The major Title Update 6 for The Division 2 is coming next month and the developers have opened a “Public Test Server” (PTS) for PC. The preliminary patch notes are causing quite a stir in the community. The raid-exclusive weapon Eagle Bearer is set to be nerfed.
What is going on with The Division 2? Recently, the test servers (PTS) for the next big Title Update 6 went live and Massive released a list of preliminary patch notes. However, a lot could still change before the end of the testing phase on October 1.
Eagle Bearer nerf causing outrage
The rarest weapon in the game, the exotic and raid-exclusive Eagle Bearer assault rifle, is set to be nerfed with the next update. The raid-exclusive weapon will deal 15% less base damage.
This is understandably frustrating for many agents: On Twitter and Reddit, this news has overshadowed every other topic regarding the preliminary patch notes. Many players see this change as “disrespectful” to their efforts and are voicing their frustration.
“The Eagle Bearer nerf is absolutely disrespectful to the players,” writes an agent on Reddit, receiving much support.
The agents demand proper recognition for the many hours spent in the raid before they could finally examine the coveted firearm in their own inventory.
Anyone who grinds for a strong weapon wants it to remain strong. Twitter user Gen4 states that the “Eagle Bearer” is the only reason he keeps playing the raid. Now he is questioning why he should even keep playing the raid if the weapon is being nerfed so severely.
However, there are other opinions: The Eagle Bearer certainly has its critics. A weapon that is very strong but hard to access in a game with PvP modes is often not very popular among those who don’t own a version.
It is also argued that the weapon remains a strong assault rifle with excellent talents, even after the nerf.
What does Massive say about it?
This is what the developers say: On Twitter, a developer joined the discussion and explained the goals of the planned balance updates. Fredrik Thylander is Lead Designer at Massive and is responsible for the weapons. In response to the accusation that this change only serves players who do not own an Eagle Bearer, he posted the following:
“It’s that everyone who gets it has no other choices. And we don’t either. Once something has power crept like that, we can’t add anything new ever that Interests anyone that has that gun, because it’s too far above the intended balance of the game.”
Fredrik Thylander on Twitter
The developer states here: Everyone who gets the weapon has no other choice but to use it. When such a powerful weapon takes the lead, we can’t add anything new to the game that interests those who own that weapon, because it is too far above the intended balance.
Massive wanted a strong exotic raid weapon and has perhaps overshot its target. Now they are focusing on increasing build diversity and achieving a certain balance among weapons, armor, and talents.
Other balance highlights from the preliminary patch notes. The major weapon balance update is likely coming with the next PTS phase on September 24. The current balance changes on the test server primarily affect talents and skills.
We have compiled some adjustments of the currently most popular talents for you.
- In the Ropes
- Increases weapon damage by 15% (instead of 20%) while skills are on cooldown
- Unstoppable Force
- Killing an enemy increases weapon damage by 1% (instead of 2%) for every 20,000 (previously 25,000) of your maximum armor
- Scout
- Enemies marked by a pulse take +15% damage (instead of 20%)
- Compensated
- If the critical hit chance is below 20%, weapon damage increases by 10% (previously 15%)
- Ranger
- now has no attribute requirements (previously 4 or fewer skill attributes)
- Steady Hands
- Each hit increases weapon handling by 3% (instead of 2%). Max 10x stackable (previously 15x). After reaching the maximum, each additional hit has a 5% chance to consume the stack and reload the magazine.
Developers want more meaningful builds
The nerfs to armor talents specifically target the highly used perks. “In the Ropes”, “Scout”, and “Compensated” are some of the cornerstones of the popular 3-11-7 build and a weakening of the combination was expected.
Here too, the developers are heading in the direction of build diversity and closely examining which talents are played for what reason.
What do you think about the EB nerf? Is it acceptable or should the developers have handled it differently?
