Yeah, just go look at the pvp meta destiny2 kd. Out of 5 kenetic slots, 4 are hand cannon, and 1 is Redrix (pulse). Top energy, out of 5, 2 hand cannon, 1 pulse, 1 sidearm, and 1 fusion. Hand cannons are easy to use and really forgiving even though players argue otherwise. This has been the consensus with almost all the streamers. When a new strong weapon pops up like a Redrix e eryone jumps on it and tries it, then it immediately gets nerfed, and then everyone goes right back to hand cannons. They beat most scouts and pulse rifles at range and most sidearma and smg's close up. The last word has the fastest ttk in the game, I think. If Bungie made scouts as forgiving as hc's like aiming a foot off to the side of a head and still get the crit, they would be better. Auto rifles and pulse rifles need a little boost, maybe a little bump to body shot damage or higher aim assist. The problem is that anytime they buff another class, they go overboard on one archetype or one single weapon like Redrix, and it ruins it for the entire class.

Not sure how you figure handcannons are too good. Haven't been in a hand cannon meta in years. Until recently with high impact pulses most recent nerf, they were the only architype that required 100 percent accuracy achieve their base time to kill (oh and the 120 buff to be resilience gated for 2 head 1 body, but really should as its the slowest ttk of all weapons). Have been consistently on the longest end for ttks for years. At .87 to 1 second. All pulses and autos beat that, some by pretty considerable margins. Scouts either match their their ttk or beat it. Damage perks have all been nerfed to not alter handcannon ttk without considerable setup and damage stacking (atleast for 140's. 120 and 180 should push ttk with damage perks being that their base ttk is a full second. Which is painfully long in this sandbox) They are also the most punishing for missed shots. Or requiring an extra shot because of overshields/dr or midfight heals. Keep in mind, that they just barely do enough damage to get the 3 tap. So any kind of extra hp completely craters a handcannon ttk. There are only 2 things handcannons excell at. High aim assist and peak shooting. Both of which are pretty easybto counter by just out ttk them with a pulse or auto rifle, and pulling the handcannon from cover. And to a lesser extent they are a bit better for team shooting in high level pvp. Otherwise in a straight up duel almost every other weapon will beat the handcannon. We're very firmly in a pulse rifle meta, and have been for a very long time. If you're losing duels to cannons, it's only 1 of 2 things. You're being out played by a better opponent, or game latency is getting the better of you. Tldr; No. No handcannons are not to strong, if anything they need more range to compete with pulses right now. And should have their damage upped a bit to make PI less of a neccessary pick when going up against overshields.

There's nothing wrong with Hand Cannons. They are only as effective as the user. The thing that ruins PVP is the never ending buffing, and subsequent nerfing, of other weapons and armours... Redrix/RDMs being a great example.

Handcannons represent the path of least resistance. Devs have stated multiple times that they are the easiest primaries to use AND to succeed with. They are a hurdle you have to get over to truly be successful, like one of the other guys said (though for different reasons) its up to the player. I can out gun and out peek shoot high level handcannons on PC while im on Xbox using Rufus with gamesense and timing for when their focus on aiming falters or shifts elsewhere, but i also have over 2000 hours in crucible alone. Thinking of it as a hurdle to get over for success means if you get over it then you can prove you're better in a number of ways. My almost 10000 kills on the titan glaive (measurably the worst glaive in the game) could be considered proof. But i dont blame you for it being frustrating, thats just how it is. You can also just get better in at using handcannons than your opponent, but i dont find that to be the most fun way to play. I did not consider the last word in this statement, i dont like it to say the least.

They're likely a problem on PC. They aren't too dominant on console (unless it's Last Word + RDM).

Guess people will always gravitated to the strongest weapons … with their absurd aim assist hand cannons will forever be overpowered

We are in a pulse meta and I still see posts about handcannons.

120 hand cannons are totally op rn. 140s i feel like are fine

I have never hated HC demons as IF they miss shot they are in trouble and there are lots of ways to play around it. I don’t count last word as HC. It is free aimbot machine on console. That one I truly hate. I dislike much more instawin options like Elsie / Messenger used to be, or BS like pre-nerf high ground, or Redrix / Stay Frosty / Chattering Bone currently. Like those that are incredibly annoying to play against and almost forces you to use hard meta to keep up. Also fusions are free (I’m a Fusion main) and deserve severe nerf.

I wouldn't say hand cannons are overpowered, but they are [i]piss easy[/i] to use. Anyone who says they take skill to master is insane. Pulses on the other hand...yikes...

Meh... I don't really use hand cannons very often, but I also don't find them to be problematic. There seems to be two polarities in opinion right now - "Pulse Rifles are out of hand" & "Hand Cannons are out of hand" But right now, I'm using scouts, and find them to be just as viable as everything else. I use autos sometimes too, and they seem to be alright. Idk, I see a lot of complaints about the meta right now, but I just don't find the complaints to be completely justified. I do see a ton of people using Redrix, but I don't think it's a problem either. I feel like I out-duel it at about a 50% rate with my scouts, as long as I'm dueling from scout range. It's a solid choice, but I feel like there are better choices on some maps. On something like Anomaly, I use my Contingency Plan (Full Bore + Accurized Rounds + Outlaw + Elemental Capacitor), and it doesn't even have the upgrade options of newer weapons, and it still slays. If I'm on Burning Alter, I'll map you with my Guiding Sight (Moving Target + Precision Instrument) Rusted Lands? I'm using my Taraxippos (Lone Wolf + Kill Clip) And I've always got my trusty Anonymous Autumn (Closing Time + Precision Instrument) at my side. I just think that if people ventured out from the so called "meta" more, they'd see that there are a lot of viable choices right now. I even see a lot of people using glaives right now, and having good luck with them.

I have a question for PvP players myself. Would everything be completely perfect for you guys weapon-sandbox wise if ONLY hand cannons and shotguns are viable and everything else in the game is nerfed to the ground? 🤔