Top Meta PvE Weapons in Destiny 2: Revenant Act 1 Guide

Utilizing the top-tier PvE weapons in Destiny 2 significantly enhances your ability to conquer the game’s toughest challenges. If you’re gearing up for Episode Revenant, these meta guns will undoubtedly help you tackle what lies ahead.

While off-meta choices can provide fun, focusing on the best Exotics and Legendary weapons is advisable when facing challenging content. The disparity between a mediocre weapon and a meta one is substantial, often determining whether you succeed in Raids, Dungeons, or Grandmaster Nightfalls.

With a multitude of perks and weapon frames available, there are always options that surpass others in effectiveness. The current PvE meta has emerged from these potent guns along with the new introductions in Revenant Act 1, alongside essential seasonal buffs and nerfs.

A weapon’s excellence may stem from its sheer damage output, exceptional utility, or even game-breaking exploits. Regardless, wielding the finest PvE weapons will simplify your gameplay significantly, and here are our recommendations for your Kinetic, Energy, and Heavy slots.

Top Weapons for PvE (Kinetic, Stasis, Strand)

Primary Kinetic Weapons

Blast Furnace

Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Aggressive Burst
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reprised)
God Roll: Kinetic Tremors + Firefly/One for All

As Pulse Rifles dominate in Revenant, Blast Furnace stands out as one of the top primary weapons available. It inflicts impressive damage and offers Kinetic Tremors as a perk, allowing for simultaneous usage of multiple damage enhancements. Best of all, you can acquire and attune this weapon through Commander Zavala, making it straightforward to farm.

Chroma Rush

Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Rapid-Fire Frame
Debut Season: Season 25 (Reprised) – Episode: Revenant
God Roll: Subsistence + Kinetic Tremors/Rampage

This beloved Auto Rifle was reintroduced in Revenant Act 1 with a fantastic new perk pool. With the Rapid-Fire Frame, Chroma Rush paired with Kinetic Tremors proves to be the go-to Kinetic Auto Rifle, though Breakneck remains a strong option for Gambit enthusiasts.

Midnight Coup

Weapon Type: Hand Cannon
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reprised)
God Roll: Firefly + One for All

Hand Cannons have reigned supreme since their buff in Season 21, and the return of Midnight Coup in Season 23 has enriched the choices available, featuring a refreshed perk pool that includes Firefly. Although Hand Cannons aren’t featured in this season’s artifact, Midnight Coup remains a formidable option.

Multimach CCX

Weapon Type: Submachine Gun
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Lightweight
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reprised)
God Roll: Attrition Orbs + Kinetic Tremors

Multimach CCX is unmatched in its ability to generate Orbs of Power. The combination of Attrition Orbs and Kinetic Tremors offers exceptional synergy. This weapon makes a compelling case for participating in Iron Banner, attracting even the most PvP-disinclined Guardians to add this remarkable primary to their arsenal.

Warden’s Law

Weapon Type: Hand Cannon
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Heavy Burst
Debut Season: Season 24 (Reprised)
God Roll: Fourth Time’s the Charm + Vorpal Weapon

Warden’s Law is effective in any use, but its true strength emerges when paired with Lucky Pants, enabling Hunters to achieve ridiculous DPS values that can rival and even surpass those of Heavy weapons. This combination secures Warden’s Law as the most potent primary weapon in Destiny 2, even post-nerf of Lucky Pants in Revenant.

Special Kinetic Weapons

Lingering Dread

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Stasis
Weapon Frame: Lightweight
Debut Season: Season 17
God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster/Ambitious Assassin + Chill Clip

If you’ve been playing for a while, you might find this weapon in your inventory. With Grenade Launchers and Stasis being valuable this season, it’s an ideal time to utilize Lingering Dread. Alternatively, Liturgy, a new seasonal weapon with similar perks, is a Double Fire Frame. Whichever you choose, both serve as excellent utility choices in Revenant Act 1.

Lost Signal

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Stasis
Weapon Frame: Area Denial Frame
Debut Season: Season 24 (Episode: Echoes)
God Roll: Lead From Gold/Stats For All + One For All

Lost Signal introduced the Area Denial Frame GL, offering an innovative way to manage adds in the ever-expanding sandbox. This weapon functions similarly to a legendary Witherhoard, creating damaging zones for enemies stepping into them. While currently powerful, its full potential will manifest once it can roll Chain Reaction. Until then, this weapon will serve you well.

