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WEAPON OPTIMIZATION
WEAPON PERKS
Every weapon has designated perk columns that adjust the weapon stat distribution outside of its base stats.
- Optics: Adjustments to weapon range and scope.
- Magazine: Adjustments to weapon ammo capacity, handling, and stability.
- Traits: Two random perks that provide a unique benefit to the weapon.
Weapons have individual base stats that define how the weapon operates. Weapon perks, modifications, and masterwork bonuses can impact base stats.
- Impact: Increases the damage inflicted by each round.
- Range: Increases the effective range of the weapon.
- Stability: The better stability the less recoil you experience.
- Handling: How quickly your weapon can be readied and aimed.
- Reload Speed: The time it takes to reload the weapon.
- Accuracy: For Bows, how well shots fired hit their target.
- Draw/Charge Time: How long it takes to draw/charge your weapon. (Less is quicker)
- Blast Radius: Increases the explosion radius of Launcher weapons.
- Velocity: For Rocket/Grenade Launchers, the speed of projectiles fired.
- Target Acquisition: Aim assist, bullet magnetism, and opponent hitbox. (More is better)
Understanding how perk combinations affect your weapon is crucial to perfecting your gameplay. If you are a new player, you will want to experiment with new weapons and perks. Ultimately, the “feel” of the weapon is based on player preference – so the best way to figure out what works best for you is to simply try out new weapons! Ideally, you want a weapon that has an effective range and controlled recoil. A weapon with no control is generally not a great fit when in combat.
WEAPON TRAITS
Here is a list of Weapon Traits that can be found on your weapons. Weapons typically receive two randomized perks that add to the base stats or enhance combat capabilities in some form. This list will go over perk descriptions, popular perk combinations, and combat ratings. Perks continue to be added each season, so DLC icons (Forsaken+) will be marked on each of the perks below. When a new perk gets added, you can expect future seasonal weapon drops to feature one or more of the perks going forward.
Not all weapon traits are available on every weapon. Some are based on weapon type, season, or simply have a limited perk pool. Click on the perk icons below to view a list of weapons that feature the perk. You will be redirected over to light.gg.
Light.gg has user ratings! Be sure to rate your favourite or worst perks so the community can see your feedback! This page will update accordingly.
Weapon Tags
Each weapon has a green tag (+) that categorize a perk benefit and a yellow tag (-) that notes any reduced stats. Use CTRL-F to search each tag or weapon name!
+Reload Speed | +Weapon Damage | +Weapon Range |
+Magazine | +Weapon Readiness | +Weapon Accuracy |
+Ammo Boost | +Weapon Stability | +Target Acquisition |
+Reduced Flinch | +Movement Speed | +Unique Trait |
+Ammo Reserve Capacity | +Zoom Magnification | +Ability Energy |
+Reduced Charge Time | +Reduced Draw Time | +Weapon Velocity |
Light.gg Quick Access
TOP RATED PERKS
Precision kills greatly decrease reload time, allowing for improved readiness.
Works well with Rampage, Kill Clip, and Multi-Kill Clip.
+Reload Speed
5/5
Kills with this weapon temporarily grant increased damage. Stacks 3x.
Works well with Outlaw. Use Rampage Spec Mod for a longer duration.
+Weapon Damage
5/5
This weapon can be drawn unbelievably fast, allowing for quick response time.
Works well with Snapshot Sights. Recommended perk for PvP scenarios.
+Weapon Readiness
5/5
Faster time to aim down sights (zoom), allowing for quick response time.
Works well with Quickdraw. Recommended perk for Sniper Rifles.
+Weapon Readiness
5/5
Precision kills create an elemental damage explosion, damaging enemies nearby.
Works well with Outlaw. Use Dragonfly Spec Mod for better damage and radius.
+Weapon Damage
5/5
Reloading grants increased damage based on the number of rapid kills beforehand.
Works well with Outlaw and Rapid Hit. Effective with Auto Rifles and SMGs.
+Weapon Damage
4.75/5
Reloading after a kill grants increased damage and target acquisition.
Works well with Outlaw and Rapid Hit. Effective on Auto Rifles and SMGs.
+Weapon Damage
4.75/5
Rapid precision hits temporarily increase stability and reload speed.
Works well with Rampage, Kill Clip, and Multi-Kill Clip.
