While the Destiny 2 community continues to question the lack of attention Bungie has given to Gambit in recent years, one player has given their idea on a mode Bungie can use to replace the PvPvE mode. Gambit has been part of the game's core ritual activity grind since the release of 2018's Forsaken expansion, pitting players against AI enemies and each other for the amusement of The Drifter. However, the lack of any major updates to the mode inside Lightfall has seen a growing conversation among the game's community as to why it is still in the game.
Gambit stands alongside the Vanguard and Crucible playlists as the third of Destiny 2's core ritual playlist for players to grind every season for the new rewards available to earn. The mode pits two teams of four against each other in a race to fill their bank with enough motes to summon a primeval Taken and kill it before the other team. However, a player from the opposing team is able to invade and slow the other team's progress to keep their own team in the game, giving them a chance to win.
The last major update to Gambit came with the release of The Witch Queen expansion, with Bungie tuning ammo, respawns, invasions, and much more to try and drive players back into the mode. However, a lack of any new maps in the last four years or overall refreshes to the core gameplay loop has led many players in the Destiny 2 community to deem the mode "dead" and worth dropping from the game entirely. Reddit user Darth_Onaga shares this sentiment, though they provide an idea for a horde-style mode to replace it that they feel fits the current state of the Destiny universe called "Front-Line."
Onaga explains the inspiration for the mode comes from the Lightfall OST and final campaign mission, which sees players fight alongside Empress Caiatl and her Cabal forces against Emperor Calus' Shadow Legion attempting to reach the Veil. The mode would task six players with defending a vault against increasingly difficult waves of enemies, which would change depending on the map they are on. Players would amass points over time which could then be turned in for different forms of aid, ranging from turrets and bombardments to allied reinforcements, while rewards are earned at different point thresholds.
The idea appeared to be positively received by other players on the DestinyTheGame subreddit, with many echoing Onaga's own opinion on the current state of Gambit. Onaga's thread also highlights a desire among the Destiny 2 community for a third, unique core activity to break up the PvE and PvP experiences players have known since 2014 and larger frustrations with Bungie's handling of Gambit in recent years. It remains to be seen, though, how Bungie takes this feedback and what it could mean for the future of Gambit as the studio begins its march toward The Final Shape.
Destiny 2 is currently available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.