Perfect Paradox

Weapon Type: Shotgun
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Rapid-Fire Frame
Debut Season: Season 24 (Episode: Echoes)
God Roll: Pugilist + One-Two Punch

Shotguns with Puglist and One-Two Punch have been mainstays in Destiny’s meta, and Perfect Paradox is a top choice for this role. It features enhanced versions of both perks and has an origin trait that reloads ammo from reserves after melee final blows, making it a perfect fit for melee builds in Revenant.

Scatter Signal

Weapon Type: Fusion Rifle
Element: Strand
Weapon Frame: Rapid-Fire Frame
Debut Season: Season 23
God Roll: Overflow + Controlled Burst

Scatter Signal has gained popularity as one of the top weapons, primarily due to its fantastic damage output. It serves a dual purpose as a utility weapon, with Slice severing enemies and reducing their damage output by 40%. Given its versatility, Scatter Signal stands out as one of the best PvE weapons and the leading Fusion Rifle in the current meta.

The Call

Weapon Type: Sidearm
Element: Strand
Weapon Frame: Rocket-Assisted Frame
Debut Season: Season 24 (Episode: Echoes)
God Roll: Lead From Gold/Beacon Rounds + Desperate Measures/One For All

Indebted Kindness set the groundwork for Rocket Sidearms to rein in the Energy meta, and now The Call is here to establish a similar dominance among Kinetic weapons. While its perk pool isn’t out of the ordinary, its frame’s strength overshadows any deficiencies. Currently, it’s regarded as the best Strand Special weapon available, but the nerfs in Revenant have aligned it better with other choices.

Exotic Kinetic Weapons

Ager’s Sceptre

Ager's Scepter exotic Trace Rifle in Destiny 2. — Dexerto

Weapon Type: Trace Rifle
Element: Stasis
Exotic Perks: Ager’s Call, Rega’s Refrain
Catalyst: Will Given Form
Debut Season: Season 15

Ager’s Sceptre consistently shines whenever Stasis takes precedence in the meta. With Episode Revenant emphasizing Stasis builds, the return of this formidable Trace Rifle was expected. Enhancements include the ability to create Frost Armor through the Wind Chill artifact perk, offering it improved utility in addition to its existing strengths.

alethonym

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Stasis
Exotic Perks: Harvester Spike
Catalyst: N/A
Debut Season: Season 25 (Episode: Revenant)

Alethonym stands as the second-ever primary ammo Grenade Launcher, showcasing impressive utility. It excels in add-clear scenarios by freezing targets and generating Heavy ammo for your team, bolstering its versatility in high-level content. Its aesthetic is striking, and its catalyst remains a mystery, raising anticipation for its performance in Act 2.

Outbreak Perfected

Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
Element: Kinetic
Exotic Perks: The Corruption Spreads, Parasitism
Catalyst: Headseeker, Rewind Rounds, Rapid Hit, or Outlaw
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reprised)

Outbreak Perfected boasts statistics that classify it as the premier DPS primary in the game, excluding Lucky Pants. Its significant damage output from the Exotic’s parasites always astonished players, and recent Pulse Rifle enhancements alongside the added Rewind Rounds in its craftable variant have further solidified its high-tier status.

The Huckleberry

Weapon Type: Submachine Gun
Element: Kinetic
Exotic Perks: Ride the Bull, Rampage
Debut Season: Season 3
Catalyst: Kinetic Tremors

With a recent major buff in Revenant Act 1, The Huckleberry has transitioned from being overlooked to a vital choice. This Kinetic SMG reloads fully after every kill and now features Kinetic Tremors in its catalyst, empowering it to tackle the tankiest foes with ease. Due to the Overload Submachine Gun perk in this season’s artifact, this once-forgotten Exotic has emerged as one of the best weapons to wield.

Witherhoard

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Lightweight
Debut Season: Season 11
Catalyst: Silent Alarm

Witherhoard is not overly powerful; its true advantage lies in its flexibility. It can be employed for gradual damage against bosses, ad clearing, and inflicting the Blighted debuff. Moreover, in Episode Revenant, the Concussive Reload artifact mod enhances its utility by allowing it to also apply Weaken, making it an ideal choice for this season’s challenges.

Top Energy Weapons for PvE (Arc, Solar, Void)

Primary Energy Weapons

Corrosion

The Corrasion pulse rifle in Destiny 2. — Dexerto

Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame: Heavy Burst
Debut Season: Season 24 (Episode: Echoes)
God Roll: Enlightened Action + One For All/Voltshot

Heavy Burst Pulse Rifles are excelling in the current meta, consistently outshining other primary weapon classes. Thus, crafting Corrasion is essential, as it offers remarkable DPS along with a powerful perk pool. While Enlightened Action + Voltshot represents an exceptional all-around combination, rolls with One For All, Swashbuckler, Pugilist, Perpetual Motion, and Frenzy also perform admirably.

