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:
Art | Weapon | Type | Archetype | Rarity | Ammo | Element | Requirements | Available? | Ammo? | Element? | Tier | Excels | Source | Obtainable? | Requires | Released | Slot | Craftable? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CALUS Mini-Tool | Submachine Gun | MIDA Synergy | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Season 17 | Yes | Ongoing... | - | Derelict Leviathan | Season 17 | Season 17 | Energy | Craftable | ||||
Unforgiven | Submachine Gun | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Void | Deluxe Edition | Yes | Ongoing... | - | Duality Dungeon | Deluxe Edition | Season 17 | Energy | No | ||||
Osteo Striga | Submachine Gun | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | The Witch Queen | Yes | Best ❘ S | PVE + PVP | Deluxe Edition | The Witch Queen | Season 16 | Kinetic | Craftable | ||||
Shayura's Wrath | Submachine Gun | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Void | The Witch Queen | No | Best ❘ S | PVP | Trials of Osiris | The Witch Queen | Season 14 | Energy | No | ||||
Submission | Submachine Gun | Lightweight | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | The Witch Queen | Yes | Strong ❘ A | PVE + PVP | Vow of the Disciple Raid | The Witch Queen | Season 16 | Kinetic | Craftable | ||||
Tarrabah | Submachine Gun | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Solar | Forsaken Pack | Yes | Best ❘ S | PVE + PVP | Exotic Kiosk | Forsaken Pack | Season 4 | Energy | No | ||||
Enyo-D | Submachine Gun | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Ongoing... | - | World loot pool | Free-to-Play | Season 17 | Kinetic | No | ||||
The Hero's Burden | Submachine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Ongoing... | - | Iron Banner | Free-to-Play | Season 17 | Energy | No | ||||
Funnelweb | Submachine Gun | Lightweight | Legendary | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Best ❘ S | PVE | World loot pool | Free-to-Play | Season 16 | Energy | No | ||||
Extraordinary Rendition | Submachine Gun | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Strong ❘ A | PVE | Unobtainable | Free-to-Play | Season 13 | Kinetic | No | ||||
IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.2 | Submachine Gun | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Strong ❘ A | PVE | World loot pool | Free-to-Play | Season 11 | Energy | No | ||||
Riskrunner | Submachine Gun | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Strong ❘ A | PVE | Exotic Quest | Free-to-Play | Season 1 | Energy | No | ||||
The Huckleberry | Submachine Gun | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Strong ❘ A | PVE | Exotic Engram | Free-to-Play | Season 3 | Kinetic | No | ||||
Stochastic Variable | Submachine Gun | Lightweight | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Strong ❘ A | PVE | World loot pool | Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Energy | No | ||||
Multimach CCX | Submachine Gun | Lightweight | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | No | Strong ❘ A | PVP | Iron Banner | Free-to-Play | Season 13 | Kinetic | No | ||||
Cold Front | Submachine Gun | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | No | Average ❘ B | PVE | Event: Dawning | Free-to-Play | Season 12 | Kinetic | No | ||||
Escape Velocity | Submachine Gun | Lightweight | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Average ❘ B | - | Free-to-Play | Season 10 | Kinetic | No | |||||
Seventh Seraph VY-7 | Submachine Gun | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Average ❘ B | - | Free-to-Play | Season 10 | Energy | No | |||||
MIDA Mini-Tool | Submachine Gun | Lightweight | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Average ❘ B | - | Free-to-Play | Season 12 | Energy | No | |||||
Death Adder | Submachine Gun | Lightweight | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Average ❘ B | - | World loot pool | Free-to-Play | Season 11 | Energy | No | ||||
Friction Fire | Submachine Gun | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Average ❘ B | - | Xûr | Free-to-Play | Season 12 | Kinetic | No | ||||
Borrowed Time | Submachine Gun | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Average ❘ B | - | Playlist: Gambit | Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Energy | No | ||||
Every Waking Moment | Submachine Gun | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Average ❘ B | - | Moon | Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Energy | No | ||||
Forensic Nightmare | Submachine Gun | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Yes | Weak ❘ C | - | Throne World | Free-to-Play | Season 16 | Kinetic | Craftable |
