In Destiny 2 the power of a trace rifle is underestimated by most players. This weapon class actually has a lot to offer. Today, we present the 5 most rewarding trace rifles and why they might become important soon.
“Trace rifle calibration? Oh no.” When Banshee offers this calibration after the daily reset, many Guardians first have to rummage through their vault for a trace rifle or pull one from their collection. This weapon class is not very popular.
- Trace rifles have only a very small damage bar; they are not obviously the mega damage dealers at first glance.
- The handling of the energy beam does not come naturally. As an inexperienced trace rifle player, one might awkwardly swirl through the air at times.
- There are only exotic representatives of their kind, so they often have to give space to other exotics that are currently meta.
That’s why you shouldn’t underestimate any weapon class: Trace rifles in Destiny 2 are similar to linear fusion rifles back in the day. No one liked them, and yet they are the current meta in Season 15. Now everyone wants them because they are incredibly strong.
The situation regarding which weapons are particularly good or necessary can change rapidly in Destiny 2. Playing or committing to only one weapon class is not a good idea for Destiny 2 players.
However, Trace rifles fundamentally deserve more attention, as “Ager’s Scepter” has proven this season 15. It was not only important for the story but also can do quite a bit.
Rank 5: Withered Image
This trace rifle comes directly from the Darkness, and players had to earn it during a quest to destroy the “Eyes of Savathun”.
Where do you get the exotic? The quest for Withered Image is no longer available, but you can now buy the trace rifle directly from the Tower kiosk.
This is the special property: This trace rifle has the ability to generate transmutation spheres. These can then be picked up like a relic and used in various ways.
- You can strike with it and clear small adds.
- Create a shield and run through enemies.
- The shield absorbs life energy, which suppresses enemies.
- Or slam the spheres directly to the ground for a Void explosion.
Does the weapon have a catalyst? For Withered Image, there is a masterwork catalyst. This increases the Void laser by 30% once you have affected enemies with the transmutation sphere.
It deserves rank 5 because Withered Image, compared to its siblings, performs rather poorly. While the effects are fun, they are not as strong after a nerf during Beyond Light. However, it is the only Void trace rifle next to the “Wave Splitter,” and the various effects are very useful because they not only drain enemies but also suppress them.
Rank 4: Prometheus Lens
Prometheus Lens is the most inconspicuous but also one of the oldest trace rifles in Destiny 2. It has been in the game since the DLC Curse of Osiris (2017) and deals Solar damage. If you want to get a feel for trace rifles, this one is your best bet.
Where do you get the exotic? You can obtain the exotic either as a random exotic drop or from Xur’s weekly exotic engram.
This is the special property: By getting kills with Prometheus Lens, you can load ammunition into the magazine. This allows players to burn their enemies continuously. Additionally, the weapon creates a damaging heat field that grows as you fire.
Does the weapon have a catalyst? Yes, with the masterwork catalyst, stability and handling increase by +20. This allows better control over the “swirling” of the beam.
Prometheus Lens is our rank 4 because it can quickly fry small add hordes. It is also the strongest and first choice for players in PvP, especially in Control.
Rank 3: Coldheart
Bungie was once very proud of Coldheart. The trace rifle was the first ice weapon in Destiny 2 three years ago. Perhaps even a cool inspiration for the stasis powers and weapons that have come into the game since Beyond Light. Nevertheless, the exotic is somewhat one-dimensional. Its age is evident in the weapon. Bungie has become much more creative in designing exotic weapons these days.
Where do you get the exotic? In Season 15, you can randomly obtain Coldheart from exotic engrams.
This is the special property: Coldheart also becomes truly strong over time. The longer you hold on to a target, the more you increase your damage output. You just have to hit. Additionally, its range and stability are very solid.
Does the weapon have a catalyst? The masterwork catalyst grants more reload speed and +20 stability to the trace rifle.
Despite its minor drawbacks, it deserves rank 3, as Coldheart remains a good trace rifle that performs slightly better in PvE compared to Prometheus Lens.
Rank 2: Ager’s Scepter
Shortly after being released in the game, the trace rifle “Ager’s Scepter” quickly climbed to the top of the popularity scale among players. It is one of the best newcomers in the Season of the Lost and actually belongs to the “true king” of the Awoken, Uldren Sov, or now better known as the Crow.
Where do you get the exotic? To claim Ager’s Scepter as your own, you need to complete the seasonal quest of Season 15 “In the Footsteps of Stars.” This can be picked up at the Wayfinder Compass in the H.E.L.M.
This is the special property: While all other trace rifles are energy weapons, you can only equip Ager’s Scepter in the kinetic slot. It deals Stasis damage. Its stats are solid across the board. The exotic perk causes kills with this weapon to create a slowing explosion around the defeated target. Stasis kills also feed back ammo from reserves into this weapon’s magazine.
In combination with mods and abilities, surprisingly effective builds emerge that are great to play.
In general, all Stasis weapons are currently doing a more than good job:
Does the weapon have a catalyst? Yes, and the catalyst even adds a third ability. This perk takes a Guardian’s fully charged Super energy and causes the magazine to overflow with it. This increases the damage of the beam and boosts Ager’s Scepter’s ability to freeze and slow targets. While the catalyst is active, it permanently drains Super energy. The effect of the perk ends once Super energy is depleted, during a reload, or when the weapon is stowed.
This can be a bit tricky to play. You always have to keep in mind to save your ultimate to activate the perk and not use it when fully charged.
The catalyst for Ager’s Scepter is a random drop from the loot chests that drop at the end of the Astral Alignment. There is even a higher drop chance on Legendary.
Rank 1: Divinity
Divinity is not just named that way; it also has godly good properties. Most players consider it the crème de la crème of all trace rifles. It is the only raid exotic that is not dependent on luck, and yet very few players possess Divinity. But don’t expect too much. Divinity is a support weapon.
Where do you get the exotic? You obtain Divinity in the Garden of Salvation raid. It has been in the game since Shadowkeep. To get the exotic, you first need to pick up a quest in the raid. Until then, there is no initial difficulty.
However, the last step of the quest is to complete the raid “Garden of Salvation” without interruptions and also to complete additional tasks. Similar to the current catalyst for the raid exotic Vex Mythoclast. An error code “Weasel” or Steam servers going down can already cost players the guaranteed drop of this raid exotic.
A guide on how to obtain the raid exotic can be found here:
This is the special property: Nevertheless, it is worth it. Divinity causes every target to become weakened (debuff by 30%). The weapon creates a field that envelops the opponent and also greatly enlarges the critical hitbox. As long as the field exists, the entire fireteam does more damage. The exotic is also strong against Overload Champions.
In terms of stats, Divinity outperforms all trace rifles by double: Almost 200 shots are available to you. The stability is maxed out.
Does the weapon have a catalyst? No, Divinity currently does not have a masterwork catalyst.
Our undisputed rank 1. Especially since Divinity has proven itself in almost every end boss, many raid bosses, and infinitely many champions. If you don’t have it yet, you might want to consider using this extended Season 15 for an outing in the garden.
That’s why trace rifles could soon become meta: One should also consider that especially in Season 15, with Ager’s Scepter, not just another trace rifle has been added. Bungie has also added the associated mods to the game. The new ammunition mods for trace rifles are also having a notable effect.
The community speculates that, besides the secret code for the rocket launcher theory, trace rifles might also become meta in 2022. It’s quite possible that they will soon have their big moment.
Have you already acquired all the exotic trace rifles for your collection? Which one is your top favorite, and could you imagine players using legendary trace rifles in Destiny 2 soon?
