Chasing the best weapons is one of the cornerstones of Destiny 2. But as you gain more experience, you realize that finding a great weapon is only a piece of the puzzle. You’ll need a great loadout to take your game to the next level. Therefore, you’ll want the best weapons per slot: Kinetic, Energy, and Heavy.
This guide covers the best Kinetic weapons in Destiny 2, including Exotics and Legendary weapons, for both PvE and PvP.
Updated as of Episode 1: Echoes.
Best Legendary Kinetic Weapons in Destiny 2
These are the best Legendary Kinetic weapons in Destiny 2 today;
Weapons | Type | Ammo | Rarity | Element | Requirements | Source | Source ❘ DLC | Verdict | Part of? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fatebringer | Hand Cannon | Primary | Legendary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Vault of Glass Raid | Vault of Glass Raid Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Firefly PvP God Roll: Explosive Payload + Eye of the Storm ► One of the most iconic legendary weapons in the game, Fatebringer comes with insane stats and great perks. While it does have some competition, namely Eyasluna, this almost-perfect Hand Cannon holds its ground as an all-time community favorite. | PVE,PVP |
Rose | Hand Cannon | Primary | Legendary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Playlist: Crucible | Playlist: Crucible Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Lightweight PvP God Rolls: Moving Target + Explosive Payload (also good: Eye of the Storm) ► Rose was a reward from competitive PvP, so it makes sense that it's a monster in The Crucible. The weapon has absurd stats and perks that allow it to rocket past its competition. Sure, it's harder to obtain than other options, but this grind is easily worth it if you're an avid Crucible player. | PVP |
Unending Tempest | Submachine Gun | Primary | Legendary | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Playlist: Crucible | Playlist: Crucible Free-to-Play | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Rolls: Demolitionist (also good: Perpetual Motion) + Adrenaline Junkie (also good: Headstone) PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Target Lock ► Many call Unending Tempest the king of SMGs. This Precision frame SMG has an excellent TTK, great range, and has all the right perks (Target Lock, anyone?) to compete with The Immortal. If you're a fan of SMGs, you need this weapon. | PVP |
Heritage | Shotgun | Special | Legendary | Kinetic | Beyond Light | Deep Stone Crypt Raid | Deep Stone Crypt Raid Beyond Light | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Pinpoint Slug PvE God Roll: Reconstruction (also good: Auto-Loading Holster) + Recombination PvP God Roll:Slideshot + Offhand Strike ► Heritage is an absolute staple in the Kinetic Slot and will forever hold a place as a go-to option in my loadouts. It can hit like a truck with Recombination and can get up to double its regular magazine size. It wastes majors and bosses alike and is an option that we 100% recommend you grind for. | PVE |
Imperial Decree | Shotgun | Special | Legendary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Engram Focusing | Engram Focusing Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive God Rolls: Threat Detector (also good: Slideshot) + Opening Shot ► Aggressive shotguns are one of the best options for PvP due to their pellet spread and high damage. Imperial Decree comes with excellent perks, making it a contender for Best Shotgun for the kinetic slot. Plus, it can be crafted, which cuts down on the luck required to get a god roll. | PVP |
Defiance of Yasmin | Sniper Rifle | Special | Legendary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | King's Fall Raid | King's Fall Raid Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot PvE God Roll: Firefly + Firing Line ► Defiance of Yasmin rarely gets any talk, which is strange given how solid its perk pool and stats are. Individual snipers are better in specific activities, but Defiance is a jack of all trades that's hard to beat in terms of overall potency. | PVP |
Scatter Signal | Fusion Rifle | Special | Legendary | Strand | Season 23 | Seasonal activity | Seasonal activity Season 23 | Slot: Strand | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Overflow + Controlled Burst (also good: Slice) PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Under-Over ► Scatter Signal is the Fusion rifle everybody's talking about in Season of the Wish. With amazing PvE perks, including Overflow and Controlled Burst, and the benefits of the Rapid-Fire Frame, it's easy to see why Scatter Signal is one of the most sought-after weapons this season. | PVE,PVP |
ℹ️ Primary weapons use “normal” ammo ( white ammo boxes). Special weapons use “Special” ammo ( green ammo boxes).
