Is Reckless Endangerment a Good PvP Shotgun?
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The short answer is: Reckless Endangerment is a decent but not exceptional PvP shotgun. While it’s a solid option, especially for players who don’t have access to top-tier shotguns, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the meta defining weapons in Destiny 2’s Crucible. Think of it as a reliable “7/10” choice – it will get the job done reasonably well, but it won’t consistently outperform players armed with more potent options. Let’s delve into the details to understand why this is the case.
The Basics of Reckless Endangerment
Reckless Endangerment is a Lightweight Frame shotgun, obtainable as the ritual weapon from the Season of the Risen. Its key characteristic is its lightweight frame, granting it superb handling. This means you’ll be able to aim down sights and switch to and from it much more quickly than you would a heavier frame shotgun, which provides a benefit to mobility. It is a Kinetic weapon which means it competes for space in your loadout with a lot of other top tier Kinetic weapons. It is acquired by reaching rank 16 with Commander Zavala, Lord Shaxx, or the Drifter through the respective activities. You can also purchase it from the Monument to Lost Lights after the season it was introduced in.
Advantages
- Easy to Obtain: A major advantage of Reckless Endangerment is its ease of acquisition. It’s designed as a pursuit weapon, meaning it’s relatively straightforward to get by simply playing the game.
- Reliable Handling: The Lightweight Frame translates to fast draw and ready times, which can be crucial in the fast-paced environment of the Crucible.
- Solid Base Stats: While not exceptional, the base stats of Reckless Endangerment are competent enough to perform adequately in most PvP engagements.
Disadvantages
- Not a Top-Tier Performer: The biggest drawback is that it’s outclassed by several other shotguns in the game. It lacks the “oomph” of weapons like Matador 64 or the craftable Ragnhild-D.
- Limited Perk Pool: Its perk combinations, while functional, often don’t offer the synergistic advantages you see on the absolute best shotguns in Destiny 2.
- Lack of Range: While range on shotguns isn’t always needed, it can be the difference between a kill and trading. This lack of range is a disadvantage Reckless Endangerment suffers from.
- Lightweight Frame: While superb handling is nice, the lightweight frame means it loses out on range and impact compared to other archetypes such as Aggressive or Precision.
Why It Doesn’t Dominate the Crucible
The competitive landscape of Destiny 2’s PvP is harsh. The meta is dominated by weapons that excel in specific areas like range, lethality, or perk combinations. Reckless Endangerment, while serviceable, lacks the singular edge needed to consistently compete with these meta-defining options.
Matador 64, for example, boasts incredible range and devastating damage, making it an undisputed top-tier choice. Ragnhild-D, while not as powerful, can be crafted with specific perks to fit a players style. These advantages simply elevate these shotguns beyond Reckless Endangerment’s capabilities.
In short, Reckless Endangerment is a good starting point or if you’re looking for a consistent, easily obtainable option. However, if you want to maximize your performance, you’ll need to pursue more competitive shotguns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best shotgun in Destiny 2 for PvP?
Currently, Matador 64 is widely regarded as the best PvP shotgun due to its exceptional range, strong perks, and farmable nature.
2. Is Smoothbore good on shotguns in Destiny 2?
Smoothbore is generally not recommended. While it increases range, it also significantly increases pellet spread, negating its usefulness.
3. What are the best craftable shotguns in Destiny 2 for PvP?
The Ragnhild-D is a popular choice due to its craftability and access to a solid perk pool, making it reliable in the Kinetic slot.
4. Does range matter on shotguns in Destiny 2?
Range is crucial in PvP shotguns, allowing you to secure kills from a further distance. While it’s less essential in PvE, having adequate range is beneficial.
5. What is the best shotgun archetype for PvP?
The most used archetypes for PvP are Aggressive and Precision shotguns due to their ability to quickly kill opponents.
6. How do you get Reckless Endangerment?
Reckless Endangerment is earned by reaching rank 16 with Zavala, Shaxx, or the Drifter, each tied to the Vanguard Strikes, Crucible, and Gambit activities respectively.
7. What is the perk pool for Reckless Endangerment?
Reckless Endangerment features perks such as Surplus, Threat Detector, and Vorpal Weapon. Specific perk combinations will vary as it is a random roll.
8. What makes a shotgun good in PvP?
The best shotguns in PvP typically combine high base stats, good range, excellent perk combinations, and the ability to consistently deal one-hit kills.
9. What are some alternative good PvP shotguns?
Besides Matador 64 and Ragnhild-D, options like Conditional Finality and Found Verdict are also highly valued in PvP.
10. How does a Lightweight Frame affect a shotgun?
Lightweight Frames provide a noticeable increase in handling, allowing faster draw and ready times. However, they generally have lower impact and range compared to other frames.
11. What is the most used weapon type in Destiny 2 PvP currently?
Currently the most used weapons tend to be pulses and hand cannons, but shotguns remain strong picks for close range engagements. Weapons such as Conditional Finality, Matador 64 and even Ragnhild-D are very popular picks in the Crucible.
12. What does “god roll” mean for a shotgun?
A “god roll” refers to the specific combination of perks on a weapon that is considered optimal for a particular playstyle.
13. Is Reckless Endangerment craftable?
No, Reckless Endangerment is not craftable. It is a ritual pursuit weapon acquired through rank progression.
14. Are slug shotguns viable in PvP?
Slug shotguns, like the Heritage, are more suited for PvE due to their precise shots and limited range. In PvP, Aggressive and Precision shotguns tend to be more effective.
15. What is the average Kill/Death ratio in Destiny 2?
The average K/D ratio in Destiny 2 typically falls between 1.0 and 2.0, with a 1.5 K/D being a common baseline for many players.
Conclusion
While Reckless Endangerment is not the absolute best shotgun in Destiny 2’s Crucible, it is a reliable and easily obtainable option that can help players be effective. If you do not have access to a Matador 64 or a well rolled Ragnhild-D, Reckless Endangerment can fill that role with a solid, if not spectacular, performance. It’s a great weapon to use while you hunt for those better alternatives and will not hold you back too drastically.