Messenger on Steroids? Elsie's Rifle Review

Elsie's Rifle is here, and it's stat package is absolutely juiced. But is it as good as the Messenger? Here's my full review of this legendary pulse rifle. Into the Light is here in Destiny 2 and these weapons might change up PVP.
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[@shquankinket8068]

1:20 "warlock pops well" "warlock immediately exits well into a grenade"

[@iflyingfrog3996]

I had the reverse experience. I recently farmed for my first adept messenger and got lucky enough to catch the roll I wanted. Upon using it, the weapon felt weird to use. Conversely, I got the keep away + headseaker Elsie's rifle and it felt great to use.

[@FeverSensei]

the problem you mention at the end I also kinda see that but put on Zen moment and it was solved, gun is incredible

[@tridentgreen3346]

My new Raifu. Feels so tight with Zen/Headseeker in PvP.

[@MartinMartian63]

lol, that was creative

[@jamescruz8678]

Girls Frontline collab when

[@WaltzActual]

I got zen headseeker with high cals and it feels unfair in 1 v 1s

[@tabithadickerson2525]

@@MartinMartian63 that's been a common meme for a long time.

[@MartinMartian63]

@@tabithadickerson2525 huh, never heard it before today.

[@josephborrino6470]

Elsie’s what?!?

[@TrueVanguard]

you heard me.

[@Dorian_Kellum]

While I’m on board, I don’t think she would approve…

[@heftyjongle2958]

Booty

[@Brian-ch6hg]

@@TrueVanguard Definitely a good idea to get under there and check the magwell.

[@Red_AIert]

@@Brian-ch6hg😂🤘🏽💠

[@Zurrke]

Re: 'the feel' It's the recoil direction. It has deterministic recoil but the base 73 kicks so hard to the left it's tough to control. My roll has chambered, so 83 RD and it feels night and day different to base. Idk, could be the issue

[@lonbordin]

Amen. 100, 83 and 98 are the only good recoils on this weapon. I listed them in my order of preference. I'll even go a step further any old pre-deterministic weapon SLAPS current weapons even if they have 100 recoil.

[@SmilingIslandRetreat-pn4dd]

I dunno what he's on about. This is literally what No Time to Explain should've been (on controller). That weapon sounds and feels wimpy. This is a beefy workhorse and best in class. Absolutely perfect addition to the game, and makes load outs I wouldn't have considered before viable.

[@SmilingIslandRetreat-pn4dd]

Got 'We Rans' in consecutive games the first two I played with the god roll I got to drop (Chambered, Ricochet, Zen Moment, Frenzy w/ Range MW). I know, Frenzy isn't nearly best in slots BUT it's not bad for 6s. And I paired it with a nearly identically rolled god roll of a Boudica w/ Frenzy so once the perk is active, I'm absolutely rolling with both. They both have 75 range and 70 or more stability while having the best dueling perk (zen on Elsie's and moving target on boudica). Absolutely unfair to the other team.

[@Joaquin-rd3km]

The roll he used had arrowhead so it's not that.

[@TeamLumix]

Is there an argument for not going for a arrowhead break?

[@Anchor-Supreme]

This thing is plain and simple incredible. I got a great roll with Keep Away and Kill Clip and I’ve fallen in love with it.

[@CapKong]

Another thing about Elsies is that its the first high impact void pulse since premonition in put of heresy, and another reason i love elsies and that messenger is just so goddamn chonky

[@paulwilliams4955]

I agree with you “the way it feels” description. I was lucky enough to get an adept Messenger (in its first incarnation) with Zen Moment and Headseeker, and, even though I try many other weapons, I always find myself back with my original adept messenger.

[@epicethan5244]

i reinstalled destiny 2 & hundreds of women flooded my dms, they said "wow, do you main solar titan??" at first i was afraid (i do not talk to women) Then, I began to understand this is the power of destiny 2, the game. This is what Bungie has been working towards all these years

[@Les_Grossman80]

You everywhere posting this? You need attention that badly?

[@aljazslemc9569]

*Chews crayon*: hello ladies😏

[@trickyBasterd]

maximum cringe invoked

[@JoelHernandez-tz3vk]

I main Sunbreaker... They still have zero Fs to give me.

