Top Performing PvE Weapons in Destiny 2: The Final Shape Meta

Utilizing the most effective PvE weapons greatly enhances one’s chances of conquering Destiny 2’s toughest challenges.

While experimenting with off-meta weapons can be enjoyable, it is recommended to primarily use the top Exotics and Legendary weapons when facing challenging content. The disparity between a satisfactory weapon and a meta weapon is significant, and your loadout selection can ultimately determine whether you successfully complete a Raid, Dungeon, or Grandmaster Nightfall.

Given the abundance of randomized perks and various archetypes, there will always be weapons that outperform the rest. These powerful guns shape the PvE meta, and if you aim for maximum DPS, they are essential to use.

A powerful weapon can stand out for its sheer strength or its exceptional versatility. In either case, it is crucial to equip yourself with the most potent loadout available. To ensure this, here are all the weapons you should utilize in The Final Shape.

Top Weapons for PvE in Destiny 2 (Kinetic, Stasis, Strand)

Primary Kinetic Weapons

Blast Furnace

Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Aggressive Burst
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reissued)
God Roll: Kinetic Tremors + One For All

Despite the popularity of chasing after Forbearance, Luna’s Howl, and Edge Transit, many Guardians failed to recognize the potential of Blast Furnace. This was understandable considering the underwhelming state of Pulse Rifles in Season 23. However, with The Final Shape buffs, Blast Furnace has become an incredibly powerful primary weapon. One of its biggest advantages is that Kinetic Tremors synergizes perfectly with One For All, providing a reliable damage boost that can be utilized at any time.

Breakneck

Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Precision
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reissued)
God Roll: Subsistence/Feeding Frenzy + Onslaught

I understand that you may not be eager to participate in Gambit matches. However, it is important to note that the reissued Breakneck is an exceptional weapon and is possibly the top Kinetic Auto Rifle in the game. While it may be challenging to acquire due to its extensive perk selection, the end result is a remarkable AR that inflicts damage similar to a Trace Rifle without requiring Special Ammo.

Midnight Coup

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

Despite the limited options for effective PvE weapons in Destiny 2 after the Season 21 buffs, Kinetic Hand Cannons have remained some of the top choices. However, the addition of Midnight Coup in Season 23 has changed the game, as it brings back a beloved weapon with a revamped set of perks, such as Firefly in the third slot. Even with the introduction of new guns in The Final Shape, Midnight Coup continues to reign supreme.

Rufus

Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
Element: Strand
Weapon Frame: Rapid-Fire Frame
Debut Season: Season 20
God Roll: Reconstruction + Target Lock

Despite the lack of quality Strand weapons in the early days of Lightfall, Rufus’s Fury was a notable exception. Its strong perk pool continues to make it a top choice even after multiple expansions. This is largely due to the fact that Rapid-Fire Frames are currently the most effective Auto Rifles in the meta, offering high damage and a satisfying shooting experience.

Warden’s Law

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

Despite its inherent strength, Warden’s Law truly excels when it is paired with Lucky Pants. This combination allows Hunters to achieve outstanding DPS values that can rival even Heavy weapons. Additionally, this makes Warden’s Law the top-performing primary weapon in Destiny 2, so it would be remiss not to include it on this list.

Special Kinetic Weapons

Lost Signal

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

The debut of Lost Signal introduces the first Area Denial Frame to the ever-expanding sandbox, providing players with a new option for clearing out enemies. Similar to the Legendary Witherhoard, this Grenade Launcher creates hazardous pools that eliminate any foes who enter. While Lost Signal is already an impressive weapon, it has even greater potential when paired with the Chain Reaction perk. In the meantime, this newcomer will certainly prove to be a valuable asset.

Riptides

The Riptide Legendary Fusion Rifle as seen in Destiny 2. — Bungie

Weapon Type: Fusion Rifle
Element: Stasis
Weapon Frame: Rapid-Fire Frame
Debut Season: Season 17
God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster + Chill Clip

Despite the Chill Clip nerf in Season 22, Riptide has managed to maintain its position in the meta due to its fast fire rate. The Stasis Fusion Rifle’s primary advantage is its ability to stun Unstoppable Champions without depending on the seasonal artifact. It is also a versatile weapon that deals significant damage, but the Aurvandil FR6 with Reconstruction is a similarly powerful option.

Scatter Signal

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

Introducing Scatter Signal, the Strand-powered relative of Riptide. It comes as no surprise that this top slot weapon is highly sought after in Destiny 2 for its exceptional damage capabilities. Its usefulness extends beyond just offense, as it can also be utilized as a utility weapon with its Slice ability, reducing enemy damage output by 40%. With its versatility and accessibility, it’s no wonder that Scatter Signal has quickly risen as one of the top PvE weapons.

