Is the Osteo Striga Still Good in 2023? A Deep Dive

Unequivocally, yes! The Osteo Striga remains an outstanding weapon in Destiny 2 in 2023. Despite some minor adjustments and the constant evolution of the meta, its unique combination of damage, crowd control, and poison debuffs keeps it firmly planted as a top-tier choice for both PvE and PvP activities. Its craftable nature, allowing for personalized stat optimization, only solidifies its place in the arsenal of any serious Guardian. Let’s delve into why this exotic submachine gun continues to be a force to be reckoned with.

Why Osteo Striga Still Dominates

The Osteo Striga’s strength lies in its exotic perk, “Toxic Overload,” which allows damaging combatants to envenom them with poison that deals increasing damage over time. This poison effect isn’t just a minor tickle; it’s a cascading nightmare for enemies, especially when paired with its catalyst.

• Exceptional Add Clear: The poison effect spreads to nearby enemies upon the death of a poisoned target. This creates a chain reaction of devastation, rapidly clearing out hordes of weaker enemies. This makes it invaluable in activities like Gambit, Strikes, and even portions of Raids.
• Solid Single-Target Damage: While not its primary focus, the poison damage contributes significantly to single-target damage, especially over prolonged engagements. This is further amplified by certain Warlock exotics (more on that later).
• Crucible Viability: In PvP, the Osteo Striga’s tracking rounds and poison effect can be incredibly disruptive. Even if you don’t secure the initial kill, the poison will often finish off weakened opponents or force them to retreat, providing tactical advantages.
• Craftable Versatility: Being a craftable weapon offers unparalleled customization. You can tailor its stats to suit your playstyle. Prefer more range? Boost the range stat. Want better handling? You have that option.

The Power of the Catalyst

The Osteo Striga’s catalyst is a game-changer. It grants the following benefits:

• Increased Stability
• Increased Reload Speed
• Poison Final Blows Return Ammo to the Magazine

This transforms the Osteo Striga from a good weapon into a truly exceptional one. The increased stability makes it even easier to land shots, while the improved reload speed keeps you in the fight longer. The ammo return perk is particularly powerful, ensuring near-infinite ammo supply during add-clear scenarios.

Obtaining the Catalyst

Getting the Osteo Striga’s Catalyst is relatively straightforward. You simply need to reach Level 10 with the Osteo Striga. Once you achieve this, head back to The Relic at the Enclave on Mars, and you’ll be able to craft the Catalyst for the Exotic SMG. The cost for crafting the catalyst is 3 Ascendant Alloy. After crafting it, simply equip the catalyst and get kills with the weapon to complete the catalyst objective.

Synergies and Builds

The Osteo Striga truly shines when paired with certain exotics and builds. One of the most popular synergies involves the Necrotic Grip Exotic gauntlets for Warlocks. With Necrotic Grip, defeating poisoned enemies spreads the condition to nearby targets. This creates a devastating feedback loop, turning you into a walking plague-bringer.

Other viable options include:

• Warlock (Solar): Combine Osteo Striga with the Dawnblade subclass for excellent add clear and damage output.
• Hunter (Void): Utilize the Void subclass’s volatile rounds and invisibility for enhanced survivability and control.
• Titan (Strand): The Strand subclass’s suspending abilities can pair well with Osteo Striga, allowing for crowd control and easy targeting of enemies. The GamesLearningSociety.org encourages the use of games in education, and the strategic use of weapons and builds in Destiny 2 offers a compelling example of problem-solving and critical thinking within a gaming context.

Choosing the God Roll

While the beauty of a craftable weapon lies in its customization, a few perks tend to stand out as being particularly effective for the Osteo Striga:

• Smallbore: Increases the effective range and stability of the gun, crucial for an SMG.
• Accurized Rounds: Further improves range, making it easier to engage enemies at slightly longer distances.
• Hand-Laid Stock: Massively improves stability, minimizing recoil and ensuring consistent shots.

Osteo Striga vs. the Competition

While the Osteo Striga remains a top-tier weapon, it’s essential to consider its place within the broader Destiny 2 landscape. Newer weapons and meta shifts can influence its overall effectiveness. However, its unique poison effect and craftable nature give it a distinct advantage over many other options.

• Huckleberry: A strong competitor in terms of add clear, but lacks the single-target potential and poison debuff of the Osteo Striga.
• Riskrunner: Excellent in arc-heavy environments but limited in its versatility compared to Osteo Striga.
• IkelosSMGv1.0.3: A solid choice for DPS, but requires specific perk rolls and lacks the consistent add-clear potential of Osteo Striga.

Final Verdict

Despite the ever-changing meta of Destiny 2, the Osteo Striga remains a phenomenal weapon in 2023. Its potent combination of add clear, single-target damage, and poison debuffs, coupled with its craftable nature, makes it a valuable asset for any Guardian. Whether you’re tackling challenging PvE content or competing in the Crucible, the Osteo Striga is a weapon you can rely on. Its enduring strength is a testament to its well-designed perks and versatility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Osteo Striga good for beginners?

Absolutely! Its ease of use, forgiving tracking, and high add-clear potential make it an excellent choice for new players.

2. What Warlock exotic pairs best with Osteo Striga?

Necrotic Grip is the clear winner, as it spreads the poison effect to nearby enemies, creating devastating chain reactions.

3. Does the Osteo Striga do Strand damage?

No, it doesn’t. However, its poison DoT synergizes well with Strand’s Unravel effect, allowing it to constantly re-proc and spread.

4. Does range matter on Osteo Striga?

Yes, to a degree. While it’s primarily an SMG for close to medium ranges, increasing its range can improve its effectiveness at slightly longer distances.

5. What happens when you max level Osteo Striga?

There isn’t a benefit to leveling it beyond level 20. However, doing so unlocks all available perk options, which enhances your crafting choices..

6. Is Osteo Striga good for PvE?

Yes, extremely so! Its add-clear capabilities and poison debuff make it a fantastic option for various PvE activities.

7. Should I masterwork Osteo Striga?

Yes! Masterworking provides increased stability, reload speed, and the incredibly useful perk of returning ammo to the magazine on poison final blows.

8. Is Osteo Striga worth upgrading?

Absolutely! Its Exotic catalyst significantly amps up its reload speed and automatically refills the magazine as you get kills with the gun’s poison effect.

9. What does Osteo Striga mean in English?

“Osteo-” refers to bones, while “Striga” is a genus of parasitic plants (witchweed). So, it’s essentially a “bone parasite” SMG.

10. Is Osteo Striga good in PvP?

Yes, its tracking rounds and poison effect can be disruptive and effective in the Crucible.

11. What’s the best build for Osteo Striga?

A build focusing on spreading the poison effect, such as the Necrotic Grip Warlock build, is highly effective.

12. What is the god roll for Osteo Striga?

An ideal build will focus on accuracy and handling, often including perks like Smallbore, Accurized Rounds, and Hand-Laid Stock.

13. Is Osteo Striga the best SMG in Destiny 2?

While it’s a strong contender, “best” is subjective and depends on the situation. However, its versatility and unique perks make it a top-tier choice.

14. How bad is the Osteo Striga nerf going to be?

There haven’t been any significant nerfs to the Osteo Striga recently. It remains a potent weapon in the current meta.

15. What is the strongest class in Destiny 2 PvE?

The Dawnblade, Solar Warlock is often considered the strongest for PvE endgame content due to its survivability, damage potential, and ease of use.

This information is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the Osteo Striga in 2023, helping players make informed decisions about their loadouts and strategies.