That is likely to be no different in Destiny 2, but the sandbox in Destiny 2 is quite different than the sandbox that existed in Destiny 1, not to mention a new collection of weapons and armor to choose from. Players are already starting to prepare their builds and strategies for Trials of Osiris. And thanks to a recent preview to changes coming to a wide collection of exotic armor in Season of the Worthy, it is possible to start predicting some of the strongest exotic armor for Trials of Osiris.
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It is evident that Bungie has taken a big balance pass at the game to try to ensure that some of the most OP or cheesy exotics and abilities of the past get knocked down a bit to try to preserve the competitive nature of Trials of Osiris. A number of exotics have had their perks changed or modified to remove abilities like wall-hacking from the game, which could give a big advantage in Trials of Osiris.
The Best Hunter Armor for Trials of Osiris
Because of the changes coming in Update 2.8.0 launching with Season of the Worthy, the exotic gauntlets Khepri’s Sting could be one of the best exotics for Nightstalkers in Trials of Osiris. Khepri’s Sting was buffed so that Smoke Bombs deal 150% more damage when this exotic is equipped. Smoke Bombs are already a powerful tool for slowing and disorienting enemies as well as zoning an area. Nightstalkers are also famous for their “wombo combo” which is throwing their grenade and smoke bomb in quick succession to use the effects of both to defeat an enemy. Khepri’s Sting will only make this stronger, plus the exotic still has its Touch of Venom perk which instantly casts Smoke Bomb when punching someone with full melee energy and give Truesight (the wall hack ability) while Nightstalkers are in their own Smoke Bomb effect.
For Gunslingers who like to throw Tripmine Grenades, Young Ahamkara’s Spine will be a must. With the accompanying buff to allow Tripmine Grenades to stick to other players again, these grenades could see a resurgence in Destiny 2. Gunslinger mains could pull off some crazy grenade throws with Tripmines in Trials of Osiris in Destiny 1, and Young Ahamkara’s Spine will help strengthen those grenades. Its perk Wish-Dragon Teeth increases the duration and blast radius (which is getting buff to a 14% expanded explosion radius in Update 2.8.0) of Tripmines and grants grenade energy when causing damage with Tripmines.
Those are the two exotics getting notable changes, but there other good options for existing and unchanging exotics. Knucklehead Radar is a solid pick for a strong neutral game, providing radar while aiming down sights and enhances radar resolution while crouched. Foetracer is also good with its ability to mark enemies and deal more damage to low-health marked enemies. Similarly, The Sixth Coyote gives Hunters two dodges and St0mp-EE5 is a Hunter favorite for its increase to sprint, slide, and jump. Shinobu’s Vow is good for Arcstriders by buffing their Skip Grenades, and Gunslingers who want a build with Weighted Knife should not overlook Ophidia Spathe.
The Best Warlock Armor for Trials of Osiris
While it is not a major buff, the Ophidian Aspect gauntlets will not grant an increase to Warlocks’ lunge range of all melee attacks, even if the melee ability is on cooldown. Alone, this does not seem much, but Warlocks are getting a buff to their melee ability separately in the same update, increases their base melee range by a full meter. This exotic will push that range out even further, which could be really strong for aggressive, melee-based Warlocks. The Ophidian Aspect exotic is already really good for the Warlock neutral game granting fast weapon ready and reload speed, so this buff only further makes it a solid choice for any subclass.
The Stag could also be very good for helping in a unique Trials of Osiris situation. Its perk Dearly Departed grants Rift energy when critically wounded and creates a healing rift on the Warlock’s body when they die. Warlocks could benefit a bit from getting more Rifts, but the biggest edge this could give a team is the healing Rift that will be there when a teammate tries to revive that Warlock, granting health and an overshield to help get that revive.
Astrocyte Verse is a great option for Warlocks who like to Blink and play aggressively with that movement ability; Contraverse Hold is getting a nerf to its damage resistance from 40% to 20% but will still be a solid choice for middle-tree Voidwalkers; and, lastly, Transversive Steps are always a solid neutral game choice with its increase to sprint speed and ability to reload weapons while sprinting.
As a special mention for a different reason, Sanguine Alchemy is getting a complete rework in Season of the Worthy, removing the persistent radar and the ability to see enemies through walls while standing in a Rift. It now pauses the countdown timer of a Rift for every weapon kill, extending its duration. Many players were planning on using Sanguine Alchemy in Trials of Osiris before this nerf/redesign was announced, but now it will likely have very little use in Trials.
The Best Titan Armor for Trials of Osiris
Despite being disappointed in the look of the Titan armor for this season, the upcoming sandbox update will buff many Titan exotics. Dunemarchers will be getting buffed. Their perk Linear Actuators increases sprint speed and sprinting builds up a charge that discharges when meleeing an enemy, chaining damage to nearby enemies. That static charge that chains to enemies is getting a buff to reach out to enemies within 20 meters, up from 12 meters. Depending on the damage spread and the situation, Dunemarchers has the potential to deal big damage to Trials teams who are standing near one another. Aggressive Titans who want to try a build centered around Shoulder Charge could be highly effective using Dunemarchers.
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Similarly, Severance Enclosure, which was just added in Season of Dawn, is getting a buff, making it so it releases its explosion on any powered melee hit, not a defeat. This is again a bit of a niche pick for aggressive, melee-based Titans, but it has potential there. The Armamentarium is also a great pick in general because it gives two grenade charges, this exotic being a favorite pick for Titans back in Destiny 1. Another solid pick is Crest of Alpha Lupi, especially with its ability to generate a healing pulse when a Barricade is activated. Barricades are already expected to be very strong in Trials, and this will only make them better.
Lastly, the infamous One-Eyed Mask is getting a major nerf in Update 2.8.0, which may be the final nail in the coffin for this exotic that has been extremely powerful for more than a year and nerfed multiple times. This exotic’s target marking is being replaced with target highlighting so players can no longer track enemies through walls. And it no longer grants increased damage after defeating a marked enemy. However, it still does grant an overshield upon killing a marked enemy, restored after the previous nerf to One-Eyed Mask. That overshield could still make One-Eyed Mask a good choice, but if players used it primarily for its marking and damage bonus ability, those will be removed from the exotic in Season 10.
Season of the Worthy begins March 10th and the first weekend of Trials of Osiris begins March 13.
Destiny 2 is available now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
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