Lol nah, the tryhards were the main ones complaining about guns which led to nerfs. Any gun that killed them and prevented them from winning with as little effort as possible was deemed "op". It's the same reason why they (the tryhard top 10-20% of pvp players) complained about sbmm. Lag was the false flag. Having to play people who can actually beat them was the real issue. The casuals didn't whine anywhere near as much, they simply stopped playing crucible, and trials especially all together.

Streamers complained constantly and still do. They have driven the game in so many poor ways. They want a ranked halo game with 5 balanced weapons and they constantly drive that end.

You're out of your mind if you think the Trials and streamers are the ones adapting and aren't the ones complaining. The changes taking place over the years are a result of the game adapting to these people. Think about all the nerfs that have ever happened and I think you'll agree that its a result of careless play. Casual players usually learn not to keep doing something that gets them killed. They don't try and change the game so that they can make stupid mistakes and not suffer the consequences. Getting sniped too much? Stay out of sniping lanes. Getting mowed down by shotguns? Keep your distance and don't rush. Getting wasted by <insert random primary type>? Grind until you get a god roll that'll counter. Pay attention to that last sentence about grinding. For trials and streamers, the grinding stopped once weapons like NLB and easily purchased god roll vendor weapons are obtained for whatever is the meta of the day. Look at the latest upcoming nerfs for gods sake. They had to put slight nerfs on NLB, hand cannon distance (Palindrome god roll), and slightly roll back sidearm ammo (Wormwood god roll) because now its come down to meta warriors complaining against each other. I think Ive decided that it might be an achievement to be among the top 500 in the game, but did it really take skill to get to that point when you've collectively changed the game to your liking? I don't really care what Bungie says about "data" they've collected. Data wouldn't have to be a factor if you've never created a meta in the first place. So with that being said, being top 500 is really laughable. Have you ever gone and looked at how these people have done in 6v6? For the most part they get slaughtered. Wanna know why? Its another part of the game they don't have control over. Maintaining a 1.5 k/d is 10 times easier in trials than it is in 6v6. So when a tiny percentage of overall players petition and lobby bungie for the changes they want based on the numbers from the whole population (a lot of people don't even play trials) and it affects EVERYONE for ALL game modes, people get pissed. 'Balanced" can never be achieved as long as a meta exists. Bungie doesn't get this concept. You wanna make it balanced and get more players involved? Forget about weapons and armor perks. Make Trials a weekly rotating game mode event. Throw 6v6 into the mix (yes, even rift). Bungie won't have to make decisions based on "data" because there will be a larger pool of "data" that states since more people are playing and using tons more weapons based on personal preference, the "data" will be even across the board. Annoyances from getting sniped too much will be on an even field with annoyances from getting rushed with a shotgun. Oh and put it back to SBMM. Anyone consistently going to the light house based on CBMM and being proud of it needs to reevaluate their life. In some instances your last match could be like a local NBA team playing a state champ high school team simply because they were readily available.

I'm complaining about nerfs, I don't see how that isn't adapting. I can do just fine, but this skilless meta causes players to get kills they shouldn't.

It was a combination of both. Streamers were just more vocal, because when Bungie would invite people places it was those big youtubers or streamers. And what would they talk about since most of the youtubers are PvP players? Balance in the crucible.

I've seen plenty of streamers complain.