Earlier this week, Destiny players were giddy at the prospect of the return of Iron Banner, a monthly multiplayer event that offers greater challenge and high tier rewards. But as it turns out, Bungie’s plans for Iron Banner in The Taken King put the event on a different timetable than in Year 1, even if they did say the multiplayer mode would return “soon.”
The good news is that we now know what Bungie meant when they said “soon,” as an official launch date for Iron Banner 3.0 has been announced. Destiny players eager to test their mettle with level advantages enabled can do so starting on October 13th.
With this being the first Iron Banner since the release of Destiny: The Taken King on September 15th, most would hope that the event will debut with some changes. And they would be right. In their Weekly Bungie Update, the developer revealed how exactly Iron Banner will be changing in Year 2, and some of the changes will make fans really happy.
First and foremost, Bungie has streamlined the reputation gains in Iron Banner 3.0. Now, the tempered buff will be applied automatically each day, and it will continue to grow in effectiveness throughout the week. No longer will players have to worry about whether or not they bought the buff, as it will be on them at all times. On the flip side, the buff for alternate characters and the Iron Medallion, which rewards extra reputation following up to 5 consecutive losses, will stay the same for Iron Banner 3.0.
- The tempered buff is now automatically applied and continues to grow in effectiveness each day of the event.
- The alt catch-up buff and Iron Medallion mechanics are unchanged.
- Potential match completion rewards now include both weapons and armor, matching the same items available from Lord Saladin during each event.
- Drop rates have been increased and are intended to be the primary source of rewards from Iron Banner. If you don't get what you're hoping for, you have the option to visit Lord Saladin instead.
- Gear purchased from Lord Saladin now requires Legendary Marks instead of Glimmer.
- New emblems have been added to his inventory.
- All new bounties including 9 Daily bounties (3 per day) and 3 new Weekly bounties which reward Legendary Marks.
- Recommended minimum Light for Iron Banner: 230.
- Only Level 40 Guardians can lead a Fireteam.
Perhaps the most exciting change for Iron Banner in The Taken King is an increase in drop rates for post-match rewards. Moreover, matches will now have a chance to drop both armor and weapons, but those items will only match those available from Lord Saladin’s inventory for that week. Essentially, if the Iron Banner vendor has a helmet, chest piece, sniper rifle, and hand cannon on sale, then players have a chance for those items to drop during a match and they won’t need to buy them. Those who do want to purchase items from Lord Saladin’s inventory, however, will have to use Legendary Marks this time around.
There will also be more ways to earn Iron Banner reputation beyond basic matches. Bungie is upping the daily bounty count to 9 for the event, and they will be introducing new weekly bounties for both reputation and Legendary Mark gains. Presumably, if players partake of everything the event has to offer, they will get all the rewards they want by the end of the week, if not sooner.
Although plenty are still trying to make their way to Oryx in the King’s Fall raid, or simply boosting their Light Level, a large group of Destiny veterans have been waiting for the return of Iron Banner for quite some time. The promise of new loot, a chance to test PvP with a larger skill gap, and no more focus on Thorn should be enough to make Iron Banner feel fresh, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Source: Bungie