Machine Guns: Readable - [b]Long Post![/b] How good is each archetype in the crucible and which is best. First let’s have a look at their range. The max range (the range at which the damage stops falling off) of MGs is about ~90 meters while the minimum range can be as low as 38m on low range MGs (range stat of 8) or as high as 55m on high range MGs (range stat of 40). This means that they will be affective within medium range but lose damage when moving into long range (scout rifle/sniper range). This is fine as you will nearly never fire at such ranges due to these weapons high recoil. The first archetype of MG we will look at is the highest fire rate kind. This type of MG includes the Diluvian 10/4x (Vanguard), First Citizen IX (New Monarchy), and IF MATERIA~ (WoM raid). - They fire at 900rpm - deal 21 damage to the body and 26 to the head (damage can be slightly different depending on barrel choice) - It takes 10 body shots to kill or 8 headshots (7 headshots needed plus 1 body). - Maximum TTK (if you get all body shots) is 0.60s and Minimum TTK (if you get enough headshots) is 0.46s Note: Soft ballistics will take your Max. up to 0.67s (11 headshots) and 0.53s (9 body shots) for Min. These MGs have an above average kill time although they also have high recoil and high accuracy requirements to achieve that kill time. The high fire rate and recoil will make landing shots at any kind of significant distance very difficult especial if you are flinched by your opponent. The main reasons to use these is for their fun factor. With the recoil being so high it can be fun to simply hip fire these weapons. I highly recommend not using these in any kind of competitive environment. As for what to use on these I recommend the following: Any high impact ballistics, extended mag, perfect balance, feeding frenzy, and counterbalance. My main goal is to maximize ammo in the mag and reduce recoil. The next kind is the lower high rate of fire kind. This type of MG includes The Variable (FWC) and Unending Deluge III (Crucible). - These fire at 600rpm - They deal 29 damage to the body and 37 to the head - It takes 7 body shots to kill or 6 headshots (4 headshots needed plus 2 bodies). - Maximum TTK is 0.60s and Minimum TTK is 0.50s Note: Soft ballistics will take your Max. up to 0.70s (8 body shots). These kind of MGs are quite rare and are much more competitive than the last. They have an average headshot TTK and above average body TTK as well as fairly good stability and great recoil direction. With one stability perk these can be some of the most accurate MGs in the game. Overall these are some of the most consistent, reliable and versatile MGs great for nearly any situation. The high fire rate is manageable, great for close quarters and hip-fire. The only negative to these is their high headshot requirement to achieve their optimal kill time. As for what to use on these I recommend the following: Any high impact ballistics, Take a Knee, Counterbalance, Perfect Balance, Hand-Laid Stock, High Caliber Rounds, Rangefinder, and Surplus. I do actually highly recommend trying out Take a Knee as its benefits are quite strong and noticeable. My overall goal is to make the weapon even more stable but not losing to much range. The next kind is the medium rate of fire kind. This type of MG includes the Zombie Apocalypse WF47 (Crucible), Baron’s Ambition (Shadow Thief Strike), and The Silvered Dread (Iron Banner). - These fire at 450rpm - They deal 39 damage to the body and 49 to the head - It takes 6 body shots to kill or 5 headshots (1 headshot needed plus 4 bodies). - Maximum TTK is 0.67s and Minimum TTK is 0.53s Note: Impact increasing barrels will take your Max. down to 0.50s (5 body shots) and your Min. to 0.40s (4 body shots). These are very similar to the last kind with the the main difference being their range and kill time. These hold the slowest kill time of any of the MGs although it is not too much lower than the rest, as well it is fairly easy to achieve its optimal kill time needing few headshots. The strength of these is in their ballistic options and their range. By increasing your impact with high impact barrels you can achieve a kill time matching that of the quickest killing MGs. Their range is some of the best in their class and is a strength you should utilize. As well their recoil is moderate, just low enough to be usable at ranges many other MGs will struggle at. The final thing that tops these off as some of the best is their ammunition inventory stats which are better than any other archetype of MG. Overall these are likely some of the best MGs in the game and a great option for any activity in the game. As for what to use on these I recommend the following: Impact enhancing ballistics, Perfect Balance, Extended Mag, Field Scout, High Caliber Rounds, Counterbalance, Rangefinder, Life Support, and Feeding Frenzy. My goal is to enhance their strengths while not damaging their other strengths. The main strength to focus on is stability.  