Hunter mains in Destiny 2: Beyond Light are now seeing nerfs to the Stasis subclass. Via Bungie's newest patch notes, the Hunter's Stasis abilities that have been wreaking havoc in Destiny 2 are getting toned down.
Destiny 2 is a game popular for gunplay, but it also involves extensive loot tables and ability customization. Part of the appeal for players is developing a unique guardian and then testing their skills in Crucible PvP. However, since the release of the Stasis subclass for each class of Guardian, one ability has become too dominant.
The Hunter Stasis power, Shatterdive, has been causing a lot of trouble for victims of the combo in Destiny 2. The ability sees players dropping down and creating a wave of energy that destroys Stasis Crystals, dealing massive damage, and Hunter grenades can easily create Stasis Crystals. To make matters worse, the guardian also gains protection while using Shatterdive. In other words, this basic combo could kill enemies instantly, even those in the midst of using their own Super abilities.
However, Bungie has taken note of the issue and is resolving it with the newest patch, Update 3.0.2. While the new version includes other fixes, the most noticeable change for fans will be the nerf to Shatterdive. Characteristics across the board, like range, damage, and how much protection it gives have been reduced. Specifically, the range is now 5 rather than 50, whereas its damage reduction has been lowered from 50% to 25%. Fans of Destiny 2 will likely breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the combo is far less abusable now.
When it comes to competitive multiplayer, few players enjoy overpowered abilities that require little effort to pull off. It is good news that Bungie is still willing to balance PvP in Destiny 2, even at the cost of fun for those starting with the Hunter class. The game is primarily a first-person shooter, so it is not surprising that an ability combo like Shatterdive was frustrating gamers. Though subclasses are part of the thrill, performing well in a competitive setting should depend on skill more than ability spam.
There is little doubt that these changes will cause some issues among the Hunter community. The nerfs are fairly extensive, and will now require those players to focus on a different type of Hunter Stasis build. This could end up being a case where the combo is relegated to the scrap heap, which would be unfortunate. Developers should be aware of overpowered abilities before launching them, and it can be aggravating when the response is just a major nerf. But, Hunters have had time to enjoy the combo, and now some other guardians will have their time to shine.
Destiny 2: Beyond Light is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Source: Bungie