Best Sniper Rifles in Destiny 2: Tier List for PvP and PvE

Sniper Rifles used to dominate both PvP and PvE content in Destiny 2, but several nerfs knocked them down a few pegs. But slowly, Snipers are coming back, thanks to recent changes that make them easier to use in PvP and more lethal in PvE. If you’re looking to deal a lot of pain from a safe distance, Sniper Rifles are for you.

This guide covers every Sniper Rifle in Destiny 2, including both Exotic and Legendary snipers, as well as the best rolls for PvE and PvP.

 Updated as of Season of the Wish (S23). See Updates.

Destiny 2 Best Sniper Rifles: Top-tier Options

This Tier list features the best Exotic and Legendary Snipers right now, including Cloudstrike and 1000 Yard Stare:

Item	Weapons	Type	Archetype	Ammo?	Element?	Requirements	In loot pool?	Rank	Source	Available?	Tier rank	Source ❘ DLC	Final Verdict	Released	Perks	Best of?
The Supremacy	The Supremacy	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Special	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	S › Best	Last Wish Raid		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Last Wish Raid Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds (also good: Lead from Gold) + Bait and Switch (also good: Focused Fury) PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights (also good: Discord) + Opening Shot ► The Supremacy had a small fanbase upon initial release, but its popularity has only grown since its reissue in Season of the Deep. With strong perks, excellent stats, and the ability to be crafted, there's really nothing holding The Supremacy down.	Season 4	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds (also good: Lead from Gold) + Bait and Switch (also good: Focused Fury) PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights (also good: Discord) + Opening Shot	Top-tier
Succession	Succession	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Special	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	S › Best	Deep Stone Crypt Raid		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Deep Stone Crypt Raid Beyond Light	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Recombination (also good: Vorpal Weapon) PvP God Roll: Moving Target + Snapshot Sights ► Despite the stigma most community members have against 72 RPM snipers, Succession still finds its way into most Guardian's inventories. If 72RPM snipers ever receive a buff, Succession may become one of the best special weapons in entire the game.	Season 12	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Recombination (also good: Vorpal Weapon) PvP God Roll: Moving Target + Snapshot Sights	Top-tier
Cloudstrike	Cloudstrike	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Special	Arc	Beyond Light	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Quest		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Quest Beyond Light	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Precision final blows generate a lightning bolt at the target's location. Rapid precision hits create a lightning storm at the point of impact." ► Cloudstrike is a monster in all areas of the game. It pumps out substantial damage in PvE compared to other snipers, and it can easily eliminate an entire team of Guardians in The Crucible. Plus, it's super fun and satisfying to use. What's not to love?	Season 12	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Precision final blows generate a lightning bolt at the target's location. Rapid precision hits create a lightning storm at the point of impact."	Top-tier
Succession (Brave)	Succession (Brave)	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Special	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	S › Best	Onslaught Activity		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Onslaught Activity Beyond Light	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Recombination (also good: Vorpal Weapon) PvP God Roll: Moving Target + Snapshot Sights ► Despite the stigma most community members have against 72 RPM snipers, Succession still finds its way into most Guardian's inventories. If 72RPM snipers ever receive a buff, Succession may become one of the best special weapons in entire the game.	Season 12	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Recombination (also good: Vorpal Weapon) PvP God Roll: Moving Target + Snapshot Sights	Top-tier
Izanagi's Burden	Izanagi's Burden	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Special	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Kiosk		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE	Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Holding reload consumes the magazine and loads a round with additional range and damage." ► A powerhouse of a weapon, Izanagi's Burden can reach some incredible DPS numbers, especially when combined with a Bait and Switch Heavy Weapon. Due to how popular Bait and Switch is, Izanagi's is the perfect weapon to deal a chunk of damage with, before swapping to your main damage-dealing Heavy weapon.	Season 5	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Holding reload consumes the magazine and loads a round with additional range and damage."	Top-tier
Eye of Sol	Eye of Sol	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Special	Kinetic	Lightfall	No	S › Best	Trials of Osiris		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP	Trials of Osiris Lightfall	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Moving Target (also good: Surplus) + Snapshot Sights (also good: Opening Shot) ► Because of its similar stats and perks, Eye of Sol is said to be a kinetic version of Beloved. And while it is a little harder to obtain, its low zoom, high aim assist, and S-Tier perks in both columns make it easily worth the effort.	Season 10	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Moving Target (also good: Surplus) + Snapshot Sights (also good: Opening Shot)	Top-tier
Beloved	Beloved	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Special	Solar	Beyond Light	Yes	S › Best	Presage		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP	Presage Beyond Light	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Moving Target (also good: Quickdraw) ► Arguably the community's favorite legendary sniper in the entire franchise, this "beloved" weapon is back and better than ever before. With low zoom, high aim assist, the ability to be crafted, and Snapshot Sights, it's no wonder Beloved is so popular in PVP.	Season 17	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Moving Target (also good: Quickdraw)	Top-tier
Mechabre	Mechabre	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	S › Best	Event: Festival of the Lost		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP	Event: Festival of the Lost Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Moving Target (also good: Opening Shot) ► Immediately grabbing the community's attention with its solid perks and stats, Mechabre is the rare case of an event weapon that's worth the grind. Being 72 RPM also means Beloved and Mercurial Overreach can't directly replace it, so farming it next time Festival of the Lost is around isn't a bad idea.	Season 18	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Moving Target (also good: Opening Shot)	Top-tier
