I've been looking for messenger replacements and found two. If you're a fan, look for these:

One is reflection sum, which is The TTK trials pulse rifle.

The other is Lyudmila-D, which I think is available from the gunsmith as an arms day order occasionally.

In the meantime, The Villainy is a three shot kill with all body shots against lower armored targets. Three shot kill with some headshots against everybody. My fav so far.

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Red death has been my goto so far. seems like super high impact pulses took a heavy stability nerf.

I feel like we won't find a messenger replacement. I miss the messenger, alot. It was probably the gun I was the most consistent with, but that is because it was broke. Obviously Bungie didn't feel like it was operating as intended, which is why it was nerfed. It is hard to find a replacement(replacement being a gun I can consistently get kills with) currently. I got a few weapons I want to try, I just need to find the time.

I got one with Counterweight and Perfect Balance (and Army of One). 2 burst kill potential, 3 burst kill all the damn time, even at decent range. The gun is amazing.

And the Lyumedia-D is great, but fires a tad more slowly because of the 4th round per burst. It also reloads more often for the same reason.

There's also the year two version of "Spare Change .25" - this drops in the Crucible and shares the Messenger archetype.

I was pretty happy when I got this too. It's the same archetype as the Messenger, but it kicks up and left at a nasty 45 degrees. I found I had to shoot people in the left shoulder for ideal results. I ended up going back to the Lyudmila-D.

My Spare Change had some stability perks, but it could have had more. I would definitely like to see if more stability could mitigate that terrible recoil.

I was pretty happy when I got this too. It's the same archetype as the Messenger, but it kicks up and left at a nasty 45 degrees. I found I had to shoot people in the left shoulder for ideal results. I ended up going back to the Lyudmila-D.

My Spare Change had some stability perks, but it could have had more. I would definitely like to see if more stability could mitigate that terrible recoil.

Yeah, I had spare change and the recoil was bad. I was getting 3 burst kills mostly instead of two, and if the Villainy can three burst on body hits and it fires faster, then what's the point?

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I was pretty happy when I got this too. It's the same archetype as the Messenger, but it kicks up and left at a nasty 45 degrees. I found I had to shoot people in the left shoulder for ideal results. I ended up going back to the Lyudmila-D.

My Spare Change had some stability perks, but it could have had more. I would definitely like to see if more stability could mitigate that terrible recoil.

Yeah, I had spare change and the recoil was bad. I was getting 3 burst kills mostly instead of two, and if the Villainy can three burst on body hits and it fires faster, then what's the point?

I haven't tried the year 2 Spare Change yet, but my HoW Spare Change could go toe to toe with any messenger (it had headseeker and boatloads of stability). Unless they've drastically changed it, I'd think a TTK Spare Change with the right roll could go toe to toe with any other pulse rifle in the game, as long as the 2 shot kill is still possible. If it has been reduced to a 3-shot kill, then I agree... a faster firing PR would have the advantage.

I was pretty happy when I got this too. It's the same archetype as the Messenger, but it kicks up and left at a nasty 45 degrees. I found I had to shoot people in the left shoulder for ideal results. I ended up going back to the Lyudmila-D.

My Spare Change had some stability perks, but it could have had more. I would definitely like to see if more stability could mitigate that terrible recoil.

You'll note the roll on mine: Counterweight (all kick is straight up, reduced recoil) and perfect balance (dramatically reduced recoil).

Before I got counterweight it was not nearly as effective. Now it's a laser.

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The recoil is much worse on my new one than the old one.

You'll note the roll on mine: Counterweight (all kick is straight up, reduced recoil) and perfect balance (dramatically reduced recoil).

That's what Counterbalance does? I've been able to find a clear answer. All my complaints would be withdrawn if I could get that gun to kick straight up. Sounds like you got a nice roll.

You'll note the roll on mine: Counterweight (all kick is straight up, reduced recoil) and perfect balance (dramatically reduced recoil).

That's what Counterbalance does? I've been able to find a clear answer. All my complaints would be withdrawn if I could get that gun to kick straight up. Sounds like you got a nice roll.

yep. It makes all kick go straight up. And yeah, I got a hell of a roll. In a perfect world, replace Army of One with either Crowd Control (not sure if possible), Firefly (not sure if possible), or that perk where body shots increase precision damage, but I'm not complaining - the gun is beastly and feels unfair.