Destiny 2's upcoming expansion, Lightfall, is poised to bring significant changes to many of the game's systems and mechanics. However, one aspect of the game that still has untapped potential is the role of the player's Ghost and its mods. Despite their importance to Destiny 2's plot and cutscenes, their presence in moment-to-moment gameplay is not as felt as it could be. After seeing what the Lightfall expansion is about to offer, it is clear that Ghost mods could use an overhaul to provide players with more engaging gameplay opportunities and improve immersion.

One of the main issues with Ghost mods in Destiny 2 is that they lack gameplay presence. While the Ghost's cosmetic shell is visually interesting and seen in cutscenes and the game's menus, the mods used by players' Ghosts do not significantly impact the game's mechanics or player performance. In contrast, armor mods, weapon perks, and Origin traits offer players a variety of gameplay benefits that can dramatically affect their combat capabilities. To address this, Ghost mods could be redesigned to give players meaningful gameplay benefits.

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Destiny 2's Ghosts Still Have Lots of Gameplay Potential

Destiny 2 Ghost Mods

One way to achieve this is to rework mods to focus on player utility and support. Utility mods could offer players benefits such as enhancing radar for improved vision and higher accuracy, the ability to hold onto a wall for a certain time, or to jump off a wall once. Likewise, support mods could provide players with passive benefits, like improved stats in Destiny 2. For example, extra Resilience, Mobility, and Recovery while in the air, on top of longer-lasting buffs and shorter-lasting debuffs when crouched. These kinds of mods for a Ghost could give players more gameplay options and diversity during combat, making battles more dynamic and engaging.

Another way to improve Ghost mods would be to introduce slottable offensive, defensive, and support skills. Currently, Ghosts in Destiny 2 do not have any offensive or defensive capabilities, which limits their usefulness in anything related to combat. Introducing skills could give players a new dimension to their combat abilities. Support abilities, such as self-reviving once per activity run, would certainly make solo players happy. Instead, a defensive skill could be creating a destructible cover, providing the team with something to recover behind for a few moments. Additionally, a good example of an offensive skill could be a summonable light or darkness-based companion for a limited time, like a firing turret or roaming damage-dealing pet.

Bungie Could Easily Explain A Ghost Rework Through Destiny 2's Story

A Guardian crushing a Hive Ghost during The Witch Queen campaign in Destiny 2.
A Guardian crushing a Hive Ghost during The Witch Queen campaign in Destiny 2.

Reimagining Ghost mods could also be part of a future story arc or Season beyond Lightfall's introduction. Destiny 2's lore and history create plenty of opportunities to incorporate a Ghost mod overhaul into the game's narrative. For example, a future Season storyline could introduce a new fundamental change in all Ghosts via a Traveler-related incident with The Witness, giving all the companions new abilities. Bungie could provide players with an even more immersive experience by incorporating Ghost mods into the game's narrative.

As Destiny 2 approaches the beginning of the end of its Light and Dark saga, it could be nearing the time for Bungie to reconsider the role of players' Ghosts in terms of mechanics and story. Ghosts have been largely overlooked as a gameplay element, and it is time to give them the attention they deserve. Destiny 2's Lightfall expansion marks a turning point for the game that represents an opportunity to continue making significant and transformative changes to improve gameplay and player experience within 2023.

Destiny 2 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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