Mercurial Overreach	Mercurial Overreach	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	S › Best	Crucible Competitive		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP	Crucible Competitive Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights (also good: Discord) + Opening Shot (also good: Moving Target) ► Mercurial Overreach is a beast in The Crucible. With great stats, solid and unique perks, and a clean scope, it's no wonder why Guardians are beginning to prefer this over Beloved.	Season 21	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights (also good: Discord) + Opening Shot (also good: Moving Target)	Top-tier
Uzume RR4	Uzume RR4	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Nightfall: The Ordeals		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	Nightfall: The Ordeals Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + High-Impact Reserves (also good: Vorpal Weapon) PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Explosive Payload) ► Uzume RR4 has always been an underrated pick for both PvE and PvP. While some options outclass it in various scenarios, there's no questioning Uzume's versatility and overall strength. If you're searching for a well-rounded option that won't do you wrong, Uzume RR4 may be worth farming.	Season 14	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + High-Impact Reserves (also good: Vorpal Weapon) PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Explosive Payload)	Top-tier
Thoughtless	Thoughtless	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Special	Stasis	The Witch Queen	Yes	A › Strong	Vox Obscura		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	Vox Obscura Witch Queen	Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Overflow + Firing Line (also good: Focused Fury) PvP God Roll: Firmly Planted (also good: Steady Hands) + Snapshot Sights ► A very well-rounded weapon, Thoughtless has something for everyone. With Snapshot Sights and multiple different handling perks for PVP, or Overflow / Firing Line for PVE, this Sniper Rifle can be viable everywhere. That said, most people still prefer snipers that can specialize in either PVP or PVE.	Season 16	Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Overflow + Firing Line (also good: Focused Fury) PvP God Roll: Firmly Planted (also good: Steady Hands) + Snapshot Sights	Top-tier
Silicon Neuroma	Silicon Neuroma	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Nightfall: The Ordeals		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	Nightfall: The Ordeals Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + Firing Line PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot ► Silicon Neuroma falls into the large pool of snipers that are great at face value but are desperately awaiting a buff to help them out. Its strong perk pool for both PvE and PvP makes it an easy choice for any 72 RPM sniper enthusiast, but the weapon probably won't become mainstream without a significant shift in the meta.	Season 16	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + Firing Line PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot	Top-tier
Defiance of Yasmin	Defiance of Yasmin	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	King's Fall Raid		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	King's Fall Raid Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot PvE God Roll: Firefly + Firing Line ► Defiance of Yasmin rarely gets any talk, which is strange given how solid its perk pool and stats are. Individual snipers are better in specific activities, but Defiance is a jack of all trades that's hard to beat in terms of overall potency.	Season 18	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot PvE God Roll: Firefly + Firing Line	Top-tier
Praedyth's Revenge	Praedyth's Revenge	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Vault of Glass Raid		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Vault of Glass Raid Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds + Firefly (also good: High-Impact Reserves) ► Despite most Vault of Glass weapons needing a major refresh to return to the meta, Praedyth's Revenge succeeds in keeping up with the majority of its PvE competition. While better sniper rifles have been released since, Praedyth's remains one of the stronger 140 RPM snipers available.	Season 14	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds + Firefly (also good: High-Impact Reserves)	Top-tier
IKELOS_SR_v1.0.3	IKELOS_SR_v1.0.3	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Operation: Seraph's Shield		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Operation: Seraph's Shield Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's the Charm (also good: Triple Tap) + High-Impact Reserves ► While it is consistently overlooked by the community, IKELOS_SR_v1.0.3 is arguably the best energy 140 RPM sniper currently available. Sure, snipers as a whole are hard to recommend in PvE right now, but if you do happen to be looking for one, this isn't a bad choice whatsoever.	Season 19	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's the Charm (also good: Triple Tap) + High-Impact Reserves	Top-tier
Naeem's Lance	Naeem's Lance	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Special	Strand	Deluxe Edition	Yes	A › Strong	Warlord's Ruin Dungeon		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Warlord's Ruin Dungeon Deluxe Edition	Slot: Strand | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Precision Instrument ► Naeem's Lance was immediately forgotten about after its release with Warlord's Ruin, but we don't think that's completely warranted. With the combination of Reconstruction and Precision Instrument, Naeem's can become one of the most capable 140 RPM snipers for PvE.	Season 23	Slot: Strand | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Precision Instrument	Top-tier
1000 Yard Stare	1000 Yard Stare	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Special	Void	30th Anniversary	Yes	A › Strong	Grasp of Avarice Dungeon		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Grasp of Avarice Dungeon 30th Anniversary	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Quickdraw (also good: No Distractions) + Snapshot Sights ► 1000 Yard Stare has been out for a while but has yet to decline in popularity; its excellent stats and S-Tier perks have kept it in the meta even through newer releases. If you're looking for a solid Legendary sniper rifle that combines ease of use and lethality, 1000 Yard Stare is for you.	30th Anniversary event	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Quickdraw (also good: No Distractions) + Snapshot Sights	Top-tier

