Destiny 2's Festival of the Lost: A Rollercoaster of Bugs and Unexpected Boons

The return of Destiny 2's Festival of the Lost has brought with it a mixed bag of experiences for players. While the new Heavy Burst shotgun archetype has been a hit, the event has also been plagued by a series of bugs and glitches that have left many players frustrated. However, one particular bug has turned out to be a pleasant surprise, granting players a coveted perk that was never intended to be part of the weapon's design.

Uncovering the Unexpected Perk

The Festival of the Lost has introduced a brand-new weapon archetype to Destiny 2 – the Heavy Burst shotgun. This unique shotgun fires two rounds at a time, similar to the hand cannon archetype that was recently added to the game. While players have been enjoying the novelty of this new weapon, a surprising discovery has emerged.

The Curated Roll Conundrum

Completing the initial Festival of the Lost quest from Eva Levante rewards players with a fixed roll of the Arcane Remembrance shotgun. This curated roll comes equipped with the perks Dual Loader and Trench Barrel – a combination that, according to the game's API, should not be possible. Trench Barrel, a perk that provides a significant damage boost, is not supposed to be available on this particular weapon.

A Beneficial Bug

However, the bug in question has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The Trench Barrel perk on the Arcane Remembrance shotgun does not function as intended, as it does not consume the usual "stacks" of its 50% damage buff. Instead, there is a simple five-second timer, making the perk more effective than on most other shotguns. This unexpected behavior has led to the curated roll being a highly desirable option for players.

Speculating on Bungie's Response

It remains to be seen how Bungie will address this bug. Given that many players have likely already invested resources into enhancing the Arcane Remembrance, the developer may be hesitant to simply change the perk. However, they may choose to "fix" the issue, ensuring that the Trench Barrel perk functions as intended, potentially reducing the weapon's overall effectiveness.

The Broader Buggy Landscape

The Arcane Remembrance shotgun is not the only source of frustration for Destiny 2 players during the Festival of the Lost. Other bugs and issues have been reported, including:- Festival of the Lost weapons (aside from the Arcane Remembrance) dropping with their old perk pools, rather than the new ones- One weapon that was supposed to be available not actually dropping at all- Eva Levante handing out the Solstice quest for no apparent reason- Persistent issues with the Headless One boss not spawning properly, forcing players to wait for extended periods- The lack of matchmaking for Expert Haunted Sectors, despite the ability to create Fireteam Finder listings being availableThese bugs and glitches have left many players feeling that the Festival of the Lost experience is "exhausting," with a significant portion of the available weapons and activities being affected.

A Cautious Approach Advised

Given the extent of the issues plaguing the Festival of the Lost, it may be prudent for players to approach the event with caution. While the Arcane Remembrance shotgun with its unexpected perk is a tempting prize, the broader problems with the event may make it advisable to hold off on engaging with the content until Bungie has had a chance to address the various bugs and glitches.As the developer's track record on resolving such issues in a timely manner is mixed, players may need to exercise patience and wait for a more stable and enjoyable Festival of the Lost experience to emerge.