The Recluse PvE and PvP God Rolls in Destiny 2 Into the Light

For newer players to Destiny 2, the return of The Recluse in Into the Light might seem like the simple addition of a solid Void SMG. For the grizzled veterans, we remember the terror that was OG Recluse, a PvE monstrosity of the highest order. And with the PvE and PvP god rolls, your Recluse can almost approximate its former glory.

The Recluse PvE God Roll

• Barrel: Corkscrew Rifling, Arrowhead Brake
• Magazine: Ricochet Rounds, Light Mag
• Trait 1: Feeding Frenzy, Subsistence, Repulsor Brace
• Trait 2: Desperate Measures, Master of Arms, Frenzy

To say the refreshed BRAVE Recluse has a stacked PvE perk selection is a disservice to the idea. It has some of the best perks available on an SMG, so much so that your god roll will depend on what you want the weapon to do. For sheer clarity, Feeding Frenzy and either Desperate Measures or the (in)famous Master of Arms will serve well. Master of Arms requires you to defeat an enemy with another weapon first, but so long as you keep slaying, the buff will never run out. Frenzy is a good third-string option, as it provides a similar damage bonus to the others.

The traits in the first Trait column decide the new Recluse’s function. For sheer output, Feeding Frenzy is always a fantastic choice, so long as you can keep it active by defeating enemies. Subsistence serves a similar role but favors continuous fire over a faster reload. Repulsor Brace is there if you want to add some survivability to your Void build, and if you pair it with Desperate Measures, you won’t be reloading too quickly, but you’ll have a persistent Overshield to keep you safer.

The Recluse PvP God Roll

• Barrel: As PvE
• Magazine: As PvP
• Trait 1: Dynamic Sway Reduction, Enlightened Action
• Trait 2: Target Lock, Master of Arms

Originally, we earned The Recluse by reaching the Fabled rank in the Competitive Crucible playlist. Oddly, though Bungie billed the weapon as a PvP addition, it quickly became the PvE weapon of choice. In today’s Destiny 2 sandbox, it has a few additional perks to give it some extra PvP punch. Target Lock, introduced with The Immortal SMG, remains a potent perk despite a recent nerf. With The Recluse’s high default magazine size, you can take full advantage of the scaling damage increase.

Master of Arms is for those who favor a more aggressive playstyle, as, again, it activates when another weapon in your loadout defeats an enemy. Shotgun stans would do well to have a Recluse in their back pocket. Both Dynamic Sway Reduction and Enlightened Action keep the weapon controllable and easy to handle.

For many more Destiny 2 god guides, check out our guides hub and learn about Elsie’s Rifle PvE and PvP God Roll and Top 10 Weapons That Should Have Come Back in Destiny 2 Into the Light.