Destiny 2 Snipers: The complete list

This database includes every viable Sniper currently in the game:

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo?	Element?	Requirements	In loot pool?	Ammo	Element	Tier	Excels	Source	Craftable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Can be Crafted?	Best of?	Top Perk?
	Izanagi's Burden	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Exotic	Special	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Best ❘ S	PvE	Exotic Kiosk	No	Forsaken Pack	Season 5	Kinetic	No	Top-tier
	Cloudstrike	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Exotic	Special	Arc	Beyond Light	Yes	Special	Arc	Best ❘ S	PvE + PvP	Exotic Quest	No	Beyond Light	Season 12	Energy	No	Top-tier
	Borealis	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Exotic	Special	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Void	Worst ❘ D	-	Exotic Engram	No	Free-to-Play	Season 1	Energy	No
	Whisper of the Worm	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Exotic	Heavy	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Heavy	Solar	Average ❘ B	PvE	The Whisper	Yes	Free-to-Play	Season 3	Heavy	Craftable
	D.A.R.C.I.	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Heavy	Arc	Worst ❘ D	-	Exotic Engram	No	Free-to-Play	Season 1	Heavy	No
	The Supremacy	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Best ❘ S	PvE + PvP	Last Wish Raid	Yes	Forsaken Pack	Season 4	Kinetic	Craftable	Top-tier	Kinetic Tremors,Bait and Switch
	Succession	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Best ❘ S	PvE + PvP	Deep Stone Crypt Raid	Yes	Beyond Light	Season 12	Kinetic	Craftable	Top-tier	Reconstruction
	Bite of the Fox	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	No	Special	Kinetic	Average ❘ B	PvP	Iron Banner	No	Free-to-Play	Season 11	Kinetic	No
	Long Shadow	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Weak ❘ C	-	World loot pool	No	Free-to-Play	Season 11	Kinetic	No
	Eye of Sol	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Lightfall	No	Special	Kinetic	Best ❘ S	PvP	Trials of Osiris	No	Lightfall	Season 10	Kinetic	No	Top-tier
	Praedyth's Revenge	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Strong ❘ A	PvE	Vault of Glass Raid	No	Free-to-Play	Season 14	Kinetic	No	Top-tier
	Tranquility	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Worst ❘ D	-	Moon	No	Free-to-Play	Season 14	Kinetic	No
	Shepherd's Watch	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Average ❘ B	PvE + PvP	World loot pool	No	Free-to-Play	Season 15	Kinetic	No
	Thoughtless	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Stasis	The Witch Queen	Yes	Special	Stasis	Strong ❘ A	PvE + PvP	Vox Obscura	Yes	Witch Queen	Season 16	Kinetic	Craftable	Top-tier
	Silicon Neuroma	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Strong ❘ A	PvE + PvP	Nightfall: The Ordeals	No	Free-to-Play	Season 16	Kinetic	No	Top-tier
	Defiance of Yasmin	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Strong ❘ A	PvE + PvP	King's Fall Raid	Yes	Free-to-Play	Season 18	Kinetic	Craftable	Top-tier
	Irukandji	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Stasis	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Stasis	Average ❘ B	PvE	Lost Sector	No	Free-to-Play	Season 20	Kinetic	No
	Volta Bracket	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Strand	Lightfall	Yes	Special	Strand	Average ❘ B	PvP	Neomuna	Yes	Lightfall	Season 20	Kinetic	Craftable
	A Distant Pull	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Stasis	Season 21	Yes	Special	Stasis	Average ❘ B	PvE	Seasonal activity	Yes	Season 21	Season 21	Kinetic	Craftable
	Locus Locutus	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Primary	Stasis	Season 22	Yes	Primary	Stasis	Average ❘ B	PvE	Seasonal activity	Yes	Season 22	Season 22	Kinetic	Craftable
	Naeem's Lance	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Strand	Deluxe Edition	Yes	Special	Strand	Strong ❘ A	PvE	Warlord's Ruin Dungeon	No	Deluxe Edition	Season 23	Kinetic	No	Top-tier
