Sometimes referred to as “Dad rifles”, some love to hate Pulse rifles. They claim Pulses require no skill and are too easy to use. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Granted, some of them are considered to be among the best weapons for PVP in the entire game. But in PVE, they struggle somewhat.
This guide covers every Pulse rifle in Destiny 2, including both Exotic and Legendary Pulses, as well as the best rolls for PVE and PVP.
Lists updated as of Bungie’s 30th Anniversary event.
Destiny 2 Pulse rifles Tier list
The Tier list below includes every non-sunset Pulse rifle 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:
PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Dragonfly) + Rampage PvP God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Heating Up) + Rampage
► The only 4-burst pulse rifle to be released in over two years, people had big expectations for this weapon. And with outstanding perk combinations for both PVE and PVP, Insidious blew those out of the water. With an S-Tier Origin Trait and no terrible perks in its pool, there's not much to hate about this pulse rifle. For PVP in particular, Aggressive Burst Pulses hit like a truck, flinching opponents with ease.
PvP God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Outlaw) + Desperado
► This returning weapon from Destiny 1 is hands down the best Pulse rifle right now. Belonging to the High-Impact archetype, The Messenger benefits from one of the fastest TTKs in the game. On top of that, it has best-in-class base stats and excellent perks. And while all of its perks are good, it can also roll with the exclusive Desperado perk. With Desperado, which greatly increases its rate of fire after a precision kill, its TTK is massively reduced, allowing it to duel absolutely anyone and even go for insane killing sprees in 6v6 modes.
► Able to dominate in the Crucible at mid-range, Horror's Least is one of the best pulse rifles in the game. With great stats, an Adept variant, and a well-rounded perk pool, this weapon is a beast and worth grinding if you're a pulse rifle fan.
► The BxR is a one-of-a-kind Pulse rifle. Meant to pay homage to Halo’s iconic Battle rifle, the BxR goes above and beyond to fill that role. Not only does it look a lot like the Battle rifle, but it also behaves a lot like it too.
30th Anniversary event
Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Legacy PR-55
► For those not wanting to grind out The Messenger, New Purpose is the next best thing. Desperado was recently nerfed and is now significantly less potent, but it's still crazy fun in both PvE and PvP. Plus, New Purpose's Stasis element and Headstone can also play an integral part in a PvE Stasis build.
Exotic Perk: "Second shot of a burst rips a hole through space-time, doing high damage and recoil with no falloff. Kills with this weapon cause enemies to detonate and spawn tracking Void projectiles."
► Significant buffs to both Exotic primaries and Pulse rifles breathe new life to Graviton Lance. It still has stiff competition in the likes of Outbreak Perfected or Bad Juju but it remains an extremely solid option, especially for those rocking a Void build.
Season 1
Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic
Exotic Perk: "Second shot of a burst rips a hole through space-time, doing high damage and recoil with no falloff. Kills with this weapon cause enemies to detonate and spawn tracking Void projectiles."
Bad Juju
Bad Juju
Pulse Rifle
Exotic
Primary
Kinetic
Forsaken Pack
Yes
A › Strong
Exotic Kiosk
Strong
❘ A
Excels in: PvE
Exotic Kiosk
Forsaken Pack
Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic
Exotic Perk: "Kills refill the magazine, increase damage for a short duration, and grant Super energy based on the number of kills. Fires full-auto."
► Bad Juju is one of the most underrated weapons in Destiny 2. It can be an absolute monster in PVE and gets even better with the catalyst. And with the recent buffs to Exotic primaries and pulse rifles, it can finally compete with the best.
Season 7
Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic
Exotic Perk: "Kills refill the magazine, increase damage for a short duration, and grant Super energy based on the number of kills. Fires full-auto."
PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Outlaw) + Kill Clip
► Sacred Provenance is an excellent Pulse rifle for PVE and the only reason you don't see it more often is because Pulses are currently in a bad place, DPS-wise.
Still, Sacred Provenance is currently the only aggressive, 4-burst Pulse rifle in the game, and you should definitely keep it if you have, for when Bungie will finally buff Pulses in PVE.
