Do we all remember the somewhat struggle of upgrading the Husk to the obsolete Nechrochasm? The idea of evolving weapons was your solution Bungie! But you missed your shot. Evolving could've potentially made this game a lot more fun; and it didn't have to be guns, armor too would've been fun to evolve.
I personally think most of the uncommons and rare gear look pretty beast but it's a shame that they don't get me to 34. Solution? Evolution!!!!!! You could use the same concept as the Nechrochasm for armor.
For example, you could introduce a new material that could be fairly easy to acquire but not as hard as etheric light for the casual player. And we could use that material in upgrading uncommons to Rares and then to legendaries perhaps?
Also you could integrate the etheric light concept at the end of the evolution if anything. Idk it's just something I felt would make customization and guardian uniqueness better in this game.
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It could be like 5 motes of light to add a light level to your armor until you get to 32 light, then you have to etheric light it to 42. It could work since motes are kind of a dead end currency now. It's always miserable to get a really cool piece of gear but having to shard it because it's blue. If ttk weapons get light levels like what was shown at E3 then strike rares could get this as well. Maybe you could even do something to get it to legendary status and add the additional perks to it. Then there's the amazing idea of a multi stage branching quest that upgrades your Khvostov into a custom exotic weapon with a somewhat unique history.