Bungie Acknowledges Intentional Design of Destiny 2’s Slayer’s Fang Flaw

Destiny 2 recently introduced a highly anticipated Exotic weapon with the addition of Slayer’s Fang in the Revenant Act 3 update. This unique shotgun boasts the capability to fire piercing rounds, allowing players to eliminate multiple enemies with a single shot. However, it comes with a notable downside: the ability to self-inflict the Weakness debuff, which results in a 15% increase in damage taken from all sources.

Initially perceived as a design flaw, Bungie has clarified this feature’s intentional nature. In a statement shared on X/Twitter, they elaborated, “Slayer’s Fang is aware of its use as a tool for destruction and doesn’t lend its power to its wielders easily. You may find that if you mishandle Slayer’s Fang, the gun with a mouth for a barrel may just bite back a little.”

We’ve seen conversations around Slayer’s Fang’s ability to do self-damage and apply Weaken to yourself if you’re hit by the ricocheting projectiles. Note, the Weaken is only applied while Nightsworn Sight is active, while the self-damage always happens. This is intentional for…

— Destiny 2 Team (@Destiny2Team) January 14, 2025

Bungie further explained that the self-inflicted damage and debuffs serve to maintain a balance, promoting a “high-risk, high-reward”gameplay style. They recommend that players utilize cover during engagements instead of rushing into combat.

Community Concerns Regarding Slayer’s Fang

The reception of Slayer’s Fang has not been entirely positive, as this weapon does not currently dominate the meta. Despite its niche role within Void builds, particularly during the Revenant season where Shotguns were featured in the artifact, it struggles to compete with other Exotics, such as the **Choir of One**, which remains the top choice among players.

Choir of One exotic auto rifle in Destiny 2. — Source: Dexerto

The design choice to create an add-clear shotgun is complex, especially for high-level content where proximity to foes can result in quick eliminations. This challenge is exacerbated by the self-inflicted Weakness effect, making Slayer’s Fang less appealing for players tackling tougher challenges.

While Slayer’s Fang presents intriguing gameplay dynamics, the drawbacks may outweigh the advantages in high-stakes scenarios. Players are naturally hesitant to trade off their survivability for an increase in area damage, especially with viable alternatives available that don’t impose such penalties.

On a positive note, Bungie is actively listening to player feedback. They have acknowledged community concerns, stating, “We are happy to see the feedback and will continue to adjust sandbox atoms accordingly.”This indicates that adjustments could be forthcoming, encouraging players to keep an eye on future updates.

Until any changes are made, it would be wise for players to approach Slayer’s Fang with caution, particularly in challenging endgame activities.

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