[@michaelcaito-khurshid1763]

SOLARTITAN4LYFE ... eat crayons, scorch the earth, repeat

[@adamdreyer9292]

“Get all up inside Elsie’s undercarriage” was not a phrase I expected in this weapon review but here we are lmao

[@TrueVanguard]

you're welcome

[@professorcryogen6419]

It's a better Messenger that you can run with Conditional Finality. Nuff said.

[@m0oop]

Or chaperone if you're a true gentleman

[@Superbluedog]

I want to point out a very crucial missed perk opportunity this rifle has in PvP. You mentioned it for PvE but overlooked the PvP potential. This is a VOID weapon...this means Gyrfalcon works. I introduce to you, Gyrfalcon+Loose Change for +20 aim assist and 20% strafe speed while ADSing. Pair that with Headseeker and you have what might be the best dueling weapon in the game! I was disappointed cause I got this roll as one of the rare Golden weapons from the event and was sad I didn't get a Zen Moment or Keep Away to pair with my Headseeker, but OMG when I was messing with recluse Gyrfalcon in PvE, my brain clicked and had this realization. This gun STICKS with that loose change in PvP coming out of stealth.

[@natedogg1344]

I have High Cal, Zen and Head seeker. I maybe played and hour or so last night in all Crucible game modes and have 137 kills on it 😂. Yeah I like it waaaay more than Messenger

[@grantdewberry4647]

Yeah, I was probably one of your numerous victims!

[@natedogg1344]

@@grantdewberry4647 I do apologize good sir 😂

[@yarginshnarg]

I've always loved the way this model looks and feels. Didn't know it had more stat points! Rewind rounds definitely feels very OG stranger's rifle.

[@peanutbutterskates]

Rewind headseeker I find myself being able to 2v1 easier with no reload

[@Nalthazar]

I would be interested to know if you feel like the gun still feels different with a Zen Moment roll. On controller the Zen Moment + Headseeker duo should make the gun feel super smooth, especially with the massive stat package it has.

[@deguy8303]

They basically took The Messenger and baked the celerity stat boost into the base weapon.

[@terrelldurocher3330]

With the best pulse perks as well.

[@VoidedVisuals]

I actually have a old messenger where it has zen/head seeker which you can’t get zen anymore on the messenger, and I just got the zen head seeker on this gun so I’m gonna have to compare them for sure

[@wethepeople8280]

Please do respond. Pretty curious of that comparison. Unfortunate didn’t keep a zen moment messenger

[@Orivv123]

Wallah made a video on this as well and said zen moment is night and day difference . I finally got a roll with hammer forge , high cal, zen , headseeker and stability mw. AMAZING

[@chillhour6155]

The handling on this pulse for it's archetype is insane, it doesn't feel sluggish at all

[@TylerDurdenXIII]

I tried several combinations and for me the best combo is not Zen Moment/Headseeker but to my surprise I obtained very convincing results with the Under-Over/Desperate Measure combo in this over-shield meta in pvp

[@AceInTheSpade]

With how much people group up nowadays, it could be fun to try rewind rounds in 6v6 modes.

[@sladevalen]

I got rewind/headseeker so I'm going to try it out tomorrow and see how good it feels

[@terrelldurocher3330]

Or go straight void, destabilizing rounds and repulsor brace punishes teamshooters.

[@AceInTheSpade]

@@terrelldurocher3330 absolutely.

[@nox7796]

outbreak is going to be so good

[@Knightlight3449]

I understand what you're describing regarding the feel. It's based off the d1 Stranger's Rilfe. The recoil can feel a bit werid at times and its not as stable as a messenger. But it makes up for it by feeling more like a 390 rpm pulse (thats what Stranger's Rifle was in d1). The gun isn't for everyone. No Time To Explain also has a similar issue on the controller. I'm suprised you didn't compare the two considering there based off the same weapon and feel quite similar.

[@mattp8654]

I just dont like no time.. and im on controller..

[@Frizzwise]

Zen Moment/Desperado is soooo good!

[@ghostmantis1068]

It's filthy bro It just melts.

[@thenexus7343]

Ooo I bet. Zen moment fixes desperado's recoil problem.

