Comparing Performance: Crimson vs. Ace of Spades in PvP
Hand Cannons in PvP: Hand Cannons have been at the top of the PvP Meta since the early days of Destiny 1. Ten years later, they remain dominant in the Crucible. With decent range and the ability to peek-shoot (shoot and cover), hand cannons are extremely powerful dueling weapons. There’s a reason the vast majority of elite PvP players main a hand cannon. Although hand cannons are not the easiest to master, they feature a high skill ceiling, allowing those who know how to master them to often come out on top in most duels in The Crucible.
Time to Kill (TTK) Comparison:
- Ace of Spades TTK:
- Optimal TTK: 0.87 seconds
- Body Shot TTK: 1.30 seconds
- Crimson TTK:
- Optimal TTK: 0.87 seconds
- Body Shot TTK: 1.43 seconds
When it comes to PvP, TTK is perhaps the most important factor. The lower the TTK, the faster you can kill your opponent. However, TTK is only half of the picture; the game’s meta is shaped by both TTK (lethality) and ease of use (forgiveness). A good combination of both defines the best PvP weapons in Destiny 2.
Furthermore, you should always use the weapons you enjoy or have the most fun with. That said, if you’re looking for a competitive advantage, lower TTK figures point you to the most effective weapons.
Ease of Use: Equally important is a weapon’s ease of use, which combines a weapon’s optimal crit percentage and its numerical stats such as stability, range, aim assist, and zoom.
Crimson vs. Ace of Spades:
- Crimson has recently risen to near the top of the competitive PVP charts due to useful buffs over the course of Shadowkeep and Beyond Light DLCs. It is now possibly in the best state it’s ever been in related to the sandbox, catering to both PVP and PVE players.
- Ace of Spades offers higher lethality after a kill and reload, and may provide one-shot kills on damaged opponents—potentially allowing for a two-shot kill with another buff applied. However, aim proficiency is crucial; if you’re less confident in hitting crits, Crimson might be a better option.
- Between the two, it’s not even a comparison; Ace just wrecks. Despite this, it feels like it handles worse in PvP than PvE. Thus, if PvP is your focus, Crimson could be your weapon of choice, while Ace of Spades is generally regarded as the best overall exotic hand cannon.
PvE Showdown: Is Crimson Outclassed by Ace of Spades?
PvE Performance Comparison:
- Ace of Spades is arguably the best handcannon in all of Destiny 2.
- In PvE, it is considered a beast. Between Ace of Spades and Crimson, it’s not even a comparison; Ace just wrecks.
- Ace provides higher lethality after a kill and reload, allowing for possibly one-shot kills on damaged opponents and potential two-shot kills with another buff applied.
Crimson’s Performance:
- Crimson is already good enough as is; it’s not a ‘cheap’ range stat.
- It massively improves range and stability, remaining one of the most effective PvP handcannons in the game.
- If PvP is your thing, Crimson might be your weapon of choice, as the burst fire is excellent at securing kills and the weapon remains accurate.
Opinions: What Does the Destiny 2 Community Think?
The opinions on Destiny 2’s weaponry, particularly between the Sunshot, Crimson, and Ace of Spades, are quite varied among the community. Here’s a consolidated view:
- Sunshot: Many players feel that Sunshot feels way better currently, especially after its magazine buff to 12 rounds. This has made it a solid choice in both PvE and PvP.
- However, some s never favored Sunshot much and prefer the Eirenas or Crimson instead.
- It’s noted that a well-rolled Antiope D can potentially offer better range than Sunshot.
Moving on to Ace of Spades:
- There is a strong sentiment that Ace of Spades excels in PvE, often being described as a beast compared to Crimson. The bonus damage from bullets combined with Firefly significantly enhances its effectiveness.
- While some assert that Ace lost its touch after the hand cannon nerf, others believe its damage output still sures that of Crimson.
- Despite its power, there are mixed feelings regarding its utility in PvE, with some claiming both Ace and Sunshot feel less effective in that mode.
Lastly, regarding Crimson:
- Crimson is regarded as a strong option in PvP, offering good range and stability without being a “cheap” choice. Many players feel it remains one of the most effective hand cannons available.
