Destiny 2's Top 10 Trace Rifles That Still Shine in 2026

Our Destiny 2 2026 best trace rifles ranking spotlights the beam weapons that dominate PvE and PvP, from Hollow Denial to exotic chaos.

Since the Lightfall expansion shook up Destiny 2’s sandbox back in 2023, trace rifles have evolved from niche energy weapons into meta-defining powerhouses. Fast forward to 2026, and these beam-spitting beauties have only grown more popular—and frankly, they’re just plain fun to use. Whether you’re melting adds in a Grandmaster Nightfall or outdueling opponents in the Crucible, the right trace rifle can make all the difference. Our fireteam has spent countless hours testing and retesting every exotic and legendary trace rifle currently available, and we’ve put together the definitive ranking. Spoiler: some of these guns have aged like fine wine, while others... well, let’s just say they’re still clinging to relevance. Buckle up, Guardians—here are the best trace rifles you should be chasing in 2026.

10. Hollow Denial

Kicking off our list is Hollow Denial, a legendary void trace rifle that plays it cool—steady, reliable, and always ready to patch you up when the fight gets messy. It’s not the flashiest pick, but its perk pool is a genuine treat. Adaptive Frame keeps the weapon feeling snappy, while Rangefinder stretches that beam further than you’d expect. The real magic comes from Extrovert, which restores a chunk of health whenever you take down enemies within 15 meters. Pair that with Wellspring to keep your abilities rolling, and Hollow Denial becomes a self-sustaining workhorse. In a world where survivability often trumps raw damage, this gun quietly does its job—and honestly, who doesn’t love a weapon that heals you while you fry everything in sight?

9. Ruinous Effigy

Ruinous Effigy is the weird kid on the block, and we mean that in the best possible way. Its Transmutation perk collapses slain enemies into void spheres, and with Evolution, you and your allies can pick them up and wield them like an improvised soccer ball of doom. It’s a little short on range and impact compared to other trace rifles, but the sheer chaos it brings to any firefight is unmatched. New lights, this should be your first exotic trace rifle—it keeps your hands warm while you learn the beam game. Even in 2026, watching a teammate dunk a void sphere on an unsuspecting Champion never gets old.

8. Wavesplitter

If you’ve ever wanted a laser that feels like it runs on pure caffeine, Wavesplitter is your jam. Its stability and aim assist are through the roof, making it a dream for controller players who love to hug mid‑range engagements. The Supercharged Battery perk takes things up a notch—grab an Orb of Power, and the gun hits maximum output while automatically reloading. It’s basically a mini-super on a hair trigger. Sure, the damage curve can feel a little inconsistent if you’re not constantly scooping orbs, but when everything clicks, Wavesplitter deletes majors with a kind of smug efficiency. Just keep those orbs flowing, and this gun will carry you further than you’d think.

7. Prometheus Lens

Prometheus Lens is the undisputed style icon of trace rifles. Its sustained solar damage paints a beautiful heat field across the battlefield, and the Flame Refraction perk refunds ammo on kills—meaning you can hose down waves of thrall without ever letting go of the trigger. Prismatic Inferno adds a scorching AoE that makes add‑clear feel borderline therapeutic. While its handling and stability lag behind Wavesplitter, the extra range gives you breathing room in tougher content. In 2026, Prometheus Lens remains a top‑tier pick for casual raids and seasonal activities. It’s the kind of gun that makes you look good while doing bad things to red bars.

6. Coldheart

A real veteran from the earliest days of Destiny 2, Coldheart has aged like a space‑aged whiskey—smooth, potent, and still very much in demand. This arc‑damage exotic shoots a cold fusion‑powered laser that ramps up damage the longer you stay on target, and its Longest Winter perk generates Ionic Traces when the weapon reaches its high‑damage state. The result is a feedback loop of ability energy and raw DPS that thrives in both PvE and PvP. It might not have the flashy trick of newer trace rifles, but there’s a reason Coldheart continues to top usage charts in 2026: it simply works. If you haven’t dusted yours off recently, now’s the time.

5. Path of Least Resistance

Path of Least Resistance is proof that legendary trace rifles can hang with the exotics. Its four‑active‑perk setup offers a toolbox that adapts to almost any playstyle. Ambush acts like a reverse opening shot, boosting range, handling, and damage in the opening moments of an engagement—perfect for aggressive peek fights in the Crucible. One For All, on the other hand, gives a chunky damage increase after hitting three separate targets, which is laughably easy when you swipe a trace beam across a crowd. Pair it with a solid energy accelerant mod, and this arc shooter becomes a go‑to for add‑dense encounters. It may not have a fancy intrinsic, but Path of Least Resistance quietly outclasses many exotic options.

4. Divinity

For those who demand inevitability, Divinity is the stern schoolteacher that makes every enemy sit still and take their punishment. Its exotic perk envelops targets in a bubble of judgment, stunning them and creating a massive critical hit spot that your fireteam can exploit for incredible DPS. The stability is so good you can practically fire it with your eyes closed. First introduced way back in Season 8, Divinity has only become more essential as boss mechanics grew more demanding. Even in 2026, a raid team without a Divinity user feels a little naked. It’s not the flashiest damage dealer itself, but the sheer utility it brings keeps this copper‑hooked monster firmly in the A‑tier.

3. Ager's Scepter

Ager’s Scepter broke new ground as the first stasis trace rifle, and it’s still one of the coolest—literally. Slotted in your kinetic weapon slot, it freezes enemies with Ager’s Call and then shatters them with Rega’s Refrain. The catch? You need kills or Super energy to fuel its full potential, which can feel a bit needy in solo content. But once you learn to manage that resource loop, Ager’s Scepter becomes an add‑clearing blizzard. In 2026, with stasis builds more versatile than ever, this gun remains a fan favorite for good reason: there’s nothing quite like turning a packed room into an ice sculpture gallery.

2. Retraced Path

Retraced Path might just be the most well‑rounded legendary trace rifle in the game. Frenzy boosts damage, handling, and reload once you’ve been in combat for a bit—and when combined with Subsistence, you can keep firing almost indefinitely while carving through adds. That synergy makes Retraced Path a monster in PvE, letting you hold down a lane without ever worrying about a reload animation. It also performs surprisingly well in PvP thanks to its clean sights and consistent solar damage. If you only farm one legendary trace rifle this year, make it this one. It’s the kind of workhorse that never leaves your inventory once you’ve tasted its rhythm.

1. Acasia's Dejection

Crowning our list is Acasia’s Dejection, the legendary trace rifle from the Root of Nightmares raid that has only grown more dominant with each passing season. Reconstruction is the star of the show here—it automatically overflows the magazine from reserves, letting you hold down the trigger for absurdly long bursts. Pair that with Vorpal Weapon for boss melting, Target Lock for sustained siege damage, or Incandescent for spicy add‑clear, and you’ve got a weapon that adapts to every encounter thrown at you. The ammo economy is so generous you’ll forget other special weapons exist. Whether you’re dunking on Champions or shredding raid bosses, Acasia’s Dejection sits unapologetically at the top of the trace rifle meta in 2026. If you haven’t chased one yet, what are you waiting for?

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There you have it, Guardians—our definitive ranking of trace rifles worth your time in 2026. Each one brings a unique flavor to the table, and the best part is that whether you’re a new light or a seasoned veteran, there’s a beam here that fits your style. So grab your favorite, slap on some ammo mods, and go make the Darkness regret ever showing up.