Destiny 2's first Iron Banner event has been live for a few days, and the player community has had enough time to collect its thoughts on the revised week-long PvP celebration. So far the overall response from returning players has been, uh, not good. If you're in a TL;DR mood, this one Reddit post and comment sum up most of the community conversation I've picked up on so far.
Read on for more of the responses to specific Iron Banner issues. There are a lot of them.
Players think it doesn't feel like Iron Banner any more
Even though they were both dedicated PvP modes, the original Destiny's Iron Banner felt pretty distinct from the Crucible. Light level differences gave the event an air of hardcore competition; powerful gear was a boon but far from a guaranteed victory and players of all kinds still participated to earn tempting rewards. Those power level differences are gone in this new Iron Banner.
Crucible, Trials, and now Iron Banner are all 4v4 with no light advantage, so @bungie or @deej, pls explain the difference #notmyironbannerOctober 12, 2017
Iron Banner is trash. PvP has no variety in D2. Everything is the same with different Titles,and Announcers. UnacceptableOctober 12, 2017
And this limited-time event has only aggravated existing concerns about matchmaking.
Finally managed to play some Iron Banner. Hmmm... well it looks like PvP isn’t destined to be any fun for people solo queuing.October 12, 2017
Why isn't the Mercy Rule in effect in Iron Banner games? I've had some really lopsided games.October 12, 2017
The reward system doesn't have many fans
I wouldn't call the original Iron Banner's reward system "straightforward". You played matches to earn reputation, which would expand what Iron Banner items you could buy, but you only got reputation from wins, but did you got little participation trophies from losing that would turn into rep the next time you won, and you'd get loot drops when you ranked up and also sometimes at the end of a match… It was A Lot.
In Destiny 2? You earn tokens by playing, and also by doing challenges. Then you turn those tokens in to rank up, which might give you Iron Banner loot… or it might give you gear you already have.
Imagine playing 4 to 6 games of iron banner for a package, going to the tower to open your package, and it’s a scathelocke. pic.twitter.com/ghduZFvi5fOctober 11, 2017
No gear drops in Iron Banner matches + solo queue = terrible. D1 was rough, but you had a consolation prize for steam roll losses... gear.October 10, 2017
Anyone else annoyed with this new Iron Banner loot system? Been grinding it since launch and got all the weapons but 3 armour drops @BungieOctober 12, 2017
The weapons themselves are no Nirwen's Mercy
People seem to like the samurai-inspired armor plenty, but the Iron Banner weapons are getting dragged all over.
My face when I see the new Iron Banner Weapons. pic.twitter.com/fbfmP3KIIZOctober 10, 2017
Iron Banner be like: pic.twitter.com/1c8ymuz2CvOctober 11, 2017
Really disappointed that the Iron Banner weapons are just reskins with the logo slapped on.October 10, 2017
Seriously though, remember Nirwen's Mercy?
I'll never forget you, my original Destiny love. FOREST GREEN PULSE RIFLES FOR LIFE.
I like the new iron banner weapons and all, but nothing will top this monster pic.twitter.com/Dv4UKWUDFDOctober 12, 2017
The usual qualifiers apply to all this: you're more likely to go post on Twitter or Reddit if you're having a miserable time than if you're loving it. But this is still the most consistent displeasure I've seen about Destiny 2 since the consumable shaders uproar. I'm sure Bungie's hearing all of these complaints, but we'll have to wait and see if that's reflected whenever the next Iron Banner rolls around.