The next kind is the moderate low rate of fire kind. This type of MG includes the Ruin Wake (Crucible TTK), Qullim’s Terminus (King’s Fall raid), and Chaotic Neutral (Crucible). - These fire at 360rpm - They deal 49 damage to the body and 61 to the head - It takes 5 body shots to kill or 4 headshots (1 headshot plus 3 bodies). - Maximum TTK is 0.67s and Minimum TTK is 0.50s Note: Impact increasing barrels will take your Max. down to 0.50s (4 body shots). These are the most constant MGs. They have great stability, recoil direction and aim assist. Their weakness is in their range and ammo inventory which are moderate at best. These will be great machine guns although not the best as their mag size are quite small as well as their total inventory size. These machine guns will be your best bet if you have a hard time controlling recoil. They won’t be super impressive but have you covered on the ease of use area. One thing to note is that not all of these are made the same, there are several that are much better than the rest which are the ones that I am basing this review off of, these are the 3 mentioned previously. As for what to use on these I recommend the following: Stability increasing ballistics, Counterbalance, Life Support, Perfect Balance, Injection Mold, Hand-Laid Stock, Appended Magazine, Feeding Frenzy, Rangefinder, Take a Knee, and Spray and Play. My goal is to goal is to increase their strengths and reduce their weaknesses. Increase the stability as much as possible but try not to hurt the range to much, as well try to increase the mag size or reload speed where you can (prioritize mag size). The final MG is of course the lowest rate of fire kind. This type of MG includes The Bane of the Taken (Challenge of The Elders) and Bonekruscher (Vanguard). - These fire at 300rpm - They deal 58 damage to the body and 73 to the head - It takes 4 body shots to kill or 3 headshots (2 headshots needed plus 1 body). - Maximum TTK is 0.60s and Minimum TTK is 0.40s These kill the fastest of any MG but are also some of the worst MGs in the game when it comes to nearly anything else. They have the lowest stability, bad recoil direction, low aim assist, slow reload speed and terrible ammo inventory. The slow fire rate does make the recoil not to bad although the bad recoil direction can make firing the weapon nauseating, and tracking targets difficult. The biggest strength these have is their range which mixed with their slow fire rate make them just about the best option at long distances. Overall I would not recommend these MGs as they just can’t match the ease of use of the others and have such a low inventory space. As for what to use on these I recommend the following: Stability increasing ballistics, Life Support, Feeding Frenzy, Take a Knee, Spray and Play, Perfect Balance, Appended Magazine, Counter Balance, Hidden Hand, and Rangefinder. My goal is reducing their weaknesses while not damaging their one strength which is their range. So which archetype is the best overall. I would say the medium rate of fire archetype is the Best MG type. This is mainly because of two things, inventory space and TTK. These MGs have TTK matching that of the fastest type when you get the correct barrel perks and have the best inventory space of any other legendary MG, which will allow you to pick more ammo up from a heavy crate. With the best TTK, most ammo and easily controllable recoil this MG type is just unbeatable. So what specific legendary machine gun is the best. There are actually two MGs that from looking seem to be the best. The first is The Silvered Dread; this MG of course falls in the medium fire rate archetype that we just talked about, it also boasts the best recoil direction, range and reload speed in its archetype which makes it amazing at range and have the smoothest feel. The second is the Unending Deluge III; unlike the last this weapon falls in the lower high fire rate archetype which overall is not as good as the medium archetype but does have its own benefits, as well it has great range, stability, and moderate recoil direction but what makes this weapon so unique and powerful is its huge mag size of 70 which also makes its inventory space very high. Do you like either of these two MGs? Do you agree with the archetype I suggest is best? What is your favorite MG? Other In Depth posts: https://www.bungie.net/en/Forums/Post/209148528