Look, Nightfalls don't feel worth it.
The rewards aren't what we want and it's simple to give us what we want for Nightfalls to be fun and worthwhile.
Flaming Head Buff. Bring it back. There's literally dozens of posts here in B.net alone asking for this buff to be brought back. I think we've all been extra patient about this, especially considering the complete lack of response. No reps from Bungie has addressed why the buff was removed nor what might be done to replace it and it's been over a year.
So bring the Nightfall Buff back, with some new year 3 improvements. For example, in y1 we got boosted rep gains. This time around the flaming head buff should be the same as the burn that week. If it's solar, the flame should be red, Arc, blue. It should give the burn type to primary weapons. No burn for the nightfall that week, give the exp and rep boosts. Yes, I want to see the flame graphic return, but I also think some buffs would be wonderful, too.
Loot-- The nightfall loot table needs NIGHTFALL ONLY items to be added. Come up with some really great things. Like a scorch cannon...the only one in game and it's a random nightfall only drop. A "hunter" cloak that any class can wear. A pike, the only one, and let it shoot! An emblem, that gives extra rep when worn, like the old IB emblems and shaders used to provide. Things, that are out of the norm and available from nightfalls only.
Last but not least...I enjoyed the Nightfalls because it was actually an accomplishment to clear them. To that end, I'd like em to be the way they used to be when your team wiped. Return to orbit. Sure, right now...with the "meh" rewards being bounced to orbit would be a bit much. The run is barely worthwhile right now as is. But change up the rewards like I'm saying and being booted to orbit wouldn't be so bad, considering the rewards that await if you succeed.
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Loot has been fine for me. Got 2 items 5 light above my current level, and some 3 of coin. As far as the rep buff, they removed it because so many people felt it necessary to run nightfall immediately on Tuesdays reset to have the buff active for the week. They took it away, but greatly increased rep gains from all activities.