It's funny actually because I just heard the term "Assist Rifles" the other day to describe autos in pve now and it is spot on hahah. In pve I thought some needed a buff even before the patch. But as far as them being just as lethal in pvp before the patch, I'm going to have to disagree. Getting off 2 headshots with thorn, hawkmoon, etc was a LOT quicker than the required 6 for SUROS. I believe autos rivaled handcannons and the vex before, but now it's just no comparison.