One common problem I run into with my Warlock is that my Rift just isn't that viable, or at least it feels that way.
The Rift casting animation is slow, and I die quite often while casting it, that's a problem in its own right, but the fact that Rift requires us to be stationary is also a liability. Destiny 2 is a game that really requires movement; standing still will get you killed by sniper fire, or AoE attacks, or having a Drop Pod fall on our head, or we need to chase enemies, or we need to complete objectives, or there's a modifier that kills us if we stand still for too long...
Rift just doesn't feel like it's cut out for the modern meta. The healing is okay, but we don't get to use it very often, and when we do, it's rare to get the most out of it. I mostly use Rift as an emergency top off for my health; it's hard to use Rift proactively when we're just going to be moving out of it anyway. Standing still isn't just a liability to our survival, it's a liability to our damage and DPS as well: I cast my Rift, the enemy runs around a corner, I either leave my Rift to chase or wait for the enemy to come back.
Rift is slow and it's stationary, those are real problems in Destiny 2. In boss battles and group battles, combat where the Warlock isn't the main or sole focus of enemy fire, combat where the boss might be standing still for a while, that's where Rift can shine, but that's rather a niche circumstance compared to the bulk of combat in the game where we're all running around like headless chickens.
Best solution I can think of: Make Rift an aura, or give us an aura option, so we can carry our Rift with us. Titans have the benefit of Banner of War, which often feels like it provides better utility and healing than my Rift; and no, this is not a call to nerf Titans. Alternatively, if casting Rift could provide subclass benefits, like instant Amplified, Restoration, Overshield, Woven Mail, Frost Armor, something to make us more durable, something to provide an instant and lingering benefit, that could be useful, too.
Our Rift feels like a liability in a lot of circumstances, the casting animation is slow and deadly, the need to be stationary reduces our survivability and damage, it lacks utility outside of fairly specific combat scenarios, and it feels outclassed by other classes. Elden Ring has healing potions, Destiny 2 has a circle.
Edit: A lot of replies explaining to me how well Rift works on paper, and I agree, Rift works well on paper, it just doesn't survive contact with the actual game. Planting a Rift behind cover to catch your breath is okay, assuming you keep line of sight with your enemy, assuming you don't get hit by an AoE, assuming you don't get overrun by mobs, assuming a lot of other things, but in practice I usually have to abandon my Rift almost as soon as I've dropped it. Someone mentioned that the Rift trades healing for Mobility, what I'm saying is that sacrificing mobility also sacrifices survivability, even with the healing present.
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A mobile rift that follows you wherever you go would solve the problem. I don't even think that would annoy hunters and titans too much considering healing is a Warlocks forte.
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Vicky
ZZZzzzZZzZzzz.... - old
honestly I'd just scrap these stupid rifts altogether, and replace it with some kind of healing/dmg buff aura with the same range as the rifts might end up having a slow animation, but at least u can babysit players while running for ur life. these warlocks been pulling tricks outta their hat, don't tell me they can't pop a perfume with healing effects! -
The only issue that I have is the animation when casting it is too slow.
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I hate the fact you raise your hand way up in the air then cast it, the animation time is stupid compared to a titan barrier or a hunter dodge.
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To those who say it's a skill issue, you're wrong. Warlock rift casting animation is the slowest compared to all other classes. This issue has been around for years. While I agree it shouldn't be your last resort currently, it does need improvement. Warlocks get laughed at because a lot of times we get relegated to bringing a well, or divinity or both. This issue should have been handled sooner. But we probably will see Bungie dissolve before that happens.
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It's a source of constant healing. It's not a liability. Place while in cover, where you can peek from the cover and fire, then return to heal... rift will not out heal damage taken most of the time, so don't use it as a safety net.
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Edited by chaos0720: 8/15/2025 11:11:24 PMchaos0720
Add me on discord: chaos0720 - old
Imagine being upset that a class ability doesn't operate like a Titan super. -
Agree We need more healing per sec a way faster animation and huge DR while standing in it. also the overshield should linger the like 10 sec when leaving the rift Currently the rift s duration has been stealth nerfed from 20 to 15 sec Actually a 30 sec rift would be ideal
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For empowering rift, I’d agree. It’s not worth it. However, I’d slot healing rift over every other class ability in the game if I could. A lot of the people asking for warlock buffs just seem to not know how to use their own class. I’m not against free buffs (the ones they previewed look great), but I doubt they’ll make everyone complaining happy. For once it’s the player, not the game and people don’t know how to cope with that.
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You'd want your rift to heal you constantly, provide overshield, follow you/be on you, and give you a subclass verb benefit? Even accounting for Warlocks being more support-oriented (they are, obviously. no argument there), that seems like a LOT to pack in for a base class ability. If anything, maybe boost the healing a bit and speed up the animation slightly but it's slow on purpose to punish you for doing it while in LoS.
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Sliding into one kinda helps
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Edited by chaos0720: 8/15/2025 11:14:44 PMchaos0720
Add me on discord: chaos0720 - old
Also, I really hate to be that guy but... [quote]assuming you keep line of sight with your enemy, assuming you don't get hit by an AoE, assuming you don't get overrun by mobs, assuming a lot of other things[/quote] You're really making this sound like a skill issue. You say "our" like all Warlocks have this issue when it's really just a you issue. -
You have to drop your rift halfway behind cover. That way you can hop in and out of cover. Drop a rift out in the open, you’re just going to die.