	Succession (Brave)	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Best ❘ S	PvE + PvP	Onslaught Activity	Yes	Beyond Light	Season 12	Kinetic	Craftable	Top-tier	Reconstruction
	Adored	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Arc	Average ❘ B	PvP	Exotic Kiosk	No	Free-to-Play	Season 12	Energy	No
	Far Future	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Solar	Worst ❘ D	-	World loot pool	No	Free-to-Play	Season 13	Energy	No
	Omniscient Eye	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Solar	Shadowkeep	Yes	Special	Solar	Weak ❘ C	-	Garden of Salvation Raid	No	Shadowkeep	Season 8	Energy	No
	IKELOS_SR_v1.0.3	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Solar	Strong ❘ A	PvE	Operation: Seraph's Shield	Yes	Free-to-Play	Season 19	Energy	Craftable	Top-tier	Incandescent
	Apostate	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Arc	Weak ❘ C	-	Moon	No	Free-to-Play	Season 13	Energy	No
	Frozen Orbit	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Void	Average ❘ B	PvP	Playlist: Crucible	No	Free-to-Play	Season 13	Energy	No
	Distant Tumulus	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Solar	Weak ❘ C	-	Xûr	No	Free-to-Play	Season 10	Energy	No
	Widow's Bite	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Solar	Worst ❘ D	-	World loot pool	No	Free-to-Play	Season 11	Energy	No
	Occluded Finality	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	No	Special	Arc	Weak ❘ C	PvP	Iron Banner	No	Free-to-Play	Season 14	Energy	No
	Uzume RR4	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Solar	Strong ❘ A	PvE + PvP	Nightfall: The Ordeals	No	Free-to-Play	Season 14	Energy	No	Top-tier	Incandescent
	Twilight Oath	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Solar	Average ❘ B	PvP	Shattered Throne Dungeon	No	Free-to-Play	Season 14	Energy	No		Incandescent
	The Long Walk	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Solar	Weak ❘ C	-	Prophecy Dungeon	No	Free-to-Play	Season 15	Energy	No
	1000 Yard Stare	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Void	30th Anniversary	Yes	Special	Void	Strong ❘ A	PvP	Grasp of Avarice Dungeon	No	30th Anniversary	30th Anniversary event	Energy	No	Top-tier
	Father's Sins	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Void	The Witch Queen	Yes	Special	Void	Average ❘ B	PvP	Wellspring	Yes	Witch Queen	Season 16	Energy	Craftable
	Fugue-55	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Void	Worst ❘ D	-	Gunsmith	No	Free-to-Play	Season 16	Energy	No
	Gallu RR3	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Arc	Weak ❘ C	PvP	Gunsmith	No	Free-to-Play	Season 17	Energy	No
	Beloved	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Solar	Beyond Light	Yes	Special	Solar	Best ❘ S	PvP	Presage	Yes	Beyond Light	Season 17	Energy	Craftable	Top-tier	Incandescent
	Mechabre	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Arc	Best ❘ S	PvP	Event: Festival of the Lost	No	Free-to-Play	Season 18	Energy	No	Top-tier	Voltshot
	Albruna-D	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Arc	Average ❘ B	PvE + PvP	Playlist: Gambit	No	Free-to-Play	Season 19	Energy	No
	Mercurial Overreach	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Arc	Best ❘ S	PvP	Crucible Competitive	No	Free-to-Play	Season 21	Energy	No	Top-tier
	Sole Survivor	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Arc	Season 21	Yes	Special	Arc	Average ❘ B	PvE	Fishing	No	Season 21	Season 21	Energy	No		Voltshot
	Last Foray	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Solar	Weak ❘ C	-	Lost Sector	No	Free-to-Play	Season 21	Energy	No		Incandescent
	Luna Regolith III	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Solar	Average ❘ B	PvE + PvP	Playlist: Vanguard	No	Free-to-Play	Season 22	Energy	No
	Persuader	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Void	Season 22	Yes	Special	Void	Weak ❘ C	-	Recovered Red War	No	Season 22	Season 22	Energy	No