[@allstar3765]

I got that on the shiny version today too bad I’m sick of crusible 🤧

[@MLGTrysoftKate]

I find it funny that you mentioned it feels different, for I said the same thing immediately, and even after playing with it for a while. I think I know what the problem is, and it’s the zoom. It has 1 less than Messenger, and I only noticed as you showed the stats. I have over 4k kills on Messenger (and that’s just one of them), so I knew something felt “off” using it.

[@cosmicvcosmic]

I never see anyone using it but I love my crafted PHYLLOTACTIC SPIRAL with keep away and headseeker, I prefer it over The Messenger

[@shquankinket8068]

the 2 bursts with zen/headseeker come so incredibly easy with this thing. i got a very quick triple down all 2 bursts the first game with mine, no woman has come close to being that satisfying

[@ItzzBrandonn]

I got a keep away headseeker and haven't used it yet so im looking forward to it

[@butterpecanblondie7234]

The feel is definitely weird. Maybe the model feels “light” and not “heavy” like the messenger. Maybe it’s the smaller sights. Idk.

[@denilsonthomas]

It does feels light. Almost thought I had on BXR

[@beastlyfeedz6679]

the gun model has always been my favorite from strangers rifles to both no time to explains. have always lobed it. my best roll so far is arrowhead-high cal-feeding frenzy/keep way-headseeker/kill clip. it absolutely shred in pvp and i will have a hard time taking it off. perks are great, feel is amazing. bungie got it this time

[@MrNutz87]

Biggest problem for me is that its an energy pulse. Theres just so many pulses in the energy slot i love. Philo, bxr, horrors least, etc that i just dont think it has a place in my toolbox

[@jamaledwards8118]

Hate to break it to you but this is and will be the best legendary pulse especially when we can upgrade in the next expansion. Bungie was on crack to drop these pvp/pve gun

[@Votrae]

Really appreciate this comparison. I'm sold

[@DusseJay23]

I got a shiny Zen Moment + Kill Clip/Headseeker roll. I’m in love 😍

[@KayronTho]

Same

[@thesmallcheval]

Zen moment headseeker on this gun is sublime. ❤

[@Davethespade]

Not really tried Elsie's yet but I can confirm that zen moment and desperado is filthy. I have an old messenger with that combo and it still slaps!

[@brettregan9212]

I don't think they realized when they made it that Desperate Measures completely kills adrenaline junkie and swashbuckler if you have it as an option. It's so easy to activate and is only 3% less than their damage buff.

[@molten_knight]

i know exactly what you mean by the feel, at first i thought it was the sight, because i can tell even just watching videos of it thats it feels bad. this is also one of the reasons i love the new recluse, the stats and perks are mid, but it feels amazing. the one recluse video where the yter didn't like scrutinize and inspect the stats and perks beforehand, and essentially starting with a bias and just judging based on that was frostbolts, and he thought the recluse was very good after just playing with it. in the end the thing that matters isnt the stats and perks, its how it feels because the only things the stats do are literally just try to make htat better

[@isaacHarrus]

Zen + Headseeker feels great. But you're right, it is hard to quit my Messenger.

[@Dash277]

Zen/Headseeker Fluted and High Cal - Feels phenomenal. I have to try my other roll with keep away and headseeker.

[@thenexus7343]

In 6's got team shot every game, or people ran when they got tickled. However in 3's it felt so good, with zen moment its crazy smooth.

[@blueberrypuffin4715]

I'm excited as hell. Zen moment headseaker is what I have on my original season of the chosen messenger... and those two perks with 340s are truly disgusting.

[@KLGChaos]

I'm not the best player... but I was destroying with this in Control today. Smallbore/High Cal/Zen Moment/Headseeker = a ton of two bursts. And it felt so damn good to me.

[@namebrandbeatz]

I’ve been using my adept messenger with rapid hit, desperado, and I have fallen in love with it. I really want to give elsies a fair shot. But it’s so hard to put my messenger down.

[@ransomdean9141]

The sight is smaller than No Time’s sight is, and I feel like the recoil is different from where the bullets are going. My ZM roll only feels normal after the perk activates, so the first burst is wonky.

