Linear Fusion Rifles are one of the go-to weapon types for dealing boss damage. Specializing in high-damage critical hits, they do well against bosses with large critical hit spots and big critical modifiers. However not all are made the same, with some having better roles than others. These are the 8 best Linear Fusion Rifles in Destiny 2.
While most Linear Fusion Rifles see most of their use in PvE, on occasion, you may catch them in PvP. This list contains both Linear Fusion Rifles that are good in PvP & PvE.
Cataclysmic
Element: Solar
Source: Vow of the Disciple Raid
Best For: PvE
Cataclysmic brought to us one of the strongest DPS perks in Destiny 2: Bait and Switch. Dealing damage with your other equipped gives this weapon a 35% damage buff for 10 seconds.
Bait and Switch is the go-to perk on Cataclysmic. Most other perks in the 4th column fall to the wayside in terms of damage. In the 3rd column, you will want Fourth Time’s the Charm, but Surplus can also be viable. The icing on the cake for Cataclysmic is that you can craft it with enhanced perks, as well as get Adept versions that can slot Adept mods.
Taipan-4fr
Element: Void
Source: Legendary Engrams
Best For: PvE
Taipan-4fr is an amazing fusion rifle with great perks to boot. Better yet Bungie gave it to us for free through the Foundry Resonance questline. With a crafted one of these, you can grab yourself enhanced perks to further boost your damage.
Taipan-4fr brought back Firing Line on a Precision Frame, which hadn’t been seen since Line in The Sand in Season of Dawn. However this damage perk only works well in groups of 3 or more. If running solo is more your speed, then look for Focused Fury. As for perks in the 3rd column, Triple Tap will be your go-to, but Clown Cartridge and Field Prep can also do well.
Sleeper Simulant
Element: Solar
Source: Exotic Archive at the Tower
Best For: PvE
Sleeper Simulant is easily one of the best exotic Linear Fusion Rifles in Destiny 2. While it has fallen in and out of the meta, it always seems to crawl its way back into our hands. Currently, you can find it being used against Kali in the first encounter of Last Wish or any other fight with an enclosed boss arena.
Sleeper Simulant’s exotic perk allows shots to overpenetrate enemies and refract off hard surfaces. This allows the lasers to hit multiple times, bumping up your damage. It also comes with great aim assist, so it can be easier to hit your shots.
Fire and Forget
Element: Stasis
Source: No longer obtainable
Best For: PvE
Stasis Linear Fusion Rifles are practically non-existent. But Fire and Forget might be the best one in the game. It’s 3-round burst is a potent damage dealer, even without the right perks. However miss one of these 3 bolts and the damage doesn’t feel as good.
Although Fire and Forget is no longer obtainable, there is a chance that Banshee-44 or Xur will sell them. If they do happen to be selling one, look for combinations like Surplus/Vorpal Weapon and Field Prep/Focused Fury.
Arbalest
Element: Kinetic
Source: Exotic Engrams
Best For: PvE & PvP
Legendary Lost Sectors are some of the most challenging solo activities in the game. Barrier Champions can be a killer, as those with shields that don’t match your current loadout. That’s where Arbalest comes in, breaking these shields left and right.
Compounding Force, Arbalest’s exotic perk, fires slugs that deal massive damage to shielded combatants. This applies to all shields, regardless of damage type. Along with that, it also can break Barrier Champions. While Matchgame has been removed, Arbalest is still a great choice in high-end activities.
Briar’s Contempt
Element: Solar
Source: Root of Nightmares Raid
Best For: PvE
Briar’s Contempt is one of the newest additions to the game. As with the rest of the Root of Nightmare weapons, there are added bonuses for having multiple Root of Nightmare weapons. Additionally, they deal extra damage against Tormentors, Lucent Hive, and Guardians using their Supers.
The perk pool on Briar’s Contempt leaves more to be desired. In the third column, Reconstruction and Rewind Rounds can extend your damage without having to reload. For fourth column damage perks, Focused Fury is the strongest option but Paracausal Affinity can be used when there are other enemies to kill.
Lorentz Driver
Element: Void
Source: Exotic Archive at the Tower
Best For: PvP & PvE
Lorentz Driver has two mechanics that combine to make a unique gameplay loop: marked enemies and picking up drops. Killing three marked enemies and picking up their drop grants you a sizeable damage buff. On top of that precision final blows create an implosion that pulls in nearby enemies.
In most cases you will be using Lorentz Driver in PvP. Although the aim assist has been nerfed, it is still a potent Special weapon. While it has some use in niche Void builds, in PvE you will probably only see it in Strikes and Patrols.
Stormchaser
Element: Arc
Source: Duality Dungeon
Best For: PvE
Stormchaser was the first Aggressive Frame Linear Fusion Rifle to be introduced in Destiny 2. These bad boys fire 3 bolts in quick succession, allowing for lots of damage in a short window.
The perk combinations to look out for are Rapid Hit/Firing Line and Rapid Hit/Vorpal Weapon. While it got quickly got outclassed by Fire and Forget, it now is farmable unlike its successor.
Conclusion
Those are the 8 best Linear Fusion Rifles in Destiny 2. Most veteran players should have a copy of one of these weapons, and probably one with usable perks. Some of them have easy farms, so make sure to grab one before the activity gets sunset.