+Reload Speed
5/5
Being in combat for 10+ seconds increases damage, handling, and reload until you are out of combat.
A highly recommended perk.
+Weapon Damage
+Weapon Readiness
+Reload Speed
4.5/5
Increases handling, reload speed, and stability for each fully charged ability.
Works well with Wellspring.
+Weapon Readiness
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Stability
4.5/5
Final blows grant increased mobility, weapon range, and weapon handling (readiness) for a short duration.
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Range
+Improved Mobility
4.5/5
Kills with this weapon generate ability energy. This energy is divided between your uncharged abilities.
Works well with Surplus.
+Ability Energy
4.5/5
Increased damage against bosses, vehicles, and Guardians in their super.
Works well with Special Weapons. Equip Boss Spec Mod for additional damage.
+Weapon Damage
+15% damage (Bosses)
+50% damage (Guardians)
4.5/5
USEFUL PERKS
Improved accuracy and range on the opening shot of attack.
Works best on Hand Cannons, Sniper Rifles , and Shotguns.
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Range
4.4/5
Causing damage with this weapon increases its stability, allowing better accuracy.
Great for Auto Rifles and weapons that have low stability.
+Weapon Stability
4.2/5
Improves accuracy and stability while continuously holding down the trigger.
Great for Auto Rifles and weapons that have low stability.
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Stability
4.1/5
Each rapid kill with this weapon progressively increases reload time for a short period of time. Stacks 5x.
Great for weapons with slow reload time. Works well with damage bonus perks.
+Reload Speed
4.1/5
Holding down the trigger will fire this weapon in full auto.
Great for weapons with large magazines. Convenience perk.
+Unique Trait
4/5
Overflows the magazine based on the number of rapid kills before reloading your weapon.
Great for weapons with low magazine size.
+Magazine
3.95/5
Rapidly landing four precision hits will return two rounds to the magazine.
Great for stable weapons with low to mid magazine size.
+Magazine
4/5
Body shots landed with this weapon increase precision damage for a short time.
Great for weapons with medium to heavy recoil patterns.
+Weapon Damage
4/5
This weapon gains bonus damage when three or more enemies are in close proximity.
Use Surrounded Spec mod to increase effectiveness.
+Weapon Damage
4/5
This weapon gains increased damage from melee kills and kills with this weapon for a short time.
Great for most Close Quarters and High-Impact Weapons.
+Weapon Damage
3.95/5
This weapon deals increased precision damage when near allies.
Optimal for all weapon types, although can feel situational at times.
+Weapon Damage
+25% damage (Precision)
4/5
Improved stats based on the currently equipped subclass.
Solar: +50% Reload Speed
Arc: +50% Handling
Void: +20% Stability
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Stability
4/5
Reloading this weapon randomly overfills it from reserves, allowing for more in the magazine than normal.
Great for weapons with a lower magazine size.
+Magazine
4/5
Improved weapon performance when Last Guardian Standing.
Great for PvP activities, especially Elimination and Trials of Osiris.
+Target Acquisition
+Weapon Readiness
+Reload Speed
+Reduced Flinch
4/5
Hitting three separate targets within four seconds increases weapon damage for a moderate duration.
Great for Primary Weapons. Acts similar to the Rampage trait.
+Weapon Damage
4/5
Kills with this weapon generate grenade energy. Activating your grenade ability reloads this weapon from weapon reserves.
Great for grenade-focused builds.
+Ability energy
4/5
Increased movement speed and target acquisition when moving while aiming down sights.
Great for PvP activities.
+Movement Speed
+5 Target Acquisition
4/5
Picking up Special or Heavy ammo reloads this weapon beyond normal magazine capacity.
Great for all weapons! Optimal perk for low ammo situations.
+Magazine
4/5
Breaking an enemy’s shield with this weapon makes them more vulnerable to Kinetic Damage for a brief period.
Great for all weapons and stacks with other weapon mods.
+Weapon Damage
+50% Kinetic Damage
4/5
Kills partially reload the magazine from reserves, but reserve capacity (stored ammo) is reduced.
Great for Auto Rifles. May need bonus reserve mods depending on weapon.
+Magazine
-Ammo Reserve Capacity
3.8/5
Rapid kills trigger Health Regeneration. Guardians and powerful combatants count as more than one kill.
Great for PvE High Stake activities.
+Unique Trait
3.7/5
Increased Range and Zoom when aiming this weapon. Increased Velocity with Launchers.
