Destiny 2 Unveils March 2025 Update

Bungie just rolled out Destiny 2’s Update 8.2.5, tweaking everything from exotic gear to weapon types and even favorite activities like the Crucible. They’ve been pretty transparent recently about these changes, especially concerning certain weapons that might feel a bit different now post-update.

March 11 was a big day for Destiny 2 enthusiasts with the start of Act 2 in Episode Heresy. Players got a fresh slice of the storyline to engage with, along with some shiny new gear. Plus, the much-loved Guardian Games event for 2025 kicked off, letting the three classes face off to see who can claim daily bragging rights by earning the most medallions. As if that didn’t keep Guardians busy enough, a significant sandbox update has truly shaken things up in the game.

A major talking point for players is likely the adjustments made to Redrix’s Estoc, a pulse rifle sporting the Legacy PR-55 Frame archetype. It’s akin to Destiny 2’s BxR-55 Battler from the Halo-inspired lineup. Bungie’s update has slightly nerfed both body and critical hit damage for Lightweight pulse rifles, shifting the balance in gameplay.

Bug fixes play a vital role too. Several gear items like the Titan’s No Backup Plans, Khepri’s Horn, and Hazardous Propulsion have seen improvements. The Hunter’s lineup wasn’t ignored either, with corrections to Shards of Galanor, Radiant Dance Machines, and Sealed Ahamkara Grasps. However, the update does dial back some of the Nightstalker subclass’s abilities, adding a new tactical layer to battles in the Crucible.

Meanwhile, the community is buzzing over crafting mechanics and seasonal weapons. Although Episode Revenant took away crafting capabilities for seasonal weapons to revive weapon hunting, not all players are thrilled with this move. While changes to this system aren’t anticipated during Episode Heresy, anticipation is high for what’s to come with Codenamed: Frontiers.

Let’s dig into the nitty-gritty of Destiny 2’s Update 8.2.5 patch notes, covering seasonal activities, Crucible tweaks, dungeons, raids, and more:

Seasonal Activities

• The Nether: Damage from Sharpshooter’s Burden and Fragile Strength reduced.
• Paracasual Payload and Siphon issues fixed, improving damage bonuses.

Crucible

• Medals are now correctly awarded in Lockdown.
• Solo vs. fireteam loss forgiveness initiated; duos and trios can face off together.
• The new Ascendant 0 rank spurs competitive spirit with rewards like the "Darkest Night" emblem.

Dungeons and Raids

• Issue with nuclear core spawning at Vesper’s Host resolved.

Gameplay and Investment

Hunter Armor Updates:

• Sealed Ahamkara Grasps: Rectified damage bonuses and weapon buff errors.
• Radiant Dance Machines: Fixed dodge charge issues.
• Shards of Galanor: Ensured proper energy refunds.

Titan Armor Updates:

• No Backup Plans: Improved shotgun damage bonus application.
• Khepri’s Horn: Stasis crystal interaction fixed.
• Hazardous Propulsion: Enhanced Rockets buff corrected.

Weapons Adjustments:

• Lightweight Pulse Rifles see slight damage reductions. Redrix’s Estoc gets a handling tweak.
• Sword Logic perk and several weapon-related issues resolved.

Abilities and Artifacts:

• Prismatic Facet for Health regen linked to certain melee abilities.
• Nightstalker’s PvP impact reduced, altering debuffs and visual cues.
• Artifacts like Piercing Sidearms see improved functionality.

Progression and Collections:

• Recent weapon additions and triumphs now interact correctly with systems.
• Cosmetic fixes for shaders and ornaments enhance customization options.

This latest update not only refines gameplay balance and addresses player feedback but also sets the stage for future developments, keeping Guardians on their toes. As the Destiny universe continues to evolve, players can look forward to new challenges and experiences.