[Top 10] Destiny 2 Best Auto Rifles To Use (Ranked)

Auto Rifles in Destiny 2 are like the Swiss Army knives of weaponry – rapid fire, decent damage, and effective at medium ranges. Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned Guardian, these guns are a solid choice. They perform very well if you've got good aim, but they can skyrocket to top-tier status with the right perk combinations. 

Destiny 2's PvP scene has undergone significant transformations over time. We've witnessed shifts from a focus on double Primary weapons to a meta that emphasizes abilities more. In the current meta, auto rifles are underrated due to their high TTK, but some can tear apart the opposition if you know how to use them.

What are the best Auto Rifles in Destiny 2?

Let's check out the top Auto Rifles that shine in both PvP and PvE activities in Destiny 2.

10. Abyss Defiant (Best for PVP)

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Abyss Defiant is an excellent choice for PvE in "Destiny 2," particularly for players focusing on a Solar build. Its standout features include the 'Heal Clip' and 'Incandescent' perks, which form a superb set of options. The exceptional 'Cursed Thrall' origin trait further enhances the weapon, making it highly effective for dealing with large groups of enemies and maintaining control over the battlefield.

Despite belonging to the High-Impact Frame archetype, which is generally considered less powerful, Abyss Defiant's remarkable perk pool largely compensates for its inherent weaknesses.

Abyss Defiant Stats

• Impact: 33
• Range: 83
• Stability: 35
• Handling: 33
• Reload Speed: 35
• Reload Time: 2.27 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 63
• Inventory Size: 52
• Zoom: 16
• Airborne Effectiveness: 17
• Recoil: 86
• Rounds Per Minute: 360
• Magazine: 32

PvP God roll:

• Barrel:  Fluted Barrel
• Magazine: Ricochet Rounds
• Perk 1: Zen Moment
• Perk 2:  Target Lock

How to get Abyss Defiant 

You can get Song of Ir Yût only from Crota’s End raid, specifically from the first (The Abyss) and last(Crota, Son of Oryx) encounter. For the adept version, you must complete these encounters on master difficulty. Once you have unlocked this weapon in your collections, you can also buy it from the final chest of the raid after defeating the Crota for 25 Spoils of Conquest.

9. SUROS Regime (Best for PVP)

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The SUROS Regime in "Destiny 2" is like having two weapons in one due to its unique dual-mode functionality. It comes with two selectable perks that alter its firing mechanism. It has two options that change how it shoots. The first option, "Spinning Up," begins at 600 rounds per minute (RPM). After a few shots, it speeds up to 900 RPM, letting you defeat enemies fast – in just 0.53 seconds once it's fully going.

The SUROS Regime's Catalyst also provides a rare but valuable chance of self-healing upon securing kills. This combination of features makes the SUROS Regime a highly effective Auto Rifle in "Destiny 2."

Exotic Perk:

The bottom half of each magazine deals bonus damage and has a chance to return health on kill. Holding down the trigger increases the rate of fire.

SUROS Regime Stats

• Impact: 21
• Range: 45
• Stability: 43
• Handling: 64
• Reload Speed: 63
• Reload Time: 1.78 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 68
• Inventory Size: 0
• Zoom: 16
• Airborne Effectiveness: 31
• Recoil: 50
• Rounds Per Minute: 600
• Magazine: 25

How to get the SUROS Regime

There is no specific quest to get the SUROS Regime. Instead, you can get it as a random reward for deciphering the exotic engrams. The exotic engrams follow a knockout system, increasing the chances of dropping the exotics you don’t own. The weekly vendor Xur sells it occasionally, so you can buy it from there.

8. Horror Story (Best for PVE)

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Horror Story, the Stasis variant of the classic 450 RPM auto rifle Origin Story from Destiny 2's Red War, is a stable and preferred choice for PvE due to recent buffs and perk updates. 

This weapon aligns well with stasis builds in PvE, offering a balanced and steady performance. It's recognized for its remarkable stability, making it a strong contender in combat. Additionally, every version of Horror Story comes with the 'Nadir Focus' trait, enhancing its range and making it a valuable asset for players seeking a reliable and effective weapon choice.

Horror Story Stats

• Impact: 29
• Range: 57
• Stability: 40
• Handling: 37
• Reload Speed: 41
• Reload Time: 2.15 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 35
• Inventory Size: 47
• Zoom: 18
• Airborne Effectiveness: 10
• Recoil: 73
• Rounds Per Minute: 450
• Magazine: 32

PvE God roll:

• Barrel: Arrowhead Brake
• Magazine: Tactical Mag
• Perk 1: Demolitionist 
• Perk 2: Headstone 

How to get Horror Story

Horror Story can be acquired as a random drop upon completing Haunted Lost Sectors. This activity offers both Normal and Legend modes, with an equal chance of obtaining the drop from the final chest in either difficulty setting.

