Even in 2026, when I open my Destiny 2 Vault and hover over Veles-X, that energy pulse rifle still stops me. It carries memories of Season of the Seraph, when I turned the ritual playlist grind into a personal mission. I was not a hardcore raider or a flawless Trials player. I was a regular Guardian who wanted a reliable four-burst weapon and every ornament tied to it. Here is how the chase played out.

The first time I inspected Veles-X, I noticed it belonged to the Aggressive Burst family. It fires four hard-hitting bullets per trigger pull, so it feels chunky and deliberate. Its Impact is decent, but the real story is Range. I could stand far back in a Strike or a Crucible lane and still land clean precision hits. Stability is excellent, and that matters a lot for an aggressive burst because four rounds can climb quickly. The low Handling did raise an eyebrow, but for a Pulse Rifle, I rarely needed the lightning-fast ready speed of an SMG or Shotgun. In medium to long-distance fights, Veles-X rewarded patience, positioning, and steady aim.

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The unlock condition sounded simple: reach Rank 16 with Commander Zavala, the Drifter, or Lord Shaxx. In practice, it meant living inside ritual activities. Strikes, Crucible, and Gambit all contributed, but I quickly learned that rotating between playlists slowed me down. The fastest route was to choose one faction and push its reputation bar relentlessly. My Vanguard approach looked like this:

  • I committed to Vanguard Strikes and stopped splitting my time.

  • I stacked daily bounties and repeatable Strike bounties.

  • I equipped a comfortable submachine gun and a rocket launcher for fast clears.

  • I treated every Strike like a mini speedrun.

Some people preferred the Drifter because Gambit games offered a rhythm they liked. Others stuck with Lord Shaxx and Crucible. The key was focus, not variety.

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Once the weapon dropped, I realized the grind was not over. Each ritual vendor offered an exclusive ornament. The Crucible ornament, Volos-X, had a blood-red finish that made the weapon look dangerous. To get it, I had to reset my Crucible Valor rank and climb back to Rank 16. That meant more matches, more close losses, and more late-night revenge queues. Gambit and Vanguard also had their own ornaments, so completionists had plenty to chase. The cosmetic change did not alter damage, but I loved the extra style. A ritual weapon with a unique ornament felt like a trophy.

After the cosmetic chase, I started working on what the community calls a god roll. I checked Light.GG and The Gamer while testing Veles-X in Nightfalls and patrol spaces. Because it is a Void Energy Pulse Rifle, I wanted a setup that leaned into stability, range, and Void synergy. I focused on barrel and magazine options that tightened the four-burst pattern. I also looked for trait combinations that rewarded ability use or sustained damage. The Light.GG community suggested a few ideal options, but my favorite approach was to treat Veles-X as a flexible mid-range tool. If a roll offered more Range, I used it for long sightlines. If a roll offered more Stability, I pushed into close-mid duels. Mods helped smooth the rough edges, and I often added counterbalance or backup mag depending on how the weapon felt that week.

Now in 2026, Veles-X may no longer dominate the current sandbox, but the memory of earning it still holds value. It taught me that ritual weapon hunts are not just about the final reward. They are about the repetitive comfort of the playlist grind, the rank-up moment, and the pride of carrying a weapon that says I showed up and put in the work. I still use Veles-X in older activities, and every four-burst volley reminds me of Season of the Seraph. If you are a newer Guardian going through old ritual quests, my advice is simple: pick one vendor, stay focused, and enjoy the repetition. The weapon is worth it.