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Weapon Perks
- This guide contains a list of weapon perks (traits) that weapons in Destiny 2 can roll with
- Use the Quick Menu to help with navigation!
- Click on any of the weapon icons to open that perk on Light.gg. This will open a new tab!
- Weapon Tags can be used on this page to filter between perk benefits
- Access Third-Party resources right from this page as well!
Quick Menu − What are you looking for?
Know the perk you’re searching for? Use CTRL-F, or navigate between sections using the Quickview menu on the top-left side of the page!
Understanding Your Weapon
Quick Tip!
Use Quickview (a button located on the top-left of the page) to navigate between sections! If on mobile and want to see more than one panel at a time, rotate your phone!
Quick Information
What do the perk columns mean on a weapon?
- 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.
- Base Traits: Two random perks that provide a unique benefit to the weapon.
- Origin Traits: Innate buffs that a weapon has, depending on the source activity and/or weapon manufacturer.
- Weapons obtained before Season 16 will NOT have Origin Traits.
- To learn more about Origin Traits, click here!
- NOTE: Some weapons, such as Adept or Seasonal Focused Weapons, may have additional perk options.
What are Weapon Stats?
- Weapons also 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)
What are Enhanced Traits?
- Resonant Weapons, aka weapons that can be crafted, are able to be reshaped with enhanced perks that improve the original perk’s capabilities.
- Enhanced Perks are typically the last set of perks to unlock while levelling up your weapon and have a much higher cost when reshaping the weapon.
- Not every weapon perk in the perk pool has an enhanced version, however. Bungie will most likely add more in future seasons!
- To learn more about Weapon Crafting, click here.
How do Perk Combinations work in Destiny?
- 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 and perks!
- On this page, we have listed all available perks released thus far for weapons released in Destiny 2.
- Weapons typically receive two randomized perks that add to the base stats or enhance combat capabilities in some form.
- Perks continue to be added each season, so DLC icons (Forsaken+) will be marked on each of the perks on this page.
- When a new perk gets added, you can expect future seasonal weapon drops to feature one or more of the perks going forward.
Are there any third-party resources that can help?
- While there are many third-party resources at a Guardian’s disposal, we recommend using Light.gg when looking up perks.
- Light.gg uses the Destiny API to access all Destiny items from the game, from weapons to quests and even hidden items!
- View the Dropbar below to access Light.gg, a third-party website by AFPAC, that provides information on weapon perks, what weapons have specified perks, and more!
- By the way! Clicking on the perk icons on our page will open a new tab and direct you over to their website.
- If you like their website and find yourself using it often, be sure to show your support!
How to Use this Page
- Use the Quick Menu at the top of the page or Quickview, the top left button on the page to navigate between perk categories.
- If you know the perk you’re searching for, use CTRL-F to search!
- To search for a variety of perks based on their function, click on the Weapon Tags dropdown below to filter results.
- To learn more about a perk, click on the perk icon; this will open a new tab to that perk on Light.gg!
Weapon Tags
Each weapon has a green tag (+) that categorizes a perk benefit and a yellow tag (-) that notes any reduced stats. Anything in orange is associated with its enhanced trait. 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
New Perks: Season of the Deep
New perks available in the current season or expansion.
Increases Rocket Launcher ammo and reserves, but reduces damage, blast radius, and reload speed.
Reduces Blast Radius by -30 and Reload Speed by -20.
Enhanced Trait: Reduced Negative Effects (by 5 per penalty)
-Weapon Damage
-Blast Radius
-Reload Speed
Collecting elemental pickups or throwing a Strand Tangle grants a stacking period of increased damage.
Elemental pickups include Firesprites, Void Breaches, Stasis Shards, Ionic Traces, and Strand Tangles.
Seems optimal for specific builds. Still reviewing data.
Enhanced Trait: Improved effect and duration.
+Weapon Damage
Repeatedly missing targets increases this weapon’s stability for a short time. This buff lasts for a short duration after a target is hit.
Have an opinion on this trait? Sound off in the comments or rate this trait on Light.gg!
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Stability
Temporarily increases reload speed after sprinting. This effect is improved when you are amplified.
Have an opinion on this trait? Sound off in the comments or rate this trait on Light.gg!
