies and combat strategies. Some of these perks include:
- Unstoppable Rocket Launcher: This can stun unshielded combatants shortly after readying or reloading a rocket launcher.
- Gold from Lead: Picking up Special ammo may grant you a Heavy ammo in the game.
- Vile Weave: Targets hit by Tangles are severed; picking up a Tangle reduces its cooldown.
- To Shreds: This causes sustained damage from severed targets to unravel them; defeating severed targets creates a Strand energy hotspot, granting Woven Mail to nearby allies.
- Perpetual Destruction: This enables rapid final blows with non-Exotic Rocket Launchers refund ammo and increase reload speed briefly.
Additionally, over 15 Exotic armour pieces receive updates to enhance their effectiveness and synergy with current gameplay mechanics. For instance, the Sealed Ahamkara Grasps can now grant Nightmare Fuel on powered melee and finisher final blows, while both increasing handling and airborne effectiveness.
Episode Heresy Act III promises to enrich Destiny 2 with engaging content, blending nostalgia with innovation to captivate both veteran and new Guardians.
