Bungie has deployed a fresh update for Destiny 2 that focuses primarily on addressing various bugs and resolving persistent issues, while also implementing a welcome enhancement to the Portal system. This comes amid ongoing community discussions about the Portal's functionality and Bungie's future roadmap for Destiny 2, with players anticipating potentially controversial adjustments in the coming weeks.

A recent developer blog from Bungie outlined the comprehensive sandbox and gameplay modifications scheduled for the Ash & Iron major update in Destiny 2. Serving as both new content and a mid-season refresh, Ash & Iron promises substantial changes to the game's ecosystem. Among the most debated adjustments is the planned reduction of rewards in the Portal's Solo Ops activity, where Bungie intends to decrease power level rewards to encourage participation in other activities. Despite significant player feedback regarding these proposed changes, the current update focuses on smaller fixes while delivering a positive modification to the Portal experience.

For numerous players, the most notable improvement in the latest update concerns the Fireteam Ops activity within Destiny 2's Portal interface. Matchmaking for Fireteam Ops now features substantially extended time limits across all difficulty levels, providing additional opportunities for players to accumulate bonus points after completing the primary objectives. Expert Difficulty now offers 25% more time, while Master and Grandmaster difficulties have received 50% and 75% increases respectively.

Trials of Osiris receives important corrections in this patch, specifically addressing an issue where characters couldn't claim Lighthouse rewards if alternate characters attempted access without completed passages. Bungie has now made Lighthouse access and its rewards account-wide, meaning once any character visits the Lighthouse, access resets for all characters until another passage is completed successfully.

The popular Hunter exotic, Liar's Handshake, along with its Spirit of the Liar perk, have received necessary adjustments in this update. Previously, players could utilize unpowered melee, grapple melee, or combination blow melee attacks to deal excessive damage to opponents when activating the perk. This fix also addresses similar issues with grapple melee damage amplification. This marks another instance where Liar's Handshake has required balancing to maintain competitive integrity in Destiny 2.

Destiny 2 Update 9.0.0.8 Patch Notes

Kepler

• Resolved problems causing URCHIN errors during Kepler Weekly Missions launch
• Systems now properly notify fireteam members when Strangelet capsules are full
• Capsules must be integrated at Altar of Relativity before attempting same-difficulty Strangelet missions

Crucible

• Fixed Lighthouse reward claim issues between alternate characters
• Lighthouse access and rewards now function on account level
• Characters can purchase separate passages after initial completion
• Access resets after Lighthouse visit until new passage completion
• Addressed outdated Trials passages persistence after weekly reset

Portal

• Significantly increased matchmaking time limits for Fireteam Ops
• Expert difficulty: +25% time increase
• Master difficulty: +50% time increase
• Grandmaster difficulty: +75% time increase

Raid and Dungeon

The Desert Perpetual

• Fixed boss alignment detection issue in Agraios encounter
• Players can no longer prematurely identify accelerator patterns

UI/UX

• Corrected bright engram XP display after reaching Reward Pass Rank 100
• Visual adjustment only, no actual XP changes
• Reduces interface clutter for improved user experience

Gameplay and Investment

Exotic Armor

Hunter

• Balanced Liar's Handshake and Spirit of the Liar perk interactions
• Fixed unpowered melee, grapple melee, and combination blow melee damage amplification
• Addressed situational grapple melee damage increases

Abilities

• Adjusted Ward of Dawn and Well of Radiance damage absorption from bosses
• Improved survivability of protective abilities in high-level content

Gameplay Modifiers

• Tuned Volatile Shields modifier visual effects and mechanics
• Increased unshielded debuff cooldown from 5s to 10s
• Players must achieve full health before receiving unshielded debuff again

General

• Corrected visual issues with Bushido Vest Hunter chest piece
• Fixed Obsidian Durasteel Mark visual errors on female character models
• Addressed Synthcord not going to Postmaster at inventory capacity
• Prevented event reroll chip waste in Seasonal Challenges menu
• Resolved Hoplite Ghost Shell default visual appearance issues