Will Thorn Ever Get a Catalyst? A Deep Dive into Destiny 2’s Most Infamous Hand Cannon
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Yes, Thorn has a catalyst in Destiny 2! This article dives deep into everything you need to know about Thorn’s catalyst, its impact on the game, and addresses common questions surrounding this iconic weapon.
Thorn’s Catalyst: From Infamy to Glory (Again?)
Thorn, the hand cannon synonymous with damage-over-time and general PvP mayhem in Destiny’s history, has finally received its much-anticipated catalyst. This addition is significant for several reasons, primarily because it addresses some of Thorn’s perceived shortcomings and elevates its overall effectiveness, particularly within the Crucible.
Before the catalyst, Thorn, while possessing a unique and potent ability, was somewhat lacking in key areas, namely range and stability. These shortcomings often relegated it to a niche pick, overshadowed by other hand cannons with better base stats. The catalyst rectifies this, providing a much-needed boost to these critical attributes.
The Thorn Catalyst’s Effects:
The catalyst grants the following benefits:
- Increased Range and Stability: This forms the bedrock of the catalyst’s improvement, directly addressing the primary complaints about the base weapon.
- Remnant Absorption Bonus: Dealing a final blow or absorbing a Remnant (the lingering souls left after a kill with Thorn) grants bonus weapon range, increased mobility, and improved handling for a short duration.
This additional perk synergizes perfectly with Thorn’s existing Exotic trait, Mark of the Devourer. The damage-over-time effect coupled with the stat buffs on remnant absorption creates a powerful feedback loop. Players who can consistently land kills and collect Remnants will experience a significant performance boost, turning Thorn into a highly mobile and deadly weapon.
The catalyst’s impact is most profoundly felt in PvP. The improved range allows Thorn to engage opponents at greater distances, mitigating the risk of close-quarters engagements where it might be outmatched. The enhanced stability makes landing shots easier, ensuring the damage-over-time effect is consistently applied. The mobility and handling bonus after absorbing remnants enables players to swiftly reposition, disengage, or aggressively push opponents, creating opportunities for follow-up kills. The potential for weaving in and out of combat while inflicting lasting damage positions Thorn as a formidable threat.
Thorn’s catalyst signifies Bungie’s willingness to revisit older Exotics and inject new life into them. By focusing on addressing specific weaknesses and amplifying existing strengths, these catalysts can dramatically alter a weapon’s identity and relevance. These design choices highlight the importance of understanding game balance and player experience in the development of successful games. You can explore more about these concepts at the Games Learning Society website or at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Thorn and Its Catalyst
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Thorn and its catalyst, covering various aspects of its usage, acquisition, and lore.
1. How do I obtain the Thorn catalyst?
The Thorn catalyst is obtained via completing the quest “Dirty Work” introduced during Season of the Wish. This questline requires you to participate in activities across the solar system.
2. What activities progress the “Dirty Work” catalyst quest?
The “Dirty Work” quest requires kills with hand cannons, with bonuses for kills in Gambit, Crucible, and Nightfalls.
3. How many kills are required to complete the Thorn catalyst masterwork?
To fully masterwork the Thorn catalyst after acquiring it, you must defeat 700 enemies. The weapon itself must be equipped to track progress.
4. Is Thorn a good weapon without the catalyst?
Thorn is a viable weapon without the catalyst, particularly in PvP, due to its damage-over-time effect. However, the catalyst significantly improves its range and stability, making it much more competitive.
5. How does Thorn’s damage-over-time effect work?
Thorn’s Mark of the Devourer inflicts a damage-over-time effect on enemies struck by its projectiles. This effect drains their health over several seconds.
6. What is the best way to farm kills for the Thorn catalyst?
Popular farming locations include the Shuro Chi encounter in the Last Wish raid, the Grasp of Avarice dungeon’s opening encounter, and the Thrallway encounter in the Shattered Throne dungeon. Pick a PVE activity where you can kill a lot of low-level enemies fast.
7. Does Thorn’s damage-over-time stack?
No, Thorn’s damage-over-time effect does not stack. Applying additional shots will refresh the duration of the effect, but it will not increase the damage dealt per tick.
8. What is the lore behind Thorn?
Thorn was originally a weapon called Rose, wielded by the Guardian Rezyl Azzir. Corrupted by the Darkness, Rose was transformed into Thorn, becoming the signature weapon of the infamous Dredgen Yor.
9. Is Thorn a Kinetic or Energy weapon?
Thorn is a Kinetic weapon in Destiny 2.
10. How does Thorn compare to other Exotic hand cannons like Ace of Spades?
Thorn and Ace of Spades offer distinct playstyles. Thorn focuses on damage-over-time and area denial, while Ace of Spades emphasizes precision and chaining kills. Ace of Spades has a more well-rounded approach where Thorn is more focused on DPS.
11. What is Lumina’s relationship to Thorn?
Lumina is, essentially, the purified version of Thorn. It was created by cleansing the original Thorn and infusing it with Light.
12. What is the ideal build to run with Thorn?
Because of its damage over time, Thorn pairs well with any build that further benefits from the DOT, like Warlock builds that deal further damage to afflicted enemies.
13. Can the Thorn catalyst drop from any activity?
No. The Thorn catalyst has to be obtained from the “Dirty Work” quest.
14. How does Thorn compare to its Destiny 1 counterpart?
Thorn in Destiny 1 was notoriously powerful in PvP, primarily due to its potent damage-over-time effect and range. While the Destiny 2 version retains the damage-over-time, it’s not as dominant as it once was, even after the catalyst.
15. Will Bungie ever nerf the Thorn catalyst?
The performance and popularity of the Thorn catalyst will ultimately determine whether it’s subject to future balance adjustments. If it becomes overwhelmingly dominant, a nerf is possible.
Final Verdict: Thorn’s Catalyst – A Worthy Upgrade
The Thorn catalyst is a significant and worthwhile upgrade for this iconic hand cannon. The increased range and stability, combined with the Remnant absorption bonus, drastically improves its usability and effectiveness across various activities. Whether you’re a seasoned Crucible veteran or a PvE enthusiast, the Thorn catalyst adds a new dimension to this legendary weapon, making it a must-have for any Destiny 2 player. If you enjoy learning about these aspects of the game, consider looking into the research being conducted at the Games Learning Society, which studies the educational and social impacts of games.