You may not have picked up the Hard Light Exotic Auto Rifle in a while, but it’s experiencing a remarkable resurgence in Destiny 2 following its impressive rework in the latest Episode Heresy. This once-overlooked weapon has been transformed into a powerhouse, making it an appealing option for both newcomers and veterans alike.
With the 8.2.0 Update, Bungie enhanced Hard Light significantly, revamping its perk, The Fundamentals. This iconic feature now not only allows players to seamlessly switch elemental damage but also provides a substantial 30% damage boost whenever an elemental keyword applied matches the weapon’s current element. This enhancement is complemented by a universal 10% damage boost for all Auto Rifles introduced in Heresy Act 1.
Hard Light’s advantages further extend to the 40% increased damage it inflicts on minor adversaries, combined with its virtually non-existent damage drop-off, granting it unparalleled range compared to its counterparts. Notably, this damage increase also affects the other Exotic weapons that utilize The Fundamentals: Borealis and Dead Messenger, although their impact is less significant since they are eclipsed by other options within their weapon classes.
What Makes Hard Light Stand Out in Episode Heresy?
Currently, Hard Light ranks among the top Exotic Auto Rifles in the game, a testament to the significant damage potential it now possesses thanks to recent updates. One of the key highlights that contributes to this effectiveness is how Radiant activates The Fundamentals, allowing players to gain a 50% damage increase – with 30% deriving from The Fundamentals and an additional 20% from the Radiant buff itself.
If you want to take things to the next level, consider the Volatile Light feature, which can double your damage when a ricochet shot successfully makes contact. While this strategy may not always be feasible, it essentially allows Hard Light to function like a Machine Gun using primary ammo, capitalizing on its versatility.
For comparison, the Vos Arago IV, often regarded as one of the best Auto Rifles in the game due to its Onslaught perk, provides a maximum damage increase of only 37%.This falls short when lined up against the formidable power of Hard Light.
Another fantastic aspect of Hard Light is its adaptability; you are not restricted to Solar elemental type. Both Void and Arc can be effectively utilized, particularly when paired with Exotic armor such as Gyfalcon’s Hauberk and Mothkeeper’s Wraps. The flexibility afforded by various artifact perks, mods, and other Exotic armor synergizes effortlessly with Light keyword strategies, making it easy for players to maximize their effectiveness.
Hard Light isn’t the only Exotic to benefit from improvements in Episode Heresy. Other notable enhancements include the Class Glaives, which now confer incredible survivability, and the Lord of Wolves, which is establishing itself as a leading DPS choice across the game.
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