So it seems like there's been A LOT of talk about the ole' Matador 64. Once everyone was excited to see it's return, and those same people are crying about how "OP" Matador 64 is. First off, I personally don't think Shotguns are "OP" right now. IMHO, I think shotguns are in a good spot. The reason why some of you may think Shotguns are "OP", and why they're so dominant right now is because primary weapons aren't strong enough, and can't kill fast enough relative to how fast our guardians can move. So what's the solution to this? No, we don't nerf shotguns, and no we don't nerf movement speed. Movement speed is fine currently. Shotguns are fine (if anything they could use a buff to consistency, and better handling). The combination of weak primaries, and slow shotgun handling has caused a lot of people to just run around with a shotgun out, instead of using them as how they were intended. Get someone weak, and if you're close enough quickly switch to a shotgun and finish them off. If we get a buff to primaries, I can guarantee you we'll see an increase in primary engagements. It'll just naturally happen, and those who run around with no primary will be punished for playing like an Ape. Please keep this in mind, when the community is asking for a primary weapon buff... We're not asking for kill times to be as fast as CoD. No. We do NOT want that. Remember when Taken King first came out? During patch 2.0 when Shotpackage was still a thing? Even with shotpackage, remember how we still had more primary engagements EVEN with Shotpackage? And this was before Shotgun handling got nerfed as well. That Ladies and Gentlemen is a fine representation of primary weapons feeling "strong". So, what would I personally like to see in a Weapon Balance patch? Let me share. [u][i][b]Primary Weapons[/b][/i][/u] [b]Hand Cannons[/b] - Remove bloom. That's it. The range is fine. Getting rid of bloom, will result in little to zero ghost bullets. Also, I'd like to see Hand Cannons not requiring a perk like "Rifled Barrel" to be even considered a good gun that is viable. [b]Auto Rifles[/b] - Monte Carlo archetype should be doing at least 22-24 a crit, and the Suros archetype should be doing at least 28-30 a crit. They could use a slight buff to range as well? [b]Pulse Rifles[/b] - Bring Pulse Rifle damage back to the Pulse Rifle meta (leave the range how it is now), and change "High Caliber Rounds" as a perk that can only work in PvE. This way HCR on Pulse Rifles can still be good in PvE, but not in PvP. I shouldn't be able to outgun a Scout Rifle at range, because of HCR. Not to mention I shouldn't be getting outgunned because of HCR as well. It's just not balanced perk for PvP. Especially with how current Pulse Rifle perk tree's work, aka Clever Dragon and Blind Perdition. [b]Scout Rifles[/b] - I personally think Scout Rifles are fine right now, and don't need a buff or nerf. Maybe put High Cal Rounds back on MIDA so it can still stagger enemies in PvE, but not PvP. (HCR changes would be affected on all weapon types) [u][i][b]Secondary Weapons[/b][/i][/u] [b]Shotguns[/b] - Oh boy. I might get some hate for this, but I don't think shotguns need a nerf. If anything I think they could use a buff to consistency (referring to shotguns shooting blanks) [b]Snipers[/b] - I personally think the zoom value, handling, and damage (ldr, 1kys, longbow archetype) should be unnerfed. If I've practiced to be an aggressive sniper I should be rewarded for being aggressive with a sniper, and not punished and forced to play back. Also, keep the headshot damage the same (as it was before the most recent nerf), but reduce body shot damage. Sniping is all about a precise play style right? I should be rewarded for being precise... I shouldn't get a participation trophy for landing body shots, all though I do understand in some cases body shot kills are necessary. [b]Fusion Rifles[/b] - The only thing I can think of for Fusion Rifles is maybe a slight buff to consistency as well. [b]Sidearms[/b] - Are honestly in a good spot IMHO. I don't really use them much, so maybe someone else can pitch in some ideas? As for Heavy.... I would just like to see Heavy Ammo removed in Rumble, and 3v3 playlists... Although I understand if some want heavy to stay in 3v3 (maybe just reduce the amount of ammo received in 3v3, and make it so there's only one heavy box like in Elimination). 6v6 Heavy is fine IMHO. [u][i][b]Exotic Weapons[/b][/i][/u] Let's be honest... Exotic primaries aren't in a great spot right now. I personally think Last Word should be balanced separately, and any Hand Cannon blanket nerf/buff's shouldn't affect it. It's a unique weapon. Bring back the hip-fire damage multiplier. It's a weapon meant for hip-fire. Bring Last Word Hip-Fire back dammit! Thorn's range should be buffed, and a slight buff to stability and a buff to it's DoT burn since we have an artifact that literally nerfs any DoT burn. Hawkmoon could use a huge buff to range and a slight buff to stability so it can compete with legendary hand cannons. Not to mention, buff the LiTC bullets so it's like LiTC on legendary hand cannons. No one taps, but two taps are okay. I would personally like to see LiTC removed on legendary hand cannons just so it's a unique perk to Hawkmoon, but I don't really mind if LiTC stays on legendary hand cannons. I'm not really bothered by it. Just something I would like. [u][i][b]Subclasses[/b][/i][/u] [b]Hunters[/b] - Unnerf the Golden Gun. I'm not sure why Tripmines, and Throwing Knives were nerfed. Bladedancers could use a buff to consistency, and remove the swipe delay in the air(I think that's why it shortstops so much). Also, buff Arcbolts (same goes to Stormcaller arc bolts) [b]Titans[/b] - Hammers could use a slight buff to consistency as well. I've noticed plenty of times when I throw a hammer it'll explode, but not do ANY damage. Jugshield shouldn't be able to tank a Golden Gun shot, and decrease the damage it can take. I'd personally like to see Jugshield removed from the game, and in it's place put the "In-Air Evade" ability from Twilight Garrison on to Strikers. I'd rather deal with one in-air evade every 3 seconds, rather than a Jugshield. [b]Warlocks[/b] - Stormcallers melee could use some adjusting. Amplitude specifically. I would suggest to give the melee damage drop-off, so it's not doing full damage at ridiculous ranges, but it would still keep Stormcallers unique melee viable. I would also apply that same damage drop off for the Super as well. Stormcaller Arcbolt will be buffed just like Bladedancers. And please unnerf Firebolts tag radius, and arm time. Firebolt the grenade itself was fine. Firebolts weren't the problem, it was the combination of the old Viking Funeral, and Touch of Flame that was the problem. Also, unnerf Flameshield proc time. Sorry for the long post. If you've made it this far, thank you for taking your time to read this long boring post. Please feel free to pitch in! But I ask to keep it civilized. Thanks again! TL;DR - BUFF STUFF, Don't nerf shotguns. BUFF PRIMARIES! :D