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:
Auto Rifles | ||
Combat Bows | ||
Fusion Rifles | ||
Grenade Launchers | ||
Hand Cannon | ||
Linear Fusion Rifle | ||
Machine Guns | ||
Pulse Rifle | ||
Rocket Launcher | ||
Scout Rifle | ||
Shotgun | ||
Submachine Guns | ||
Swords | ||
Trace Rifles |
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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:
Weapon Type | Type | Archetype | Optimal TTK | Optimal Kill | Body Shot TTK | Other characteristics | - | Best in Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMG | Aggressive SMGs 750 RPM | 0.67 | 9 crit | 1 | High range, low aim assist | IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.2 | ||
SMG | Lightweight SMGs 900 RPM | 0.67 | 9 crit 2 body | 1.13 | High aim assist and handling, low range | Multimach CCX | ||
SMG | Precision SMGs 600 RPM | 0.8 | 7 crit 2 body | 1.1 | Excellent range & aim assist, low handling | Seventh Seraph VY-7 | ||
SMG | Adaptive SMGs 900 RPM | 0.73 | 9 crit 3 body | 0.93 | High stability & range, poor recoil | Riskrunner |
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:
- | Weapon Type | Archetype | Average DPS | Burst DPS | Total Damage | Specs | -- | Best in Class | Change? | Ammo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SMG | Tarrabah | 12,250 | 15,615 | 468,450 | With "Ravenous Beast" | - | - | Same | Primary | |
SMG | Osteo Striga | 6,114 | 8,450 | 331,240 | - | - | - | Same | Primary | |
SMG | The Huckleberry | 4,813 | 8,198 | 245,925 | With "Ride the Bull x2" | - | - | Same | Primary | |
SMG | Lightweight | 4,663 | 6,833 | 180,378 | High aim assist and handling, low range | Multimach CCX | Same | Primary | ||
SMG | Aggressive | 4,591 | 6,558 | 206,031 | High range, low aim assist | IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.2 | Same | Primary | ||
SMG | Adaptive | 4,300 | 6,075 | 187,110 | High stability & range, poor recoil | Riskrunner | Same | Primary | ||
SMG | Precision | 3,875 | 5,645 | 220,155 | Excellent range & aim assist, low handling | Seventh Seraph VY-7 | Same | Primary |
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:
Weapon Type | Rank | Tier | Trend | Role ❘ Current State | Category |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Submachine Guns | S › Best | Best ❘ S | Submachine guns are in a great place right now. With good DPS, decent ammo, and acceptable range, SMGs are seen as the perfect compromise between range and damage. On top of that, specific SMGs such as the IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.2 or Extraordinary Rendition are exceptionally good. True top-tier PVE choices, including endgame activities. | PVE Primaries | |
Auto Rifles | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | Auto rifles, in general, are not as strong as SMGs. They simply cannot do as much damage as SMG. On the flip side, they offer better range, and in some situations, excellent ammo. But a few auto rifles can truly excel and can be easily considered S-tier individually, namely the 720 RPM Chroma Rush and the 600 RPM Gnawing Hunger. | PVE Primaries | |
Sidearms | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | Sidearms may be some of the most slept on weapons in Destiny 2. Most guardians prefer to stay away from them due to their limited range. But on the other hand, their DPS is unmatched as long as you can get close enough to stay within their optimal range. This makes sidearms slightly riskier in endgame content such as Grandmaster content. | PVE Primaries | |
Hand Cannons | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | While Hand cannons easily dominate in PVP, they are currently lackluster in the DPS department. Their DPS is so poor, even Bungie acknowledged it and already announced an incoming PVE buff. But to be fair, they are still viable for Master and Grandmaster content, mainly due to their peak shooting capabilities. | PVE Primaries | |
Pulse Rifles | B › Average | Average ❘ B | Pulse rifles are true work horses. They do reasonable damage, have a good range, and are, overall, safe and easy to use in Master and Grandmaster content. They may not excel in the DPS department, are still extremely solid all-around choices. | PVE Primaries | |
Scout Rifles | B › Average | Average ❘ B | Scout rifles are slowly making a comeback. They will be easily outclassed by every other weapon types in most content, but they are proving to be excellent for endgame content. Their long range, combined with the surprisingly high DPS of some of the best Pulses, makes them finally viable for endgame content. | PVE Primaries | |
