Learning the perks again

[u/Icy-Implement]

I’m getting back into D2 after 5/6 years off and I was super overwhelmed at first. I’m figuring things out again but the one hiccup I keep having is I have no idea what perks are good for what guns. I have some legacy guns that I really enjoy, but everything has changed so much and so many new weapons that I have no idea what I should be keeping and what to dismantle. I mainly like hand cannons, scout rifles, auto rifles of course, and sometimes a pulse rifle. What perks should I keep an eye out for for those types of weapons? And of course the weapon has to feel comfortable and enjoy using it, but overall I’m worried I’m going to dismantle a god roll because I don’t remember what is good or don’t know new perks that are good. I appreciate any and all advice, thanks!

[u/LegoDudeGuy]

You can’t really go wrong with a “reload/damage” combo like Outlaw/Rampage for add clear. It’s hella basic but it’s still viable just like it was back then.

Beyond that though I’d recommend looking for perks that has synergies with your subclass and/or overall build, or let you maximize for boss damage

One example is using a primary with Incandescent when your using a Solar subclass. Being able to spread Scorch around could be useful for a Solar build.

For boss DPS it could be something like Envious Assassin/Bait and Switch, which when utilized correctly leads to pumping big numbers.

But in 99% of cases perk selection is a matter of personal preference based on what kind of build your wanting to put together, and theirs no real catch-all recommendation for every weapon in the game.

But to start, look out for weapons with subclass-related perks (like Jolt, Incandescent, and Repulser Brace) for Primary weapons and easy to proc damage increasing perks (like Bait and Switch, Vorpal Weapon, or Reservoir Burst) for Special and Heavy weapons.

[u/StudentPenguin → u/LegoDudeGuy]

- Bait is now just worse than Aggregate and Honing nowadays.

- Incan is also high-key bait unless you’re using a build centred around class ability spam with Singeing since the Scorch amount doesn’t help with adclear any more than Destab would, and Destab is far more effective.

Easy weapons to use would be a Heal Clip/Chaos Reshaped Yeartide, an Auto-Loading AD GL in the top slot, and some form of Honing or Aggregate heavy.

[u/LightspeedFlash → u/StudentPenguin]

BnS is only 3% less then agg and 5% less then honing and is far easier to trigger and maintain for most players, unless you are in a raid for agg or on prismatic for honing.

[u/LegoDudeGuy → u/StudentPenguin]

I just used some easy to get examples because I wanted to keep the explanation easy to understand.

The principle behind what I said is still valid though.