There are nine different subclasses to choose from in Destiny 2, and, generally, they play in very different ways. Hunters definitely have some options when it comes to how each subclass does what it does.
Hunters are the most mobile class, masters of the dodge. They come in 3 flavors: Arcstrider, Gunslinger and Nightstalker. This list is concentrating on the Nightstalker subclass and how to get the most out of it in Crucible. Nightstalkers are the Void-aligned option for Hunters. Come into the shadows and see what's going on in the dark!
10 SHADOWSHOT
The supercharge for the Nightstalker subclass (unless you've chosen the Way Of The Wraith) is Shadowshot. Shadowshot fires either one or three arrows, depending on which of the other two Ways you've chosen. These arrows will one-shot your fellow Guardians (unless, possibly, they have some kind of overshield or an active super). The arrows also create a tether that attaches to enemies, preventing them from moving quicker than a slow walk, and from using any abilities. It'll even cancel a supercharge an enemy already has active.
9 GRENADES
There are three grenades available to the Nightstalker subclass; the Vortex Grenade, Spike Grenade, and the Voidwall Grenade. Each of these can be pretty useful, and all of them serve some kind of area-denial purpose.
The Vortex Grenade creates a damaging sphere wherever it lands, doing continuous damage to those caught inside it. This is great for tossing onto a control point enemies are trying to capture.
The Spike Grenade attaches to a surface much like a Tripmine Grenade, but does continuous damage from the opposite side of the surface it's attached to. This is a bit more incognito than the Vortex or the Voidwall grenade.
The Voidwall Grenade works in a similar way to the other two, it really only differs in the way it disperses the damage. It releases damage in a wall's shape (duh) perpendicular to the direction you threw the grenade unless it hits a wall or an uneven surface. Then there is absolutely no telling what it's going to do.
8 DODGE
There are two dodges available to the Hunter class, and they're the same for each subclass; Marksman's Dodge, and Gambler's Dodge. Using the Marksman's dodge reloads the weapon you currently have in your hands. It's a good choice when using something like a hand cannon or other weapons that take quite a bit of time to reload.
Using the Gambler's Dodge recharges your melee ability, provided you're near an enemy at the time of activation. If you like Smoke Grenades, you'll like this power.
7 DOUBLE/TRIPLE JUMP
The Nightstalker subclass has the option of three different mobility abilities: High Jump, Strafe Jump, and Triple Jump. High Jump gets you a bit more height on your jump but isn't really that helpful in Crucible.
Strafe Jump gives you quite a bit more control in the air, which is usually more important than that extra height, at least in Crucible.
Triple Jump gives you an extra jump to take advantage of, though neither of the jumps reaches quite the same height as the others. It does give you quite a bit more versatility, though.
6 MELEE
TNightstalkers' melee ability is their Smoke Grenade. This can have various effects depending on the skill tree you select but is always going to be another nice area-denial ability alongside your normal grenades. Having a ranged attack here is also a huge advantage.
5 WAY OF THE TRAPPER
The Way Of The Trapper has these abilities: Snare Bomb, Keen Scout, Vanishing Step, and Deadfall. Snare Bomb allows the Smoke Bomb to attach to a surface and detonate when enemies get near it, slowing and disorienting them. This can be nice for throwing onto a flank route that you don't want to have to watch.
Keen Scout allows you to sprint and sneak faster, and gives you an enhanced tracker. Those who value a high mobility stat are going to covet this ability, but even without considering that fact, the enhanced radar can give you a bit more clarity when it comes to exactly where an enemy is.
Vanishing Step allows you to turn nigh-on invisible for a short time after dodging. It's the ultimate escape trick.
Deadfall creates anchors where your Shadowshot lands that last longer and have increased range. These can be used to bait and punish enemies with active supers.
4 WAY OF THE WRAITH
Way Of The Wraith comes with these abilities: Spectral Blades, Corrosive Smoke, Shattering Strike, and Flawless Execution. Spectral Blades replaces Shadowshot as your super. Instead it summons a pair of Void Blades that allow you to melee kill enemy Guardians with ease. This has a higher kill potential than Shadowshot, but without some of the innate benefits like slowing enemies and preventing them from using their own abilities.
Corrosive Smoke modifies the Smoke Bomb to do increased damage over time, making for some very nice complimentary damage to use alongside to your weapon.
Shattering Strike allows your melee strikes to weaken enemies after performing a Flawless Execution, but it really doesn't have much use in Crucible.
Flawless Execution grants invisibility and Truesight when gaining a precision kill while crouched, but again, this isn't super useful in Crucible. How often do you actually get a kill while crouched?
3 WAY OF THE PATHFINDER
Way Of The Pathfinder comes with the abilities: Vanish in Smoke, Lockdown, Moebius Quiver, and Combat Provision. Vanish in Smoke allows you and your nearby allies to go invisible, along with the Heart Of The Pack buff which increases weapon haste, mobility, recovery, and resilience.
Lockdown allows grenade effects to last twice as long, allowing for a crazy amount of area-denial potential.
Moebius Quiver allows you to fire Shadowshot multiple times in rapid succession, as well as granting nearby allies the Heart Of The Pack buff. This has some decent kill potential and allows you to really spread out your tethering effect.
Combat Provision recharges melee ability energy when damaging enemies with grenades, and grants grenade energy when you turn allies invisible.
2 GRAVITON FORFEIT
Graviton Forfeit is a great exotic for Nightstalkers in Crucible, provided you're making good use of your invisibility effects. Graviton increases the duration of invisibility effects, and also recharges melee energy faster when you're invisible. If you're using the Way Of The Pathfinder, this allows you to gain invisibility basically at whim.
1 DENIAL
Nightstalker's strength really lies in denying enemies access to areas and punishing them for using their abilities. They have multiple abilities that blanket an area in damage and/or negative effects, allowing you to really dictate the battlefield, and keep them from using any abilities to their benefit.
For tips on using the Gunslinger subclass in Crucible, click here. For tips on using the Arcstrider subclass in Crucible, click here.
NEXT: Destiny 2: 10 Tips For Using The Striker Subclass In Crucible