Aztecross Reacts to Community Success with Classic Exotic: “I Didn’t Expect It to Succeed”

As we approach 2025, the vibrant universe of Destiny 2 faces a notable decline in player engagement. Despite this, dedicated players continue to refine their character builds, eagerly anticipating the introduction of Episode 3 and upcoming expansions designed to breathe new life into the game.

In a bid to foster creativity and community involvement, popular Destiny streamer Aztecross has launched a new series titled Build Battles. This series showcases various player-created loadouts, placing them in direct competition to determine which build reigns supreme. While the initial build presented this week did not capture much excitement, the second iteration drew considerable interest from the community.

A Surprising Twist with a Classic Exotic Build

Watch the episode here

In the latest episode available on YouTube, Aztecross evaluates 44Kang’s innovative build, titled “Poison Malice” . This configuration showcases a unique synergy that allows players to complete a Nightfall strike faster than the competition, which included Nyroc87’s IKELOS SMG setup. Aztecross expressed surprise at the effectiveness of the build, stating, “I didn’t think it was gonna work.”

According to Aztecross, this build harnesses the power of the Touch of Malice exotic weapon, delivering substantial damage on the final shot, albeit at the cost of the user’s health. The inclusion of healing grenades offset some of this drawback, adding a layer of strategy.

In an impressive display, 44Kang triumphed with an 88% win rate in the build competition, earning 3,000 Silver. Meanwhile, Nyroc87 faced a ban from the chat, per the competition’s regulations. But what elevates this build to standout status?

You can easily access the complete loadout here. The core of this build revolves around utilizing the Touch of Malice from the King’s Fall Raid, enabling players to inflict additional damage with the last round in the magazine. Although this mechanic comes with a health cost, the strategic use of healing grenades can help sustain the player.

Describing the build, 44Kang notes, “Poison and unravel enemies and use Bleak Watcher for lockdown and unstoppables.” This dual-functionality of the exotic weapon enhances its appeal. The immersive gameplay experience is further enriched by the build’s second perk, Charged with Blight, which offers tactical advantages against enemies through blinding effects.

For players looking to experiment with this Exotic, consider applying it during the King’s Fall Totems encounter, where its effectiveness could shine. The potential for synergy in challenging game scenarios adds an exciting level of versatility to the build.

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