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.

Best Destiny 2 Sniper Rifles in 2024

Ready to dig deeper into the absolute best Snipers in Destiny 2 right now? These are the cream of the crop, our favorites (for PvE and PvP):

5. Succession

Excels in PvE and PvP

One of only a few kinetic Aggressive Frame snipers, Succession quickly cemented itself as an S-Tier choice because of its one-of-a-kind perks and great stats.

In PvE, Succession’s most popular roll is easily Reconstruction and Recombination. Both provide substantial buffs that you can easily feel working, making the weapon a community favorite. Firing Line is also worth mentioning in the second column, especially if you’re using this in an encounter with a longer DPS window.

Succession’s clean scope, good stats, and great perks also carry it to the top in PVP. With Moving Target or Killing Wind in column one and Snapshot Sights in column two, this weapon competes with great choices like Bite of the Fox and Eye of Sol.

Even though it barely makes the Top 5, there isn’t too much negative to say about Succession. All of the snipers covered in this section are S-Tier choices that won’t let you down, and Succession is no exception.

• PvE God roll: Reconstruction + Recombination (also good: Vorpal Weapon)
• PvP God roll: Moving Target + Snapshot Sights

How to get it: Succession can be acquired by completing the Deep Stone Crypt raid.

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo?	Element?	Requirements	In loot pool?	Ammo	Element	Tier	Excels	Source	Craftable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Can be Crafted?	Best of?	Top Perk?
	Succession	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Best ❘ S	PvE + PvP	Deep Stone Crypt Raid	Yes	Beyond Light	Season 12	Kinetic	Craftable	Top-tier	Reconstruction

4. Mercurial Overreach

Excels in PvP

After what has felt like years of waiting, Beloved finally has some direct competition. This comes in the form of Mercurial Overreach, a new Competitive Crucible playlist sniper with some exceptional stats and perks.

Snapshot Sights and Opening Shot is the go-to roll for most here, but there’s plenty of opportunity to mix it up. New with Season of the Deep is Discord, a relatively complex perk that grants the same benefits as Snapshot Sights and more. If you’re confident that you can proc the perk consistently, it may be worth a try!

The only significant criticism the community shared upon Mercurial Overreach’s debut was its absurdly small reticle. This, however, was fixed in a patch during Season of the Deep, leaving the community with little to nothing to complain about.

Overall, Mercurial Overreach is a fantastic pick for any PvP player. It’s a bit more challenging to obtain than any of its competition, but the pain of farming for it is undoubtedly worth it. These are the top Mercurial Overreach God Rolls:

• PvP God roll: Snapshot Sights + Moving Target (also good: Quickdraw)

How to get it: Mercurial Overreach can be acquired by participating in the PvP Competitive Playlist.

