You know the sound. That high-pitched, metallic clink when Memento Mori procs. It is probably the most iconic audio cue in the history of the franchise. Honestly, if you play Destiny 2 and you aren't carrying the Destiny 2 Ace of Spades in your kinetic slot at least half the time, what are you even doing?
It’s been years since Cayde-6 checked out during the Forsaken expansion, but his gun? It hasn't aged a day. In fact, in the current 2026 meta, it’s arguably more dominant than it was back in the day. Most exotic weapons have a "gimmick." They do one thing well. Ace does everything. It’s a scout rifle, a hand cannon, and a literal fireball generator all wrapped in one sleek, white-and-black frame.
The gun is just perfect.
Why the Destiny 2 Ace of Spades Refuses to Die
In a game where power creep usually kills off old favorites, the Destiny 2 Ace of Spades remains a statistical anomaly. It’s a 140 RPM (rounds per minute) Hand Cannon, which is the "goldilocks" zone for PvP players. Not too slow like the 120s, not too weak like the old 150s.
But it’s the perks that make people salty in the Crucible.
First, you’ve got Memento Mori. Reloading after a kill gives you six high-damage bullets. These aren't just "slightly stronger" shots; they are monsters. You get extra range. You get extra damage. And unlike almost every other damage perk in the game, these bullets don't disappear if you stow the weapon. You can get a kill, swap to your sniper, move across the map, swap back, and your spicy bullets are still there waiting for you.
Then there's Firefly. Precision kills cause the target to explode in a solar blast. It also grants a massive boost to reload speed. It’s basically Outlaw and Dragonfly had a baby and that baby grew up to be an absolute unit.
And don't even get me started on the radar.
Most people forget that while you’re aiming down sights (ADS) with the Destiny 2 Ace of Spades, your radar stays active. In a game where verticality and "shatter-diving" or "Blink" hunters are a constant threat, losing your radar for even a second is a death sentence. Ace just lets you keep your eyes on the prize while keeping your peripheral vision intact. It’s borderline cheating.
The Lore is Actually Heartbreaking
We can't talk about this gun without talking about Cayde. The Ace of Spades wasn't just a tool; it was a part of him. If you dig into the lore tabs—and you really should—the weapon represents his memory of his son, Ace. Or at least, the memory he thinks he has.
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Exos have it rough. Their brains get wiped (Cade-6, hence the number). He wrote letters to a son he wasn't even sure existed, just to keep some semblance of humanity alive. When Uldren Sov used this very gun to kill Cayde, it wasn't just a plot point. It was a violation.
When we finally took it back in the Last Call mission, the gun was broken. It was "faded." We had to calibrate it with Banshee-44, the Gunsmith, who—ironically—also has a memory like a goldfish. Recovering this gun felt like a funeral service. Every time you fire it now, you’re basically carrying on the legacy of the Vanguard’s best (and most annoying) Hunter.
Mastering the Bloom and the Recoil
If you’re new to the Destiny 2 Ace of Spades, you might think it kicks like a mule. It does. Sorta.
The recoil direction is 100. That is a perfect vertical climb. If you’re struggling to land headshots, you’re likely overcorrecting. You don't need to fight the gun; you just need to pace yourself. In the current sandbox, flinch is a huge factor. Because Ace has such high impact, you’re actually flinching your opponent more than they’re flinching you.
How to actually win duels
- Stop reloading immediately. If you have Memento Mori active and you kill someone, reloading again just refreshes the six shots. If you had four left, you didn't gain much. Use the shots.
- Range drop-off is real. Even with the catalyst, you aren't a sniper. If you see a Pulse Rifle user at the back of the map, don't ego-challenge them.
- The Catalyst is mandatory. If you don't have the catalyst, go grind some strikes. It increases the Firefly damage when Memento Mori is active. It turns a "neat explosion" into a "room-clearing nuke."
I've seen players try to replace Ace with Rose or Eyasluna. Sure, those guns feel "snappier" because of their handling stats. But they lack the sheer utility. Ace is a Swiss Army Knife that also happens to be a 44. Magnum.
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The PvE Perspective: Is It Worth the Exotic Slot?
Normally, using an exotic primary in high-level PvE (like Grandmaster Nightfalls) is a bit of a gamble. You usually want that slot for something like Gjallarhorn or Microcosm.
However, Bungie buffed exotic primaries a while back. They now deal 40% more damage to red-bar enemies. This makes the Destiny 2 Ace of Spades a total monster for add-clear. If you’re running a Solar build with fragments that trigger off ignition or solar kills, Firefly starts a chain reaction that is incredibly satisfying to watch.
Is it "meta" for a Boss DPS phase? No. Don't be that person shooting a boss with a hand cannon while your teammates are using rockets. But for everything leading up to the boss? It’s top-tier.
Getting the Gun in 2026
If you’re a returning player, you can’t do the old quest anymore. It’s gone. It went into the Content Vault along with Titan and Io. Now, you have to go to the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower.
You’ll need:
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- An Exotic Cipher (Get these from Xur)
- 125,000 Glimmer
- An Ascendant Shard
It’s expensive. But it’s the best investment you’ll make in the game. Period.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think the "Spades" on the gun are just for show. They actually change color and glow when the perks are active. It’s a visual shorthand. If your gun is glowing blue/white, you have Memento Mori. If you see an enemy’s Ace glowing, do not peek that corner. They will two-tap you before you can even blink.
Another myth: "Ace is only for Hunters."
Look, I get it. Cayde was a Hunter. The gun has a cape-wearing vibe. But Titans and Warlocks actually benefit more from the intrinsic stats because they don't have as many natural reload buffs. A Warlock in a literal Healing Rift with Memento Mori active is basically a stationary turret of death.
Final Verdict on the Destiny 2 Ace of Spades
There are flashier guns. There are guns that fire lasers and guns that track enemies. But the Destiny 2 Ace of Spades is the soul of the game. It’s the perfect marriage of lore, mechanics, and "feel."
If you want to improve your K/D in the Crucible, learn this gun. If you want to feel like a space cowboy in strikes, equip this gun. It rewards skill, punishes laziness, and sounds better than any other firearm in the solar system.
Actionable Steps for Players
- Check your Vault: If you have an old version, make sure you've pulled the updated one with the correct power level.
- Farm the Catalyst: Head into the Vanguard playlist. The drop rate is decent, and the damage boost to Firefly is non-negotiable for PvE.
- Practice the "Two-Tap": In PvP, pair Ace with a damage-boosting mod or a Radiant build. With Memento Mori active and a 10% damage buff, you can occasionally two-tap low-resilience Guardians.
- Visit the Monument: If you don't own it, prioritize this over every other weapon in the kiosk. Even Witherhoard. Yeah, I said it.