The exotic auto rifle Hard Light was long considered one of the worst Exotics in Destiny 2. However, with Season 10, it has been enhanced and now dominates in the Trials. Even Bungie is making jokes about it now.
The new meta in PvP is set: After the return of the Trials of Osiris and since the first Trials weekend, the new meta in PvP has crystallized. Auto rifles are back at the top, thanks to the Update 2.8.0, after a long period of “uselessness”, with the exotic auto rifle Hard Light leading the charge.
This firearm is now the undisputed leader in kills at the Trials of Osiris. In fourth place on the first weekend was another popular auto-exotic – the SUROS Regime.
Generally, Hard Light feels like one of the most used weapons in PvP now. But this has only been the case recently.
Why Hard Light? Auto rifles were not considered a good alternative for the Crucible until Season 10. They could never really compete with other weapon classes like hand cannons. The weapon Exotic Hard Light was viewed by many fans as one of the worst representatives of this weapon class.
However, already at the end of January 2020, Hard Light was made stronger, and with the recently launched Season of the Worthy, the status of the Exotic completely changed. Bungie tinkered with the sandbox again, creating a fresh meta. Auto rifles received several general buffs, and the Exotic Hard Light notably benefited from them.
With its exotic perk Volatile Light, which allows projectiles to have no damage drop off and deal increased damage after bouncing off surfaces, the once joke weapon is now instilling fear and dread in the Crucible.
Hard Light is really strong at almost all ranges. If you levelled the corresponding exotic catalyst and made Hard Light a masterwork, the weapon gains maximum stability and almost behaves like a laser. If you also use the bounce mechanic wisely, opponents are not safe even behind corners and cover. In short: If you want to be competitive in the Crucible right now, there is hardly any way around Hard Light.
By the way, in this chaotic video, the buff for Hard Light is also poked fun at: This video is the craziest thing I’ve seen about Destiny 2 in a long time
Is a nerf for Hard Light imminent? With this performance, calls for nerfs did not take long to arise. Some players are now demanding that Hard Light in particular be toned down again.
The irony is that just recently, many players wanted auto rifles to be generally buffed. And the desire for a buff to Hard Light has been echoing through the community for years. Now the Exotic is stronger, but for many, it’s too much.
Whether a nerf for Hard Light is to be expected in the near future – there is currently no real statement from Bungie on that. However, this is rather unlikely. Even Community Manager dmg04 made fun of the situation in a tweet. It was said: “Nerf Hard Light. Words I thought I would never see”
What do you think of the performance of auto rifles in general and the strengthened weapon Exotic? Should everything remain as it is? Or would you also wish for a nerf for Hard Light?
By the way, here you can find out how our Destiny author Philipp fared on his first Trials weekend in years: Destiny 2: I played the Trials – Bungie, give me more of that!
Here Bungie revealed to us what makes the Trials so special for them: What makes the Trials so special? We spoke with Bungie
And here we want to know from you if Destiny 2 might have been better off with Activision: Destiny 2: Once condemned, now missed by many – Do you miss Activision?
