Destiny 2 Exotic weapon’s stealth buff makes it “better than ever before”

Kurt Perry
Side profile of the Solar Exotic weapon Tommy's Matchbook in Destiny 2.

A stealth buff to an underrated Exotic weapon has seen it rise in the meta and become one of the best options in Destiny 2, with Aztecross describing it as “better than ever before.”

Destiny 2 is not short on Exotics that players can use to build and find their own fun in the looter shooter’s vast sandbox. Some of these are meta-defining Exotic weapons while others need a buff or two before being worth using.

While most weapon changes are listed in TWIDs and are easy enough to track that isn’t always the case. Bungie has been known to occasionally stealth buff or nerf both weapons and armor alike.

That’s exactly what has happened with a popular Solar Exotic weapon which is currently outputting its most impressive DPS numbers ever following a massive stealth buff.

Destiny 2 Exotic Tommy’s Matchbook given Ignition stealth buff

In a breakdown video posted by Aztecross, the leading Destiny 2 content creator tested Tommy’s Matchbook and concluded that it has been significantly stealth-buffed.

Comparing Ignition damage values between Season 21 and Season 23 against Shayotet Partisan, better known as Carl, Aztecross found the following results:

  • Season 21 Ignition damage: 17,087
  • Season 23 Ignition damage: 42,717

This represents a 150% buff to Ignition damage which Tommy’s Matchbook can trigger twice per magazine. It’s possible to reliably increase this to three times per magazine if the Kindling Trigger and Flint Striker artifact mods are both equipped.

Praising the Exotic Auto Rifle, Aztecross expressed, “Tommy’s Matchbook is better than ever before. And no, it’s not just the Artifact Mods that are enhancing Tommy’s Matchbook although yes that does help.”

Elaborating further Aztecross continued, “Bungie stealth buffed this Auto Rifle. I’m not sure when it happened but its Ignition damage is hitting much higher.”

Although Tommy’s Matchbook is now an excellent weapon it does overheat and damage the user potentially leaving them vulnerable in higher-end content. This can be mitigated by obtaining its catalyst and hip-firing but it’s still a significant con of this Exotic that Guardians need to be aware of.

About The Author

Kurt Perry is a British games writer who started at Dexerto in April 2023. He graduated from Staffordshire University in 2019 with a BA in Games Journalism and PR. Prior to joining Dexerto, Kurt contributed 900 articles for PC Invasion including over 350 guides. He's an all-rounder who is particularly knowledgeable about Call of Duty, Destiny, and Pokemon.