Destiny: House of Wolves – new Crucible details

Destiny’s second expansion is bringing a bigger, more rewarding competitive experience. In addition to three new Crucible maps (plus an exclusive fourth map for PS4 and PS3 owners), Bungie is shaking up the formula with more loot and more activities for high-level players.

Timekeeper is the new PlayStation-exclusive map, and it’s a looker!

Thieves’ Den is an intimate arena set in the tunnels under Venus. Black Shield is a medium-sized map set on Phobos. Widow’s Court takes the fight to Earth’s European Dead Zone, a striking thematic departure for Destiny — expect crumbling gothic spires, stained glass, and overgrown plant life.

Across the board, House of Wolves aims to make Crucible a more rewarding endeavour. You’ll earn double the engrams and marks in Crucible matches, and guaranteed rewards for participating in the daily featured game. Not bad!

Then there’s Trials of Osiris, a new weekly event designed to captivate high-level Crucible players with new challenges and exclusive rewards. The pitch: You gather your best gear and two friends to take on a punishing 3v3 Elimination challenge. The Trials of Osiris challenge opens up each Friday and closes each Sunday.

These Elimination matches are tight, intense affairs where every kill counts. Fall, and you’ll need to be revived by a teammate (unless you’re a Warlock sporting that uber-handy Fireborn self-revive ability). The first team to win five rounds wins claims victory, though you’re free to keep competing all weekend long.

To participate in the Trials, you’ll need to buy a Trials Passage from Brother Vance, a new NPC in The Reef, House of Wolves’ new social space. This Passage works like a scorecard; once you’re ready to claim your hard-earned rewards, you’ll hand the Passage into Brother Vance for a shot at winning exclusive weapons and armour. Take note: The Osris-themed gear is some of the best in the game.

House of Wolves comes to PS4 and PS3 on 19th May.