The Division 2 / Exotic Rifle
How to Get Merciless in The Division 2
The Merciless is an exotic rifle with a Binary Trigger that fires on both trigger pull and release, with a chance for explosive bonus damage on every shot. Unofficial fan guide by Raigulus.
Merciless at a Glance
| Type | Exotic Rifle |
|---|---|
| Talent | Binary Trigger |
| Source | Hyena named boss drops |
How to Unlock It
Merciless drops from Hyena faction named bosses throughout the game. Focus on farming Hyena-controlled territories, Control Points, and missions like the Jefferson Trade Center and Air and Space Museum. Targeted rifle loot activities across any mission or open world event also provide chances for this exotic to drop. The Demolitionist specialization's alternative path through the Capitol Building stronghold can yield Hyena boss encounters.
Binary Trigger, Explained
Binary Trigger fires one round when you pull the trigger and another when you release it, effectively doubling your rate of fire compared to standard semi-automatic fire. Each round fired has a 5% chance to trigger an explosion dealing 200% of the bullet's damage as explosive bonus damage. This makes Merciless a weapon where sustained fire yields frequent explosive procs that can chunk even elite enemies. The key is finding a comfortable rhythm of trigger pulls to maximize both bullet output and explosion frequency.
Build Tips
Merciless benefits from explosive damage builds that amplify the Binary Trigger's proc damage. The Demolitionist specialization provides explosive damage bonuses and the grenade launcher alt-weapon. Equip China Light Industries gear for 15% explosive damage and Grupo Sombra for critical hit damage. Pair with the Pestilence LMG for a hybrid DoT and explosive build that covers both sustained and burst damage scenarios. For full setups see tested Division 2 builds.
FAQ
- How does Binary Trigger work exactly?
- Binary Trigger fires one round when you pull the trigger and another when you release it. Each round has a 5% chance to deal 200% bonus damage as an explosion. This effectively doubles your rate of fire and gives you frequent explosive procs that chunk enemy health bars.
- Does Merciless work with explosive damage builds?
- Yes, Merciless benefits from explosive damage bonuses since its 5% proc chance deals explosive damage. Equip gear with explosive damage attributes and use the Demolitionist specialization to boost the explosion damage. The China Light Industries and Grupo Sombra pieces provide excellent explosive damage scaling.
- What faction drops Merciless?
- Merciless drops from Hyena named boss encounters. Farm Hyena-controlled territories, Control Points, and missions like the Jefferson Trade Center and Air and Space Museum for the best chances. Targeted rifle loot activities also increase your odds of getting this exotic.
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