No Hesitation

Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Support
Debut Season: Season 24 (Episode: Echoes)
God Roll: Physic + Incandescent/Circle of Life

No Hesitation has evolved from appearing gimmicky to standing tall as a top-tier Auto Rifle. It doesn’t just heal but also excels in add-clearing alongside providing healing benefits to both you and your teammates. Consequently, it emerges as a valuable utility weapon that feels almost Exotic in nature.

Ros Arago IV

Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
Element: Void
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 23
God Roll: Rewind Rounds + Onslaught

Adaptive frame Auto Rifles often get overlooked due to their slower fire rate, but Ros Arago IV flips this narrative by enabling higher rates of fire. This weapon stands out as undeniably meta, delivering DPS values comparable to Trace Rifles during its ramp-up phase, thus providing significant power as a primary weapon.

Vantage Point

Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 25 (Episode: Revenant)
God Roll: Stats For All + Jolting Feedback

Vantage Point features the new exclusive Jolting Feedback perk, which operates similarly to Voltshot without requiring a reload. This perk’s inclusion dramatically increases its viability, enhancing an already strong frame that performs effectively.

Zaouli’s Bane

Weapon Type: Hand Cannon
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 18
God Roll: Explosive Payload + Incandescent

Despite Revenant’s seasonal artifact not benefiting Solar too greatly, Zaouli’s Bane maintains its status as one of the leading PvE weapons. It distinguishes itself from other Hand Cannons through Explosive Payload, allowing it to handle tougher foes in ways that its competitors simply can’t, while Incandescent enhances its add-clearing capacity.

Special Energy Weapons

Aberrant Action

Weapon Type: Sidearm
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Rocket-Assisted
Debut Season: Season 24 (Episode: Echoes)
God Roll: Heal Clip/Ambitious Assassin + Incandescent

The standout seasonal weapon from Echoes, Aberrant Action is the Solar variant of Indebted Kindness, swapping Voltshot for the equally impressive Incandescent. It’s vital to craft this weapon without delay, as it ranks high among the best guns in the game, even considering the nerfs to Rocket Sidearms and the focus shift away from Solar in Revenant.

Forbearance

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame: Wave Frame
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reprised)
God Roll: Ambitious Assassin + Chain Reaction

Even though Wave Frames were toned down in The Final Shape, Forbearance remains a powerhouse in the meta. It’s user-friendly, and with Chain Reaction activated, enemies will disappear in a chain of explosions. For add-clear scenarios, this is typically the weapon your Fireteam will reach for.

Indebted Kindness

Weapon Type: Sidearm
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame: Rocket-Assisted Frame
Debut Season: Season 23
God Roll: Beacon Rounds/Lead from Gold + Voltshot

Indebted Kindness, introduced in The Warlord’s Ruin dungeon, is the first-ever Rocket Pistol. Following the introduction of others like The Call and Aberrant Action, it continues to be a premier choice. This Arc Sidearm remains highly effective due to its add-clearing ability with Voltshot, its damage output, and superb ammo efficiency.

Sojourner’s Tale

Weapon Type: Shotgun
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Pinpoint Slug
Debut Season: Season 25 (Reprised) – Episode: Revenant
God Roll: Heal Clip + Swashbuckler/Incandescent

Shotguns have been greatly enhanced in Revenant, with a significant reduction in damage fall-off. This solid reprisal of Sojourner’s Tale solidifies its place in the current meta. Providing a Heal Clip on a shotgun is unique, and it can be paired with Swashbuckler for melee builds or Incandescent for add-clear.

Techeun Force

Weapon Type: Fusion Rifle
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 21 (Reprised)
God Roll: Rewind Rounds/Reconstruction + Controlled Burst

The marginal difference between Techeun Force and Loaded Question means the former takes the spot thanks to Rewind Rounds, delivering superior DPS. It’s straightforward to operate; just land a full burst to activate Controlled Burst before continuing to fire away. This weapon works excellently when paired with an auto-loading Rocket or Grenade Launcher for a smooth damage rotation.

Exotic Energy Weapons

Buried Bloodline

Weapon Type: Sidearm
Element: Kinetic
Exotic Perks: Hungering Quarrel, Violent Reanimation
Catalyst: Splitvein Lineage
Debut Season: Season 23

While Rocket Pistols are innovative, Buried Bloodline elevates the concept by incorporating Devour and life steal whenever needed. With its catalyst equipped, this weapon even enables weakening enemies, showcasing its exceptional utility. This versatile Exotic performs well across various builds, particularly benefitting Void setups.

