Why Bungie is Hesitant to Buff This Powerful Destiny 2 Exotic

Originally introduced in Season 22, the Ex Diris grenade launcher within Destiny 2 did not capture the players’ imaginations, failing to establish itself as one of the standout Exotic weapons at the time. However, with the arrival of the Revenant expansion, Bungie recognized the need for improvement and implemented a series of updates aimed at enhancing Ex Diris’s performance.

These enhancements focused on several critical aspects: reduced recoil, increased reserve ammunition, heightened moth spawn rates, and improved projectile velocity. Together, these adjustments have significantly amplified the weapon’s effectiveness. Notably, a promised 33% damage boost was initially planned but never implemented. Bungie’s subsequent communication in a This Week at Bungie (TWID) post clarified that the decision was due to Ex Diris already “overperforming across numerous activities.”

Ex Diris: A Newly Versatile Exotic Weapon

The Ex Diris exotic grenade launcher in Destiny 2. — Image courtesy of Dexerto

The updates have transformed Ex Diris from a marginally useful Exotic into one of Destiny 2’s most adaptable weapons. The significant increase in moth spawns is particularly noteworthy, as it allows users to transcend basic damage-per-second (DPS) roles. The intervals for moth production have been reduced to three seconds post-final blow, down from four, meaning players can unleash waves of explosive entities that target nearby foes effectively.

Additionally, the weapon’s reduced recoil and enhanced projectile velocity have vastly improved its usability. Players previously faced challenges when aiming at smaller enemies, but these enhancements mean that Ex Diris now shines even at medium range, enabling more accurate shots.

Moreover, Ex Diris boasts impressive damage output, currently ranking among the top Special weapons in the game. Its effectiveness shines bright, outperforming other formidable weapons like Choir of One and Telesto, especially during encounters with larger bosses where precision shooting is less of a concern.

Optimal Builds for Ex Diris: Hunter, Titan, and Warlock

The best Exotics to use alongside Ex Diris for each class: Blastwave Striders, Mothkeeper's Wraps, and Fallen Sunstar. — Image courtesy of Dexerto

To maximize the potential of Ex Diris, it’s beneficial to combine it with one of three specific Exotic armor pieces: Blastwave Striders, Mothkeeper’s Wraps, or Fallen Sunstar.

For players who favor the Hunter class, pairing Ex Diris with Mothkeeper’s Wraps is a strategic choice. Both the weapon and this armor piece generate lethal moths, exponentially increasing the chaos during gameplay. Ex Diris creates these destructive moths upon securing final blows while the Mothkeeper’s Wraps do so with grenade throws, allowing for impressive enemy clearance capabilities.

For Titans, the Blastwave Striders provide a valuable synergy by reducing self-damage incurred when firing Ex Diris. This allows Titans to operate effectively at close range without the apprehension of inflicting harm upon themselves. While this Exotic excels with Stasis builds, the synergy with an Arc build is less than ideal, but its utility remains viable.

Warlocks benefit significantly from employing Fallen Sunstar. This meta-favorable Exotic generates continuous ability energy while synergizing with Ex Diris to produce Ionic Traces. This can occur through Arc weapon final blows or by blinding foes with moths, resulting in a consistent ability refresh rate to maintain momentum in combat.

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