With the introduction of the Lightfall expansion inDestiny 2, the new Strand subclass is poised to shake up the game in exciting ways reminiscent of the mostly-loved Stasis subclass from the Beyond Light expansion. The Warlock and Titan Exotics coming inDestiny 2’s Lightfall expansion both revolve around improving already built-in functions of the Strand subclass, and the new gameplay trailers reveal that players will have many ways to crowd-control enemies in Lightfall.
What sets Strand apart from Stasis is the instantaneous nature of its crowd-control abilities. Unlike Stasis, which requires players to build up the freeze effect over a short period of time, Strand’s powers allow players to immediately and effortlessly suspend enemies in the air. This is particularly true of the new Titan Exotic, which appears to be an even more powerful and devastating form ofDestiny 2’s approach to Strand gameplay. Meanwhile, the grappling hook that can grapple to anything or anyone will allow players to snare and suspend enemies easily, making Strand a formidable way to hinder foes on the battlefield.
RELATED:Destiny 2’s Strand Subclass Change Is an Ill Omen for Hunters
Strand’s New Mechanics Build on Destiny 2’s Tried Crowd Control Gameplay
Another aspect of Strand that sets it apart from Stasis is its reliance on green lashes and spheres of Darkness energy called Tangles, with said abilities allowing for easy and extra damage against suspended enemies. Additionally, players will have the ability to spawn Threadlings upon that seek out and destroy enemies, at least if the person damaging Tangles is a Warlock with one of thenewDestiny 2Lightfall Exotics. Between the various new Strand Aspects and Fragments, the ability to spawn things like Tangles and Threadlings should be fully integrated into every Guardian’s Strand subclass.
This kind of crowd control inDestiny 2is reminiscent of Stasis, but in a way that seems improved, making it a likely highly sought-after subclass for players who want to engage in a more controlled gameplay style inDestiny 2’s PvP and PvE content. While Strand’s similarities to Stasis are both a pro and a con, the ease with which players can use Strand’s abilities to control the battlefield is a huge advantage as, historically, anything with strong crowd control has been quite powerful in most ofDestiny 2’s PvEand PvP sandboxes.
Destiny 2’s Strand Subclasses Look To Do What Stasis Already Does but Better
On the other hand, Strand’s similarities to Stasis may turn off players who are looking for something completely new and different. Some players may have been hoping for a playstyle completely different from what they’ve been doing thus far. Still, Strand’s focus on projectiles, which are different enough from Stasis’s icy pillars, should help differentiate the gameplay. This is especially true with the Strand grapple hook that replaces a player’s Strand grenade. It’s even more likely thatDestiny 2’s new Aspects and Fragmentswill augment how players can subdue enemies in ways that are even more distinct from the Stasis subclass, especially when combined with Lightfall’s new Exotics.
Destiny 2’s Lightfall Exotics make Strand seem like Stasis 2.0 in many ways, with how its crowd control abilities work combined with new and inventive ways to get around the map. While this may be a pro for some players, it may also be a con for others who were hoping for a kind of play style that hasn’t been explored before in the space magic shooter. Regardless, Strand is set to be a popular subclass amongDestiny 2playersand is poised to shake up the game in exciting and unique ways.
Destiny 2is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