Enhanced Trait: Improved effect and duration.
+Reload Speed
Final blows with another weapon grant this weapon increased speed for aiming down sights, accuracy, and airborne effectiveness for a short time. When Discord is active, final blows refund ammo.
Have an opinion on this trait? Sound off in the comments or rate this trait on Light.gg!
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Readiness
+Airborne Effectiveness
+Unique Trait
Landing every shot in a burst grants this weapon increased damage and reduced charge time for a short duration.
Have an opinion on this trait? Sound off in the comments or rate this trait on Light.gg!
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
+Reduced Charge Time
Popular Perks
Perks that are highly sought after by the Destiny Community.
Precision kills greatly decrease reload time, allowing for improved readiness.
Works well with any damage perk such as Rampage or Kill Clip.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Reload Speed
Kills with this weapon temporarily grant increased damage. Stacks 3x.
Works well with Outlaw or any reload perk.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
This weapon can be drawn unbelievably fast, allowing for a quick response time.
Works well with Snapshot Sights. Recommended perk for PvP scenarios.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Handling.
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Readiness
Faster time to aim down sights (zoom), allowing for quick response time.
Works well with Quickdraw. Recommended perk for Sniper Rifles.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability.
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Stability
Precision kills with this weapon increase reload speed and cause the target to explode with Solar damage.
Overall a powerful perk and is highly recommended for any activity.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Reload Speed
+Unique Trait
Reloading after a precision final blow increases your rate of fire.
Works well with Outlaw and Rapid Hit. Top tier perk in PvP activities.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Unique Trait
Precision kills create an elemental damage explosion, damaging enemies nearby.
Works well with Outlaw. Use Dragonfly Spec Mod for better damage and radius.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Reload.
+Unique Trait
+Reload Speed
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.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
Reloading after a kill grants increased damage and target acquisition.
Works well with Outlaw and Rapid Hit. Effective on Auto Rifles and SMGs.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: Duration of perk can be refreshed if activated while being active. Reduced damage bonus from 33% to 25%.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
Reloading this weapon after defeating a target overcharges this weapon for a short period of time, causing it to jolt on its next hit.
A beneficial perk with perfect synergy with Arc. Focus on Reload Speed for optimal effectiveness.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Unique Trait
Defeating a target spreads scorch to those nearby. More powerful combatants and opposing Guardians cause scorch in a larger radius.
An amazing perk overall. Synergic with Solar Builds.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Unique Trait
Damage increases the longer this weapon remains on a target.
Provides a maximum of ~25% damage bonus after firing 100% of the magazine. Works great with magazine perks like Overflow or Ambitious Assassin.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Benefit.
+Weapon Damage
Rapid precision hits temporarily increase stability and reload speed.
Works well with Rampage, Kill Clip, and Multi-Kill Clip.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Benefit.
+Reload Speed
Being in combat for 10+ seconds increases damage, handling, and reload until you are out of combat.
A highly recommended perk.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+15% Weapon Damage
+Weapon Readiness
+Reload Speed
This weapon deals increased precision damage when near allies.
Grants +25% Precision Damage. Great for Linear Fusion Rifles, particularly for endgame content.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Handling when close to allies.
+Weapon Damage
+Weapon Readiness (+10)
Final blows grant increased mobility, weapon range, and weapon handling (readiness) for a short duration.
Great for PvP Combat. Grants +20 Range, +50 Mobility, +40 Handling when the perk is triggered.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Range
+Improved Mobility
Sustained kinetic damage to a target emits a shockwave that damages any nearby targets.
Seems to be Kinetic’s version of Volatile Rounds, in a way. Great for ad clear. Emits 3 shockwaves.
Enhanced Trait: Easier to trigger perk.
+Unique Trait
This weapon gains bonus stability, handling, and reload speed while the wielder is in motion.
We are always in motion. This can be especially useful in PvP.
Enhanced Trait: Faster activation of stacking effect.
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Readiness
+Reload Speed
Useful Perks
Perks that are well favoured by the Destiny Community.
Improved accuracy and range on the opening shot of attack.
Works best on Hand Cannons, Sniper Rifles , and Shotguns.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Benefit.
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Range
Causing damage with this weapon increases its stability, allowing better accuracy.
