DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a nerf post. I simply want to hear from the people who are against the weapons in the title (Thorn, TLW, and Felwinter's Lie): Why? Specifically, why do you dislike this gun so much? What exactly about it makes it overpowered/unfair to you? If I had to pick something, I would say the range. It's my understanding that weapon balance is SUPPOSED to go something like this: [b][u]Close Range[/u][/b] [i]Shotguns[/i] [i]Fusion Rifles[/i] [i]Hand Cannons[/i] [i]Auto Rifles[/i] [i]Sidearms[/i] [b][u]Mid Range[/u][/b] [i]Fusion Rifles[/i] [i]Hand Cannons[/i] [i]Pulse Rifles[/i] [i]Scout Rifles[/i] [i]Auto Rifles[/i] [b][u]Long Range[/u][/b] [i]Pulse Rifles[/i] [i]Scout Rifles[/i] [i]Sniper Rifles[/i] As you can see, [i]Auto rifles[/i] drop off once you get to the long range section. This [i]used[/i] to not be the case. *cough*SUROS REGIME*cough* It wasn't too long ago that everyone was crying nerf over the Suros. And I would argue that most were upset for good reason. The fact of the matter is, we have to ask ourselves, "What is the point of having different weapon types, if there are no pros and cons to using each one? Or rather, [b]Why would I ever use a scout rifle, if my "close to mid range" auto rifle can kill just as fast at long range?[/b] I don't know about you guys, but I was absolutely [b][i]shredding[/i][/b] players back in the old days, when the Suros was still a god weapon. Close range, mid range, across the map, it didn't matter, Suros was king. Bungie obviously noticed this problem and they acted accordingly. Now what does this all have to do with the Thorn? Or the Last Word? Or Felwinter's Lie? All Three of these weapons have something in common: A significant number of people want to see them nerfed into the ground. Okay, maybe not "into the ground," that's a bit much; but just look in the feedback forums any given day and I guarantee you will see at least one thread [i]every couple of hours[/i] asking for one or more of these weapons to be adjusted. Again, I ask, why? I think I know the answer. It's actually quite simple. You've seen it before, folks. [i]Range.[/i] Why was the Suros patched? Range. Why were fusion rifles patched? Range. Why were shotguns patched? Range. Why were handcannons patched? Range, Range, Range. If you haven't caught on by now, [b]range is a VERY big deal![/b] The effective range of a weapon is often the deciding factor in whether or not we shoot back at or run away from an enemy. It is an ever present factor in every tactical decision we make. [i]Is he/she within my range?[/i] [i]Do they have backup?[/i] [i]Do I have backup?[/i] [i]Do I have cover nearby if I get shot?[/i] [i]Do I have a quick exit nearby?[/i] Skilled players may often cycle through these questions dozens of times [i]per game.[/i] Out of all the questions I've listed, whether or not my target is within my effective range is easily the most important one. For example, if I am wielding a shotgun and my target is across the map, then none of the other questions matter, I simply switch to a weapon with a higher range or I run. A question I didn't include is, "[b]What weapon is my opponent wielding?[/b] This question is crucial! Sometimes, this question can completely trump all of the others. Let's say my target is in range, and I've got cover, and backup. BUT, he/she is wielding a golden gun. What do I do? [b]I get the hell out of there.[/b] What happens if I'm wielding and auto rifle, and my opponent is shooting at me from across the map with a sniper rifle?Again, [b]I get the hell out of there.[/b] Because I'm at a [i][u]disadvantage.[/u][/i] This, ladies and gentlemen, is called balance. I can't just steamroll across my opponents and run around the map like a mad man spraying my Suros everywhere with no consequences whatsoever. Oh wait...right. (sarcasm) Okay so you all have got it by now, right? It's basically rock, paper scissors. Short, mid, long. Each one excels over another in different situations. A shotgun will DESTROY a sniper rifle at close range. And that's perfectly okay. That's what's supposed to happen. A sniper is designedfor long range combat, so it [i]makes sense[/i] that it would lose in a close range encounter. Now here comes the problem. What happens when a player has a weapon that is seemingly effective at [i]all[/i] ranges? What happens when I can spray you down with my Suros Regime from across the map? What happens when my Felwinter's Lie can 1 shot you from across the room? What happens when my Thorn/Last Word can still 2-shot you from across the map? What happens then? I'll tell you what happens: The "advantages" of the other weapon classes become [i]irrelevant.[/i] Scout Rifles are supposed to be the kings of long range combat. But they aren't. I've often heard people complain that they got "sniped" by Thorn from across the map. I used to laugh at this sentiment, until [i]I literally sniped someone from across the map with Thorn.[/i] I couldn't believe it. I never used to use Thorn. It only had like 6 shots, an awful reload speed, and I didn't feel like upgrading this horrible gun to the poison upgrade. Then came the buff, which made it much more appealing, so I tried it out. My results were...hilarious. I absolutely annihilated people with this weapon. But that wasn't the funny part. I laughed because here I was, out gunning snipers, with a HANDCANNON! Two shots. Two. That's all it took. 84 damage for each headshot...168, + 7 damage x 5 for the poison...35 + 168 = 203. It takes about 200 damage to kill someone in crucible. You see where this is going, right? Now I know what some of you are thinking, "[i]Handcannons reward a skilled hand. It's all about precision. It takes skill to get those 2 shot kills.[/i] My response? You're absolutely right. When I first started playing Destiny, I [i]hated[/i] handcannons. I always found myself losing my firefights. But that was because I didn't know how to use them. The key to handcannons is PRECISION! Once I got the aiming down, the rest was history. But alas, I find myself here: in the feedback forums, knee-deep in "NERF THORN!" posts. And my question to you all is, why? I've shown you all my explanation for why I think so many people are foaming at the mouth for nerfs for certain weapons. To put it bluntly, some weapons just seem to make laughingstocks of others. Have any of you noticed how little fusion rifles are running around crucible lately? You ever think that might have something to do with the fact that by the time you finish charging that paper weight, I've already blinked 10 feet in front of you and 1-shotted you with Felwinter's Sniper? Okay, I admit, that last one was pretty biased, but you get the point. I know I said this wasn't at nerf post. And it's not. I just want you all to at least understand [i]why[/i] so many people are so upset at certain weapons. I think I hit the nail on the head pretty good. I honestly believe that range is the key culprit here. What do you all think? Are you cool with certain weapons creeping out of their designated ranges every now and then? Is this something that should only be allowed for exotics? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!