Auto rifles in Destiny 2 are, as the name implies, full-auto firing primary weapons that are great at crowd control. There are plenty to choose from, so here are our picks for the 10 best PVE auto rifles in Destiny 2. This list isn’t in any particular order — these are all great weapons depending on your needs and preferences.
Best Destiny 2 PVE Auto Rifles
1. Krait
Introduced in the Witch Queen expansion, Krait is an outstanding 720 RPM Stasis auto rifle. The Veist Stinger Origin Trait combined with a perk like Subsistence or Overflow means that it can fire for long periods without needing to reload, and One For All or Headstone are both solid picks for a damage/crowd control fourth column perk. Krait is simply a blast to wield, especially if you’re a Stasis user.
2. Ammit AR2
The Ammit AR2 has a lot going for it — a reliable precision frame, a useful Origin Trait, and the Incandescent perk. Oh, and did we mention that you can easily craft it through the quest introduced to Destiny 2 in Season of the Haunted? If you need a Solar auto rifle, the Ammit AR2 will see you through a lot of the game’s content.
3. Monte Carlo
The first Exotic auto rifle on this list, Monte Carlo may not stand up to content like Grandmaster Nightfalls, but for everything else it chews through enemies. It’s a melee-focused weapon, so it pairs best with builds that want to use their melee abilities as often as possible. Plus, it looks great and has several nice ornaments.
4. Centrifuse
The Centrifuse is one of the new Exotics introduced during the Season of the Deep, and it’s already becoming a fan-favorite among auto rifle aficionados. Its Overcharge Capacitor will charge your weapon after sprinting, sliding, and firing. With a high charge, final blows create a huge explosion. High mobility builds will also benefit from the Regenerative Motion trait, which automatically reloads the Centrifuse. This is a great all-rounder weapon that will excel in both PVE and PVP.
5. Old Sterling
If what you need is a well-rounded Adaptive Frame auto rifle, then the Old Sterling might be the right pick for you. For PVE activities, aim for the Rewind Rounds and Frenzy trait combination. The first rewards your hits with reserve refills once the weapon’s mag is empty. The second trait improves your damage, handling, and reload speed while you remain in combat.
6. Abyss Defiant
The Crota’s End raid weapons are already popular in Destiny 2. While the High-Impact Frame of the Abyss Defiant auto rifle is something not many might be accustomed to, its trait variety surely makes up for it. You can make this weapon reload automatically, thanks to the Reconstruction or Subsistence traits, while Incandescent Scorch enemies after defeating a target. Sword Logic and Target Lock are good alternatives as well.
7. Quicksilver Storm
Quicksilver Storm has a neat intrinsic perk that fires micro-rockets after landing a few hits. Hitting enemies with a few of these rockets in turn enables a grenade launcher alternate firing mode. An all-around solid weapon, Quicksilver Storm feels great to use — it’s essentially an Exotic version of the old Steelfeather Repeater (RIP). Plus, with its catalyst it becomes a Strand weapon that has great synergy with Strand subclasses.
8. Perpetualis
A craftable Strand auto rifle from Season of Defiance, Perpetualis can generate Threadlings with its Hatchling perk. It also has a number of great reload perks like Keep Away and Envious Assassin, making a strong pick even if you aren’t specifically looking for a Strand weapon.
9. Rufus’s Fury
Obtainable from the Root of Nightmares raid, Rufus’s Fury is yet another Strand auto rifle. What distinguishes it from Perpetualis is access to perks like Reconstruction and Rewind Rounds, as well as being a rapid-fire weapon. Both of those perks, it’s worth noting, pair well with Target Lock.
10. Necrochasm
Necrochasm is a reprised Exotic auto rifle from the Crota’s End raid. It might not be the most popular choice on the list, but its Exotic perks carry potential. Cursebringer causes a Cursed Thrall explosion after precision final blows. If you defeat enemies with said explosion, your magazine will refill. Desperation grants you an increased rate of fire, stability, and aim assist when you reload after a precision or Cursed Thrall explosion final blow.
Update History
- October 2023: Removed: Age-Old Bond, Gnawing Hunger, and the Chroma Rush. Added Old Sterling, Abyss Defiant, and the Necrochasm.
- July 2023: Removed Sweet Sorrow, Lodbrok-C, and Duty Bound. Added Centrifuse, Age-Old Bond, and Chroma Rush.
- March 2023: Removed Chroma Rush and The Last Breath, added Perpetualis and Rufus’s Fury