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo?	Element?	Requirements	In loot pool?	Ammo	Element	Tier	Excels	Source	Craftable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Can be Crafted?	Best of?	Top Perk?
	Mercurial Overreach	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	Legendary	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Special	Arc	Best ❘ S	PvP	Crucible Competitive	No	Free-to-Play	Season 21	Energy	No	Top-tier

3. The Supremacy

Excels in PvE and PvP

One of many reissued Last Wish weapons that now appears at the top of the meta, The Supremacy is one of the strongest snipers currently available.

The presence of Bait and Switch alone makes The Supremacy a worthy pick in PvE, but its main appeal is actually from a different set of perks entirely: Rewind Rounds and Fourth Time’s the Charm. In tandem, these traits allow you to fire off seemingly infinite shots, making for an option that is as fun as it is powerful.

The Supremacy also has a considerable amount of fans in The Crucible. From its solid stat package to the amazing perk combination of Snapshot Sights and Opening Shot, this sniper is an extremely competent PvP pick, even if it lacks flashiness.

Even though snipers haven’t been truly meta for a while, The Supremacy continues to garner significant popularity among community members due to its general potency and great handling feel. If this archetype ever receives a buff, The Supremacy is the one weapon you should be looking out for.

• PvE God roll: Rewind Rounds (also good: Lead from Gold) + Bait and Switch (also good: Focused Fury)
• PvP God roll: Snapshot Sights (also good: Discord) + Opening Shot

How to get it: The Supremacy can be acquired from the Last Wish raid.

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo?	Element?	Requirements	In loot pool?	Ammo	Element	Tier	Excels	Source	Craftable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Can be Crafted?	Best of?	Top Perk?
	The Supremacy	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	Legendary	Special	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Best ❘ S	PvE + PvP	Last Wish Raid	Yes	Forsaken Pack	Season 4	Kinetic	Craftable	Top-tier	Kinetic Tremors,Bait and Switch

2. Izanagi’s Burden

Excels in PvE

An insanely popular choice ever since its debut in Black Armory, Izanagi’s Burden is meta to this day, even through all the nerfs.

Because it no longer benefits from reload speed buffs like Lunafaction Boots or Rally Barricade, Izanagi’s is now primarily used for majors and Champions. These enemies require high burst damage as opposed to DPS (which Izanagi’s is significantly worse at because of its long and frequent reloads).

However, as of the writing of this article, a new DPS strategy with Izanagi’s and an auto-loading rocket launcher has become meta. While it’s slightly advanced, this strategy allows you to fire a rocket while your sniper is reloading. It takes a little practice, but once you have the right weapons and experience, you’re able to constantly fire rockets and powerful sniper shots–two things that are balanced through their long, and usually unavoidable, reload animations. Wh all of the buffs and nerfs it receives, Izanagi’s Burden’s potential can vary season by season.

Exotic Perk: “Holding reload consumes the magazine and loads a round with additional range and damage.”

How to get it: Izanagi’s Burden can be purchased at the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower.

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo?	Element?	Requirements	In loot pool?	Ammo	Element	Tier	Excels	Source	Craftable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Can be Crafted?	Best of?	Top Perk?
	Izanagi's Burden	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Exotic	Special	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	Special	Kinetic	Best ❘ S	PvE	Exotic Kiosk	No	Forsaken Pack	Season 5	Kinetic	No	Top-tier

1. Cloudstrike

Excels in PvE and PvP

Cloudstrike nails the balance between fun and powerful in both PvE and PvP, even in a meta where snipers typically aren’t the best pick.

In PvE, Cloudstrike’s lightning storms (and Triple Tap via its catalyst) make it fly past most other snipers in terms of damage. Of course, it’s no Izanagi’s Burden, but with a solid sniper buff, Cloudstrike could easily become a top pick.

In The Crucible, Cloudstrike is the most popular sniper rifle right now by a fair margin. While that’s partially because the weapon feels fantastic to use, it’s also due to its easy multi-kill potential via lightning storms. This weapon in the hands of a skilled PvP player is one of the scariest things to spot on the enemy team right now.

While other options can be better than it in certain scenarios, Cloudstrike continues to maintain significant popularity due to its great feel, fun perks, and considerable lethality.

Exotic Perk: “Precision final blows generate a lightning bolt at the target’s location. Rapid precision hits create a lightning storm at the point of impact.”

How to get it: Cloudstrike can be acquired by completing Empire Hunt activities in Europa.

