Bungie is known to have very strong views with regards to how much matchmaking it's willing to support in Destiny 2. While it provides matchmaking for lower-end content, intended to be accessible to a majority of Destiny 2 players, higher-end content requires players to find a group for themselves. The decision itself is controversial, in general, but it grows all the more frustrating in certain situations. Take, for example, Destiny 2's recently released Legendary difficulty for the Astral Alignment event.
Astral Alignment is a seasonal event tied to the current Destiny 2 Season of the Lost. It requires six players and a decent time investment in order to complete. While Astral Alignment has had several issues since launch, the issue in question has to do with the newly introduced Legendary difficulty. Namely, there's no matchmaking support for Legendary Astral Alignment, forcing players to try and form groups with friends or via third-party group finder websites.
The lack of matchmaking has historically prevented a lot of Destiny 2 players from enjoying some of the game's most exciting content. But in Legendary Astral Alignment's case, it seems to be the opposite. There's a lack of interest in playing the event even at the new difficulty, largely due to the lack of meaningful Legendary Astral Alignment rewards available within. Despite that, most of Destiny 2's most dedicated players want to complete it, because a completion is required for progress on one of the season's Triumphs.
Bungie for the love of the Traveler turn matchmaking ON for Legend Astral Alignment!! from DestinyTheGame
Destiny 2 players are commiserating on Reddit over the frustrating decision not to include matchmaking with Legendary Astral Alignment. One player's feedback explains that matchmaking should be turned on because it isn't "worth the time for a 6 man team to run." In other words, if the player is able to get a group of six together, they'd much rather do a Destiny 2 raid or another type of content that's more rewarding.
Bungie's decision to turn off matchmaking for Astral Alignment's Legendary difficulty is due to the challenge of the content. Like with other endgame modes, Bungie doesn't want it to be accessible to all Destiny 2 players. It only wants players who take the game more seriously to try it, even if that outlook creates frustration and anger.
Unfortunately, Bungie isn't likely to change its mind regarding matchmaking for Legendary Astral Alignment, or any endgame content for that matter. It's apparent that it's a company policy and that Bungie has no intention of changing that. Regardless, it's clear that Destiny 2 players want to be heard about this, if only to persuade Bungie to give them better rewards.
Destiny 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.