Though scout rifles are hardly considered great in the current Destiny 2 meta, in the hands of a precise player, they can be a strong option across all types of content. Though some do have rapid-fire frames that feel a bit like a long-range auto rifle that fires a bit slower, your typical scout rifle is a single medium-to-long range shot that’s faster but weaker than a sniper rifle. As such, in certain PVE activities, you’d be hard-pressed to find a weapon that’s better at getting instant precision kills against red bars, which is particularly useful in high-end content where keeping your distance to avoid taking damage is a priority.
About the Author
The Saterienne Rapier with Outlaw and Firefly was my most-used weapon in Destiny 1, and there was no weapon better at crowd control against adds in PVE. Sadly, the gun has never existed in Destiny 2. Despite that, I’ve conducted extensive research over the years into the best scout rifles that the game has to offer.
For the purposes of this tier list, I’ve cross-referenced various tier lists including one from Blueberries.gg and databases that rank the popularity of weapons such as Light.gg. Preferences are subjective, but hard data speaks volumes: Popularity tells us at a glance if a weapon roll is “Good” or “Bad.” But something weapon guides don’t talk about enough: how obtainable is the weapon in question? A great gun is no use to anybody if you can’t get one. We also considered the fact that many weapons have PVE perks that synergize with subclass elements, and those typically make for top-tier PVE picks.
Disclaimers About the Tier List
This tier list is designed to help you figure out the best scout rifles to use in Destiny 2 for different activities, considering various factors that might influence the rankings. How easy it is to obtain a weapon and its god roll should be just as important when considering what is “best.”
By all means, chase all of the raid weapons, because they’re excellent, but in terms of the best bang for your buck, plenty of other drops will do. Even within a specific weapon type, there are several different archetypes that each serve a distinct purpose. That’s to say nothing of Bungie’s various ongoing balancing changes that might buff or nerf a specific weapon, its archetype, or the overall weapon type.
It’s therefore important to understand all of the context surrounding these weapons. Tier lists are inherently opinionated even when driven by data like overall popularity or DPS output. We will endeavor to update the tier list whenever balance changes occur and after new seasons or expansions as our understanding of the metagame solidifies.
Tier List for Scout Rifles
- S: These are best-in-class weapons that are the go to options for anyone using the archetype.
- A: These weapons are popular overall, but are edged out for one reason or another by the truly top tier weapons.
- B: These weapons usually have an inherent weakness or downside compared to the higher tiered options usually due to things like perk pool.
- C: These weapons are just average. Nothing special to set them apart.
- D: These weapons are lackluster and mediocre. You’ll rarely see them used.
S Tier Scout Rifles
Polaris Lance
Doom of Chelchis
A Tier Scout Rifles
Hung Jury SR4
Vouchsafe
Touch of Malice
B Tier Scout Rifles
Dead Man’s Tale
Trustee
C Tier Scout Rifles
Tarnished Mettle
D Tier Scout Rifles
Night Watch
Staccato-46
Tier List Ranks and Explanations
- Polaris Lance
- Doom of Chelchis
- Hung Jury SR4
- Vouchsafe
- Touch of Malice
- Dead Man’s Tale
- Trustee
- Tarnished Mettle
- Night Watch
- Staccato-46
S Tier Scout Rifles
Polaris Lance
Anyone who prefers a Solar build absolutely needs to try Polaris Lance. Landing four precision hits loads a Solar explosive round that synergizes with Scorch and Ignition builds. There are no gimmicks here, just lots of fire. If you put in the work, its catalyst adds Dragonfly to the mix for even more explosive fun. It’s snappy, powerful, easy to use, and rewards a keen eye capable of hitting those headshot.
- Excels in: PVE + PVP
- Source: Exotic Kiosk
- Craftable: No
Doom of Chelchis
It’s hard to pass up the novelty of Firefly and Dragonfly rolling on the same weapon, causing Void and Solar explosions with every precision kill. Regardless of the Doom of Chelchis roll, this wicked-looking King’s Fall raid weapon is an absolute beast that’s well worth grinding the raid to make it craftable.
- Excels in: PVE
- Source: King’s Fall raid
- Craftable: Yes
- PVE God Roll: Firefly + Dragonfly / Explosive Payload + One For All
- PVP God Roll: Explosive Payload + Frenzy
A Tier Scout Rifles
Hung Jury SR4
The only reason it slips into A Tier is because Hung Jury SR4 is currently out of rotation during Season of the Wish as a Nightfall reward weapon. Yet it remains one of the most beloved scout rifles around with quite a few different viable perk combos. If you have one, you use it and love it. If you don’t, then you want one. This Precision Frame scout rifle feels light, snappy, and highly effective regardless of the roll and its bullets fire with a satisfying pop. If you can score one of the god rolls and/or the Adept version through Grandmaster Nightalls, then you’re in for a timeless classic.
