Auto rifles have been in a good place for quite some time now. While things like the release of the Beyond Light expansion and weapon sunsetting have changed the game in a big way, you still can’t go wrong with spraying bullets at everything. And with that we’d like to present our top 15 best auto rifles in Destiny 2.
How the List Works:
Most of these weapons have either a predetermined (curated) perk roll as a random perk roll. Since naming every possible perk for each weapon would be a pain to read, we’ll list it’s curated traits/perks and its stats when it has the curated roll. Don’t worry though, we’ll provide a link to the full weapon breakdown in the Weapon Details section for each weapon.
Our Top 15 Auto Rifles:
- Suros Regime
- Monte Carlo
- False Promises
- Gnawing Hunger
- The Forward Path
- Sweet Business
- Braytech Werewolf
- Horror Story
- Steelfeather Repeater
- Seventh Seraph Carbine
- Age-Old Bond
- Reckless Oracle
- Tommy’s Matchbook
- The Summoner
- Arctic Haze
1. SUROS Regime (PvP)
Nostalgia as a weapon of war. Style as a hallmark of victory.
This beloved exotic featured in the first Destiny is around and kicking. The SUROS Regime is steady and dominates in PvP. Its exotic perk SUROS Legacy adds bonus damage and can heal you when you reach the bottom half of your magazine, making you quite the beast.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 21
Range: 60
Stability: 62
Handling: 68
Reload Speed: 76
Rounds/Min: 600
Magazine: 27
Exotic Perks:
SUROS Legacy: The bottom half of each magazine deals bonus damage and has a chance to return health on kill.
Spinning Up: Holding down the trigger increases the rate of fire.
What makes SUROS Regime good?:
- Well-rounded stats
- A chance at refilling health
- Spinning Up perk can increase the rate of fire up to 900 RPM
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/2856683562-suros-regime#
How to get SUROS Regime:
You can acquire this weapon in random exotic rewards or purchase it from Xur for 29 legendary shards.
SUROS Regime in Action:
2. Monte Carlo (PvE)
There will always be paths to tread and methods to try. Roll with it.
Coming in next is the exotic Monte Carlo. This auto rifle is great for PvE thanks to its powerful perks that revolve around amping your melee ability. This is a great choice for players who like to close the distance.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 21
Range: 55
Stability: 69
Handling: 82
Reload Speed: 81
Rounds/Min: 600
Magazine: 43
Exotic Perks:
Monte Carlo Method: Dealing damage with this weapon reduces your melee cooldown and grants a chance to fully charge your melee ability with each kill.
Markov Chain: This weapon gains increased damage from melee kills and kills with this weapon. Melee kills grant ammo for this weapon.
What makes Monte Carlo good?
- Good stability
- Great handling
- Perks synergize for a strong melee combo
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/4068264807-monte-carlo#
How to get Monte Carlo:
Monte Carlo in Action:
3. False Promises (PvE, PvP, Gambit)
Gripped in the hands of the desperate many.
I’d be lying if I said this is the perfect auto rifle, but I’d also be lying if I said this isn’t a good one. False Promises is a high-impact gun with good range for an auto. It’s surprisingly easy to control despite it’s lower stability stat and makes a fine weapon for Gambit or any game mode.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 33
Range: 79
Stability: 43
Handling: 37
Reload Speed: 44
Rounds/Min: 360
Magazine: 32
Perks:
High-Impact Frame: Slow-firing and high-damage. This weapon is more accurate when stationary and aiming down sights.
Killing Wind: Final blows grant increased mobility, weapon range, and handling for a short duration.
Sympathetic Arsenal: Reloading after a final blow also reloads stowed weapons.
What makes False Promises good?:
- Good range
- Controllable recoil
- Precise shooting for an auto rifle
How to get False Promises:
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/3143732432-false-promises#
4. Gnawing Hunger (PvE, PvP, Gambit)
Don't let pride keep you from a good meal.
