Complete Guide to New Weapons in Destiny 2: Episode Heresy Act 1

With the release of Episode Heresy, Destiny 2 is ushering in transformative changes to its gameplay dynamics, including significant balance adjustments and an impressive array of new weaponry scattered throughout the game’s sandbox environment.

Continuing the trend established by previous Episodes, Heresy is structured into three distinct Acts, each introducing fresh weapons over the coming months. Throughout this period, we have meticulously tracked Bungie’s pre-release streams and the This Week at Bungie (TWID) posts to gather a comprehensive list of weapons launching with Act 1 and future content, covering seasonal gear, returning favorites, Exotics, and more.

As anticipated with major updates in Destiny 2, the Player versus Environment (PvE) and Player versus Player (PvP) metas will require some time to stabilize, especially with the introduction of new Artifact perks. While we’ll delve deeper into meta analysis later, let’s explore the exciting new additions you’ll be pursuing in Heresy.

Seasonal Weapons

Act 1 of Heresy features four weapons available through the seasonal activity, The Nether. While the complete perk list will be unveiled upon the Episode’s launch, we already know two of the weapon names: Adamantite and Psychopomp.

Adamantite is a support-frame Auto Rifle reminiscent of The Final Shape’s No Hesitation, while Psychopomp is an Arc Grenade Launcher designed for area denial, capable of firing multiple projectiles with each shot and featuring the innovative new perk Rolling Storm, which synergizes with Bolt Charge.

Four seasonal weapons will be available in Heresy Act 1.

Trials of Osiris Weapons

Alongside a thorough rework of Trials of Osiris, Episode Heresy introduces two new weapons into the PvP loot pool.

The first is a reintroduction of the Void Hand Cannon Exalted Truth, infused with new perk options. The second is the brand-new Solar Sniper Rifle known as Keen Thistle. Refer to the table below for an overview of their respective perk options.

Destiny 2 Keen Thistle - Trials of Osiris

Keen Thistle is an exciting new addition to the Sniper Rifle armory.

Weapon	Archetype	Perk 1	Perk 2
Keen Thistle	Solar Sniper Rifle (Aggressive)	Snapshot Sights, Lone Wolf, Under Pressure, Incandescent, Envious Arsenal, Slickdraw, Triple Tap	Opening Shot, Closing Time, Discord, Bait and Switch, Moving Target, Vorpal Weapon, Fourth Times the Charm
Exalted Truth	Void Hand Cannon (Adaptive)	Slideshot, Lone Wolf, Destabilizing Rounds, Moving Target, Zen Moment, Keep Away, Withering Gaze	Eye of the Storm, Opening Shot, Precision Instrument, Magnificent Howl, One for All, Repulsor Brace

Ritual Activity Weapons (Crucible, Vanguard, Gambit)

The core ritual activities in Destiny 2, including Crucible, Vanguard Ops, and Gambit, are also seeing exciting new loot options. Among these new additions are the Lotus-Eater, a Void rocket sidearm, and Redrix’s Estoc, making its return as the first Legacy PR-55 Frame Pulse Rifle introduced since the 2021’s 30th Anniversary update.

Moreover, the classic Palindrome will be back as a Nightfall-exclusive drop, alongside the Arc Rapid-Fire Glaive Joxer’s Longsword available through Gambit. Check the table below for a detailed look at the Heresy ritual weapons and their associated perk pools.

Redrix's Stock Pulse Rifle in Destiny 2. — Redrix’s Estoc joins BXR-55 Battler as part of the Legacy PR-55 archetype.

