Best Auto Rifles in Destiny 2: Tier List (Heresy Meta)

Auto rifles are slowly making a comeback. They may not be as dominant as they once were, but the top Auto rifles are still considered to be among the best weapons in Destiny 2.

This guide covers all Auto Rifles in Destiny 2 and their best rolls for PvE and PvP.

Update based on Episode 3: Heresy. See Updates.

Top Tier Auto Rifles (Episode 3)

These are the best Exotic and Legendary Auto rifles right now:

Destiny 2 Auto Rifles: Complete List

Tier Ranks used for our list:

• S+ Tier – Meta: Weapons so good they singlehandedly shifted the current meta
• S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapons.
• A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapons, but not on the same level as S Tier Choices.
• B Tier – Average: Either decent weapons or weapons that fit a very specific niche/use case.
• C Tier – Weak: Mediocre weapons that are easily outclassed by the competition.
• D Tier – Worst: Weapons that don’t have much to offer and don’t deserve your attention.

Best D2 Auto Rifles Today

If you’re prepared to only chase the best of the best, these are the 5 absolute best Autos in Destiny 2:

 

5. Adamantite

Excels in PvE

Adamantite takes what made No Hesitation so great and adds even more on top of it. While some Guardians will still prefer the latter due to its Solar synergies, Adamantite is an outstanding weapon overall. These are the top Adamantite God Rolls:

• PvE God roll: Reciprocity + Circle of Life

How to get it: Adamantite is a Heresy Weapon from Episode 3 that can be acquired from activities such as the Nether or the Court of Blades.

Name: Adamantite

Type: Auto Rifle Archetype: Support

Ammo: Primary Element: Strand

Craftable: No Released: Episode 3

Source: Heresy Activities Requires: Episode 3: Heretic

 

4. The Riposte

Excels in PvE and PvP

On paper, The Riposte is arguably the best Auto Rifle in the game, with very high handling, stability, and a decent amount of range. Plus, it features a plethora of strong perks and also benefits from being the only Legendary Lightweight Auto Rifle in the game. These are the top The Riposte God Rolls:

• PvE God roll: Repulsor Brace + Destabilizing Rounds
• PvP God roll: Zen Moment + Dynamic Sway Reduction (also good: Target Lock)

How to get it: The Riposte can be acquired from the PvP Competitive Playlist.

Name: The Riposte

Type: Auto Rifle Archetype: Lightweight

Ammo: Primary Element: Void

Craftable: No Released: The Final Shape

Source: Crucible Competitive Requires: Free-to-Play

 

3. No Hesitation

Excels in PvE

The first Support Frame auto rifle to enter the game, No Hesitation set an extremely high bar. Able to put out both substantial damage and healing (with perks to assist with each), there’s very little to hate about this weapon. These are the top No Hesitation God Rolls:

• PvE God roll:Physic (also good: Demolitionist) + Circle of Life (Also good: Incandescent)

How to get it: No Hesitation is a Pale Heart Weapon from the Pale Heart destination.

Name: No Hesitation

Type: Auto Rifle Archetype: Support

Ammo: Primary Element: Solar

Craftable: Yes Released: The Final Shape

Source: The Pale Heart Requires: The Final Shape

 

2. Khvostov 7G-0X

Excels in PvE and PvP

The Khvostov is absolutely bonkers in both PvE and PvP. In PvE, it’s one of the best ad-clearing primaries in the game and also comes with Shoot to Loot, making it incredibly fluid to use. In PvP, it’s extremely powerful when dueling and can score random kills around corners thanks to its ricocheting bullets, making it outrageously oppressive in PvP.

Exotic Perk: “Every seventh bullet from this weapon deals additional damage and ricochets to nearby targets. Also, Shoot to Loot.”

How to get it: We cover how to get the Khvostov 7G-0X + Catalyst here.

Name: Khvostov 7G-0X

Type: Auto Rifle Archetype: Exotic

Ammo: Primary Element: Kinetic

Craftable: No Released: The Final Shape

Source: The Pale Heart Requires: The Final Shape

 

1. Choir of One

Excels in PvE

As a Special ammo Auto Rifle, Choir of One is the first of its kind. In Wyvern hip-fire mode, this weapon does incredibly high damage for a Special Weapon, making it not only a good weapon to deal with chunking beefy targets but also capable for boss DPS as a backup option, something that Rocket Sidearms and Wave-Frame Grenade Launchers can’t do.

Exotic Perk: “Fires extended-range, heavy-caliber projectiles at a reduced rate of fire. Deals increased precision damage when aiming down sights. Rapid final blows cause targets to explode into a pool of radiolarian fluid. Hip firing launches multiple projectiles.”

How to get it: We cover how to the Choir of One + Catalyst here.

Name: Choir of One

Type: Auto Rifle Archetype: Exotic

Ammo: Special Element: Void

Craftable: Yes Released: The Final Shape

Source: Exotic Quest Requires: Episode 1: Echoes

Auto Rifles and the Meta

How do Auto Rifles compare to other Primary weapons in PvE and PvP?

The PvE Meta

Remember that DPS is one of the most important factors when it comes to PvE. As you know, the higher the DPS, the more damage you can deal to a Boss or Major. This DPS chart includes the DPS numbers for every weapon in Destiny 2.

The PvP Meta

Remember that when it comes to PvP, TTK is perhaps the most important factor. As you know, the lower the TTK, the faster you can kill your opponent. This TTK guide includes the TTK figures for every weapon in Destiny 2. But bows don’t follow that TTK logic.

Before you go…

Are you looking for a top-tier Special and Heavy weapon to round out your loadout? We cover the Best Destiny 2 Shotguns and Best Destiny 2 Linear Fusion Rifles, too.

You now know everything there is to know about Auto rifles in Destiny 2, whether that is for PVP or PVE content.