While you have to get this gun as a reward from playing Gambit, this adaptive frame Void auto rifle handles nicely and has decent range and stability. Even if you don’t get the perks you want, Gnawing Hunger will carve through enemies like a sharp knife through a slow-roasted turkey.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 21
Range: 53
Stability: 49
Handling: 77
Reload Speed: 61
Rounds/Min: 600
Magazine: 48
Perks:
Adaptive Frame: A well-rounded grip, reliable and sturdy.
Overflow: Picking up Special or Heavy ammo reloads this weapon to beyond normal capacity.
Rampage: Kills with this weapon temporarily grant increased damage. Stacks 3x.
What makes Gnawing Hunger good?:
- Good handling
- Decent range
- Good stability
- Good for DPS
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/821154603-gnawing-hunger#
How to get Gnawing Hunger:
You can acquire this gun inside Umbral engrams, specifically Dredgen-Focused or a Lead-Focused Umbral engram.
Gnawing Hunger in Action:
5. The Forward Path (PvP, PvE, Gambit)
Forged in honor of Weyloran, and roads yet traveled.
The Forward Path is a kinetic auto rifle that is a solid weapon that can be used for most activities. The powerful advantages lie in its perk Iron Gaze which boosts your aim assist substantially at the cost of range. It can also roll with Iron Grip which increases stability in exchange for reload speed.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 21
Range: 53
Stability: 49
Handling: 77
Reload Speed: 61
Rounds/Min: 600
Magazine: 48
Perks:
Adaptive Frame: A well-rounded grip, reliable and sturdy.
Dynamic Sway Reduction: Improves accuracy and stability while continuously holding down the trigger.
Iron Gaze: Massively improves weapon target acquisition at the cost of weapon range.
What makes The Forward Path good?:
- Good handling
- Decent reload speed
- Strong perks
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/1690783811-the-forward-path
How to get The Forward Path:
The Forward Path in Action:
6. Sweet Business (PvE)
"…I love my job."
Let’s get down to business, to defeat the Huns. Or in this case, anything that stands in our way. Sweet Business is great for clearing mobs once you get this baby spinning. It is also decent for PvP, though something to note is that you’ll want to start firing before the enemy is in front of you.
Exotic Weapon Stats:
Impact: 18
Range: 42
Stability: 60
Handling: 15
Reload Speed: 10
Rounds/Min: 360
Magazine: 45
Exotic Perks:
Payday: Larger magazine. Increased accuracy when firing from the hip. Picking up ammo for this weapon immediately reloads it.
Business Time: Sustained fire boosts range and rate of fire.
What makes Sweet Business good?:
- Mows down groups better than a lawnmower fresh out the factory
- Exotic perk reduces the need to reload
- Can perform well in PvP
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/1345867570-sweet-business#
How to get Sweet Business:
You can acquire this gun as a random exotic engram drop or purchase it from Xur if he has it in stock for 29 Legendary Shards.
Sweet Business in Action:
7. Uriel’s Gift (PvE, PvP)
Take weapon in hand and fly to victory.
Uriel’s Gift is an Arc auto rifle that drops randomly from the world. Depending on your roll, it can play well in either PvE or PvP. While it doesn’t seem like nothing too out of the ordinary, it still makes a reliable weapon.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 29
Range: 75
Stability: 45
Handling: 43
Reload Speed: 46
Rounds/Min: 450
Magazine: 33
Perks:
Precision Frame: This weapon's recoil pattern is more predictably vertical.
Quickdraw: This weapon can be drawn unbelievably fast.
Tap the Trigger: Grants a short period of increased stability and accuracy on initial trigger pull.
What makes Uriel’s Gift good?:
- Good range
- Good perk pool
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/3143732432-false-promises#
How to get Uriel’s Gift:
Uriel’s Gift in Action:
8. Braytech Werewolf (PvE)
The right weapon can transform you.
