Bungie has announced significant updates for the Arc subclass in Destiny 2 with the upcoming Episode Heresy. This overhaul will introduce a new gameplay keyword and rebalance many existing abilities, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of Arc in both player versus environment (PvE) scenarios and beyond.
The latest revisions promise to elevate Arc’s performance in the game’s endgame activities, addressing its current weaknesses and aiming to position it more competitively against other subclasses. As Arc evolves, it is primed for a remarkable comeback in the meta, potentially redefining the current balance of elements in the game.
Included in this update are new features, such as the anticipated keyword and two fresh Arc Aspects, which are detailed below. These additions are designed to reinvigorate gameplay and provide players with exciting new options.
Introducing Bolt Charge: A New Arc Keyword
The highlight of the Episode Heresy update is undoubtedly the introduction of Bolt Charge. This new mechanic allows players to accumulate stacking effects that can be unleashed for devastating lightning strikes on enemies.
Players can build up Bolt Charge through various Arc Aspects, Fragments, and weapon perks, with the additional advantage of restoring Melee energy to decrease cooldown times for abilities like Thunderclap and Disorienting Blow. According to Bungie’s recent This Week at Bungie, the damage output of Bolt Charge is compared, albeit with a reduced area of effect, to the Ignition mechanic—offering more consistency and improved availability in combat scenarios.
New Arc Aspects: Storm’s Keep and Ionic Sentry
Among the new features are two Arc Aspects: Storm’s Keep for Titans and Ionic Sentry for Warlocks.
Storm’s Keep empowers Titans to generate Bolt Charge stacks through their Class Ability. Additionally, allies positioned behind their Barricade benefit from gaining stacks as well, which unleash additional damage once fully charged.
Ionic Sentry enhances the Arc Soul for Warlocks, transforming it into a more effective turret by enabling it to inflict Blind status on impact and chain lightning to nearby enemies. Final blows achieved through these upgraded turrets also contribute to building Bolt Charge stacks, boosting damage output further.
Detailed Arc Balance Adjustments in Episode Heresy
The forthcoming balance changes for the Arc subclass will encompass universal modifications as well as specific adjustments tailored to each class. Below is a comprehensive overview:
Universal Adjustments
- Amplified
- PvE enemies will have reduced accuracy against players while Amplified.
- Players will gain 15% damage resistance against PvE enemies while Amplified.
- Spark of Discharge
- Now grants a stack of Bolt Charge upon picking up an Ionic Trace.
- Spark of Momentum
- Collecting ammo while sliding now adds a stack of Bolt Charge.
- The duration needed to activate is lessened, allowing for greater accessibility.
- Spark of Frequency
- Amplified players gain additional stacks of Bolt Charge from all sources.
- Spark of Volts
- Beacon’s Finishers now offer a stack of Bolt Charge as well as the Amplified effect.
- Spark of Ions
- Kills made with Bolt Charge will generate an Ionic Trace.
- Facet of Hope and Facet of Sacrifice
- Both facets can now be activated by using Bolt Charge.
Arc Hunter Changes
- Tempest Strike
- Grants a Bolt Charge stack for defeating jolted targets.
- Overall damage against PvE enemies increased by 57%.
- Disorienting Blow
- Increased area-of-effect damage and generated Bolt Charge stacks.
Arc Titan Adjustments
- Juggernaut
- Now provides splash damage resistance and enhances survivability against PvE combatants.
Arc Warlock Enhancements
- Stormtrance
- Boosted damage against non-champion PvE enemies by 20%.
- Lightning Surge
- Damage against PvE enemies significantly improved, while generating Bolt Charge stacks per enemy hit.
For further updates regarding Episode Heresy, including discussions around Iron Banner and other game adjustments, explore additional resources from Bungie and stay tuned for the latest information.
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