Destiny 2’s IKELOS SMG Replacement Is Good, But Its Inability to Excel in Endgame Content Makes For a Lost Opportunity

When Destiny 2‘s latest Arc SMG dropped with Act 2 of Episode: Revenant, players were understandably excited. After all, who doesn’t love a shiny new toy that promises to shake up the meta? The Noxious Vetiver arrived with some impressive perks that had everyone excited about its potential to dethrone the current king of Arc weapons.

But as any seasoned Guardian knows, not all that glitters is gold. While this new addition to our arsenal certainly packs a punch in standard content, its performance in the game’s most challenging activities has left some players wondering if we’ve missed an opportunity for something truly special.

The IKELOS Legacy and Its Would-Be Successor

The IKELOS SMG v1.0.3 has long been the gold standard for Arc weapons in Destiny 2, especially dominating PvE content with its OP combination of Feeding Frenzy and Voltshot. The synergy between these perks has made it a reliable choice for everything from casual Strikes to the most demanding endgame activities.

Enter the Noxious Vetiver, armed with the new Jolting Feedback perk that promises to deliver the same shocking results without the reload dance. On paper, it sounds like an upgrade—after all, who wouldn’t want to skip the reload requirement of Voltshot while still applying Jolt to enemies?

In the Tomb of Elders and similar content, this new SMG absolutely shreds. The ability to proc Jolt just by landing hits makes it feel incredibly smooth to use, and in these activities, the damage output is more than sufficient to make short work of most enemies.

What’s particularly interesting is how the weapon’s Precision Frame archetype actually gives it better stability and range than its predecessor. However, unlike the IKELOS SMG which shines in both PvE and PvP content, the Noxious Vetiver’s strengths are primarily limited to PvE encounters where groups of enemies make the most of its Jolting capabilities.

When “Good” Isn’t Good Enough

But here’s where our tale takes a turn. While the Noxious Vetiver might be a star performer in standard PvE content, it starts to show its limitations in Grandmaster Nightfalls. The higher enemy health pools and increased difficulty of landing consistent hits make the Jolting Feedback perk significantly less reliable when you need it most.

The issue isn’t with the weapon’s concept—Jolting Feedback is a brilliant idea that could have revolutionized how we approach endgame content. The problem lies in its implementation. In high-level activities where every shot counts, the consistency of Voltshot, despite its reload requirement, often proves more valuable than the theoretical convenience of Jolting Feedback.

This becomes particularly apparent when you’re trying to apply Jolt to Champions or major enemies. While the IKELOS SMG can guarantee Jolt application after a reload, the Noxious Vetiver’s requirement for multiple hits can leave you exposed for longer periods in content where positioning and timing are crucial.

This feels like yet another missed opportunity for Bungie to create something truly special—a weapon that could have redefined how we approach high-level content while maintaining the fun factor that makes Destiny 2‘s gunplay so satisfying. With some tweaks to how Jolting Feedback functions against tougher enemies, this could have been the true successor to the IKELOS throne.

What do you think about the Noxious Vetiver? Has it found a permanent spot in your loadout, or are you sticking with the tried-and-true IKELOS SMG? Share your experiences in the comments below!