The Best Submachine Guns in Destiny 2: A Comprehensive Guide
Submachine guns (SMGs) in Destiny 2 are a popular choice for Guardians due to their high rate of fire, versatility, and effectiveness in both PvE and PvP scenarios. Whether you’re clearing waves of enemies in a strike or dominating opponents in the Crucible, having the right SMG in your arsenal can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll dive into the best submachine guns in Destiny 2, their unique traits, and how to make the most out of them.
What Makes a Great Submachine Gun in Destiny 2?
Before we jump into the list, it’s important to understand what makes an SMG stand out in Destiny 2. A great SMG should offer a balance of high damage output, reliable stability, and versatility across different playstyles. Additionally, perks and weapon mods can significantly enhance an SMG’s performance, making it a formidable tool in various combat situations.
Top Submachine Guns in Destiny 2
1. Sturm – The Legendary Energy SMG
Type: Energy SMG (Arc damage)
Source: Exotic Cipher or Exotic Engram
Why It’s Great: Sturm is a fan-favorite exotic SMG that excels in both PvE and PvP. Its exotic perk, “Criminal’s Catalyst,” allows you to gain a temporary damage boost after landing a melee attack, making it a powerful tool for aggressive playstyles.
Best For: PvP, where its high precision and burst damage can take down opponents quickly.
2. Subjunctive – The Kinetic Powerhouse
Type: Kinetic SMG
Source: Seasonal activity rewards (e.g., Nightfalls)
Why It’s Great: Subjunctive is a high-powered Kinetic SMG with excellent range and stability. Its Corkscrew Rifling barrel makes it highly accurate, even at medium distances, while its Feeding Frenzy perk boosts its reload speed when damaging enemies.
Best For: PvE activities like strikes and Raids, where its consistent damage output shines.
3. Ikelos_SMG – The Solar Special
Type: Solar SMG
Source: Season of the Chosen or Prophecy Dungeon
Why It’s Great: Ikelos_SMG is a Solar-powered SMG with outstanding burst damage and a wide range of customizable perks. Its Sawtooth Brakes and Ricochet Rounds make it a stable and forgiving weapon, while its Solar Burst perk adds an extra layer of damage against enemies.
Best For: Solar-based builds, where its elemental synergy can unleash devastating damage.
4. The Huckleberry – A Classic Returns
Type: Kinetic SMG
Source: The Drifter or Gunsmith Engrams
Why It’s Great: The Huckleberry is a returning weapon from Destiny 1 that has quickly become a staple in Destiny 2. Its *Ride the Pony perk increases its rate of fire and damage after each kill, making it a beast in close-quarters combat.
Best For: Aggressive players who thrive in fast-paced, high-intensity fights.
5. Ticuu’s Divination – The Exotic SMG
Type: Stasis SMG
Source: Exotic Engram or Xur
Why It’s Great: Ticuu’s Divination is a unique Stasis SMG with excellent crowd control capabilities. Its *Divine Divinity perk allows you to slow down enemies with precision hits, while its *Hollow Words perk provides a damage boost when using your Super.
Best For: Stasis-based builds, where its slows and damage output can dominate in both PvE and PvP.
How to Choose the Right