Best Auto Rifles in Destiny 2 for PvE & PvP

Destiny 2 offers a myriad of choices when it comes to Auto Rifles, with the classic weapon type being among the most reliable in the sandbox, especially if you use the best in both the PvP and PvE meta.

There’s an unmatched appeal to Auto Rifles, as they are attractively simple while remaining effective. Gone are the days when Auto Rifles were considered average, as in the current meta, they are frequently used in Raids, Dungeons, and even GM Nightfalls.

Auto Rifles are in an excellent spot right now, providing a great balance of damage, ease of use, and consistency. Using either Legendary or Exotic weapons in this weapon class ensures that you have a strong primary, and these are the best Auto Rifles in Destiny 2, ranked from best to worst in our comprehensive tier list.

Auto Rifle tier list

Our tiers explained

• S: The best Auto Rifles in the game
• A: Very good Auto Rifles that can hold their own in high-end content
• B: There are situations where these Auto Rifles can perform well, but they aren’t meta
• C: It’s best to avoid using these Auto Rifles

S-Tier

Khvostov 7G-0X

Dexerto

• Element: Kinetic
• Source: The Pale Heart Exotic Quest
• Best Use: PvE + PvP

Khvostov 7G-0X is one of the best weapons introduced to Destiny 2 in The Final Shape. This weapon has a special perk where every seventh bullet deals additional damage and ricochets to nearby targets, which is deadly, no matter what part of the sandbox it’s used in. Even after it was nerfed, Khvostov has remained one of the most used weapons in PvP.

Considering it can hold 43 bullets in its magazine, you can easily shred through multiple enemies without having to reload. The catch is that obtaining Khvostov 7G-0X involves a time-consuming Exotic quest, but given its incredible strength, you’ll want to go and do it.

Choir of One

Dexerto

• Element: Void
• Source: Encore Exotic Mission
• Best Use: PvE

When it first arrived in Episode Echoes, Choir of One quickly became the best Exotic weapon in Destiny 2. However, it was later nerfed, with its ammo reserves taking a hit. Even after these changes, this is still an unbelievable weapon and a top-tier option for Guardians who like the idea of an Auto Rifle that hits harder than any other.

These days, you need to be more mindful of using its shotgun mod too often, as you can quickly run out of ammo. Yet once you master balancing this, there’s no doubt that Choir of One is an elite-tier weapon that belongs among the game’s very best. If there’s ever an Auto Rifle anti-champion mod or it’s a Void-focused season, you can bet a lot of people will be using this.

The Summoner

Dexerto

• Element: Solar
• Archetype: Adaptive
• Source: Trials of Osiris
• Best Use: PvE & PvP

The Summoner is one of the most iconic Destiny weapons of all time. Its legacy isn’t just for show either, with this being one of the best PvP weapons you can use, with it shredding through enemies in both 6v6 and 3v3.

While the Heal Clip and Kill Clip combo is pretty good, it’s Onslaught that makes this weapon such a scary prospect. The only challenge is that you’ll have to play Trials of Osiris to farm The Summoner, which can be brutal if you aren’t used to high-level PvP.

Ros Arago IV

Dexerto

• Element: Void
• Archetype: Adaptive
• Source: World Loot Pool
• Best Use: PvE

Released in the World Loot Pool back in Lightfall, Ros Arago IV took the community by storm. Despite being an almost entirely RNG drop that you couldn’t actively farm, it was the best Auto Rifle in the game at that time. That remains true in The FInal Shape, but it’s much easier to get now thanks to Tonics and Lost Sectors.

The rare perk combination of Rewind Rounds and Onslaught gives it Trace Rifle damage, despite this being a primary ammo weapon. Equally, Adaptive frame Auto Rifles are performing well in the current meta, so it’s no surprise that this has become such a popular pick. It’ll take some time to get your god roll, but the wait is worth it given how good this is.

The Riposte

Dexerto

• Element: Void
• Archetype: Lightweight
• Source: Competitive
• Best Use: PvP

The featured weapons in Competitive have been somewhat hit or miss as of late. For every Rose, there’s a Belisarius-D – an average weapon that does not justify the grind. However, Revenant’s addition of The Riposte does not disappoint, with it being one of the best Auto Rifles you can use in PvP right now.

