Hey, Guardians! Librarian Husky here with an updated subclass tier list for 2023. We’ve seen a lot of changes in the last six months, and I’m excited to dive into these updates with the help of Aegis Relic and Salpo Aegis. Whether you’re a veteran player or just starting out, this guide will help you navigate the current meta and optimize your gameplay. Let’s get started!

Updated Subclass Tier List for 2023

Updated subclass tier list for 2023. A lot’s changed over the last six months since we did this, so we’re joined by Aegis Relic today and Salpo Aegis. If I’m not mistaken, you own like multiple speedrunning world records for raids, right? Yeah, we have um, half the raid records in the game, and then we’re also we also have Salt who just secured his fourth world’s first title. It’s insane, man, so congrats again.

Void Hunter Analysis

Now, let’s get back to the tier list. How about Void Hunter? If we’re talking raw speedruns, Void Hunters are largely kind of out of the picture when it comes to high risk, high reward type of strategy. Their role has been subsumed by other subclasses because the need for invisibility is largely out of the picture. Void Hunter does have a tether which is useful as it is the only universal 30% debuff guaranteed at any distance.

In-depth Discussion on Void Hunter’s Abilities

Tether is certainly useful in some circumstances in endgame content. I would rate it as a middle-tier ability, like in A or B tier, mostly because I believe that offense is the best defense. When it comes to ability gameplay loop, it is not that potent compared to other subclasses, like Strand Titan and Solar Titan.

Concluding Thoughts on Void Hunter

Void Hunters offer a lot of variety with a strong base subclass. It is good for players looking for a class where they can take it slow and steady in PVE. Invis can absolutely carry you, and tether is very strong in raid settings, offering a guaranteed debuff.

Initial Thoughts on Subclass Rankings

I think it’s like a high A subclass, maybe low S, but it would be on the lower side of S. I don’t know how you feel; I would say the exact same. Salt, why don’t you pick a subclass to talk about next? Alright, let’s just do it then; let’s pick Well, S+. Nothing else to say, do we need to talk about this one, guys? It’s deserving of that because there are some other subclasses on this list that are S Plus as well.

Detailed Analysis: Well of Radiance

Well of Radiance is in its own tier, far and above, which is the most obvious thing to say. If we’re talking holistically, just considering the super, Well of Radiance is exceptional. Even without other abilities, just having Well makes it extremely good. It offers easy access to tier 2 restoration, Sunbracer solar grenades, and other significant benefits that make it probably the best subclass for various scenarios.

Opinions on Subclass Balance

Personally, I don’t really like the randomness during fights, such as the uncertainty in Well breaking. It feels arbitrary and disruptive in combat scenarios like Master Templar, where the consistency of Well’s protection is crucial. There’s a suggestion to make it unbreakable but more balanced, perhaps reducing its damage resistance but ensuring its reliability.

Discussion on Other Subclasses

Moving on, let’s discuss the Stasis Warlock. There’s a mixed opinion on this subclass, with some people absolutely loving it. However, when evaluating its effectiveness, especially compared to subclasses like Strand, Stasis Warlock seems somewhat lacking. In terms of crowd control and damage output, other subclasses offer more potent abilities, placing Stasis Warlock possibly in a lower tier, like B.

Discussion on Subclass Effectiveness

I feel like it’s just so CC heavy that you’re just freezing stuff that other subclasses would be able to either jolt or run over with Banner of War or just use your hammers. There are very niche situations now where stasis is decent, but other than that, it’s kind of lackluster at the moment for me. It seems that compared to just killing things, CC appears somewhat less effective and essential in most scenarios.

Comparing Subclasses: Stasis Turret and Solar Titan

However, when it comes to choosing a CC subclass or a CC subclass, Stasis Turret is close to being the best. Discussion moves to Solar Titan and Void Hunter, debating their respective tiers. Solar Titan, despite its nerfs, is considered powerful, almost unkillable unless played very poorly, packed with several panic buttons and substantial damage resistance.

Tier Rankings and Discussion

Discussions about different subclasses’ tier placements continue, considering factors like their offensive utilities, resilience, and ability synergies. There are considerations of creating an S++ tier exclusively for some subclasses, signifying their exceptional standing compared to others.

Detailed Analysis of Various Subclasses

Further analysis dives into the specifics of subclasses like Arc Hunter and Solar Titan, discussing their competencies, versatility, and situational effectiveness. The conversation navigates through the nuances of each subclass, evaluating their merits, shortcomings, and overall impact in combat, considering various strategic elements like burst damage, exotics synergy, and adaptability in various combat situations.

Subclass Tier Evaluation: Bon and Strength Titan

The discussion revolves around comparing different subclasses, primarily focusing on Strength Titan and its position in the tier. It’s identified that Strength Titan holds significant damage capabilities, but lacks in versatility and utility, compared to subclasses that offer constant regeneration effects, such as Bon.

