What Gun Should I Use in Crucible? A Comprehensive Guide

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The Crucible in Destiny 2 is a proving ground where Guardians test their skills against each other. The right weapon can be the difference between victory and defeat. So, what gun should you use in the Crucible? The answer isn’t a simple one, as it depends on your playstyle, skill level, and the current meta. However, a good starting point is to aim for versatility and effectiveness across various engagement ranges.

For a strong overall approach, consider these weapon types: Pulse Rifles for mid-to-long range engagements, Auto Rifles for close-to-mid range battles, and a Shotgun or Fusion Rifle for close-quarters combat. Some specific standout weapons currently dominating the Crucible include:

The Immortal (Adept): A Submachine Gun with incredible dueling potential and a strong perk pool. The Target Lock perk is particularly strong.
Ace of Spades: An Exotic Hand Cannon that rewards precision shots and provides a damage buff after a kill.
Conditional Finality: An Exotic Shotgun that can freeze opponents, allowing for easy follow-up attacks.
Matador 64: A Legendary Shotgun famed for its consistency and ability to roll with powerful perks like Threat Detector and Opening Shot.
Cloudstrike: An Exotic Sniper Rifle that can call down lightning strikes, making it effective for both picks and area control.
Messenger/Phyllo: High impact Pulse Rifles that can dominate at range.

Ultimately, the best gun for you will be the one you’re most comfortable and effective with. Experiment with different weapon types and perks to find what suits your playstyle. Remember, mastery of a single weapon can often outweigh chasing the “best” one.

Understanding Weapon Types

Before diving deeper, let’s explore the primary weapon types and their general roles in the Crucible:

Auto Rifles: These are user-friendly and excel in mid-range combat. They are a great starting point for new Crucible players because of their forgiving nature. Focus on stability and range for a consistent experience.
Pulse Rifles: Known for their burst-fire mechanics, they are effective at mid to long ranges. Precision and timing are key to success with pulse rifles.
Hand Cannons: This type rewards accuracy and good positioning but requires a higher skill level. The payoff is a very powerful weapon in the right hands.
Scout Rifles: Great for long-range engagements and holding down lanes, requiring precision to take down enemies.
Submachine Guns (SMGs): Ideal for close-range, aggressive playstyles, relying on high rates of fire. They are deadly in confined spaces but less effective at longer ranges.
Shotguns: Designed for extreme close-range dominance, requiring good timing and map awareness.
Fusion Rifles: Require charge time but deliver powerful bursts at medium range, excelling in pre-firing engagements.
Sniper Rifles: The king of long-range engagements, rewarding headshots with instant kills. Mastering sniping requires patience and precision.
Grenade Launchers: Effective for area denial and splash damage, they can be useful for flushing out opponents or controlling key points.

Weapon Stats and Perks

Beyond weapon type, the stats and perks on your chosen weapon are crucial. Key stats include Impact (damage), Range, Reload Speed, Stability, Handling, and Rate of Fire. You want to maximize stats that complement your style of play. For example, an aggressive player might prioritize handling and reload speed, while someone who prefers long-range engagements might want more range and stability.

Perks on your weapons provide further customization and benefits. Key perks to look out for include:

Kill Clip/Rampage: Grant damage boosts after kills.
Opening Shot: Improves accuracy and range on the first shot.
Moving Target: Increases movement speed while aiming down sights.
Perpetual Motion: Increases stability, handling, and reload speed while moving.
Target Lock: Increases damage output when hitting the same target.
Threat Detector: Grants handling boosts when close to enemies.
Headseeker: Improves precision damage after landing body shots.
Quickdraw: Increases weapon swap speed

Playstyle and Meta

The best gun for you will align with your preferred playstyle. If you prefer to rush in, a shotgun or SMG is your best friend. If you like to hold down lanes, try scout or pulse rifles. The current meta (most effective tactics available) also shifts, often influenced by patch updates and new releases. Therefore, it’s beneficial to pay attention to what the top players are using and adapt as needed.

