Key Takeaways:
- Bungie is removing Unstable Cores in Destiny 2’s Update 9.1.5.1 after widespread player backlash.
- Players will receive a free chest of 777,777 cores and see reduced upgrade costs.
- The rollback reflects Bungie’s renewed focus on accessibility and balance, following its recent power grind overhaul.
Bungie Rolls Back Unstable Cores After Player Backlash
In a major reversal, Bungie has announced it will remove Unstable Cores from Destiny 2 with Update 9.1.5.1, following months of player frustration over excessive upgrade costs. The rollback marks another effort to simplify the game’s complex progression systems after the turbulent launch of the Edge of Fate DLC earlier this year.
Unstable Cores were introduced in July 2025 as part of the Edge of Fate expansion, replacing the long-standing Enhancement Cores used for gear infusion. However, the new system quickly drew criticism for its steep costs, requiring thousands of cores for even minor upgrades. This imbalance made it difficult for players to experiment with builds or maintain multiple armor sets, draining in-game resources at an unsustainable rate.
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Update 9.1.5.1 Brings Simpler Progression and Free Compensation
Bungie confirmed that Unstable Cores will be completely deleted in the upcoming update. In their place, a new upgrade system—still under wraps—will be introduced to streamline progression and reduce grind. To ease the transition, Bungie will lower high-end costs across the board and gift every player a free chest containing 777,777 Unstable Cores, symbolically closing the chapter on one of the game’s most unpopular currencies.
The studio emphasized that this change is part of a larger effort to make Destiny 2 more rewarding and accessible. It follows a previous adjustment to the power grind, where players will no longer need to reset their power level each season starting with the upcoming Renegades expansion.
A Step Toward Restoring Player Trust
This latest rollback underscores Bungie’s continued struggle—and effort—to balance Destiny 2’s intricate loot and leveling economy. The timing is also significant: according to popularity.report, the game’s daily player count recently fell to an all-time low of about 275,000 across all platforms.
By addressing these pain points, Bungie aims to restore goodwill among its community and stabilize the live-service shooter ahead of future expansions.
Destiny 2 remains one of the most ambitious live games in the industry, blending MMO-style progression with action-driven gameplay. With the removal of Unstable Cores, players can expect a clearer, fairer, and more rewarding upgrade experience as the next phase of the game unfolds.
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