Great for Auto Rifles and weapons that have low stability.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: No longer deactivates on a miss. Now has a 1s timer.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability.
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Stability
Reloading after defeating a target greatly increases target acquisition and aim down sight speed for a short duration.
Works well with any reload-boosting perk, such as Outlaw.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: Duration of perk can be refreshed if activated while being active.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Target Acquisition
+Weapon Readiness
Precision final blows or rapidly defeating targets with a non-precision weapon spawns a Threadling at the target’s location.
Great perk for PvE.
Enhanced Trait: Grants +5 Handling.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Readiness
Final blows cause nearby targets to become volatile.
Everybody needs some volatility in their life, right?
Enhanced Trait: Reduced cooldown.
+Unique Trait
Increased damage against bosses, vehicles, and Guardians in their super.
Works well with Special & Heavy Weapons. Equip Boss Spec Mod for additional damage. Excellent for endgame content.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability.
+Weapon Damage
+15% damage (Bosses)
+50% damage (Guardians)
+Weapon Stability (+10)
Improves accuracy and stability while continuously holding down the trigger.
Great for Auto Rifles and weapons that have low stability.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Stability
Increases handling, reload speed, and stability for each fully charged ability.
Works well with Wellspring or any ability-boosting perk.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Readiness
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Stability
This weapon slowly reloads itself over time, up to double capacity.
This perk can be found on Deep Stone Crypt weapons and certain weapons obtained during or after Season 19.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Magazine
Elemental kills grant stacks that increase the damage of this weapon’s next shot. Max Stacks provide 100% bonus damage in PVE, 50% in PvP.
This perk can be found on Deep Stone Crypt weapons and certain weapons obtained during or after Season 19.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: Now grants improved bonus damage and works in PvP.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Range.
+Weapon Damage
+Weapon Range
Damaging rank-and-file combatants increases damage against more powerful ones. Stacks up to 20 for a single powerful bullet.
This perk can be found on Deep Stone Crypt weapons and certain weapons obtained during or after Season 19.
SEASON 19 UPDATE:
This perk has been reworked!
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Damage
When this weapon’s magazine is empty, it refills from reserves based on the number of hits.
This perk can only be found on Vault of Glass weapons.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Range.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Range
This weapon adapts its damage output and effectiveness against energy shields that don’t match the weapon’s damage type.
Extremely useful against tougher shields. View on Light.gg for Community Research data for more details!
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Unique Trait
Final blows with other weapons improve this weapon’s damage and performance for a short duration.
Useful if you have Quickdraw. Having this perk on other equipped weapons allows for a constant damage buff.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
+Target Acquisition
Final blows grant stacks of Encore, which increase stability, range and accuracy, for a short duration.
Body final blows grant one stack; precision final blows grant two stacks. Max four stacks at a time. Lasts 7s, and final blows refresh the timer!
SEASON 19 UPDATE:
This perk has been reworked!
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration. (by 0.5s)
+Weapon Range
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Accuracy
Improved handling and reload speed when allies are nearby.
Works well with Firing Line. Handy to have when playing PvP activities such as Trials of Osiris, Elimination or Competitive.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Readiness
+Reload Speed
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.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Reload Speed
Projectiles create an area-of-effect detonation on impact.
According to Light.gg Research: Splits 50% of Damage into an Explosive Damage portion that deals 30% increased damage and has no damage falloff. In PvE, increases body shot damage by 15%. Precision Damage Increase varies depending on Precision Multiplier. In PvP, total damage remains the same.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Reload Speed.
+Unique Trait
+Reload Speed (+5)
Hitting three separate targets increases weapon handling, stability, reload, and range for a moderate duration.
Easy to trigger, and helps multiple stats. Pair with One For All for maximum effectiveness!
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Stability
+Reload Speed
Hitting three separate targets within four seconds increases weapon damage for a moderate duration.
Great for Primary Weapons. Acts similar to the Rampage trait.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
+Target Aquisition
Final blows with this weapon increase accuracy and stability while improving vertical recoil.
Great for high RPM weapons. Pair with Counterbalance or Targeting Adjuster Mods.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Stability
+Reduced Recoil
Holding down the trigger will fire this weapon in full auto.
Great for weapons with large magazines. Convenience perk.