Succession

Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Aggressive
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reissued)
God Roll: Reconstruction + Vorpal Damage/Recombination

There are three Legendary Sniper Rifles that are highly recommended for PVE: Embraced Identity, Succession, and The Supremacy. Out of these, the middleman stands out as the top choice, serving as a versatile precision weapon that excels at dealing high burst damage against tougher enemies. Additionally, Succession is particularly effective in challenging situations where maintaining distance is key to survival.

The Call

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

Indebted Kindness paved the way for Rocket Sidearms to dominate the Energy scene, and now The Call has emerged to do the same for Kinetic weapons. While its perk selection may not be exceptional, the frame itself is so formidable that it surpasses any shortcomings. The Call is undeniably the top Strand Special weapon in Destiny 2, leaving little room for competition.

The Mountaintop

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Micro-Missile Frame
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reissued)
God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster/Overflow + Recombination

The Mountaintop, once the most dominant PvP weapon in Destiny 2, now shines in PvE. With its reissued version released in Into The Light, this Grenade Launcher hits with incredible force when Recombination is charged. It has become a popular choice for the top slot in many loadouts and can even be used to make platforming easier through rocket jumping.

Exotic Kinetic Weapons

Izanagi’s Burden

Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
Element: Kinetic
Exotic Perks: Honed Edge, No Distractions
Catalyst: Peerless Edge
Debut Season: Season 5

Although certain Exotic weapons serve a practical purpose, others are primarily used for dealing heavy damage. Izanagi’s Burden falls into the latter category, being solely designed for delivering powerful hits. By mastering the use of Honed Edge and Peerless Edge, you can seamlessly incorporate them into your DPS rotations to significantly increase your overall damage output. When paired with Still Hunt, this combination reigns as the top choice for sniper DPS.

Khvostov 7G-0X

Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
Element: Kinetic
Exotic Perks: The Right Choice, Shoot To Loot
Catalyst: N/A
Debut Season: Season 24

Although it can be difficult to obtain, the Exotic re-release of Destiny 2’s original weapon is well worth the effort for those who appreciate a straightforward yet powerful Exotic. Khvostov’s Exotic Perk may seem basic, merely causing bullets to ricochet and deal increased damage to other targets. However, this seemingly simple ability is surprisingly potent, as the ricocheting bullets can pack a punch and effectively clear out groups of enemies.

Osteo Cry

osteo striga exotic smg from destiny 2. — Bungie

Weapon Type: SMG
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Precision
Debut Season: Season 16
Catalyst: Toxic Overload

Despite its suboptimal frame, Osteo Striga stands out as the top choice for a Precision frame SMG. This powerful Exotic is still incredibly effective in the current meta. With its Screaming Swarm and Toxic Overload abilities, Osteo Striga has the ability to quickly eliminate large groups of enemies with its poison. Additionally, when paired with Necrotic Grips, it becomes one of the most formidable add-clearing builds in Destiny 2.

Quicksilver Storm

Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
Element: Kinetic
Weapon Frame: Rapid-Fire Frame
Debut Season: Season 18
Catalyst: Nano-entanglement

Despite its significant nerf in Season 23, Quicksilver Storm was nearly left off of this list. Nevertheless, it still proves to be a formidable weapon as long as you focus on maximizing the number of grenades fired. While its base damage may not be as impressive as it once was, there are still other Auto Rifles that are more suitable for general use. However, the fact remains that a Primary weapon equipped with a grenade launcher capable of dealing Special-level damage will always be a valuable asset.

Witherhoard

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

Despite not being overwhelmingly powerful, Witherhoard’s true value lies in its adaptability. This weapon can effectively deal continuous damage to bosses, eliminate additional enemies, and apply the Blighted debuff. Its impressive ammo efficiency also allows for constant firing without the need to conserve ammunition. However, its spot in the current meta is uncertain, as Lost Signal may serve a comparable purpose.

Destiny 2 Best Energy Weapons for PvE (Arc, Solar, Void)

Primary Energy Weapons

Adhortative

Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 23 (Reissued)
God Roll: Heal Clip + Incandescent

In Season 23, Adhortative was largely ignored due to the dominance of Pulse Rifles in the meta. However, a significant increase in its damage capabilities has made it a highly sought-after Solar weapon. Boasting both Heal Clip and Incandescent perks, this Pulse Rifle is comparable to Luna’s Howl and the Heliocentric QSc, making it one of the top Primary weapons currently available.

