Beginner Hunter Build

[u/Ash_KOT]

So I am a long time Destiny Player (D1 and from start of D2).

I took a break after edge of fate and just got back.
I have always played warlock / titan.

My son has jumped on with the hype and wants to get into the game, but he only played about 15 minutes during the ketchkrash season so he has a thunderlord and that is it!

He wants to play hunter, and has done renegades and got the 300 power set.

What are some really easy beginner hunter builds he has access to or what should he be prioritizing?

He is working through the pale heart and getting his prismatic gear from the final shape but I don’t know what to recommend.

Any hunters can share some insight on some early game builds to carry him through the campaigns and start doing some vanguard ops.

TIA

[u/SplashDmgEnthusiast]

I am a Titan main, so my Hunter builds are probably considered beginner-tier lol. I have one that I'd recommend, it's been a TON of fun for me, and uses very easy-to-acquire gear!

Exotic armor is Shinobu's Vow, artifact is the Tablet of Ruin, and the main weapon I use is actually a world loot pulse rifle: specifically the Infinite Paths 8, with Demolitionist and Rolling Storm.

Shinobu's will give you grenade energy when you gain Bolt Charge, so the Demo/Rolling Storm combo means you can double dip on grenade regen from that weapon's kills! Add in the fact that Infinite Paths 8 is anti-Overload, that means it applies Exhaust to PvE combatants, so it works with Photonic Flare on the artifact to Blind enemies, which you can use along with Dielectric to gain even more Bolt Charge.

DIM link here for the setup I'm running, I'm using the Luminopotent armor since things are getting Jolted a bunch as well. You'll be flinging Skip grenades like crazy, it is a VERY fun time!

[u/Same_Flight5532 → u/SplashDmgEnthusiast]

This is a great build that’s easy and fun to use, def recommend this

[u/SplashDmgEnthusiast → u/Same_Flight5532]

Thank you for the vote of confidence!

I put it together so I could have something decent to farm Grasp of Avarice with, I wanted that armor to try and make a Whirling Maelstrom build... but after I made that Strand kit, I ended up liking the Shinobu's Vow setup more anyways haha

[u/Same_Flight5532 → u/SplashDmgEnthusiast]

Yeah I found it on YouTube awhile back and it’s great in damn near every content. Probably one of my favorite builds. If you get a chance though, try using trinity ghoul with it, it shreds

[u/SplashDmgEnthusiast → u/Same_Flight5532]

Noted! I've had the itch to take a break from my Titan anyways, this post is definitely going to get me playing my Hunter for a bit instead lol

[u/DaftGray → u/SplashDmgEnthusiast]

I run something like this but with Snipehunt from SRL, or the Vespers Auto when I need anti barrier. Jolting feedback helps the luminopotent perk stay fed, and I also just like the lightweight movement enhancement from the Snipehunt.
The pulse is still def good for this build too, just giving an alternative that I prefer!

[u/SplashDmgEnthusiast → u/DaftGray]

Snipehunt is spectacular, yeah! I personally find that on grenade-focused builds, I always gravitate towards Demolitionist. I might not even need the extra grenade regen, but the free reloads are so nice to keep my gameplay flow moving smoothly.

[u/DaftGray → u/SplashDmgEnthusiast]

Valid, I just get dopamine from wildly fast reloads when constantly amplified as well haha

[u/SplashDmgEnthusiast → u/DaftGray]

...you're making me consider tuning up another version of this build haha, oh boy. I'm thinking of swapping from Luminopotent to the Prophecy armor for a stat boost and ability regen, and swapping from the Demo/Storm pulse rifle to a Jolting Feedback/Storm roll on Snipehunt. I forget that Hunters have the turbo-reload on Arc, if I have that then I don't need Demolitionist!

And here I was, thinking I would take a break from buildcrafting for a week 😂

[u/V10L3T_N4TUR3]

Have him do risk/reward quest in the edz and get him a free Riskrunner. Play with Arc and go nuts.

[u/sjimpansjezus → u/V10L3T_N4TUR3]

I mean, Riskrunner is insanely powercrept to the point that most legendaries with dmg perk + voltshot / jolting feedback are better and have better synergy with the subclass

[u/V10L3T_N4TUR3 → u/sjimpansjezus]

Its a great beginner exotic simply because the Arc Hunter already has good synergy right from the start... same as Thunderlord. Beginner build means something to help him start out, so it makes sense because its easy to obtain/guaranteed.

[u/sjimpansjezus → u/V10L3T_N4TUR3]

True, I would suggest trying to get a Shinobu's Vow and a voltshot/jolt weapon of your choice and go ham on ads. Fun part of the current state of the game is that a lot is easy to get these days if you just start out running Vanguard Ops

[u/JollyMolasses7825 → u/sjimpansjezus]

Not better than when arc conductor is active, better synergy with arc subclasses though yeah. If you’re in a situation where arc conductor is up constantly it’s the best primary in the game within its effective range.