According to the latest Developer Insight by Bungie, significant buffs will be given to several Destiny 2 Exotic weapons and archetypes in the upcoming mid-season balance patch. Typically, major updates to weapon functionality and archetypes are reserved for annual expansions or the beginning of a season. However, Bungie has started implementing mid-season patches for Destiny 2, addressing game-breaking bugs, underperforming weapons, Exotics, and more to enhance the player experience.
Destiny 2's enduring success as a looter shooter game is partly due to its exceptional combat system, seamlessly combining gunplay and ability-based gameplay. With a vast arsenal that includes projectile weapons, energy cannons, and bladed swords, players have an extensive array of options to choose from when selecting their preferred weapon. Exotic weapons hold a special place in Destiny 2's combat landscape, as they come with unique perks that are either always active or activated by specific actions. These perks enhance the weapon's power, functionality, and synergy with other mechanics. While these weapons are formidable on their own, their true potential is realized when players incorporate them into thematic builds.
Graviton Lance, an Exotic Pulse Rifle in Destiny 2, has undergone minimal changes since its initial release. However, it recently received an upgrade with the addition of the Void 3.0 verbs, enhancing its capabilities. In the most recent Developer Insight, Bungie announced that Graviton Lance will be boosted by an additional 67% against PvE targets to ensure its lethality remains balanced when compared to other Exotic Pulse Rifles. However, there are also some modifications to consider. In PvP, the damage caused by the Cosmology explosions has been reduced by 40%, and the catalyst's aim assist has been removed. Moving on to other Exotics, the effective range of the No Time To Explain Pulse Rifle has been nerfed, and the Exotic perk of Fighting Lion has been restored to its full functionality.
In the mid-season patch, numerous weapon archetypes in Destiny 2 will undergo changes to adapt to the ever-evolving meta. Pulse Rifles, particularly the High-Impact subfamily, will see an improvement in their auto-aim angle at lower aim assist ranges. The effective range of Lightweight Bows will be extended across all tiers, and their final accuracy will receive a nearly 10% buff. The dynamic reticle for Submachine Guns will be revamped to provide players with enhanced visual clarity during combat. Lightweight Shotguns, on the other hand, will have a tighter pellet spread at longer ranges, resulting in increased lethality in PvP. Following the patch, the Gutshot Straight and Slickdraw perks will come with reduced auto-aim penalties, while the renowned Target Lock perk will only offer a 25% damage boost in PvP compared to the current 40%.
These forthcoming changes not only reflect the adjustments being made to Destiny 2's weapons but also signify the developers' commitment to bringing more substantial changes to the game in the future. The Developer Insight assures players that additional changes to various other aspects of the game are already in progress for the mid-season patch.
Destiny 2 is currently available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Bungie