► The Third Axiom is the long-lost twin of the Forsaken Pulse rifle, Bygones. Falling into the Adaptive frame archetype, this is a very consistent weapon that will get the job done every time. It also happens to feel great: stable and smooth to fire.
Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a 5-round burst. When a nearby ally is killed, gain health regeneration, and increased movement speed."
► Vigilance Wing is an excellent weapon to bring to the Crucible. Its ease of use alone nets it an S tier. However, it's also one of the most lethal weapons in the game with a unique 5 burst shot.
Season 1
Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic
Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a 5-round burst. When a nearby ally is killed, gain health regeneration, and increased movement speed."
No Time to Explain
No Time to Explain
Pulse Rifle
Exotic
Primary
Kinetic
Beyond Light
Yes
A › Strong
Exotic Quest
Strong
❘ A
Excels in: PvP
Exotic Quest
Beyond Light
Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic
Exotic Perk: "Precision shots and shots against combatants affected by Stasis return to the magazine. At 10 stacks, a small portal will open, shooting bullets from an alternate timeline version of this weapon. Precision hits extend the portal's duration."
► No Time to Explain is a PVP powerhouse. Not only is it part of the most deadly Pulse rifles archetype (with insanely low TTKs), it also has great base stats and perks that make it nearly unstoppable when activated.
Season 12
Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic
Exotic Perk: "Precision shots and shots against combatants affected by Stasis return to the magazine. At 10 stacks, a small portal will open, shooting bullets from an alternate timeline version of this weapon. Precision hits extend the portal's duration."
PvP God Roll: Under Pressure (also good: Quickdraw) + Iron Grip (also good: Rampage)
► The Time-Worn Spire is a reprised Year 1 Iron Banner weapon that returned with plenty of fantastic perks. It belongs to one of the better archetypes, which, coupled with solid perks, can be a great choice for PVP.
PvP God Roll: Heating Up (also good: Moving Target) + Multikill Clip
► One of the biggest surprises last season, Gridskipper may not have the insane TTK of High-Impact Pulses. Yet it still shreds in PVP while simultaneously feeling great in your hands.
► Rapid-Fire pulses are oppressive and excel in medium-range engagements. And while Gridskipper is still great, Darkest Before is the absolute best Rapid-fire currently in the game. It has better base stats and a great sight.
PvP God Roll: Feeding Frenzy (also good: Surplus) + Rampage
► Albeit it has average base stats, this gun manages to stand out thanks to its zoom level. Its optics and zoom combine to give the Legal Action II exceptional range. This helps it challenge even Scout rifles in long-range engagements.
► With a TTK of 0.80s, Piece of Mind is a solid PVP choice. It's not a High-Impact Pulse and it doesn't have the best TTK, yet it can absolutely shred in PVP while simultaneously feeling great in your hands. As a Rapid-Fire pulse, Piece of Mind isn't great at peak shooting, but if used aggressively, it can easily dominate medium-range engagements.
Exotic Perk: "This weapon creates SIVA nanite swarms on rapid hits and precision kills and does more damage to enemies based on the number of SIVA nanites that attach to them."
► Outbreak Perfected is making a comeback, partly because it has always been a good weapon, able to deal considerable damage to single targets, but mostly because it received major buffs against PVE enemies. With a +44% damage against red bar enemies, Outbreak Perfected is finally meta again.
Season 6
Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic
Exotic Perk: "This weapon creates SIVA nanite swarms on rapid hits and precision kills and does more damage to enemies based on the number of SIVA nanites that attach to them."
Collective Obligation
Collective Obligation
Pulse Rifle
Exotic
Primary
Void
The Witch Queen
Yes
B › Average
Vow of the Disciple Raid
Average
❘ B
Excels in: PvE + PvP
Vow of the Disciple Raid
The Witch Queen
Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic
Exotic Perk: "This weapon leeches Void debuffs when damaging targets that are suppressed, weakened, or volatile. Once charged, damage from this weapon applies the same Void debuffs that were leeched. Weapon automatically reloads when you gain Devour, a Void overshield, or become invisible."
