[b]Please note: this content should not serve as a substitute for a raid per expansion or strikes. [/b] These are suggestions to provide additional pve modes and 6 man content. Raids are big deal that everyone looks forward to; Bungie typically shows its best side with this content. They should have more per expansion (at least 2). Ideally, I'd also like to see Bungie stick to one game and just keep tacking on DLC, but that's not relevant. [b]What is relevant is people want modes and challenges for their end game gear.[/b]
Raids require more time and resources. So, too, do Strikes. So I'd like to suggest two things that I think would be cool and (maybe?) possible for the Live Team to even implement.
[b]1. A Survival/Horde Mode -[/b]
It was requested in Destiny 1. Horde Modes work great for almost every game that has a Horde Mode. You would have the potential for different maps, convert pvp maps into Horde zones (for more options), and could obtain gear and achievements specifically related to these modes. They could also have their own challenge mode triggers and could progress alongside normal mode raids with occasional hard mode challenges/equivalents.
It would be cool to have three and six man versions of these but if you had to choose one, I'd say six man should be the priority. It would provide more content and use for clans and the guided games.
[b]2. Mini Raids - [/b]
These are in smaller in scale and complexity but still function as 6 man content. Essentially, look at these as instanced events where there may be a single boss. You may have to fight a couple mobs and do the equivalent of a few public events in the map where this event is generated. You have to queue into the zone much like you used to have to in a strike, raid, or old story missions in D1. The difference is the zone would be modified (much like in story modes) to accommodate the mini raid's purpose.
If Bungie was really creative these mini raids or "boss events" would have story/lore implications. Maybe Hive or Vex are on the move in a given location. A Guardian needs to be saved and is behind enemy lines. Perfect way to reuse zones in a new fashion while presenting a fresh and meaningful spin. Also: Bungie could use the opportunity to create zones we haven't visited yet but you queue into that "raid" or "boss zone" and you're there for that event.
Much like Horde/Survival Mode, this presents more opportunity for Progression during seasons and between expansions as they're smaller scale than designing a full raid or Strike.
[b]TL;DR[/b]
Please consider:
1. Horde/Survival Mode. Six man preferred, 3 man optional. Both would be excellent if they both could exist, but 6 man offers better gear. Use PVP maps if needed and other already generated zones for ease of implementation. Horde Modes always work great in other games.
2. Mini Raids/Boss Events. Six man content. Story opportunities and end game content but with the opportunity to be implemented at a simpler, smaller scale, rather than designing a full strike and/or raid.
-
Baffles me that they have not done a horde mode. Everyother great series has a survival/horde mode. It is essentially for adding to content without adding to much code and time. A little goes a long way.