Why should I invest in a looter-shooter, if the best loot is usually nerfed?

On a fundamental level, one of the core draws of Destiny is its identity as a looter-shooter. You shoot things in the hope to obtain fun and powerful loot. While they game is fun to play for it's own sake, both Bungie and the community know the core of the game's replayability is the pursuit for rare and powerful gear and guns.

Bungie have struggled to implement reasonable and measured balance changes in the past; becoming notorious for over nerfing weapons, rather than finding creative ways to bring them into balance. But in the shadow of the Lunas/Not Forgotten nerf, with today's announced nerfs, including the entire 'super regenerating playstyle' first embraced in Escalation Protocol, I am left skeptical about why I should pursue future desired weapons. I have spent literally dozens of hours working towards my Luna's Howl, Whisper of the Worm, and Sleeper Simulant (and their catalysts), as well as grinding with the specific hope that Shards, Orpheus Rigs, and Phoenix Protocol would drop. I invested my time and energy because of the reward offered, and I made that decision based on those specific rewards. I would have made entirely different decisions, had I known Bungie would drastically change those rewards and neuter their relevance. I feel the time I spent was not respected, and given Bungie's track record, I hesitate to really trust them not to ruin the next 'best weapon' they offer. When next session starts, I 'll view every new pinnacle weapon and exotic as potentially false advertising (not legally of course, but in terms of the flagship incentives offered).

Everyone has basically assumed the Outbreak Perfected nerf will eventually come, and with today's changes, it seems like that is inevitable. If this is to be Bungie's ongoing design philosophy, they should just be honest and say, "Outbreak is amazing! You'll have 4 months to enjoy it in its current state, before we reign it in, and throw you a new overpowered gun."

Bungie, learn to design and balance your damn game. If you build a gun that's too overpowered, that's on you. Don't disrespect your customer's time by invalidating the reward. If you feel you need to nerf it, you done fucked up your design of the weapon.