This perk is no longer in rotation.
+Unique Trait
After defeating a target, this weapon fires, charges, or draws more slowly and deals increased damage for a brief time.
Works well with range or target acquisition perks for improved weapon capability.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
-Lower Rate of Fire
This weapon becomes more accurate and boosts handling as your health gets lower.
An underrated perk that can prove useful in PvP engagements by providing +30 Handling as well as optimizing the accuracy ‘cone’ size/cone growth while at critical health.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability.
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Stability
Aiming this weapon for a short period without firing grants bonus range and precision damage that resets after firing or exiting zoom.
Triggers after being scoped in for 1.5s. View on Light.gg for Community Research data for more details!
SEASON 19 UPDATE: This perk has received a nerf. Reduced bonus damage on Scout Rifles by 5%.
Enhanced Perk: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
+Weapon Range
Final blows increase this weapon’s damage until it is stowed or reloaded.
An effective damage perk. Pair with any magazine-enhancing perk for maximum benefit!
Enhanced Trait: Improved magazine size.
+Weapon Damage
+Magazine
Final blows with this weapon grant bonus damage. While this buff is active, grenade or melee kills of the same damage type greatly increase its damage and duration.
Damage perks are popular; if your build ties in with abilities, this can be especially useful.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
Damaging nearby combatants with melee abilities dramatically increases handling and damage. Expires after a short duration or the next shot.
Exclusive to the BxR-55 Battler Pulse Rifle. +500% PvE, +100% PvP increased damage for one burst, and +100% handling for 10s. Can be activated while stowed.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Damage
Improved stats based on the currently equipped subclass.
Solar: +50% Reload Speed
Arc: +50% Handling
Void: +20% Stability
Stasis: +Recoil Direction, Reduced ADS Penalty
Strand: +20% Airborne Effectiveness
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Stability
+Reduced Recoil
Kills partially reload the magazine from reserves.
Great for Auto Rifles. May need bonus reserve mods depending on the weapon.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Magazine
Body shots landed with this weapon increase precision multiplier damage and aim assist for a short time.
Great for weapons with medium to heavy recoil patterns.
SEASON 19 Update:
This perk has been reworked!
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability.
+Weapon Damage
+Weapon Stability
Kills provide improved handling for all weapons for a short duration.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Readiness
Picking up Special or Heavy ammo reloads this weapon beyond normal magazine capacity.
Great for all weapons! Optimal perk for low ammo situations.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Magazine
Rapidly landing four precision hits will return two rounds to the magazine.
Great for stable weapons with low to mid magazine size.
Enhanced Trait: Easier to trigger perk.
+Magazine
Overflows the magazine based on the number of rapid kills before reloading your weapon.
Great for weapons with low magazine size.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: Increased time to trigger perk from 5s to 7s.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Reload Speed. Improved duration. (+2s)
+Magazine
+Reload Speed
Increased Range and Zoom when aiming this weapon. Increased Velocity with Launchers.
Great for PvP activities.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Handling.
+Weapon Range
+Zoom Magnification
+Weapon Velocity (Launchers)
+Weapon Readiness
Reloading this weapon randomly overfills it from reserves, allowing for more in the magazine than normal.
Great for weapons with a lower magazine size.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Magazine
Rapid kills trigger Health Regeneration. Guardians and powerful combatants count as more than one kill.
Great for endgame activities and builds that are without quick health-regen capabilities.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Health Regen (+5).
+Unique Trait
+Unique Trait
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. Synergic with melee builds.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
Increased movement speed and target acquisition when moving while aiming down sights.
Great for PvP activities.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Movement Speed
+5 Target Acquisition
This weapon gains a stacking increased airborne effectiveness as your health gets lower.
Each stack is +30 AE, with a max of 2 stacks. Optimal perk for AE builds.
SEASON 19 Update: Now grants a stacking bonus to AE.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Airborne Effectiveness
This weapon gains bonus range until the wielder takes damage. The bonus returns when no damage is taken for a short duration.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Range
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.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
+50% Kinetic Damage
Grants a short period of increased stability and accuracy on initial trigger pull (first bullet).
Great for High Impact weapons.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Accuracy
Increased reload speed, stability, and handling when enemies are in close proximity.
