Destiny 2's Exotic Linear Fusion Rifles in 2025: A Guardian's Meta Breakdown

Discover the top Destiny 2 linear fusion rifles, including meta-defining exotics and powerful strategies for endgame success, elevating your Guardian gameplay.

As a seasoned Destiny 2 player who's been grinding through Episode Heresy and the Sundered Doctrine dungeon, I gotta say, Linear Fusion Rifles are absolutely killing it right now. With artifact perks like Unstoppable Linear Fusion Rifle and Particle Reconstruction dropping in, these bad boys have shot straight back into the meta like a hot knife through butter. Whether you're tackling Grandmaster Nightfalls or sweating it out in Day One raid races, LFRs are the talk of the tower, and honestly, it's hard to put 'em down once you get a taste of that sweet damage output. But not all exotics are created equal—some are total beasts, while others have seen better days. Let's dive into the six exotic LFRs that every Guardian should have on their radar.

Arbalest: From King to Fallen Comrade

Man, Arbalest used to be the GOAT for endgame stuff, but it's had a major fall from grace. I remember when this thing was the original champ-stunner, but now? Subclass 3.0 abilities and weapons like Wish-Ender have power crept it into oblivion. Why burn special ammo when you can stun with a bow or your abilities? Still, for new lights, it's not all doom and gloom—Arbalest packs a punch with Kinetic damage, punches through shields like nobody's business, and refills the mag after breaking one. It's a solid starter pick, but compared to the others, it's kinda like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Pros and cons real quick:

• Pros: Intrinsic Anti-Barrier, shield destruction, ammo-efficient for beginners.

• Cons: Outclassed by free stun options, lower damage potential.

In my raids, I've seen it gather dust in vaults more than in loadouts, which is a real shame.

Lorentz Driver: The Ad-Clear Oddball

Lorentz Driver is one weird cookie—it's supposed to be for single-target damage, but its perks scream ad-clear, which feels like using a Lamborghini to run errands. Periodically, it marks targets, and when you take 'em down, they drop telemetry. Scoop that up for a mag refill and a damage buff after enough collects. Plus, precision kills trigger Void explosions that wreck nearby enemies. With the catalyst, you don't even need precision for the boom, and the enhanced radar is clutch for situational awareness. But here's the kicker: why waste an exotic slot on this when legendary grenade launchers or SMGs do the job better? It's underwhelming, to say the least, and in high-stakes content, I've found myself switching it out faster than you can say "telemetry."

Finality's Auger: The Turret-Toting Heavy Hitter

Now we're talking—Finality's Auger, the shiny new toy from the Sundered Doctrine dungeon, is a game-changer. This power ammo beast hits like a truck, but its real magic is the exotic trait: spawn a turret that shoots enemies, and you can mark targets for it to focus. That combo, weaving in your own shots, dishes out serious DPS. And oh boy, the catalyst? It adds Bait and Switch, boosting damage by 30% when you cycle through all three weapons. In a coordinated fireteam, this thing shreds bosses. But let's be real, the setup is a pain—high ammo cost for the turret, plus you need the drop from the dungeon (RNGesus help us). I've used it in Day One races, and when it works, it's fire, but it's not for solo players or the impatient.

Weapon	Ammo Type	Key Strength	Biggest Drawback	Best For
Arbalest	Special	Anti-Barrier utility	Power-crept by abilities	New Guardians
Lorentz Driver	Special	Ad-clear explosions	Wasted exotic slot	Low-tier activities
Finality's Auger	Heavy	Turret synergy	High setup and ammo cost	Team DPS phases
Euphony	Special	Strand synergy	Complex build requirement	Strand specialists
Sleeper Simulant	Heavy	Ease of use	Charge time downside	All-around reliability
The Queenbreaker	Heavy	Top-tier DPS	Precision skill needed	Endgame masters

Euphony: The Strand Specialist's Dream

Euphony is a real head-scratcher—it's locked behind the Salvation's Edge raid boss, so getting it is like winning the lottery. But if you score it, holy moly, this special ammo LFR punches above its weight. It spawns Strand threadlings while you deal damage, and when those little guys chomp on enemies, your weapon damage ramps up. Pair it with Swarmers on a Warlock, and you've got a DPS monster that doesn't hog your heavy slot. I've tested it in Grandmasters, and with the right build, it's top-tier. But the catch? It needs a ton of setup—Strand abilities, mods, you name it. If you're not into min-maxing, this ain't your jam. Still, for those who grind, it's worth every minute.

Sleeper Simulant: The Old Reliable

Sleeper Simulant? Yeah, it's been around the block, but this baby is still the king of consistency. Aim, charge, fire—boom, enemies melt. The ricochet shots can bounce and hit a target multiple times, which in tight spaces is pure carnage. The catalyst sweetens the deal with more ammo and faster charge time, fixing its only real downside. Grabbing it from the Tower kiosk is a breeze, making it a workhorse for any Guardian. Even without artifact mods, it holds up in any season. I've leaned on it in countless raids—it's like that trusty old pair of boots: never lets you down. Simple, effective, and always in the meta conversation.

The Queenbreaker: The Surprise Comeback Kid

Who would've thought? The Queenbreaker, once a meme for being underwhelming, is now the dark horse of 2025. After reworks and a killer catalyst, it's topping DPS charts. Switch sights with a reload hold: one for a single ricocheting bolt that blinds enemies, or a three-round burst that speeds up charge time with each hit. Add the catalyst's Rewind Rounds and ammo refunds, and this thing outputs insane damage—more than any other LFR here. I saw it dominate in the Sundered Doctrine Day One race, and it's become my go-to for boss melts. But it demands precision and skill, so it's not for the faint-hearted.

So, where does that leave us Guardians? With LFRs riding high thanks to artifact perks and buffs, it's a golden age for these weapons. But as we look ahead to future episodes and sandbox shifts, will they stay on top, or will another weapon type steal the spotlight? Only time will tell, but for now, it's all about that linear life. 🤔💥