Two weeks into Destiny 2's Vex-themed Desert Perpetual raid, and let me tell you, my fireteam's vocal cords are permanently damaged from screaming at mechanics. This loot grind feels like running a marathon through quicksand while being chased by angry Minotaurs. The new Exotic rocket launcher Whirling Ovation dangles like a cosmic carrot, and man, do I have opinions about these shiny new toys. Bungie really went all-in with the Legendary arsenal, but some weapons hit like a wet noodle while others? Chef's kiss perfection. Frame of Reference, the raid's Origin Trait, is low-key OP—stacking that sweet 35% damage buff after five kills feels like turning god mode on, especially when swapping weapons mid-fight. But RNGesus has been cruel; after 28 clears, I still don't have that god-roll sniper. The struggle is real, folks.
🔥 Origin Trait: Frame of Reference
This bad boy is the unsung hero of Desert Perpetual. Scoring final blows boosts damage, reload speed, and range without the buff vanishing when you stow your weapon. Five stacks equals 35% extra damage—that's like slapping a free damage mod on steroids! In chaotic encounters like the Chronovore boss fight, I've melted champions by chaining this with my super. Personal take? It's meta-defining. Other origin traits should bow down to this beast.
🎯 The Loot Lowdown
Here’s my brutally honest tier list after testing every gun:
| Weapon | Type | Verdict | Salt Level 😭→😍 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intercalary | Auto Rifle | Trash Panda | 😭😭😭😭 |
| Finite Maybe | Fusion Rifle | Meh Replacement | 😭😭 |
| The When & Where | Rocket Launcher | Situational | 😭😭😭 |
| Opaque Hourglass | Combat Bow | Novelty King | 😍😍 |
| Antedate | SMG | Arc Monster | 😍😍😍 |
| Lance Ephemeral | Sniper Rifle | Must-Grind | 😍😍😍😍 |
| Whirling Ovation | Exotic RL | Mixed Bag | 😍😭 |
💔 Intercalary (Kinetic Auto Rifle)
Oh honey, no. This poor thing is like bringing a butter knife to a nuke fight. Sure, Headstone + Rimesteeper has theoretical synergy with Stasis builds, but why bother when double-special loadouts exist? I tried pairing it with my Bleak Watcher warlock—felt like tickling Vex while they obliterated me. Bottom of the barrel, period.
❄️ Finite Maybe (Solar Fusion Rifle)
Reconstruction + Controlled Burst makes this a slightly sexier Eremite... but fusions in PVE? C'mon, it's 2025—we're not in the Season of Opulence anymore! Took it for spin in Gambit and got teabagged by an invader with a shotgun. Feelsbadman. Only worth it if you missed Eremite, otherwise, vault fodder.
💣 The When and Where (Stasis Rocket Launcher)
Bungie really said "here's Hezen Vengeance's ugly cousin." Reconstruction + Bait and Switch sounds juicy until you realize it can't compete with Hezen's Envious Arsenal combo. Tried pairing it with Liturgy for Stasis shenanigans—ended up wasting heavy ammo on red-bars. Total facepalm moment. Only usable if Cold Comfort eludes you.
🏹 Opaque Hourglass (Heavy Combat Bow)
Holy mother of novelty! This crossbow-style beast lets you retrieve bolts like some medieval Legolas. Firefly + Dragonfly turns enemies into fireworks—pure dopamine. In PVP? Laughed my ass off using bolts as platforms to snipe campers. Is it meta? Nah. Is it the most fun I've had since Telesto broke the game? Abso-freaking-lutely. 10/10 for sheer chaos.
⚡ Antedate (Arc SMG)
Okay, now we're talking! Rolling Storm + Jolting Feedback turns this into an Arc conductor of death. Paired with my Getaway Artist build? Pure electric ecstasy. Cleared entire Lost Sectors without reloading. Only downside? Competing with Ikelos SMG feels like bringing a Ferrari to a drag race against rockets. Still, top-tier for Arc 3.0 enjoyers.
🎯 Lance Ephemeral (Strand Sniper Rifle)
My precious! Fourth Time's the Charm + Bait and Switch? Chef's kiss. Tore through Master Nightfall bosses like tissue paper. Compared to my god-roll Supremacy? It’s like upgrading from a bicycle to a Lambo. Strand snipers are unicorns, and this one’s rainbow-colored. Grind priority? A+ No cap.
💫 Whirling Ovation (Exotic Rocket Launcher)
This funky strand-solar hybrid is... confusing. Charged shots delete champions—felt like Thanos snapping his fingers during Battlegrounds. But against raid bosses? The charge time had me yelling "hurry up!" like my dad watching microwave popcorn. Ammo economy? Worse than my post-raid glimmer balance. Verdict: Fun toy, but Gjallarhorn still wears the crown.
At the end of the day, Desert Perpetual’s loot pool is a wild rollercoaster—from 'why does this exist?' to 'holy crap I need this NOW.' Frame of Reference alone makes the grind semi-worthwhile, but weapon balance feels wonkier than a Cabal drop pod landing. So here’s my burning question: If Bungie nerfed double-special loadouts tomorrow, would trash-tier weapons like Intercalary suddenly become meta darlings?