Handy in tricky situations. Useful on SMGs and close-quarter weapons.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Readiness
Aiming this weapon for a short period reduces flinch.
Great for PvP activities. Optimal for Sniper Rifles.
Enhanced Trait: Easier to trigger perk.
+35% Reduced Flinch
This weapon gains bonus damage when three or more enemies are in close proximity.
Use Surrounded Spec mod to increase effectiveness.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Damage
Grenade final blows grant bonus damage and handling for a moderate duration.
A useful perk with a beneficial damage boost. Works great with Demolitionist.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
+Weapon Readiness
Increased accuracy, stability, and handling when firing while crouched.
Great for more covert builds. Grants +30 Handling, +20 Stability, and reduces accuracy cone size when crouched. Effects halved for Fusion Rifles.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Readiness
Increased ammo capacity. Faster reload and handling when crouched.
Great for weapons with slow reload speed and handling.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+30 Ammo Reserve Capacity
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Readiness
Breaking a combatant’s or player’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.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: Now works in PvP against player shields.
Enhanced Trait: Improved handling.
+Ammo Boost
+Weapon Readiness
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).
Enhanced Trait: Improved Handling.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Readiness
Picking up Heavy Ammo also grants ammo to this weapon.
Great for Special Weapons. Optimal perk for low ammo situations.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Ammo Boost
Rounds at the end of the magazine deal more damage.
Great for weapons with a moderate magazine size.
Enhanced Trait: Improved damage starts earlier in the magazine.
+Weapon Damage
Situational and Low Rated Perks
Perks that may only provide benefits in specific circumstances or need further refinement by Bungie.
Increased reload, range, and accuracy when no combatants are in close proximity.
Have an opinion on this trait? Sound off in the comments or rate this trait on Light.gg!
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Range
+Weapon Reload Speed
+Weapon Accuracy
Final blows grant additional weapon range, stability, and accuracy when firing from the hip for a short duration.
Situational. There are many other perks that provide better benefits.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Duration.
+Weapon Range
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Accuracy
Final blows or sustained precision hits with another weapon increase this weapon’s rate of fire for a short duration.
Firing Delay is reduced by 30% on SMGs/Machine Guns, and 40% on other weapons.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Duration.
+Unique Trait
Being in combat for a moderate time increases airborne effectiveness and reduces flinch until you are out of combat.
Situational. Grants +30 Airborne Effectiveness. Triggers Frenzy faster according to reviews.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Airborne Effectiveness
Final blows build and store charges which allow you to swap and stow this weapon at a faster rate.
Situational.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Benefit.
+Weapon Readiness
Aiming down sights increases body shot damage but decreases target acquisition.
Situational. If the penalty is too much, try a Targeting Adjuster mod.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: Increased bonus Auto Rifle body damage from 10% to 20%.
Enhanced Trait: Reduced penalty.
+Weapon Damage
-Target Acquisition
Using this weapon to break the shield of a combatant or a Guardian using their Super will grant you an overshield.
Situational, though handy in certain activities. It can be useful having easy access to an overshield.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Unique Trait
Rapidly defeating targets with other weapons before drawing this one transfers ammo to the magazine from reserves. This effect can overflow the magazine based on the number of targets defeated.
Have an opinion on this trait? Sound off in the comments or rate this trait on Light.gg!
Enhanced Trait: Easier to trigger perk.
+Unique Trait
Significantly increases handling but significantly decreases target acquisition.
Situational. If the penalty is too much, try a Targeting Adjuster mod.
Enhanced Trait: Reduced penalty.
+Weapon Readiness
-Target Acquisition
Deals bonus damage to targets with overshields. Deals a small amount of bonus damage to combatant shields.
Perk does +20% damage against overshields, and +10% damage against combatant shields. Situational.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Benefit.
+Weapon Damage
Dealing half of the magazine as precision damage grants this weapon bonus damage. The shot count is reset whenever the weapon is reloaded or stowed.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
Shooting an ammo brick picks it up and automatically reloads all of your equipped weapons from reserves.
A returning perk from D1 with added benefits. Useful in more difficult PvE activities where you may need more ammo but cannot get to it.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Range.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Range
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.
Can feel situational. Works well with melee builds or on weapons with low reload speed.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Handling.
