How Much Damage Does Thorn Do Per Shot?
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Thorn, the infamous Hand Cannon from the Destiny universe, is notorious for its potent damage output, particularly its damage-over-time (DoT) effect. Directly, the initial shot damage from Thorn varies depending on factors such as range, enemy type, and buffs/debuffs applied. However, the key to Thorn’s lethality lies in its Soul Devourer perk, which applies the DoT. The base damage per shot before considering buffs or DoT is around 45-55 damage for a body shot, and 75-90 for a headshot, against a Guardian in the Crucible. This does NOT include the DoT.
Understanding Thorn’s Damage Profile
To accurately assess Thorn’s true damage potential, you need to break down its components: the initial impact damage and the Soul Devourer DoT. Understanding these will help you master Thorn and maximize its effectiveness in both PvE (Player vs. Environment) and PvP (Player vs. Player) activities.
Impact Damage: The Initial Hit
The initial impact damage of Thorn is relatively moderate compared to some other Hand Cannons. As mentioned earlier, the numbers are approximately 45-55 for a body shot and 75-90 for a headshot in the Crucible. This value can be further affected by:
- Range: Damage falloff occurs at longer ranges, reducing the impact damage.
- Enemy Type: Different enemy types have varying damage resistances. For example, a body shot against a shielded Fallen Captain will deal less damage than a body shot against a basic Thrall.
- Damage Buffs/Debuffs: Effects like High-Energy Fire (buff) or Weaken effects (debuff) will alter the initial damage dealt.
While the initial impact damage is important, it’s the DoT that truly defines Thorn’s power.
Soul Devourer: The Lingering Poison
The Soul Devourer perk is what makes Thorn truly unique. Landing a shot on an enemy applies a stacking DoT effect. This means the target will continue to take damage for a period of time, even after you stop shooting them. Here’s what you need to know:
- DoT Duration: The DoT lasts for approximately 3 seconds.
- DoT Damage per Tick: The damage inflicted per tick (small increments of time) by the DoT varies. In PvP, it’s roughly 6-8 damage per tick, totaling around 50-70 damage over the entire duration. This damage bypasses shields and continues to damage the target’s health directly.
- Stacking DoT: While Thorn’s DoT itself doesn’t truly stack (you can’t reapply more to increase the damage), it does refresh its duration. Landing another shot during the DoT’s duration simply resets the timer, keeping the poison active for longer.
- Soul Devourer Buff: Defeating an enemy affected by Soul Devourer grants +30 to reload speed, +10 to handling, and +10 to stability for 7 seconds.
The combination of initial impact damage and the persistent DoT is what makes Thorn so effective. The DoT forces opponents out of cover, prevents health regeneration, and allows for easy cleanup kills. In PvE, the DoT can significantly weaken tougher enemies, making them easier to eliminate.
Calculating Total Damage Output
The total damage output of Thorn per shot is the sum of the initial impact damage and the total DoT damage. For example, in the Crucible:
- Body Shot: 50 (impact) + 60 (DoT) = 110 total damage
- Headshot: 80 (impact) + 60 (DoT) = 140 total damage
These are just estimates, as the exact numbers can fluctuate based on the factors discussed earlier. Keep in mind that these numbers are approximations based on current in-game testing and community findings.
Practical Applications of Thorn’s Damage
Knowing Thorn’s damage profile allows you to use it more strategically.
- PvP: Use the DoT to disrupt opponents, prevent them from healing, and force them into unfavorable positions. Follow up with additional shots to secure kills.
- PvE: Apply the DoT to tougher enemies to weaken them and make them more vulnerable. Focus on headshots to maximize damage output. Utilize the Soul Devourer buff to maintain consistent fire and reload quickly.
Thorn excels at inflicting sustained damage and controlling the battlefield.
Thorn and Modifiers
Certain modifiers and perks in Destiny 2 can amplify Thorn’s effectiveness.
- Damage Buffs: Perks like High-Energy Fire, Empowering Rift, or Weapons of Light will directly increase Thorn’s impact and DoT damage.
- Damage Debuffs: Applying weaken effects to enemies with grenades or other abilities further amplifies the damage they receive from Thorn.
- Exotic Armor: Certain Exotic armor pieces can synergize with Thorn. For example, the Necrotic Grips on Warlock can add another stacking DoT effect.
By strategically combining Thorn with these modifiers, you can significantly increase its damage output and overall effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Thorn’s Damage
1. Does Thorn’s DoT stack?
No, Thorn’s Soul Devourer DoT does not truly stack in terms of increasing damage. However, reapplying the DoT by hitting another shot refreshes its duration.
2. How long does Thorn’s DoT last?
The DoT from Soul Devourer lasts for approximately 3 seconds.
3. Can Thorn’s DoT kill an enemy?
Yes! If an enemy is left with low health after the initial impact damage, the DoT can finish them off. This is a common way to secure kills with Thorn.
4. Does Thorn’s damage vary between PvE and PvP?
Yes, damage scaling is different between PvE and PvP. Enemies in PvE generally have more health, so Thorn’s damage will appear relatively lower compared to the Crucible.
5. Does the Soul Devourer buff only activate on Guardian kills?
No, the Soul Devourer buff activates upon defeating any enemy affected by the DoT, whether it’s a Guardian in PvP or a Thrall in PvE.
6. How does range affect Thorn’s damage?
Thorn experiences damage falloff at longer ranges. This means both the impact damage and, to a lesser extent, the effectiveness of the DoT will be reduced.
7. What are some good perks to pair with Thorn?
Perks that enhance reload speed, handling, and stability are highly beneficial. Also, perks that provide damage buffs, such as Rampage or Kill Clip, can further amplify Thorn’s lethality.
8. Is Thorn a good choice for endgame PvE content?
While Thorn can be effective in certain PvE scenarios, it’s generally not considered a top-tier choice for endgame content like Grandmaster Nightfalls. Its damage output is good, but other options provide higher sustained damage or more utility.
9. How does Thorn compare to other Hand Cannons in terms of damage?
Thorn’s unique DoT effect sets it apart from other Hand Cannons. While its initial impact damage may be lower than some high-impact options, the DoT provides sustained damage and tactical advantages.
10. Does resilience affect the damage taken from Thorn’s DoT?
Yes, resilience can slightly mitigate the damage taken from Thorn’s DoT, but the effect is minimal.
11. Can the Soul Devourer effect be cleansed?
Certain abilities or effects can cleanse the Soul Devourer DoT. Examples include healing rifts, certain healing grenades, and specific subclass abilities.
12. Does Thorn benefit from Hand Cannon targeting mods?
Yes, Hand Cannon targeting mods can improve Thorn’s accuracy and target acquisition, making it easier to land shots and apply the DoT.
13. How often does the DoT tick?
The DoT ticks approximately every 0.5 seconds.
14. Is Thorn affected by the Hand Cannon archetype damage modifier?
Yes, Thorn, as a Hand Cannon, is subject to any archetype-specific damage modifiers that Bungie introduces in updates. These modifiers can impact both the impact damage and the DoT.
15. Does Thorn have any hidden stats or perks?
While not exactly hidden, the full potential of Thorn often lies in the user’s ability to capitalize on the DoT to control engagements and secure kills. Mastering this aspect is key to unlocking Thorn’s true power.