The Call: Destiny 2's New Rocket Sidearm and Its God Rolls

In the ever-evolving arsenal of Destiny 2, a new weapon archetype emerged in 2024, forever altering the kinetic landscape of the Pale Heart. The rocket sidearm, a concept that once seemed confined to the realm of Guardian fantasy, became a tangible, devastating reality with the debut of The Call. This Strand-damage sidearm wasn't just another addition to the vault; it represented a bold new direction for close-to-mid-range combat, offering a unique blend of rapid-fire delivery and explosive payloads. But what makes this weapon, obtainable early in The Final Shape campaign, truly worthy of a Guardian's attention? Is it merely a novelty, or does it possess the raw power to define a meta?

Unlocking The Power of The Call

As one of the inaugural rewards from the Pale Heart, The Call immediately distinguished itself. It wasn't hidden behind layers of RNG or complex questlines; it was a tool bestowed upon Guardians as they stepped into the new conflict. This immediate accessibility, however, belied its complexity. As a rocket frame legendary sidearm, it demanded a new understanding of projectile mechanics. Unlike its hitscan cousins, The Call fires physical rockets, meaning leading targets and accounting for travel time became crucial skills. Yet, for those who mastered it, the payoff was immense, especially for Guardians woven into the fabric of the Strand subclass.

Forging The Ultimate PvE God Roll

For Guardians facing the hordes of the Witness's forces, The Call offers a spectacular perk combination designed for ad-clear and synergistic ability play. The quest for the perfect PvE roll begins with understanding its strengths.

Barrel & Magazine: The Foundation of Speed

• Barrel: Quick Launch. This is non-negotiable. It drastically increases projectile velocity, helping to mitigate the inherent challenge of leading moving targets with a rocket sidearm. In the heat of battle, speed is life.

• Magazine: Tactical Mag. A reliable choice that offers a balanced boost to magazine size, stability, and reload speed, providing a solid all-around foundation for the weapon's performance.

Perk Column 1: Engine of Destruction

This is where The Call truly begins to sing. Two perks stand head and shoulders above the rest for PvE enthusiasts:

Demolitionist creates a powerful gameplay loop, especially potent in 2026's meta where ability regeneration is king. One for All, on the other hand, is almost laughably easy to activate with an explosive weapon, providing a massive and consistent damage buff.

Perk Column 2: Strand Synergy & Beyond

For Strand devotees, one perk shines with brilliant potential:

• Hatchling: Precision final blows or rapidly defeating targets spawns a Threadling at the target's location. This perk doesn't just add damage; it actively contributes to and empowers any Threadling-focused Strand build, creating a self-sustaining army of unraveling creatures.

If your build isn't Threadling-centric, a powerful alternative exists:

• Desperate Measures: Final blows with this weapon or a grenade kill grant bonus damage. It's a straightforward and effective damage booster that synergizes well with Demolitionist.

The PvE God Roll Verdict: Quick Launch / Tactical Mag / Demolitionist or One for All / Hatchling. This combination ensures maximum projectile speed, incredible ability synergy or raw damage amplification, and a powerful Strand effect that enhances your entire toolkit.

The Call in the Crucible: A Niche Choice

Venturing into the Trials or Crucible with The Call is a statement. It declares a preference for high-risk, high-reward gameplay. As a special weapon, its ammo is severely limited in PvP modes, making each shot count. While there are arguably more consistent choices, a properly rolled The Call can be a devastating surprise tool.

The PvP God Roll Philosophy

The goal here is singular: ensure your rocket hits its target before the opponent can react.

• Barrel: Quick Launch (Again, velocity is paramount)

• Magazine: High-Velocity Rounds (Further boosts projectile speed)

• Perk 1: Beacon Rounds 🤔 Casting your class ability causes your shots to track targets slightly for a short time. In the fast-paced, vertical arena of the Crucible, even minor tracking can be the difference between a miss and a spectacular elimination.

• Perk 2: Vorpal Weapon 💥 This perk increases damage against Guardians in their Super. While Super engagements are less frequent, securing a shutdown on a roaming Super like a Fist of Havoc or a Spectral Blades can single-handedly swing a match. However, its situational nature must be acknowledged.

The harsh truth is that in 2026's competitive sandbox, The Call remains a niche pick for PvP. Its special ammo economy and projectile nature put it at a disadvantage against top-tier primary dueling weapons and other, more ammo-efficient specials. It's a fun, potent option for casual play or highlight-reel moments, but for pure competitive consistency, other weapons reign supreme.

Legacy and Viability in 2026

Two years after its debut in The Final Shape, The Call has carved out a respected niche. It never became the absolute meta-defining weapon some predicted, but it also never faded into obscurity. Its strength lies in its unique design and powerful perk combinations that complement specific builds perfectly. For Strand mains, a Hatchling roll is still a treasured find, seamlessly integrating weapon kills into their subclass verbs. In high-level PvE content, a Demolitionist/One for All roll continues to offer exceptional ad-clear and major-melting potential, especially when combined with artifact mods that favor Strand or ability damage.

Bungie's experiment with the rocket sidearm, exemplified by The Call, proved successful enough that the archetype has seen further additions. Yet, The Call retains a special place as the original—a weapon that asked Guardians to relearn their aim and rewarded them with explosive, strand-weaving power. It stands as a testament to Destiny 2's willingness to innovate, offering not just a new gun, but a new way to fight. For those who took the time to master its trajectory, The Call wasn't just a weapon; it was an answer.