Destiny 2 is nerfing popular OP weapon archetype so it’s no longer “great at killing everything”

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Destiny 2’s Episode Heresy is set to release on February 4th. So far, Bungie has shared some amazing new weapons that will be available at the start and throughout the episode, as well as significant enhancements and new abilities. Recently, Bungie announced more forthcoming balance adjustments, including boosts for Titan, Warlock, and Hunter classes, and a toning down of an overpowered Destiny 2 weapon type to make it less effective at annihilating everything.

Destiny 2 Episode Heresy Rocket-Assisted Frame Sidearms nerf

In the latest entry on the TWID blog, Bungie has unveiled an upcoming wave of adjustments, including both buffs and nerfs, specifically targeting Episode Heresy. Our focus here is on the weapon types as they are set to receive some substantial nerfs for an overpowered archetype that’s currently very popular.

As a gamer, I’ve got some news. Bungie’s got plans to tweak those Rocket-Assisted Frame Sidearms we all love. The reason? They want to make this archetype more specialized, less of an all-purpose tool in every situation. Don’t worry though, they’ll still be a reliable, ammo-friendly choice for taking down minor, major, and Champion-level targets with direct hits. But, they won’t be as effective at clearing out everything close to the main target anymore.

Below are the balance changes announced for Rocket-Assisted Frame Sidearms:

  • Reduced PvE detonation damage by 45%.
  • Increased PvE impact damage by 100%.
  • Reduced Aim Assist falloff and maximum distance by 8m.
  • Reduced magnetism falloff and maximum distance by 8m.
  • Reduced damage by 30% vs boss, vehicle, and miniboss targets.
    • Buried Bloodline’s body shot damage is unaffected, critical hit damage is buffed by 8%.
  • The range stat was vestigial to the weapon subfamily, so we’ve removed it.
    • Range masterworks and enhanced intrinsics will be replaced with something more appropriate.

Fans seem to be backing the upcoming changes on Reddit, as they understand that the character type in question is overpowered (OP) and has been ruling across all game content because of its versatility in doing everything well.

Destiny 2 Episode Heresy buffs and nerfs for weapon archetypes

In Destiny 2’s Episode Heresy, we’re getting updates on the various types of weapon archetypes, including changes like buffs and nerfs to their abilities.

PvE Damage Tuning:

  • Scout Rifles
    • +15% vs minors
    • +30% vs majors
  • Auto Rifles
    • +10% vs minors and majors
  • SMGs
    • +5% vs minors
    • Additionally, in 8.1.5.3 we increased base magazine size by 10-15% rounds based on the mag stat.
  • Trace Rifles
    • +20% vs minors
  • Linear Fusion Rifles
    • +10% vs all combatants

Glaives:

  • Significantly increased Aim Assist, Aim Magnetism, and Damage Falloff Ranges across the board for all Glaives.
  • Improved Glaive projectile hit registration.
  • Increased the baseline effects at all stat values for:
    • Handling speeds, including shield ready speed and draw and stow speed.
    • Magazine size
    • Projectile speed
    • Reload speed
  • Final hit of the melee combo deals double damage.
    • This hit also inflicts much more flinch on PvE combatants.

Aggressive Frame Fusion Rifle(s):

  • Aggressive Frame Fusion Rifles now fire three bursts of four pellets in increasingly wide spreads.
  • Increased minimum damage when fully outside of damage falloff range from 45% to 65%.
  • Increased range falloff start by 4m relative to normal Fusions.
  • Increased range falloff end by 3m relative to other Fusions.
  • Increased damage versus minors and majors by 15% relative to normal Fusions.

Support-Frame Auto Rifles:

  • Range now increases how far away you can heal another Guardian.

Check out Bungie’s TWID blog post for all other details pertaining to Episode Heresy.

Regarding further updates on Destiny 2, Bungie has clarified controversial story elements that some fans have criticized as underhanded, which they’ve termed a “questionable decision.” The studio is also looking into an issue where players are exploiting a loophole following mass account bans. Players may want to explore the roadmap for 2025 to catch up on all the upcoming announcements Bungie has made so far.

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2025-01-24 14:10