Hopscotch is better. Here's why: 1). It has tighter groupings of the 3 round bursts. This means it is better at range, and is better for ensuring all 3 of bullets are head-dingers. This is undisputed, and is fact. No amount of stability can make up entirely for the innate grouping patterns of pulse rifles. If you don't believe me, try your Spare Change .25 with completely maxed stability and fire it at a wall. Notice that it pulls up and to the left and kind of sprays bullets after multiple shots, regardless of how much stability it has. Compare this to Messenger, and compare that to Hopscotch. Before you say "but Messenger has better range stat", I will stop you there. The range stay in this game does not do what it says it does. I present to you TLW. If you look at its range stat, you will realize it is very low. The gun has the capability to 2-shot people across the map though, with very little damage falloff. The application for this in our conversation is that the maps are too small to notice any real damage drop off in any guns that aren't FR, Shotguns, or ARs. 2). Hopscotch is re-rollable. Seasoned pvp players don't need Third Eye, so it's kind of a wasted perk unless you sit there camping like a scrub aiming down your ADS the whole match. Headseeker is good, but the point is there are better perk combinations. You can roll it identical to a Messenger and it will still be better because of the bullet grouping patterns. You can get Feeding Frenzy (or Outlaw) matched with Reactive Reload for 2-shot body shots after kill. Or you can get things like Battle Runner (highly underrated) for more utility. 3). Hopscotch has better overall stats. Aside from range (which we already know isn't a big deal), Hopscotch is equal to or better than Messenger in every category. Hopscotch has equal impact and ROF. It has better: Stability, Magazine Size, Reload Speed, Aim Assist, and tighter bullet groupings. Tl;dr Hopscotch is better in every meaningful statistical category, and has much more utility because you can re-roll it. This is fact; there are numerous videos from PlanetDestiny, multiple threads on Reddit from people that actually statistically analyze these weapons. Read/watch these resources if you need more information.

Stopped reading after your range-bullshit. Messenger is far better at range. Hopscotch loses damage at a certain range. I have both and I use the Messenger on huge maps like rusted lands or pantheon to down sniping foes. If you want better Stability, you'll get even less range. If you want Stability and keep the range, you'll get the same amout of ammo (24)...and 24 bullets are more than enough. Braced Frame is the only reasonable stock. Hopscotch has a slightly better stability but far less range, that's all.

<3 you Teddy. Nice to see you're still following me around the forums like a lost puppy dog :) I'll go ahead and take your word over my testing + the extensive testing done by PlanetDestiny + the multiple threads on Reddit by people that actually analyze things and crunch the numbers. "I use Messenger on big maps cuz the Range stat bar is higher" sounds like a game-over counter argument. Well done ace. I look forward to reading whatever else you post about anything I post on these forums mate. /brofist

Muted. :* By the way: It's an argument against the "Hopscotch has the same range!"...because that's untrue. Now move on, nothing else to do here for your sore ass.

Yes Teddy. You admit to not reading and call BS. You are right, and the dozens of reviews are all wrong. The stats are also all wrong, just because you said they are. From now on we should all just ask you what's best. Hell, I'll never need google again! Teddy for president.

Yep, thanks for admitting it. :) Muted.

HP has far better stats than Messanger, I gun down Messanger users constantly

It has almost the same stats, check destiny db. You can just reroll hop.

Opposite here, i rattle entire teams in osiris sometimes with the messenger

I have the worse performance in trials but a very respectable regular pvp KD... no idea why lol

Osiris, when they don't lag switch or mod, they're 88% screwed

I just get terrible teams I think, my KD is better than yours in regular PVP.... go figure lol. Pantheon is the only may that I do well on for trials

Three little words from the crucible vendor of TDB is pretty much the same thing... And it was a joke to get.

I have them both. To each his own. I personally love the 100% stability better on my HP. Both great guns though