The exotic sniper Borealis in Destiny 2 is PlayStation-exclusive and can change its element at the push of a button. How does the weapon perform in PvE as well as PvP?
Borealis is alongside the sniper rifle D.A.R.C.I the only exotic representative of this weapon category in Destiny 2. However, the weapon is PlayStation-exclusive, and this will remain the case at least until Fall 2018. In other words, Xbox Guardians and PC Guardians will have to wait a while longer before they can get access to Borealis.
The word “Borealis” is Latin and means “northern” (derived from Boreal – the North).
Getting Borealis – How to find the exotic sniper
Currently, there is only one way to obtain Borealis:
- You will receive the sniper as a random drop from all sources that can drop exotic engrams. Here, you have to be lucky.
As the weapon is PlayStation-exclusive, Xur will not have it available at least until Fall 2018. After all, his inventory is always the same across platforms.
What can Borealis do in Destiny 2? – The perks
Borealis is capable of dealing damage of any available element. You can switch between Solar, Arc, and Void.
Moreover, the sniper has a fire rate of 72 and a impact of 90. It falls into the same category as the legendary sniper “Noble Seeker”. The magazine size is 5 bullets.
The other stats of the weapon are rather average:
- Range – 54
- Stability – 52
- Reload Speed – 68
- Aim Assist – 65
These are the special perks of Borealis:
- The Basics – Hold the reload button to change the element (rotation Solar -> Arc -> Void -> Solar)
- Ionic Return – Destroying an enemy shield transfers a round from reserves into the magazine
Depending on the enemy shield type, you can align Borealis so that its element matches this shield type and fire away. For matching elements (shield-element matches the weapon’s element), there is the additional effect of an explosion occurring upon shield destruction, dealing damage to enemies and briefly incapacitating the shield bearer.
Additionally, if you manage to destroy an enemy shield with Borealis, you get a round back from reserves.
The streamer Mesa Sean has gameplay footage of Borealis for you in the following video:
Does Borealis perform well in PvE and PvP?
On paper, the element switch sounds quite interesting. It allows for variable gameplay, as you need to switch your weapons less frequently depending on the enemy. If you take down enemy shields with the weapon, you will also receive a bullet back from reserves, increasing your damage over time.
In practice, the sniper is especially worth using due to its high impact. The aim assist is decent, but the range is only mediocre.
If the Prism Modifier is active in Nightfall, this weapon can shine, as you can set the element depending on the increased elemental damage.
Conclusion: Borealis is a nice weapon based on its stats, but the element switch can only be described as a gimmick that only provides advantages in certain situations. If you have to switch your element for every enemy, a lot of flow in combat is lost.
Additionally, I often encountered the issue that opening chests triggered an element switch when not standing directly in front of it, thus initiating the “reload”.
In PvP, the choice of element is completely irrelevant – all elements provide the same advantages. Since sniper rifles are hardly used in PvP, you should consider using your exotic slot for something else. For those who enjoy playing with sniper rifles, a legendary sniper is a more than adequate substitute. You don’t need Borealis here.
Have you already found Borealis? How do you like it?