Great for PvP activities.
+Weapon Range
+Zoom Magnification
+Weapon Velocity (Launchers)
3.5/5
Grants a short period of increased stability and accuracy on initial trigger pull (first bullet).
Great for High Impact weapons.
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Accuracy
3.5/5
Rounds at the end of the magazine deal more damage.
Great for weapons with a moderate magazine size.
+Weapon Damage
3.5/5
Breaking a shield with a matching element disorients nearby combatants.
Great for PvE activities.
+Unique Trait
3.5/5
Increased ammo capacity. Faster reload and handling when crouched.
Great for weapons with slow reload speed and handling.
+30 Ammo Reserve Capacity
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Readiness
3.5/5
Breaking a combatant’s shield with this weapon fills its magazine from reserves. Energy weapons regenerate ammo on hit when matching element.
Great for any weapon type; Convenience perk.
+Ammo Boost
3.5/5
Killing combatants with this weapon generates a small amount of Super Energy. Excludes PvP.
Great for Primary Weapons and helpful for super-focused builds.
+Ability Energy
3.5/5
Aiming this weapon for a short period reduces flinch.
Great for PvP activities. Optimal for Sniper Rifles.
+Reduced Flinch
3.5/5
Using your grenade ability changes this weapon’s element matching your subclass until you stow it.
Helpful for Element-Focused Bounties and Match Game (Strike Modifier).
+Unique Trait
3.5/5
Picking up Heavy Ammo also grants ammo to this weapon.
Great for Special Weapons. Optimal perk for low ammo situations.
+Ammo Boost
3.5/5
Reloading after a final blow also reloads stowed weapons.
Great for all weapons, although situational. Convenience Perk.
+Weapon Stability
3.5/5
SITUATIONAL AND LOW RATED PERKS
Increased reload speed, stability, and handling when enemies are in close proximity.
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Readiness
3.45/5
Improved stability and accuracy as the magazine get lower.
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Accuracy
3.1/5
Melee kills reload a portion of this weapon’s magazine. Grants ammo for Primary ammo weapons. Reloads from reserves for Special and Heavy ammo weapons.
+Magazine
3/5
The holstered weapon is automatically reloaded after a short period of time.
+Magazine
3/5
Increased accuracy, stability, and handling when firing while crouched.
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Readiness
3/5
Missing a shot has a chance to return ammo directly to the magazine.
+Magazine
3.1/5
This weapon becomes more accurate and boosts handling as your health gets lower.
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Readiness
3/5
Sliding partially reloads this weapon’s magazine and temporarily boosts range and stability.
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Range
+Weapon Stability
3/5
Increased accuracy, stability, and precision hit targeting when firing from the hip (free-fire).
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Stability
+Target Acquisition
3/5
This weapon gains a boost to reload speed as your health gets lower.
+Reload Speed
2.5/5
Grants reduced charge time and increased handling for a short time after weapon swap.
+Reduced Charge Time
+Weapon Readiness
2.5/5
Sliding partially reloads this weapon’s magazine and temporarily boosts handling and stability.
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Stability
2.2/5
Projectiles attached to enemies explode after a short delay.
+Unique Trait
2/5
Automatically reloads the magazine and improves weapon handling when critically wounded – even when stowed.
+Magazine
+Weapon Readiness
1/5
BOW SPECIFIC PERKS
Draw time decreases after every precision hit.
Recommended for all bows. Significant impact to draw time makes your bow very effective, quick, and deadly.
+Reduced Draw Time
5/5
Arrows explode after a very short delay.
Great for dealing with rank-and-file enemies and enemies with shields. Slight damage bonus.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Damage
4.5/5
Increases hold time and reload speed, and prevents radar ping from shooting while crouched.
Great for PvP activities and when you need to be stealthy.
+Unique Trait (x2)
+Reload Speed
4.5/5
SHOTGUN SPECIFIC PERKS
After a successful melee hit, this weapon gains increased damage, handling, and reload speed for a short duration – or until three shots are fired from this weapon.
Great overall perk for any shotgun.
+50% Weapon Damage
+Weapon Readiness
+Reload Speed
4.5/5
Hitting an enemy with every pellet in a shot increases melee damage for a short duration.
Does significant damage when stacked with other melee perks, such as Hammer Strike. Optimal for DPS.