Currently, the meta emphasizes high-impact weapons that can secure kills quickly. Things like hand cannons, high-impact pulse rifles, and shotguns are common. Pay attention to the guns being used in matches and experiment with those that are performing well.

Best Beginner Weapons

For those new to Crucible, it’s best to start with user-friendly weapons that are forgiving and easy to learn. Here are some solid options for beginners:

Auto Rifles: These are generally very forgiving for new players. The Origin Story is a great example of a solid legendary auto rifle with damage increasing perks on kill.
Pulse Rifles: Also great for those beginning their crucible journey. Look for pulse rifles that are high stability and have manageable recoil.

Focus on mastering the basics with these weapon types before trying more complex weapons such as hand cannons.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Gun Level Matter in Crucible?

Yes and no. Crucible takes base weapon stats into account, so you won’t see a significant damage difference between a low-level and high-level weapon. However, higher-level items typically have better perk rolls and potentially higher armor stats, giving players an advantage.

2. What is the best stat for Crucible?

Generally, recovery is considered the most important stat for PvP. Aim for 90-100 recovery, as it significantly improves your health regeneration, allowing you to get back into the fight quicker.

3. Are scout rifles good in crucible?

Yes, Scout rifles are viable in the Crucible, especially for long-range engagements. Precision and map knowledge are important to succeed with them.

4. Do armor stats affect Crucible?

Yes, armor stats do affect Crucible. Unlike Iron Banner, the light level of your gear doesn’t directly change your damage, but things like resilience, recovery and mobility will change the survivability and movement capabilities of your guardian.

5. How do you grind Crucible rank?

You increase your rank faster by winning consecutive matches. Win streaks accumulate until you’ve won five matches or lose one, after which the streak resets.

6. Can Crucible drop exotics?

Yes, it is possible to get exotics in Crucible, though the drop rate is low. It is estimated that you have about a 1 in 600 chance of getting an exotic to drop for you after a match.

7. What is the best sniper rifle in Crucible PvP?

Cloudstrike is often considered the best sniper rifle in Crucible PvP, due to its ability to call down lightning bolts, giving it an edge over other snipers. Other good options include Adored and 1000 Yard Stare.

8. Are pulse rifles good in Crucible?

Yes, many pulse rifles are highly effective in Crucible, especially those with good stats and strong perks. High-impact pulses with Headseeker are particularly powerful.

9. Does light level affect Crucible?

While light level doesn’t affect damage, your cooldown stats for abilities (intelligence, discipline, strength) are higher on higher light level gear.

10. What Crucible mode is fastest?

Rumble is often the quickest Crucible mode due to the lack of teams, resulting in shorter matches. However, Rumble is often dominated by shotgun users.

11. What is the best auto rifle for Crucible Destiny 2?

Positive Outlook is often considered a top choice for auto rifles in PvP due to its consistent damage output and strong perk pool. Other great options include Quicksilver Storm and Abyss Defiant.

12. Does Trials give Crucible rank?

Yes, Trials bounties give Crucible rank points. Weekly bounties reward 35 Crucible Rank Points, while daily bounties award 15.

13. What does resetting your crucible rank do?

Resetting your Crucible rank will allow you to continue earning rewards, with a few rewards changing on the first completion of the Season.

14. Is the Crucible armor worth it?

Yes, the crucible armor is worth it, especially when starting out. It provides a good stat boost and can be upgraded further through playing the crucible.

15. Does Crucible give powerful gear?

Yes, completing eight vendor bounties (including Crucible) grants powerful gear. Also, completing the weekly Nightfall challenge will reward you with powerful gear.

Conclusion

Choosing the right gun for the Crucible is a personal journey. Understanding the weapon types, their roles, and the importance of stats and perks will guide you toward the perfect weapon for your playstyle. Experiment, adapt, and practice; before long, you’ll be dominating the Crucible. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all “best gun.” What matters most is how effectively you can use what you have.