Destiny 2 has nerfed the strongest weapons in the Crucible. MeinMMO shows you the 5 best exotics that you should use in PvP of Season 14. We explain what makes these weapons so good now and give you more tips for your loadout.
What happened? Update 3.2.1 shook the balance around in the middle of Season 14. The nerf for aggressive 120 hand cannons and the weakening of shotguns are clearly noticeable in the Crucible.
- Guardians are now wondering which PvP weapons to use instead of Felwinter’s Lie, Igneous Hammer, and The Last Word.
- For many, the exotic Wardcliff Coil or the Black Spindle was set in the power slot, as they carried a legendary gun as a primary and special weapon.
- But after update 3.2.1, opponents now often survive a shotgun shot (the range is now around 6-7 meters).
- The range and especially the damage of the dominant 120 revolvers has significantly decreased (from 90 to 80 damage on precise hits).
- The good thing is that the nerfs have made plenty of room for exotics.
We list here the 5 strongest exotics that are becoming more popular and filling the power vacuum left by the nerfed heavyweights in the Crucible. Additionally, there are recommendations for 7 more strong exotics in PvP.
The order of the list does not correspond to a ranking. Each exotic is designed for a different playstyle, but all 5 options are really strong in Season 14. We made sure you don’t just find 5 very similar weapons here, but that actually, there is a top selection for everyone – whether you play with a controller or with mouse and keyboard.
The Chaperone
The Chaperone is an exotic slug shotgun for the kinetic slot. So a pump that fires only a single bullet instead of a wide shotgun spread. The range of the exotic is at its limit and after a precise kill, the weapon becomes even more dangerous.
This is why the exotic is so good now: The shotgun nerf in patch 3.2.1 does not affect slug shotguns – although some Guardians report that the Chaperone lost about 0.5 meters of range. However, the exotic can take down an opponent with just one precise hit at 13 meters.
After the first kill, this increases to a proud 15+ meters. At such a great distance, you can surprise almost all enemies in close combat, who then only wonder what got them. Only in the kill feed do they realize: It was Chaperone.
The precise weapon is now so strong that it was the most used weapon in the Trials from July 16 to 20. This makes Chaperone not only the king of shotguns but all weapons in PvP of Destiny 2. However, you have to hit accurately, but the reward is worth the risk. So grab the exotic and train hard.
Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades is an exotic hand cannon for the kinetic slot. The 140 revolver is like the Swiss Army knife of Destiny 2. After kills, you get 6 rounds with bonus damage, a solar explosion, and faster reload. Additionally, the exotic has a really large hand cannon magazine of 13 rounds and other perks that make it a monster now.
This is why the exotic is so good now: The 140 hand cannon fills the gap left by the nerfed 120s with its high range (up to almost 40 meters effective). You even fire a bit faster. Moreover, the damage after Memento Mori is now higher (90) than that of Igneous Hammer and other 120 counterparts (80).
Ace of Spades is the perfect dueling weapon: Even when aiming, you always have your radar active. Even in longer showdowns, no one can surprise you from the side. The built-in high caliber rounds make the enemy flinch considerably, causing their crosshair to wobble on hits. This ensures that you have the upper hand in many 1vs1 situations.
Bastion
Bastion is an exotic fusion rifle and the only weapon of this kind for the kinetic slot. Instead of energy beams, the exotic fires 7 rounds in 3 rapidly following bursts. The enormous damage and high range now make it easy to play.
This is why the exotic is so good now: A shotgun Guardian was once the biggest enemy of Bastion. Since these opponents now have to get closer, you have Bastion loaded and fire the devastating burst before the shotgun gets into the dangerous range. Meanwhile, Bastion has a maximum range of about 17 meters.
- Each round deals 30 damage – Each burst thus deals 210 damage
- You fire the 3 bursts very quickly in succession
- If all 3 bursts hit (21 rounds), you are at 630 damage
- A Guardian usually has just under 200 health
- Even many supers can be shredded with it.
Charge Bastion behind cover and only show yourselves when you are about to fire. You can theoretically also switch targets in the middle of the burst and send several Guardians to the virtual afterlife at once. But be prepared to receive some unpleasant messages when you repeatedly blast an opponent out of their super with Bastion.
On the next and final page, we continue with strong close-range and long-range weapons. In addition, MeinMMO has picked 7 more exotics that are really strong in PvP of Destiny 2 right now.
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