In conclusion, there’s a diverse range of opinions within the Destiny 2 community regarding these weapons, with preferences often leaning towards personal playstyle and recent updates impacting their performance.
Statistical Insights: How Do Crimson and Ace of Spades Stack Up?
In our Destiny 2 Hand Cannon Tier List, the highest tier is the S tier. The hand cannons ranked in the S tier represent the pinnacle of versatility, firepower, perks, and overall stats. If a hand cannon is in the S tier, it’s considered the best in the game due to its exceptional capabilities and effectiveness. The Ace of Spades is a rare 140 RPM hand cannon with fantastic stats and a large magazine, while Crimson is an unusual three-shot burst hand cannon with a high rate of fire, ranked in the D tier.
Ace of Spades has an impact of 84, a range of 75, stability of 40, handling of 40, reload speed of 42, and a magazine size of 13. In contrast, Crimson features a unique three-shot burst mechanism, but its ranking suggests it lacks some of the competitive advantages found in higher-tier hand cannons.
While both Ace of Spades and Crimson serve different playstyles, Ace of Spades stands out due to its reliability, lower chance of failing to fire, and larger magazine size compared to Crimson’s burst mode. This may limit Crimson’s overall effectiveness in various combat situations.
The Ace of Spades is one of Destiny 2’s most iconic weapons. It’s fitting, then, that this Hand Cannon is an absolute monster in PvP. The Ace’s Exotic Perks include Firefly, which makes nearby enemies explode with precision hits. Additionally, the Ace has Memento Mori, which means you always see the radar and random bullets in each magazine deal extra damage. With a bit of luck and a skilled hand, you can delete enemy Guardians before they even know what’s happening.
On the other hand, Crimson addresses this issue with its Cruel Remedy perk, which heals you when you kill opponents. This perk is incredible in PvP and grants a level of sustain you can’t get from any other weapon. However, Crimson is less useful in PvE, as you can get restoration from numerous armor abilities, but it’s still serviceable.
An honest answer would be that Crimson is a superior weapon in PvE because of its auto reload perk on precision kills and health regeneration. In contrast, the Ace of Spades is better in PvP due to the current meta, where Crimson doesn’t perform nearly as well, and it is easily outgunned.
Arguably, Ace of Spades is the best 140 RPM hand cannon in the game. It offers excellent base stats and some of the best perks, namely Memento Mori. In of damage, Ace wins hands down. The bonus damage bullets and Firefly make it vastly superior to Crimson in the damage department.
Choosing the Right Hand Cannon: What Fits Your Playstyle?
Choosing the Right Hand Cannon: What Fits Your Playstyle?
When considering hand cannons in Destiny 2, players should look into several tiers of weapons to find the right fit for their playstyle.
S-Tier Hand Cannons:
- Bottom Dollar: A 120 RPM hand cannon that boasts impressive range and stability. It features 12 potential perk rolls for both PvE and PvP viability.
- Igneous Hammer: Combines incredible stats with deadly perks like Rampage for swift 2-tap kills.
- Sturm: While it seems average, it offers secret potential for 1-tap kills when paired with Drang.
- True Prophecy: Boasts PvP-oriented perks for extended damage boosts and excels in versatility.
A-Tier Hand Cannons:
- Ace of Spades: Known for high aim assist and a generous magazine.
- Hawkmoon: Features a unique ‘Paracausal Shot’ perk that allows for one-shot kills on lower resilience guardians.
- Ancient Gospel: Strong perks for lethal 3-taps in PvP.
- The Palindrome: Has some of the highest aim assist and range in its archetype.
- Dire Promise: Possesses extremely high base aim assist for consistent head shots.
Exotic vs. Legendary Hand Cannons:
The best exotic hand cannon for PvP is subjective. However, The Last Word, Thorn, and Ace of Spades are notable top-tier choices that offer unique perks. Legendary hand cannons like Eyasluna, Palindrome, and Dire Promise can also be incredibly powerful in PvP with the right rolls.
Finding Your Playstyle:
, the best hand cannon is the one that fits your playstyle. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different rolls and perks to discover what works best for you. For those who prefer distance engagement, prioritize range. Conversely, if you lean towards close-quarters combat, stability might be more beneficial.