Best PvE Kinetic Weapons in Destiny 2
These are the top Kinetic weapons for PvE (both Primary ammo and Special ammo weapons):
Weapons | Type | Ammo | Rarity | Element | Requirements | Source | Source ❘ DLC | Verdict | Part of? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wish-Ender | Combat Bow | Primary | Exotic | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Exotic Quest | Exotic Quest Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "While aiming down sights with a fully drawn Bow, combatants behind walls are highlighted, and arrows pierce shields. Strong against Barrier Champions. One shot can over-penetrate multiple targets." ► Wish-Ender has never been this strong or popular. With the newfound intrinsic ability to deal with Anti Barrier Champions with ease, even in Master and Grandmaster levels, and the fact that it effectively hits 3 times per arrow due to its piercing perk, Wish-Ender is currently a monster in PvE. | PVE |
Lumina | Hand Cannon | Primary | Exotic | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Exotic Kiosk | Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Kills with this weapon leave behind Remnants which convert your next hip fired shot into an ally-seeking Noble Round that heals them and grants both of you a weapon damage bonus for a short duration." ►Lumina is one of the most unique Exotics in Destiny 2, allowing you to heal allies and spread one of the most potent damage buffs in the game. If you're looking to optimize a DPS phase—or want to play a more significant support role—this is a fantastic pick. This applies to PvP too. | PVE |
Quicksilver Storm | Auto Rifle | Primary | Exotic | Strand | Lightfall | Exotic Kiosk | Exotic Kiosk Lightfall | Slot: Strand | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Landing multiple hits turns your next shot into a homing micro-rocket. Landing multiple rockets loads a grenade." ► Quicksilver Storm may be the best Primary weapon in the game. Good base DPS, a burst damage option that is remarkably simple to use, and the ability to create Tangles allowing for Strand build crafting, make this weapon an exceptional pick. | PVE |
Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | Primary | Exotic | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Exotic Quest | Exotic Quest Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Shoot tainted slugs that burrow into the enemy. Stacking enough slugs causes them all to explode. Bonus damage against Taken enemies and Gambit invaders." ► Malfeasance has always been a fascinating weapon, and with the buffs to Hand Cannons, it quickly became one of the strongest Kinetic Primaries in the game, especially against Taken enemies. Malfeasance is even stronger when using the Lucky Pants Exotic, allowing for ridiculous damage. | Gambit,PVE |
Fatebringer | Hand Cannon | Primary | Legendary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Vault of Glass Raid | Vault of Glass Raid Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Firefly PvP God Roll: Explosive Payload + Eye of the Storm ► One of the most iconic legendary weapons in the game, Fatebringer comes with insane stats and great perks. While it does have some competition, namely Eyasluna, this almost-perfect Hand Cannon holds its ground as an all-time community favorite. | PVE,PVP |
No Time to Explain | Pulse Rifle | Primary | Exotic | Kinetic | Beyond Light | Beyond Light Campaign | Beyond Light Campaign Beyond Light | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Precision shots and shots against combatants affected by Stasis return to the magazine. At 10 stacks, a small portal will open, shooting bullets from an alternate timeline version of this weapon. Precision hits extend the portal's duration." ► An exceptional pick in PVP (and a fun one in PVE), No Time to Explain's ability to provide you with an extra set of bullets continues to be helpful in most areas of the game. | PVP |
Unending Tempest | Submachine Gun | Primary | Legendary | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Playlist: Crucible | Playlist: Crucible Free-to-Play | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Rolls: Demolitionist (also good: Perpetual Motion) + Adrenaline Junkie (also good: Headstone) PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Target Lock ► Many call Unending Tempest the king of SMGs. This Precision frame SMG has an excellent TTK, great range, and has all the right perks (Target Lock, anyone?) to compete with The Immortal. If you're a fan of SMGs, you need this weapon. | PVP |
Heritage | Shotgun | Special | Legendary | Kinetic | Beyond Light | Deep Stone Crypt Raid | Deep Stone Crypt Raid Beyond Light | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Pinpoint Slug PvE God Roll: Reconstruction (also good: Auto-Loading Holster) + Recombination PvP God Roll:Slideshot + Offhand Strike ► Heritage is an absolute staple in the Kinetic Slot and will forever hold a place as a go-to option in my loadouts. It can hit like a truck with Recombination and can get up to double its regular magazine size. It wastes majors and bosses alike and is an option that we 100% recommend you grind for. | PVE |
Izanagi's Burden | Sniper Rifle | Special | Exotic | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Exotic Kiosk | Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Holding reload consumes the magazine and loads a round with additional range and damage." ► A powerhouse of a weapon, Izanagi's Burden can reach some incredible DPS numbers, especially when combined with a Bait and Switch Heavy Weapon. Due to how popular Bait and Switch is, Izanagi's is the perfect weapon to deal a chunk of damage with, before swapping to your main damage-dealing Heavy weapon. | PVE |
