Yesterday Bungie released an update around upcoming events in Season 2, and finally revealed the full details of their PvE mode!
Marathon PvE Mode Details
The new PvE mode is called Vault Breaker, and will allow you to explore Cryo Archive as a Solo, Duo, or Trio. The goal will to be to take on progressively more difficult Vaults, gaining progress each run that is specifically tied to Vault Breaker. The end goal is to make it all the way to the final Vault to fight the “mysterious entity within” (presumably The Compiler but maybe I’m wrong!).
You will be required to use a Vault Breaker Sponsored Kit to enter the mode, and any gear earned during a run is not returned to your Vault. Instead you’ll receive a new currency called Vault Data that can be used to upgrade your Vault Breaker Kit, or to buy gear that can be used in other modes as well.
This sounds like it won’t just be “Cryo with no PvP”, but rather a more fleshed out and guided game mode that allows you to gradually explore all of Cryo. I wonder if it will ask you to go to all 7 Vaults in order, unlocking them in the same way you would during a standard Cryo run, but just without requiring the Vault Key?
Is This Enough?
Personally, I think this mode sounds really fun and intriguing - but is it enough to help keep players engaged and/or pull in new players?
One of my biggest complaints (and one I’ve seen echoed across the internet) is that Cryo, the pinnacle activity in the game and the thing that should be the biggest selling point is just not super accessible. It required a high level, an expensive loadout, you can’t run it solo, it was locked on certain days, and when you did finally run it, most times more experienced squads wipe you.
Giving us a way to explore the map at will is awesome. This mode will let a lot more players see the complexity and challenge of the map, and the PvE depth that is already available in Marathon (but was previously just really hard to get to). If the mode is repeatable and fun, I truly think it can change the game for the better. I also have high hopes that it will help Runners better prepare for future PvP Cryo runs, giving that queue a larger player-base
Final PvE Thoughts
Honestly? This is way more than I anticipated from the first attempt at a PvE mode in Marathon from Bungie. I expected it to essentially just be one of the maps without any PvP, and maybe some slightly increased PvE presence, but this is straight-up a brand new spin on the game and I’m all for it.
I do wish you could build out custom loadouts to risk your PvP gear in the mode, as that makes a cool crossover with PvP and PvE, but I understand the reasons behind not allowing that and I’ll reserve my full judgment until I play the mode and see what it’s all about.
Cradle Evolution and Player Stats
While Vault Breaker is understandably hogging the spotlight, it isn't arriving in a alone. The July 21st mid-season update will also introduce the first iteration of the Cradle Evolution system.
For anyone who has hit the ceiling with their character progression in Season 2 and felt the momentum slow down, this is the answer. Once you completely max out your Cradle, you’ll now have the option to reset it back to zero - essentially a CoD prestige system. Doing so will permanently award you one additional maximum Energy point and unlock exclusive cosmetics like unique Runner shell styles.
When you pair the Cradle changes with the fact that they are finally adding dedicated player profile stats, the mid-season update is starting to look really really solid. It gives us a tangible, long-term horizontal progression loop to chase. If you get burnt out grinding your Cradle in the sweat-inducing PvP lanes, you can pivot to Vault Breaker, use the Vault Data to snag gear usable in other modes, and keep the evolution cycle moving.
It all releases on July 21st, see y’all on Tau Ceti!