History of Subsistence

Subsistence is a weapon trait: defeating targets partially reloads the magazine from reserves.

Effect

Per the Destiny Game Wiki it refills 10% of the magazine on most weapons and 17% on Auto Rifles and Submachine Guns. It was added in Season 6 (patch 2.2.0); patch 2.9.0 fixed its handling of burst weapons such as Pulse Rifles and Fusion Rifles, and patch 3.2.0 removed the reserve-ammo penalty it previously carried. Search summaries mention an enhanced version refilling 20%; the Destiny Game Wiki page does not list one, so treat that as unconfirmed.

Where it matters

It suits sustained-fire Primary weapons for add clear. See also Weapon perk.