[b][i][u]RANDOM THINGS I NOTICED:[/u][/i][/b] -Rangefinder is back as a perk, -2 hit melees are back, but damage output is still much lower than D1 (charged striker melee did 100dmg?) -Shoulder charge DOES OHK now 110 damage with hit, 90 on AOE, so it will kill on direct hit, and leave nearby enemies kinda weak. DEATH FROM ABOVE MELEE WILL NOT OHK -A tether registration fix was talked about via tether scan tick rate. -Stormcaller getting a dps buff (not sure if faster ticks, or more damage per tick, i think its more damage) -All forms of Goldie get +2s to the duration -Trace rifles will now be special weapons and will recieve a damage buff -Fusion rifles, linear fusions and some grenade launchers are also becoming special weapons. (un sure of balance changes, although they hinted at damage reduction on grenade launchers) -There appear to be no damage reductions to snipers in the primary/energy slot, this may also be true for shotguns [u][i][b] ALL REVEALED WEAPON MODS:[/b][/i][/u] -icarus (increased in air accuracy) -free hand grip (increased handling and accuracy while firing from hip, maybe like hipfire+injection mold?) -targetting adjuster (basically hidden hand, MOAR AIM ASSISTZ) -radar tuner (Radar comes back instantly after descoping) -counterbalance (better recoil direction) -minor/major/boss spec (more damage in PvE against minors, majors, or bosses) [u] [i][b] ALL REVEALED WEAPON BUFFS:[/b][/i][/u] -Aggressive Frame Hand cannons: 91 crit 50 body (up from 71/47) -Optimal TTK: 1.07s 1 crit 2 body -Body TTK: 1.60s 4 body -Adaptive Frame Hand cannons: 70 crit 47 body (up from 61/46) -Optimal TTK: 0.86s 3 crit -Mix TTK: 1.30s 1 crit 3 body -Body TTK: 1.73 5 body -Precision Frame Hand cannon: 57 crit 39 body (up from 47/32) META ALERT BOYS!!!! -Optimal TTK: 1.00s 3 crit 1 body -Mix TTK: 1.33s 1 crit 4 body -Body TTK : 1.33s on below 5 armor 1.67s on everything else. -Adaptive Frame Pulse: 31 crit 20 body (up from 24/16) Im assuming about a 0.92s TTK optimaly -Optimal: 2.33 BURSTS 6 crit 1 body (5 crit 2 body on below 5 armor) -Body: 3.33 BURSTS 10 body -Adaptive Frame Auto: 21 crit 13 body (up from 17/13) Optimal TTK: 0.9s Body TTK: 1.5s -Lightweight Scout: 45 crit NA body (up from 44/29) Optimal TTK: 1.2s 4 crit 1 body Body TTK: UNKNOWN but im thinking there might be a body shot damage buff? [u] [i][b] MY THOUGHTS:[/b][/i][/u] After EDIT #3 This opinion on precision HC has changed slightly, i no longer think they will be top of the meta, but they will still arguably be one of the strongest HC options, alongside aggressive frame. Original opinion italicized. [i]Precision hand cannons are low key going to be meta, They have recieved the biggest buff to damage/TTK of any weapon in the game, and they already have the least bloom, and best in air accuracy.... however they have the shortest effective range, I think rolling one with moving target and rangefinder, as well as a range masterwork and a targetting adjuster mod they will be gross. OR try to roll one with hipfire grip, quickdraw, a free hand mod/ icarus mod and a handling masterwork to make a pseudo last word[/i] Pulses will also be extremely strong, the adaptive frame can NEARLY two burst, (it actually will two burst a low armor guardian) This means the high impact will two burst WITH EASE SADLY, depending on their range and hit registration, i dont think 3 tap hand cannons will be of much consequence on console.... the aggressive frame hand cannons kill slowly, but easily, the adaptive frame requires perfect precision, and in cqc gets wrecked by many other weapons, but at range will lose to pulses pretty handily. Now lets segue in to ammo economy and the special weapon meta! -Every time you die you spawn with 2 special ammo bullets -You need to pick up special ammo boxes off of slain enemies. In my eyes this promotes shotgun use, and here is why: If you snipe somebody, you have to go collect their ammo crate off of their body, which unless you are quickscoping everybody, means you have to LEAVE your sniper post, to get more sniper ammo. Meanwhile, shotgun and fusion rifle players will naturally be very close to the ammo that drops from their kills, and will be getting their ammo back more regularly. FURTHERMORE: If there are no changes to comp, specifically the lack of radar, I predict there will be an insane amount of shotguns, and basically no snipers used (once the meta gets figured out, first 2 weeks are anybodies guess) I DO NOT recomend using triple special weapon loadout. You will run out of ammo constantly. I DO NOT recommend using sniper + long range weapon. You will run out of sniper ammo constantly. It seems as if the best option for snipers it to use a Precision frame hand cannon, or something else that gives them A LITTLE bit of range, while allowing them to counter the shotgun onslought, and get ammo for their snipers. HOWEVER unless you are extremely confident with your close-mid range sniping skills, i would avoid using an SMG/Sidearm witha sniper, as they do not have the necessary range. EDIT: If snipers other than WoTW can roll mulligan, GET IT, with how the ammo economy works, mulligan will be beyond a top tier perk. Same goes for if performance bonus makes a comeback (though i doubt it) will) ALSO dont fall for the rangefinder trap on shotguns. Its not D1 anymore, faulloutplays proved range is basically meaningless on shotguns in D2. EDIT #2: Edited for lack of two wheeled personal transportation devices. EDIT #3 : edited precision HC ttk, was working with faulty info. EDIT #4: OPINION EDIT. With the adaptive frame pulse rifle buff, it wouldn't be too far of a stretch to imagine crimson receiving a similar buff, which i think could keep it near the top of the meta if not make it the top of the meta.