Detailed Subclass Analysis: Berserker and Sunbreaker

Analyzing further, the conversation shifts towards evaluating subclasses like Berserker and Sunbreaker. Berserker, despite having damage reduction capabilities and sustain options, is considered a damage specialist and is placed below Sunbreaker due to the latter’s ease of creating areas of restoration and having on-demand abilities, making it more versatile and efficient in combat scenarios.

Highlighting Strengths and Weaknesses: Strand Titan

A critical analysis of Strand Titan emphasizes the synergy between various abilities and bonuses it offers. It clarifies that not just one, but a combination of several elements, like Banner of War and Wen Mail, contribute to its overall effectiveness, highlighting the necessity of recognizing and understanding the cumulative impact of these combined features in gameplay.

Warlock Subclass Discussion: Voidlock

Moving onto the Warlock subclasses, Voidlock is brought into discussion. Despite its versatility, being viable in various combat scenarios, and having options like Devour, it’s considered not the best in any specific area. There’s a consensus on the need for improvement in some abilities, like Nova Bomb, and a reconsideration of its position in the tier list, ensuring it aligns with its practical effectiveness and utility in combat.

Subclass Evaluation: Initial Thoughts

A discussion on various subclasses and their effectiveness begins, emphasizing the reduced necessity of selecting subclasses solely based on damage supers. It’s pointed out that previously, using damage supers resulted in a loss of DPS compared to using potent weapons, underlining a shift in strategy and approach towards subclass selection and their utilization in combat scenarios.

Detailed Analysis: Pack Hunter and Blade Barrage

The conversation delves deeper into specific subclasses like Pack Hunter, observing the changes post-rework. Notable points include the higher DPS of Blade Barrage compared to other actions, like using a rocket, signifying a nuanced understanding and approach required towards subclass abilities and supers to maximize their effectiveness and DPS in combat.

Expert Opinion: Aegis’s Input

Aegis’s expertise is brought into the discussion, lending credibility to the evaluation. His analytical breakdowns, comprehensive damage testing, and factual approach are highlighted, emphasizing the validity and weight behind the opinions and evaluations presented, ensuring a grounded and fact-based discussion.

Stasis Titan Evaluation

The discussion advances to evaluating Stasis Titan, identifying areas where it excels and where it falls short. Despite some strong points, the subclass is critiqued for its lack of offensive and defensive utility compared to other subclasses, raising questions about its overall effectiveness and positioning in the game’s current meta.

Subclass Discussion: Initial Opinions

The discussion begins with an exploration of various subclasses, specifically focusing on their viability and effectiveness. Various opinions are exchanged, focusing on the practical experience with each subclass, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and evaluation based on actual gameplay and utility in various game scenarios.

Thread Runner Evaluation

Thread Runner subclass is evaluated critically, with considerations such as utility and nerfs being central to the discussion. The nerfing of certain abilities like suspend is highlighted as a pivotal change that has influenced the subclass’s effectiveness and positioning in terms of utility and overall gameplay effectiveness.

Detailed Breakdown: Comparisons and Utility

A detailed comparison of subclasses like Thread Runner and Shade Binder is made, with a nuanced discussion on their respective utilities and special abilities. Various factors such as supers and specific abilities are brought into focus, ensuring a rounded understanding of each subclass’s strengths and weaknesses.

Arc Warlock Analysis

The Arc Warlock subclass is scrutinized, exploring its positioning and changes over different metas. Influential factors such as the introduction of various mods and changes in grenade metas are explored, outlining the subclass’s evolution and adaptation to the changing game dynamics and strategies. This analysis aims to offer a thorough understanding of the subclass’s current standing and effectiveness in the prevailing game meta.

Arc Warlock: Viability in Endgame Content

The discussion opens with the evaluation of the Arc Warlock subclass, focusing on its abilities and overall viability in endgame content. The abilities, supers, and grenades of the subclass are dissected to understand their effectiveness and utility in various gameplay scenarios, offering a holistic view of the subclass’s capabilities and standing in the game.

Detailed Analysis and Comparisons

A deeper analysis is made comparing the Arc Warlock with other subclasses like Voidlock. Various scenarios such as Solo GM are discussed to understand each subclass’s utility, effectiveness, and overall strategic value. This comparative analysis aims to offer insights into the subclasses’ practical gameplay applications and their respective advantages and disadvantages in different game situations.

Player Preferences and Experiences

Players share their personal preferences and experiences with the subclasses, bringing a personal touch to the evaluation. The discussion covers aspects like fun factor and personal enjoyment, providing a nuanced perspective that goes beyond mere technical and strategic analysis, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of the subclasses’ appeal and gameplay experience.

Sentinel Subclass: Examination and Positioning

The Sentinel subclass is examined, focusing on aspects such as survival, ability spam, and overall design. Detailed insights are shared, discussing the subclass’s construction, design philosophy, and the impact of various nerfs and changes on its effectiveness and gameplay utility. This detailed breakdown aims to clarify the Sentinel subclass’s current position and effectiveness in the game’s meta.

Discussion on Subclass Tier Placement

The conversation begins with an agreement on the placement of certain subclasses within a tier system, based on their current utility and performance in the game. There’s a consensus that some subclasses might require buffs, particularly in certain aspects like their supers, to improve their overall efficacy and gameplay impact.

