In the dynamic universe of Destiny 2, shotguns serve as formidable allies, allowing players to unleash devastating blasts at close range. These weapons can deplete enemy shields in a single shot, making them essential for both PvE and PvP engagements.
However, the performance of shotguns varies widely, with some boasting unique attributes that set them apart from the rest. In this article, we have curated a list of the top shotguns currently available in Destiny 2, detailing their best applications based on game mode.
Shotgun Tier List
| Tier | Weapon Name |
|---|---|
| S | Conditional Finality, The Chaperone, Tractor Cannon, Scavenger’s Fate, Deadlock, Compass Rose, Fractethyst, Imperial Decree, Matador 64, Perfect Paradox, Someday |
| A | Duality, Legend of Acrius, Astral Horizon, Felwinter’s Lie, Heritage, Retold Tale, Wastelander M5, Until Its Return, Prophet of Doom, Sojourner’s Tale |
| B | The Fourth Horseman, A Sudden Death, Found Verdict, Mindbender’s Ambition, Nessa’s Oblation, The Inquisitor, Gunnora’s Axe, Without Remorse, Retrofuturist |
| C | First In, Last Out, Seventh Seraph CQC-12, The Comedian, Toil and Trouble, Ragnhild-D, Hand in Hand, Ded Gramarye IV, Riiswalker |
Understanding Our Tier Rankings
- S Tier: The best performers.
- A Tier: Very reliable options.
- B Tier: Situational effectiveness.
- C Tier: Generally not recommended unless preferred.
Top Tier (S-Tier)
1. Tractor Cannon
- Element: Void
- Source: Exotic Engrams
- Optimal Use: PvE
| Fixed Roll Perks |
|---|
| Intrinsic: Repulsor Force Barrel: Extended Barrel Magazine: Particle Repeater Exotic Trait: The Scientific Method Stock: Composite Stock |
This shotgun excels in PvE scenarios with its Repulsor Force ability, which displaces enemies and renders them more susceptible to damage. The Scientific Method trait enhances its handling and mobility, making it adaptable in various combat situations.
2. Conditional Finality
- Element: Stasis
- Source: Root of Nightmares
- Optimal Use: PvE & PvP
| Fixed Roll Perks |
|---|
| Intrinsic: Split Decision Barrel: Shortened Barrel Magazine: Alloy Magazine Exotic Trait: Paracausal Pellets Stock: Textured Grip |
This weapon allows players to alternate shots between Stasis and Solar damage, with powerful crowd control effects. Freezing enemies or igniting them provides strategic advantages in both PvE and Crucible gameplay.
3. The Chaperone
- Element: Kinetic
- Source: Exotic Quest
- Optimal Use: PvP
| Fixed Roll Perks |
|---|
| Intrinsic: Precision Slug Barrel: Hammer-Forged Rifling Magazine: Accurized Rounds Exotic Trait: The Roadborn Stock: Hand-Laid Stock |
Known for its lethal accuracy, The Chaperone delivers a single, devastating slug with every shot. Its unique advantages reward precision kills with handling and range bonuses, making it a standout choice in competitive PvP environments.
Strong Performers (A-Tier)
1. Legend of Acrius
- Element: Arc
- Source: Monument to Lost Lights
- Optimal Use: PvE
| Fixed Roll Perks |
|---|
| Intrinsic: Shock Blast Barrel: Full Bore Magazine: Accurized Rounds Exotic Trait: Long March Stock: Fitted Stock |
The Legend of Acrius delivers high damage output through enemy shields, making it exceptional against tough opponents. The Long March perk also allows extended radar awareness, enhancing situational awareness in combat.
2. Heritage
- Archetype: Pinpoint Slug
- Element: Kinetic
- Source: Deep Stone Crypt
- Optimal Use: PvE
| Best PvE Roll | Best PvP Roll |
|---|---|
| Barrel: Fluted Barrel Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Reconstruction Perk 2: Recombination Masterwork: Range | Barrel: Hammer-Forged Rifling Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Slideshot Perk 2: Moving Target Masterwork: Range |
The Heritage shotgun proves formidable in battle by enhancing damage on subsequent shots based on elemental final blows. Its design ensures excellent handling, facilitating high accuracy even during intense firefights.
3. Duality
- Element: Solar
- Source: Monument to Lost Lights
- Optimal Use: PvP
| Fixed Roll Perks |
|---|
| Intrinsic: Compression Chamber Barrel: Corkscrew Rifling Magazine: Alloy Magazine Exotic Trait: On Black Wings Stock: Short-Action Stock |
Duality shines in PvP scenarios, with a shot type benefiting both hip-firing and aimed shots. It rewards players for pellet final blows with damage and reload speed bonuses, enhancing their performance in fast-paced matches.
