Every day, there are topics and posts created about exotic hand cannons being "OP". I am almost positive that if Bungie pulled the data, exotic hand cannons would be the most used primary in the crucible. Surely this is because they are OP? Wrong. They are just more effective given the way the maps are designed. That does not equate to them being OP. "I get out shot at sniper distance by the Thorn!! It's OP!! Nerf!!" Well unless you are playing combined arms, chances are you are not at sniper range. The crucible maps in control are small, close quarter, short range maps. The talented snipers use ambush and tactys scopes...by definition and description in the game they are SHORT RANGE scopes. They use these scopes and get kills across the maps because it is still short-mid range small maps. Also if you got out shot with a sniper, which only needs 1 single shot to kill, where a thorn needs 2 perfect shots plus an extra few seconds of tick damage...shame on you and kudos to the other player. You were out classed, and would have killed you 5x over if he had the same weapon as you did in his hands. "The Thorn's TTK (time to kill) is one of the best in the game! Its far faster than other guns!" Well, you are half right. The [b][u]theoretical[/u][/b] TTK is very low....but that's what it is... theoretical. At face value you have a good argument. Lets take a deeper look at this shall we. Two perfect headshots is what the TTK is based on, and sure, it is an almost guaranteed kill. However, if you are in an active engagement, and you stop shooting after the second shot, the other player has a few extra seconds to continue shooting and kill you as well. Most skilled players continue firing for an extra hit to get the kill so they dont get killed by extra seconds of incoming fire. That is in line with other Hand Cannons needing the same amount of hits to get a kill. We can also agree that hitting those consecutive headshots rapidly takes a fair degree of skill. Even if you think that 3 body shots is too easy for a kill, the thorn user is in danger if he does not land a 4th body shot. This is why the red death is the ultimate counter. A kill with it will cancel out the tick damage even if the thorn user had met the requirements for the THEORETICAL TTK. Activating supers as well can negate the tick damage, although highly situational. Also, if you watch high level gameplay, there are many thorns in play, yet the best players seem to always come out on top. Why is that? It is because they are more skilled, have better aim, and play smarter. It is not just the Thorn. I will break down TLW later as well.