It has a competitive TTK, next to no recoil, and excellent stats that are among the best of any Auto Rifle. Even better, it’s a Lightweight Frame, so you gain mobility benefits that make getting around the map easier. You know Bungie was cooking when they made Riposte, as this is a rare case of a Legendary weapon with a brand new model. They really tried when making this, and their efforts were a success.

Ammit AR2

Bungie

• Element: Solar
• Archetype: Precision
• Source: Gunsmith
• Best Use: PvE & PvP

The Ammit AR2 has a fantastic Origin Trait in Omolon Fluid Dynamics, spectacular range, and access to the unreal combination of Dynamic Sway Reduction and Tap the Trigger. Honestly, this weapon does not have any unique trick to it, but rather it’s just so well-rounded that there’s no reason not to use it.

You can run it with anything you like, and it works. Additionally, the red border for this weapon is extremely easy to get, being received as a reward for completing The Witch Queen campaign. This makes Ammit AR2 by far the most accessible Auto Rifle that dominates the PvP meta.

Rufus’s Fury

Bungie

• Element: Strand
• Archetype: Rapid Fire
• Source: Root of Nightmares Raid
• Best Use: PvE

As Legendary Auto Rifles go, it doesn’t get better than Rufus’s Fury. This weapon offers the exact same benefits as Abyss Defiant, except for Strand builds rather than Solar. Rufus’s Fury being Rapid Fire Frame means it works brilliantly against Minors, with this frame performing extremely well in the current sandbox.

Additionally, this gun is a lot more accessible when compared to something like The Summoner since Root of Nightmares is an easy raid, even for new players.

Fair Judgment

Dexerto

• Element: Stasis
• Archetype: Precision
• Source: Ritual Weapon (Episode: Revenant)
• Best Use: PvE/PvP

It happened. Bungie has released a Ritual Weapon that you need to get. Be it for PvE or PvP, Fair Judgment is an incredible Stasis AR that has exclusively god-tier perks: Rimestealer and Headstone are perfect for Stasis build synergy, while Dynamic Sway Reduction and Onslaught make it as accurate as it is lethal in the Crucible.

It’s not like you need to grind much to get this either. Just level up any ritual vendor to rank 15, and it’s yours, though a few extra ornaments are available for going the extra mile. Either way, you’ll be getting your hands on the best Stasis Auto Rifle in Destiny 2. No RNG needed, just play the game as you normally would, and this powerful primary is all yours.

Braytech Werewolf

Dexerto

• Element: Kinetic
• Archetype: Precision
• Source: Festival of the Lost
• Best Use: PvE/PvP

Let’s be honest, you don’t care that much about Festival of the Lost. Most years, the only reason to take part is to farm Lost Mementos, and even they’ve lost some value thanks to the Superblack shader. However, FoTL 2024 introduced the reprised variant of Braytech Werewold, and it’s an incredible weapon that you will regret missing out on.

Basically, this is Vos Arago IV, but Kinetic. It rolls the exact same meta perk combination but also gets access to Kinetic Tremors. Since it’s a Kinetic weapon, it also deals 15% more damage to all non-boss enemies, making it hit harder than its Void counterpart. Obvioulsy, it lacks the build synergy that Vos Arago has, but if you just want raw damage, this is a fantastic Auto Rifle.

A-Tier

VS Pyroelectric Propellant

Dexerto

• Element: Arc
• Archetype: Adaptive
• Source: Vesper’s Host
• Best Use: PvE

Eddy Current’s glow-up in The FInal Shape has given a lot of weapons that you once overlooked another chance to be meta. Equally, it’s allowed Bungie to toy around with new god rolls, such as Eddy Current and Jolting Feedback. Only a small handful of weapons get both of these perks, and the not so elegantly named VS Pyroelectric Propellant is one of them.

We all know how incredible Voltshot is. Now imagine that, but you don’t need to reload. Just fire away and watch everything in sight get Jolted. If you are using an Arc build, this will make you Amplified, not only increasing how often Jolting Feedback activates but also turning Eddy Current into one of the best support perks in the game. It’s a one-two combination you won’t want to miss out on.

Necrochasm

Dexerto

• Element: Kinetic
• Source: Crota’s End
• Best Use: PvE

Most people’s first impression of Necrochasm when it was added was that it was good but not great. Considering how much work it is to acquire and that it’s a Raid Exotic, most players weren’t overly impressive. However, it was massively buffed in The Final Shape, and is now among the best Auto Rifles for add clear.

