Mayhem

Mayhem
Information

Mayhem is a rotating Crucible game mode in Destiny 2 that features drastically reduced cooldowns for all abilities, creating chaotic and ability-focused matches.

Overview

Mayhem is a modifier variant of standard Crucible modes like Clash, Control, or Rumble. As its name suggests, the mode "cranks the PvP dial up to 11," creating frantic matches where Super abilities, grenades, and class abilities recharge at dramatically increased rates. This results in constant ability usage and explosive combat encounters.

Game Mechanics

Ability Recharge Rates

• Super Abilities: Recharge in approximately 10-20 seconds (compared to several minutes in standard Crucible)
• Grenades: Near-instant cooldown
• Melee Abilities: Significantly reduced cooldown
• Class Abilities: Minimal cooldown time

Ammo Economy

• Heavy Ammo: Spawns every 90 seconds (1 minute 30 seconds)
• Special Ammo: Spawns every 30 seconds
• More frequent ammo availability supports the fast-paced nature of the mode

Scoring

• Team-based modes: First to 125 points wins
• Each elimination: 1000 points (displayed as 1 point)
• Time limit: 10 minutes
• Sudden death if time expires with tied score

Match Structure

Team Composition

• 4v4 format for team-based Mayhem
• Free-for-all format when Mayhem modifier is applied to Rumble

Victory Conditions

• Reach the score limit before the opposing team
• Have the highest score when time expires
• Win sudden death overtime if tied

Strategy

General Tips

• Aggressive play is rewarded due to constant Super availability
• Map control becomes less important than Super timing
• Audio cues are crucial - listen for enemy Super activations
• Positioning to counter roaming Supers is key

Class-Specific Strategies

Hunter

• Blade Barrage with Shards of Galanor creates near-infinite Super loops
• Golden Gun excels at shutting down other Supers
• Shadowshot can suppress multiple Supers simultaneously

Titan

• Thundercrash provides instant map traversal and elimination
• Ward of Dawn creates defensive strongholds
• Hammer of Sol offers extended roaming potential

Warlock

• Nova Bomb provides instant area denial
• Chaos Reach can eliminate multiple Supers at range
• Well of Radiance creates team-support opportunities

Exotic Synergies

Certain Exotic armor pieces excel in Mayhem:

• Shards of Galanor - Returns Super energy on Blade Barrage hits
• Skull of Dire Ahamkara - Refunds Nova Bomb energy on kills
• Ursa Furiosa - Generates Super energy when blocking with Sentinel Shield
• Phoenix Protocol - Extends Well of Radiance duration

Availability

Mayhem appears as a rotating playlist in the Crucible directory:

• Often featured during seasonal events like The Dawning
• Typically available for one week at a time
• Not a permanent playlist due to its chaotic nature

Reception

The community generally views Mayhem as a "fun" mode rather than a competitive one:

• Not intended for serious play or K/D preservation
• Provides a break from standard Crucible gameplay
• Excellent for completing ability-based bounties and quests
• Some players find it overwhelming or frustrating

History

• Originated in the original Destiny as a limited-time mode
• Brought to Destiny 2 as part of the rotating Crucible playlist system
• Frequently returns during seasonal events

Tips for Success

• Don't worry about kill/death ratios - embrace the chaos
• Use Supers immediately when available unless saving for specific counters
• Stay mobile to avoid becoming an easy target
• Learn Super audio cues to anticipate threats
• Coordinate with teammates for Super combinations

Trivia

• The name "Mayhem" perfectly describes the chaotic nature of constant Super usage
• Some Supers can achieve nearly 100% uptime with proper Exotic combinations
• The mode has created memorable moments of multiple simultaneous Super activations
• Often considered the best mode for completing Super-kill related quests

References

• Destiny Wiki - Mayhem
• Destinypedia - Mayhem
• Gamepur - Destiny 2 Mayhem PvP Guide
• Destiny 2 Template:1st