+Melee Damage
4.5/5
Reloads two shells at a time, but reduces reload speed.
Great for shotguns that can take the hit to reload speed.
+Unique Trait
-50 Reload Speed
3.5/5
LAUNCHER SPECIFIC PERKS
Each final blow with this weapon creates an elemental damage explosion.
Great for clearing adds. Recommended perk for any rocket launcher or grenade launcher.
+Unique Trait
5/5
Adds tracking capability to rockets. Locks onto targets when aiming down sights.
Great for Rockets without tracking. There is a sound effect when the weapon is locked on target.
+Unique Trait
5/5
Rockets spawn cluster bombs (mini-explosives) upon detonation.
Great for crowd control. Recommended for DPS phase activities when rockets are preferred.
+Unique Trait
5/5
Increases detonation damage as the projectile travels further before exploding.
Great for all Grenade Launchers that support this perk. Works well with Spike Grenades.
+Weapon Damage
4.5/5
Rockets attach on impact and detonate after a delay. Increases blast radius and damage.
Great for clearing adds. Recommended perk for any rocket launcher or grenade launcher.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Damage
+50% Blast Radius
5/5
Massively increases projectile velocity, increases reload speed.
Great for quick rocket action. Works well with Tracking Module.
+Velocity
+Reload Speed
5/5
SWORD SPECIFIC PERKS
Rapid sword strikes increase this weapon’s damage for a short duration. Guarding ends the effect.
Recommended perk for swords. Works well with Relentless Strikes.
+Weapon Damage
5/5
Landing three light-attack hits within a short time grants sword ammo.
Great for PvE activities, especially in low ammo situations.
+Ammo Boost
5/5
This weapon gains bonus damage when three or more enemies are in close proximity.
Great for any weapon. Works well with any other damage perk.
+Weapon Damage
4/5
Sword kills boost movement speed and damage for a short time.
Good overall perk for damage and maneuverability.
+Movement Speed
+Weapon Damage
4/5
Sword ammo granted for every other sword kill.
Great for PvE activities, especially in low ammo situations.
+Ammo Boost
3.95/5
If your heavy attack consumes the last of your ammo, it deals significantly increased damage. Excludes aerial attacks.
Good damage output, although the perk can feel situational.
+Weapon Damage
3.5/5
Quick attacks immediately after swapping to this sword do additional damage.
Good damage output, although the perk can feel situational.
+Weapon Damage
3/5
Melee blocked immediately after guarding disorients and weakens the attacker for a short time.
Can stack with other debuff perks. Situational.
+Unique Trait
3/5
Blocking an attack immediately after guarding increases damage for a short time.
Decent damage output but the perk can feel situational.
+Weapon Damage
3/5
Guarding while receiving damage generates class ability energy.
Situational.
+Ability Energy
3/5
RAID EXCLUSIVE PERKS
This weapon slowly reloads itself over time, up to double capacity.
This perk can only be found on Deep Stone Crypt weapons.
+Magazine
5/5
Elemental kills increase the damage of this weapon’s next shot.
This perk can only be found on Deep Stone Crypt weapons.
+Weapon Damage
4/5
Damaging rank-and-file combatants increases damage against more powerful ones. Stacks up to 20 for a single powerful bullet.
This perk can only be found on Deep Stone Crypt weapons.
+Weapon Damage
4/5
IRON BANNER EXCLUSIVE PERKS
Massively improves Weapon Stability at the cost of Reload Speed.
Can only be found on Iron Banner weapons from recent seasons.
+20 Weapon Stability
-40 Reload Speed
4/5
Massively improves Target Acquisition at the cost of Weapon Range.
Can only be found on Iron Banner weapons from recent seasons.
+20 Target Acquisition
-40 Weapon Range
4/5
Massively improves Weapon Range at the cost of Weapon Stability.
Can only be found on Iron Banner weapons from recent seasons.
+20 Weapon Range
-40 Weapon Stability
4/5
NEW OR UNRATED PERKS
Gain bonus damage and charge rate during a slide after sprinting for a short duration.
Available on Fusion Rifles.
+Weapon Damage
+Charge Rate
0/5
While you are the last living member of your fireteam, each takedown refills your magazine.
+Unique Trait
0/5
Defeating combatants with grenade abilities increases this weapon’s damage.
This perk is currently unavailable.
+Weapon Damage
0/5
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