Cursebringer and One for Thrall work together to not only boost damage by 35% but also wipe legions of additional enemies with ease. All you have to do is land precision shots, which isn’t overly difficult in this day and age. You can even pair it with Necrotic Grips to poison everything in sight, making this Exotic weapon as versatile as it is strong.

Abyss Defiant

Bungie

• Element: Solar
• Archetype: High Impact
• Source: Crota’s End Raid
• Best Use: PvE

This is one of the best Auto Rifles you can use in PvE right now. The reason why this weapon is so good is because of its perk combination and accessibility for those who enjoy raiding. The Heal Clip/Kill Clip combination helps with damage and sustainability, while the combination of Reconstruction/Incandescent works well with Solar builds.

The fact you can craft this weapon makes Abyss Defiant even better, as it lets you pick whatever Masterwork you want for extra stats. The only downside is that you will need to find a couple of players to run the Crota’s End raid, which can be tricky to do.

Age Old Bond

Bungie

• Element: Void
• Archetype: High Impact
• Source: Last Wish Raid
• Best Use: PvE

This is the best Auto Rifle to use if you are running a Void build, especially on Warlocks. The Repulsor Brace and Destabilizing Round combo let you constantly upkeep a Void Shield and easily proc Volatile Rounds, which are great for add clear.

Additionally, these perks make it possible to keep Devour active for prolonged periods if you keep getting kills, greatly improving sustain. When taking on some of Destiny’s hardest content, sustain becomes more important than raw damage, making Age Old Bond a strong choice for high-power activities.

Prosecutor

Dexerto

• Element: Solar
• Archetype: Support
• Source: The Pale Heart
• Best Use: PvE/PvP

Obviously, any Arc weapon that gets Voltshot and Dragonfly is going to be good, and this is no exception. That alone makes Prosecutor viable in PvE, with Keep Away offering a good alternative for those wanting to take advantage of its range. However, it’s in PvP where this reprised dungeon weapon truly excels, with it being one of the best Auto Rifles in the Crucible.

It gets access to Zen Moment, Keep Away, and Target Lock, all of which are meta perks. More interestingly, Prosecutor feels incredible to fire and is very easy to keep on target. From our experience, controller players will have an especially good time using this, but it’s really good on MnK too. This is one of those Auto Rifles that, once you use it, you’ll have a hard time switching to anything else.

No Hesitation

Bungie

• Element: Solar
• Archetype: Support
• Source: The Pale Heart
• Best Use: PvE

No Hesitation was added in The Final Shape. This is a Support Frame weapon where dealing damage builds a restorative charge. You can then hip-fire the weapon to heal your allies. However, don’t fall into the newbie trap of assuming this is just a fun yet niche healing gun.

No Hesitation is at its best when it’s treated like a Solar AR that can also heal, rather than a healing gun that gets Solar perks. Use this weapon just like you would other meta Solar Auto Rifles like Ammit AR2, and it won’t let you down.

Quicksilver Storm

Dexerto

• Element: Strand
• Source: Monument to Lost Lights
• Best Use: PvE

While Rufus’s Fury works best with Warlocks, Quicksilver Storm is the Auto Rifle of choice for Hunter and Titan mains. This weapon hits hard, and the Grenades hit even harder. You can deal around 45,000 – 50,000 damage per shot with Grenade Chaser, which makes this one of the very few Primary weapons that can easily dispose of Majors.

Also, this Exotic weapon fires at 720 RPM, which makes it an ideal choice for efficient add clear. All you need to do is not miss your shots, as that will make recharging the Grenades a bit difficult, especially following this gun’s hefty nerfs in Season 23.

Horror Story

Dexerto

• Element: Stasis
• Archetype: Precision
• Source: Festival of the Lost
• Best Use: PvE/PvP

Horror Story is an often overlooked weapon that most people don’t talk about. That’s probably because it is exclusive to Festival of the Lost and hasn’t been reprised since last year. Even so, it has a really good perk pook that includes Demolitionist and Headstone for PvE, as well as Dynamic Sway Reduction and Target Lock for PvP.

Whether you are looking to make a new Stasis build and need a primary weapon to fit or are interested in trying out an Auto Rifle in PvP, this is a strong option that will serve you well. Admittedly, Fair Judgment is preferred these days, but if you happen to own this or stumble across one, we encourage you to give it a go. You might be surprised by just how powerful this gun can be when used right.

