The Thorn and The Last Word are considered the most overpowered guns in the game, however even if they were nerfed to fit their intended roles, they will still be widely used in the crucible. The simple reason is the crucible itself favors mid to close range weapons. Here are a list of weapon types that are optimal in these ranges. [b]Note this is dealing with primary weapons only, and operates under the assumption that the next balance patch balances the crucible properly. This is by no means a proposed nerf, just analyzing factors that contribute to why they are so overpowered. Legend: Impact-Weapon Type. For example: 2-Auto Rifles.[/b] [b]Long: 61-Scout Rifles, Hawkmoon Mid-Long: 61-Scout Rifles, 94-Hand Cannons, 48-Scout Rifles, 30-Pulse Rifles, Hawkmoon Mid: 81-Hand Cannons, 48-Scout Rifles, 68-Hand Cannons, 30-Pulse Rifles, 28-Auto Rifles Mid-Close: 68-Hand Cannons, 38-Scout Rifle, 14-Pulse Rifle, 8-Auto Rifle, 7-Pulse Rifles Close: The Last Word, 4-Pulse Rifles, 2-Auto Rifles. [/b] Thorn is a 68 Hand Cannon, meaning its optimal range is mid and mid-close. So any map whose engagements consist of mid range encounters favors Thorn automatically. Lets see how many crucible maps in Control and Clash, which make up meta crucible, consist of what map types. [b]Note: This discusses the majority of sight lines, not if they are included. There are few maps were the majority of sight lines are in TLW hipfire range.[/b] [b]Long: 1 Mid-Long: 2 Mid: 9 Mid-Close: 4 Close: 1[/b] As you can see about 3/4 of the maps in Destiny Crucible operate at Thorn's optimal range, meaning that this gun, already overpowered, is always running in its ideal map type. The Last Word is glitched, allowing it to run outside of its intended range, and as it is right now it also fits into mid-close range maps, about 1/3 of the possible maps. These two guns are overpowered, that is undeniable, but the fact of the matter is their optimal ranges are what most Destiny Maps are built at. All this information is well and good, but what can be done about it? After a proper balancing patch, TTK needs to include more mid-long and long range maps in standard crucible. As it stands the 4 maps in the E3 build have 3 in Thorn's optimal range, meaning the unless more maps are added, the crucible will still be geared towards mid ranged weapons. Bungie can't fix this problem with only a balancing patch, the game itself needs to be more inclusive to more weapon types. [b]Note: A brief touch on Hawkmoon. Hawkmoon has a luck based opportunity of a two shot kill, so its dps is hard to calculate. However it fits into Long, Mid-Long, and Mid, about 70% of map types. In 3 shot situations, it has dps compared to others in those classes, but due to the two shot kills, many have found it overpowered. When the exotic perk interferes, it is powerful, otherwise it is a super accurate hand cannon. So long as its 3 shot ttk doesn't exceed that of a 30-Pulse Rifle or a 61-Scout Rifle, which it doesn't, it isn't overpowered as it can't reliably or predictably give those 2 shot kills. Like someone getting their 3rd Gjallarhorn when their friend hasn't gotten one, it isn't the games fault, it is just luck. Hawkmoon is a slot machine gun, so naturally, some people win more than others, making the gun seem overpowered.[/b]