Destiny 2: The Five Best Scout Rifles in the Game

Manannan SR4

We're kicking things off with Destiny 2's true hidden gem: The Manannan SR4. This Scout Rifle you can only unlock by trading in your weapon scraps to Banshee, and we think you may come to love it even more than your MIDA. It's more stable than the MIDA, even without the extra aim assist, and it's an energy weapon which means you can apply void, arc, or solar mods as needed. The fact that it's a legendary also gives it an edge of the MIDA because it frees up another exotic weapon slot. Yeah, we're looking at you coil-glitchers.

Optimal TTK: 1.2

Body-shot TTK: 1.8

Weapon Perks:

Lightweight Frame

• Superb handling. Move faster with this weapon equipped.

Candle PS

• Omolon post sight. Short zoom.
• Greatly increases handling speed
• Slightly increases range

Impulse MS3

• Omolon ocular technology. Long zoom.
• Increases range
• Decreases handling speed

Alloy Magazine

• Faster reloads when the magazine is empty.

Steady Rounds

• This magazine is optimized for recoil control.
• Greatly increases stability
• Slightly decreases range

Explosive Payload

• Projectiles create an area-of-effect detonation on impact.

The End

The End is a Scout Rifle that very few of you will have available to you right now since it is a Trials reward, but it's hands-down one of the most convenient primary weapons in the game thanks to a few perks. With Slideways and Auto-Loading Holster equipped, you're never going to need to worry about ammo. Aggressive Guardians slide to corners will find their magazines deplete slowly, and when you whip out your SMG for close-range skirmishes, but the time you take out The End again, the auto-loading holster will have your magazine full and ready to go. Rarely will you need to reload this weapon!

Optimal TTK: 1.33

Body-shot TTK: 1.67

Weapon Perks:

Precision Frame

• This weapon's recoil pattern is more predictably vertical.

Chambered Compensator

• Stable barrel attachment.
• Increases stability
• Moderately controls recoil
• Slightly decreases handling speed

Corkscrew Rifling

• Balanced barrel.
• Slightly increases range and stability
• Slightly increases handling speed

Polygonal Rifling

• Barrel optimized for recoil reduction.
• Increases stability

Slideways

• Sliding partially reloads this weapon's magazine and temporarily boosts handling and stability.

Auto-Loading Holster

• The holstered weapon is automatically reloaded after a short period of time.

Pulse Monitor

• Auto-reloads part of the magazine when wielder is critically wounded.

Call to Serve

Out of all of the Precision Frame Scout Rifles, Call to Serve feels the most like a true long-range marksman rifle. This is pure reliability for those of you confident in your aim. The recoil is extremely predictable and consistent, and landing precision shots is a breeze. With Triple Tap, every three precision shots in a row will return ammunition to your magazine, making this a perfect pick for run-and-gun snipers.

Optimal TTK: 1.33

Body-shot TTK: 1.67

Weapon Perks:

Precision Frame

• This weapon's recoil pattern is more predictably vertical.

IS 5 Circle

• Circular iron sights. Short zoom.
• Greatly increases handling speed

Model 8 Red

• Red-dot. Medium zoom.
• Greatly increases range

Mark 15 Lens

• Ocular sights. Long zoom.
• Greatly increases range
• Decreases handling speed

Extended Mag

• This weapon has a greatly increased magazine size, but reloads much slower.
• Greatly increases magazine size
• Greatly decreases reload speed

Appended Mag

• This weapon's magazine is built for higher capacity.
• Increases magazine size

Triple Tap

• Rapidly landing precision hits will return 1 round to the magazine from reserves.

Seven-Six-Five

Everything about Seven-Six-Five says speed. The lightweight frame makes it very deadly in the right hands, especially if you're a high-mobility Hunter who loves to strafe. This puppy fires full-auto, so if you can track your target effectively, then keep that trigger held down and strafe out of harm's way. This is an infuriating rifle to go up against in the crucible since its users never sit still, and it's fun as hell to use.

Optimal TTK: 1.2

Body-shot TTK: 1.8

Weapon Perks:

Lightweight Frame

• Superb handling. Move faster with this weapon equipped.

Torch HS3

• Omolon red-dot. Medium zoom.
• Greatly increases range
• Slightly decreases handling speed

Jolt PS

• Omolon Post sights. Short zoom.
• Increases range
• Slightly increases handling speed

Accurized Rounds

• This weapon can fire longer distances.
• Increases range

Armor-Piercing Rounds

• Rounds cause extra damage to combatants' shields and overpenetrate targets.
• Slightly increases range

Full Auto Trigger System

• Holding down the trigger will fire this weapon at full auto.

Nameless Midnight

The one. The only. Nameless Midnight. When most of you are quizzed about the best Scout Rifle in Destiny 2, if you're not saying MIDA Multi-Tool, you're likely saying Nameless Midnight. This guy has been a constant fan-favorite due to its high precision, high impact, and explosive rounds. Those explosive rounds make this perfect for PvE and raiding as well, since they can damage enemies behind cover and behind shields. When enemies in the Crucible stay packed together, the explosive rounds will send them running.

Optimal TTK: 1.33

Body-shot TTK: 1.67

Weapon Perks:

Precision Frame

• This weapon's recoil pattern is more predictably vertical.

Red Dot 2 MOA

• Snapshot sight. Short zoom.
• Slightly increases range
• Increases handling speed

Red Dot Micro

• Agile sight. Short zoom.
• Increases range
• Increases handling speed

Rifle Scope SSF

• Focused scope. Long zoom.
• Slightly increases range
• Slightly decreases handling speed

Flared Magwell

• Optimized for fast reloading.
• Slightly increases stability
• Greatly increases reload speed

Steady Rounds

• This magazine is optimized for recoil control.
• Greatly increases stability
• Slightly decreases range

Explosive Payload

• Projectiles create an area-of-effect detonation on impact