Crucible

"You wanna live? You're gonna have to prove it."

- Lord Shaxx

The Crucible is Destiny's player vs. player game mode in Destiny. Items bought or earned in the game can be used more effectively in the Crucible, and weapons/armor received elsewhere can also be used in the rest of the game. The Crucible will sometimes randomly reward players after matches, regardless of rank after the game, while players can also purchase weapons from the Crucible Quartermaster as well as Armor and Shaders from Lord Shaxx and Lord Saladin.

All maps are completely separate and unique from explorable locations in the game. Each map will feature nearly all game modes on them with exceptions made to much larger maps made to be used in the mode Combined Arms. Players start out with ammo for their Primary weapon, and a small amount for their Special weapon, though throughout each map, there are multiple chests of Special ammo, and Heavy ammo chests appear in the middle of the match that replenish more slowly than Special ammo chests. Anyone who opens a chest gains Heavy ammo for themselves, and any teammates that are close by, but can only be used once. Players are restricted from using ammo synthesis crates, since it could potentially lead to an unfair advantage for one team over another.

Level advantages are normally disabled in the Crucible in order to have an even playing field. The two exceptions to this are the Iron Banner and the Trials of Osiris, where level advantages are enabled. This means that having high-level gear matters in these events. Also, Crucible bounties can be completed in Iron Banner matches, whereas Iron Banner bounties must be completed in Iron Banner matches. In addition to standard Crucible bounties, every week Lord Shaxx has a set of weekly bounties that are more difficult to complete. Completing these weekly bounties will reward a Nightfall-tier reward such as a legendary or exotic piece of gear).

The "Mercy Rule" was implemented with the release of The Taken King. This allows matches to end early when one team has more than approximately 2/3. When the rule is enacted, no more players may join the match, and the game clock is reset to 10 seconds. After those 10 seconds, the match will end normally. All players will receive their end of match rewards and return to matchmaking, splitting up those teams so they can't get matched aginst on another that same way. Bungie will update the rule's identification function over time.

Permanent Playlists

 * Clash- 6 vs. 6 mode. All-out warfare with no special modifiers.
 * Control- 6 vs. 6 mode. Players must fight for control of three zones around each map for extra points.
 * Rift- 6 vs. 6 mode. Players must fight for a "spark" in the center of the field and deliver it to the enemy rift.
 * Rumble- Free-for-all mode with 6 players. First one to reach the score cap wins.
 * Skirmish- 3 vs. 3 mode. Players kill enemies and revive their teammates for extra points.
 * Supremacy-6 vs. 6 mode. Similar to Call of Duty's "Kill Confirmed" mode, players must pick up enemy "crests" to score points. Kills do not count towards victory and players can deny the other team points by picking up friendly crests.

Weekly Playlists

 * Combined Arms 6 vs. 6 mode. Players battle on much larger maps than normal and are able to use Pikes, Heavy Pikes, Interceptors and their own Sparrows. Special medals are awarded for killing enemies with vehicles.
 * Doubles Skirmish- 2 vs. 2 mode. Skirmish-style gameplay minus one teammate.
 * Elimination- 3 vs. 3 mode. Players attempt to wipe out the entire enemy team out. Each round lasts for two minutes. If neither team is dead after time expires, the first team to capture a Control point wins.
 * Inferno Clash6 vs. 6 mode. Identical to regular Clash. Radar is disabled, even with special artifacts and Knucklehead Radar.
 * Inferno Control6 vs. 6 mode. Identical to regular Control. Radar is disabled, even with special artifacts and Knucklehead Radar.
 * Inferno Rumble- Identical to regular Rumble. Radar is disabled, even with special artifacts and Knucklehead Radar.
 * Inferno Skirmish- Identical to regular Skirmish. Radar is disabled, even with special artifacts and Knucklehead Radar.
 * Mayhem Clash6 vs. 6 mode. Ammo crates spawn more frequently and abilities charge more often.
 * Mayhem Rumble- Free-for-all mode. Ammo crates spawn more frequently and abilities charge more often.
 * Salvage 3 vs. 3 mode. Players fight over relics similar to Control. One team must deploy a probe while preventing the other team from disabling it. The first team to reach the score cap wins.
 * Zone Control6 vs. 6 mode. Only captures of zones count towards victory.

Special Events

 * Iron Banner- 6 vs. 6 mode that rotates themes every time it comes back. Only comes around once a month, and players can earn greater rewards through completing bounties and playing matches. Special Iron Banner-themed weapons can either be earned through combat or bought via the vendor located in Felwinter Peak social space.
 * Trials of Osiris- Special Elimination-style mode accessed only through a Trials Passage. Players attempt to wipe out all three players on the other team. Teams are eliminated from the tournament when their team gets 3 losses. Flawless victory (9 wins and no losses) awards access to a secret social space known as The Lighthouse, where they have a chance to get special ToO-themed weapons and armor.
 * Sparrow Racing League
 * Crimson Days