The abilty to prone is a [i]core secondary mechanic[/i] style choice. To discuss it's viablity, one must first theorize the facts of Destiny's combat design. [b]Core Player Mechanics:[/b] (Suite of Actions) [i]Shoot, Reload/Interact, ADS/Zoom, Throw Grenade, Switch Weapon, Use Ability/Power, Run, Sprint, Jump, Crouch, Melee[/i] Let us then divide these mechanics into primary and secondary catagories, defined by active vs. passive action towards achieving optimal end-state. (In this specific case, winning a combat vs. another agent) [b]Primary:[/b] [i]Shoot, Throw Grenade, Use Ability/Power, and Melee.[/i] [i]*Note[/i] all of the above, with the exception of [i]run[/i], are active damaging skills. This is what defines them as primary, as they directly further the achievement of our optimal end-state. [b]Secondary:[/b] [i]Reload/Interact, ADS/Zoom, Switch Weapon, Sprint, Jump, crouch[/i] All secondary skills assist primary skills. They improve the flexability of their use. Now, [i]Prone[/i] would act as a core secondary movement mechanic, vertically flattening your characters hitbox in order to offer less of a target. Within the context of this specific mechanic, we can extrapolate several game rules. [b]1. [/b] [i]A player who is prone will move at 1/4 to 1/8 normal movement speed.[/i] [b]2. [/b] [i]A player who is prone will have his 1st-person camera adjusted vertically to 1/6th it's normal height.[/i] [b]3. [/b] [i]A player who is prone will throw grenades at a reduced distance.[/i] [b]4.[/b] [i]A player who is prone will rotate his hitbox 90 degrees forward.[/i] (There are more, but these are relevant to my argument) Now, Destiny is by principle a action-shooter game. Here's a quick breakdown of traits this label implies: [i]- Based around quick reflexes, sudden combat, good problem solving skills, and fast thinking skills - Based around gunplay, vehicle usage, melee, and positioning skills. -Features short, quick matches in MP and fast-paced action sequences in SP.[/i] Now that we have some definitions, rules, and mechanics to work with, let's get to the bread and butter of a [i]Prone[/i] mechanic. As established by the 4 listed game rules defined by a [i]Prone[/i] action, we can extrapolate that a player using the mechanic would have several goals in mind: [b]1.[/b] Reduce the chances of being hit in combat. [b]2.[/b] Reduce the chances of being noticed in combat. But such an action does have negative effects as well: [b]1.[/b] Reduced movement speed. [b]2.[/b] Reduced visibility. [b]3.[/b] Reduced throw range on grenades. Now, an action game is defined by "sudden combat" and "fast thinking skills". Both these terms imply a fast paced combat environment, in which movement, positioning, and accuracy are paramount skills. Note the contradiction of this action game paradigm to the innate rules included in a [i]Prone[/i] mechanic. A [i]Prone[/i] mechanic slows down a players speed and decreases his hitbox size. Slowing down a player's speed is in direct contradiction to "sudden combat". And decreasing the chances of a player getting hit in addition to slowing a players speed encourages very cautious combat strategies, which fit poorly into our aforementioned paradigm as well. Thus, [i]Prone[/i] is not a constructive mechanic in a action game. If you need further convincing let us also consider that [i]Prone[/i] is a redundant mechanic, as it's ruleset is already covered by the [i]Crouch[/i] mechanic. The [i]Crouch[/i] mechanic is less destructive, reducing movement speed [i]and[/i] hitbox by a smaller ratio and fitting more into the action game paradigm.