Look at it from a different perspective- HOW weapons were called subpar, but why? Because we could ascend older weapons! Of course all new hand cannons would be worse than hand cannons with elemental burn damage from vog and ce. But that's what the community asked for. Then we complain that the new weapons are no good. If they had not allowed ascension, a hygia nobelesse with..... lets say full auto and firefly at 365 would have been better than voc at 331 with solar burn. No matter which way they go someone will be upset. EDIT- I believe exotics will progress EDIT 2- they should allow xur to sell a legendary upgrade that allows current ( whatever dlc we are on) weapons to have an elemental burn