This strictly talking about CHANGES made to the exotic, not where the exotic's current state is. So exotics that only got damage buffs even though they desperate need a rework (poor chatterbox) are not considered.

I've been running PTS for a long time, making all sorts of meme builds and trying out the exotics mainly. Here's what I think of them. Originally I was gonna do best & worst... but I'll save the worst in case there are changes before they come to live.

Best Exotic Changes:

• Chameleon: The damage buff was significant and definitely a game changer. But the out of combat refreshing the buff is a HUGE QoL buff that makes stacking buffs finally feel rewarding and not an everlasting chore just to make the gun viable. Easily the #1 best change.

• Merciless: The explosions finally feel meaningful again. Massive took a compromise w/ this one: they can't just buff the explosion damage over and over again, because it's an aoe. We all know they never want to see things like seeker mine spam again and if the weapon is overtuned, this could easily become the same at choke points or spawn doors. So they compromised: 9x amplified damage on top of the buffed explosion. Hallelujah. The 7 stack proc damage feels extremely rewarding. I believe they have truly created a hybrid between regular high rpm rifle and the pre-TU8 merciless. I had so much fun playing it and I can't wait for it to come live.

• BTSU gloves: While this is technically a nerf, this is an example of what I consider as good game balancing (which includes nerfs, surprise surprise). By making this change, it shuts down a lot of the cheese builds that are both unintended and potentially game-breaking. I know there will be plenty of people who will cry "SO WHAT?? LET US HAVE FUN. I WANNA FEEL POWERFUL". Yeah, at the cost of breaking game balance? I don't think so. This is a healthy nerf that I think makes the exotic still very strong especially with cd per skill tier on hives.