IGN has an article about Destiny's endgame content, including Raids. Go give it a read!

Kind of what I suspected.

So. Much. New. Information.

Loved this article.

What exactly does that mean? At first glance it seems more significant than deserving a single side mention in an IGN post

In a nutshell, that's some of the philosophy that was driving raid design as we were building the first raid in Destiny.

This indicates a plurality of raids, yes?

In a nutshell, that's some of the philosophy that was driving raid design as we were building the first raid in Destiny.

This indicates a plurality of raids, yes?

I definitely think there will be more than one, but there may only be one at launch.

I definitely think there will be more than one, but there may only be one at launch.

One for launch is absolutely fine. Don't want to be getting greedy now. ;)

I think Bungie needs to be careful about the terminology they're using to describe two separate concepts: that of the level of your player and the level of some content that player can participate in. In a couple of points in this article Luke uses the two terms interchangeably and I think it's a bit confusing:

So if you're a fresh level 20 you can play the Nightfall daily activity at level 22 and it's going to be hard.

I can work out what he's driving at (the content is aimed at a level 22 player) but I'm wondering if they wouldn't be better off using relative terms to describe the difficulty of content? I'm thinking the standard normal, heroic, legendary progression would work here — attempting content aimed at your level is normal, 2 or 3 levels above yours is heroic, and 4 or more is legendary.

New game type: protect Kermit.

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Sounds way too hard for me. Maybe something easier like: Halo 2 Legendary All Jackal Snipers All The Time + Swat + Iron + Grunt Birthday Party Mode? ;)

Sounds way too hard for me. Maybe something easier like: Halo 2 Legendary All Jackal Snipers All The Time + Swat + Iron + Grunt Birthday Party Mode? ;)

Yeah, there you go. Maybe we'll try a co-op run of that this fall.

Sorry I didn't catch up with you during the beta. Join us for co-op night tonight!

I think Bungie needs to be careful about the terminology they're using to describe two separate concepts: that of the level of your player and the level of some content that player can participate in. In a couple of points in this article Luke uses the two terms interchangeably and I think it's a bit confusing:

So if you're a fresh level 20 you can play the Nightfall daily activity at level 22 and it's going to be hard.

I can work out what he's driving at (the content is aimed at a level 22 player) but I'm wondering if they wouldn't be better off using relative terms to describe the difficulty of content? I'm thinking the standard normal, heroic, legendary progression would work here — attempting content aimed at your level is normal, 2 or 3 levels above yours is heroic, and 4 or more is legendary.

The beta did exactly that. When you changed difficulty levels on the story mission it would tell you relatively how hard it was for your character. The alpha I believe calculated your weapon effectiveness also, so I'm not sure if that's factored in.

…I just think it was awkward language. I'm sure this isn't as big a problem as I was initially thinking.

One thing he confirms, and the beta kind of mentioned, is a skull like system for missions. That should be interesting for those nightfall missions. It sounds like they pulled a lot from what worked and what didn't in Halo Reach challenges, so I'm pumped to see.

One thing I was hoping to hear about was some crazy ass high level public events. I think the actual gameplay in public events is a ton of fun, so I'd love to see some work as high level content.

There's also an interesting piece about how we get to high level gear. It sounds like Bungie is pursuing both a path through random acquisition (Cryptarchs, drops) and a path where you can get exactly what you want eventually (Vanguard tokens, crucible tokes, OTHER THINGS) I"m curious to see how that will pan out.

I like a lot of this. Tricky, long-form endgame content sounds interesting.

I need more Xbox Live friends.

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Well played, GrimIII. Well played

Friends only?

I better start spamming you lot with requests. Destiny is big enough that I MIGHT have 6 friends on one platform for it, but at the same time? No. Maybe this is not for me, like Raids in WoW.

Though from Payday and Legendary Halo runs of the past, countless failure punctuated by bittersweet victories does do it for me. Would like to have a go or two at them.

Or maybe I have nothing to worry about. The crowds will scream for MM, and given Bungie's Microsofting on quite a few points just from Alpha/Beta it will probably end up in the game.

(Bungie is probably right on this though I am annoyed about the increased barrier for entry. I can imagine the extra work, maintenance and known/unknown social and technical consequences for the rest of the MM environment if raids had a hopper, not trying to sound entitled here.)

With how long it sounds like they are going to take, I will definitely be organizing Raids ahead of time, maybe even on here if I can't get 6 together on my friend's list.

Raids sound awesome, but the lack of matchmaking does concern me. I'm rarely playing at times when my friends are online... certainly not for 2-3 hours straight. I understand Bungie's stance that raids require communication and are best experienced with friends, but I'd much prefer they give me the choice. As it stands, with no matchmaking support, I'll likely never get to try any of the raids unless I attempt them solo.

I think we should plan ahead to have a DBO Raiding crew. I'm in for the Xbox One!

I think we should plan ahead to have a DBO Raiding crew. I'm in for the Xbox One!

I definitely have no problem with this, especially because I think one of the achievements requires you to finish a Raid with only members of your clan. In for any platform.

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With how long it sounds like they are going to take, I will definitely be organizing Raids ahead of time, maybe even on here if I can't get 6 together on my friend's list.

