Prometheus lens era was fun as an event but it's not where trace rifles should even remotely be at. Buffing traces too much will only lead to that happening again. If you like trace rifles? Just use them. They're fine. If you think auto rifles are better? Use autos.

I think they should at least contend with other specials in PvE, and they're probably fine in PvP. I don't care for them a whole lot, I just think they're irrelevant and could use some kind of buff(s)

90% of the loot in the game is irrelevant in PvE anyway I don't know why you're hung up on trace rifles. Once you have the meta, why use anything else? Me personally, I just like how trace rifles feel. They get the job done that's all that matters. They're fun to shoot node mechanics with since they are instantaneous. Everything has a use when you step away from the giga optimal meta for a second. Not everything needs to be a boss weapon. Like I think i said before, the RoN trace rifle with target lock melts. Any better and you have a prometheus lens problem. If you make every other trace as good as it, then you now have just made the only raid trace rifle obsolete. I think the balance of traces all things considered are fine where they are personally.

I have issues with many other weapons, but Trace rifles were the topic of this discussion. They are okay, just like most weapons are only okay. You can use them lif you like, but overall they aren't very good, aren't very rewarding, and maybe the only reason to use them is for fun in certain content. It's kinda like arguing that Eriana"s Vow is worth using currently, and isn't in need of any changes. Sure, it isn't a bad weapon in and of itself, the damage it puts out is decent, intrinsic anti-barrier is nice, and it certainly has some value somewhere... but why would I ever pick it over Wishender or Revision Zero? They accomplish the same goal with much more ease,.and aren't limited by ammo, much like ARs pretty much accomplish the same goal of traces but without their limitations. Regarding the second point though, this is an issue of power creep, not of trace viability in general. Just as weapons without damage increasing perks are not likely to be valued, new weapons without top tier perks won't be either. When a weapon has powerful perks and outperforms all others in the same category, the issue isn't the weapon class, obviously it stands out because of the perks.

Have you used one recently they still kill quite quickly just aim better imo

they don't kill that fast. Takes a while to burn through a tanky elite or miniboss. I'd rather use a target lock auto if not another special, because at least then I have infinite ammo while only doing slightly less damage, or do much more damage in general and won't have to waste half my reserves to kill a single enemy. In PvP they're pretty underwhelming as well. TTK is alright but you basically need all headshots for anything notable, autos are just easier

Obvcourse Autos are easier but everything can't be that easy to use would be boring