Destiny 2 Best Submachine Guns

As a seasoned Guardian who’s seen more than my fair share of Crucible battles and countless hours spent in the depths of the Dreaming City, I can confidently say that these three SMGs are absolute game-changers in Destiny 2.

In Destiny 2 currently, assault rifles aren’t the preferred option, but make no mistake, submachine guns pack a punch and are effective in both player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) scenarios. Interestingly, some of the best weapons in the game belong to this category, earning them a spot as essential items for any serious gamer’s collection. So, while many players may favor longer ranges, submachine guns should not be underestimated.

Submachine gun gameplay is usually limited by its short range, as well as (in some cases) small magazine size. This means that players will want to find submachine guns with perks that increase range or provide powerful buffs from kills, such as better stability or ability regeneration. Here are some of the best submachine guns Destiny 2 players can get, as well as some suggestions for great perks, and where to find these weapons.

12 Prolonged Engagement

Best For Stasis Synergy

Destiny 2 Best Submachine Guns

How To Get: Strikes, Vanguard Engram Focusing
Best Perks: Outlaw, Headstone
Element: Stasis
Frame: Lightweight, 900 RPM

As a gamer, I find that prolonged engagement with the Stasis submachine gun in Destiny 2 can be intriguing yet frustrating. On paper, it seems like a formidable weapon, but its performance within the game’s sandbox often undermines its potential brilliance. Despite its promising qualities as a good submachine gun, the way Stasis operates in Destiny 2 tends to hinder rather than enhance its effectiveness.

As a gamer, I’ve found that Stasis really shines when paired with special weapons such as Ager’s Scepter, Critical Anomaly, and Riptide. Right now, it might seem tough to use, but that doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. With the right combos like Outlaw and Headstone, you can reload at an incredible pace after each Headstone proc. If Stasis ever gains more popularity and versatility like the other elements, Prolonged Engagement would likely become the go-to submachine gun for Stasis enthusiasts in any high-stakes situation.

11 Unforgiven

Easy Reloads

How To Get: Duality Dungeon
Best Perks: Demolitionist paired with either Golden Tricorn or Frenzy
Element: Void
Frame: Aggressive, 720 RPM

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but appreciate the exceptional nature of The Unforgiven. What sets it apart is its origin trait and perks, which it skillfully leverages to great effect. Specifically, every Duality weapon comes equipped with Bitterspite, a trait that boosts my reload speed following the next one, based on the amount of damage I’ve taken. It’s an intriguing dynamic that adds depth to gameplay and keeps me engaged.

1) With advantages such as Frenzy included, this weapon ensures rapid reloads, which is particularly advantageous for submachine guns that are designed with slow reload times in mind. Additionally, the ability to choose Demolitionist in the first column enhances its compatibility with Void builds focusing on grenades and the benefits they offer, like Devour and Volatile Rounds.

10 Submission

Versatile and Craftable

How To Get: Vow of the Disciple Raid
Best Perks: Substisence or Encore, paired with Frenzy, Thresh, or Demolitionist
Element: Kinetic
Frame: Lightweight Frame, 900 RPM

The Disciple raid reward, named Submission, is a standout Submachine Gun within Destiny 2, boasting an array of impressive perks. Players don’t have to search for the ideal roll because after unlocking its pattern five times, they can craft their own, upgrade it, and unlock enhanced perks at level 16. While primarily suited for Player versus Environment (PvE), skilled players can also utilize Submission effectively in Player versus Player (PvP) scenarios.

In a Player versus Player (PvP) scenario, the weapons Perpetual Motion and Swashbuckler can be extremely effective. For those engaged in Player versus Environment (PvE), there are numerous alternatives such as Subsistence, Encore, and even Thresh, which aid in Super energy recovery. However, it’s important to note that this is a Kinetic weapon, so it may not harmonize well with Elemental builds despite being useful for stacking Transcendence with Prismatic, due to its lack of an elemental affinity.

9 Tarrabah

Two Weapons In One

How To Get: Purchased from the Monument to Lost Lights Exotic Kiosk
Element: Solar
RPM: 720 RPM (900 RPM With Ravenous Beast Active)

If you think SMGs aren’t capable of dishing out significant damage, the Tarrabah Exotic SMG is here to debunk that notion. Originally an Exotic drop from the Crown of Sorrow raid, Tarrabah can now be bought at the Tower’s Exotic Kiosk for a certain amount of Glimmer, another Exotic item, a Cipher, and Spoils of Conquest – rewards you earn by completing raid encounters.