► With the ability to debuff everything in sight, Collective Obligation can do things no other weapon can. That being said, you're almost required to create a build with it to make it worth your exotic slot. While this weapon has potential, having to work so hard to make your exotic feel "exotic" isn't great.
Season 16
Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic
Exotic Perk: "This weapon leeches Void debuffs when damaging targets that are suppressed, weakened, or volatile. Once charged, damage from this weapon applies the same Void debuffs that were leeched. Weapon automatically reloads when you gain Devour, a Void overshield, or become invisible."
Forge's Pledge
Forge's Pledge
Pulse Rifle
Adaptive
Primary
Solar
Free-to-Play
Yes
B › Average
Iron Banner
Average
❘ B
Excels in: PvE
Iron Banner
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive
PvE God Roll: Heating Up (also good: Stats for All) + Rampage (also good: One for All)
► Despite the fact that Pulse Rifles have never been the meta in PVE, Forge's Pledge can roll with Rampage and other good perks, making it decent when the seasonal champion mods support it.
Season 15
Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive
PvE God Roll: Heating Up (also good: Stats for All) + Rampage (also good: One for All)
Ogma PR6
Ogma PR6
Pulse Rifle
Lightweight
Primary
Solar
Free-to-Play
Yes
B › Average
World loot pool
Average
❘ B
Excels in: PvE
World loot pool
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Lightweight
PvE God Roll: Demolitionist + Wellspring
► Containing some perk combinations we've never seen before, Ogma PR6 is definitely an underrated pick. Able to roll with both Demolitionist and Wellspring at the same time, this exact roll is a must-have for any player making ability-focused builds. Beyond that though, Ogma doesn't have much going for it.
Season 16
Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Lightweight
► Cold Denial is an incredibly satisfying gun to use, from its firing sound to its recoil pattern. As a High-Impact Pulse, it boasts one of the best time-to-kills in the Crucible, at 0.67 seconds.
PvP God Roll: Rampage (also good: Kill Clip) + Outlaw
► As all Adaptive Pulses, Last Perdition is a consistent weapon that does well all-around but will never truly excel in any aspect of the game. But in spite of that, it remains one of the better choices in the energy slot.
Season 11
Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive
PvP God Roll: Rampage (also good: Kill Clip) + Outlaw
► Premonition used to be one of the top high-impact pulse rifles for PVP, but has been largely replaced by The Messenger in the kinetic slot and a Shadow Star in the Energy slot.
Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire
PvP God Roll: Heating Up (also good: Rangefinder) + Adrenaline Junkie (also good: Multikill Clip)
► Rapid-Fire pulses are certainly fashionable since the arrival of Gridskipper and Darkest Before. Jurassic Green has slightly lesser base stats but it remains a competent Pulse for PVP.
Season 15
Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire
PvP God Roll: Heating Up (also good: Rangefinder) + Adrenaline Junkie (also good: Multikill Clip)
► Hailing Confusion has a slower optimal TTK than 340 RPM Pulse rifles, but it's a more forgiving weapon if accuracy is an issue. It also features a clean Red Dot sight and a healthy selection of perks.
Overall, it's not a bad weapon, but it's still outclassed by more lethal / less forgiving archetypes.
PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Explosive Payload (also good: Headstone)
► While Perses-D can roll with some of the best PVE scout rifle perks, it falls into an archetype that is extremely lacking, making other weapons (such as Night Watch and Hung Jury SR4) better picks overall.
This section not only covers the top Pulses 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 10 favorite Pulse Rifles for PVE and PVP.
10. Stars in Shadow
Excels in PVP
PvP is where this gun truly shines. As a High-Impact frame Pulse, it too delivers an insanely fast 0.67 seconds time-to-kill. This fast TTK plus Kill Clip makes this weapon a true menace in PVP.
PVP God roll:
Perk 1: Killing Wind (also good: Outlaw)
Perk 2: Kill Clip
How to get it: Stars in Shadow can be acquired by completing PVP matches from the Crucible Playlist.
