During its “This Week at Bungie” blog post, the developer provided more information on the planned new Destiny 2 Exotics changes, going into more detail about which Exotic weapons are being tweaked, and why.
Bungie Senior Design Jon Weisnewski shared the three “gameplay goals” that the “Exotic Tuning Pass” aims to achieve, once the update goes live in late March:
- Tuning pass on Exotic gear focused on adding and/or increasing player Power spikes.
- Focus on low-usage items, but all items are being considered.
- Lean into an item’s established gameplay and push it harder. Avoid catch-all improvements that dilute item identity.
He then provided a specific example, in which potential changes to the Graviton Lance were shared:
“To target the first pain point we reduced the recoil of the burst, added some aim assist, and changed it from three rounds to two. This still plays into the fantasy of a low-damage gravity-neutralizing round forming a projectile tunnel for the last bullet. It also allows us to ensure the damage per burst is at a competitive level for PVP engagements. In fact, it gives Graviton a slight mathematical edge against other pulse rifles.
On the second feedback item, we did some tuning to the ragdoll body. We made it so that rather than violently flying backwards and likely out of range of a potential splash damage opportunity, the defeated opponent floats back and up. Then we made the explosion bigger, increased the damage, and added some void field projectiles that seek out any remaining targets.”
Weisnewski also listed the weapons that would not be getting an update. These are Merciless, Telesto, Wardcliff Coil, MIDA Multi Tool, Colony, Legend of Acrius, and Vigilance Wing. (Note: This is subject to change, so don’t be surprised if these weapons do, in fact, get shaken up!)
Bungie’s increased transparency regarding what the team is working on, as well as them actually providing examples and helping players understand the thinking behind upcoming changes, will definitely be appreciated. Silence, even when it’s to limit damage, hasn’t been working too well recently, as seen with Star Wars Battlefront II and EA DICE.
