[2021] Dark Dimension has never depended on alliance progress - until now

The path to DD5, as given in today's road map, is a significant break from previous iterations of Dark Dimension.

We got into DD1 by getting a team to 6*. We got into DD2 with the rewards from DD1 plus uniques from the supply store, the war store, and war orbs. We got into DD3 and DD4 the same way: gear from the previous rewards plus gear from the supply store, war store, and war orbs was enough. Of course being in a big alliance would get you more war credits and more orange gear, but those advantages were marginal. I was around #900 to complete DD4, from a small alliance without buying any G15 offers. I just saved gear, war credits, and cores, and that was enough.

Today's road map says that DD5 will require G16, and that the Doom II raid "will be one of the primary ways to earn Gear Tier 16 (Teal)." Even in this vague framing, it suggests a big shift toward making Dark Dimension dependent on alliance progress. It's no longer a solo mode, but yet another index of the size of your alliance. We don't need to give players in top alliances even more advantages.

This move will force players to choose between Dark Dimension and their alliances, and break alliances in the process.