7. Lodbrok-C (Best for PVE)

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Lodbrok-C is a popular auto rifle used for PvP and PvE activities. Its popularity stems from its impressive perk pool, which includes several top perk combinations.

In PvE, the Demolitionist and Adrenaline Junkie perks work well together. This synergy improves your grenade ability while using the weapon, resulting in a powerful and effective gameplay loop. Whether you're fighting in the Crucible or taking on PvE challenges, the Lodbrok-C is an excellent auto rifle in your collection.

Lodbrok-C Stats

• Impact: 33
• Range: 78
• Stability: 35
• Handling: 36
• Reload Speed: 31
• Reload Time: 2.35 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 55
• Inventory Size: 46
• Zoom: 19
• Airborne Effectiveness: 19
• Recoil: 88
• Rounds Per Minute: 360
• Magazine: 31

PvE God roll:

• Barrel: Chambered Compensator
• Magazine: Alloy Magazine
• Perk 1: Fourth Time’s the Charm
• Perk 2: Adrenaline Junkie

How to get Lodbrok-C

In the Season of the Witch, the only way to get this weapon is from the gunsmith vendor (Banshee-44). Banshee has sold some amazing rolls of this weapon in the past and offers it frequently in its inventory. You need to watch its daily offerings and might be lucky enough to get a god-roll.

6. Age-Old Bond (Best for PVE)

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Age-old bond was released with one of the best raids, Last Wish, and it was not thought to be the best choice for an auto rifle at the time. The weapon became craftable during the Season of the Deep, and the perk pool was refreshed, making it one of the best auto rifles in the game. 

Age-Old Bond is an excellent choice for PvE. It's the first primary weapon with Repulsor Brace and Destabilizing Rounds. This combo is great because it turns enemies into a volatile state, and when you take them out, you get an overshield. This makes Age-Old Bond really handy for PvE activities.

Age-Old Bond Stats

• Impact: 33
• Range: 82
• Stability: 30
• Handling: 38
• Reload Speed: 34
• Reload Time: 2.29 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 61
• Inventory Size: 49
• Zoom: 16
• Airborne Effectiveness: 10
• Recoil: 79
• Rounds Per Minute: 360
• Magazine: 32

PvE God roll:

• Barrel: Arrowhead Brake
• Magazine: Tactical Mag
• Perk 1: Repulsor Brace
• Perk 2: Destabilizing Rounds

How to get Age-Old Bond

To get Age-Old Bond, you need to complete the encounters of the Last Wish raid. The weapon can drop from any game encounter, and if you have unlocked it in your collections, you can get it from the secret chests as well. We suggest you farm the first encounter (Kalli, the Corrupted) as it is the simplest and the fastest to complete. This weapon is also craftable, so you will need five patterns to craft it. You can farm the raid once it is the featured raid of the week to get all the red borders of the weapon. 

5. Ammit AR2 (Best for PVE)

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The Ammit AR2  has a vast perk pool that includes interesting perks like Incandescence, which improves gameplay with solar builds. Its remarkable range makes this auto rifle stand out, especially in PvE activities.

It is also a craftable weapon that unlocks the potential to craft it with your own choice of perks and even the enhanced version, which also increases the weapon's base stats. Combining Fluted Barrel with Arrowhead Break, dramatically reducing recoil, becomes a fantastic weapon for destroying opponents. Due to its stability and range, the Ammit AR2 is a strong option for PvE activities.

Ammit AR2 Stats

• Impact: 29
• Range: 61
• Stability: 45
• Handling: 46
• Reload Speed: 38
• Reload Time: 2.21 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 44
• Inventory Size: 48
• Zoom: 15
• Airborne Effectiveness: 20
• Recoil: 71
• Rounds Per Minute: 450
• Magazine: 32

PvE God roll:

• Barrel: Fluted Barrel
• Magazine: Arrowhead Brake
• Perk 1: Surplus
• Perk 2: Incandescent

How to get Ammit AR2

In the Season of the Witch, the only way to get this weapon is from the gunsmith vendor (Banshee-44). Banshee has sold some amazing rolls of this weapon in the past and offers it frequently in its inventory. You need to watch its daily offerings and might be lucky enough to get a god-roll.

4. Quicksilver Storm (Best for PVP)

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Quicksilver Storm is one of the top Primary weapons in Destiny 2, thanks to its combination of features that cater to various playstyles and builds. It offers solid base DPS and a burst damage option that is easy to utilize, making it highly effective in combat. Additionally, its ability to create Tangles is a boon for players crafting Strand builds, adding to its versatility.

The grenade launcher aspect of Quicksilver Storm provides excellent utility. It helps force enemies out of cover and can efficiently destroy Titan Barricades with a single shot. However, the true strength of this weapon lies in its overall consistency.

Exotic Perk:

"Landing multiple hits turns your next shot into a homing micro-rocket. Landing multiple rockets loads a grenade."

