Luna's Howl, a feared weapon in Destiny 2's PvP realm, has made a striking return with the Into The Light update. Now equipped with a diverse perk table, Luna's Howl has undergone a significant transformation, especially with its iconic Magnificent Howl perk receiving a notable redesign.

While Luna's Howl may not reign supreme in PvE encounters compared to other firearms, it remains a top-tier Hand Cannon in Destiny 2. However, mastering this weapon requires understanding the optimal perk synergies that can maximize its effectiveness.

Optimal Perks for Luna's Howl in Destiny 2

Luna's Howl's base stats are decent but fall short in Range, Stability, and Handling compared to popular Hand Cannons like Sunshot, Austringer, Hawkmoon, and Eyasluna. Nonetheless, its average statistics are offset by the unique Magnificent Howl perk it offers.

Previously, Magnificent Howl amplified damage on the third shot after landing two Precision Hits. Now, it accumulates stacks with each Precision Kill. Reloading the weapon converts these kills into Magnificent Howl stacks (up to 10), granting a 50% damage boost. Shots with the buffed effect do not deplete the stacks.

Magnificent Howl proves valuable in both PvE and PvP scenarios. It functions as a milder version of Ace of Spades' Memento Mori, rewarding players for securing Precision Kills, reloading, and unleashing shots with enhanced damage. When combined with Subsistence, players can sustain buffed shots indefinitely by eliminating enemies with a single bullet.

In PvP, two shots empowered by Magnificent Howl are adequate to eliminate an opposing Guardian. Not Forgotten, another 140RPM Hand Cannon, shares this trait but boasts superior base stats. The choice of third-column perks is versatile, with Eye of the Storm, Slideshot, and Encore particularly standing out for their duel-winning potential and killstreak extension capabilities.

Opting for a Luna's Howl without Magnificent Howl in the fourth column might be hard to justify, especially when compared to other renowned Destiny 2 Crucible armaments. While perks like Opening Shot, Kill Clip, and Incandescent offer advantages, other Hand Cannons with better base stats can also possess these perks.