Best SMGs in Destiny 2: Tier List Ranking

It feels like every season SMGs become better and better, especially for PvP. Don’t get me wrong, SMGs are great for PVE, they deal high damage while having decent range (unlike sidearms), but they were lacking in PVP. That is until true best-in-class weapons were released. With the right SMG and perks, you can compete once again in the Crucible.

This guide covers every SMG in Destiny 2, including both Exotic and Legendary submachine guns, as well as the best rolls for PVE and PVP.

Destiny 2 Submachine Guns Tier list

The Tier list below includes every Exotic and non-sunset legendary submachine gun in the game. It starts with the S Tier weapons and moves down from there. It also covers both PVE and PVP, with the “Excels in” column clearly identifying in what area each weapon shines:

These are the different Tier levels used for our list:

• S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapons in our Tier List.
• A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapons, but not on the same level as S Tier Choices.
• B Tier – Average: Decent choices that can be lethal in the hands of a skilled player.
• C Tier – Weak: The middle of the pack, somewhat mediocre.
• D Tier – Worst: Lagging behind the competition, these don’t have much to offer.

More Destiny 2 Tier lists:

Best Destiny 2 SMGs in 2022

This section not only covers the top Submachine guns currently in the game, it also tells you where you can find them. This guide covers every weapon source in Destiny 2 and most of the sources below are self-explanatory, but in doubt, you can always leave a comment below or ask away on our Discord server.

Overall, these are our Top 5 favorite SMGs for PVE and PVP.

 

5. Stochastic Variable

 Excels in PVE

You’d be forgiven to assume this is just a random SMG that Banshee 44 occasionally gives you. World weapons are often quite average. But with the right perks, the Stochastic Variable is one of the best PVE primary weapons in the game.

While SMGs generally don’t do well in Grandmaster content, they are top-notch for everything else, and the Stochastic Variable is best in class. Heck, some call it the new Recluse and I tend to agree. With a constantly refreshed Multikill Clip going and Feeding Frenzy, this weapon just melts ads.

PVE God roll:

• Perk 1: Feeding Frenzy (also good: Ambitious Assassin)
• Perk 2: Multikill Clip

How to get it: Stochastic Variable can be randomly acquired as end-of-match activities or via Legendary and Prime engrams.

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo	Element	Requirements	Available?	Ammo?	Element?	Tier	Excels	Source	Obtainable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Craftable?
	Stochastic Variable	Submachine Gun	Lightweight	Legendary	Primary	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Primary	Arc	Strong ❘ A	PVE	World loot pool		Free-to-Play	Season 14	Energy	No

 

4. The Huckleberry

 Excels in PVE

The Huckleberry should be a much more popular choice. Featuring one of the best damage-dealing perks in the game, an increasing fire rate, and a magazine that reloads itself, The Huckleberry is a monster when dealing with red bar enemies.

In fact, when playing activities with a high number of ads, you can virtually clean an entire room without having to reload at all.

Exotic Perk: “Increased rate of fire and recoil while you’re holding down the trigger. Kills with this weapon temporarily grant increased damage and partially reload the magazine.”

How to get it: The Huckleberry can be acquired via Exotic engrams or Xûr.

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo	Element	Requirements	Available?	Ammo?	Element?	Tier	Excels	Source	Obtainable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Craftable?
	The Huckleberry	Submachine Gun	Exotic	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Primary	Kinetic	Strong ❘ A	PVE	Exotic Engram		Free-to-Play	Season 3	Kinetic	No

 

3. Shayura’s Wrath

Excels in PVP

One of the latest weapons to come out of Trials of Osiris, Shayura’s Wrath is perhaps the best PVP SMG we have seen in a while. As a 600 RPM weapon, Shayura’s Wrath offers a competitive TTK, but more importantly, it has an insane range for an SMG.

That surprisingly long range, great stats, consistency, and an excellent Perk selection make Shayura’s Wrath a must-have for PVP, especially now that 600 RPM auto rifles have been toned down.

PVP God roll:

• Perk 1: Tunnel Vision (also good: Killing Wind)
• Perk 2: Kill Clip

How to get it: Shayura’s Wrath can be acquired via Trials of Osiris engrams and rank ups.