Coming from the Festival of the Lost, the Braytech werewolf boasts some all around good stats. While 450 rpm autos aren’t too popular it definitely holds ground very well.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 29
Range: 95
Stability: 47
Handling: 45
Reload Speed: 48
Rounds/Min: 450
Magazine: 34
Perks:
Precision Frame: This weapon's recoil pattern is more predictably vertical.
Quickdraw: This weapon can be drawn unbelievably fast.
Multikill Clip: Reloading grants increased damage based on the number of rapid kills made beforehand.
What makes Braytech Werewolf good?:
- Good range
- Decent perk selection
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/528834068-braytech-werewolf#
How to get Braytech Werewolf:
Braytech Werewolf in Action:
9. Horror Story (PvE)
It never starts out scary.
Here’s yet another Festival of the Lost weapon. Like it’s counterpart, the Braytech Werewolf, it’s also a 450 RPM rifle. It has some good overall stats, but like most guns of the 450 RPM archetype, it’s an acquired taste.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 29
Range: 69
Stability: 51
Handling: 50
Reload Speed: 69
Rounds/Min: 450
Magazine: 32
Perks:
Precision Frame: This weapon's recoil pattern is more predictably vertical.
Zen Moment: Causing damage with this weapon increases its stability.
Rampage: Kills with this weapon temporarily grant increased damage. Stacks 3x.
What makes Horror Story good?:
- Decent overall stats
- Decent reload speed
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/3829285960-horror-story
How to get Horror Story:
Horror Story in Action:
10. Seventh Seraph Carbine (PvE, PvP)
The old workhorse, still with many years to give.
One of the cooler and more “realistic” looking weapons on the list, the Seventh Seraph Carbine not only looks the part but plays it too. The rifle also has a more unique perk in its curated roll: Elemental Capacitor, which boosts stability, handling, or reload speed depending on your equipped subclass’ element.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 29
Range: 62
Stability: 45
Handling: 45
Reload Speed: 47
Rounds/Min: 450
Magazine: 34
Perks:
Precision Frame: This weapon's recoil pattern is more predictably vertical.
Hip-Fire Grip: Increases accuracy, stability, and precision hit targeting when firing from the hip.
Moving Target: Increased movement speed and target acquisition when moving while aiming down sights.
What makes Seventh Seraph Carbine good?:
- Good overall stats
- Decent range
- Elemental Capacitor perk is makes weapon versatile
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/1561006927-seventh-seraph-carbine
How to get Seventh Seraph Carbine:
Seventh Seraph Carbine in Action:
11. Age-Old Bond (PvE, PvP)
Symbiosis. Not predation. Never predation, o wary one mine.
Check out this auto rifle, o reader mine. Age-Old Bond is an adaptive frame archetype gun from the Last Wish Raid. In the curated perk roll, you get a perk that returns two rounds to your magazine on precision hits. And with the high range stat doing that won’t be too difficult.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 33
Range: 100
Stability: 26
Handling: 35
Reload Speed: 50
Rounds/Min: 360
Magazine: 32
Perks:
High-Impact Frame: Slow-firing and high-damage. This weapon is more accurate when stationary and aiming down sights.
Fourth Time's the Charm: Rapidly landing precision hits will return two rounds to the magazine.
Rampage: Kills with this weapon temporarily grant increased damage. Stacks 3x.
What makes Age-Old Bond good?:
- Good curated roll
- Great range
- Good for PvE and decent for PvP
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/601592879-age-old-bond#
How to get Age-Old Bond:
You can acquire this gun as a drop from the Last Wish Raid
Age-Old Bond in Action:
12. Reckless Oracle (PvE)
"Knowing how it ends isn't the same as wanting it to be over." —Rekkana, Warlock of the Kentarch 3
Reckless Oracle is a Void rifle with a strong suit for PvE activities. 720 RPM autos aren’t too shabby right now. It’s a solid PvE gun with a good perk pool, which is to be expected; considering it is a raid weapon.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 18
Range: 40
Stability: 67
Handling: 57
Reload Speed: 60
Rounds/Min: 720
Magazine: 51
Perks:
Rapid-Fire Frame: Deeper ammo reserves. Slightly faster reload when magazine is empty.
