Watch 40 Minutes of Destiny's Prison of Elders

Last week, developer Bungie revealed lots of PvP details about the upcoming House of Wolves expansion for Destiny, and this week we learned more about the PvE. In the video below you can watch a Prison of Elders match in its entirety.

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Destiny Prison of Elders Five Full Rounds of Gameplay

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Prison of Elders is a lot like Horde Mode from Gears of War, but with a twist. According to a press release, this "co-op arena activity" involves teams of three that will "take on waves of increasingly difficult enemies to earn high-level legendary and exotic rewards. You can match-make with other players anytime, or form your own Fireteam to take on higher difficulty challenges with even greater rewards."

You'll find modifiers during the matches that have either positive or negative buffs. Returning buffs include Lightswitch and Juggler. Two new modifiers will be Brawler (increase to melee damage) and Catapult (decrease grenade cooldown).

Bosses will introduce new abilities. One example is a shield that can re-calibrate to different elements.

The mode will introduce "critical objectives" like defusing mines or killing a VIP before he gets to a specific location. Sometimes Varicks will gift you a Scorch Cannon after certain critical objectives. Scorch Cannon is like a Fallen rocket launcher and it has 10 rounds.

Depending on your level, there are different rewards for participating in Prison of Elders.

28 -- The only level that allows matchmaking with strangers. You'll go four rounds and earn treasure.
32 -- Five rounds (which adds an additional boss) and you earn an Armor Core
34 -- Same number of roudns as 32, but you earn both a Weapon Core and Etheric Light
35 -- Six rounds (adding one regular boss as well as the Prison of Elders final boss). You earn an Armor Croe, Weapon Core, Etheric Light, and Elemental Fallen Primary Weapons (but those are only possible after the final boss).

At the end of all of it is a Treasure room. At level 32, we found two small chests, one large chest with an Exotic, new Legendeary weapon, new class armor, coins/motes.

For more Destiny content, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.