Destiny 2 is a treasure trove of unique and powerful weapons and armor known as “Exotics.” These weapons come in various forms, such as Hand Cannons, Auto Rifles, Scout Rifles, Rocket Launchers, Grenade Launchers, Sidearms, Machine Guns, Shotguns, Fusion Rifles, Swords, and more. Exotics give Destiny its distinct flavor and are part of what makes the game so memorable. Whether you’re a player chasing the perfect god roll stats on Exotic armor or a collector seeking every piece of gear, there are plenty of Exotic quests to complete and powerful weapons to earn. Auto Rifles, in particular, are often underrated in Destiny 2. With Submachine Guns excelling at close-range ad-clearing and Scout Rifles and Pulse Rifles handling enemies from a distance, Auto Rifles can sometimes be overlooked. So, let’s dive into the top 5 Exotic Auto Rifles in Destiny 2 and see what makes them stand out.
5. Tommy’s Matchbook: A Fiery Friend with a Dangerous Side
Tommy’s Matchbook, the seasonal Exotic from Season of the Worthy, features the Exotic perk “Ignition Trigger,” which increases damage while overheating the weapon and burning the user. While this sounds intriguing, the damage increase isn’t significant enough to justify the self-inflicted harm. Destiny has seen weapons that can kill you, like Touch of Malice, but Tommy’s Matchbook falls short in comparison.
4. Sweet Business: A High-Capacity Barrage of Bullets
Sweet Business, a weapon with untapped potential, boasts the Exotic perk “Payday,” which grants a larger magazine (150 rounds), increased hip-fire accuracy, and automatic magazine reloading upon picking up primary ammo. While it’s a fun weapon to use, it doesn’t quite justify occupying an Exotic slot when other options like Xenophage, Anarchy, and Deathbringer are available.
3. Cerberus +1: Unleashing Chaos with Four Barrels
Cerberus+1 is a unique weapon that fires from four different barrels simultaneously, thanks to its Exotic perk “Four-Headed Dog.” It also features the “Spread Shot Package” perk, which reduces projectile spread when aiming. Although it’s a fun weapon, its reliance on RNG makes it unreliable. However, its catalyst grants an alternative firing mode with a tighter, close-range spread, making it slightly more consistent but still not the most efficient choice.
2. SUROS Regime: A Classic Auto Rifle with a Health Boost
SUROS Regime, a returning Exotic Auto Rifle from Destiny 1, features the Exotic perk “Suros Legacy,” which grants bonus damage and a chance to return health on kill for the bottom half of each magazine. This makes it a powerful and reliable weapon in various situations, including Crucible. While it’s not as popular as it once was, perhaps its time to shine will come again.
1. Monte Carlo: The Ultimate Melee-Enhancing Machine
Monte Carlo, another returning Exotic Auto Rifle from Destiny 1, has undergone some changes since its original iteration. The Destiny 2 version features the trait “Markov Chain,” which increases damage from melee kills and kills with the weapon, while also granting ammo for melee kills. The Exotic perk “Monte Carlo Method” reduces melee cooldown and grants a chance to fully charge your melee ability with each kill. If you’re building around your melee abilities, Monte Carlo is an indispensable part of your loadout. As one of my all-time favorite Destiny weapons and the first Exotic I ever received in Destiny 1, I was thrilled to see it return in Destiny 2.
Do you agree with this ranking of Destiny 2’s Exotic Auto Rifles? I’m hopeful that Bungie will add more in the future, as Auto Rifles are an underrated weapon type that deserves more attention and appreciation.
Follow Us
