In the latest development for Bungie’s renowned online shooter Destiny 2, an unintended nerf to the Graviton Lance exotic pulse rifle has emerged following the release of Update 8.0.5. This unforeseen alteration has surprised players and prompted an official response from Bungie, confirming that the change was accidental.
Destiny 2, known for its ever-evolving nature, frequently undergoes updates aimed at enhancing gameplay and addressing various issues. This week’s Update 8.0.5 brought a series of changes and improvements. Among the notable adjustments were modifications to the Trials of Osiris weapons, which have become slightly more accessible. A significant change involved the removal of the win penalty on the Passage of Persistence after a fireteam’s loss. Additionally, the Crucible received a range of enhancements, including improved map weighting and a more robust quitter penalty system. Players now also have the option to focus on a single BRAVE Arsenal weapon from Zavala for the Onslaught playlist activity.
However, the update inadvertently impacted one of the game’s most cherished exotics: the Graviton Lance. Players quickly observed a significant reduction in the pulse rifle’s rate of fire following the update. This adjustment led to considerable confusion within the community, with many initially assuming the change was a deliberate balance adjustment.
Bungie’s official response clarified the situation through the Bungie Help Twitter account, which confirmed that the slower rate of fire was a bug rather than a planned alteration. The studio acknowledged the issue and assured players that a fix is in development, although no specific timeline has been provided. Destiny 2 Global Community Lead Dylan “dmg04” Gafner further elaborated, confirming that the change was unintended and that the studio is working to resolve the problem.
In the aftermath of the unintended nerf, the Destiny 2 player base has been vocal in their reactions. Some players, such as user gabriel03gamer, have suggested that the update inadvertently “fixed” the Graviton Lance, arguing that its Cosmology perk now interacts differently with various enemy types. The slowed rate of fire has led to the perk functioning against enemies that self-destruct, such as cursed thrall and screebs. While some view this as a potential benefit, others believe it merely replaces one issue with another.
The 8.0.5 update also included improvements related to the farming of exotic class armour introduced in The Final Shape expansion. Bungie implemented a weekly challenge for the Dual Destiny mission, providing players with a guaranteed exotic armour drop upon completion. Additionally, the spawn rate for exotic class armour from chests in the Pale Heart area was increased. Despite these changes, feedback from the community suggests that drop rates remain unsatisfactory, with players expressing frustration over continued low yields, particularly in the daily Overthrow location.
In summary, while the latest Destiny 2 update introduced several beneficial changes and quality-of-life improvements, it also inadvertently caused issues with one of the game’s popular exotic weapons. Bungie has acknowledged the problem with the Graviton Lance and is working towards a solution, though no definitive timeline has been set for the fix. The community’s mixed reactions highlight the ongoing challenges of balancing and refining live service games, where even well-intentioned updates can sometimes lead to unintended consequences. As players await the resolution of this issue, the broader impact of the update on game balance and player experience continues to evolve.
