Destiny 2 Pulse Rifle is Graviton Lance in disguise and you need to farm it

Master Joxer’s Longsword with expert Void builds, perk optimization strategies, and advanced combat techniques

Introduction: The PvP Treasure You Need

Destiny 2’s latest season introduces a game-changing Pulse Rifle that replicates the devastating power of Graviton Lance while preserving your precious exotic weapon slot for other loadout options.

While Episode Heresy launched recently, many guardians have overlooked what may be the most powerful addition to the seasonal arsenal—a weapon that combines exceptional add-clearing capabilities with impressive single-target damage potential.

Obtainable through Crucible matches or targeted focusing with Lord Shaxx, Joxer’s Longsword stands as the premier Void primary weapon for players seeking maximum efficiency without exotic slot commitment. Its accessibility through PvP activities makes it surprisingly obtainable even for those who typically avoid competitive gameplay.

This innovative firearm employs a Heavy Burst frame—currently the dominant archetype for primary ammunition damage-per-second in player-versus-environment scenarios—while boasting an extensive perk selection featuring more than 140 possible combinations to suit various playstyles.

Among these numerous possibilities, one particular perk combination transforms Joxer’s Longsword into essentially a legendary-tier version of Graviton Lance, creating absolute dominance when paired with Void-focused character builds and artifact modifications.

Perfect God Roll Configuration

Building the ultimate Joxer’s Longsword requires careful component selection to maximize its explosive potential and handling characteristics.

  • Barrel: Arrowhead Brake (dramatically improves recoil direction and handling speed)
  • Magazine: Ricochet Rounds (boosts range and stability while adding ricochet potential)
  • Perk 2: Destabilizing Rounds (creates volatile targets after defeating surrounded enemies)
  • Masterwork: Stability/Reload Speed (choose based on your build’s existing stat investments)
  • The ability to combine both Dragonfly and Destabilizing Rounds on a single weapon represents an extraordinary synergy, with Dragonfly generating initial area-of-effect detonations while Destabilizing Rounds follows up with subsequent volatile explosions that spread debuffs to nearby combatants.

    This sequential explosion combination proves exceptionally effective for enemy clearance duties, enabling Joxer’s Longsword to surpass nearly all other legendary weapons in add-management scenarios. Additionally, the recent Episode Heresy update enhanced Destabilizing Rounds with reduced internal cooldown and the addition of Volatile Rounds buff granting, allowing it to outperform even the popular Incandescent perk in many situations.

    For players struggling with recoil control, consider Smallbore as an alternative barrel option. If you’ve invested heavily into recoil control through armor mods, Fluted Barrel can provide superior handling. For magazine alternatives, Tactical Mag offers similar benefits with additional ammunition reserves, while Steady Rounds can benefit those on console or using controllers.

    Mastering the Double Explosion Combo

    The Dragonfly and Destabilizing Rounds combination creates a powerful chain reaction that fundamentally changes how you approach combat encounters.

    To be clear, Joxer’s Longsword isn’t the inaugural weapon capable of accessing both these exceptional perks. Other options like Age-Old Bond, Word of Crota, and Nessa’s Oblation can achieve similar configurations, but these alternatives utilize archetypes that present significant limitations. Both Age-Old Bond and Word of Crota suffer from inadequate damage-per-second output for modern content, while Nessa’s Oblation presents the impractical scenario of employing a Slug Shotgun for add-clear duties where range and target acquisition become problematic.

    Conversely, Heavy Burst Pulse Rifles currently dominate the metagame and closely emulate the performance characteristics of Graviton Lance. This holds especially true for Joxer’s Longsword, as it functions as a Void-damage weapon possessing exceptional effective range and triggering sequential detonations, mirroring the behavior of its exotic inspiration.

    Mastering the timing between explosions requires understanding that Dragonfly triggers immediately on precision final blows, while Destabilizing Rounds activates after defeating targets surrounded by other enemies. Strategic positioning to ensure you’re engaging clustered enemies maximizes the combo’s effectiveness. Aim for precision kills on enemies positioned near others to initiate the chain reaction, then quickly transition to volatile-afflicted targets to continue the devastation.

    Advanced Void Build Integration

    The true potential of Joxer’s Longsword emerges when integrated with specialized Void builds and seasonal artifact modifications.

    These explosive effects receive significant amplification through artifact perks including Volatile Marksman, Maligned Harvest, and Void Flux. With all these enhancements active simultaneously, you’ll maintain nearly permanent Volatile Rounds availability while applying the Weaken debuff to enemies, increasing damage received from all sources by 15%—a substantial team damage boost in endgame activities.

    For Voidwalkers, pair with Devour aspects for survivability during aggressive play. Nightstalkers benefit from stylish executioner and vanishing step for constant invisibility and debuff application. Sentinel Titans can utilize controlled demo and offensive bulwark for additional volatile propagation and overshield sustainability. Each subclass offers unique synergies that enhance different aspects of the weapon’s performance.

    Common mistakes include neglecting reload speed investments (addressing through mods or masterwork), poor positioning that prevents Destabilizing Rounds activation, and failing to coordinate with teammates using other debuff sources that might conflict with Weaken applications. Optimal play involves communicating with your fireteam about debuff timing and positioning to maximize area denial and damage amplification.

    Weapon Comparison and Alternatives

    Understanding where Joxer’s Longsword fits in the current weapon ecosystem helps maximize its effectiveness in appropriate scenarios.

    While Joxer’s Longsword delivers exceptional performance, it certainly doesn’t represent the sole weapon worth acquiring during Heresy. The current episode introduced numerous top-tier firearms, including a revolutionary Rocket Launcher that has supplanted Apex Predator in the damage meta and an underestimated exotic weapon that trivializes raid boss encounters through unique mechanics.

    Best Destiny 2 PvE weapons: Meta guns in Renegades

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    For situations requiring different weapon types, consider Graviton Lance for extreme range encounters, Funnelweb for close-quarters mobility builds, or Unforgiven for aggressive SMG playstyles. Joxer’s Longsword excels in mid-range engagements with clustered enemies, particularly in activities with high enemy density like Altars of Summoning, Blind Well, or certain raid encounters. Its limitations become apparent in primarily single-target scenarios or against highly mobile enemies where the explosion chain cannot propagate effectively.

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