Weapon	Archetype	Perk 1	Perk 2
Lotus-Eater	Void Sidearm (Rocket-Assisted Frame)	Shoot to Loot, Beacon Rounds, Reconstruction, Strategist, Feeding Frenzy, Repulsor Brace	Destabilizing Rounds, High Ground, Reverberation, Box Weaken, Adrenaline Junkie, One for All
The Palindrome	Arc Hand Cannon (Adaptive)	Closing Time, Elemental Capacitor, Explosive Payload, Outlaw, To the Pain	Magnificent Howl, Snapshot Sights, Master of Arms, Opening Shot, Desperate Measures
Cynosure	Strand Rocket Launcher (Aggressive)	Reconstruction, Envious Arsenal, Slice, Demolitionist, Field Prep, Tracking Module, Sympathetic Arsenal, Impulse Amplifier, Ambitious Assassin, Clown Cartridge, Danger Zone, Overflow	Chain Reaction, Explosive Light, Bipod, Cluster Bomb, Quickdraw, Lasting Impression, Adrenaline Junkie, Reverberation, Desperate Measures, High Ground, Hatchling
Backfang	Arc Glaive (Rapid-Fire)	Impulse Amplifier, Beacon Rounds, Grave Robber, Immovable Object, Tilting at Windmills, Shot Swap, Steady Hands, Replenishing Aegis, Field Prep, Lead from Gold, Mulligan	Voltshot, Swashbuckler, Surrounded, Unrelenting, Wellspring, Vorpal Weapon, Unstoppable Force, Close to Melee, Desperate Measure, Adagio, Adrenaline Junkie
Joxer’s Longsword	Void Pulse Rifle (Heavy Burst)	Closing Time, Demolitionist, Dragonfly, Killing Wind, Gutshot Straight, Lone Wolf, Pugilist, Enlightened Action, Rewind Rounds, Repulsor Brace, Strategist, Shoot to Loot	Adrenaline Junkie, Desperado, Desperate Measures, Destabilizing Rounds, Withering Gaze, Headseeker, High Impact Reserves, Under Pressure, One for All, Swashbuckler, Zen Moment
Redrix’s Stock	Stasis Pulse Rifle (Legacy PR-55 Frame)	Encore, Lone Wolf, Perpetual Motion, Zen Moment, Offhand Strike, Rimestealer, Demolitionist	Desperate Measures, Sword Logic, Desperado, Headseeker, Rapid Hit, Kill Clip, Headstone

Exotic Weapons

Lodestar

Weapon Type: Trace Rifle
Element: Arc
Exotic Perks: Arc Alignment, Starlight Beam
Catalyst: TBD
How to Acquire: Reach level 1 on the Premium Season Pass or Level 40 on the Free Season Pass

Lodestar marks a pivotal addition in Episode Heresy, distinguished as the first primary ammo Trace Rifle in Destiny 2. It features dual firing modes and is reminiscent of the Vex Mythoclast, with the capability to build a gauge upon defeating enemies. Once charged, Lodestar’s beam can continuously deliver Jolt, amplifying its damage effectiveness.

Barrow-Dyad

Weapon Type: Submachine Gun
Element: Strand
Exotic Perks: Taken Divergence, Panic Response
Catalyst: TBD
How to Acquire: TBD

Details on Barrow-Dyad remain scarce, yet its unique features include automatic reloading capabilities. Through its Panic Response trait, this Exotic SMG accumulates blight damage, converting stored blight into Blighted Seekers that autonomously target and penetrate foes. The method of acquisition for Barrow-Dyad is yet to be disclosed, though it may be tied to the Sundered Doctrine dungeon or an undisclosed Exotic mission.

Vault of Glass Reprised Raid Weapons

Every weapon obtained through the Vault of Glass raid in Destiny 2 will undergo crafting updates and receive refreshed perk pools in Episode Heresy.

Destiny 2 reprised Vault of Glass weapons

The complete Vault of Glass arsenal is getting revamped perks and weapon crafting available.

Season of Arrivals Reprised Weapons

Five weapons from the Season of Arrivals will return in Episode Heresy with fresh perk configurations. Players can earn the following weapons through various activities:

False Promises – Kinetic Auto Rifle (High-Impact)
Whispering Slab – Kinetic Bow (Lightweight)
Cold Denial – Kinetic Pulse Rifle (High-Impact)
Hollow Words – Arc Fusion Rifle (Precision)
Temptation’s Hook – Arc Sword (Caster)

Season of Arrivals reprised weapons Destiny 2

Five weapons from the Season of Arrivals will return, each featuring new perks.

New Weapon Perks

As is customary in recent Episodes, Episode Heresy introduces a series of new perks tailored to revitalizing Destiny 2’s meta. Currently, only one perk has been disclosed:

Rolling Storm: Final blows provide a charge of Bolt Charge. Additionally, while amplified, subsequent final blows grant extra Bolt Charge.

New Weapon Origin Traits

Two new Origin traits, Timelost Magazine and Willing Vessel, debut in Episode Heresy, applicable exclusively to Vault of Glass and seasonal weapons, respectively.

Timelost Magazine: Final blows with this weapon grant bonus Super energy. When your Super expires, the weapon’s magazine size increases significantly for a prolonged duration and reloads from reserves.
Willing Vessel: Inflicting damage or defeating targets with this weapon gradually boosts stability, handling, reload speed, and charge rate. This effect diminishes over time but accelerates when near allies.

That wraps up our overview of all new weaponry introduced in Episode Heresy Act 1.

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