Choir of One

Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
Element: Void
Exotic Perks: Command Frame, Fanatical Lance
Catalyst: Onslaught, Destabilizing Rounds, or Subsistence.
Debut Season: Season 24 (Episode: Echoes)

Destiny’s first Auto Rifle using Special ammo doesn’t disappoint, emerging as a critical upgrade from the long-lost Cerberus+1. Unlike Cerberus, Choir of One inflicts substantial damage, boasting the capability to deal over 3 million damage in a single phase against Phry’zhia, rivalling the best Heavy weapons in the game.

Divinity

Weapon Type: Trace Rifle
Element: Arc
Exotic Perks: Judgment, Penance
Catalyst: N/A
Debut Season: Season 8

The popularity of Divinity is easy to understand. This Exotic Trace Rifle can debuff targets to take 15% extra damage from all sources, stun Overload Champions, and facilitate easier precision hits. Its strength is such that in numerous Raid encounters, a Fireteam without at least one Divinity user faces considerable challenges, even post-nerf in The Final Shape.

Fighting Lion

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Void
Exotic Perks: Delayed Gratification, Thin the Herd
Catalyst: Chimera
Debut Season: Season 1

The resurgence of Fighting Lion in the meta was unexpected, but the recent buff in Revenant has transformed it into a powerful add-clear weapon. The ability of its projectiles to inflict Volatile effects significantly enhances its capacity to dismantle both red and yellow bar enemies in various scenarios.

Still Hunt

Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
Element: Solar
Exotic Perks: Cayde’s Retribution, Sharpshooter
Catalyst: N/A
Debut Season: Season 24 (Episode: Echoes)

Still Hunt operates like a Sniper version of Golden Gun, offering immense power. Its effectiveness remains even after several nerfs, with significant potential for chaining shots during boss encounters to maximize DPS. While Solar may not be as potent in Revenant, its status in the meta remains strong.

Top Heavy Weapons for PvE

DPS Heavy Weapons

Apex Predator

Weapon Type: Rocket Launcher
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 21 (Reprised)
God Roll: Reconstruction + Bait and Switch

Apex Predator serves as an exemplary model for the significance of reprised weapons. Initially released with Last Wish, it struggled. However, six years later, this Solar Rocket Launcher has turned into one of the finest, offering ease of use and remarkable DPS for any boss encounters, especially when paired with Solar Surge or overcharged Rockets.

Cataphract GL3

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Strand
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 22
God Roll: Envious Assassin/Auto-Loading Holster + Bait and Switch

Cataphract GL3 is the only weapon from Trials of Osiris featured here, marking an exception to our usual avoidance of PvP-exclusive guns. However, its impressive performance makes it a worthy recommendation, securing its position as the best Strand Heavy weapon in the game. Though it might be tricky to obtain, securing this weapon with Bait and Switch will dramatically boost your DPS output.

Crowning Duologue

Weapon Type: Rocket Launcher
Element: Strand
Weapon Frame: Precision
Debut Season: Season 24 (Reprised) – Episode: Echoes
God Roll: Reconstruction + Bait and Switch/Bipod

After Guardians expressed frustration over the lack of strong meta guns in Solstice, Bungie has responded with a significant revival of Crowning Duologue. Its transformation is among the most drastic since Apex Predator, which it shares many similarities with. This parallels Apex’s long-standing reputation, now elevating Crowning Duologue into the elite category.

Crux Termination IV

Weapon Type: Rocket Launcher
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame: Aggressive
Debut Season: Season 23
God Roll: Reconstruction + Explosive Light/Bipod

Crux Termination IV is a mysterious world drop weapon boasting immense strength and diverse meta-defining rolls. Its performance often outclasses that of nearly every raid, dungeon, and GM Nightfall weapon. Although it is a world drop, obtaining a god roll Crux Termination IV feels like winning the lottery.

Edge Transit

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Void
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reprised)
God Roll: Envious Assassin + Bait and Switch

Heavy Grenade Launchers have recently shown their potential, initiated by Cataphract GL3, but it remained exclusive to Trials, leading many to forget about it. Thankfully, Edge Transit offers the same top-tier roll while being more accessible. With attunement returning in Onslaught, it’s simpler to farm than ever.

Add-clear Heavy Weapons

Commemoration

Weapon Type: Machine Gun
Element: Void
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 12
God Roll: Reconstruction + Killing Tally

While no longer the absolute best Machine Gun, Commemoration remains an incredible weapon for add-clear purposes. Observing high-level players focusing on add-clear duties in Raids, they likely wield this weapon. With Killing Tally’s proc and Reconstruction’s stacking capability, this Gun is an easy S-tier choice.