Heliocentric QSc

Weapon Type: Sidearm
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: MIDA Synergy
Debut Season: Season 22
God Roll: Heal Clip + Incandescent

Despite being initially deemed unlikely to make any meta PvE weapons list in Lightfall, Guardians have now become more accepting of Sidearms. Both Rocket Pistols and regular Pistols are now commonly used. The Heliocentric QSc is the top choice among Primary ammo Sidearms due to its satisfying feel, ability to sustain through Heal Clip, and its position as one of the strongest primaries in The Final Shape.

No Hesitation

Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Support Frame
Debut Season: Season 24
God Roll: Physic/Demolitionist + Incandescent

The initial Support Frame AR in Destiny 2 is incredibly effective. However, it is crucial to avoid relying on it solely for healing. Instead, view No Hesitation as a Solar Auto Rifle with the added ability to heal. This is not a temporary weapon that will be quickly discarded by Guardians. It is the superior successor to the Ammit AR2 and will continue to excel in challenging content in The Final Shape.

Ros Arago IV

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

“In PvE, Adaptive frame Auto Rifles are not commonly utilized. The slow fire rate of this frame can be unsatisfying, but imagine if it could be modified to shoot at a faster pace. This is where Ros Arago IV comes in. This primary weapon is highly sought after in the meta, as it can match the DPS of Trace Rifles once it reaches its full potential. Unfortunately, it can only be obtained as a world drop, making it quite difficult to obtain.”

Zaouli’s Bane

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

Despite its seasonal artifact not being as advantageous for Solar as the one in Season 23, Zaouli’s Bane remains one of the top PvE weapons in Destiny 2’s Episode One: Echoes. While there are many excellent Hand Cannons in the current meta, Zaouli’s Bane stands out as the ultimate choice for all situations. Its Explosive Payload allows it to effectively take down tougher enemies, giving it an edge over its competitors. Additionally, its Incandescent perk provides exceptional add clear capabilities, making this Hand Cannon a valuable asset in combat.

Special Energy Weapons

Significant Behavior Change

Aberrant Action legendary sidearm in Destiny 2. — Bungie

Weapon Type: Sidearm
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Rocket-Assisted
Debut Season: Season 24
God Roll: Heal Clip/Beacon Rounds + Incandescent

Introducing the unparalleled seasonal weapon of Episode One: Echoes – Aberrant Action. This Solar variation of Indebted Kindness replaces Voltshot with the equally remarkable Incandescent. In fact, for non-Arc loadouts, Incandescent is the preferred choice as it activates with each Final Blow, rather than just upon reloading. This makes it effortless to trigger and eliminate multiple enemies with a single shot.

Acasia’s Dejection

Weapon Type: Trace Rifle
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 20
God Roll: Reconstruction/Rewind Rounds + Incandescent

The Final Shape brought about significant improvements to Trace Rifles, greatly benefiting Acasia’s Dejection in particular. This Solar weapon was already impressive, but with a 20% increase in damage against both Minors and Majors, it has now become a top contender. For those who do not participate in raids, Retraced Path offers a more accessible alternative.

The Meaning of Forbearance

Destiny 2 Into The Light's variant of Forbearance. — Bungie

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

Despite the nerfs to both Forbearance and Undercurrent, they are still highly effective weapons. The Grenade Launcher remains user-friendly and, with Chain Reaction activated, can decimate enemies as the explosions spread from one target to the next. If your Fireteam is in need of more add-clear, this Special weapon should be your go-to choice.

Indebted Kindness

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

Ever since its debut in the Warlord’s Ruin dungeon, the Indebted Kindness, the first-ever Rocket Pistol, has been a hit among players. This success has been followed by other weapons such as The Call and Aberrant Action, which have further cemented its position as one of the top PvE weapons in Destiny 2. Its Voltshot ability for clearing adds, high damage output, and efficient use of ammo continue to make it a must-have for any player.

Techeun Force

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

While Techeun Force and Loaded Question are both strong choices, Techeun Force edges out the competition due to its Rewind Rounds perk, which grants it excellent DPS potential. Its ease of use is also a major advantage, as simply landing a full burst activates Controlled Burst and allows for continuous firing. This makes it a perfect pairing with an auto-loading Rocket or Grenade Launcher for a reliable and efficient damage rotation.

Energy Exotic 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 undoubtedly impressive, this Exotic surpasses them by providing the added benefit of Devour and the ability to steal life at will. When equipped with its catalyst, Buried Bloodline is even capable of weakening enemies, making it an incredibly versatile weapon. It is a dependable Exotic that complements any build, but truly shines when paired with a focused Void loadout.

