In Destiny 2 you need to land precise death shots for various tasks. Accurate aiming rewards you with more damage – and no, it’s not always the head.
For many missions and tasks, you should land precise hits or even achieve precise death blows in Destiny 2. Where you need to hit the enemies, what advantages this brings, and how it becomes easier for you is explained in this guide by MeinMMO.
Whenever you hit a weak point of an enemy, you land a precise hit. Almost all weapons and many abilities can enable such hits.
In many cases, the damage number appears in yellow for a precise hit. For a regular hit, it is white. However, there are a few details to consider here.
It depends on the enemy. Most of the time, the head is the weak point. However, with various aliens and robots, there are also other weak points (more on that later).
If the final shot that defeats an enemy is a precise hit, it results in a precise kill or death blow. Only the very last shot counts in this case.
Destiny 2: Good aiming and landing precision death blows is worthwhile
What is the benefit of precision? Like most shooters, Destiny 2 rewards a steady hand. A precise hit, also called a critical hit, usually deals more damage than a hit outside the weak point.
Depending on the type and archetype of the weapon, this bonus damage varies:
- With most guns, you receive between 1.4x and 1.7x damage for each precision hit.
- Sniper rifles deal approximately 3x damage when you hit the weak point. Linear fusion rifles deal a bit more than 2x. So with these weapons, you should aim accurately.
- Regular shotguns hardly benefit from precision – here the multiplier is around 1.1x. However, shotguns with “precision frame,” which fire only one round, benefit significantly from precise hits – about 1.7x.
Keep in mind that some types of enemies or bosses have individual modifiers.
These advantages also exist: Many perks and traits of weapons require accuracy. Some current examples:
- The new exotic scout from Season 13 receives bonus damage and better reload speed for every single precise hit.
- If you reload with the new Trials impulse after a precise kill and have Desperado as a perk, your rate of fire doubles for 7 seconds.
- When you land a precise kill or multiple precise hits with the exotic sniper rifle Wolkenschlag, lightning strikes.
- Also, abilities like the Hunter’s throwing knife rely on the mechanic, and hits on the weak point increase super charge rate for the gunslinger.
That’s why you need to read carefully: Many of the available bounties, mission objectives for catalysts, or quests require precise hits or precise kills. Other tasks go much faster if you aim accurately.
Aiming better in Destiny 2 made easy
How to hit more accurately: Make sure to let some time pass after a shot or burst. This will “reset” your weapon, so to speak. This will be indicated on your crosshair (you can see it from the hip). If you shoot without pause, your crosshair will widen, and aim assist and accuracy will decrease – even with mouse and keyboard. More stability reduces this time.
If you equip suitable mods with “aiming” in the name, your accuracy with the weapon and the hidden aim assist will increase. The more range your weapon has, the more strongly all bonuses to accuracy take effect.
You can increase the enemy hitbox size with some abilities or exotics like the Divinity. This makes it significantly easier to land a precise hit.
These are the weak points of enemies in Destiny 2
- For almost all Fallen, the Hive, and the Taken, the head is the weak point. This applies to strong Captains, small thralls, but also Knights and massive Ogres.
- Enemy Guardians must be hit in the head.
- Generally, if an enemy is – to a large extent – a humanoid being, aim for the head.
- Cabal are usually critically hit in the head and, in many cases, also on their jetpack on their back.
- For the Vex robots, the weak point is usually found in the belly – aim for the glowing white area, also known as “juice packets.”
- Alternatively, for Hydras or Cyclops, it is the bright eye. The same goes for the mechanical Servitors; it is their bright center.
- For the Taken, shoot at the large white eye.
- For Ravagers, the melee fighters of the Hive with a flaming incense vessel, you need to shoot the burning keepsake.
These enemies have no weak point: Some enemies do not have a spot that you can hit critically. Others can shield their weak point. In both cases, you cannot land precise hits or kills, nor gain the advantages from them.
- Among the few enemies are mainly Drones in all variations.
- If an enemy shields their weak point with a shield, barricade, or immune phase, you need to break through the respective protection mechanism first.
- With anti-barrier rounds from your artifact and some weapons, you can still bypass this with some enemies.
Yellow numbers do not automatically mean critical hit
That’s why you need to be careful: Especially when multiple Guardians are at work and abilities are raining down, it often seems like you’re landing precise hits – but that’s not the case. If a team member suppresses an enemy or weakens him with an arrow, body shots also appear in yellow.
- Some weapons also deal precision damage but do not display it.
- This includes explosive weapons like rocket launchers or grenade launchers, as well as fusion rifles and swords.
- Other weapons like the Exotic Xenophage cannot score precise hits – the LMG deals the same damage regardless of where you hit.
If you have any other questions about the topic or perhaps about another mechanic? Are you a master shooter in Destiny 2 and never miss? Then share your tips and opinions with other Guardians in the comments.
If you want to know what the 6 stats of your Guardian actually affect, you can find out here: Destiny 2: What should you focus on?