The Tarrabah weapon accumulates harm as the Ravenous Beast. When this reserve is full, players can modify its firing style, effectively transforming the gun into a Special weapon, maintaining the buff as long as they consistently inflict damage. This Solar Exotic performs well in moderately challenging PvE scenarios due to its knack for stepping up when necessary. It’s also an excellent option for Crucible players aiming to complete an Exotic slot within their build, provided they can adapt to the limitation of not being able to switch weapons, which resets the Ravenous Beast progression.

8 The Recluse

Easy Farm And High Perk Variety

How To Get: Onslaught
Best Perks: Feeding Frenzy, Subsistence, or Repulsor Brace and Master of Arms, Destabilizing Rounds, and Frenzy
Element: Void
Frame: Lightweight Frame, 900 RPM

In PvE gameplay, The Recluse is an outstanding choice for a Void submachine gun, and it’s not hard to acquire either. It boasts nearly all the perks you’d hope for in a submachine gun, with enhancements that complement its attributes like Destabilizing Rounds and Repulsor Brace, plus excellent reload options such as Frenzy, Feeding Frenzy, Subsistence, and Enlightened Action.

As a frequent weapon-swapping gamer, I can’t help but appreciate the unique charm of the Master of Arms perk on this gun. What sets it apart is that it’s exclusively tied to this specific weapon, and here’s why it’s so cool: when I score a kill with any other weapon, it boosts my damage output by 15%. That’s an extra edge I can rely on in the heat of battle!

7 Imminence

Unique Perk Options Make This A Strand Must-Have

How To Get: Salvation’s Edge Raid
Best Perks: Perpetual Motion, Slice, Enlightened Action, and Firefly Chaos Reshaped, Hatchling
Element: Strand
Frame: Lightweight Frame, 900 RPM

Originating from Salvation’s Edge, Imminence excels in both Player vs Environment (PvE) and Player vs Player (PvP). This weapon boasts a powerful 900 RPM rate for PvP engagements. It seamlessly fits into Strand builds due to perks such as Hatchling and Sever, while also benefiting from versatile perks like Chaos Reshaped, Desperate Measures, and Firefly, which are applicable in a wide range of situations.

For this firearm, certain benefits are unique, as it’s the initial Strand Weapon to incorporate the Firefly trait. Although it doesn’t harmonize perfectly with the Strand, it does enhance Prismatic performance, acting as a combination of damage and reload boost.

6 Multimach CCX

Good in PvP With Flexibility In PvE

How To Get: Iron Banner
Best Perks: Attrition Orbs or Dynamic Sway Reduction, and Frenzy or Target Lock
Element: Kinetic
Frame: Lightweight Frame, 900 RPM

In the course of Destiny 2’s existence, various versions of Multimach CCX have appeared. This specific entry pertains to the Season of Wish (Season 23) variant of Multimach CCX. This submachine gun shines particularly in single-target damage, making it a valuable pick for Player versus Player (PvP), but its effectiveness in clearing adds is somewhat restricted in Player versus Environment (PvE). Its most effective use outside the Crucible involves amassing Super and Transcendence energy on Prismatic.

In the second column, beneficial traits could be Kinetic Tremors or Frenzy, which help increase reload speed. For PvE, Attrition Orbs is the optimal choice in the first column since it quickly builds up your super and also activates mods that require Armor Charges. Although The Immortal may be superior in PvP, this weapon offers more versatility in PvE, making it less specialized and more adaptable for various situations.

5 Shayura’s Wrath

For PvP Dominating Stats, and PvE Flexibility

How To Get: Trials of Osiris
Best Perks: Keep Away or Repulsor Brace and Kill Clip, Target Lock, or Destabilizing Rounds
Element: Void
Frame : Precision Frame, 600 RPM

The Shayura’s Wrath Void Submachine Gun is one of several weapons that gamers could potentially earn as a prize for finishing matches and accomplishing tasks within the Trials of Osiris game mode. This particular weapon might seem elusive to some players due to the challenging nature of this game mode. But fear not! To unlock Trials engrams, all you need to do is win rounds in the Trials. After that, pay a visit to Saint-14 in the Tower Hangar.

