Unlocking the Power: Understanding the Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst in Destiny 2
The Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst is a coveted upgrade for the Exotic Auto Rifle in Destiny 2. It’s not just a minor tweak; it’s a significant enhancement that can drastically change how you use this often underappreciated weapon. The core benefit the catalyst provides is the Heat of the Moment perk. When Ignition Trigger is active, which is when the weapon is overheating, health recovery is increased. This seemingly simple effect has profound implications, turning a liability into a strength and allowing for a much more aggressive playstyle with Tommy’s Matchbook.
What the Heat of the Moment Perk Actually Means
To fully appreciate the impact of this catalyst, it’s essential to understand the mechanics of Tommy’s Matchbook. The core unique ability is the Ignition Trigger, which allows you to damage yourself with the weapon to massively increase its damage output. Without the catalyst, the self-inflicted damage can make sustained use extremely risky, even with careful monitoring.
The Heat of the Moment perk mitigates this risk by increasing health recovery while the Ignition Trigger is active. This allows players to constantly keep the weapon firing at its maximum potential, as long as they can sustain the self-inflicted damage. This enhanced recovery is substantial enough that it becomes possible to weave in and out of cover or benefit from any other health recovery abilities more easily, making the user feel much more robust while still applying heavy DPS.
How Does the Catalyst Enhance the Weapon?
Beyond just boosting the health recovery, the catalyst transforms Tommy’s Matchbook from a situational weapon into a powerful contender for both PvE and PvP content. The synergy created by the Heat of the Moment perk directly addresses the weapon’s main weakness, the health loss, and this can be used as an intentional trade off, instead of a pure downside. The increased recovery, combined with the damage ramp from Ignition Trigger, means that players can output some of the highest sustained damage of any auto rifle in the game, with much less risk to their health bar.
Benefits in PvE
In Player versus Environment (PvE), this catalyst is a game-changer. Whether facing a horde of enemies or a powerful boss, the ability to sustain high damage without dying allows you to cut through enemy lines with alarming speed. With the correct build and stats, the self inflicted damage becomes very manageable, making the added damage output more valuable.
Benefits in PvP
In Player versus Player (PvP) scenarios, the catalyst provides a unique advantage. While the self-damage is still a factor, the increased health recovery allows you to engage more aggressively, potentially winning fights that would otherwise be lost due to the drawbacks of the weapon. In the Crucible, this can catch opponents off-guard and turn a potentially losing match up into a winning engagement. It’s not uncommon to see experienced players use this in a hit and run style, with this catalyst improving the recovery while the user hides.
Obtaining the Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst
The Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst is acquired through a specific activity, not just through random gameplay. It is important to know it drops from Strikes, Crucible matches, and Gambit matches, but it is random. This means you will have to actively participate in these activities if you want a chance to unlock this Catalyst. The good news is, any difficulty of these activity will allow for the catalyst to drop, making it more accessible to more players.
Completing the Catalyst Quest
Once the catalyst is obtained, you’ll have to complete an objective to fully unlock the catalyst. This will require a total of 500 kills with Tommy’s Matchbook. This isn’t too onerous given it is an Auto Rifle, however given the way the weapon is used, it will still require a time investment. Once these kills are made, the Heat of the Moment perk will be active and ready to enhance your gameplay experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst
1. What exactly does the Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst do?
The Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst provides the Heat of the Moment perk, which increases health recovery while the weapon’s Ignition Trigger is active, enabling the sustained high damage.
2. How do I obtain the Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst?
The catalyst has a chance to drop as a random reward after completing Strikes, Crucible matches, and Gambit matches.
3. How many kills are needed to unlock the Catalyst perk?
You must achieve 500 kills with Tommy’s Matchbook to fully unlock the Heat of the Moment perk provided by the catalyst.
4. Does the catalyst improve the weapon’s damage?
The catalyst itself does not increase the damage output, but the Heat of the Moment perk reduces the risk associated with self-inflicted damage from Ignition Trigger, making you able to consistently output more damage due to being able to use the gun more frequently.
5. Is the Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst useful in PvP?
Yes, the enhanced health recovery from the catalyst allows for a more aggressive playstyle in PvP, making it a viable choice for engagements.
6. Is the Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst useful in PvE?
The catalyst is exceptionally useful in PvE because it allows players to maintain high DPS against hordes of enemies and bosses.
7. Does the Catalyst change the weapon’s stats?
No, the catalyst only adds the Heat of the Moment perk. It does not directly alter the weapon’s base stats.
8. Can the Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst drop from any difficulty of Strikes, Crucible or Gambit?
Yes, the catalyst can drop from any difficulty of the specified activities, making it very accessible for players of varying skill levels.
9. Is Tommy’s Matchbook worth using with the catalyst?
Absolutely. The catalyst significantly mitigates the weapon’s primary drawback and makes it a much more viable option in all types of gameplay.
10. Does the Heat of the Moment perk make you invincible?
No, the Heat of the Moment perk only increases health recovery. It doesn’t make you immune to damage. The player will still need to be careful of their positioning and movement during gameplay.
11. Does health recovery from other sources stack with Heat of the Moment?
Yes, the increased health recovery from Heat of the Moment stacks with other health recovery buffs, such as certain armor mods and class abilities.
12. Does the Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst affect its ammo economy?
No, the catalyst does not affect the ammo economy of the weapon. It focuses solely on the health recovery aspect with the perk.
13. What makes the catalyst important for using Tommy’s Matchbook effectively?
The catalyst is crucial because it addresses the weapon’s fundamental flaw: the self-damage. This allows you to consistently use the damage ramp, which is the main benefit of the weapon.
14. Can you track progress for the 500 kills needed for the catalyst?
Yes, the game has a user interface to track catalyst progress. You can view the progress in the triumphs section of your profile.
15. Is Tommy’s Matchbook a good weapon without the Catalyst?
Tommy’s Matchbook is still a usable gun without the catalyst, but it comes with a significant drawback. The catalyst makes it shine. It is highly recommended that you unlock it to make the weapon a more practical choice.
By understanding what the Tommy’s Matchbook Catalyst does, how to get it, and the benefits it provides, you can effectively leverage the potential of this unique Exotic Auto Rifle. The catalyst is a true game-changer, and any serious player looking to add an aggressive and effective weapon to their arsenal should prioritize unlocking it.