Art
Weapon
Type
Archetype
Rarity
Ammo
Element
Requirements
In loot pool?
Ammo?
Element?
Tier
Excels
Source
Available?
Requires
Released
Slot
Craftable?
Stars in Shadow
Pulse Rifle
High-Impact
Legendary
Primary
Solar
Free-to-Play
Yes
Primary
Solar
Average
❘ B
PvP
Playlist: Crucible
Free-to-Play
Season 12
Energy
No
9. Legal Action II
Excels in PVP
Another High-Impact Pulse, Legal Action II has that same insanely fast TTKs as Stars in Shadow and The Messenger.
And whereas it has average base stats, this gun manages to stand out thanks to its zoom level. Its optics and zoom combine to give the Legal Action II exceptional range. This helps it challenge even Scout rifles in long-range engagements.
PVP God roll:
Perk 1: Feeding Frenzy (also good: Surplus)
Perk 2: Rampageli>
How to get it: Legal Action II can be randomly acquired as end-of-match activities or via Legendary and Prime engrams.
Art
Weapon
Type
Archetype
Rarity
Ammo
Element
Requirements
In loot pool?
Ammo?
Element?
Tier
Excels
Source
Available?
Requires
Released
Slot
Craftable?
Legal Action II
Pulse Rifle
High-Impact
Legendary
Primary
Kinetic
Free-to-Play
Yes
Primary
Kinetic
Strong
❘ A
PvP
World loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 15
Kinetic
No
8. Gridskipper
Excels in PVP
One of the biggest surprises last season, Gridskipper may not have the insane TTK of High-Impact Pulses. Yet it still shreds in PVP while simultaneously feeling great in your hands.
Gridskipper benefits from all of the best new perks, especially Heating Up, which help it effortlessly chain kills in 6v6 matches. As long as you play aggressively, it can easily dominate medium-range engagements.
PVP God roll:
Perk 1: Heating Up (also good: Moving Target)
Perk 2: Multikill Clip
How to get it: Gridskipper can be acquired by completing Overrides and focusing Umbral engrams.
Art
Weapon
Type
Archetype
Rarity
Ammo
Element
Requirements
In loot pool?
Ammo?
Element?
Tier
Excels
Source
Available?
Requires
Released
Slot
Craftable?
Gridskipper
Pulse Rifle
Rapid-Fire
Legendary
Primary
Void
Free-to-Play
Yes
Primary
Void
Strong
❘ A
PvP
Unobtainable
Free-to-Play
Season 14
Energy
No
7. The Third Axiom
Excels in PVE
The Third Axiom is the long-lost twin of the Forsaken Pulse rifle, Bygones. Falling into the Adaptive frame archetype, this is a very consistent weapon that will get the job done every time. It also happens to feel great: stable and smooth to fire.
On top of having some of the best base stats among Adaptive frame Pulse rifles, The Third Axiom can also roll with a wide range of strong perks, making it a desirable weapon for both PvE and PvP.
PVE God roll:
Perk 1: Feeding Frenzy (also good: Killing Wind)
Perk 2: Rampage
How to get it: The Third Axiom can be acquired by completing Strikes from the Vanguard Playlist.
Art
Weapon
Type
Archetype
Rarity
Ammo
Element
Requirements
In loot pool?
Ammo?
Element?
Tier
Excels
Source
Available?
Requires
Released
Slot
Craftable?
The Third Axiom
Pulse Rifle
Adaptive
Legendary
Primary
Arc
Free-to-Play
Yes
Primary
Arc
Strong
❘ A
PvE
Playlist: Vanguard
Free-to-Play
Season 13
Energy
No
6. Sacred Provenance
Excels in PVE
Sacred Provenance is currently the only aggressive, 4-burst Pulse rifle in the game, making it an absolute fan-favorite among Pulse aficionados.
Some may not like it due to its slow playstyle, but with excellent range and ease of use, Sacred Provenance is without a doubt a top-tier weapon for both PvP and PvE.
