Destiny 2 S21 Update Set to Modify Pulse Rifles, Bows, Submachine Guns, & Shotguns

The upcoming Destiny S21 update will implement significant changes to the mechanics of Pulse Rifles, Bows, Submachine Guns, and Shotguns, as part of an ongoing effort to balance gameplay.
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The forthcoming Destiny 2 S21 update is slated to introduce key adjustments to the mechanics of Pulse Rifles, Bows, Submachine Guns, and Shotguns, as indicated by the game’s development team.

Beginning with Pulse Rifles, the development team believes these are generally balanced. However, they have observed that Pulse Rifles with lower base Aim Assist stat values, particularly those in the High Impact subfamily, are excessively lenient toward near misses. To rectify this, the team has decided to decrease the size of the auto-aim cone when the Aim Assist stat is at zero. This adjustment will prominently influence Pulse Rifles with lower Aim Assist stats, while the effect will be less noticeable as the Aim Assist stat increases. Consequently, the auto-aim angle at 0 Aim Assist stat will be reduced by approximately 10%.

Moving on to Bows, the developers have noted that Lightweight Bows have long been underused and less effective compared to other weapon subfamilies. Feedback indicates that players find Lightweight Bows considerably less effective than Precision Bows, particularly at extended ranges. To mitigate this, the team will substantially augment the range at which Lightweight Bows can deal full damage and slightly enhance their accuracy. Upcoming Season 22 changes are also expected to enhance the interaction of Bows with reload perks and improve their shot registration at longer ranges. For Lightweight Bows specifically, the fixed damage falloff start distance will increase from 15m to 25m, the fixed damage falloff end distance will rise from 20m to 45m, and the final accuracy will improve by about 10%.

Submachine Guns are also undergoing a change based on player feedback. The development team received feedback that the new dynamic reticle, although informative, was too cluttered and hindered weapon usability in combat. As a result, the developers have worked on minimizing the clutter when aiming down sights (ADS), while still indicating the effects of perks or other actions on weapon accuracy and aim assist. Specifically, they have made improvements to the Shayura’s Wrath ADS dynamic reticle.

Finally, Shotguns, particularly the Lightweight Shotguns, are due for adjustments. These have been found less effective compared to their Precision and Aggressive counterparts, primarily because the outermost pellets are spaced far apart, making it challenging to land the entire spread beyond point-blank range. To address this, the spread angle of the outer horizontal pellets will be reduced by 15%, enabling a more controlled pattern. This change should enhance Lightweight Shotguns’ effectiveness in PVP scenarios, making them more competitive with top shotgun options.

Source: Bungie

Shaun Savage

Shaun Savage

Shaun Savage is the founder and editor-in-chief of Try Hard Guides. He has been covering and writing about video games for over 9 years. He is a 2013 graduate of the Academy of Art University with an A.A. in Web Design and New Media. In his off-time, he enjoys playing video games, watching bad movies, and spending time with his family.

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