The Nature of Divinity

Divinity exotic trace rifle from destiny 2. — Bungie

Weapon Type: Trace Rifle
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame: Adaptive
Debut Season: Season 8
Catalyst: N/A

It’s not difficult to understand why Divinity has gained such widespread popularity. This Exotic Trace Rifle possesses incredible abilities, such as the ability to weaken enemies by 15% and stun Overload Champions, making it much simpler to inflict precise damage. Its overwhelming strength is evident in numerous Raid encounters, where not having at least one Divinity can be detrimental, even following its significant nerf in The Final Shape.

Red Death Reformed

Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
Element: Solar
Exotic Perks: Redemption, Inverse Relationship
Catalyst: Helping Hand (Available in Episode Two)
Debut Season: Season 24

Similar to Buried Bloodline, Red Death Reformed is another Exotic weapon that prioritizes healing, but instead of using Devour, it uses Cure. By obtaining Final Blows, Red Death Reformed will effectively sustain your health, making it a straightforward process. The catalyst for this Exotic Pulse Rifle will be available in Episode Two, elevating its performance even further. With the catalyst, Red Death Reformed will have the ability to generate more healing and provide healing support to your teammates as well.

Still Hunt

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

Golden Gun in a Sniper Rifle, known as Still Hunt, is a powerful weapon. And that’s not all – it also pairs well with Celestial Nighthawk and can deal almost as much damage as the Super itself. This has led to players using it in boss fights to unleash some comical DPS, making it a popular choice in The Final Shape’s inaugural raid. Out of all the weapons included, this one is most susceptible to receiving a nerf in the future.

Sunshot

Weapon Type: Hand Cannon
Element: Solar
Weapon Frame: Unique (150 RPM)
Debut Season: Season 1
Catalyst: +27 Range, +18 Stability

Sunshot remains one of the top PvE weapons in Destiny 2, making it a truly exceptional Hand Cannon. One of its greatest strengths is its user-friendly nature. Simply defeat your targets and let the spectacular effects unfold. Although the Solar-focused artifact from Season 23 has ended, Sunshot continues to prove its worth without relying on any external boosts.

Trinity Ghoul

Weapon Type: Bow
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame:
Debut Season: Season 4
Catalyst: Forked Lightning

Although Sunshot is considered the best overall add-clear Exotic, it remains a reliable choice for any type of content regardless of difficulty. Nonetheless, Trinity Ghoul surpasses Sunshot in easier content and is also capable of holding its own in medium-tier activities. If you have the ability to eliminate enemies in a single shot at a certain power level, Trinity Ghoul becomes an incredibly powerful option that is difficult to ignore, especially if you are utilizing an Arc build.

Top Heavy Weapons for PvE in Destiny 2

DPS Heavy Weapons

Top Predator

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

The significance of reissuing weapons in Destiny 2 is exemplified by Apex Predator. Despite its initial release alongside Last Wish being lackluster, this Solar Rocket Launcher has now become the top choice in the game. With its user-friendly design and unmatched DPS, it proves to be highly effective in any boss encounter even after six years.

Crux Termination IV

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

What were the creators at Bungie thinking when they created Crux Termination IV? This Arc Rocket Launcher, which can drop anywhere in the world, is incredibly powerful and boasts a variety of top-tier perks. It surpasses nearly every heavy weapon found in raids, dungeons, and GM Nightfalls. The downside is that it cannot be farmed, but if you are lucky enough to obtain a god roll Crux Termination IV, consider yourself a winner.

Doomed Petitioner

Weapon Type: Linear Fusion Rifle
Element: Void
Weapon Frame: Aggressive
Debut Season: Season 23
God Roll: Reconstruction + Precision Instrument

The meta for Linear Fusion Rifles had become stagnant by the time Lightfall arrived, as the Taipan-4FR and Cataclysmic remained the top choices. However, in Season 23, the Doomed Petitioner was introduced, injecting new life into the meta as the most effective LFR for DPS. If you were unable to obtain this weapon during Season of the Wish, it is no longer obtainable and you should focus on acquiring the Scintillation instead.

Edge Transit

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

Despite being present in Destiny 2’s PvE meta for some time, Heavy Grenade Launchers have not received much attention. This changed when the Cataphract GL3 showed its potential, but many players were unable to obtain the exclusive Strand HGL from Trials of Osiris. However, the Edge Transit now offers the same highly coveted roll and is easier to acquire. It should be noted, however, that the attunement process has been removed, so obtaining this weapon will still require some effort.