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo	Element	Requirements	Available?	Ammo?	Element?	Tier	Excels	Source	Obtainable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Craftable?
	Shayura's Wrath	Submachine Gun	Precision	Legendary	Primary	Void	The Witch Queen	No	Primary	Void	Best ❘ S	PVP	Trials of Osiris		The Witch Queen	Season 14	Energy	No

 

2. Riskrunner

Best PVE SMG in Destiny 2

Riskrunner is perhaps one of the most underrated Exotics in the entire game. While The Huckleberry is a general-purpose weapon that can easily deal with any enemy, Riskrunner was made to deal with arc-damage dealing enemies. When taking arc damage Riskrunner becomes an absolute beast, dealing massive chain lighting damage and giving you an arc shield that makes you virtually unstoppable.

Just make sure you’re dealing with arc-based enemies!

Exotic Perk: “When taking Arc Damage, this weapon becomes more powerful and resists incoming Arc Damage. Shots fired can become chain lightning and return ammo. Kills extend the duration of the effect.”

How to get it: Riskrunner can be acquired by completing an Exotic quest.

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo	Element	Requirements	Available?	Ammo?	Element?	Tier	Excels	Source	Obtainable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Craftable?
	Riskrunner	Submachine Gun	Exotic	Exotic	Primary	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Primary	Arc	Strong ❘ A	PVE	Exotic Quest		Free-to-Play	Season 1	Energy	No

 

1. Multimach CCX

It had been a while since an SMG was considered a top choice for PVP, but the Multimach CCX managed to earn a spot among our Top 10 PVP weapons. While close-quarters combat in Destiny 2 is mostly dominated by shotguns, Multimach CCX remains viable thanks to its decent range, consistency, and insanely fast time-to-kill (one of the fastest there is among primary ammo weapons).

The Multimach CCX is without a doubt favorite among SMG fans, but good luck finding a good roll. Unfortunately, this weapon is locked behind the terrible Iron Banner reward system, which means it will all come down to your luck when turning bounties…

PVP God roll:

• Perk 1: Dynamic Sway Reduction (also good: Killing Wind)
• Perk 2: Kill Clip (also good: Iron Grip)

How to get it: Multimach CCX can be acquired by completing Iron Banner matches and turning in Iron Banner tokens.

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo	Element	Requirements	Available?	Ammo?	Element?	Tier	Excels	Source	Obtainable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Craftable?
	Multimach CCX	Submachine Gun	Lightweight	Legendary	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	No	Primary	Kinetic	Strong ❘ A	PVP	Iron Banner		Free-to-Play	Season 13	Kinetic	No

SMGs in PVP: Lethality & TTK

TTK is particularly important in PVP, because the lowest the TTK, the faster you can kill your opponent. You can read all about it in our TTK guide below.

This TTK guide includes the TTKs for every weapon in Destiny 2. When looking strictly at TTK numbers, SMGs are quite strong. In fact, a few of these archetypes features some of the best TTK figures you’ll see on a primary weapon:

That said, TTK is only half of the picture. With limited range, SMGs were usually dominated by Shotguns in the short range, and by hand cannons, Pulses, and Auto rifles in the medium to long range.

The many nerfs to shotguns finally allowed SMGs to breed. SMGs can finally excel in short to medium range engagements and if you play your cards right and avoid longer range engagements, you can absolutely dominate a lobby.

SMGs in PVE: DPS

DPS is important for PVE, because 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. When it comes to actual DPS, SMGs are actually in a great place:

Unlike Sidearms that deal a lot of damage but have an extremely limited range, SMGs offer a more acceptable compromise. They can’t deal as much damage as Sidearms, but their superior range makes them more usable. And when compared to most other Primary weapons, SMGs offer straight-up better DPS.

Endgame content

For the record, while SMGs excel in most PVE content, they aren’t a great choice for Master and Grandmaster content. For the most difficult content in the game, you’ll want a long-range option that allows you to easily peek shoot (think Scouts or Bows).

But for everything else, including Dungeons, Raids, Legend Nightfalls, and below, SMGs are a great choice.

Are SMGs Meta?

We’ve talked about the best Submachine guns for PVE and PVP already, but how do they compare, in general, with other primary weapon types? In other words:

Are SMGs good in Destiny 2?

The current Meta for PVE

So, are SMGs good in Destiny 2 PVE? This table summarizes how the several primary weapon types rank against each other in PVE:

The current Meta for PVP

What about PVP? This table summarizes how they rank against each other in PVP:

Your turn

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