Destiny 2 is updating how some of the Exotic weapons work for Season 22. These powerful tools always pack a little personality alongside their punch, and that's something Bungie keeps in mind whenever passing over the implements. In fact, quite a few of the Exotic weapon changes for Season 22 are to bring certain utensils more in line with their particular flavor. This includes a long-requested feature added to one of the older Exotic weapons in Destiny 2.
Like Exotic armor, Exotic weapons are the highest tier of weapon that exists in Destiny 2. Limited to only one Exotic weapon equipped at any given time, a Guardian's choice will often support a larger build and can often alter how players engage in the second-to-second action. As such, any changes to how an Exotic weapon functions can lead to differences in how and when players should use the tools. That said, alterations like this are needed to keep up with players' ever-expanding power creep and keep pace with newer Exotic weapons.
What's Changing in Season 22's Exotic Arsenal?
Alongside updates to how Strand works and retools to existing Exotic armor, some Exotic weapons will see some changes for Season 22 and beyond. Generally, these tweaks work in favor of players, offering small buffs in one way or another, but a few over-prominent weapons took a step down. Here's a detailed overview of the changes players can expect to Exotic weapons:
Monte Carlo:
- The Monte Carlo finally gets its own catalyst, putting the bayonet on the gun's tip to deadly use. Without the catalyst, it provides melee energy as players damage foes with the weapon, and kills have a chance to completely refund the ability.
Quicksilver Storm:
- Quicksilver Storm retains all its existing functionality, but an issue was addressed where ammo loaded into the weapon slower than its reload animation implied. The auto rifle loads homing micro-rockets after sustaining enemy damage.
Dead Man's Tale:
- Dead Man's Tale had its displayed impact corrected; this is purely a cosmetic change with no adjustment to damage per bullet. The scout rifle makes it easier to hit foes and increases range as players deal precision damage.
Two-Tailed Fox:
- The catalyst perk, Third Tail, underwent a rework, enabling the weapon to fire the third rocket alongside the second. This change lets the bulk of the barrage land faster and demands less downtime. Two-Tailed Fox lets loose a Void and Solar rocket with each shot, and its catalyst adds a third Arc missile.
Verglas Curve:
- Verglas Curve is a Stasis bow that can freeze enemies with a volley of Stasis arrows. Now, detonations from the Whisper of Fissures Fragment can generate Hail Barrage stacks if a Stasis crystal is produced. Additionally, the Shiver Quiver effect activates when slowing enemies and the slow stacks have been increased to 60 from 40.
Le Monarque:
- Le Monarque was a high-damage bow with the capability to poison and stun opponents with relative ease. Its general damage has been reduced to 85 from 100 and precision damage to 136 from 150. Drawtime has increased, and the poison effect has shortened, but the damage from the poison has not changed in PvP. Poison damage increased by 50% in PvE.
Vex Mythoclast:
- Vex Mythoclast had its RPM decreased. However, damage against minor and major combatants in PvE increased. This Exotic is a fusion rifle that fires like an auto rifle. After defeating enough enemies, players can change the firing mode to make it more akin to a linear fusion rifle.
Tommy's Matchbook:
- Tommy's Matchbook's Scorch value has been updated, providing more Scorch effect up front, especially when paired with the Ember of Ashes Fragment. This auto rifle overheats, increasing damage and adding Scorch, but at the cost of damaging the wielder.
Touch of Malice:
- Touch of Malice got a 20% PvE damage increase for the final round in its clip. Additionally, self-damage has been reduced, the gun can no longer kill users, and the Touch of Mercy perk now offers increased health. The Ball of Darkness now also blinds PvE combatants and appropriately stuns Unstoppable Champions. This scout rifle can fire its final round indefinitely at the cost of Guardian health. Precision damage charges an alternate fire mode that releases a blinding blight.
Malfeasance:
- Malfeasance received a simple fix for an issue with the Vorpal Weapon buff provided by the catalyst, ensuring the status buff text is displayed correctly. This hand cannon shoots rounds that explode if enough hits the target. The explosion stuns foes, and the weapon does extra damage against Taken enemies.
Cloudstrike:
- The lethal kill distance of Cloudstrike's lightning strikes against other players has been decreased. This sniper rifle creates a powerful lightning strike whenever landing a precision kill.
Wicked Implement:
- Wicked Implement was released a little under-tuned, so Season 22 adds a variety of buffs. Tweaks include Creeping Attrition gaining a more generous activation period of 4.5 seconds from 3.5 seconds, allowing Tithing Harvest to be triggered after destroying Stasis crystals, and adding the Headstone perk to the catalyst. This Stasis scout rifle slows targets after multiple precision hits and generates Stasis shards that can return ammo.
Destiny 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.