Destiny 2 Trace Rifles in 2025: My Personal Ranking & Insights
Discover the versatile power of Trace Rifles in Destiny 2, blending precision and spray-and-pray tactics to dominate enemies and elevate your gameplay.
As a Guardian who's wielded every beam weapon since the Red War, I gotta say – Trace Rifles are the unsung heroes of our arsenal. These bad boys blend the precision of sniper rifles with the spray-and-pray satisfaction of an SMG, creating that sweet spot for melting both Thralls and Champions. Though most require sacrificing your exotic slot, the sheer versatility makes 'em worth considering when you're not running Gjallarhorn for the umpteenth time. Personally? Nothing beats the dopamine hit of watching a Tormentor evaporate under sustained laser fire while my fireteam shouts "Holy Toledo!" in comms. With the recent Heresy additions shaking up the meta, let's break down these beauties from my least to most favored.
10. Divinity
Look, I respect Divinity's utility in raids – that Weaken bubble turns DPS phases into cakewalks. But man, does it feel like bringing a spreadsheet to a poetry slam. When I'm grinding solo, I crave that visceral oomph of vaporizing enemies myself rather than playing support. Still, it's damn near mandatory for Day One raid races. Pro tip: Pair it with Lunafaction Boots for maximum team carry potential.
9. Ruinous Effigy
This funky Void rod's Transmutation Orbs are a hoot in low-tier content – nothing beats bonking a Dreg with a glowing basketball. But in endgame? It's like bringing a Nerf gun to a Cabal invasion. My clanmates roast me whenever I equip it in GMs, though I'll die on this hill: with Gyrfalcon's Hauberk and Volatile Rounds? Chef's kiss for add-clear!
8. Coldheart
The OG Trace Rifle still slaps in 2025! That escalating damage feels like revving a muscle car – pure power fantasy. I've mained this in Gambit for years; nothing shuts down an invader faster than surprise laser surgery. My hot take? It's criminally underrated in PvP. Land your shots and boom – they're back in the respawn queue before saying "What the—"
7. The Navigator
Woven Mail on demand? Yes please! This Strand beauty's my go-to for solo flawless dungeon runs. That damage resistance turns near-wipes into "lol nope" moments. But let's keep it 💯 – the DPS is weaker than decaf coffee. Still, when that Ogre stomp should've flattened me? I tip my helmet to this lifesaver.
6. Wavesplitter
This oscillating beast got a new lease on life with Void 3.0. In haunted sectors last Halloween? Absolute monster with Volatile Rounds! My only beef: managing the damage phases feels like juggling plasma cores. When you nail the rhythm though? Mwah – red bars vanish like my motivation on Monday mornings.
5. Warlord's Spear
2025's Iron Banner gift! This Arc rifle's Jolting Feedback turns majors into lightbulbs waiting to pop. My god roll:
| Column One | Column Two |
|---|---|
| Subsistence | Voltshot |
| Stats for All | One for All |
It chains lightning like Zeus on espresso – pure add-clear nirvana. PvP tip: Hip-Fire Grip + Fourth Time's the Charm = salty opponent messages guaranteed.
4. Retraced Path
Halo's Focus Rifle in Destiny? Sign me up! Golden Tricorn turns this into a Solar apocalypse machine. During Solstice events? It's my BBQ starter – everything gets well-done. Recommended perks:
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🎯 Subsistence
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🔥 Incandescent
Creates sunspots better than any Titan could dream of!
3. Ager's Scepter
This Stasis queen turns battles into winter wonderlands. That catalyst? Sweet baby Traveler – 80% damage boost turns you into Elsa with assault rifle. My favorite combo:
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Freeze champions
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Shatter with rocket
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Tea-bag for emphasis
PvE domination at its finest!
2. Microcosm
Heavy slot Trace Rifle? GENIUS MOVE BUNGIE! This Kinetic beast melts Dread enemies faster than ice in Mercury. When running Prismatic? It charges Transcendence so fast I feel overpowered (in the best way). Downside? Ammo economy's tighter than a Fallen's grip on Ether. Worth every brick though!
1. Unsworn
Hot diggity damn – this Sundered Doctrine drop is chef's kiss perfection! Free Explosive Payload? Detonator Beam procs like fireworks on Fourth of July? I've never felt so powerful holding a legendary. My god roll:
| Column One | Column Two |
|---|---|
| Shoot to Loot | Detonator Beam |
| Tear | Killing Tally |
With Cenotaph Mask? Pure. Ad. Clear. Bliss. Bungie outdid themselves here – this thing's more meta than Zavala's speeches.
🔮 Future Outlook: Trace Rifles have evolved from niche curios to essential tools, and I'm stoked for where they're headed. Imagine Strand versions with threadling summons or Stasis variants that create crystal barricades! My dream? A primary-ammo Trace Rifle for unlimited laser fun. Whatever comes next, I'll be first in line – trace rifle in hand – to test 'em all. After all, in a universe of boomsticks, sometimes you just wanna zzzzap!