Appreciate Mercules and Kyt on. They always have something great to talk about regarding the game, and its always good to hear their insight. With that being said, time to talk about the topics: [b]What are thoughts on the updates Bungie has made to PvP, has it improved play? [/b] If anything, it further hindered certain gametypes. What is really the point in even going for a tag now in supremacy when you get credit for a point on a kill? This just fundamentally changed what the gamemode even is in the first place, and just turns it into a long teamshot clash variant. Just no point here to the change, along with the score upgrade. this mode overall just is dead on so many levels, with the pacing, the weapons system, and the 4v4. Supremacy does not belong in this game. Control also suffers from similar issues as supremacy, as it just doesnt work in the game they are presenting us with. The spawn logic fix was a needed change, but from the games ive played today, it doesnt really feel different. The overarching increased score for mercy just made no sense here, as the score difference was already kind of silly for the mercy rule kick in spot (50 or 60-9), so now they increased this further, which just makes it more drawn out for longer. No point in it. Score change will not make this mode any better, as it just doesnt really fit this game. i really have no opinion on survival, as i never saw an issue with how it way set up to start. [b]At this point in D2, how does the new weapon system (kinetic, energy, power) stand up verse D1's system?[/b] PVE wise, the D1 system is far and a way superior. PvP wise I feel the same, with one notable selection I'll get to momentarily. This is far and away the biggest gripe i have with this game, besides unrewarding endgame and 4v4, with the weapons and 4v4 often being the dynamic duo. PvE is just awful with this system. it really limits how you can approach things on a higher end content level, ie the Raid or NF, as it just makes the content a real slog at times with two primaries for choices. To be honest I would have prefered them to have made the kinetic slot all elementals and keep the heavy and secondary slots of D1. For some reason, I just think that they are putting too much weight on the element. Crucible wise, its hard to make parallels to this without talking about 4v4, as they often go in tandem with one another. The short answer is for almost all modes its a resounding no for me, as its the main factor as to why games are snails paced, and teamshot oriented only. It removed the fun within the crucible, at least for me, as you just have only so many ways to do things, and it is the anti-thesis to my preferred way to play the game, which is semi aggressive to objectives to capture. Right now, I just play the game of who peeks first, and how many, and thats just not fun to me. The only place in my eyes, that the new weapon system works well is the Countdown gametype, as it just works well, but that may have to do with the fact that im used to the Search & Destroy methodical play, as this is the quintessential competitive game type next to Capture the Flag for MLG play. It just works here. [b]Do D2 game modes really fit 4v4 play?[/b] It really comes down to the game type. The quickplay game modes of Supremacy and Control had to sacrifice a ton just to try and be viable in this new style of play, and both modes do not work at all. They both need the faster pacing of their original versions to be playable at all, and 4v4 completely kills these modes, as does the weapon system changes, which do not play into these two modes at all. There is a reason why competitive CoD teams use a game mode like CTF as their objective game type, because it fits into the lower player count quite well, where as Domination (Zone Control) just does not fit the premise at all. clash and survival are really the same thing, since they are both TDM, they work in either system. The only game type that I feel works with this 4v4 style of play is Countdown, where as the the player count and weapon system work really well for this type of game. Its why when Trials is Countdown, it feels right. [b]Lack of power and ammo in Prestige level play[/b] This is why the worlds first teams were using a ammo glitch to be able to get some consistency to droprates, as the power ammo drops can be abysmal. There is a very real issue here, and part of me feels that the weapon system change has just amplified this issue to a large degree. its hard to take on mobs like bathers with primary weapons only. If we still had the old weapon system, this wouldnt be as big an issue, but it just becomes way more glaring due to the weapon system constraints. the same can also be said about the lack of Kinetic and Energy ammo as well, as ive also seen this be a major issue, expecially on Calus, where i run out of all and barely can get ammo at times. I imagine the issue is worse on Prestige Raid, as I just dont really see a point in doing it. However this is an issue on normal, and i just expect the issues to be exemplified. [b]Is D2 too extreme casual to hard core?[/b] It leans towards the extreme casual side for most of everything. [b]Thoughts on balance, kill times and the Bungie ethos on weapons[/b] Awful on the ttk and balance issues. Their Ethos is what consistently holds the game back. I lean towards Mercules' opinion mostly on this. [b]Will D2 be a reverse of D1's backward power creep? [/b] Going to have to also agree with Mercules on this part. Its going to end up the same. -LK