We’re done complaining about the MIDA Multi-Tool. Crucible Guardians who want to be part of the cool crowd will continue to use it nonstop, and that’s fine. We’re done with being a part of the cool crowd. We’re the Guardian hipsters looking for the weapons that no one is talking about, and today, we’re all about pulse rifles!
In this list we’re breaking down the five deadliest pulse rifles in Destiny 2. Our list is based off of TTK (time to kill) data which has been compiled in this spreadsheet and this chart, as well as PvP rankings and our own personal experience.
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TTK is calculated using averages, of course, so your mileage may vary. The damage output here is assuming an optimal distance from your opponent, and optimal aim (the best combination of headshots and body shots). Most of these will be rifles with high rates of fire, though certain rifles are included due to their included perks.
Basically, if you’re looking to be the best, and the deadliest, these are the five pulse rifles that you need to look out for, hold on to, and keep around in your inventory for as long as possible. Let’s get started!
The Time-Worn Spire
This is one of our newest additions toย Destiny 2‘s arsenal of fantastic pulse rifles, courtesy of the Iron Banner! The Spire has quickly become the fan favorite, hailed as one of the only Iron Banner weapons worth holding on to due to its rate of fire,ย enormous aim assist, and predictable recoil. Never mind the fact that it has a deep magazine and gets more accurate as you fire.
Optimal TTK:ย 1.13, 4 bursts (9 crit, 3 body-shots)
Body-shot TTK:ย 1.67, 5.33 bursts (16 body shots)
Weapon Perks:
Rapid-Fire Frame
- Deeper ammo reserves. Slightly faster reload when magazine is empty.
Hitmark IS
- Agile sight. Short zoom.
- Greatly increases handling speed
- Slightly increases range
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
Tactical Mag
- This weapon has multiple tactical improvements.
- Slightly increases stability
- Increases reload speed
- Slightly increases magazine size
Accurized Rounds
- This weapon can fire longer distances.
- Increases range
Zen Moment
- Causing damage with this weapon increases its stability.
Vigilance Wing
A personal favorite of mine, Vigilance Wing is one of the most common exotic weapons found in the game, and is unfairly written off because of its commonality. Do not overlook Vigilance Wing. This monster boasts a 5-round burst that is extremely disorienting to enemy guardians, and in the right hands, it can be a terror in the Crucible or Trials.
Its various perks heal you and make you faster as your team mates die, and performance gets a big boost when you’re the last guardian standing. We love this weapon.
Optimal TTK:ย 1.2, 2.4 bursts (9 crits, 3 body-shots)
Body-shot TTK:ย 1.7 3.2 bursts (16 body-shots)
Weapon Perks:
Harsh Truths
- This weapon fires a 5-round burst. When a nearby ally is killed, gain health regeneration and increased movement speed.
Corkscrew Rifling
- Balanced barrel.
- Slightly increases range and stability
- Slightly increases handling speed
Alloy Magazine
- Faster reloads when the magazine is empty.
Last Stand
- Improved weapon performance when its wielder is the last living member of a fireteam.
Composite Stock
- This weapon has a versatile dual-purpose stock.
- Slightly increases stability
- Slightly increases handling speed
Agenda 5
Agenda 5 is another pulse rifle that has to be included on this list due to its deadly combination of fire rate and accuracy. Once again, we have a pulse rifle with the Zen Movement perk, making the weapon more accurate as it dishes out damage. Mobile guardians also prefer Agenda 5 in games of Control since it increases movement speed. A hunter with high mobility and Agenda 5 is a strafing machine.
Optimal TTK:ย 1.2, 3.33 bursts (10 crit)
Body-shot TTK:ย 1.73, 5 bursts (15 body-shots)
Weapon Perks:
Lightweight Frame
- Superb handling. Move faster with this weapon equipped.
Impulse MS3
- Omolon ocular technology. Long zoom.
- Increases range
- Decreases handling speed
Transmission MS7
- Omolon ocular technology. Long zoom.
- Increases range
- Slightly 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
Flared Magwell
- Optimized for fast reloading.
- Slightly increases stability
- Greatly increases reload speed
Zen Moment
- Causing damage with this weapon increases its stability.
Lincoln Green
You knew we were going to include Lincoln Green when you opened this article, didn’t you? This has been a Crucible favorite for a while, despite its challenging recoil pattern. This weapon pulls really hard to the right upon successiveย shots, but at close range, the critical damage is too high to ignore. If you love to get up close and personal and you’re confident in your ability to land head shots, Lincoln Green will put enemies down fast.
Optimal TTK:ย 1.13, 4 bursts (9 crit, 3 body-shots)
Body-shot TTK:ย 1.67, 5.33 bursts (16 body-shots)
Weapon Perks:
Rapid-Fire Frame
- Deeper ammo reserves. Slightly faster reload when magazine is empty.
IS 5 Circle
- Circular iron sights. Short zoom.
- Greatly increases handling speed
Model 6 Loop
- Red-dot. Medium zoom.
- Increases range
- Increases handling speed
Mark 15 Lens
- Ocular sights. Long zoom.
- Greatly increases range
- Decreases handling speed
Steady Rounds
- This magazine is optimized for recoil control.
- Greatly increases stability
- Slightly decreases range
Alloy Magazine
- Faster reloads when the magazine is empty.
Quickdraw
- This weapon can be drawn unbelievably fast.
Inaugural Address
Inaugural Address is our top pick because of two very important perks that stack with each other and synergize in a huge way. The Kill Clip perk gives this pulse rifle a boost in damage when you reload after a kill. On top of this, the Outlaw perk greatly decreases reload time when you reload after a precision kill. The gun has a pretty generous magazine, so run and gun Guardians are going to have a ball with this.
Optimal TTK:ย 1.13, 3 bursts (9 crits)
Body-shot TTK:ย 2.07, 4.66 bursts (14 body-shots)
Weapon Perks:
Adaptive Frame
- A well-rounded grip, reliable and sturdy.
Polygonal Rifling
- Barrel optimized for recoil reduction.
- Increases stability
Fluted Barrel
- Ultra-light barrel.
- Greatly increases handling speed
- Slightly increases stability
Chambered Compensator
- Stable barrel attachment.
- Increases stability
- Moderately controls recoil
- Slightly decreases handling speed
Outlaw
- Precision kills greatly decrease reload time.
Ambitious Assassin
- Overflows the magazine based on the number of rapid kills before reloading.
Kill Clip
- Reloading after a kill grants increased damage.
