The hand cannons and automatic rifles underwent some changes in Destiny 2.5.0.2. Here you can see before-and-after comparisons in the video.
The YouTuber Mesa Sean created an interesting video about the balance patch 2.5.0.2. He conducted some tests and distance measurements with various weapons before the update, which he then repeated after the update. He wanted to find out how the changes and the percentages provided by Bungie affect gameplay in practice. He focused primarily on hand cannons and automatic rifles.
Reminder:
- For the automatic rifles, the precision damage modifier was increased from 1.25x to 1.3x. Additionally, the slower automatic rifles took a big hit from the damage pool: The “Suros Regime” archetype deals 2.5% more base damage. The precision of all auto rifles is now higher in the air.
- The hand cannons now have accuracy like in the early days of Destiny: The bullets reliably hit where you aim. However, the base range was reduced by 5 meters. Aim assist and magnetism were reduced at greater distances, as well as the minimum damage after damage falloff.
This is how it impacts gameplay
The tests were conducted on the Icarus map before the patch, and on the Bannerfall map after the patch. Since the enemy test Guardian is always next to ammo crates, the rough distance is shown. Below the video, we summarize some findings. Here is the video by Mesa Sean:
- Zhalo Supercell, Hard Light, Monte Carlo, and the other ARs with impact 8 previously dealt 20 headshot damage, now 21. From about 20 meters, the damage drops by 1 (for Zhalo).
- SUROS Regime (with focused fire): Previously 34 headshot damage, now 36. Damage drop of 1 from about 23 meters.
- Fate of All Fools: Previously 90 headshot damage with damage drop of one point at about 28 meters. Now the video shows 88 headshot damage at 15 meters. The reason for the lower damage here is unclear.
- Last Word: Previously 75 headshot damage, still the same now. Damage drop at about 22 meters by 1. But the best “improvement” of hand cannons: Where you aim, the bullet now lands. We addressed the “Ghost Bullet” issue here.
- For the slow-firing pulse rifles (here Small Change.25), the fire rate was increased by 5.3%. Starting at minute 5:35, you can see in the video how this affects gameplay.
By the way: The melee range of the Stormcaller’s Thunderstrike was reportedly reduced according to the patch notes. Mesa Sean stated it was previously about 10 meters and now 9.
Which weapons particularly benefited from patch 2.5.0.2 can be read in the linked article.
