Strand, the newest subclass in Destiny 2 introduced in the Lightfall expansion, has gotten big improvements in Update 7.1.0. Aside from new aspects, each Strand subclass is buffed in more ways than one.
Let's begin with the Threadrunner's Threaded Spike ability. It is now more viable in PvE because its damage against PvE enemies has increased by roughly 55%. Besides that, the projectile's travel distance is up by 30%, which means that the projectile now travels farther before returning to you. Speaking of returning projectiles, the speed of the returning dart has been reduced slightly, so you catch it easier.
The Berserker has been the most underperforming Strand subclass in Destiny 2, mainly because it is so clunky to use. Fortunately, the Berserker's Frenzied Blade got a huge improvement in Update 7.1.0, where its cooldown is reduced based on the number of melee energy charges you have stored. At zero charges, the cooldown is reduced by 15%. If you have two charges, the cooldown is reduced by a considerable 30%.
For the Warlock's Broodweaver, its Arcane Needle ability received a few notable buffs. Just like the Berserker, the Broodweaver's Arcane Needle will also have its cooldown decreased based on how many melee charges you have stored. The cooldown is reduced by 15% at zero charges while 30% at two charges.
Furthermore, the Arcane Needle's projectile speed is increased based on its flight time. The projectile's initial velocity has increased from 30 to 40 meters per second, while its final velocity is now set to 70 meters per second, up from 60. And finally, its projectile tracking strength has increased by roughly 10%.
You can read the other Strand subclass changes below:
Threadrunner
- Silkstrike
- Reduced the amount the player was slowed when casting Silkstrike immediately after a grapple.
- Threaded Spike
- Increased energy gain for catching the dart based on the number of enemies hit.
- Now pierces Cabal Phalanx shields.
- No longer prioritizes the catch action over the grapple melee if an enemy target is within grapple melee range.
Berserker
- Bladefury
- Fixed an issue allowing players to use their Super infinitely in Mayhem under specific conditions.
- Drengr's Lash
- Fixed an issue resulting in Drengr's Lash projectiles getting stuck and lingering in level geometry (specifically corners) for extended periods of time.
Broodweaver
- Needlestorm
- Reduced physics acceleration per projectile by ~70% to reduce instances of bosses (e.g., Akelous in Spire of the Watcher) flying into the stratosphere when struck by every projectile at once.
- Arcane Needle
- Fixed an issue preventing Claws of Ahamkara from granting a fourth melee charge to Arcane Needle.
- Fixed an issue where players could very rapidly initiate unpowered melees back-to-back while jumping while Arcane Needle was equipped.
New Strand Aspects
- Hunter: Threaded Spike
- Activate your class ability to leave behind a decoy woven from Strand matter that draws the attention of nearby combatants and pings the radar for other Guardians.
- After taking significant damage or when combatants approach, the decoy detonates, dealing damage and releasing Threadlings that seek out and attack nearby foes.
- Titan: Flechette Storm
- While sliding, activate your charged melee ability to leap into the air, knocking nearby targets away and dealing damage.
- While airborne, activate your charged melee again to launch a cluster of damaging, unraveling projectiles.
- Repeatedly activating melee will chain additional throws.
- Warlock: The Wanderer
- Tangles you throw attach to enemies and detonate into a suspending burst.
- Threadling final blows create a Tangle.
So, what can you say about the Strand subclass buffs in Destiny 2 Update 7.1.0?