[@patrickmaeder1484]

For me, that "feel" is absolutely an issue with the reticle. The dot is small and gets very easily lost in the glow of the circle surrounding it. I find myself constantly shooting low and right with it for some reason. If the dot were about twice as big and bright it would be a significant improvement imo.

[@berfmerp4904]

I got a shiny version of the rifle with zen and desperado. Though also got under over and frenzy, so yeah that to me is a great perk combo

[@CerberusPlusOne]

2:20 great grenade placement.

[@seanl7503]

The sights on this weapon sold it for me

[@bobalopadus8901]

Thank you for comparing the feel to Phyllotactic. Now I know I'll love it 😁

[@NamelessMessenger4547]

I lucked up a got a zen head seeker range masterwork to drop right away

[@intheframemedia]

had an underover headseeker drop last thing last night . looking forward to rrying it

[@cojo310]

I got that Zen Moment Desparado roll with a range MW and it is just as you described it

[@carrotpl]

Oh god, they actually added the OG Stranger's Rifle.

[@Hungrybird474]

This game d2 , will, go 10 or more years after the last expansion . Look at d1 still going 😎. A lot of younger people and people who don’t pay much for games get into it and have a ball . I got in a few months before d2 release and got the whole d1 package for $20. It was cool to play the game in its entirety but it really wasn’t its entirety . I noticed there’s a lot more to be had when the game is payed live . Still , after this many years , it’s still fun . Seeing this is making me go to play d2 so thanks

[@kennydolby1379]

Yeah the "weapon feel" is weird thing. i crafted a god roll of the Neomuna pulse, and it was just bad. The gun sounds like it's about to fall apart anytime I shoot. Doesn't help that it has garbage base handling. On the other hand I have a Quickdraw + Snapshot Stars In Shadow with +70 stability (the 340 crucible pulse) , and I love using this gun. When it comes to pulse rifles, stability is king, especially if you play on controller and value consistency, that's why rapid hit/zen moment is always better than keep away.

[@Rinickulous1106]

Repulsor desperado is lookin hot for pve. The precision onslaught

[@AllThingsFascinate]

Got one with zen moment / headseeker and it actually does feel better than my messenger!

[@lumas69]

Handling is the most important stat in crucible, in my opinion

[@lumas69]

Try sprinting then ADSing with two of the same gun where one has 20 more handling, it'll make you question many lost engagements

[@AKSBSU]

I got a roll that has Feeding Frenzy/ Zen Moment and Headseeker/ Desperado for PvP and PvE rolls in one. The downside is the handling on my roll sucks, so I need Ophidian Aspect to make it work well in PvP, but Voidwalker has been my main class since the beginning of D1.

[@deano1010101]

What’s your go-to messenger roll?

[@ChurchofCaboose]

I got a few solid rolls. I got one with feeding frenzy and desperado. Seems interesting

[@m0oop]

I got a 90 range, under over/kill clip elsie's and it absolutely slaps

[@giftphoenix868]

Try it without arrowhead brake. The base recoil feels fine actually for some reason

[@pollyon]

i know exactly what you mean by feel, some weapons just get me the same way

[@donbeedrill]

Feeding frenzy and headseeker i was consuming in the crucible

[@DiddyCanFly]

I have a Zen Desperado roll and it’s not bad. I prefer Zen Headseaker or Zen Keepaway.

[@max73916]

i dont know if you opinion changed but there are quite a few things about your roll that could change and make it feel phenomenal. First of all, just having +10 RD from chambered or extended is the best on this gun because of deterministic recoil. Additionally, having way more stability and zen moment makes it feel worlds better (mine has chambered 75 range 87 stability zen headseeker) and it feels better than messenger

[@ls7205]

cammycakes once said that NTTE was never going to be detroned, cause it just feels like the best pulse. Well, we got that on a legendary on a better slot now

[@spartancrown]

I get the “feel” situation. Guns that should be 5/5 roll have felt off for me simply because the way they sound. Strange but true.

[@DiddyCanFly]

I have 300kills on it already. It’s very, very good. It’s basically The Aerondight in Destiny 2.

[@JuiceBoxHero98]

This gun on M&K is a cheat code. No kick whatsoever and hitting crits is harder to do on purpose than on accident. Combined with the perks you can get PLUS the fact the final shape allows us to enhance them, easily better than the Messenger.

