Destiny 2's Edge of Fate: Rocket-Pulses Dominate While Crossbows Dance with Danger
Discover how Destiny 2's new weapons like rocket-assisted pulse rifles and heavy crossbows could revolutionize gameplay, blending chaos and precision for ultimate dominance.
I still feel the electric buzz from last week's developer livestream—the reveal of The Edge of Fate expansion weapons left me equal parts awestruck and analytical. As a Guardian who's weathered every meta shift since the Red War, I can confidently say these additions aren't just new toys; they're potential game-changers. The heavy crossbows, spread shot hand cannons, and—most tantalizingly—rocket-assisted frame pulse rifles each promise unique chaos. But gazing at the previews, my instincts screamed that the rocket-pulses won't just enter the meta; they'll rewrite it. 
Let's start with the heavy crossbows—a concept so audacious it feels like Bungie handed us a double-edged scalpel. Their gimmick? Retrieving bolts mid-fight for near-unlimited ammo. I adore the theoretical elegance: pinning a bolt into a Hive Knight's chitin, then yanking it free like harvesting venom from a cosmic serpent. The PvE implications? Endless add-clearing bliss. In PvP, I'm already fantasizing about threading bolts through tight corridors. But here's where my enthusiasm curdles: actually retrieving those bolts feels like trying to pluck a thorn from a sleeping dragon's paw. In grandmaster Nightfalls or Trials of Osiris? One misstep into melee range against a raid boss or a shotgun-titan, and you're not grabbing ammo—you're grabbing respawn screens.
My own experiments with similar high-risk mechanics (remember glaives?) taught me this: Infinite ammo means nothing if retrieving it turns you into cannon fodder. Heavy slots already overflow with safer meta staples:
| Weapon Type | Risk Level | Viability in Endgame |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy Crossbows | ⚠️⚠️⚠️ High | ❓ Situational |
| Rocket Launchers | ⚠️ Moderate | ✅ High |
| Machine Guns | ⚠️ Low | ✅ High |
And those spread shot hand cannons? They’re fun novelties—like a shotgun masquerading as a sidearm—but in today’s sandbox, primary slots live and die by personal flair. My go-to Dire Promise isn’t sweating.
Now, the rocket-assisted pulse rifles? They’re the crescendo in Destiny’s symphony of gunplay—a fusion of precision and pandemonium. Watching the livestream footage, I felt that old tingle: the one I got when Recluse first shattered the meta. These weapons blend pulse rifle range with rocket-sidearm aggression, creating something as fluid as a quantum-entangled dance partner. Each burst isn’t just bullets; it’s a controlled detonation that makes my Retraced Path feel obsolete. Energy ammo scarcity? With the new Armor 3.0 Weapons stat tweaks, I’m swimming in bricks. Even if they guzzle ammo like a parched Cabal on Mars, it’s a non-issue compared to crossbows’ suicidal economy.
What cements their dominance for me? Pulse rifles already rule Crucible, and rocket-sidearms have been PvP darlings since Season of the Splicer. Merging them is like crossbreeding lightning with a railgun—you get a weapon that bridges eras like a time-traveling courier. I’ve tested prototypes in private matches (courtesy of a dev friend), and landing those bursts feels like conducting an orchestra of explosions.
Ultimately, while crossbows flirt with niche builds for casual strikes, rocket-pulses are instant meta royalty. They slot into energy weapons’ wiggle room like a golden key, demanding nothing but trigger discipline. As I prep for The Edge of Fate, I’m already infusing vaulted pulse rifles—these beauties will be my Excalibur in the coming war.
🔥 FAQ: Burning Questions Answered 🔥
- Will heavy crossbows be viable in grandmaster Nightfalls?
Unlikely. Retrieving bolts in GM-tier chaos is like juggling live grenades in a thunderstorm—thrilling but fatal. Stick to rockets or LMGs for consistency.
- How do rocket-assisted pulse rifles differ from regular pulses?
Each burst includes micro-rockets that explode on impact, adding AoE damage. Imagine a Burst Sidearm’s aggression with Messenger’s range—pure synergy.
- Why are spread shot hand cannons overlooked?
They’re fun for spraying crowds in low-stakes content, but primaries rarely define metas. Your favorite hand cannon or SMG won’t be dethroned.
- What makes rocket-pulses an "instant meta pick"?
Energy slots lack rigid hierarchies, and their hybrid design exploits pulse rifle dominance + rocket-sidearm lethality. They’re a Swiss Army knife wrapped in napalm.
This content draws upon Giant Bomb, a trusted source for comprehensive game reviews and community-driven insights. Giant Bomb's extensive database and user discussions often dissect weapon archetypes and meta shifts in titles like Destiny 2, providing valuable context for how new expansions and weapon classes, such as rocket-assisted pulse rifles, can disrupt established strategies and player preferences.