Scintillation

Weapon Type: Linear Fusion Rifle
Element: Strand
Weapon Frame: Adaptive Burst
Debut Season: Season 24
God Roll: Rewind Rounds + Bait and Switch

Obtaining Strand Heavy Weapons has proven to be quite challenging, as they are either of poor quality, restricted to Trials of Osiris, or no longer attainable. The situation is even more dire for LFRs, as the only available choice until now has been the subpar Laser Painter. Fortunately, the newly introduced Scintillation offers vastly improved options with impressive perk combinations for maximizing DPS.

Add-clear Heavy Weapons

Commemoration

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

Despite no longer holding the title of best Machine Gun in Destiny 2, Commemoration remains an excellent choice for PvE add-clearing. Observing any experienced player on add-clear duty in Raids will likely reveal their use of this powerful weapon. Its ability to activate Killing Tally and maintain stacks through Reconstruction makes it a top-tier option.

Hammerhead

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

Despite dominating the Machine Gun meta for eleven seasons, Commemoration now faces tough competition from the return of Hammerhead. Both Machine Guns excel in their respective strengths, making it a close call between the two. While Commemoration may still have a slight edge, Hammerhead proves to be a formidable alternative that excels in everything from Contest Mode raids to Vanguard Ops.

Hullabaloo

Bungie

Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
Element: Arc
Weapon Frame: Compressed Wave Frame
Debut Season: Season 23
God Roll: Voltshot + Chain Reaction

Despite not being considered meta, Hullabaloo stands out due to its unique combination of Voltshot + Chain Reaction. This makes it a top choice for situations where add-clear is the main concern, surpassing even the most powerful Machine Guns. Its lack of popularity is not due to its ineffectiveness, but rather the current dominance of Heavy weapons in the meta.

Pro Memoria

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

Do not make the mistake of using Bait and Switch on this weapon. Its strength lies in its ability to clear adds with Firefly, rather than being a weapon for dealing with bosses. It is noteworthy that this is the first Aggressive Frame Machine Gun to be introduced, and its fire rate of 600 RPM is particularly effective at medium range. While it may not surpass Commemoration, Pro Memoria remains an excellent choice for players who do not participate in 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

Despite its unattractive appearance, the Song of Ir Yût is a highly effective weapon and can be crafted through Crota’s End. It could be considered the Arc counterpart to the Killing Tally-based Commemoration. While it may not match up to the Void Machine Guns on this list, it becomes a formidable add-clearing machine during an Arc Surge.

Heavy Exotic Weapons

Dragon’s Breath

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

Destiny 2 has always included weapons that deal overtime damage, such as Anarchy and Witherhoard, which have become staples in the game’s meta. It’s no wonder that Dragon’s Breath is highly sought after, as it follows a similar pattern. By firing a shot, switching to a Special DPS weapon, switching back, and shooting again, players can easily output some of the highest DPS available. This straightforward rotation makes it a popular choice among players.

Microcosm

Weapon Type: Trace Rifle
Element: Kinetic
Exotic Perks: Paracausal Beam, Paracausal Imbuement
Catalyst: N/A
Debut Season: Season 24

Microcosm is a powerful Trace Rifle that primarily focuses on dealing high amounts of damage. Along with this main function, it also has the added bonus of charging your Super at a rapid pace. This weapon is so formidable that a team of three wielding it can easily defeat Grasp of Avarice’s Phry’zhia the Insatiable in just one phase. Simply maintain a steady stream of fire and track your target until your ammo runs out. It truly is that effortless to use.

Thunderlord

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

Despite what others may say, Thunderlord is not an effective weapon for boss DPS. Anyone claiming otherwise is either trying to deceive or lacks proper knowledge. Nevertheless, it is a versatile Exotic that excels in all areas without any major drawbacks. Whether it’s eliminating champions or clearing out groups of enemies, this Machine Gun’s lightning attacks make it a formidable choice.

Tractor Cannon

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

Like Divinity, Tractor Cannon is also a versatile weapon used for debuffing enemies. When fired, this peculiar Exotic increases the damage taken by 30% from all attacks, making it an excellent choice for weakening bosses and allowing your team to deal more damage. It can even be effectively combined with another shotgun equipped with One-Two Punch and Synthoceps for impressive results.

Whisper of the Worm

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

If you are able to consistently land precise hits, Whisper of the Worm is a highly effective weapon for dealing DPS. While it may not be forgiving and may not be suitable for all encounters, it truly shines in certain situations. The newer version of the weapon has not undergone significant changes, but it now allows for the use of Field Prep, which is extremely beneficial during extended periods of damage.

To obtain more in-depth breakdowns, take a look at the top-performing Hand Cannons, Auto Rifles, SMGs, and Rocket Launchers in the sandbox, or discover the most effective PvP weapons for those who enjoy The Crucible.