+Magazine
+Weapon Readiness (+5)
Increased accuracy, stability, and precision hit targeting when firing from the hip (free-fire).
Actively promotes free-firing, which is often situational.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Accuracy
+Weapon Stability
+Target Acquisition
Missing a shot has a chance to return ammo directly to the magazine.
Can be useful in a few scenarios for weapons with a larger magazine, such as Machine Guns.
Enhanced Trait: Easier to trigger perk.
+Magazine
Grants increased reload speed when reloading above half a magazine.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Reload Speed.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: This perk received a buff. Now remains active down to half ammo.
+Reload Speed
+Reload Speed
The holstered weapon is automatically reloaded after a short period of time.
Can be useful for weapons with low reload speed; great however for DPS and switching weapons.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Magazine
Reloading after a final blow also reloads stowed weapons.
Great for all weapons, although situational. Convenience Perk.
Enhanced Trait: Time to trigger proc extended.
+Weapon Stability
+20 Reload
Improved stability and accuracy as the magazine get lower.
Situational.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Accuracy
Sliding partially reloads this weapon’s magazine and temporarily boosts range and stability.
Can feel situational and can be often forgotten about.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Range
+Weapon Stability
Sliding partially reloads this weapon’s magazine and temporarily boosts handling and stability.
Situational.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Stability
Automatically reloads the magazine and improves weapon handling when critically wounded – even when stowed.
Situational.
Enhanced Trait: Easier to trigger the perk.
+Magazine
+Weapon Readiness
Projectiles attached to enemies explode after a short delay.
Though some may in fact enjoy this perk, it is often surpassed by many other perks.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Stability (+5)
Ability or Synergic Perks
Perks that provide ability energy in some form, or work in synergy with subclasses or specific builds.
Final blows with this weapon generate melee energy. Dealing melee damage briefly improves this weapon’s handling.
Very handy (pun intended) for melee builds unless you get your melee back instantaneously (ex: Insurmountable Skullfort).
Enhanced Trait: Improved Benefit.
+Ability Energy
+Weapon Readiness
Direct hits with the top half of the magazine cause a detonation that slows nearby targets.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Stability
Precision final blows spawn a Stasis crystal at the victim’s location.
A great perk that has good synergy with the Stasis Subclass.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Stability
Killing combatants with this weapon generates a small amount of Super Energy. Excludes PvP.
Great for Primary Weapons and helpful for super-focused builds.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Ability Energy
Throwing a grenade or hitting a target with a charged melee grants a stacking bonus to weapon stability, handling, and range. Using a Super grants maximum stacks. Well Rounded, you could say.
Can feel situational at times.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: This perk has received a buff! Increased duration to 15s, up from 10s.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Stability
+Weapon Readiness
+Weapon Range
Kills with this weapon generate grenade energy. Activating your grenade ability reloads this weapon from weapon reserves.
Great for grenade-focused builds.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Ability energy
Kills with this weapon generate ability energy. This energy is divided between your uncharged abilities.
Works well with Surplus or any other ability perks.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Ability Energy
Defeating Void-debuffed targets grants an overshield.
Works well with void subclass abilities.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Unique Trait
Bow/Fusion Rifle Specific Perks
Perks that are exclusive to Bows and Fusion Rifles.
Each final blow increases charge/draw speed.
A must-have for most bows, fusion rifles and Linear Fusion Rifles. It can make your weapon quite fast!
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Reduced Draw Time (Bows)
+Reduced Charge Time (Fusion Rifles)
Draw time decreases after every precision hit.
Exclusive to Bows.
Recommended for all bows. Significant impact to draw time makes your bow very effective, quick, and deadly.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Reduced Draw Time
Arrows explode after a very short delay.
Exclusive to Bows.
Great for dealing with rank-and-file enemies and enemies with shields. Slight damage bonus.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Weapon Accuracy.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Damage
+Weapon Accuracy
Increases hold time and reload speed, and prevents radar ping from shooting while crouched. Exclusive to Bows.
Great for PvP activities and when you need to be stealthy. Void sneaky Hunters may like this one.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability and Reload Speed.
+Unique Trait (x2)
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Stability
+Reload Speed
Gain bonus damage and charge rate during a slide after sprinting for a short duration. Exclusive to Fusion Rifles.