- Excels in: PVE
- Source: Commander Zavala engram focusing (if you’ve already acquired a random copy)
- Craftable: No
- PVE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Firefly / Kinetic Tremors
- PVP God Roll: Rapid Hit + Box Breathing
Vouchsafe
Recently reprised with the reintroduction of the Dreaming City loot pool as part of Season of the Wish, Vouchsafe is all about Void synergy. It can roll with Repulsor Brace and Destabilizing Rounds together. The former grants a 45 HP Void overshield for eight seconds upon killing an enemy affected by a Void debuff, and the latter applies Volatile to enemies within a 6.5-meter radius upon a kill. You also can’t go wrong with something classic like Outlaw and Dragonfly. Vouchsafe has less viability in Crucible due to a lower impact and therefore damage, but it’s a snappy weapon with a good feel. If you run a lot of seasonal activities, you’re bound to get a great roll.
- Excels in: PVE
- Source: Dreaming City, Season of the Wish activities, Shattered Throne dungeon
- Craftable: No
- PVE God Roll: Repulsor Brace + Destabilizing Rounds
- PVP God Roll: Killing Wing + Eye of the Storm
Touch of Malice
This Exotic scout rifle has one of the coolest designs in all of Destiny, and its unique perks are even better: land 10 precision hits, and it’ll launch a Taken Blight blinding all enemies in its path. Touch of Malice is punchy enough to one-shot most enemies, consistent enough to handle stronger stuff, and it’s excellent at DPS against bosses. It does drain your health, but it’s a drawback that’s worth it.
- Excels in: PVE
- Source: King’s Fall raid
- Craftable: No
B Tier Scout Rifles
Dead Man’s Tale
This scout rifle is a total anomaly, capable of perfect hip-fire accuracy as a bolt-action rifle with one randomly rolled column. As such, you can grab a roll that suits your playstyle and ideally have one for PVE and another for PVP. With any luck, you’ll eventually unlock the Dead Man’s Tale weapon pattern to craft your own. With the Exotic perk Cranial Spike, chaining precision hits boosts damage and reload speed, which is oh so sweetly suited to a scout rifle this precise. For boss damage, go with Vorpal Weapon, but for everything else PVE, go for something that synergizes with precision hits.
- Excels in: PVE + PVP
- Source: Xur weekly roll
- Craftable: Yes
- PVE God Roll: Vorpal Weapon / Rapid Hit / Outlaw / Fourth Times a Charm
- PVP God Roll: Moving Target / Rapid Hit
Trustee
Arguably the single best non-Exotic Solar scout rifle, Trustee has the same rapid rate of fire as the iconic Randy’s Throwing Knife. If you’re looking for a non-Exotic Solar scout for your build, then you really can’t do better than a Trustee with Incandescent, which triggers Solar explosions that Scorch with each kill.
- Excels in: PVE + PVP
- Source: Deep Stone Crypt raid (first encounter)
- Craftable: Yes
- PVE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Incandescent
- PVP God Roll: Killing Wing + Eye of the Storm
C Tier Scout Rifles
Tarnished Mettle
What Trustee does for Solar, Tarnished Mettle does for Arc with Voltshot, supercharging your next shot if you reload following a kill. Its one major drawback is that you can only get it if Xur or Banshee-44 happens to sell it one day.
- Excels in: PVE
- Source: Xur or Banshee-44
- Craftable: Yes
- PVE God Roll: Rapid Hit / Demolitionist + Voltshot
- PVP God Roll: Moving Target + Eye of the Storm
D Tier Scout Rifles
Night Watch
Lightweight scout rifles are in vogue right now, and Night Watch has been one of the most popular for a long time. As part of the world loot pool, it can be hard to get, let alone one with a solid roll. But as long as you have Explosive Payload, then you’ve got a solid scout rifle that’ll serve you well in both PVE and PVP.
- Excels in: PVE
- Source: World loot pool
- Craftable: No
- PVE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Explosive Payload
- PVP God Roll: Overflow / Rapid Hit + Explosive Payload
Staccato-46
A relatively short zoom and punchy pop make the Staccato-46 feel great, but it’s outclassed by Trustee as a Solar scout. If you happen to already have a Staccato-46 with Incandescent, then it’s an excellent go-to for most Solar builds. Otherwise, you could be waiting a very long time for one to drop from the World Loot Pool these days.
- Excels in: PVE + PVP
- Source: World Loot Pool
- Craftable: No
- PVE God Roll: Triple Tap / Outlaw + Incandescent / Explosive Payload
- PVP God Roll: Under Pressure + Explosive Payload / Rampage
Are Scout Rifles Good Right Now?
In high-level content or at any level when running solo, scout rifles are a solid option for picking off lesser enemies or dealing consistent damage to a boss at range. In many cases, particularly in PVP, there might be better options out there with other weapon types, but for players who are super precise with their shots, a good-feeling scout rifle is one of the most satisfying experiences in the game. Particularly if you have a scout rifle for PVE that synergizes with your overall subclass build, it can do wonders. Or, you know, if you just so happen to have a Hung Jury god roll, then it might never leave your side.
