Destiny 2's Kepler Abilities Take Exploration to a New Level

Summary

Kepler abilities in The Edge of Fate expansion offer unique mechanics like Matterspark and Relocator Cannon.
Exploration on Kepler emphasizes verticality, hidden spaces, and puzzles, changing the interaction with the world.
Mattermorph ability allows players to manipulate the environment, turning it into one big interactive puzzle in Destiny

The next major chapter in Destiny 2 has finally been unveiled, with The Edge of Fate expansion kicking off the brand-new multi-year Fate Saga for the game. With the release of The Edge of Fate on July 15, 2025, players will be introduced to Kepler — a mysterious planetoid rich in dark matter energy. Along with this new location, players will also be treated to a handful of unique abilities that look to take Destiny 2's exploration to a whole new level.

Destiny 2 has always given players new ways to interact with and explore its world, but Kepler and the new abilities that come with it feel like they're on an entirely different level. Based on what Bungie revealed about the planet, it's primed to be much more than a new location or a simple backdrop. Instead, the new abilities players will receive essentially turn the entire planet into a giant box of puzzles that only opens for those who are willing to venture off the beaten path and get creative.

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By Josh Cotts

Destiny 2's Kepler Abilities Could Revolutionize Planetary Exploration

Dark Matter Powers Open New Paths Across Kepler

One of the Kepler abilities Bungie especially highlighted during the Edge of Fate reveal is Matterspark, which turns exploration and traversal into momentum-driven puzzle-solving by transforming players into a glowing, electric ball reminiscent of Samus' Morph Ball form in Metroid. With Matterspark, players can charge through narrow tunnels, slam into and through enemies, and even ricochet off walls. Meanwhile, the Relocator Cannon allows for instant teleportation across the planet, allowing players to execute a quick flank or bypass danger altogether.

Destiny 2 has always given players new ways to interact with and explore its world, but Kepler and the new abilities that come with it feel like they're on an entirely different level.

What makes Destiny 2's upcoming Kepler abilities so interesting is how they naturally fit into Kepler's design. Kepler doesn't appear to be built like Destiny 2's Europa or Nessus, where most exploration happens along a single horizontal plane. Instead, there seems to be more of an emphasis on verticality here, with hidden spaces tucked behind walls, vertical tunnels, and entire sections that might even only be reachable by using a specific ability. Destiny 2 has always encouraged curiosity, but Kepler makes it an essential characteristic players need to have.

Traversal, Puzzles, and World Interaction Get a Major Overhaul on Kepler

Mattermorph is another major Kepler ability that doesn't just affect players themselves and instead invites them to transform the environment around them. By combining dark matter with Strand energy, Mattermorph gives players the power to manipulate their surroundings, bending terrain in subtle yet significant ways. They can use Mattermorph to extend platforms, shift obstacles, and even reveal hidden routes deliberately, rather than through scripted events. This ultimately turns the environment into one giant puzzle rather than just scenery, echoing what Destiny 2's Pale Heart location only entertained.

Destiny 2 has always asked its players to explore, but the new Kepler abilities being introduced with The Edge of Fate make that invitation seem even louder.

In the end, Destiny 2's new Kepler abilities show the game taking some major leaps toward the way players interact with its world. Instead of simply moving through the world to get to the next fight, the upcoming Kepler abilities will invite players to slow down, experiment, and interact with the environment in ways that feel more intentional than anything the game has ever done before. If Destiny 2 follows through on this design philosophy throughout The Edge of Fate, Kepler could end up being one of the most memorable locations Destiny 2 has ever offered, simply because of how it plays.

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