Can feel situational and surpassed by other perks.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
+Charge Rate
Grants reduced charge time and increased handling for a short time after weapon swap. Exclusive to Fusion Rifles.
Can be helpful for PvP-centered fusion rifles.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Reduced Charge Time
+Weapon Readiness
When the battery is full, your next burst deals additional damage and causes enemies to explode on death. Exclusive to Fusion Rifles.
Who doesn’t like explosions? Works amazingly with Subsistence and higher ammo reserves.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability.
+Weapon Damage
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Stability
Faster charge time or draw-time when surrounded by combatants.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Stability.
More effective on Fusion Rifles, or when paired with other damage perks.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Stability (+10)
Shotgun/Glaive Specific Perks
Perks that are only available on Shotguns and Glaives.
Blocking damage partially reloads this weapon from reserves.
Have an opinion on this trait? Sound off in the comments or rate this trait on Light.gg!
Enhanced Trait: Reduced time to trigger.
+Unique Trait
Glaive projectile final blows improve Glaive melee damage. Glaive projectile or melee damage extends the duration.
+30% Damage buff. Recommended perk for Glaive and CQC focused builds.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Duration.
+Weapon Damage
Blocking damage with your shield increases movement speed until you lower your shield. Exclusive to Glaives.
Can be useful, though situational.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Movement Speed
Blocking damage with your shield increases projectile damage for a short time. Exclusive to Glaives.
Improves projectile damage by 20% for 4 seconds or until you stop blocking. Blocking any hit refreshes the duration.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: This perk has received a nerf. Reduced damage bonus from 30% to 20%.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
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. Exclusive to Shotguns.
Great overall perk for any shotgun. Works well with close-quarter builds.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+50% Weapon Damage
+Weapon Readiness
+Reload Speed
Hitting an enemy with every pellet in a shot increases melee damage for a short duration. Exclusive to Shotguns.
Does significant damage when stacked with other melee perks. Optimal for DPS. Works well with close-quarter builds.
SEASON 19 UPDATE: This perk has received a nerf. Reduced bonus melee damage (from 3x to 2x on uncharged melees, 1.8x to 1.4x on charged melees, and reduced bonus vs bossues from 0.5 to 0.25)
Enhanced Trait: Easier to trigger perk.
+Melee Damage
Reloads two shells at a time, but reduces reload speed. Exclusive to Shotguns.
Great for shotguns that can take the hit to reload speed. You can reload shoot, reload shoot, if necessary.
Enhanced Trait: Loads three shells instead of two.
+Unique Trait
-35 Reload Speed
Launcher Specific Perks
Perks that are only available on Grenade Launchers and Rocket Launchers.
Each final blow with this weapon creates an elemental damage explosion.
Great for clearing adds. Recommended perk for any rocket launcher or grenade launcher.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Ammo Reserves.
+Unique Trait
+Ammo Reserves
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.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Blast Radius.
+Unique Trait
+Blast Radius
Rockets spawn cluster bombs (mini-explosives) upon detonation.
Great for crowd control. Recommended for DPS phase activities when rockets are preferred.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Blast Radius.
+Unique Trait
+Blast Radius
Picking up an Orb of Power increases the next projectile’s blast radius and damage.
According to Light.gg Research: Grants 1 Stack of Explosive Light per Orb of Power Pickup, granting increased damage and 100 Blast Radius. Max of 6 Stacks. Consumes 1 Stack per Shot.
Grenade Launchers: 44% Increased damage.
Rocket Launchers: 25% Increased damage.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Velocity. Increases max stack to 7.
+Blast Radius
+Weapon Damage
+Velocity
Increased Blast Radius when surrounded by combatants.
Situational, but useful in high-fire combat.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Blast Radius.
+Blast Radius
+Blast Radius
Increases detonation damage as the projectile travels further before exploding.
Great for all Grenade Launchers that support this perk. Works well with Spike Grenades.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Blast Radius.
+Weapon Damage
+Blast Radius
Rockets attach on impact and detonate after a delay. Increases blast radius and damage.
Great for clearing adds. Can be dangerous if you forget about it though.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Unique Trait
+Weapon Damage
+50% Blast Radius
Massively increases projectile velocity, increases reload speed.
