In Destiny 2 there is not much time left until Lightfall, and Bungie is doing its best to show players more and more snippets of information about upcoming items, abilities, and Exotics. However, today it’s about the Exotic glaive, Winterbite, and how it will soon improve every Guardian.
Which Exotic is it about? Bungie introduced many goodies in its new weapons and gear trailer for Lightfall that players can chase after on February 28. Among them is a weapon that has made a very solid and especially strong impression on Guardians, and that is “Winterbite”.
This icy glaive can slow down enemies with Frost shockwaves, freeze them, and even explode on contact thanks to the Stasis element. Basically, a better and more mobile version of the Stasis turret from the Warlock.
Thus, the weapon could be one of the highlights that Lightfall offers with its known items. However, one thing could leave a bitter aftertaste.
Exotic glaive offers a lot of mob control, but only through a sacrifice
The strengths of Winterbite lie here: Winterbite’s strengths lie mainly in controlling rushing mob waves. Large hordes of enemies can be frozen and shattered in seconds. Especially for PvE segments where many enemies want to overrun you, using it could be advantageous.
- You fire a Stasis sphere that seeks out enemies on its own, freezes them, and ideally also kills them. All while you look down on your enemies from a safe distance.
Here you can watch the glaive in practical use:
What is the catch with Winterbite? The icy scepter of Neptune actually has a catch, and that is the weapon slot in which it is equipped. According to Bungie, you equip “Winterbite” in the heavy slot. (via bungie.com).
Thus, the Guardian using this weapon basically forgoes a potentially stronger damage source for mob control. Players currently like to take a linear fusion rifle or a rocket launcher in the heavy slot to deal enough damage to bosses or champions. With “Winterbite” in tow, that’s no longer possible.
Basically, Bungie presents you with a choice: Either you indulge in cool ice magic and have an icy trident buddy or focus fully on DPS and high damage numbers.
Either way, Guardians will still find ways to deal good damage with “Winterbite”, though it won’t be easy.
The Witch Queen Exotic glaives also had a problem: Despite the cool Exotic glaive for Lightfall, this weapon is viewed with skepticism. Guardians could already obtain three class-specific glaives through quests in Witch Queen. However, all were rather hindering in their use. They offered, for the effort one had to go through, not the strength one hoped for. The majority of these Exotic melee weapons have since gathered dust unused in the Guardians’ vault.
It could thus be that the Exotics presented in the trailer seem strong and powerful, but then turn out to be a complete dud in testing.
That was our highlight regarding the new Lightfall Exotics. What is your favorite, and do you think the “Winterbite” glaive could finally live up to its Exotic status? Feel free to leave us a comment!
If you still don’t know why the Exotic glaives disappointed, here is our explanation: Destiny 2 brings new exotic glaives – disappointing fans across the board
