How do Aim Assist and Accuracy Work in Destiny 2?
What follows is an explanation of how Aim Assist and Accuracy work in Destiny 2, including Cone Diagrams and definitions for all related terms, to the best of our current knowledge. This is drawn from in-game experience, testing in Destiny 1 and Destiny 2, information shared in Bungie’s blog, and data from interviews with developers currently working at the studio. Terms have been updated from previous explanations to better match the terms used internally at Bungie and hopefully reduce any future confusion about these game mechanics.
Keep in mind this is just my best understanding of how it works as it has been described and from what I have tested in game. Things like Projectile Accuracy's interaction with Bullet Bend and Stability affecting Aim Assist degradation will still need additional confirmation.
In addition, the explanations are provided as both graphic images and again below with full text - please share freely, so long as you credit them back to Mercules904, Destiny Massive Breakdowns, or both. Thanks and enjoy!
Definitions
Aim Assist
Bullet Bend (MnK and Controller)
What is referred to as the “Aim Assist Cone”, represented by the purple triangle and circle in the following graphics.
Shows how far the bullet can deflect away from center to hit a target that is within Aim Assist’s effective distance.
Diameter is increased as the Aim Assist stat is increased.
Range increases the effective distance.
Zoom greatly increases the effective distance AND narrows the diameter.
Hypothesis: In D1, Aim Assist cone degradation could be slowed by increasing the Stability stat, which also served to increase how quickly the cone resets to its maximum diameter. I assume this works similarly in D2 but have not tested it yet.
Reticle Friction (Controller Only)
How much the reticle will slow down when it approaches a target within Aim Assist’s effective range and how much it will follow or try to “stick” to a target your reticle is on within Aim Assist’s effective distance.
Strength is increased as the Aim Assist stat is increased.
Range and zoom increase the effective distance.
Accuracy
Projectile Accuracy
How likely a shot is to either get maximum Bullet Bend deflection within Aim Assist effective distance OR to go perfectly straight outside of Aim Assist effective distance.
Error Angle
What is referred to as the “Accuracy Cone”, represented by the blue triangle and circle in the follow graphics.
Shows the maximum distance a shot with low Projectile Accuracy can deflect away from center when outside of the Aim Assist’s effective distance.
Range and Zoom decrease error angle.
Bullet Bend (Aim Assist Cone - Purple) and Error Angle (Accuracy Cone - Blue) Graphics
Initial accuracy
Purple: Aim Assist cone is at its widest. Targets within it will activate Bullet Bend and the shot will pull towards the target. How much it pulls is determined by Projectile Accuracy. High Projectile Accuracy = More Effective Bullet Bend.
Blue: Accuracy cone is at its initial, narrowest state. Outside of Aim Assist distance, the bullet will fire somewhere within the cone. How close to center the bullet goes is determined by Projectile Accuracy. High Projectile Accuracy = Shot Closer to Center.
Secondary Accuracy
Purple: Aim Assist cone has narrowed, which means Bullet Bend may no longer be able to pull shots close enough to hit targets on the outer edges.
Blue: Accuracy cone is wider, which means you have higher Error Angle (bullets with Low Projectile Accuracy can potentially deflect further away from center).
Final accuracy
Purple: Aim Assist cone is at its narrowest state. Only targets within it, which are near the center of the reticle, will activate Bullet Bend.
Blue: Accuracy cone is at its widest, and targets within it may or may not be hit. This is what we refer to as accuracy “bloom”.
Effect of Range on Initial Accuracy
Purple: Aim Assist cone is lengthened by range but does not have its base angle changed. Range does not give you “stronger” Aim Assist within the cone, but it does make Aim Assist more effective at longer distances.
Blue: Accuracy cone is narrowed and lengthened by range, effectively decreasing the error angle and helping to counteract accuracy “bloom”.
Effect of Zoom on Initial Accuracy
Purple: Aim Assist cone is lengthened AND narrowed by zoom. This makes it effective at much longer distances but makes it less effective at shorter ones.
Blue: Accuracy cone is significantly narrowed and lengthened by range, massively decreasing the error angle and helping to significantly counteract accuracy “bloom”.