Each major expansion significantly changes the sandbox in Destiny 2. Lightfall continues this trend. Bungie has hinted at incoming buff and nerfs for certain archetypes. Chiefly, Linear Fusion rifles have had their days numbered for a while. This week, Bungie detailed the upcoming Lightfall weapon changes.
Changes by Archetype
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Bungie is changing the sandbox for the next expansion. A new blog post from Chris Proctor (Senior Design Lead) details the groundwork accompanying Lightfall. Certain weapon types are being pulled back. Meanwhile, others are getting their time in the sun. Linear Fusions lead the list as their reign comes to an end in PvE.
- Linear Fusion Rifles
- 15% reduced damage to vehicles, Champions, minibosses, and bosses
- Exotic Heavy Linear Fusion Rifles are unaffected
- Machine Guns
- Damage increased by approximately 10%
- Reserve ammo increased by 50% at zero inventory stat and 20% at one hundred inventory stat
- Heavy Grenade Launchers (except Parasite)
- Damage increased by 20% against vehicles, Champions, minibosses, and bosses
- Damage increased by 40% against minors
- Projectile collision improved (hits land easier)
- The blast radius increased by one meter
- Kinetic Weapons
- Primary damage multiplier increased from 1.05 to 1.1
- Special damage multiplier increased from 1.05 to 1.15
- Stasis Kinetic weapons no longer receive the 5% bonus damage against unshielded targets within PvE
Further Analysis
The blow to Linear Fusion Rifles hits close to home. However, this was warranted. Linear Fusions have been the defacto weapon to use for boss damage in almost every endgame PvE instance. Sleeper Simulant and Queensbreaker are exotic Linear Fusion Rifles that remain unaffected by these changes. Therefore, Sleeper Simulant may see a resurgence in use.
On the other hand, Heavy Grenade Launchers are receiving a massive buff. Bungie even confirmed Anarchy will receive these buff as well despite being nerfed previously. Subsequently, Machine Guns have greatly benefitted from positive, incremental changes recently. Bungie has encouraged their use and may also see an uprise in popularity for endgame use. Currently, Grand Overture is an exotic Machine Gun that deals a healthy amount of damage against bosses. The weapon will only shine brighter after these Lightfall weapon changes.
Grand Overture – Exotic Heavy Machine Gun
Lastly, the Kinetic changes also extend to popular weapons like Izanagi’s Burden and Witherhoard. Witherhoard especially will continue to remain a staple in loadouts despite being nerfed. However, Arbalest will not receive these buffs due to being a Linear Fusion Rifle. Next, Bungie dives into changes for exotic weapons.
Exotic Weapon Changes
The new changes to guardian subclasses added agency to player choice. Overall, light subclasses have greatly benefited from their update and the addition of weapon perks that synergize. Bungie continues to incorporate these subclass perks into the world loot pool and add them to past exotics. First, A reminder of the 3.0 subclass verbs: Jolt/Blind (Arc), Weaken/Suppress/Volatile (Void), and Scorch/Ignition (Solar). These exotics will be updated with the upcoming Lightfall weapon changes.
- Queensbreaker
- Blind updated to Arc 3.0 blind and shots chain to enemies
- Ruinous Effigy
- Slamming with the Transmutation sphere now suppressed enemies
- Leviathan’s Breath
- Perfect draw impact inflicts Volatile
- Can one hit enemy Supers in PvP
- Damage against Champions increased by 30%
- One Thousand Voices
- Explosions spread ten/fifteen with Ember of Ashes Scorch stacks
- Polaris Lance
- Perfect Fifth shots apply forty/sixty Scorch stacks now
- Sunshot
- Explosions after a kill spread ten/fifteen scorch stacks
- Two-Tailed Fox
- Solar rocket applies sixty/ninety Scorch stacks. Meanwhile, the Void rocket already suppresses and its upcoming catalyst will use Arc 3.0
- Prometheus Lens
- Incandescent added to the catalyst
- Grand Overture
- Catalyst will now use Arc blind
These additions breathe new life into past exotics. This is always a plus. However, I am skeptical if these changes will help less popular choices for endgame PvE like Leviathan’s Breath and Queensbreaker. Grand Overture is already a strong pick and continues to be more viable. It may be a top contender for the day-one raid race in Lightfall. Lastly, Bungie all but confirmed Two-Tailed Fox will either Jolt or Blind targets soon. I personally hope for the former, yet I can see it being too overpowered with its inclusion. Either way, this may cause players to dust off their rockets. Finally, a few perks are being touched with the Lightfall weapon changes.
Goodbye Veist Stinger
Perks continue to evolve. They give our favorite weapons flair and individuality depending on the weapon roll. Subsequently, the addition of Origin Traits has turned many old weapons on their head. Some stand taller than others. Previously, this Origin trait had a chance to fully reload your magazine when hitting enemies. It elevated Linar Fusion rifles greatly, maximizing their output during a Boss dps phase. However, all good things must come to an end.
- Veist Stinger
- Now reloads a quarter of the magazine
- Elemental Capacitor
- Plus twenty Airborne Effectiveness when Strand is equipped
- Eager Edge
- Base lunge distance reduced from 2 to 1.8
- Correctly deactivates after a swing
- Airborn lunge distance penalty reduced from 25% to 20%
Closing Thoughts
Additionally, Osmosis will work with Strand. I am not an active user of Eager Edge myself. However, the Destiny community has received this news positively. Veist Stinger’s nerf hurts many DPS loadouts, mine as well. Below is a clip of my fireteam primarily using Linear Fusions to damage Oryx. Next, Blinding effects will add to the ways players can stun Champions. Many hoped this included legendary grenade launchers with Blinding perks. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Bungie is renaming Blinding Grenades to Disorienting Grenades to avoid confusion with Arc 3.0 blind effects.
Previously, Rewind Rounds appeared on Vault of Glass weapons exclusively. Bungie is allowing this perk to appear on other weapons in the future. Subsequently, they are considering other changes for the future. Only these will be shipped out in Lightfall for now. Exciting things are in store. On the other hand, favorite builds will now be changed and revisited among many guardians, I among them. You can find the full blog post of every change here. How do you feel about these changes? Let us know in the comments down below. Remember for all things Destiny 2, bend the knee in the realm of Lords of Gaming.