PVE God roll:
Perk 1: Rapid Hit (also good: Outlaw)
Perk 2: Kill Clip
How to get it: Sacred Provenance can be acquired by completing the third encounter in the Garden of Salvation raid.
Art
Weapon
Type
Archetype
Rarity
Ammo
Element
Requirements
In loot pool?
Ammo?
Element?
Tier
Excels
Source
Available?
Requires
Released
Slot
Craftable?
Sacred Provenance
Pulse Rifle
Aggressive Burst
Legendary
Primary
Kinetic
Shadowkeep
Yes
Primary
Kinetic
Strong
❘ A
PvE
Garden of Salvation Raid
Shadowkeep
Season 8
Kinetic
No
5. BxR-55 Battler
Best PVE Pulse in Destiny 2
The newest Pulse on the block, the BxR is an entirely different beast. Meant to pay homage to Halo’s iconic Battle rifle, the BxR goes above and beyond to fill that role. Not only does it look a lot like the Battle rifle, it also behaves a lot like it too.
The BxR-55 Battler is all about that extra precision when shooting from the hip. Just like Dead Man’s Tale or even The Last Word on controller, this Pulse excels when shot from the hip. This gives it a lot of flexibility. It can be lethal at long ranges but also close ranges when shot from the hip. Couple with something like Blunt Execution Rounds, this pulse can be an excellent tool for a good PVE melee build.
How to get it: BxR-55 Battler can be acquired by completing Dares of Eternity runs or turning in Treasure keys at Xûr’s in Eternity.
Art
Weapon
Type
Archetype
Rarity
Ammo
Element
Requirements
In loot pool?
Ammo?
Element?
Tier
Excels
Source
Available?
Requires
Released
Slot
Craftable?
BxR-55 Battler
Pulse Rifle
Legacy PR-55
Legendary
Primary
Solar
Free-to-Play
Yes
Primary
Solar
Strong
❘ A
PvE + PvP
Dares of Eternity
Free-to-Play
30th Anniversary event
Energy
Craftable
4. Vigilance Wing
Excels in PVP
Vigilance Wing is an excellent weapon to bring to the Crucible. Its ease of use alone nets it an S tier. However, it’s also one of the most lethal weapons in the game with a unique 5 burst shot.
Vigilance Wing is indeed quite forgiving and lets you get kills without having to hit too many crits. This, combined with its range, makes it a nearly unstoppable force in the mid to long-range engagements.
Exotic Perk: “This weapon fires a 5-round burst. When a nearby ally is killed, gain health regeneration, and increased movement speed.”
How to get it: Vigilance Wing can be acquired via Exotic engrams or Xûr.
Art
Weapon
Type
Archetype
Rarity
Ammo
Element
Requirements
In loot pool?
Ammo?
Element?
Tier
Excels
Source
Available?
Requires
Released
Slot
Craftable?
Vigilance Wing
Pulse Rifle
Exotic
Exotic
Primary
Kinetic
Free-to-Play
Yes
Primary
Kinetic
Strong
❘ A
PvP
Exotic Engram
Free-to-Play
Season 1
Kinetic
No
3. Darkest Before
Excels in PVP
Gridskipper set the stage last season and demonstrated that Rapid-Fire Pulses could also excel in PVP. Unlike High-Impact Pulses which are all about insanely fast TTKs as long as you can hit your shots, Rapid-Fires are all about overwhelming your enemies with bullets.
Rapid-Fire pulses are oppressive and excel in medium-range engagements. And while Gridskipper is still great, Darkest Before is the absolute best Rapid-fire currently in the game. It has better base stats and a great sight. Darkest Before is reason enough to run the Prophecy dungeon every week.
PVP God roll:
Perk 1: Surplus (also good: Tunnel Vision)
Perk 2: Rampage (also good: Elemental Capacitor)
How to get it: Darkest Before can be acquired by beating the Prophecy dungeon‘s final boss.
Art
Weapon
Type
Archetype
Rarity
Ammo
Element
Requirements
In loot pool?
Ammo?
Element?
Tier
Excels
Source
Available?
Requires
Released
Slot
Craftable?
