Intrinsic trait

An Intrinsic perk is a special perk always found on a given weapon that defines its basic behaviour in Destiny 2.

Overview

Intrinsic perks are, as the name suggests, an inherent part of a weapon and cannot be swapped out. Different Intrinsic perks define the archetype of a weapon, and are useful in determining what weapon is best for a given playstyle at a glance.

List of Intrinsic perks

Generic perks

Intrinsic perk	Available for	In-game description	Behaviour
Adaptive Frame	Auto rifles Pulse rifles Hand cannons Submachine guns Sidearms Fusion rifles Sniper rifles Heavy Grenade launchers Rocket launchers Machine guns	A well-rounded grip, reliable and sturdy.	As the description suggests, weapons with an Adaptive Frame are generally the best well-rounded in their class, being effective at most ranges appropriate for the weapon type.
Aggressive Frame	Pulse rifles Hand cannons Sidearms Shotguns Sniper rifles Rocket launchers	High damage, high recoil.	With the exception of shotguns and sniper rifles, which have lowered fire rates, Aggressive Frame weapons have an increased rate of fire, and in the case of pulse rifles and sidearms, fire an extra bullet in a burst.
High-Impact Frame	Auto rifles Scout rifles Pulse rifles Fusion rifles Rocket launchers Machine guns	Slow-firing and high-damage. This weapon is more accurate when stationary and aiming down sights.	High-Impact Frame weapons universally have a slower rate of fire than other weapons, made up for with their higher damage. They tend to also have a moderately longer range in class.
Lightweight Frame	Auto rifles Scout rifles Pulse rifles Hand cannons Submachine guns Sidearms Shotguns Special Grenade launchers	Superb handling. Move faster with this weapon equipped.	Lightweight Frame weapons have a generally higher rate of fire for their class. The movement speed boost can be used to close the gap in combat to take advantage of the rate of fire from a closer range. Also, grenade launchers have remote detonation triggered by releasing the fire button.
Precision Frame	Auto rifles Scout rifles Hand cannons Submachine guns Sidearms Shotguns Fusion rifles Heavy Grenade launchers Linear fusion rifles	Recoil pattern on this weapon is more predictably vertical.	With the exception of hand cannons and fusion rifles, which have a higher rate of fire, Precision Frame weapons have a somewhat lower rate of fire, for easier recoil control over long distances. Precision Frame weapons generally have the furthest reach of any weapon in their class. Also, grenade launchers have remote detonation triggered by releasing the fire button, and shotguns fire single slugs.
Rapid-Fire Frame	Auto rifles Scout rifles Pulse rifles Shotguns Sniper rifles Heavy Grenade launchers Machine guns	Deeper ammo reserves. Slightly faster reload when magazine is empty.	Rapid-Fire Frame weapons have the highest rate of fire of any other weapon in their class, making them best suited for close range combat. With exception to pulse rifles, sniper rifles, and grenade launchers, Rapid-Fire Frame weapons are fully automatic if their weapon type isn't already inherently automatic.

Bow perks

Bows have their own specific set of Intrinsic perks.

Intrinsic perk	Available for	In-game description	Behaviour
Lightweight Frame	Combat Bows	Recurve Bow. Draw quickly and move faster while this weapon is equipped. (Reload command) Press: Use while drawn to cancel the shot.	Aside from faster draw times, Lightweight Frame bows have better stability, handling, and arrow nocking speed than their Precision Frame counterparts.
Precision Frame	Combat Bows	Compound Bow. Longer draw time optimized for damage. (Reload command) Press: Use while drawn to cancel the shot.	Aside from slower draw times and better damage, Precision Frame bows have better accuracy than their Precision Frame counterparts.

Sword perks

Swords have their own specific set of Intrinsic perks.

Intrinsic perk	Available for	In-game description	Behaviour
Adaptive Frame	Swords	(Aim command) Press: Launch a heavy uppercut attack. Heavy attacks are stronger with full energy. Attacks partially bypass elemental shields.	Adaptive Frame swords have moderate swing speed and charge rate.
Aggressive Frame	Swords	(Aim command) Press: Launch a heavy slam attack. Heavy attacks are stronger with full energy. Attacks partially bypass elemental shields.	Aggressive Frame swords have slow swing speed and charge rate.
Lightweight Frame	Swords	(Aim command) Press: Launch a heavy dash attack. Heavy attacks are stronger with full energy. Attacks partially bypass elemental shields.	Lightweight Frame swords have fast swing speed and charge rate.
Caster Frame	Tempation's Hook	(Aim command) Press: Launch a heavy projectile attack. Heavy attacks are stronger with full energy. Attacks partially bypass elemental shields.	Caster Frame swords have moderate impact and swing speed, with charge rate on par with Lightweight Frame swords.
Vortex Frame	Falling Guillotine	(Aim command) Press: Launch a heavy spin attack. Heavy attacks are stronger with full energy. Attacks partially bypass elemental shields.	Vortex Frame swords have moderate impact, with swing speed and charge rate on par with Adaptive Frame swords.

Unique perks

These Intrinsic perks are unique to a certain weapon or selection of weapons outside of Bows and Swords.

Intrinsic perk	Available for	In-game description	Behaviour
Omolon Adaptive Frame	Omolon Sidearms	Well-rounded grip, reliable, fires a 3-round burst.	Generally very stable.
Häkke Precision Frame	Häkke Rocket launchers	This weapon fires a small auto-tracking missile. Missiles lock onto targets when aimed.	Has average stats compared to other rocket launchers.
SUROS Rapid-Fire	SUROS Sidearms	Full Auto. Deeper ammo reserves. Slightly faster reload when magazine is empty.	Generally has good handling and stability, and a high rate of fire.
VEIST Rapid-Fire	Veist Scout rifles	Full Auto. Deeper ammo reserves. Slightly faster reload when magazine is empty.	Has low stats compared to other scout rifles, but the best rate of fire in class.
Double Fire	Warden's Law	Hard-hitting twin-fire rounds.	Stats are similar to Aggressive Frame hand cannons.
MIDA Synergy	CALUS Mini-Tool	Superb handling. Move faster with this weapon equipped. This weapon grands additional speed benefits when MIDA Multi-Tool is also equipped.	Acts to merge Lightweight Frame and the MIDA Synergy perk of the MIDA Mini-Tool.
Together Forever	Drang (Baroque)	This weapon has a well-rounded grip, reliable and sturdy. Kills with this weapon reload Sturm and overflow a bonus damage round into it.	Acts to merge Adaptive Frame and the Together Forever perk of Drang.
Wave Frame	Martyr's Retribution	One-shot handheld Grenade Launcher. Projectiles release a wave of energy when they contact the ground.	Stats are similar to other Special ammo grenade launchers.
Shot Package	Felwinter's Lie	Aggressive frame Shotgun modified to have more uniform pellet spread.	The pellet spread offered by this perk makes the Felwinter's Lie very attractive for consistent one-hit-kill capability in PVP modes.
Exotic perks	Exotic weapons	Varies.	Each Exotic weapon has a unique Intrinsic perk that makes it play drastically differently from other weapons.