Scout Rifles continue to be kind of in a weird place, but end game activities in Year 4, including the new raid Deep Stone Crypt added in Beyond Light, have given Scout Rifles some time to shine. Let’s go over the best scout rifles for PvE, PvP, and Gambit in Destiny 2 for 2022.

Best Scout Rifles in Destiny 2 (2022)

Best in PvE & Gambit

  • Dead Man’s Tale (Kinetic, Exotic) – Complete the secret mission, Presage.
  • Hung Jury (Kinetic) – Possible drop from completing Nightfall strikes.
  • Night Watch (Kinetic) – Complete Gambit Prime matches, rank-up with The Drifter, or complete high-tier runs of The Reckoning.
  • Patron of Lost Causes (Kinetic) – Random world drop.
  • Polaris Lance (Energy, Solar, Exotic) – Complete the exotic quest Nascent Dawn.
  • Royal Chase (Energy, Void) – Season pass reward during Season of the Hunt.
  • Servent Leader (Kinetic) – Possible drop from completing Gambit matches.
  • Symmetry (Energy, Arc, Exotic) – Season pass reward from Season of Dawn.
  • Trustee (Energy, Solar) – Possible drop from completing encounters in the Deep Stone Crypt raid.
  • Vision of Confluence (Energy, Solar) – Possible drop from completing encounters in the Vault of Glass raid.

The big names as far as legendary scout rifles go haven’t changed too much in recent years. One notable addition is Trustee which is a rapid-fire frame scout rifle that can also roll with Reconstruction, a unique raid perk that allows it to recharge ammo slowly over time even beyond its usual max capacity. Meaning just the base magazine size of 17 can eventually go all the way up to 34 with Reconstruction. Very nice!

Exotics have been mixed up a little though. Symmetry is still good. It’s a little tricky to use as you need to land precision blows to build up a charge that stacks to 15. Then, hold the reload button and it switches a gun that shoots homing arc bolts that explode for high damage for 10 seconds once you start firing it.

However, the big addition was Dead Man’s Tale, with the catalyst it is an extremely hard-hitting scout rifle that can do extremely high damage both from far away through its sights, or up close with hip-fire.

Polaris Lance is also very good in the right situations. It’s pretty nice in Gambit in particular as you can very safely chip away at a primeval from a long distance while keeping an eye on any invaders coming your way.

Recently added are D1 throwbacks Vision of Confluence and Hung Jury. Both are solid PvE options if you can get the right rolls on them. Look for a full-auto Vision of Confluence if you want that D1-feel.

Finally, another legendary is Night Watch which is an oldie but a goodie that can roll with some powerful rolls. Look out for one with explosive rounds and subsistence which is a particularly satisfying combo.

Best Scout Rifles in PvP in Destiny 2 (2022)

  • Dead Man’s Tale (Kinetic, Exotic) – Complete the secret mission,Presage.
  • Hung Jury (Kinetic) – Possible drop from completing Nightfall strikes.
  • Night Watch (Kinetic) – Complete Gambit Prime matches, rank-up with The Drifter, or complete high tier runs of The Reckoning.
  • MIDA Multi-Tool (Kinetic, Exotic) – Complete the exotic quest line beginning with Enhance on the EDZ.
  • Servent Leader (Kinetic) – Possible drop from completing Gambit matches.
  • Symmetry (Energy, Arc, Exotic) – Season pass reward from Season of Dawn.
  • The Jade Rabbit (Kinetic, Exotic) – Random exotic world drop.
  • Trustee (Energy, Solar) – Possible drop from completing encounters in the Deep Stone Crypt raid.

Dead Man’s Tale is also a force to be reckoned with in PvP for all of the same reasons why it’s great in PvE. Except for this time, you’re dealing with squishy guardians that are ripe for having their heads popped off. While its nerf reduced its dominance quite a bit, it’s still a very powerful scout rifle in PvP

Jade Rabbit is still decent as well. It’s a scout rifle with good stats and while its exotic perk is a bit counterintuitive (chaining body shots to increase headshot damage), if you happen to accidentally land a body shot it doesn’t hurt to increase your critical damage afterward and it can quickly slap enemies from across the map.

The old terror of year 1 Destiny 2, Mida Multi-Tool, isn’t as dominant anymore but if you really like your energy weapon, it doesn’t hurt to have a halfway decent kinetic scout that lets you peek with your radar while ADS.

Symmetry can be good in PvP too, but don’t bother going for 15 charge stacks. Just get around 5-7 otherwise it’s overkill for when you switch to Revolution AKA homing bolt mode.

If you don’t want to burn your exotic slot on a scout Night Watch is a solid choice here as well; the same goes with Trustee.

That’s all for our best scout rifles in Destiny 2 for PvE, PvP, & Gambit. If you’re interested in learning more weapon recommendations. Check out our all-encompassing lists below: