Destiny 2’s PvP environment is currently experiencing significant disruption due to a newly discovered one-shot combination, which is effectively wielded by only one class.
Since its debut, Eriana’s Vow, the inaugural Exotic weapon released via the season pass model, has oscillated between being a game-changer and a forgotten relic. Initially, this Hand Cannon was revered for its unique ability to stun Barrier Champions, but as that capability became more widespread and its one-shot potential against other players was tempered, its prominence faded.
However, the recent Episode Revenant has revitalized Eriana’s Vow, particularly when combined with Sanguine Alchemy. The buffs provided to Sanguine Alchemy in this update include:
- Marked targets now receive 10% extra damage from any source while you are in a Rift.
- Weapons matching your Super’s damage type gain a Surge x4 bonus.
When synergized with Sanguine Alchemy, Eriana’s Vow can execute one-shot kills against other players in PvP.
These enhancements grant significant damage boosts to any Warlock utilizing their Class Ability, particularly when opting for an Empowering Rift over a Healing Rift. The combo becomes even more lethal when Eriana’s Death at First Glance perk is activated, which grants additional damage to the weapon’s initial shot while aiming down sights.
Understanding the Mechanics — Meta Analysis
The method to execute one-shot kills with Eriana’s Vow is straightforward but requires specific conditions. First, with Sanguine Alchemy equipped, you need to activate your Empowering Rift and remain within its area to sustain the x4 Surge buff, which ensures that headshots result in instant kills.
Keep in mind, however, that benefiting from Sanguine’s Surge demands the use of either a Solar subclass or a Prismatic subclass equipped with the Song of Flame Super. Moreover, as Eriana’s Vow is a Special Ammo Hand Cannon, pairing it with a robust primary weapon is essential for success. In gameplay tests conducted by Destiny 2 content creator Aztecross, the reprised Auto Rifle, Chroma Rush, yielded excellent results.
So, is this build genuinely viable, or merely a passing novelty? The answer isn’t entirely clear—it ultimately depends on the player’s experience. If you are not comfortable with using Hand Cannons, particularly one that has low handling characteristics like Eriana’s Vow, or if you’re unaccustomed to anchoring yourself in a Rift, you might find it challenging.
Additionally, this setup is exclusively applicable to Warlocks, and even dedicated players of this class must consider that employing Sanguine Alchemy requires them to forgo popular PvP options like Transversive Steps or Ophidian Aspect. Despite these trade-offs, it is indeed a promising option worth experimenting with, and it will be intriguing to watch whether this build garners enough traction to trigger a nerf.
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