Hammerhead

Weapon Type: Machine Gun
Element: Void
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reprised)
God Roll: Rampage/Rewind Rounds + Killing Tally

Commemoration held the top spot in the Machine Gun meta for an extended duration, but Hammerhead’s resurgence has positioned it as a viable competitor. Both Machine Guns excel at their roles, making the distinction difficult to determine; while Commemoration may edge ahead, Hammerhead remains a worthy alternative across various activities.

Pro Memoria

Weapon Type: Machine Gun
Element: Strand
Weapon Frame: Aggressive
Debut Season: Season 24 (Episode: Echoes)
God Roll: Reconstruction + Firefly

This was the premier Aggressive Frame Machine Gun introduced into the game, providing immense effectiveness at medium range, especially when paired with Firefly. While Pro Memoria might not dethrone Commemoration as the top choice, it still stands as an excellent addition for players who seek to make valuable contributions without venturing into Raids.

Song of Ir Yût

Song of Ir Yut legendary machine gun in Destiny 2 — Bungie

Weapon Type: Machine Gun
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 22
God Roll: Reconstruction/Rewind Rounds + Sword Logic

Crafted from Crota’s End, Song of Ir Yût is less aesthetically pleasing yet boasts impressive effectiveness. Functioning as the Arc counterpart to Commemoration, it swaps Sword Logic in for Killing Tally. While still weaker than the Void entries listed, it becomes a formidable add-clear weapon when an Arc Surge occurs.

Speleologist

Weapon Type: Machine Gun
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Rapid-Fire
Debut Season: Season 24
God Roll: Envious Assassin + Incandescent/Killing Tally

Bungie introducing Heal Clip to a Machine Gun is a bold move that raises eyebrows. However, pairing Incandescent with this 900 RPM machine gun produces outstanding results against waves of enemies. Although it’s not yet the top-tier Solar LMG we anticipate, Speleologist exceeds many people’s expectations and deserves recognition.

Exotic Heavy Weapons

Dragon’s Breath

Weapon Type: Rocket Launcher
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: High-Impact
Debut Season: Season 23
Catalyst: Pyromancer

The popularity of overtime damage-dealing weapons, such as Anarchy and Witherhoard, in Destiny showcases the effectiveness of Dragon’s Breath. Utilizing a simple rotation—fire a shot, switch to a Special DPS weapon, then switch back—allows players to unleash some of the highest DPS potential available.

The Prospector

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Arc
Exotic Perks: Excavation, Full Auto Trigger System
Catalyst: Deeper Pockets
Debut Season: Season 1

The Prospector was often regarded as one of the worst Exotics during Echoes but received a much-needed buff in Revenant. Now, its projectiles explode on impact, releasing a damaging cluster that greatly increases its add-clear abilities and overall damage potential. If you’re avoiding Machine Guns, this revamped Exotic is the ideal choice for your loadout.

Thunderlord

Weapon Type: Machine Gun
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 4
Catalyst: Return Stroke

Despite Thunderlord not being the ideal option for boss DPS, it serves as an exceptional versatile Exotic with no real drawbacks. Its capabilities range from champion takedowns to mowing down hordes of enemies, making this lightning-spewing Machine Gun effective in many scenarios.

Tractor Cannon

Weapon Type: Shotgun
Element: Void
Weapon Frame: Unique (80 RPM)
Debut Season: Season 1
Catalyst: +3 Magazine, +50 Inventory Size

Similar to Divinity, Tractor Cannon excels as a utility weapon, debuffing enemies significantly. It applies a 30% damage increase to foes affected by its unique design. Being a reliable option for controlling boss encounters enables teams to subsequently increase their overall damage output. Coupled with another shotgun featuring One-Two Punch and Synthoceps can lead to terrific damage figures.

Whisper of the Worm

Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Unique (80 RPM)
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reprised)
Catalyst: Whispered Breathing

The Whisper of the Worm stands among top-tier DPS weapons if you can consistently achieve precision hits, especially following the Sniper Rifle buffs in Revenant, which make this undertaking easier. Although it has limitations in certain encounters, where it truly shines, it becomes an invaluable tool. Furthermore, players can now craft it to customize the perks, with No Distractions frequently being the preferred option.

For further insights into the meta, don’t forget to check out the Best PvP Weapons, the most effective Grenade Launchers, and the Tonics you can craft in Episode Revenant.

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