Combat Bows | C › Weak | Weak ❘ C | Combat bows can truly excel in some niche situations. Namely, in very difficult content in which you want to stay as far away from enemies as possible. With virtually infinite range, bows can deal good damage from insane distances. | PVE Primaries |
The current Meta for PVP
What about PVP? This table summarizes how they rank against each other in PVP:
Weapon Type | Rank | Tier | Trend | Role ❘ Current State | Category |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hand Cannons | S › Best | Best ❘ S | Hand Cannons are and have always been the top PVP choice in Destiny. Nerfs can bring them slightly down and give other weapon types a chance, but in the end, the top players will always gravitate towards hand cannons. It all comes down to the very nature of hand cannons. They can deal a lot of damage in a short amount of time, meaning they are perfect at peak shooting in and out of cover (something an auto rifle, for example, cannot do). | PVP Primaries | |
Pulse Rifles | S › Best | Best ❘ S | Sometimes referred to as "dad rifles", pulse rifles are generally easier to use, have a good range, and good aim assist. And with the recent buff to the High-Impact archetype, top pulses, such as The Messenger, have become some of the most lethal weapons in the Crucible. And by the way, not all Pulses behave the same. Some, such as Adaptive frames, are somewhat easy to use and could be considered "Dad rifles", whereas High-impacts are harder to master but have some of the most lethal time-to-kill in the entire game. | PVP Primaries | |
Sidearms | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | For some reason, Sidearms have never been particularly popular in PVP. But things are definitely changing, especially since their target acquisition was buffed last year. You now see more and more top players main sidearms alongside their favorite sniper. On paper, sidearms certainly have a limited range, which puts them in direct competition with shotguns, but Sidearms still offer the best TTKs among primary weapons in Destiny 2. Don't be surprised to see them gain momentum as shotguns continue to receive nerfs. | PVP Primaries | |
Submachine Guns | B › Average | Average ❘ B | SMGs are far from being the "meta" choice in PVP. Other weapons types can be almost as lethal while significantly offering better range. Still, SMGs can get the job done. In fact, a very good SMG with the right perks, such as the new Shayura's Wrath or the Multimach CCX, can be a true menace in the Crucible, with low TTKs and decent range. | PVP Primaries | |
Combat Bows | B › Average | Average ❘ B | Combat bows are definitely a niche choice for PVP. You will rarely see a guardian using a bow in the Crucible, and that's because bows are far from being the most optimal tool to get the job done. With a headshot, bows can "almost" kill an enemy, but during the time you'll need to shoot a second arrow, your enemy will be either gone or you will be already dead. Exceptions such as Le Monarque do exist of course, but in general, you'll be better served with other weapon types. | PVP Primaries | |
Auto Rifles | B › Average | Average ❘ B | Auto rifles had their 15 minutes of fame when they received a significant buff in Season of the Worthy, especially the 600 RPM variants. But Auto rifles were quickly reigned in and brought back to their usual place: the middle of the pack. Every now and then, an outlier will see some usage in the Crucible, such as the new Chroma Rush, but in general, ARs suffer from a big drawback: They force you to stay out of cover all the time (unlike a hand cannon or pulse), which makes them less effective in competitive modes or against skilled users. | PVP Primaries | |
Scout Rifles | C › Weak | Weak ❘ C | To be clear, everything this applies to every Scout rifle in the game, except Dead Man's Tale, an exponentially superior Scout than the rest. Whether we're talking about PVE or PVP, Scout rifles have been in a sad state for a long time. In PVP, they have some of the worst TTKs in the game and will lose most fights in close to medium range. They do offer good range, but most maps cater to closed-quarter combat. | PVP Primaries |
Your turn
You now know everything there is to know about SMGs in Destiny 2, whether that is for PVP or PVE content.
Ummm I don’t think that multimach is the best PvE smg, just a small mistake but it makes a difference.
Yep, coding error right there… All corrected, thank you for the heads up!