Players of Bungie's Destiny 2 take on the role of Guardians that protect the Earth and the Solar System from a wide range of alien threats. As such, players have access to weapons such as the Auto Rifles to go wild with their encounters or Sniper Rifles to attack from a safe distance. However, Guardians who want to master their mid-range combat abilities can rely on Pulse Rifles.
Unlike other weapon variants, Pulse Rifles fit perfectly well with players who want to dart around the battlefield. Moreover, its healthy recoil and plentiful magazine count make it a great weapon for long-term engagements. For new players, which Pulse Rifles are the best to use?
Updated on July 4, 2022, by Rhenn Taguiam: With Destiny 2re-entering yet another Pulse Rifle meta phase for 2022’s Season of the Haunted, it makes sense for players to look into ideal Pulse Rifles to wreak havoc in both PVE and PVP. Thankfully, there are particular Pulse Rifles that pack more than enough punch to become handy tools of combat against the Witch Queen’s forces in the ongoing Year 5 Expansion.
14 Ogma PR6
Despite its rather playful appearance, the Ogma PR6 is a mammoth to behold due to the current rise of Solar weapons. This Legendary Energy Pulse Rifle boasts decent handling and aim assistance which, when combined with its impressive reload speed and stability, make for a deadly weapon even at base stats.
Not only that, its Lightweight Frame that boosts overall stability works well with its available Perks. For instance, Accurized Rounds boost this weapon's efficiency at range, Stats For All incentivizes multi-target firing, and Disruption Break boosts a target's weakness to Kinetic damage once this weapon breaks their shields.
13 Syncopation-53
Of all the craftable weapons in the Pulse Rifle category, it's the Syncopation-53 that rises among the rest due to its impressive base stats. Aside from the Adaptive Frame that gives it decent stability and aim assistance, its decent range, handling, and reload speed make it an ever-reliable companion in most situations.
This Legendary Kinetic Pulse Rifle also works wonders with the right Perks. For instance, Appended Mag drastically boosts magazine size for longer incursions, whereas Headstone produces Statis crystals when killing foes. Even Frenzy boosts the performance of the weapon the longer players stay in combat, making this weapon a rather aggressive companion.
12 New Purpose
Players who want more punches for their buck would love the New Purpose, as this Legendary Kinetic Pulse Rifle is a newcomer that swoops in with awesome range and stability. As one of the new weapons from the Duality Dungeon, New Purpose wants players to pack at a slow and steady pace. Its High-Impact Frame gives players better stability and accuracy at ADS, perfect for long-range Classes such as Warlocks.
What's also interesting is how players could maximize New Purpose with the right Perks. Its High-Caliber Rounds boost range but also knockback targets, making them more prone to distance shots. Likewise, Perpetual Motion compensates for the ADS-reliant frame, as this Perk boosts stability and handling while in motion.
11 Graviton Lance
Anyone enjoys great weapon stability, as low recoil means more room for precision shots. Graviton Lance offers such an opportunity, as its Black Hole perk balances weapon stability since its second burst shot will rip a hole in spacetime. Moreover, its high damage output means players can blast through mobs in ADS without sacrificing recoil.
Players should consider getting Graviton Lance for PVE, especially if they are looking into roles that rely on fast-paced but short-ranged encounters. Warlocks can benefit from this weapon, thanks to the added stability. They can start dealing damage with their AOE skills and finish with precision shots with the Lance.
10 Piece of Mind
Aside from its rather entertaining pun, Piece Of Mind is a Legendary Kinetic Pulse Rifle that is a must-have among craftable Season 16 weapons available for use. It has one of the best aim assistance stats in the game, and its Rapid-Fire Frame allows players to grab more ammo and reload much faster.
And while Piece of Mind has rather lackluster stats in other departments, its Perks can very well make up for these disadvantages. For instance, grabbing Arrowhead Brake, Ricochet Rounds, and Focused Fury boosts overall range, damage, and weapon stability.
9 The Messenger
Like a messenger dedicated to sending messages from afar, so does the Messenger in its ability to bring down the pain with as much accuracy as possible. Being a Legendary Kinetic Pulse Rifle, the Messenger boasts the High-Impact Frame that boosts the player’s accuracy if they’re standing and using ADS, encouraging a more strategic approach to gameplay, such as in the Last Wish raid.
This playstyle makes the Messenger quite fitting for long-distance incursions. For instance, the Rapid Hit perk encourages players to not only make precision shots but also do so rapidly in order to stabilize the weapon further. Likewise, Kill Clip incentivizes reloading after kills in order to get a sweet damage boost.
8 Insidious
There’s a particular angle of the Insidious that gives it such a threatening appearance for a Legendary Energy Pulse Rifle, and it has the stats to back it up. Despite its nature as a four-burst rifle, courtesy of the Aggressive Burst archetype, the weapon does boast incredible Range. This allows Insidious to double as a sniper alternative for Warlock builds, albeit without the long-distance damage boost.
