For years, Bungie has been working tirelessly to maintain a balanced weapon system in Destiny 2. It has consistently adjusted weapon archetypes to ensure a diverse set of options, keeping the gameplay fresh and competitive. Despite all its efforts, one archetype struggles to find its place: Scout Rifles.
While this archetype has its strengths, its use remains very niche. Since the weapons don’t quite fit into the mainstream gameplay, they are less appealing compared to other, more versatile weapon types. Bungie could potentially retire this archetype entirely by borrowing an idea from Black Ops 6.
The constant struggle of Scout Rifles in Destiny 2
Scout Rifles are a weapon archetype that’s difficult to classify as the best at anything. While it deals decent damage at long range and boasts a faster fire rate than Sniper Rifles, it still loses out to it in a couple of key areas.
In long-range combat, Sniper Rifles will always win, as they deal significantly more damage per shot and are built for precision over distance. In close to mid-range combat, Auto Rifles and Pulse Rifles take the lead, offering much higher rates of fire and better damage output over time.
Scout Rifles don’t quite excel in any of these ranges, putting them in a tricky position where other weapons often outclass them. This creates a situation where the entire archetype doesn’t feel essential.
And with players’ focus shifting toward more versatile and high-performing weapons, these weapons are becoming less of a go-to choice. So, why not retire the archetype altogether?
Bungie could solve this dilemma by borrowing an idea from Black Ops 6: giving Auto Rifles and Pulse Rifles an alternative single-shot firing mode. With this feature, players could toggle between a rapid-fire mode for close to mid-range engagements and a single-shot precision mode for longer distances. This would effectively replace the need for Scout Rifles.
The challenges of replacing Scout Rifles
On paper, replacing Scout Rifles with a toggleable fire mode for other archetypes sounds like a great idea. However, it comes with its own set of challenges and the biggest hurdle would be balancing.
Scout Rifles are designed for precision and long-range combat, while Auto Rifles and Pulse Rifles are made for close to mid-range with high fire rates. So naturally, both tend to have low damage per shot, which works in rapid fire, but turning them into precision shots at long range would be tough.
If the damage output of both archetypes were increased to make them viable as a single-shot weapon for longer distances, there would be balance issues. These weapons would become overpowered, especially in close-range encounters, overshadowing other archetypes like Sniper Rifles and Shotguns.
This goes to show the reason for the Scout Rifles in the first place. However, if Bungie wants to actually retire the archetype, it needs to make a delicate balance to prevent these archetypes (Auto Rifles and Pulse Rifles) from becoming too dominant.
In the end, it’s clear that it’s a delicate task, but if Bungie can find the right balance, it could streamline the weapon system and make the need for Scout Rifles a thing of the past.
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