With the first Iron Banner of Season of the Wish, Destiny 2 is introducing a new mode to the PVP playlist called Tribute, which is now live. Tribute is a Supremacy-based mode, meaning players will drop Crests when killed. If an enemy picks up this Crest, it will score a point for their team. If a teammate picks it up, then it will deny the enemy that point.
However, Tribute puts a spin on this formula. Collecting Crests is not enough to earn points. Players must collect Crests and deliver them to a Tribute station to earn points. Like in Gambit motes, players can play it safe and bank Crests immediately or try to hunt down more to hand in all at once.
While holding onto Crests for a shot at the special Tribute station is tempting, if everyone on a team is doing the same, you may find your opponent racing out ahead while you’ve barely banked any Crests. Thanks to the special Tribute station, a game can swing at any moment, but banking often will keep your team steadily earning a score throughout the round.
If a player deposits a large enough number of Crests, they can trigger a Hunt phase. In standard Iron Banner matches, this would create a bonus scoring opportunity for one team, but in Tribute, the hunt instead creates a new Tribute station that will be active for a short duration. Any crests deposited at this station will be worth more than normal during this time. The station can also be used by either team, not just the one that created it.
When the high-value Tribute station does spawn, it will be guarded by four Honored Scorpius’ that will need to be burned through before a deposit can be made. Be careful, as this is a prime opportunity for an opponent to flank around and catch you while you are preoccupied. This does mean that you also get the same opportunity, however.
Another essential factor of Tribute that you will need to keep your eye on is the timers. Each Tribute station only exists for a short time, so be careful when you deposit your Crests, or else you may find yourself in the open, where a station used to be, with your Crests still in hand.
Iron Banner has also had an update to its loot pool. The Iron Symmachy set will become the base set for players to earn, bringing back a classic. For those who missed the Iron Companion set from the last year of Iron Banner, it will still be available in Legacy focusing. Finally, the Iron Banner armor ornaments from Years 1 and 2 of Destiny 2 will be available for purchase from Lord Saladin at the Tower.
The return of Iron Banner brings a new banana-themed emblem for players to earn and show off their commitment to Saladin’s great game.
