The Hardest Hitting Pulse Rifle in Destiny 2: A Deep Dive

The title of “hardest hitting” in Destiny 2 is always a shifting landscape, influenced by constant sandbox changes, new weapon releases, and evolving player strategies. However, focusing specifically on Legendary Pulse Rifles for PvE, and factoring in ease of acquisition and consistent performance, the Chattering Bone stands out as a contender. Its unique perk combinations, notably Kill Clip and Rapid Hit in the first column, coupled with Kinetic Tremors or Rampage in the second, allow for incredibly high sustained damage output.

It is crucial to understand “hardest hitting” is not always just about raw damage per shot. It also factors in damage per second (DPS), ease of maintaining damage buffs, and overall usability. While some Exotic Pulse Rifles can achieve higher burst damage under specific conditions, the Chattering Bone’s consistency makes it a solid and reliable choice. Many other great rifles could be listed here, but Chattering Bone is one of the easiest to obtain.

Understanding Pulse Rifle Archetypes

Pulse Rifles in Destiny 2 come in various archetypes, each with its own rate of fire and impact characteristics. These include:

• Rapid-Fire Frame: High rate of fire, deeper ammo reserves, faster reload speed when the magazine is empty. These are great for sustained damage but can lack individual shot impact.
• Adaptive Frame: Well-rounded performance, a good balance of rate of fire and impact. A safe choice for most situations.
• Aggressive Frame: Highest impact per shot but a slower rate of fire. Reward precision and can stagger enemies more effectively.
• Lightweight Frame: Increased movement speed when equipped. Focuses on agility and repositioning during combat.
• High-Impact Frame: Slowest rate of fire, but boasts exceptional damage and the highest burst damage. Demands precision due to recoil and slow firing speed.
• Precision Frame: Reliable recoil and precise damage output, emphasizing accuracy over raw power.

The Chattering Bone benefits significantly from its perk pool, which can effectively mitigate any perceived weaknesses in its archetype.

Top Contenders for Hardest Hitting Pulse Rifle

While Chattering Bone is a strong contender, let’s consider other Pulse Rifles and their strengths:

• Outbreak Perfected: This Exotic Pulse Rifle excels in PvE due to its nanite swarm, which spreads between enemies and deals sustained damage. While not necessarily the “hardest hitting” per shot, its total damage output against groups is exceptional.
• Revision Zero: Another powerful Exotic, this rifle can switch between a Pulse Rifle and a Sniper Rifle mode after accumulating data from headshots. The Sniper mode delivers high damage, but the Pulse Rifle mode itself is more about utility.
• BXR-55 Battler: A legendary option, particularly effective in PvP due to its range and stability. While good, it doesn’t quite reach the same damage potential as Chattering Bone in PvE.
• No Time to Explain: Its ability to summon a time-displaced version of itself makes it a potent choice for sustained damage, particularly during boss fights.
• Graviton Lance: An exotic offering with an intrinsic perk that causes enemies to explode, offering great add clear.
• Collective Obligation: Exotic that can leech Void debuffs from your enemies. It is strong in the right builds.

The “best” Pulse Rifle often depends on the specific encounter, your build, and your personal playstyle.

The Importance of Perks

Perks are crucial in determining a weapon’s effectiveness. Here are some key perks to look for on Pulse Rifles:

• Kill Clip: Reloading after a kill grants increased damage. This is a cornerstone perk for many high-damage builds.
• Rapid Hit: Rapidly landing precision hits increases stability and reload speed. Great for maintaining accuracy and DPS.
• Rampage: Kills with this weapon increase damage for a short duration. Stacks up to three times. Another strong damage perk.
• Kinetic Tremors: Damaging an enemy for an extended duration creates a damaging shockwave. Excellent for crowd control and sustained damage.
• Desperado: Reloading after a kill significantly increases the weapon’s rate of fire. High risk, high reward perk.
• Headseeker: Body shots landed after a missed precision shot grant increased precision damage and aim assistance. Great for consistency.
• Perpetual Motion: This weapon gains increased stability, handling, and reload speed while the wielder is in motion.

The synergy between these perks significantly impacts the overall damage output and usability of a Pulse Rifle. For example, Kill Clip paired with Rapid Hit on Chattering Bone creates a loop of increased damage and faster reloads, making it very effective in prolonged engagements.