Art	Weapon	Type	Archetype	Rarity	Ammo?	Element?	Requirements	In loot pool?	Ammo	Element	Tier	Excels	Source	Craftable?	Requires	Released	Slot	Can be Crafted?	Best of?	Top Perk?
	Cloudstrike	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Exotic	Special	Arc	Beyond Light	Yes	Special	Arc	Best ❘ S	PvE + PvP	Exotic Quest	No	Beyond Light	Season 12	Energy	No	Top-tier

Snipers and the PvP Meta: TTK

We covered which Snipers are considered top-tier (and should be farmed) and which ones can be safely ignored. But how do they compare to other Special weapons in PvP?

Weapon Type	Rank	Tier	Trend	Role ❘ Current State	Category
Shotguns	S › Best	Best ❘ S	-	► With the introduction of fixed (and consistent) pellet spread patterns per archetype and the reversal of some widely disliked nerfs, Shotguns are finally back. With consistent changes in the right direction, Shotguns are once more a staple pick among many PvP players. ► Best Archetype: Precision (65 RPM) - Example: Matador 64	PVP Specials
Sniper Rifles	S › Best	Best ❘ S	-	► Sniper Rifles are in an excellent spot right now. After the nerfs to Linear Fusion Rifles, it only makes sense that Sniper usage picked up. And with weapons that come stacked with aim assist and excellent perks, such as the Defiance of Yasmin or Beloved, it's easy to see why Snipers have risen up the ranks. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (90 RPM) - Example: Beloved	PVP Specials
Fusion Rifles	S › Best	Best ❘ S		► Fusion Rifles have been at the top of the meta for a while now, and it doesn't seem to be changing. Fusions can cover the close to medium ranges excellently, and a good Fusion Rifle player can be incredibly frustrating to play against, no matter the range of the engagement. ► Best Archetype: Precision (780ms Charge Time) - Example: Main Ingredient	PVP Specials
Linear Fusion Rifles	A › Strong	Strong ❘ A	-	► The special ammo Linear Fusion category of weapon is rather barren, but the two weapons that occupy it, Arbalest and Lorentz Driver, are both forces to be reckoned with. While they have received some deserved nerfs throughout Seasons 17-19, they remain a solid choice for many players wanting a long range option.	PVP Specials
Trace Rifles	B › Average	Average ❘ B	-	► Trace Rifles are quite a niche pick and will fall short as a competitive option in most players' hands. Even once you learn to master Trace Rifles, you'll be better off with a Special weapon that can provide a one-hit-kill t rather than one that can be out-dueled by a Primary weapon. ► All Archetypes are 1000 RPM - Best Option: Coldheart	PVP Specials
Glaives	B › Average	Average ❘ B		► With their buffs in Season 19 and the hit registration improvements they've seen, Glaives can be quite annoying to play against. That said, they are outclassed by other mid/long range options and can't compete at close range due to their lackluster melee. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (55 RPM)- Example: The Enigma	PVP Specials
Grenade Launchers	C › Weak	Weak ❘ C		► Grenade Launchers are annoying to play against, and that's about it. They can be used in a hot-swap loadout, but you'll be better served by a Bow like Le Monarque. Grenade launchers can put pressure on your enemies, but they can't bring the heat like some other Special Weapons can. ► Best Archetype: Lightweight - Example: Truthteller	PVP Specials

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. We have a TTK guide/chart that includes TTK figures, but that mostly applies to Primary weapons, not Specials.

For PvP, you want a Special weapon that can consistently get you a one-hit kill. Snipers are slowly making a comeback. Partially because of a few buffs that make them easier to use, but also because shotguns, the most-used Special weapons for PvP, received several nerfs last year. For these reasons, Snipers are once again a top choice for PvP.

Snipers and the PvE Meta: DPS

How do Snipers compare to other Special weapons in PvE?