Quicksilver Storm Stats

• Impact: 18
• Range: 40
• Stability: 85
• Handling: 48
• Reload Speed: 54
• Reload Time: 1.92 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 83
• Inventory Size: 59
• Zoom: 16
• Airborne Effectiveness: 26
• Recoil: 88
• Rounds Per Minute: 720
• Magazine: 51

How to get Quicksilver Storm

Quicksilver Storm is accessible to the owners of Lightfall DLC. All you need to do is get the DLC and claim the weapon for free.

3. Rufus's Fury (Best for PVP)

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Rufus' Fury is a 720 RPM Strand Auto Rifle with an impressive perk pool and excellent base statistics. It has the best range and aim assist in its class, resulting in a consistently powerful weapon.

Even with more strand Auto Rifles added to the game, Rufus' Fury remains a top choice due to its outstanding perks, high stability, and adaptability in both PvE and PvP modes. This rifle is still a favorite due to its ability to perform well in various game situations, keeping it at the top of the Auto Rifle rankings.

Rufus's Fury Stats

• Impact: 18
• Range: 34
• Stability: 58
• Handling: 41
• Reload Speed: 50
• Reload Time: 1.99 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 82
• Inventory Size: 60
• Zoom: 16
• Airborne Effectiveness: 22
• Recoil: 56
• Rounds Per Minute: 720
• Magazine: 55

PvP God roll:

• Barrel:  Corkscrew Rifling
• Magazine: Ricochet Rounds
• Perk 1: Perpetual Motion
• Perk 2:  Target Lock

How to get Rufus's Fury

You can get this weapon from the Root of Nightmare Raid, specifically the raid's third (Zo’aurc) encounter. Once the gun drops, it can appear in secret chests hidden throughout the activity. You can easily farm the red borders of this weapon once this raid is the featured raid of the week.

2. Necrochasm (Best for PVP)

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In Destiny 2, the Necrochasm is an exceptional choice for quickly handling waves of ads, mainly due to its ability to set off a series of explosions. The main drawback of this weapon is its lack of synergy with any particular subclass, which can be a hurdle when trying to fit it into different builds.

Necrochasm's most notable feature is its "Desperation" perk. When you achieve a precision kill and then reload, this perk significantly buffs the weapon's rate of fire from 720 to 900 rounds per minute. This perk combination makes this weapon an ad-clearing machine and is a must-have for your load-outs.

Exotic Perk:

"Precision final blows with this weapon trigger a Cursed Thrall explosion. Final blows with Cursed Thrall explosions refill the magazine."

Necrochasm Stats

• Impact: 18
• Range: 34
• Stability: 74
• Handling: 55
• Reload Speed: 76
• Reload Time: 1.59 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 85
• Inventory Size: 53
• Zoom: 17
• Airborne Effectiveness: 24
• Recoil: 55
• Rounds Per Minute: 720
• Magazine: 51

How to get Necrochasm

To get the Necrochasm in Destiny 2, complete the Crota's End Raid and pick up the Bottomless Pit quest from Crota's sword, the raid vendor. Utilize the white weapon Husk of the Pit to defeat Hive enemies and progress through the quest, ultimately obtaining the Legendary weapon Eidolon Ally. Continue completing triumphs and the raid, collecting Essence of the Oversoul. Once you've gathered 20 Essence of the Oversoul, you can obtain the coveted Necrochasm. Enjoy your journey in Destiny 2!

1. The Summoner Adept (Best for PVP)

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Join the dance of fire and birth.

The Summoner is a weapon that is highly sought after in the Trials of Osiris loot pool. It shows its value in the Crucible and other combat scenarios. This gun is a powerful, versatile weapon with exceptional handling and amazing perks that increase damage and range.

With the ability to apply adept mods, the Summoner is now a solid option for PvP. In particular, the adept targeting mode gives +10 aim assists, making it an excellent competitor in the Crucible.

The Summoner Stats

• Impact: 21
• Range: 40
• Stability: 41
• Handling: 70
• Reload Speed: 56
• Reload Time: 1.89 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 62
• Inventory Size: 51
• Zoom: 16
• Airborne Effectiveness: 24
• Recoil: 57
• Rounds Per Minute: 600
• Magazine: 42

PvP God roll:

• Barrel:  Smallbore
• Magazine: Ricochet Rounds
• Perk 1: Dynamic Sway Reduction
• Perk 2:  Rangefinder

How to get The Summoner

The Summoner is one of the difficult weapons to get as it is linked with the Trials of the Osiris activity. You can only obtain it from the lighthouse chest, which you can only unlock by going flawless in trials. Once you open it in your collections, you can buy another one from Saint-14 by sacrificing your card and a few other resources.

You may also be interested in:

• Destiny 2 Class Tier List: The Best Destiny 2 Classes and Subsclasses
• Top 10 Best Destiny 2 Auto Rifles Right Now
• Top 10 Destiny 2 Best Exotic Weapons for PvP