The best Pulse Rifles in Destiny 2

Medium range killers.
Destiny 2
Image via Bungie

Pulse Rifles will appeal to a very specific type of player in Destiny 2. They can kill quickly, from a decent range, but will lack the hard-hitting one-shot potential of something like a Sniper Rifle, or the close-quarters reliability of Shotgun. They can be highly rewarding for players with strong recoil control, as landing all rounds in a burst can do impressive damage. 

Recommended Videos

To really shine with Pulse Rifles you need to be very aware of where your enemies are on the map, then surprise them by closing the distances when you can no longer hold on to your range advantage. If enemies learn that your game falls apart if they rush you, then you are going to have a hard time. 

Below, we will run through some of the best Pulse Rifles in Destiny 2. 

Bygones

Bygones has been a top tier, highly relevant Pulse Rifle across multiple seasons. You can get it by completing a quest for the Drifter, and it will prove to be highly rewarding in PvP. Kill Clip, Rampage, High-Caliber Rounds and a range Masterwork make up a great roll for taking out your fellow Guardians. Based on how well the weapon has performed across multiple seasons, the time spent getting it is a worthwhile investment. 

Stats

Impact29
Range53
Stability60
Handling 60
Reload Speed 33
Rounds/Min390
Magazine 47

Redrix Broadsword

This Crucible weapon is an absolute monster, and more than likely always will be. It takes some work to get it but is absolutely worth it. This weapon shines in PvP, and if you can get the Desperado perk to activate, you will be able to out damage just about any enemy in the game.

Stats

Impact33
Range 64
Stability 69
Handling 33
Reload Speed44
Rounds/Min340
Magazine27

Vigilance Wing

Not for the faint-hearted, Vigilance Wing is an Exotic Pulse Rifle that will feel extremely rewarding for people who can regularly land all five rounds that it fires in one burst. It can take some getting used to, but when you tame this monster there is no other Pulse Rifle that can put down enemies as fast, or as efficiently, as this can. It takes some getting used to, but it’s a monster when you figure it out.

Stats

Impact33
Range 69
Stability 73
Handling 49
Reload Speed46
Rounds/Min530
Magazine30

Outlast

You can get the Outlast from Gambit Prime or Reckoning, and it can roll with Extended Barrel, Acurized Rounds, Outlaw/Feeding Frenzy, and Kill Clip/Rampage. Fast fire rate, potentially lightning-fast reload, and a very short time-to-kill, just about everything you want from a Pulse Rifle.

Stats

Impact23
Range 46
Stability 61
Handling29
Reload Speed 42
Rounds/Min540
Magazine 35

Sacred Provenance

This Pulse Rifle will only drop from the Garden of Salvation Raid but is worth the effort to try and get. It’s a four-round burst and can drop with Rapid Hit, so the perk plays beautifully on this weapon.

Stats

Impact35
Range 81
Stability61
Handling 41
Reload Speed42
Rounds/Min450
Magazine 49

Bad Juju

The Bad Juju makes the list solely for its ability to turn you into a barely contained super machine in PvE. Kills with this weapon refill your magazine, increase your damage, and give you Super energy. It does suffer somewhat at longer ranges, but when you get it spooled up it’s a beast in most of the game activities.

Impact27
Range 46
Stability 79
Handling 60
Reload Speed52
Rounds/Min450
Magazine27

Gamepur is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article All Vanguard Medals for Guardian Games in Destiny 2
Glaives in the Guardian Games in Destiny 2
Read Article Contender Cards in Destiny 2’s Guardian Games – How to Get Them and What They Do
Guardian Games Contender Cards in Destiny 2
Read Article How to Get the Guardian Games Armor Sets in Destiny 2
Guardian Games 2022 showcasing Guardian Armor Sets
Read Article How to Complete Riven’s Wishes II in Destiny 2 – Week 1
destiny 2 rivens wishes quest guide featured image
Read Article How to Complete Wishing All the Best in Destiny 2 – Week 6
Related Content
Read Article All Vanguard Medals for Guardian Games in Destiny 2
Glaives in the Guardian Games in Destiny 2
Read Article Contender Cards in Destiny 2’s Guardian Games – How to Get Them and What They Do
Guardian Games Contender Cards in Destiny 2
Read Article How to Get the Guardian Games Armor Sets in Destiny 2
Guardian Games 2022 showcasing Guardian Armor Sets
Read Article How to Complete Riven’s Wishes II in Destiny 2 – Week 1
destiny 2 rivens wishes quest guide featured image
Read Article How to Complete Wishing All the Best in Destiny 2 – Week 6
Author
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien has been playing games for over three decades and has been writing about them for five years. When not getting stomped on by the creations of Hidetaka Miyazaki, he enjoys spending too much time in Warframe, Destiny 2 and any other ARPG with a solid grind. When not writing, he is doing inexplicable behind-the-scenes magic for GAMURS Group.