Darkest Before
Pulse Rifle
Rapid-Fire
Legendary
Primary
Arc
Free-to-Play
Yes
Primary
Arc
Strong
❘ A
PvP
Prophecy Dungeon
Free-to-Play
Season 15
Energy
No
2. No Time to Explain
Excels in PVP
No Time to Explain is a PVP powerhouse. Not only is it part of the most deadly Pulse rifles archetype (with insanely low TTKs), it also has great base stats and perks that make it nearly unstoppable when activated.
Its exotic perk ‘Rewind Again’ allows for consistent and forgiving kills. This, combined with its incredible range and clean sights, make it a top-tier option everywhere in the game, including PVE.
Exotic Perk: “Precision shots and shots against combatants affected by Stasis return to the magazine. At 10 stacks, a small portal will open, shooting bullets from an alternate timeline version of this weapon. Precision hits extend the portal’s duration.”
How to get it: No Time to Explain can be acquired by purchasing Beyond Light’s Deluxe edition.
Art
Weapon
Type
Archetype
Rarity
Ammo
Element
Requirements
In loot pool?
Ammo?
Element?
Tier
Excels
Source
Available?
Requires
Released
Slot
Craftable?
No Time to Explain
Pulse Rifle
Exotic
Exotic
Primary
Kinetic
Beyond Light
Yes
Primary
Kinetic
Strong
❘ A
PvP
Exotic Quest
Beyond Light
Season 12
Kinetic
No
1. The Messenger
Best PVP Pulse in Destiny 2
The best Legendary Pulse Rifle in the entire game, The Messenger is a returning weapon from Destiny 1 that comes with a top-tier perk previously reserved only for Pinnacle weapons: Desperado.
With Desperado, TTK can be massively reduced, allowing for insane killing sprees, especially with Rapid Hit or Outlaw. The Messenger is also incredible in PvE, due to its top-notch perk selection and generally great stats.
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 it comes to PVP, Pulse rifles are a strong choice. In fact, they probably are the top second choice for competitive players, just behind hand cannons. Some of the top Pulses are even considered “Meta”, especially High-impact Pulses that can reach insane time-to-kills (TTK).
-
Weapon Type
Archetype
Optimal TTK
Optimal Kill
Body Shot TTK
Specs
---
Best in Class
Do keep in mind that TTKs aren’t everything. Versatility and ease of use also come into play. High-Impacts may offer one of the best TTKs in the game, but if you can’t land your shots, the archetype loses all its advantages.
If you’re looking for a more forgiving alternative, Rapid-Fires (Darkest Before) and Adaptives (The Third Axiom) can be excellent choices too.
Pulse Rifles 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, Pulses deal very mediocre damage:
-
Weapon Type
Archetype
Average DPS
Burst DPS
Total Damage
Specs
---
Best in Class
Change?
Ammo
Pulse Rifle
Exotic
6,145
7,340
422,810
With averaged 'nanites"
Outbreak Perfected
Same
Primary
Pulse Rifle
Exotic
3,687
4,381
371,126
With Catalyst
No Time to Explain
Same
Primary
Pulse Rifle
Exotic
3,602
4,222
215,100
-
Vigilance Wing
Same
Primary
Pulse Rifle
Adaptive
2,825
3,246
194,778
High handling, decent range
The Third Axiom
Same
Primary
Pulse Rifle
Rapid-Fire
2,771
3,285
137,970
High aim assist, low range
Piece of Mind
Same
Primary
Pulse Rifle
Aggressive Burst
2,744
3,232
241,312
Excellent range, low aim assist
Insidious
Same
Primary
Pulse Rifle
High-Impact
2,720
3,281
250,128
High range & recoil, low aim assist
The Messenger
Same
Primary
Pulse Rifle
Exotic
2,707
2,984
271,733
-
Graviton Lance
Same
Primary
Pulse Rifle
Lightweight
2,573
3,046
160,805
Excellent handling, low range
Ogma PR6
Same
Primary
Endgame content
Whereas Pulses can dominate any Crucible match, be it casual 6v6s or Trials of Osiris rounds, they currently struggle in PVE. They have the range and ease of use to compete, but they simply deal too little damage. And since hand cannons and scout rifles recently received a PVE damage buff, Pulse rifles struggle even more.