Maximizing Your Pulse Rifle Damage

Beyond choosing the right weapon and perks, here are some tips for maximizing your Pulse Rifle damage:

• Aim for Precision: Headshots deal significantly more damage. Practice your aim to consistently land critical hits.
• Utilize Mods: Weapon mods can further enhance your Pulse Rifle’s performance. Consider mods like Targeting Adjuster, Backup Mag, or Counterbalance Stock.
• Optimize Your Build: Synergize your Pulse Rifle with your character’s subclass and armor mods. Certain subclasses and mods can provide damage buffs or enhance weapon handling.
• Maintain Buffs: Pay attention to any damage buffs you have active, such as Kill Clip, Rampage, or subclass-specific buffs. Ensure you maintain these buffs for optimal damage output.
• Teamwork: Coordinate with your teammates to apply debuffs to enemies, further increasing your damage output.

By combining the right weapon, perks, mods, and strategies, you can significantly boost your Pulse Rifle’s damage potential.

FAQs: Pulse Rifles in Destiny 2

1. What makes a Pulse Rifle good in Destiny 2?

A good Pulse Rifle balances damage, range, stability, and ease of use. It should feel comfortable to shoot and allow you to consistently land precision hits. Strong perks are also essential for maximizing its potential.

2. Are Pulse Rifles good in PvE?

Yes, Pulse Rifles are generally good in PvE, especially for mid-range engagements and add clear. Some Pulse Rifles, like Outbreak Perfected, excel at sustained damage against bosses.

3. Are Pulse Rifles good in PvP?

Pulse Rifles can be very effective in PvP, particularly at mid-range. High-stability Pulse Rifles with perks like Headseeker or Rangefinder are popular choices.

4. Which is better, Auto Rifle or Pulse Rifle?

It depends on the situation and personal preference. Auto Rifles offer more sustained fire, while Pulse Rifles offer higher burst damage. Pulse Rifles are generally better at longer ranges.

5. How do I improve my aim with Pulse Rifles?

Practice makes perfect. Focus on burst firing and controlling recoil. Adjust your sensitivity settings to find what feels comfortable. Using mods like Targeting Adjuster can also help.

6. What are the best mods for Pulse Rifles?

Some popular mods for Pulse Rifles include Targeting Adjuster, Backup Mag, Counterbalance Stock, and Icarus Grip (for airborne accuracy).

7. Can Pulse Rifles penetrate shields?

Yes, some Exotic Pulse Rifles, like Revision Zero, have perks that allow them to penetrate Anti-Barrier Shields.

8. What is a “god roll” for a Pulse Rifle?

A “god roll” refers to the combination of perks that maximizes a weapon’s potential for a specific activity. This varies from person to person. Some examples are above in the main text.

9. How important is stability on a Pulse Rifle?

Stability is very important on a Pulse Rifle, as it reduces recoil and makes it easier to land follow-up shots.

10. Where can I find good Pulse Rifles?

Pulse Rifles can drop from various sources, including Engrams, Raids, Dungeons, and vendor rewards. Keep an eye out for weapons with desirable perks.

11. Is it worth masterworking a Pulse Rifle?

Yes, masterworking a Pulse Rifle increases its stats and adds a kill tracker. This is a worthwhile investment for weapons you use frequently.

12. Are there any new Pulse Rifles coming to Destiny 2?

New weapons are regularly added to Destiny 2 with each season and expansion. Keep an eye on the Destiny 2 news and community channels for announcements.

13. What Pulse Rifle is most similar to the Battle Rifle from Halo?

Many players compare the BXR-55 Battler to the Battle Rifle from Halo due to its aesthetics and performance characteristics.

14. How can I stay updated on weapon meta changes in Destiny 2?

Follow Destiny 2 content creators, read patch notes from Bungie, and participate in community discussions.

15. Are Games Learning Society involved with Destiny 2?

While the Games Learning Society focuses on the educational aspects of gaming, the principles of learning and engagement apply to games like Destiny 2 as well. Destiny 2’s complex systems and collaborative gameplay offer learning opportunities. You can learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

Determining the “hardest hitting” Pulse Rifle in Destiny 2 is a complex question with no simple answer. The Chattering Bone, with its potent perk combinations, stands out as a reliable and effective choice, especially for PvE content. However, other Pulse Rifles, both Exotic and Legendary, can excel in specific situations. By understanding the different Pulse Rifle archetypes, perks, and strategies, you can find the perfect weapon to suit your playstyle and dominate the battlefield. The shifting weapon meta in Destiny 2 keeps the thrill alive.