Cruel Mercy - Legendary Pulse Rifle

Cruel Mercy is a Pulse Rifle Arc Primary in Destiny 2. Review its base stats, perk pool, and masterwork options.

Weapon overview

Pulse Rifle - Arc - Primary - Heavy Burst

Source: Nightfall

Sometimes it's kinder to let go.

Fires a hard-hitting, two-round burst. Slightly reduces flinching from incoming fire while aiming.

Arrowhead Brake
Lightly vented barrel.
• Greatly controls recoil
• Increases handling speed
Chambered Compensator
Stable barrel attachment.
• Increases stability
• Moderately controls recoil
• Slightly decreases handling speed
Corkscrew Rifling
Balanced barrel.
• Slightly increases range and stability
• Slightly increases handling speed
Extended Barrel
Weighty barrel extension.
• Increases range
• Decreases handling speed
• Moderately controls recoil
Fluted Barrel
Ultra-light barrel.
• Greatly increases handling speed
• Slightly increases stability
Full Bore
Barrel optimized for distance.
• Greatly increases range
• Decreases stability
• Slightly decreases handling speed
Hammer-Forged Rifling
Durable ranged barrel.
• Increases range
Polygonal Rifling
Barrel optimized for recoil reduction.
• Increases stability
Smallbore
Dual strength barrel.
• Increases range
• Increases stability

Extended Mag
This weapon has a greatly increased magazine size, but reloads much slower.
• Greatly increases magazine size
• Greatly decreases reload speed
• Increases airborne effectiveness
Alloy Magazine
Faster reload when the magazine is nearly empty.
Appended Mag
This weapon's magazine is built for higher capacity.
• Increases magazine size
Armor-Piercing Rounds
Rounds cause extra damage to combatants' shields and overpenetrate targets.
• Slightly increases range
High-Caliber Rounds
Shots from this weapon knock the target back farther.
• Slightly increases range
Ricochet Rounds
Rounds ricochet off hard surfaces.
• Increases stability
• Slightly increases range
Flared Magwell
Optimized for fast reloading.
• Slightly increases stability
• Greatly increases reload speed
Light Mag
Improved reload and range.
• Increases reload speed
• Slightly increases range

Dragonfly
Precision kills create an elemental damage explosion.
Demolitionist
Kills with this weapon generate grenade energy. Activating your grenade ability reloads this weapon from reserves.
Eddy Current
Temporarily increases reload speed and handling after sprinting or while amplified. This effect is improved when you are amplified.
Fourth Time's the Charm
Rapidly landing precision hits will return two rounds to the magazine.
Keep Away
Increases reload, range, and accuracy when no targets are in close proximity.
Lone Wolf
Slightly improves aim assist, aim down sights speed, and airborne effectiveness. Increases these effects when there are no nearby allies.

Rolling Storm
Final blows grant Bolt Charge.
While amplified, final blows grant additional Bolt Charge.
Adrenaline Junkie
This weapon gains increased damage and handling from final blows with grenades or this weapon.
Headseeker
Body shots landed with this weapon increase precision damage and aim assist for a short time. Body shots landed while the perk is active refresh the time.
Frenzy
Being in combat for an extended time increases damage, handling, and reload for this weapon until you are out of combat.
Kill Clip
Reloading after a kill grants increased damage.
Desperado
Reloading after a precision final blow or after rapidly defeating targets increases your rate of fire.

Stunning Recovery
Stunning a Champion refills your magazine, triggers health regeneration, and improves recovery for a short duration.
Vanguard's Vindication
Final blows with this weapon grant a small amount of health.
Omolon Fluid Dynamics
This weapon has increased reload speed and stability for the top half of the magazine.