Destiny 2 players are currently obsessed with Heavy Bursts. Specifically, the Arcane Embrace god roll has become the white whale for anyone diving into the Vesper’s Host dungeon. It’s a Solar shotgun, but it doesn't act like a shotgun. Not really. It fires two-round bursts that feel more like a mini-fusion rifle or a pulse rifle's angry cousin. If you've been farming the first encounter of the dungeon, you know the pain of seeing another chest piece drop when all you want is that crisp, double-tap lethality.
Honestly, the "Heavy Burst" archetype is the best thing to happen to Special weapons in years. It gives you range. It gives you punch. Most importantly, it gives you a reason to stop using the same slug shotguns we've been clinging to since the Forsaken era.
What Makes the Arcane Embrace God Roll So Lethal?
Most people look at the stats and see the impact. That's fine. But the real magic is in the frame. Because it's a Heavy Burst, you aren't just spraying pellets; you’re delivering a concentrated dose of Solar damage that can stun-lock majors if you’re precise.
When we talk about the Arcane Embrace god roll, we have to split the conversation between those who live in the Crucible and the PvE junkies trying to solo-flawless high-end content. They are two different beasts. In PvE, you’re looking for synergy with the Solar 3.0 keyword system. You want things to go boom. In PvP, you want consistency because missing one pellet in that two-round burst usually means a trip back to the respawn screen.
The PvE Powerhouse: Precision and Flames
For general play, the absolute gold standard starts with Fourth Time’s the Charm and Precision Instrument. Why? Because the gun fires in bursts. You hit your headshots, you get ammo back. It’s simple math that feels like cheating during a boss phase.
Precision Instrument is the sleeper hit here. As you land those hits, your precision damage ramps up. Since the gun fires two rounds at once, you’re building those stacks twice as fast as a standard slug. It turns a legendary shotgun into something that rivals exotic DPS in short bursts.
If you aren't a fan of the "stand back and aim" playstyle, you might prefer Incandescent. Pairing Incandescent with something like Slideshot or Dual Loader makes this thing a room-clearer. You slide, you blast a dreg, the whole room catches fire, and you keep moving. It’s a rhythmic way to play that fits the fast-paced nature of modern Destiny.
Breaking Down the Perks: What to Keep and What to Shard
Don't just look at the third and fourth columns. The "barrels" and "mags" matter way more on a Heavy Burst than on a traditional pellet spread.
- Smallbore or Corkscrew Rifling: You need stability. If the gun kicks too hard, your second shot in the burst will fly over the enemy’s head.
- Appended Mag or Fluted Barrel: Handling is the secret sauce. This gun can feel heavy. It’s literally in the name. High handling makes it feel snappy, like a sidearm, rather than a heavy piece of industrial equipment.
I’ve seen players argue for Enveloping Darkness, the origin trait. It’s actually decent. When you’re surrounded, you get better handling and reload speed. In a dungeon like Vesper’s Host, where you are constantly being swarmed by Fallen, it’s basically a permanent buff.
The PvP Perspective: A Different Kind of Game
Is it good in Trials? Kinda. It's niche.
If you’re taking an Arcane Embrace god roll into the Crucible, you’re looking for Closing Time. This perk is wild. As your magazine gets lower, you get increased range, accuracy, and handling. In PvP, you rarely have more than two rounds anyway, so you’re almost always benefiting from the buff.
Pair that with Threat Detector. Since you’re usually close to an enemy when pulling out a shotgun, the boost to handling and stability is a lifesaver. It allows you to out-draw someone using a standard Matador 64 or Someday.
Why Everyone is Farming Vesper’s Host
The dungeon itself is a vibe, but the loot table is the real draw. Arcane Embrace drops from the first encounter, which is arguably the easiest to farm. You can get a solid group, run the encounter in under five minutes, and reset.
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I’ve spent six hours in one Saturday just hitting that first chest. The drop rates are... well, they’re Destiny drop rates. You’ll get ten helmets before you see a single shotgun. But when that Arcane Embrace god roll finally pops with a Range Masterwork? It’s pure dopamine.
There’s also the aesthetic. It looks like a piece of salvaged space tech. It sounds meaty. There is a specific "clack-clack" sound when it fires that lets everyone in the lobby know you’ve got the new hotness equipped.
Misconceptions About Heavy Burst Shotguns
A lot of YouTubers will tell you this replaces your Heritage or your Supercluster. It doesn't.
Heritage is still the king of pure, static DPS for a stationary boss like Taniks. Where Arcane Embrace wins is versatility. It’s better at clearing majors at a distance. It’s better at applying elemental effects. It’s a "workhorse" weapon, not a "stand in a Well of Radiance and click heads" weapon.
Another mistake? Thinking you need max range. On this frame, stability is actually the silent carry. If you can’t land both shots of the burst on a crit spot, your total damage drops off a cliff. I’d take a stability masterwork over range any day of the week for PvE content.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you’re serious about getting the best version of this gun, stop doing full runs of the dungeon. Find a "CP" (checkpoint) group on the LFG app.
- Check your vault for a high-handling exotic: If you’re a Titan, Peacekeepers won't help here, but Ophidian Aspects on a Warlock make this gun feel incredible.
- Focus on the First Encounter: Don't bother with the final boss if you only want the shotgun. It’s a waste of time.
- Look for Fourth Time's The Charm: It is the single most important perk for making this weapon feel "top tier" in endgame content like Grandmaster Nightfalls.
- Test the recoil pattern: Go to the Enclave. Shoot the wall. See how much that second bullet jumps. If it’s too high, swap your barrel to something with more stability.
The Arcane Embrace god roll isn't just a trophy. It’s a legitimate shift in how we use special ammo. It bridges the gap between the safety of a fusion rifle and the raw power of a shotgun. Get one. Use it. Burn everything down.