The next season of Destiny 2 content will introduce big changes to the way swords work, which could mean the addition of a new or returning exotic sword. Bungie has announced the Destiny 2 sword sandbox update will change the mechanics for guarding, light attacks, and heavy attacks, and it will also add new sword energy and shield bypass mechanics to the heavy weapon type.
Destiny 2's current season, the Season of Dawn, has been a controversial one. Fans were generally happy with Season of Dawn's Sundial activity, and the Corridors of Time puzzle brought the community together like never before. But many players were unsatisfied with the puzzle's reward, and those in the PvP community continued to feel neglected. The season's new Empyrean Foundation activity could bring back Trials of Osiris, however, supplying an endgame for PvP players, so things are looking up as Destiny 2 heads towards its next season.
As that season approaches, Bungie has begun to reveal information about how Destiny 2's weapon sandbox will change. The first reveal described several major changes to swords: When players have a sword equipped, their melee cooldown meter will be replaced with the new sword energy meter. The meter recharges over time and works separately from sword ammo. Ammo will now only be used for light attacks, while sword energy will be used for guarding and heavy attacks (though at least one ammo is required to be able to use sword energy abilities). Finally, light attacks will chain in an infinite loop instead of the current three-hit combo, and a portion of most sword attacks will now bypass enemies' elemental shields, similar to one of the Bastion Fusion Rifle's trait perks.
Swords have had their ups and downs throughout Destiny 2's life, but they've never exactly been the dominant weapon category. The changes to sidearms in the Season of Dawn made them the new "meta" weapon type, so this update could do the same for swords. Previously, swords were only really viable in loadouts specifically geared towards them, usually involving the Black Talon exotic sword and season six's Stronghold Titan exotic gauntlets. The lack of ammo consumption while heavy attacking paired with the infinite light attack loop could make for a very deadly tool in a wider variety of Guardians' loadouts.
There is the possibility, too, of a new exotic sword to shake things up even further. Season of Dawn's Solar subclass changes and sidearm adjustments were accompanied by a set of Solar-subclass Titan exotic boots, the exotic Devil's Ruin sidearm, and the Buzzard sidearm Ritual Weapon, so it wouldn't be unprecedented to receive a new or returning exotic sword to go along with the changes. Many of the players disappointed by the Corridors of Time's reward were hoping to receive an updated version of Destiny 1's Dark Drinker or Raze Lighter swords, since a sword resembling them appeared on the grave in the Corridors mission. Perhaps Bungie was planning to release one of those just a little while later.
Destiny 2's yet-unnamed new season will begin on March 9, 2020.