Strand is a manifestation of the Darkness in another elemental form, visually appearing as more of a green-colored energy. Strand manipulates the very threads of reality, connecting all minds and things in the universe. Likened to using The Matrix, Strand will use Aspects and Fragments just as with previous subclasses, with the main draw appearing to be the grapple hook. With Hunters seemingly having a special focus on it, the grappling hook can be utilized by all classes and will see players zip through the new Neptune cyberpunk city of Neomuna, using any surface - even thin air - as an anchor point. This makes “Threadrunner” an apt name for the Hunter’s Strand subclass, but it could also be pointing and issues the class might face.
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Subclass Name Changes for Strand in Destiny 2
The Bungie Lightfall page, where players can pre-order and obtain all information about Destiny 2’s Lightfall, recently changed the Strand subclass names for Warlock Architects and Titan Tyrants. Now, the titles read Warlock Broodweaver and Titan Berserker, respectively. The descriptions have been updated, though they remain the same as before, only with the words Architect and Tyrant replaced. With their descriptions unchanging, it appears that whatever gameplay change comes from the name is most likely to balance the mechanics like damage and area of effect rather than overhaul the subclass elements entirely.
While these two classes were updated, the Hunter class has remained the same. Hunter Threadrunners are said to be masters of movement, speed, and grace. Within its marketing for Lightfall, Threadrunners will find the fastest way between two points as they maneuver seamlessly through Destiny 2’s Neomuna, darting through the air, presumably with their grappling hook. It is unknown if Hunters will also get an update, but the recent change to the Warlock and Titan descriptions with no shift for the Hunter makes it seem unlikely.
Why Destiny 2’s Hunters Could be Getting The Short End of The Stick With Strand
While it’s speculated that the changes to Warlock and Titans might involve balancing their damage and AoE, it could mean that in terms of gameplay mechanics, Hunters are well-suited and don’t need any last-minute changes. If this is the case, it doesn’t provide a fully fleshed-out view of what Hunters are capable of in combat, with little shown in the trailers that stand out. However, the word Threadrunner is a particular term that easily evokes images of smooth and fluid traversal and mobility themes. Since the grappling hook was initially meant just for Hunters, combined with their Strand subclass description, these features may be Destiny 2’s Hunters’ primary ability and tool.
Strand has been further classified for Hunters as allowing the class to create a Rope Dart out of the Darkness subclass, which doesn’t provide a lot of information on its DPS for high-level enemies and bosses, nor display how the action can be used for an abundance of adds and crowd control. This could be an ill omen for the class because if it lacks any weight in terms of high DPS or AoE, it may be something considered more beneficial for PvP rather than PvE.
As such, Destiny 2’s Strand could be another PvP-focused subclass for Hunters, offering very little in PvE outside activities such as Raids’ puzzles or jumping mechanics, if this is truly the case. And while the grappling hook opens up a doorway of things to do as players zip through the air, the fact that Hunters no longer maintain that feature alone waters down the possibilities for the Hunter class overall in terms of unique abilities that can be brought to the table that no other type possesses. This could be especially harrowing because Hunters don’t lack good options in PvP, but they are often easily outperformed in high-end PvE content.
Destiny 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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