With the launch of Shadowkeep in early October, Bungie has nerfed several perks in Destiny 2. YouTuber Aztecross now has concrete numbers regarding the nerfs, showing just how hard they hit the perks.
Which perks were nerfed? In the Patch Notes for the Shadowkeep release, a total of eight perks can be found that were weakened with the release of the new DLC:
- Rampage: Kills with the weapon increase damage (up to 3 stacks)
- Kill Clip: Reloading after a kill grants increased damage
- Swashbuckler: The weapon receives increased damage after melee kills and kills with the weapon
- Multikill Clip: Reloading increases damage based on the kills previously achieved
- Desperado: Reloading while Outlaw is active increases the fire rate
- Surrounded: The weapon receives bonus damage when three or more enemies are nearby
- Master of Arms: Kills with any weapon briefly increase the damage of that weapon
- Onslaught: Stacks of “Rampage” increase the fire rate
The adjustment should align the PvE multipliers with those from PvP.
The Impact of the perk nerfs
The nerfs are severe: YouTuber Aztecross has taken a look at some numbers regarding the nerfs. His conclusion is quite devastating: All of the perks are now significantly weaker and not just a little.
Previously, Rampage and Swashbuckler granted a damage bonus of about 66% (now 33%) and Multikill Clip one of 100% (now 50%), effectively halving their damage. Kill Clip is also said to deal less damage now, but a comparison value is missing. Rampage and Kill Clip were among the strongest perks.
With Surrounded, critical damage was previously increased by 62% and body damage by 40%. These have now both been reduced to 30%, which goes against the intention of the perk. It is now hardly worth it to land critical hits as no one takes the time to aim properly in a melee.
Onslaught and Desperado seem to have been hit particularly hard. While the perks still increase the fire rate, they now also reduce the damage of the weapons. The faster you fire, the less damage each bullet does.
This is still playable: The only perk that Aztecross claims is hardly affected by the nerfs is Master of Arms. The perk can be found on the weapon Lone Wolf.
The submachine gun is still one of the strongest weapons in the game, and builds around it are likely still quite potent. However, anyone wanting to look for other perks should check out the new artifact:
