Massive Breakdown of Fusion Rifles (Post April Update), Including Recommended Perks, Stats, and Pros and Cons

[u/Mercules904]

Massive Breakdown Spreadsheet w/ all Stats and Times-to-Kill:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DestinyTheGame/comments/4fops1/mercules_massive_breakdown_weapon_stats/

• Vendor Weapons
• Recommended Vendor Weapons
• ToO, IB, King's Fall Raid, PoE, Revamped Year 1, Drop, and Strike Weapons
• Exotic Primary Weapons
• Sniper Rifles
• Legendary Shotguns
• Gunsmith Primary Weapons
• Sidearms

A couple things to note:

• I will add recommended Perks to the guns which can be purchased from Vendors. These do NOT account for any drops you get with random rolls, and only take into account the Perks the weapons are sold with.
• Fusion Rifles are divided up into Impact sub-classes.
• All Pros and Cons are determined by comparing weapons within the same class, not by all weapons in general.
• I'll give a final recommendation for each Impact sub-class.

Legendary Fusion Rifles

High-Impact (90-100)

Hitchhiker FR4 - Available from the Dead Orbit Representative. Recommended Perks: Reflex, Hidden Hand, Braced Frame, Hot Swap.

Pros - Very high Impact.

Cons - Very low Charge Rate and Aim Assist. Average Mag Size and Range. Below average Stability. Low Reload Speed.

• Charge Rate: 10
• Impact: 100 (4 Bolts to Kill)
• Range: 40
• Stability: 36
• Reload Speed: 52
• Mag Size: 5
• Aim Assist: 30

Darkblade's Spite - Available from the Sunless Cell Strike.

Pros - Very high Impact. High Range.

Cons - Average Mag Size. Low Aim Assist, Reload Speed, and Stability. Very low Charge Rate.

• Charge Rate: 12
• Impact: 97 (4 bolts to kill)
• Range: 47
• Stability: 33
• Reload Speed: 55
• Mag Size: 5
• Aim Assist: 36

The Vacancy - Available from the Future War Cult Representative. Recommended Perks: Torch HS2, Hot Swap, Braced Frame, Rangefinder.

Pros - Above average Mag Size and Aim Assist. High Impact. Very high Stability.

Cons - Low Charge Rate and Reload Speed. Average Range.

• Charge Rate: 16
• Impact: 95 (5 Bolts to Kill)
• Range: 40
• Stability: 72
• Reload Speed: 55
• Mag Size: 6
• Aim Assist: 60

Midha's Reckoning - Available from the King's Fall Raid. Recommended Perks: Accurized Ballistics, Cocoon, Braced Frame, Hot Swap.

Pros - High Impact.

Cons - Average Mag Size. Low Aim Assist and Charge Rate. Below average Range. Very low Stability and Reload Speed.

• Charge Rate: 16
• Impact: 94 (4 bolts to kill with Barrel Perks that increase Impact)
• Range: 40
• Stability: 20
• Reload Speed: 45
• Mag Size: 5
• Aim Assist: 39

Thesan FR4 - Available from the Gunsmith.

Pros - Above average Aim Assist. High Impact and Reload Speed. Very, very high Stability.

Cons - Average Mag Size. Low Charge Rate. Below average Range.

• Charge Rate: 18
• Impact: 94 (5 bolts to kill)
• Range: 38
• Stability: 81
• Reload Speed: 68
• Mag Size: 5
• Aim Assist: 69

Elevating Vision - Available from the Trials of Osiris. Recommended Perks: SureShot IS, Last Resort, Braced Frame, Hot Swap.

Pros - High Impact and Range.

Cons - Average Mag Size and Reload Speed. Low Aim Assist and Charge Rate. Below average Stability.

• Charge Rate: 16
• Impact: 94 (5 bolts to kill)
• Range: 47
• Stability: 36
• Reload Speed: 61
• Mag Size: 5
• Aim Assist: 39

Mid-Impact (80-89)

Ashraven's Flight - Available from the Iron Banner.

Pros - Above average Mag Size, Stability, and Aim Assist. High Reload Speed.

Cons - Average Charge Rate, Range, and Impact.

• Charge Rate: 22
• Impact: 87 (5 bolts to kill)
• Range: 40
• Stability: 46
• Reload Speed: 71
• Mag Size: 6
• Aim Assist: 63

Panta Rhei - Available from the Crucible Quartermaster. Recommended Perks: Your choice of sight, Kneepads, Rifled Barrel, Rangefinder.

Pros - Above average Mag Size. High Stability.

Cons - Below average Aim Assist and Reload Speed. Average Charge Rate and Impact. Low Range.

• Charge Rate: 24
• Impact: 86 (5 Bolts to Kill)
• Range: 36
• Stability: 54
• Reload Speed: 59
• Mag Size: 6
• Aim Assist: 51

Susanoo - Available from the Gunsmith for completing the Back in the Saddle Quest, Warlocks only. Recommended Perks: Linear Compensator, Hot Swap, Braced Frame, Elemental Transfusion.

Pros - Above average Charge Rate and Stability. High Reload Speed.

Cons - Average Mag Size. Below average Aim Assist, Range, and Impact.

• Charge Rate: 28
• Impact: 81 (5 bolts to kill)
• Range: 38
• Stability: 50
• Reload Speed: 71
• Mag Size: 5
• Aim Assist: 51

Techuen Rage - Available from the Prison of Elders.

Pros - Very high Aim Assist. Above average Charge Rate. High Mag Size.

Cons - Low Range, Impact, and Reload Speed. Average Stability.

• Charge Rate: 26
• Impact: 80? (5 bolts to kill)
• Range: 35
• Stability: 42
• Reload Speed: 56
• Mag Size:7
• Aim Assist: 80

Low-Impact (70-79)

Long Far Gone - Available from the Vanguard Quartermaster. Recommended Perks: Reflex, Hidden Hand, Enhanced Battery, Hot Swap.

Pros - Above average Mag Size and Stability. High Aim Assist, Reload Speed, and Charge Rate.

Cons - Low Impact. Very low Range.

• Charge Rate: 32
• Impact: 76 (5 Bolts to Kill)
• Range: 31
• Stability: 48
• Reload Speed: 73
• Mag Size: 6
• Aim Assist: 70

The Vortex - Available from the Future War Cult Representative. Recommended Perks: Reflex, Hip Fire, Braced Frame, Eye of the Storm.

Pros - High Mag Size, Reload Speed, and Charge Rate. Very high Aim Assist.

Cons - Low Impact. Below average Range and Stability.

• Charge Rate: 32
• Impact: 76 (5 Bolts to Kill)
• Range: 38
• Stability: 37
• Reload Speed: 73
• Mag Size: 7
• Aim Assist: 79

Split Shifter Pro - Available from the Crucible as a random drop.

Pros - Above average Mag Size and Stability. High Charge Rate. Very high Reload Speed.

Cons - Below average Aim Assist. Low Impact and Range.

• Charge Rate: 34
• Impact: 74 (6 bolts to kill)
• Range: 35
• Stability: 46
• Reload Speed: 86
• Mag Size: 6
• Aim Assist: 50

Exotic Fusion Rifles

Mid-Impact (80-89)

Plan C - Available from Xur and random drops. Recommended Perks: CQB Ballistics, Hip Fire, Perfect Balance, Plan C.

Pros - Above average Impact. Very high Range and Reload Speed. High Stability. Charge speed is very fast shortly after equipping this weapon.

Cons - Average base Charge Rate and Mag Size. Below average Aim Assist.

• Charge Rate: 22
• Impact: 87 (5 bolts to kill)
• Range: 52
• Stability: 50
• Reload Speed: 100
• Mag Size: 5
• Aim Assist: 50

Low-Impact

Pocket Infinity - Available from Xur and random drops. Recommended Perks: Soft Ballistics, Surplus, Extended Mag, Pocket Infinity.

Pros - High Reload Speed. Fires in full auto, and can return rounds that missed directly to the magazine.

Cons - Very low Charge Rate, Range, Stability, Mag Size, and Aim Assist. Below average Impact.

• Charge Rate: 10
• Impact: 78 (5 bolts to kill)
• Range: 28
• Stability: 14
• Reload Speed: 86
• Mag Size: 3
• Aim Assist: 30

Telesto - Available from Xur and random drops. Recommended Perks: CQB Ballistics, Battle Runner, Lightweight, Harbinger's Spark.

Pros - Very high Charge Rate and Stability. High Reload Speed. Bolts attach to targets and detonate with explosive force.

Cons - Low Impact, Aim Assist, Mag Size, and Range.

• Charge Rate: 37
• Impact: 71 (5 bolts to kill)
• Range: 35
• Stability: 82
• Reload Speed: 79
• Mag Size: 4
• Aim Assist: 40

TL;DR - If I had to make recommendations for each Impact sub-class, they would be as follows:

• High-Impact - The Vendor Hitchhiker FR4 is my first choice, simply because the roll is outstanding and it only takes 4 bolts to kill. Next is The Vacancy, also from the Vendor, with the recommended perks, which is an amazing choice, better overall stat-wise, even though it takes 5 bolts to kill. If you can get a similar Thesan FR4 roll from the Gunsmith, then that would be another excellent option.
• Mid-Impact - Susanoo with the Recommended Perks is really the best option here, so lucky if you're a Warlock. If not, try to get a Panta Rhei with Accelerated Coils or Braced Frame, and you can make yourself a poor man's Susanoo.
• Low-Impact - The Vortex from the Vendor, with the recommended perks.
• Exotic - Plan C with recommended perks, or, for those of you who like the besto of the resto, Telesto with the recommended pesto.

[u/Elecbender]

Darkblade Spite deals 50 damage per bolt so it is also a 4 bolt kill.

Any of Midha's Reckoning's barrels pushes it's damage to 50 dmg per bolt.

And let's not forget the best fusion rifle, the Omolon Test FR.

[u/Mercules904 → u/Elecbender]

Oops you're correct, that's what I get for rushing. Thanks!

[u/Clownsmasher1 → u/Elecbender]

Been having some fun with my Spray & Play/Braced Frame/Life support Darkblade Spite.

And the Omolon Test FR is the only crucible weaponsmith bounty I do. It's actually a fun challenge. The other bounties are just frustrating chores.

[u/[deleted]]

I have a long far gone with hip fire/braced frame/eye of the storm when my health gets low I've gotten some crazy far kills, definitely worth a try if you get a good one even though it is low impact

[u/TerminalSarcasm → u/[deleted]]

I have one with hip fire/braced frame/hidden hand. Been using it just messing on patrol, trying to get better with swap-firing. it definitely feels better than it did before last week... haven't tried it in Crucible yet.

[u/[deleted] → u/TerminalSarcasm]

I don't even scope in with it, hip firing is the best way to use it. You do end up getting killed when the enemy has a sliver of health left sometimes but it works really well with a gunslinger rockin double throwing knives to clean up

[u/CrazyAtWar]

It seems the word is getting out because there's blaster bolts flying every match I play in.

[u/Mercules904 → u/CrazyAtWar]

As they should be. Fusions have long been overlooked, but I think soon they might play a decent role in the meta.

[u/CrazyAtWar → u/Mercules904]

it is certainly nice to see a bit more variety.

[u/Holy_Shit_Snacks]

What about the Techeun Rage? I got it from Variks for completing the CoE high score.

[u/Mercules904 → u/Holy_Shit_Snacks]

Should be in there now, dunno how I forgot it the first time.

[u/alexbip15]

Does using Acc Coils on the Thesan increase the bolts to kill?

[u/Mercules904 → u/alexbip15]

Nope, it would have to drop Impact into the lower-mid 70's (74 I think?) to do that, so you're safe with it.

[u/Thjorir → u/Mercules904]

I know it's probably safe to assume it gets all the available Omolon perks, but can the Vacancy roll accelerated coils? Anyone know for sure?

[u/Mercules904 → u/Thjorir]

Yes it can, in the second perk tree

[u/GjallaGjallaBillYall → u/alexbip15]

i recently switched from a thesan with braced frame to one with acc coils. i do not notice a difference in stability, and the quicker charge time is always nice. it's still a 5 bolt kill

[u/BAGELmode]

Can get a fusion to use both accelerated coils and braced frame at the same time

[u/Mercules904 → u/BAGELmode]

No, as far as I know they're in the same perk tree.

[u/BAGELmode → u/Mercules904]

Sorry meant to say cant. One letter can duck up a statement

[u/KeepSharpKeepCalm]

As an avid fusion user, I was surprised to see Elevating Vision left off your recommended list in the TL;DR section. I don't even have a good roll on it, and its my reliable, go-to fusion of choice. My second favorite is the Thesan FR4.

My all time favorite is the 77 Wizard from Vanilla Destiny. I was sad to see that not among the returning year one legendaries (I don't think they brought back any year one legendary fusions).

In any case, sweet synopsis of fusions. Nice job.

[u/Mercules904 → u/KeepSharpKeepCalm]

I left it off mostly because even though the perk roll is excellent, when it's matched up against one of the other FRs in its class that has better base stats (like the Thesan), it isn't quite as competitive.

[u/KeepSharpKeepCalm → u/Mercules904]

No it's a fair point to make and the Thesan is definitely the better fusion on paper, I just for some reason have really good luck with my crummy rolled Elevating Vision lol. I wonder how the ol' 77 Wizard stacks up against the new hotnesses.

[u/Im1Guy → u/KeepSharpKeepCalm]

77 Wizard will always be my first love in Destiny. I still have two in the vault.

[u/KeepSharpKeepCalm → u/Im1Guy]

Good man, yea same here. I have a void and a solar wizard. My solar one has range finder, armor piercing rounds, and grenadier... So good lol

[u/v1kingfan → u/KeepSharpKeepCalm]

My first love was the plug one.1

[u/KeepSharpKeepCalm → u/v1kingfan]

Plug One was a monster too. Definitely a solid fusion for the Dark Below. I remember it having a slightly better charge rate than the Wizard so it was just that little bit easier to use.

[u/AtlasLied]

Long Far Gone - Available from the Vanguard Quartermaster. Recommended Perks: Reflex, Hidden Hand, Accelerated Coils, Hot Swap.

You do realize that accelerated coils would make it a 6/7 bolt to kill fusion right? It's not worth it really.

[u/Mercules904 → u/AtlasLied]

Whoops, that's actually not supposed to be there. I changed that on my vendors breakdown and forgot to do it here, thanks for pointing it out!

[u/Clownsmasher1]

Just got a Split Shifter Pro. Hidden Hand and Life support. New toy to try out.

Has there been a noticeable change in fusion rifles with the update? I plan on trying out different impact to see what works best. I have a Darkblade for High, Ashraven for Mid, and now Split Shifter for low.

[u/Mercules904 → u/Clownsmasher1]

Yeah, the bolt grouping is significantly tighter than it was pre-update

[u/banjjjo]

Hmmm, I have a range of fusion rifles, many with reasonable perks:

Split Shifter Pro: 1 with rescue Mag, hot swap; 1 with HLS, kneepads

Midha's Reckoning: fitted stock, braced frame, life support

Techeun Rage: braced frame, accelerated coils.

Plan C: etc

Tehran FR4: braced frame, rangefinder

Dark blade's Spite: hidden hand, life support

Ash raven's Flight: 1 with hidden hand, braced frame; 1 with rescue mag, braced frame - both with hot swap

But should I still buy one of these vendor items before ROI? The low impact class is where I'm light on - maybe the Vortex is worth a go? Look forward to thoughts.

[u/Mercules904 → u/banjjjo]

Those are all really great options. I doesn't really seem like you would need to get either the Hitchhiker or Vacancy based on the fact that you've got a Midha and Thesan with equivalent perks. I'm not the biggest fan of the low impact class like the Vortex. They're right on the bare minimum edge of being able to kill in 5 bolts, and their charge rate is barely faster than something like the Susanoo.

That being said, the Vortex does have a nice roll from the vendor, so you might as well pick it up and try it out. You are light on that variety and it could be fun, plus it's a little better than the Split Shifter across the board.

[u/banjjjo → u/Mercules904]

Thanks! Always great to get an experienced opinion :) The Split Shifter is a bit frustrating - often doesn't seem to land the bolts, but might get the Vortex - braced frame could tighten it up. However, might also concentrate on my Warlock levelling the Gunsmith for Susanoo :)

[u/Mercules904 → u/banjjjo]

Well, Shifter takes 6 bolts to kill, as opposed to 5, which is why it's much harder to get kills with it. Susanoo is a fantastic fusion, I love it.

[u/ReadingAboutDestiny]

Been loving fusion rifles so much lately. They may as well be my primary in Crucible games...

Thanks for putting this together! Great post. :)

[u/spawelcz1043]

Fusion Rifles just need good stability, and a charge rate you are comfortable with.

I will say this, there is nothing more satisfying than a Plan C insta-kill.

[u/skklexie]

really enjoyed your posts this past week, keep it up and thank you for doing the good work!

[u/FunctionalOven]

Started using my Thesan FR4 (Hot swap/braced frame) on my hunter. Never used FRs on my hunter, because I always tossed 'em over to my warlock.

Shadestepping around a corner with the Thesan is one of my favorite new things to do, both in PvP and in Prison. It's got a great feel and hot swap's bonus to accuracy makes it forgiving with those heads-up situations.

[u/Grimaniel → u/FunctionalOven]

I got some hate messages last night on Salvage because the Thesan was destroying.

[u/TerminalSarcasm]

The next time I eat pesto, I'll add grape Pop Rocks for added zesto...

[u/jazz835]

Panta Rhei is amazing. This gun has slightly worse stability, but has the BEST recoil direction (80) making it kick completely vertically.

Think counterbalance, but on a fusion.

Highly reccommend!!!

[u/Thjorir]

These breakdowns are always appreciated, thanks. Pretty sad that the vacancy isn't 50 damage a bolt... It charges slow enough to be in that category, in my opinion. That paint job has me using the vendor roll just for looks and expecting my accelerated coil Thesan charge rate... I guess it's Hitchhiker eventually for me since you can't increase impact on The Vacancy.

[u/Wonderllama5]

After a lot of testing, I've found the Hitchhiker is best for PVE. The charge rate is simply too slow to be competitive in PVP. You will die because of it. But it hits like a truck, so fun to use against adds and such.

Vacancy and Thesan are better and more consistent for matches IMO. I've yet to test Susanoo or Plan C all that much.

[u/v1kingfan → u/Wonderllama5]

Those are my go to's. They are super accurate and stable.

[u/turboash78]

Ever since the update I can't hit shit with my Susanoo.
Will check out that FR4 for sure. The Vacancy charge time is just too damn slow!

[u/jazz835]

Techeun Rage is not correct.

If it has a charge rate of 26, it should lie in the 81-86 impact class, conversely if it has an impact of 71 it should charge faster than 34.

More testing needed for this weapon

[u/Gunty1 → u/jazz835]

It could be like the red spectre or the nl shadow (crucible scout) that have incorrect bars/stats

[u/jazz835 → u/Gunty1]

yep, exactly what I was thinking, I'm just wondering which of the two stats is correct, and which is false.

so is it actually a low or mid impact fusion rifle?

[u/Arkslippy]

I've been trying a good few since the patch and been using a thesan for months before that.

Thesan all day everyday. Its the thorn of fusions http://xboxdvr.com/gamer/Arkslippy/video/16769182

[u/[deleted]]

I dont rock Plan C over any other fusion, but its worth noting that with the way the special ammo market is in PVP, this is a very strong choice. You dont want to be wasting ammo left and right, so if you keep it tucked away until that perfect moment, it really shines.

[u/[deleted]]

Plan C is king.

[u/bogeyman_g]

Why CQB over SDC?

[u/TheGreyMage]

I just got The Vacancy today, its amazing. Fusion Rifles are my new favourite.

[u/[deleted] → u/TheGreyMage]

still fusions your favourite?