Centrifuse

Bungie

• Element: Arc
• Source: Monument to Lost Lights
• Best Use: PvE + PvP

Centrifuse is an Exotic gun that was introduced in Season 21. This unique Exotic hardly ever has to be reloaded, as it automatically tops up the magazine as you run around. That, plus its unique trait granting it greatly increased range, makes this AR a superb all-around choice for run and gun playstyles.

Once you use it with an Arc build, you can get a kill, proc the Amplified buff, and zip around the map at breakneck speed. You should consider using this weapon with something like The Stag or any meta Prismatic Exotic.

Chroma Rush

Dexerto

• Element: Kinetic
• Archetype: Rapid-Fire
• Source: Episode: Revenant
• Best Use: PvE/PvP

You probably forgot that Chroma Rush existed, as the original version released back in Season 16 has been long since powercrept. However, it was reprised in Revenant, and given a fresh perk pool that can compete with the very best, both in PvE and PvP.

Any gun that gets Kinetic Tremors is going to be strong in PvE, with it dealing big damage against tankier targets, an area primary weapons often struggle. It’s good in PvP too, with Dynamic Sway Reduction and Target Lock being as reliable an option as ever for slaying Guardians. It might not quite be top-tier, but it’s worth using this gun if you get one, especially since Tonics make it easy enough to farm.

B-Tier

WEAPON	ARCHETYPE	PVE GOD ROLL	PVP GOD ROLL
Lethal Abundance	Strand(High-Impact)	Keep AwayHatchling	Keep Away Tap the Trigger
Monte Carlo	Kinetic(Exotic)	Curated Roll	Curated Roll
Old Sterling	Strand(Adaptive)	Rewind RoundsFrenzy	SurplusHarmony
Shadow Price	Arc(Precision)	Stats for AllVoltshot	SurplusGutshot Straight
Tommy’s Matchbook	Solar(Exotic)	Curated Roll	Curated Roll
Tigerspite	Kinetic(Auto Rifle)	OverflowKinetic Tremors	OutlawKill Clip
Sweet Sorrow	Arc(Rapid-Fire)	Stats for AllOne for All	Perpetual MotionTap the Trigger
Sorrow’s Verse	Arc(Adaptive)	SubsistenceFrenzy	Dynamic Sway ReductionSnapshot Sights
Perpetualis	Strand(Adaptive)	Keep AwayHatchling	Keep AwayTarget Lock
Cerberus+1	Kinetic(Exotic)	Curated Roll	Curated Roll
Arctic Haze	Solar(Rapid-Fire)	SubsistenceDragonfly	Killing WindEye of the Storm
Duty Bound	Kinetic(Adaptive)	Triple TapFrenzy	Perpetual MotionDynamic Sway Reduction
Veiled Threat	Stasis(Rapid-Fire)	StrategistHeadstone	Fragile FocusMoving Target
Herod-C	Stasis(High-Impact)	SubsistenceFrenzy	Dynamic Sway ReductionTap the Trigger
Krait	Stasis(Rapid-Fire)	SubsistenceHeadstone	Compulsive ReloaderMoving Target
SUROS Regime	Kinetic(Exotic)	Curated Roll	Curated Roll
The Last Breath	Kinetic(Adaptive)	SubsistenceFrenzy	Dynamic Sway ReductionRangefinder

C-Tier

WEAPON	ARCHETYPE	PVE GOD ROLL	PVP GOD ROLL
Sweet Business	Kinetic(Exotic)	Curated Roll	Curated Roll
The Number	Arc(Precision)	Killing WindMultikill Clip	SurplusMultikill Clip
Seventh Seraph Carbine	Kinetic(Precision)	ReconstructionFrenzy	Dynamic Sway ReductionTarget Lock
Firefright	Kinetic(Precision)	Fragile FocusAdagio	Threat DetectorElemental Capacitor
Arc Logic	Arc(Adaptive)	SubsistenceFrenzy	Killing WindElemental Capacitor
Chrysura Melo	Solar(High-Impact)	OutlawDragonfly	Dynamic Sway ReductionMultikill Clip
Hard Light	Void(Exotic)	Curated Roll	Curated Roll

Looking for a meta Destiny 2 loadout to pair with these Auto Rifles? Check out the best Hunter builds, Titan builds, and Warlock builds. You’ll also want to keep on top of the current Dungeon and Raid rotation to make sure you don’t miss out on loot from those encounters.