Great for quick rocket action. Works well with Tracking Module.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Velocity
+Reload Speed
Sword Specific Perks
Perks that are only available on Swords.
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.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
Landing three light-attack hits within a short time grants sword ammo.
Great for PvE activities, especially in low ammo situations.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Ammo Boost
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.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Weapon Damage
Sword kills boost movement speed and damage for a short time.
Good overall perk for damage and maneuverability.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Movement Speed
+Weapon Damage
Gain increased Sword lunge distance immediately after switching to this weapon.
Exclusive to the “Half-Truths” and “The Other Side” Swords obtainable via Dares of Eternity or Xur.
SEASON 20 UPDATE: This perk has been reworked to reduce the effectiveness of ‘sword skating’ techniques.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Unique Trait
Receiving damage while guarding temporarily increases Sword lunge distance.
Have an opinion on this trait? Sound off in the comments or rate this trait on Light.gg!
Enhanced Trait: Improved Duration.
+Unique Trait
Powered Sword hits slow targets.
Exclusive to the reprised Zephyr Stasis Legendary Sword!
Enhanced Trait: Improved Ammo Capacity.
+Unique Trait
+Ammo Capacity (+10)
Sword ammo granted for every other sword kill.
Great for PvE activities, especially in low ammo situations.
Enhanced Trait: Adds a chance for additional ammo to be provided.
+Ammo Boost
+Unique Trait
Quick attacks immediately after swapping to this sword do additional damage.
Good damage output, although the perk can feel situational.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
Melee blocked immediately after guarding disorients and weakens the attacker for a short time.
Can stack with other debuff perks. Situational.
Enhanced Trait: Improved Ammo Reserves & Ammo Capacity.
+Unique Trait
+Ammo Reserves
+Ammo Capacity
Guarding while receiving damage generates class ability energy.
Situational.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Ability Energy
Sword final blows grant increased charge rate, efficiency, and defence until this weapon is stowed.
Very handy and could be very efficient with certain weapons.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Charge Rate
+Sword Bonuses
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.
Enhanced Trait: N/A.
+Weapon Damage
Blocking an attack immediately after guarding increases damage for a short time.
Decent damage output but the perk can feel situational.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
Activity Exclusive Perks
Perks that can only be found on certain activity-specific weapons, such as Raids or Events.
Final blows of energy types matching this weapon’s alignment grant increased damage for a short period of time. Light final blows boost Arc, Solar, and Void weapons. Darkness final blows boost Stasis and Strand weapons.
Grants around 20% damage. Currently exclusive to weapons obtained in the Root of Nightmares Raid.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Weapon Damage
Massively improves Weapon Stability at the cost of Reload Speed.
Can only be found on Iron Banner weapons from recent seasons.
Enhanced Trait: Reduced Penalty.
+20 Weapon Stability
-30 Reload Speed
Massively improves Target Acquisition at the cost of Weapon Range.
Can only be found on Iron Banner weapons from recent seasons.
Enhanced Trait: Reduced Penalty.
+20 Target Acquisition
-30 Weapon Range
Massively improves Weapon Range at the cost of Weapon Stability.
Can only be found on Iron Banner weapons from recent seasons.
Enhanced Trait: Reduced Penalty.
+20 Weapon Range
-30 Weapon Stability
Retired Perks
Perks that are no longer in the perk pool due to low usage or performance.
While you are the last living member of your fireteam, each takedown refills your magazine. Grants additional magazine size.
Kind of a last-stand perk.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+Unique Trait
+30 Magazine
Improved weapon performance when Last Guardian Standing. Permanently grants +20 Reload and Handling.
Great for PvP activities, especially Elimination and Trials of Osiris.
Enhanced Trait: Improved benefit.
+100 Target Acquisition
+100 Weapon Readiness
+100 Reload Speed
+Reduced Flinch
+Reduced Recoil
+Reduced Spread
Breaking a shield with a matching element disorients nearby combatants.
Can be useful PvE activities.
Enhanced Trait: Improved duration.
+Unique Trait
This weapon gains a boost to reload speed as your health gets lower.
Situational.
Enhanced Trait: Also boosts Weapon Stability.
+Reload Speed
+Weapon Stability
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