Detailed Breakdown: Gunslinger

An in-depth analysis and discussion are conducted on the Gunslinger subclass, considering various aspects such as grenades, solar alignment, and its supers. Different opinions are shared, debating its potential placement within the S tier of subclasses, assessing its strengths, weaknesses, and overall gameplay utility in various scenarios.

Comparison and Contrasting Views

Comparisons are made between different subclasses, with various opinions shared on their relative strengths and effectiveness in the game. A deeper dive is taken into the nuances of each subclass, analyzing their abilities, utilities, and performance in various gameplay scenarios to establish a more comprehensive understanding of their tactical viability.

Final Thoughts and Uncertainties

The discussion concludes with some uncertainties and final thoughts on the placement of subclasses within the tier system. There’s a recognition of the close competition between certain subclasses, highlighting the dynamic and nuanced nature of gameplay strategies and subclass utilities, leaving room for further discussions and evaluations in the future.

Analysis of Subclass: Brood Weaver

An initial exploration into the Brood Weaver subclass, addressing its various interactions and abilities. The discussion touches on specific aspects such as the “thread of ascent,” illustrating its practical application and internal cooldowns. Clarifications are provided for those less familiar, explaining how the abilities operate in synergy to optimize weapon and grenade usage.

Comparison: Brood Weaver and Other Subclasses

A comparative evaluation is carried out between Brood Weaver and other subclasses like Starfire. Perspectives on Brood Weaver’s strengths, particularly in damage output, are discussed, placing it within a specific tier in the subjective subclass hierarchy. Its specialization, primarily towards DPS (Damage Per Second), becomes a focal point in assessing its overall efficacy.

Tier Placement Discussions

Different opinions are exchanged on the precise tier placement of the Brood Weaver subclass, discussing its performance in relation to other subclasses. There’s a deliberation on its reliability and accuracy, considering the potential inconsistencies and variabilities in its super abilities during various game scenarios.

Transition to Other Subclasses

Transitioning the discussion towards other subclasses like Revenant Hunter, further comparisons are made. The evaluation takes into account different aspects of subclasses, such as their adaptability and performance with specific game elements like stasis and grenades, providing a well-rounded overview of their gameplay utility and strategic value.

Su Damage and Utility

I think the Su damage is unbelievably underwhelming; however, the utility that you get of just instantly freezing and controlling a side of a room is pretty valuable. I think it’s been massively overpowered by other abilities, so I personally don’t think it’s in the same tier as Behemoth. Maybe it is, man, oh my God, I don’t know. It’s either very high C above Behemoth, significantly, or it’s very low B.

Comparison with Behemoth

There are not really scenarios where I’d use it. It’s low B because the renewal grasps and renals are nuts, and I was going to bring that up. I agree with you, like dusk fields and the super also staying there and doing its own thing, instead of having a bot that’s completely useless. It gives you some passive utility that the bot doesn’t have, which, like shade binder, has passive utility in its grenades.

Commitment in the Super

Where the stasis tourists can sit there forever, freeze entire rooms pretty much. The super does that for Hunter, whereas Behemoth doesn’t do that at all, and when you’re in the super, you’re committed in that super for a solid 15 seconds. That’s the downside of shade binder as well; once you pop the super, you’re in that.

Rankings and Final Thoughts

Right now, I have it between middle B and the highest one on B, with Revan C and shade Miner B. Leading us off with T crash Arc Titan, if you want to put it in S, it has to be very low S because, for the reasons we say above, damage supers are just not that good, let alone take Rush, where you have to fly to the boss and then go back. That’s very situational, and there are no scenarios where it’s preferable.

Tier Discussion

I put it, well, I guess my tier, again the tier shift thing, but I probably put it in A as well. Decent neutral has knockout, has Touch Of Thunder pulses which are good, has a good damage super, even though it’s partially situational as mentioned. Would you guys put it above or below Arc Warlock? Definitely above, above. Would you put it above or below Void Hunter? Void Hunter is in a lower tier for me, so I put it above.

Comparison with Other Classes

Interesting, Void Hunter is not better, Void Hunter is better than Arc Titan, I think. I would agree, for me, it’s an S tier, but it’s below Void Hunter and above Ark Warlock. Well, that kind of does it, dude. Are there any final notes you guys want to make on just the tier list in general?

General Thoughts on Damage Supers

Overall, I would like damage supers to be more impactful compared to your weapons. I want the choice of using a damage super to be important. I don’t want to just be able to run six W’s and be fine in a day one, and right now, you can. They need to shift more of the difference between weapon damage and super damage, I think.

Final Reflections and Acknowledgments

I’d like to reiterate that none of these classes or subclasses are unplayable; they might be suboptimal, but not unplayable.
We are fortunate enough to be in a time in the Destiny sandbox where most of your gameplay comes from how you play, use your weapons, and choose to use your abilities. Destiny players are doing well. They are going to touch on stasis, which occupies our bottom tier. If they handle that, we’re moving in a good direction.

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