[@charcovex4411]

Got a zen moment and headseeker/kill clip roll last night. Its COOKS

[@VanpyroGaming0]

Another point in Elsie's favour over Messenger is that Elsie's is void, so it's not competing with Conditional Finality for your kinetic slot choice.

[@alienonmars470]

This rifle has 17 zoom versus 18 on the messenger. This could be accounting for that feel thing that'd throwing you off this weapon.

[@cajunsassafras395]

Elsie: "My stats don't care about your feelings. Trials 2024!"

[@CobbInterscope]

Only down fall for messanger is i cant use chappi with it so this will do nicely

[@otokata4982]

I felt like the receiving end of Elsie’s is lacking compared to messenger, flinch that I receive is way more when I get hit by a Messenger [probably placebo]

[@Hungrybird474]

It was a beast in d1 even when it wouldn’t level up . Still a beast .

[@mikelisadebolt1604]

The title of this video is true this pulse rifle is pretty awesome I have it and tried in pvp OMG I got 26 kills with pulse rifle so if you don't have i recommend you get it because this is the best weapon in destiny 2 plus the hung jury scout rifle with firefly is also the best weapon in pvp so start farming those weapons go luck guardians

[@jamessnedeker]

I can almost guarantee the problem is the deterministic recoil pattern. I think this is the first HI Pulse we have gotten with it.

[@kwazipeters4698]

Zen moment takes this weapon to another level.

[@kingcurmudgeon8685]

It honestly feels like pre-nerf No Time becuase I can get perfect recoil and Zen Moment. They nerfed No times recoil a while back. Its my favortite pulse right now. Plus it frees up and exotic slot. I can build into void synergies as well. This rifle on a Briarbinds/Baby build is a monster.

[@estevannanez2464]

Soo close to 300k!

[@hummingbird_saltalamakia]

I got a zen moment desperado, was the 2nd one I got after completing the mission for it

[@taylorwhitener3746]

I actually still have an old messenger with zen/desperado

[@AtlasNYC_]

Its probably lower on my priority list than some of the other brave weapons so no rush. But the ones ive used have kinda just felt very standard.

[@YoHester]

Havent been on destiny in some time so how do you get this gun ?

[@scrotumscratcher2474]

There’s a new activity with into the light and it drops directly from that. Free update as well so go full retard hrother

[@LathieI]

Elsie's does something Messenger can never do: pair with Conditional Finality.

[@animaniacman8385]

Adrenaline junkie on the "stranger's Rifle" will never not be funny to me. 😂

[@spicy_xinger]

i think it has to do with the deterministic recoil messing it up

[@Mattznick]

i don't play Trials so i never got a Messenger so this is great for me to get a decent pulse rifle

[@ayufever1978]

i kept the shiny one from the attunement quest as a trophy since the shiny drops are going away when TFS releases. never used it and never will. all other elsie rifle drops are sharded on sight. no exceptions.

[@gastoneduardoawiron9172]

Zen moment and headseeker....that s it !

[@Valhaluke]

The sight seems small (though that could just be me) to the point if it wasn't translucent, I wouldn't use it.

[@SL33P_N_K0]

Is that the curated version? The quest freebie?

[@grassymandem]

Gun is good.But the sound and feel off it firing just sounds 'wet' (for want of a better word) in comparison to Messenger. Rocking Zen and Desperado which is fun.

[@Sadcatblake]

Now i need to get this put it on my titan and get a exotic titan class item with the nezeracs sin perk and ill be a menace to trials, update i got the roll i like with chambered compensator high caliber rounds zen moment and headseeker reaches 98 recoil direction with recoil mod

[@Sadcatblake]

I dont like the feel of messenger and i dont like the scope maybe this will be my favorite high impact frame pulse?

[@themasonera]

Feels amazing to me! Just like No Time

[@derred723]

I have a couple god rolle messengers and statwise, They are all still better. Better stats in elsie seem to not be where I want them. I'm don't really need more handling and my messengers all have reload perks. But we will see if i ever get a good roll. But i'm saving all mine till i get one that's better than my messengers. I also don't like most high impacts outside of messenger when i'm procking desperado. So we shall see. I'm more a rapid fire or some other faster firing pulse sort of guy.