For this reason, you won’t often see Pulse rifles in PVE endgame content, unless seasonal Pulse rifle mods become available (Anti-barrier, Overload, etc).
Destiny 2 Pulse Rifles: Are they Meta?
We’ve talked about the best Pulses for PVE and PVP already, but how do they compare, in general, with other primary weapon types? In other words:
Are Pulse Rifles good in Destiny 2?
The current Meta for PVE
So, are Pulses 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 will always be S-tier, they are incredibly versatile at many ranges and can deal incredibly high damage in a single shot, allowing for super effective 'peak-shooting'. Hand Cannons also often come with plenty of aim assist, making them an accessible yet incredibly potent option for everyone.
► Best Archetype: Adaptive (140 RPM) - Example: Eyasluna
PVP Primaries
Pulse Rifles
S › Best
Best
❘ S
► Pulse Rifles have seen a resurgence in the past few seasons, with constant buffs to all types of Pulse Rifles. It is hard not to find success with one due to the high-flinch potential of Rapid-Fire Pulses or the lethal time-to-kill of High-Impact Pulses.
► Best Archetype: High-Impact (340 RPM) - Example: The Messenger
PVP Primaries
Submachine Guns
S › Best
Best
❘ S
► Submachine Guns have always had one hard counter, Shotguns. However, with the recent Shotgun range nerfs, SMGs have risen massively up the ranks and now are able to comfortably compete in the short-mid range. SMGs are on the up, and it is one of the best times to become an SMG aficionado.
► Best Archetype: Precision (600 RPM)- Example: Shayura's Wrath
PVP Primaries
Sidearms
B › Average
Average
❘ B
-
► Sidearms are a solid pick, however, they have super stiff competition in the way of SMGs and certain Special Weapons such as Shotguns and Fusion Rifles making them a little harder to succeed with, but still a viable pick.
► Best Archetype: Adaptive (300 RPM) - Example: Drang
PVP Primaries
Combat Bows
B › Average
Average
❘ B
-
► Bows are incredibly unique. They have a remarkably slow time to kill, however, this isn't where Bows shine. Hotswap builds with bows can be incredibly potent and don't require much learning either. Bows also provide incredible value when teamshooting opponents. Despite this, Bows on their own are quite mediocre and need something behind them to really shine.
► Auto Rifles aren't doing greét right now. They contest a similar range as Hand Cannons, however, they lack the peak shooting potential that Adaptive Hand Cannons bring. They can also be contested at close range by SMGs, making them difficult to use everywhere. However, a good player can still find value in an Auto Rifle as they do provide high flinch and constant damage.
► Best Archetype: Adaptive (600 RPM) - Example: Gnawing Hunger
PVP Primaries
Scout Rifles
A › Strong
Strong
❘ A
► Scout Rifles have seen a very recent resurgence with the buffs to the Lightweight and High-Impact archetypes. They can now contest medium to long ranges a lot more comfortably and they aren't as pressured by Pulse Rifles as they were in the past. Scout Rifles have become one of the best options if you want to opt for a slower, more passive playstyle.
► Best Archetype: High-Impact (150 RPM) - Example: Polaris Lance
PVP Primaries
Your turn
You now know everything there is to know about Pulse Rifles in Destiny 2, whether that is for PVP or PVE content.
Latest changes made to this guide
Things change fast in Destiny 2, especially when a new Season or Expansion launches. For that reason, this post will be updated at least once per season.
With the release of Season of the Lost (Season 15) and Bungie’s 30th Anniversary event, the following weapons were added:
BxR-55 Battler
Jurassic Green
Darkest Before
Legal Action II
Stay tuned and don’t forget to bookmark this page for next season!
On the darkest before review, it says gridskipper instead of darkest before in its description, in the very first section, overall a very useful tier list!
On the darkest before review, it says gridskipper instead of darkest before in its description, in the very first section, overall a very useful tier list!