Mulligan: Missing a shot has a chance to return ammo directly to the magazine.
Kill Clip: Reloading after a kill grants increased damage.
What makes Reckless Oracle good?:
- Decent stability
- Kill Clip perk good for PvE
- Good perks
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/3385326721-reckless-oracle
How to get Reckless Oracle:
You can acquire this gun as a drop from the Garden of Salvation Raid
Reckless Oracle in Action:
13. Tommy’s Matchbook (PvE)
"It's warm in here."
Are you a risk taker? Give Tommy’s Matchbook a spin. This solar exotic auto rifle increases damage as you hold down the trigger. The caveat is sustained fire will overheat the weapon and burn you. It’s a fun weapon to use as long as you minimize damage you take from enemies as that won’t help the burning effect. The catalyst is not worth it however.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 18
Range: 58
Stability: 59
Handling: 62
Reload Speed: 28
Rounds/Min: 720
Magazine: 72
Exotic Perks:
Ignition Trigger: Sustained fire with this weapon overheats it, increasing damage but burning the user.
Heat Sink: Overheat damage is reduced while not aiming down sights.
What makes Tommy’s Matchbook good?:
- Big magazine
- Surprisingly decent for PvP in the right conditions
- Burns stuff 10/10
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/776191470-tommys-matchbook
How to get Tommy’s Matchbook:
You can acquire this gun from the Shadowkeep Exotics kiosk at the Tower
Tommy’s Matchbook in Action:
14. The Summoner (Adept) (PvP)
Join the dance of fire and birth.
This Trials of Osiris weapon has returned once more, now with 50% more orange coloring! Like most Trials weapons, its strong suit is PvP activities. The Summoner is part of the 600 RPM auto rifle archetype, which is currently the best performing auto rifle category. However, I recommend mods/perks to help with the stability.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 21
Range: 47
Stability: 47
Handling: 82
Reload Speed: 42
Rounds/Min: 600
Magazine: 50
Perks:
Adaptive Frame: A well-rounded grip, reliable and sturdy.
Overflow: Picking up Special or Heavy ammo reloads this weapon to beyond normal capacity.
Dragonfly: Precision kills create an elemental damage explosion.
What makes The Summoner good?:
- Good handling
- Good perks
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/3514144928-the-summoner-adept
How to get The Summoner (Adept):
To acquire this gun you’ll need flawless chest completion in the Trials of Osiris Lighthouse.
The Summoner (Adept) in Action:
15. Arctic Haze (PvE, PvP)
"A haze permeates the air here, occluding clear sight. Be very sure of your aim." —The Exo Stranger
Arctic Haze is one of the new weapons from Beyond Light and is already a favorite for some players. It has a good selection of perks, but if you don’t like what you got, you can easily farm it.
Weapon Stats:
Impact: 18
Range: 42
Stability:53
Handling: 48
Reload Speed: 53
Rounds/Min: 720
Magazine: 51
Perks:
Rapid-Fire Frame: Deeper ammo reserves. Slightly faster reload when magazine is empty.
Genesis: Breaking a combatant's shield with this weapon fills its magazine from reserves. Energy weapons regenerate ammo on hit when matching the damage type to the combatant's shield.
Elemental Capacitor: Increased stats based on the currently equipped subclass. • [Solar] increases reload speed • [Arc] increases handling • [Void] increases stability
What makes Arctic Haze good?:
- Easy to farm
- Good perks
Weapon Details:
https://destinytracker.com/destiny-2/db/items/20935540-arctic-haze#
How to get Arctic Haze:
Arctic Haze in Action:
Liked our list? What weapons are best? Let us know in the comments below!
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