4. Astral Horizon
- Archetype: Aggressive
- Element: Kinetic
- Source: Trials of Osiris
- Optimal Use: PvE & PvP
| Best PvE Roll | Best PvP Roll |
|---|---|
| Barrel: Smallbore Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: One-Two Punch Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Smoothbore Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Slideshot Perk 2: Opening Shot Masterwork: Range |
Astral Horizon empowers aggressive gameplay by offering enhanced handling and reload speed, which is vital in close encounters common with shotguns. Its buffs provide an edge in both PvE and PvP environments.
Mid-Tier Options (B-Tier)
| Weapon | Source | Best Roll (PvE) | Best Roll (PvP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Fourth Horseman | Monument to Lost Lights | Curated Roll | Curated Roll |
| A Sudden Death | Prophecy | Barrel: Smoothbore Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Repulsor Brace Perk 2: Destabilizing Rounds Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Smoothbore Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: Opening Shot Masterwork: Range |
| Found Verdict | Vault of Glass | Barrel: Smallbore Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: One-Two Punch Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Rifled Barrel Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Slideshot Perk 2: Opening Shot Masterwork: Range |
| Mindbender’s Ambition | Nightfall | Barrel: Smallbore Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Pugilist Perk 2: Incandescent Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Smoothbore Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: One-Two Punch Masterwork: Range |
| Nessa’s Oblation | Root of Nightmares | Barrel: Arrowhead Brake Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Reconstruction Perk 2: Vorpal Weapon Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Arrowhead Brake Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Demolitionist Perk 2: Opening Shot Masterwork: Range |
| The Inquisitor | Trials of Osiris | Barrel: Corkscrew Rifling Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Pulse Monitor Perk 2: Swashbuckler Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Hammer-Forged Rifling Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Perpetual Motion Perk 2: Opening Shot Masterwork: Range |
| Gunnora’s Axe | Iron Banner | Barrel: Corkscrew Rifling Magazine: Extended Mag Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: Vorpal Weapon Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Corkscrew Rifling Magazine: Ricochet Rounds Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: Iron Reach Masterwork: Range |
| Without Remorse | Presage | Barrel: Smallbore Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: Incandescent Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Smallbore Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: One-Two Punch Masterwork: Range |
| Retrofuturist | World Drop | Barrel: Smoothbore Magazine: Appended Mag Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: Trench Barrel Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Rifled Barrel Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Quickdraw Perk 2: Snapshot Sights Masterwork: Range |
Lower Performers (C-Tier)
| Weapon | Source | Best Roll (PvE) | Best Roll (PvP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First In, Last Out | World Drop | Barrel: Extended Barrel Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: Vorpal Weapon Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Fluted Barrel Magazine: Tactical Mag Perk 1: Slideshot Perk 2: Opening Shot Masterwork: Range |
| Seventh Seraph CQC-12 | Free | Barrel: Corkscrew Rifling Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: Vorpal Weapon Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Smallbore Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Quickdraw Perk 2: Snapshot Sights Masterwork: Range |
| The Comedian | Nightfall | Barrel: Smoothbore Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Subsistence Perk 2: Trench Barrel Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Rifled Barrel Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Hip-Fire Grip Perk 2: Vorpal Weapon Masterwork: Range |
| Toil and Trouble | World Drop | Barrel: Rifled Barrel Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: Rampage Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Rifled Barrel Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Slideshot Perk 2: Moving Target Masterwork: Range |
| Ragnhild-D | Gunsmith | Barrel: Smoothbore Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: One-Two Punch Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Smallbore Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Perpetual Motion Perk 2: One-Two Punch Masterwork: Range |
| Hand in Hand | Lost Sectors | Barrel: Smoothbore Magazine: Appended Mag Perk 1: Dual Loader Perk 2: Trench Barrel Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Rifled Barrel Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Slideshot Perk 2: One-Two Punch Masterwork: Range |
| Ded Grammar IV | World Drop | Barrel: Smoothbore Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: Chain Reaction Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Rifled Barrel Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: Surrounded Masterwork: Range |
| Riiswalker | Iron Banner | Barrel: Smoothbore Magazine: Assault Mag Perk 1: Slideshot Perk 2: Vorpal Weapon Masterwork: Reload Speed | Barrel: Rifled Barrel Magazine: Accurized Rounds Perk 1: Slideshot Perk 2: Iron Reach Masterwork: Range |
While shotguns dominate the close-quarters battlefields of Destiny 2 and are effective in various duals, remember that they are not the only weapons available. Explore the best Hand Cannons, Auto Rifles, Swords, Machine Guns, and Linear Fusion Rifles to optimize your loadout for any challenge.
![Anime Realms Traits Tier List and Rerolling Strategy Guide [2023 RELEASE]](https://cdn.amkstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/anime-realms-traits-tier-list-64x64.webp)
Leave a Reply