In just a few weeks, some significant changes will be coming to Destiny 2 with the launch of the Shadowkeep expansion. In particular, there are big changes to weapons and a nerf to some of the game's auto-reload mechanics, which are going to shake up the meta especially in PvE. And looking at these upcoming changes, there's one exotic weapon currently in the game that is poised to leap into the lead as one of the best, if not the best, damage-dealing weapons in the game. If players don't already have it, they may want to spend these last couple weeks before Shadowkeep getting their hands on it.

That weapon is Izanagi's Burden from Destiny 2's Black Armory Annual Pass content. Its exotic perk is called Honed Edge, which allows players to hold reload to consumes the four-round magazine and loads one round with additional range and damage. That round does massive damage, and as current top-tier weapons are likely to lose their spots with the upcoming weapon changes in Shadowkeep, the damage that Izanagi's Burden is able to put out might end up being the best in the game.

RELATED: Destiny 2: Shadowkeep Details Massive Changes to Weapon Damage in PvE

To start, Izanagi's Burden is getting a favor from the nerf to grenade launchers by way of a nerf to the auto-reload mechanics of Rally Barricade and Lunafaction Boots. Currently, grenade launchers are extremely powerful because players can stand behind a Rally Barricade or in a Rift or Well of Radiance with a Warlock wearing Lunafaction Boots and fire their grenade launchers continuously, even single-round grenade launchers. This has created a massive increase in how much DPS players can deal, and it has been the go-to strategy in PvE for dealing with bosses.

So while grenade launchers themselves, such as the popular weapon The Mountaintop, aren't getting nerfed directly, they're getting a major nerf by way of the mechanic that has made them so dominant. In addition to a nerf to the weapons that have made players ignore the potential of Izanagi's Burden up to this point, sniper rifles are getting a buff in Shadowkeep of 47% to minors and 20% to all others. However, there is an unknown factor here as developer Bungie stated that exotic sniper rifles have had their damage bonus perks (like Honed Edge) modified to compensate for this increase and they will not be getting the full benefit of the buff. Despite that, Izanagi's Burden will likely still be seeing a damage buff, even if the percentage isn't as high as 47% and 20%.

destiny 2 shadowkeep izanagis burden

It remains to be seen whether Izanagi's Burden will become the absolute best DPS weapon in the game after these changes take place, but with the potential that it could be, players should work towards getting their hands on it now. Especially for players who are hoping to get through the new Garden of Salvation raid shortly after it launches, they'll want Izanagi's Burden in case it does end up being a top-tier option for raid boss damage.

The good news is that how to get Izanagi's Burden is not particularly difficult in that there is a clear path to it via the Mysterious Box quest. Players who don't have it won't need to rely on RNG or a crazy grind for it. Many players probably already have access to this weapon because it was added to the game three seasons ago during Black Armory, but those who don't will likely want this in their inventory by the time Shadowkeep launches.

Destiny 2: Shadowkeep releases October 1, 2019 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with a Stadia version also in development.

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