Swooping Talons

Overview

Swooping Talons is an exotic trait exclusive to The Manticore, a Submachine Gun introduced in Season 19 (Season of the Seraph). When the player deals damage while airborne, the weapon's damage output increases. The perk rewards mobility-focused playstyles that emphasize jumping, skating, and aerial positioning.

How It Works

The trait activates whenever the player is in the air and deals damage. Any shot fired while airborne benefits from the damage boost, making it a straightforward incentive to engage while elevated. The damage bonus persists as long as airborne attacks continue; landing resets the bonus. This encourages players to chain airborne shots together rather than punctuating them with ground-based attacks.

Synergies and Playstyles

Swooping Talons pairs excellently with subclasses and exotics that enable sustained airtime:

• Warlock with Icarus Dash (arc, solar, or void subclasses) or Blink (void) can stay mobile in the air
• Hunter with Shatterdive (stasis) or Marksman's Dodge (mobility builds) enables quick repositioning
• Titan with Ballistic Slam or Lift-heavy builds
• Exotics like Insurmountable Skullfort or Transversive Steps enable constant movement

In PvP, the perk rewards aggressive mid-air dueling and strafe shooting, particularly in maps with vertical terrain. In PvE, it incentivizes evasion-based playstyles where players jump-dodge incoming damage while maintaining offensive pressure.

Comparison to Other Damage Perks

Unlike perks such as Rampage or Killclip that reward kills, Swooping Talons requires only that damage be dealt mid-air. This makes it more consistent in firefights where kills are sporadic, though it requires the playstyle constraint of staying airborne. On a submachine gun, the close range and fast fire rate make aerial engagements more challenging than on long-range weapons, so the perk suits very aggressive play.

Acquisition

Swooping Talons is obtained exclusively by acquiring The Manticore. The weapon is an exotic available from:

• Exotic Kiosk in the Tower (requires Exotic Ciphers, legendary shards, and glimmer)
• Exotic engram drops from high-tier Nightfalls, Dungeons, and other endgame activities
• Season 19 season pass reward (now legacy)

History

Swooping Talons debuted with The Manticore in Season 19 (December 2022). The perk's air-damage bonus was experimental for Destiny 2 at the time, focusing on movement-based gameplay rather than traditional kill streaks. It has remained exclusive to The Manticore since its introduction.