I have to say, I feel like a 2 hour commitment seems a bit long for something with only 6 participants. Time will tell if that feels onerous or not, I guess.

Maybe there's save points or some such thing along the way?

I think I remember that game-type in Halo as well... ;)

I think Raids sound incredibly fun, but also incredible difficult!

The way he described it made it seem to me like they're the normal story missions, but a certain one is selected to give more XP than normal. Could use some clarification, though.

That's the only explanation I can think of for the confusing language being used for raid(s). Referring to it/them as singular one minute, and plural the next.

The way he described it made it seem to me like they're the normal story missions, but a certain one is selected to give more XP than normal. Could use some clarification, though.

I figure it will be similar to campaign challenges in Reach.

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Raids sound awesome, but the lack of matchmaking does concern me. I'm rarely playing at times when my friends are online... certainly not for 2-3 hours straight. I understand Bungie's stance that raids require communication and are best experienced with friends, but I'd much prefer they give me the choice. As it stands, with no matchmaking support, I'll likely never get to try any of the raids unless I attempt them solo.

Aw. While it might not be possible to just log in and pick up a group, I'm sure it won't be too difficult to coordinate with 5 other players a little in advance.

What I'm most curious about regarding Raids is if 6 players is really mandatory, or if you can make do with just 5 or maybe even 4. Obviously it would be harder, but just wondering if the experience has a little flexibility or if there is something dumb like 6 pressure plates and everyone has to stand on one to open the next door.

Sadly, it really is unlikely that I'll be able to coordinate something like that, at least no time soon. I managed to spend about 30 minutes playing with the TBoD guys and a few other friends on the last day of the beta... that was the most time I've spent playing with friends in about a year. It's obviously not Bungie's fault that my schedule is so strange (I do most of my playing between 6am-9am), but I do wish they'd let us decide if we want to risk playing the raids with randoms, rather than making that decision for us.

Like you, I'm also curious about how possible it would be to pull these Raids off solo. I'm sure RC Master and Mythic Tyrant will be the first to let us know :)

Like you, I'm also curious about how possible it would be to pull these Raids off solo. I'm sure RC Master and Mythic Tyrant will be the first to let us know :)

Haha, when I read your other post about solo'ing them, the first thing I thought was: "I wonder if Mythic Tyrant will make videos to beat the raid solo..."

Like you, I'm also curious about how possible it would be to pull these Raids off solo. I'm sure RC Master and Mythic Tyrant will be the first to let us know :)

In September:

*Enters the Raid lobby*

'Sorry, you do not have enough players to start The Vault of Glass'

"Well, I guess that's that..." :/

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I don't want to overstep my bounds since I am not the most seasoned DBO'r. Who would be the some of the key Xbox One folks on DBO?

I am up for helping organize a DBO Xbox One Raiding crew though!

The DBO Raider's should be formed soon. ;)

That's the only explanation I can think of for the confusing language being used for raid(s). Referring to it/them as singular one minute, and plural the next.

What if it's just a 100-level slog -type thing, and they're referring to it as "The Raid", because there's only one; yet the act itself is the activity. Like "Hey stabs, you want to do a Raid?", meaning in all probability we'll die, but we'd collect sweet loot along the way.

And then one day, maybe, just maybe we'll make it to the end. Or the secret cow level.

~m

I think there's definitely a mix of one day there will be raid(s), but they wanted a hard "The" to let you know it is not to be trifled with.

I'm excited for Strikes and the Super Strike (also known as The Raid)

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I think there's definitely a mix of one day there will be raid(s), but they wanted a hard "The" to let you know it is not to be trifled with.

I'm excited for Strikes and the Super Strike (also known as The Raid)

I'm excited to build the ultimate tank. Probably a safe bet there will be a point at which the more support-style supers will be the key to progress. That's where I want to play.

I mean, if someone wouldn't mind dropping some Ward of Dawn footage, that would be pretty cool, I guess.

Aaaand it's likely no mere coincidence that a party of six allows one of each subclass...

~m

Unless there's those mysterious third subclasses, which I hope there are.

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Destiny Console Spreadsheet

I don't know how much help this could be in the first place though. There's forum handles a plenty, but hardly any actual gamertags to get in touch with. We should probably fix that.

Destiny Console Spreadsheet

I don't know how much help this could be in the first place though. There's forum handles a plenty, but hardly any actual gamertags to get in touch with. We should probably fix that.

I think it would be cool to have a DBO tool (maybe integrated into the Calendar?) for this. Basically you could say I am running a Raid on Thursday September 25th, and people could sign up to participate. May be beyond the scope of your calendar program since I haven't looked into the software DBO uses for it, but would be cool to be able to do.

I think it would be cool to have a DBO tool (maybe integrated into the Calendar?) for this. Basically you could say I am running a Raid on Thursday September 25th, and people could sign up to participate. May be beyond the scope of your calendar program since I haven't looked into the software DBO uses for it, but would be cool to be able to do.

I was thinking the same. There are a lot of variables to juggle, though.

Someone with editing power should add me to the spreadsheet.

Xbox One, Gamertag: Doooskey

EDIT: Nevermind, I realized I can add myself. :)