Big Balance Changes Coming in Destiny Weapon Tuning Update 2.0
In a long, drawn out letter from the desk of Bungie's Jon Weisnewski, we learned today of the extensive changes coming to Destiny's weapons in the next big update. Across the board, all weapons will be fine-tuned from base to exotic and in his write-up, Weisnewski explains exactly what is going to happen, alongside what Bungie is looking towards.
Base Weapons
For example, the goals for the Pulse Rifle include being "optimal at medium range, but can still effectively engage enemies at close or medium-long range" and they "should feel strong in PvP, but don't become the only competitive option". In reaching these goals, Bungie will reduce the base damage of the medium RoF by 2.5% and increase magazine size for all base inventory stats.
Scout Rifles have increased base damage, magazine size, and damage as well as reduced accuracy when fired from the hip. Hand Cannons have had their ADS accuracy, hip accuracy, magazine size, Optic Zoom and long-range lethality reduced. Shotgun perks which enhance lethality have been nerved, as well as having reduced damage against AI and a reduced precision damage multiplier by 10%.
Fusion Rifles which are slow charging but high impact have decreased range values, projectile speed has been reduced, and short-range Fusion Rifles have increased accuracy while long-range options have reduced accuracy. Final Round on Sniper Rifles will buff precision damage only, not base damage. Rocket Launchers have a slight increase in base Blast Radius and proximity detonation for Grenades and Horseshoes has been reduced.
Exotic Weapons
Before moving onto the Exotic Weapon tuning, Weisnewski addressed the fact that some of these updates are "intended to make you feel better while killing with the weapon, and some are intended to make you feel better while being killed by the weapon".
Hard Light will have increased stability by 15 points, an increased bounce count, and projectiles which are not affected by Damage Falloff. Nechrochasm will have increase stability by 20 points and an increased magazine size, also the Cursebringer perk will always trigger on a precision kill and its explosion will have an increased radius and deal more damage. The Last Word now has reduced range and stability by 10 points each, reduced effective range in ADS but will have increased accuracy and precision damage when firing from the hip.
Thorn now has reduced base damage on the Mark of the Devourer DoT but the DoT can stack up to 5x across multiple projectiles. Hawkmoon has an added stack limit to Luck in the Chamber and Holding Aces, as well as damage bonus reduced on Luck in the Chamber and 2 rounds added to the magazine whilst Holding Aces is unlocked. For Ice Breaker, the recharge time has been increased to 8 seconds as opposed to 5.
No Land Beyondhas increased weapon handling speed, adjusted sights to fix parallax issue while aiming, increased time decay of The Master to 8 seconds, and an added 20% Precision Damage bonus while The Master is activated. Black Hammer has increased ammo inventory to 18 rounds and the White Nail perk pulls ammo from the inventory. Lord of Wolves will have a tripled recovery best bonus for allies granted by Lord of Wolves. Finally, Gjallarhorn's Wolfpack rounds will have reduced damage.
If you'd like to take a more detailed look at the upcoming stat changes, be sure to check out Weisnewski's post on the official Bungie blog.