How to Get The Manticore Exotic SMG and Its Catalyst in Destiny 2
Destiny 2 The Manticore Exotic SMG offers unique aerial combat and mid-air perks; here's how to get it in 2026 and unlock its catalyst.
After acquiring this odd-looking Veist submachine gun, players quickly realize it is not just another bullet hose. The Manticore offers a genuine aerial fantasy: hold down the trigger, leap into the air, and momentarily hover while pouring damage into enemies below. It was introduced during Season of the Seraph, but by 2026 it has settled into Destiny 2's wider Exotic pool. Guardians who missed the original reward track can still add it to their collection through the Monument to Lost Lights.
How to Get The Manticore in 2026
When it debuted, The Manticore was tied directly to the Season of the Seraph reward track. Free-track players had to climb all the way to Rank 35, while season pass owners could unlock it immediately at Rank 1. That was a straightforward but time-gated path.
In 2026, the process looks a little different. Players who did not grab the weapon during that season can head to the Tower and visit the Monument to Lost Lights. The Manticore sits among other legacy Exotics and costs an Exotic Cipher, Glimmer, and a handful of upgrade materials. It is a much faster route for new or returning Guardians. The only catch is that the catalyst is a separate chase.
The Manticore's Perks and Traits
The Manticore arrives with a curated set of perks that push the weapon toward stability and mid-air accuracy. Community testing showed that the Void SMG works best when players embrace its unusual loop rather than treating it like a standard close-range spray weapon.
| Slot | Trait | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Barrel | Arrowhead Break | Increases handling and significantly controls recoil |
| Magazine | Ricochet Rounds | Boosts stability and slightly extends range |
| Stock | Fitted Stock | Further improves stability and moderates recoil, but reduces handling |
| Unique Perk | Swooping Talons | Increases airborne damage output |
| Intrinsic Trait | Soaring Fang | Dealing damage while grounded charges antigrav repulsors |
| Catalyst | Flying Monster | Grants damage resistance for each airborne final blow |
The synergy is where The Manticore feels special. Soaring Fang charges while a Guardian keeps their boots on the ground. Then, when they jump and hit an enemy, the sides of the weapon open, activating antigrav repulsors and temporarily suspending them in the air. Continuing to land shots while airborne extends that hover time. Pair that with Swooping Talons, which increases airborne damage, and the result is a satisfying loop: shoot from cover, jump, float, and keep firing.
Earning the Flying Monster Catalyst
When The Manticore first appeared, Banshee-44 offered a dedicated quest in The Tower. The first step asked Guardians to defeat 50 targets with SMGs while airborne. The second step required defeats with The Manticore plus 200 calibration data earned from core playlists. That calibration step could feel slow. A single Hero-difficulty Vanguard Nightfall rewarded only one calibration point, so grinding out the full total took repeated runs. Season pass owners who waited until Rank 22 unlocked the Catalyst Quest Boost Omega, which quadrupled objective progression and made the grind far more manageable.
In the current 2026 sandbox, the path is less seasonal. Players who buy The Manticore from the Monument to Lost Lights can generally earn the Flying Monster catalyst by completing core playlist activities with the weapon equipped. Some veterans may still have a legacy Banshee-44 quest if they picked it up years ago, but new players should expect playlist completions to be the main source. Once unlocked, players will still need to rack up kills with the weapon to fully activate the catalyst.
Is The Manticore Still Worth Using?
For Guardians who enjoy Void builds and airborne combat, yes. The Manticore is not the strongest tool for every activity, but it fills a unique niche. Its high rate of fire and boosted mid-air performance can catch opponents off guard in PvP and give PvE players a mobile way to clear adds. The Flying Monster catalyst sweetens the deal by offering damage resistance after airborne final blows, which makes floating in dangerous fire lanes far less punishing.
The biggest learning curve is managing the hover mechanic. Floating in place can make a Guardian an easy target if they stay airborne too long. Players should treat the antigrav suspension as a short burst option, not a permanent aerial camping tool. That said, The Manticore rewards players who learn its rhythm. It remains one of Destiny 2's most creative Exotic SMGs, and with easier access in 2026, it is worth picking up for the collection alone.