Shayura’s Wrath is a PvP favorite, and it’s evident just from its stats, which are higher across the board in nearly every category when compared to other submachine guns in its archetype. There are a few options that Crucible players can play around with, with Kill Clip, Target Lock, and Cascade Point being the most sought-after. Those not afraid of challenging themselves in Trials should spend a bit of time and grind for this weapon, and potentially its Adept version as well, which is available during its respective week at the Lighthouse after going Flawless.

4 Osteo Striga

Homing Projectile Submachine Gun

How To Get: Complete The Witch Queen campaign
Element: Kinetic
RPM: 600 RPM

In the Witch Queen expansion, players were given the ability to create weapons, among them being Exotic ones. One of the initial Exotics available to players is the Osteo Striga SMG. This weapon stands out because it shoots projectiles through its Screaming Swarm feature. Although these projectiles take a moment to hit their target, they are beneficial in helping with aiming.

Additionally, it performs exceptionally well in Player versus Player (PvP) engagements, though it shines more when the Exotic SMG is leveled up to level 16 to acquire its catalyst. Each final blow with the Osteo Striga triggers a poisonous explosion, and the radius of this effect increases once the catalyst is unlocked. This makes it an effective tool for clearing adds, especially when Masterworked. However, in PvP, it can be particularly troublesome for groups that tend to cluster together excessively.

3 IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.3

For Having Uniquely Devastating Traits

How To Get: Operation: Seraph’s Shield Exotic Mission (On Rotation)
Best Perks: Feeding Frenzy, Voltshot
Element: Arc
Frame: Aggressive Frame, 720 RPM

As a dedicated Destiny player, I can’t help but sing praises for the IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.3, the brilliantly titled third version of this weapon that dropped during Season 19: Season of the Seraph. While it’s always been a standout in terms of stats, this latest edition truly shines when it comes to perks. In PvE, the dream combination is Voltshot in the second column, paired with either Perpetual Motion or Feeding Frenzy in the first. It’s a game-changer, indeed!

As a devoted fan, I’d like to highlight a remarkable weapon I’ve come across. What sets it apart is its distinctive ammunition, the Seraph Rounds. Unlike regular ammo, these bad boys over-penetrate targets and bounce off surfaces. Talk about versatility! But that’s not all, it comes with an origin trait called Rasputin’s Arsenal. This perk restores half of your magazine when you break a shield, whether in PvE or PvP combat. Now, this makes the weapon a real powerhouse for clearing adds. Skilled players can take down multiple targets simultaneously, and with the constant ammo refill while breaking shields, it’s like having an endless supply of ammo!

2 CALUS Mini-Tool

For Solar Build Integration And Add-Clear

How To Get: Presage Exotic Mission (Weekly Rotation)
Best Perks: Incandescent, Unrelenting, or Grave Robber
Element: Solar
Frame: Lightweight Frame, 900 RPM

CALUS Mini-Tool is one of those guns that was a classic on release and has yet to be dethroned. It has always been, and still is, the definitive Solar submachine gun since it was dropped. The weapon hinges on Incandescent, which allows the weapon to chain explosions on enemies it kills through Scorch and Ignitions, which are keywords that many Solar builds are built around. Arguably its best perk in the first column, Grave Robber, allows the weapon to reload not only on melee kills but also on powered melee hits.

In other words, Solar weapons offer versatility because each class in this category has both ranged and melee attack options for Solar. Therefore, players who don’t use Prismatic still reap all the benefits of these weapons, especially at higher difficulties where getting close for a non-range melee could lead to death.

1 Riskrunner

For Chaining Damage And Giving Resistance

How To Get: Exotic Quest from Banshee for New Lights
Element: Arc
RPM: 900 RPM

Among the oldest exotic weapons in Destiny 2, the Riskrunner Exotic Submachine Gun is consistently satisfying for players. While the game’s meta may not always support it, the Riskrunner can remain useful in specific PvE situations if a player chooses to utilize it. In certain instances, especially when Arc weaponry is being fired at players, it will excel. However, in Player versus Player (PvP) scenarios, it’s unlikely to be utilized often.

The advantage of using the Riskrunner lies in its ability to protect against Arc weapons. When you encounter Arc damage, it charges up the Riskrunner, giving you Arc resistance and enhancing your weapon. With the Arc Conductor buff active, there’s a chance you’ll activate the Superconductor perk, which produces chain lightning when you fire and restocks ammo into your magazine.

2024-08-21 13:55