Either way, some perks combined with the Insidious can make it into a terrific long-ranged alternative. Steady Rounds, for instance, might decrease range but it makes up for greatly boosting stability. Likewise, Dragonfly allows precision kills to create elemental explosions, adding an AOE effect to enemy deaths, and boosting a player’s damaging arsenal.
7 No Time To Explain
One of the most important requirements of a reliable PVE Pulse Rifle is consistency, and this is what No Time To Explain offers for players. This Exotic Pulse Rifle boasts commendable range and stability, as well as a remarkable reload speed that easily makes this a great companion against fierce hordes or even in some Crucible matches.
No Time To Explain boasts a Full Auto Trigger System, allowing players to enjoy a full-auto mode when holding down the trigger. This works well with its Rewind Again perk, which returns precision shots and shots against combatants to the magazine provided the targets are frozen or slowed via Stasis.
6 Vigilance Wing
Vigilance enjoys the Harsh Truths, which perk gives this weapon a five-round burst. Moreover, nearby downed allies grant players added boosts to movement speed and health regeneration. As such, this Pulse Rifle befits close-range defensive setups.
Unfortunately, other players do see its five-round burst as the more beneficial trait, making it useful for bosses and especially other Guardians. Like Bygones, Vigilance Wing indeed has great perks and offers customizability befitting its Exotic status. However, more Pulse Rifles fit PVE setups compared to Vigilance Wing, as its skillset seems to be more applicable to PVP.
5 The Third Axiom
Players with time to farm for Legendaries would enjoy The Third Axiom, a Legendary Pulse Rifle worthy of both the status and the stats. Its best numbers include incredible aim assistance and stability which, when paired with its decent range and handling scores, make it a nifty Pulse Rifle against most foes at base stats alone.
The Third Axiom also shines when equipped with the right kinds of perks. For instance, Multikill Clip is a decent perk that boosts damage after a reload provided rapid kills were executed prior. Even Genesis is a decent perk as breaking enemy shields will refill the magazine.
4 Sacred Provenance
Sacred Providence serves as a great alternative to Blast Furnace, especially since the former is capable of releasing four-shot Kinetic bursts. Moreover, its initial range and stability problems can be easily solved by rolling the right barrel perk, and access to both Ricochet and High Caliber Rounds further increase its overall damage output.
However, players might notice that these perks also work well with PVP, as combat there also requires stability and quick reflexes. Despite its great PVE potential, Sacred Provenance poses to be a better fit for PVP. Thanks to its Rapid Hit, Sacred Provenance users can enjoy a faster hit rate (and potentially more damage) against other players.
3 Bad Juju
Fans of the first Destiny game might know Bad Juju from this game - and thankfully, it lives up to the hype once again in Destiny 2. Thanks to its String of Curses perk, Bad Juju not only increases damage per kill, but it generates Super and better damage boosts once it's stacked. These perks make Bad Juju useful for most raids, especially on more difficult battles that almost convert enemies into bullet sponges.
Unfortunately, more eagle-eyed fans might notice String of Curses doesn't last that long. However, thanks to perks such as Kill Clip and Rampage, Bad Juju can finish fights before players even notice.
2 Outbreak Perfected
Fans looking for a break in visuals in regard to stockier Pulse Rifles would appreciate Outbreak Perfected. However, with Exotic Kinetics receiving a nifty recent buff, Outbreak Perfected shines in its overall performance as well. Its innate Exotic Perks include the Corruption Spreads which creates a visually-impressive SIVA nanite swarm on precision kills and rapid hits. Likewise, Parasitism gives this weapon a damage buff depending on how much SIVA nanites the Corruption Spreads do to enemies.
It doesn't stop there, however. Stats-wise, Outbreak Perfected boasts incredible aim assistance and impressive handling, reload speed, and range. While this weapon's other stats don't fare as much at base, other Perks such as Accurized Rounds, Outlaw, and Extended Barrel allow players to enjoy the extended range and faster reloads.
1 BXR-55 Battler
Players willing to grind for their Legendaries should take note of the BXR-55 Battler, a Legendary Energy Pulse Rifle. It boasts the Legacy PR-55 Frame, which allows it boasts incredible aim assist, reload speed, handling, and stability. At its base alone, the Battler is a reliable ally against most minors, elites, and sometimes even bosses in the Duality Dungeon.
With the right perks, the Battler transforms into a powerhouse. For instance, aggressive fighters such as Titans may want to try the Demolitionist perk so kills with this weapon can help regenerate grenade energy, enabling them to devastate the field more often. Likewise, even the increased reload speed from the Light Mag perk can make a difference in clutch moments during intense firefights.
Destiny 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.