That all said, all of my above tips are still true. Scout Rifle DpS has increased to the 123 region, and ARs are less useful at range now, but the rest is still true.

I would totally be fine with simple updates like this in the future. Numbers are great, but the most part I just need the basics.

It looks like a lot more than just ARs, Scout Rifles and Shotguns have been changed by the latest patch/hotfix. At least 50% of my data gathered so far is now incorrect. Only by small margins in most cases, but enough that I wouldn't want to publish it as is. I'd like to say I'm happy to do it all again, but it could be wrecked by another hotfix at any point.

Not that I'm complaining really. I should have seen this coming. It's a not-MMO, after all. But I'm just not happy spending all those hours on the project a second time if it might fall apart again at a moment's notice.

That all said, all of my above tips are still true. Scout Rifle DpS has increased to the 123 region, and ARs are less useful at range now, but the rest is still true.

I'm also still going to post my PvE tips/metagame at some point in the future. I gathered all the data I actually needed a while ago, and was really only continuing with the spreadsheet for the sake of completion.

Honestly, I'm kind of glad. The data-gathering portion was nowhere near as fulfilling after the 15th-20th hour as the "writing it up so people could benefit" portion.

- - Lichtonatus / someotherguy

One last note: Rockets take a long time to reload. As a result, 2-warhead capacity rockets are dramatically more practical than single warhead launchers. I'd still take "detonates early based on proximity" on a single-shot tube over any other 2-shot tube, but in all other cases, the 2-shotter is going to be better.

I just got a Rare Despot SA/5 with this perk and a 2-shot tube, and it's ridiculously useful. As a historically terrible rocketeer, it has already given me 5 or 6 Crucible kills I never would have otherwise gotten.

Since you seem to have questions about rockets, and I've done - shall we say - extensive rocket research, I'll post my opinions here:

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The mods I like for rockets are thus:

#1 - Detonates early based on proximity. This lets you fire down a hallway and kill anyone in that hallway. No need to aim at the floor or hit the guy. It kills people hiding around corners and is equally effective with fast or slow rockets. I've tried all of the mods for rocket launchers and this one takes the cake, hands down. I'd rather have a green with this mod in the crucible than any possible purple combination that doesn't have this mod.

#2 - Tracks target. Good for long range rocketry, not as helpful close up (because it's not like you were going to miss, amirite?). Generally guarantees a kill, especially in the open field or against a fleeing vehicle. Not good if your target dodges around a corner (the rocket tends to veer into the wall rather than go around it).

#3 - Cluster bomb. Especially effective in Control mode, the cluster bomb basically doubles the blast radius of your rocket by having several large, secondary explosions. It's basically just more forgiving than a normal rocket as far as aim is concerned, and you're more likely to get multi-kills if people are close-ish together. One note: The cluster area is HUGE, so you can sacrifice blast radius for projectile speed on your other options if you know you'll be using clusters.

#4 - Javelin. If you can't find a rocket with the above 3 mods, Javelin partially makes up for it with sheer velocity.

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In the case of all rockets that do not have cluster bomb as an option, choose the highest blast radius that you can on your other mods.

in the case of cluster bomb, choose speed over blast radius.

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The following rocket mods are basically worthless and should be avoided:
- Aims quickly
- Switch weapons quickly
- low recoil

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One last note: Rockets take a long time to reload. As a result, 2-warhead capacity rockets are dramatically more practical than single warhead launchers. I'd still take "detonates early based on proximity" on a single-shot tube over any other 2-shot tube, but in all other cases, the 2-shotter is going to be better.

If you're lucky, like I was, you'll get something like my Steel Oracle: holds 2 shots, detonates early, radar remains active while aiming. Mmmmmm.

- CC

Of course, you're more likely to still get the kill even if you miss with some of the pellets/projectiles with a stronger, slower Fusion Rifle, so (as always) Your Mileage May Vary.

You can also absolutely increase a Fusion Rifle DpS, as they're the only weapon with an upgrade that lets you increase the RoF (or technically, the Charge Speed, but since they're tied into each other...). I can't remember the name of the upgrade, but I think it's called "Charged Coils" or something.

EDIT: In hindsight though, probably would be helpful for the Vault/Nightfall.

I cannot thank you enough for all this analysis. It confirms some of my suspicions (weapons within the same class are pretty much balanced, overall) and gives some straight-up fundamental advice.

Great work, man. Don't worry about taking too long. You already did a LOT more than I'd expect in under a month of launch.

Thanks, it's been kind of like a second job these last couple of weeks. Not complaining, it's been good. Just long. It's good to get it out of my brain and on to paper, so to speak. Was staring to worry someone would beat me to the punch haha

The PvE stuff used some pretty ugly nesting brackets, but I'm pretty happy with the results. You'll see that soon enough. Quick protip though: Reload speed means very little in PvP, but Magazine Size and Reload speed are the most important things for maximum Pve DpM (after Atk, obviously).

I'd like to suggest video gathering from the PS4 and Xbone folks to help you check out the legendaries and exotics, since the RNG can be quite brutal.

That's a really good point actually. If anyone is willing to help there's something you can do for me: Tell me how much damage your Legendary or Exotics are doing in the Crucible (body shots only please).

If it's an AR, PR, Handcannon, SR, Sniper or Fusion Rifle - just whatever number pops up (per projectile/pellet on Fusion Rifles please)

If it's a Shotgun or Machine Gun, I need you to have CQB Ballistics, Smart Drift Control or Smooth Ballistics equipped (I'm only taking base weapon stats, and all the other barrels modify Impact).

This would be super useful, if only because I wouldn't have to field-test every weapon manually. It can be a real drag, especially Scout Rifles. I'm no good at Scout Rifles.

If people would be interested in making this a group project, there's some other stuff that can be done, but it's all a bit detailed (requires specific sight/barrel/scope upgrades, gathering data from B.net and recording RoF and reload speed in a specific way so I can count the reload frames), so I'll wait and see what the reaction is before writing it all up.

On rocket launchers you're probably right that tripod is the way to go but I absolutely love the tracking upgrades. Watching your rocket arc as it chases down and kills a Pike? Nothing like it!

On the Defender Titan I hope you got this week's exotic helmet. The blinding effect on Ward of Dawn works very well in PVP and PvE.

I'd like to suggest video gathering from the PS4 and Xbone folks to help you check out the legendaries and exotics, since the RNG can be quite brutal.

Great work, man. Don't worry about taking too long. You already did a LOT more than I'd expect in under a month of launch.