Think, is the issue really the gun's damage alone or is it that magnified by its ability to be paired with any other top tier kinetic or heavy? Recluse still rivals Huckleberry fairly well and if made exotic, it put the fight on equal footing. You don't hurt Recluse, you hurt how it can be used with other things. The gun's power and ability to hit crits anywhere warrants a choice. Make players decide it then, instead of just hitting it. Be CREATIVE instead of simple-minded nerfs.