Weapon Type	Rank	Tier	Trend	Role ❘ Current State	Category
Fusion Rifles	S › Best	Best ❘ S		►Fusion Rifles are absolutely insane right now. There were a ton of viable options already and newer options, such as The Eremite, can roll with perk combinations that can turn them into monsters. This, on top of certain Exotic options like Merciless, makes Fusion Rifles a staple option for either backup DPS or just general major clear. ► Best Archetype: Rapid-Fire (500ms Charge Time) - Example: Cartesian Coordinate	PVE Specials
Shotguns	S › Best	Best ❘ S		► Shotguns are excellent right now. They can be used in traditional hot-swap loadouts when combined with Tractor Cannon in a raid setting, and they remain strong at both major clear and burst damage. However, they can achieve some of the highest damage combos in the game due to their ease of use, high burst damage, and perks like One-Two Punch. ► Best Archetype: Lightweight (90 RPM) - Example: Wastelander M5	PVE Specials
Grenade Launchers	S › Best	Best ❘ S	-	► Grenade Launchers are brilliant right now. They are versatile and are arguably the best pick in almost all areas. They can have excellent add control through Blinding Grenades or the Wave Frame archetype, and they can also deal good boss damage in a 'hotswap' build with Spike Grenades. Simply put, having a strong arsenal of Grenade Launchers is something you should definitely prioritize if you're looking to get into high-level content. ► All Breach Grenade Launchers share the same archetype	PVE Specials
Sniper Rifles	B › Average	Average ❘ B	-	► Sniper Rifles have improved a tad, but not that much. They are still too slow for most players' liking, but they can still be a solid backup DPS option. These are commonly used in many longer-range DPS scenarios, but other than that, they remain mediocre. ► Best Archetype: Rapid-Fire (140 RPM) - Example: Supremacy	PVE Specials
Trace Rifles	B › Average	Average ❘ B	-	► With the nerfs to the double-special ammo economy, Trace Rifles have been knocked down a notch. Using a Primary weapon is just more efficient these days. However, they remain solid utility weapons and a go-to if players still want to run double-special lodouts. They also have a couple of solid Exotic options too, making them a decent pick right now.	PVE Specials
Glaives	B › Average	Average ❘ B	-	► Glaives require a bit of getting used to, but when you do, they can grant you crazy levels of damage resistance. However, they are quite a risky pick, especially if you haven't learned how to master them first. Glaives are also one-dimensional. There is basically no reason to use their melee attack, which is unfortunate as that is probably the most fun part of the Glaives. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (55 RPM) - Example: The Enigma	PVE Specials
Linear Fusion Rifles	C › Weak	Weak ❘ C		► Linear Fusion Rifles are difficult to rank as there are only two of them. While Arbalest is definitely a powerful weapon, it is by no means a must-pick anymore. And Lorentz Driver isn't exactly a serious contender for PvE. Overall, this archetype is quite weak, especially now that Arbalest isn't the top-pick it used to be.	PVE Specials

Keep in mind that when it comes to PvE, DPS is one of the most important factors. As you know, the higher the DPS, the more damage you can deal to a Boss or Major. This D2 DPS chart includes the DPS numbers for every weapon in Destiny 2.

When it comes to actual DPS numbers, Snipers are average:

-	Weapon Type	Archetype	Sustained DPS	Mag DPS	Total Damage	Specs	---	Best in Class	Change?	Ammo
	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	36113	36113	1023196	/w Catalyst		Whisper of the Worm	Buffed	Heavy
	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	28226	34280		-		Cloudstrike	Same	Special
	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	25884	37128	587922	With "Personal Assistant"		D.A.R.C.I.	Nerfed	Heavy
	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	22200	22200		/w Catalyst, 4x "Honed Edge"		Izanagi's Burden	Same	Special
	Sniper Rifle	Rapid-Fire	16778	23240	368520	-		IKELOS_SR_v1.0.3	Same	Special
	Sniper Rifle	Aggressive	15391	19722	302404	-		Succession	Same	Special
	Sniper Rifle	Adaptive	15140	19307	386136	-		Uzume RR4	Same	Special
	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	15140	19307	386136	-		Borealis		Special

Endgame content

Snipers do have a place in endgame content, even if they aren’t the most lethal from a DPS standpoint. The fact they can be used from a distance makes them safer to use than most other Special weapons. In fact, it was this perceived “safety” that pushed Bungie to severely nerf their DPS during the Shadowkeep era.

But even with lower DPS than other weapon types, the best PvE rolls can still dish serious damage to Bosses and Majors. If you’re into high-end PvE, do not sleep on Snipers.

Before you go…

Are you looking for a top-tier Primary and Heavy weapon to round out your loadout? We cover the Best Destiny 2 Pulse Rifles and Best Destiny 2 Rocket Launchers, too.

You now know everything there is to know about Snipers in Destiny 2, whether that is for PvP or PvE content.