In the MMO shooter Destiny , the balance of weapon classes is being adjusted. Whether shotguns, automatic rifles, or handguns – all classes are affected.
In MMORPGs, it is the abilities of the classes that must constantly be balanced against each other. Sometimes one is too strong, the other too weak, and then everything is somewhat balanced: new equipment comes out, and the game starts over.
On the class balance front, Destiny is relatively secure with “only” three classes, as not much changes. However, there is a battle with the weapons, and it seems they are willing to do so. At E3, they announced the philosophy that weapons should come in and out of fashion. Initially, automatic rifles were strong, but no one talks about them anymore. In the Crucible, shotguns and handguns are currently favored.
With the expansion “King of the Taken” coming in mid-September, Patch 2.0 will significantly adjust the balance of weapon classes.
Automatic rifles and scout rifles will be strengthened, handguns weakened
For automatic rifles
- the base damage will be increased,
- but they will deal less damage at longer ranges.
- Additionally, the developers will reduce the stability in such a way that it becomes difficult to land precision shots at great distances.
- Furthermore, Bungie will increase the damage of automatic rifles in PvE by 10%.
With pulse rifles , they are relatively satisfied,
- but they will be adjusted to make it harder to achieve multiple precision hits reliably.
- Therefore, they will lower the stability,
- but increase the magazine size.
- Pulse rifles with medium fire rates will deal about 2.5% less damage.
Scout rifles are seen as the ideal choice for long-range primary weapons:
- Scout rifles will deal 5% more damage in PvE.
- Additionally, they will further increase the damage of scout rifles with medium or high fire rates, but this should not affect the kill speed of the weapon in PvP against a healthy Guardian.
- Scout rifles will receive a larger magazine.
- Their precision when aiming from the hip will be reduced.
Handguns will be severely restricted in their range, as they want to distinguish them more clearly from scout rifles:
- They will deal less damage at long distances,
- it will be harder to aim with them,
- even when fired from the hip, they will be less precise than before.
- Furthermore, the magazine size will be reduced
- and the sights will be changed so that they look less far but provide a wider view.
Last-Round Snipers, Shotguns, and Fusion Rifles
For shotguns , they are addressing the most popular perks, as the Iron Banner Felwinter and the changes with “Reforging for All” in the House of Wolves have led Guardians to obsessively search for the “optimal shotgun.” Once they found it, it was clear: it was too strong.
- Measure Search will now give only 5% increased range when aiming through the sight instead of 20%.
- Sardine cans will be 30% weaker when it comes to grouping the shots on target.
- The bonus damage of pumps on precision hits will decrease by 10%.
- In PvE, shotguns will deal 10% less base damage.
For fusion rifles , they are going back to fine-tuning and differentiating between the types:
- Slow-loading, hard-hitting fusion rifles will receive a shorter range.
- For all types, the projectiles will travel slower.
- Fusion rifles with short range will receive an accuracy bonus
- Fusion rifles with long range will receive a penalty.
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For sniper rifles, they are changing the effect of “Last Round,” but only for sniper rifles. The additional damage will now only apply to precision damage, not to base damage anymore.
Rocket Launchers and Machine Guns
For heavy weapons, machine guns will remain as they are.
For rocket launchers
- they will address “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.” Rockets will now explode closer to the target if the firing weapon has this trait. This should allow faster players to evade rockets more easily.
- Additionally, they will increase the explosion radius of all rocket launchers.
Additionally, with 2.0, they will adjust the functionality of some “perks,” i.e., weapon traits. They will go into details this weekend.
Bungie also mentions that they will have some surprises in store for the launch of King of the Taken.
In addition to these changes, they have also altered some notable exotic weapons: Exotic weapons are being changed – Who wins? Who loses?