Witherhoard | Grenade Launcher | Special | Exotic | Kinetic | Shadowkeep | Exotic Kiosk | Exotic Kiosk Shadowkeep | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Projectiles fired blight the target or nearby area on impact. Blighted targets take damage over time and blight the nearby area on death." ► Even a few nerfs to this GL couldn't knock it out of the top spot. A true fire-and-forget weapon, Witherhoard can deal with all manner of enemies in just a few shots. Whether it is used as part of a damage rotation, or just to lock an area down, Witherhoard reigns supreme. | PVE |
Defiance of Yasmin | Sniper Rifle | Special | Legendary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | King's Fall Raid | King's Fall Raid Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot PvE God Roll: Firefly + Firing Line ► Defiance of Yasmin rarely gets any talk, which is strange given how solid its perk pool and stats are. Individual snipers are better in specific activities, but Defiance is a jack of all trades that's hard to beat in terms of overall potency. | PVP |
Conditional Finality | Shotgun | Special | Exotic | Stasis | Lightfall | Root of Nightmares Raid | Root of Nightmares Raid Lightfall | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Dual barrels split into Stasis and Solar damage. Landing nearly all Stasis pellets will freeze targets; landing nearly all Solar pellets will ignite targets." ► Conditional Finality is remarkable. In PvE, it has Champion stunning capabilities and excellent potential damage with a hot-swap setup, rivaling even Izanagi's Burden. In PvP, it has great handling, solid 1-hit kill range, and can take down supers with its Freeze-Ignite effect. | PVE,PVP |
Scatter Signal | Fusion Rifle | Special | Legendary | Strand | Season 23 | Seasonal activity | Seasonal activity Season 23 | Slot: Strand | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Overflow + Controlled Burst (also good: Slice) PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Under-Over ► Scatter Signal is the Fusion rifle everybody's talking about in Season of the Wish. With amazing PvE perks, including Overflow and Controlled Burst, and the benefits of the Rapid-Fire Frame, it's easy to see why Scatter Signal is one of the most sought-after weapons this season. | PVE,PVP |
Best PvP Kinetic Weapons in Destiny 2
These are the top Kinetic weapons for PvP (both Primary ammo and Special ammo weapons):
Weapons | Type | Ammo | Rarity | Element | Requirements | Source | Source ❘ DLC | Verdict | Part of? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fatebringer | Hand Cannon | Primary | Legendary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Vault of Glass Raid | Vault of Glass Raid Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Firefly PvP God Roll: Explosive Payload + Eye of the Storm ► One of the most iconic legendary weapons in the game, Fatebringer comes with insane stats and great perks. While it does have some competition, namely Eyasluna, this almost-perfect Hand Cannon holds its ground as an all-time community favorite. | PVE,PVP |
No Time to Explain | Pulse Rifle | Primary | Exotic | Kinetic | Beyond Light | Beyond Light Campaign | Beyond Light Campaign Beyond Light | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Precision shots and shots against combatants affected by Stasis return to the magazine. At 10 stacks, a small portal will open, shooting bullets from an alternate timeline version of this weapon. Precision hits extend the portal's duration." ► An exceptional pick in PVP (and a fun one in PVE), No Time to Explain's ability to provide you with an extra set of bullets continues to be helpful in most areas of the game. | PVP |
Thorn | Hand Cannon | Primary | Exotic | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Exotic Kiosk | Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Rounds pierce targets and deal damage over time. Kills leave behind Remnants which, when absorbed, increase damage." ► Thorn has rocketed right back into the meta with the release of its Exotic Catalyst. This catalyst provides practically everything: Range, Mobility, Handling, and Stability upon a single kill, or absorbing a remnant. This allows for constant kill-chaining and lets good players take over any lobby. | PVP |
Rose | Hand Cannon | Primary | Legendary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Playlist: Crucible | Playlist: Crucible Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Lightweight PvP God Rolls: Moving Target + Explosive Payload (also good: Eye of the Storm) ► Rose was a reward from competitive PvP, so it makes sense that it's a monster in The Crucible. The weapon has absurd stats and perks that allow it to rocket past its competition. Sure, it's harder to obtain than other options, but this grind is easily worth it if you're an avid Crucible player. | PVP |
Unending Tempest | Submachine Gun | Primary | Legendary | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Playlist: Crucible | Playlist: Crucible Free-to-Play | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Rolls: Demolitionist (also good: Perpetual Motion) + Adrenaline Junkie (also good: Headstone) PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Target Lock ► Many call Unending Tempest the king of SMGs. This Precision frame SMG has an excellent TTK, great range, and has all the right perks (Target Lock, anyone?) to compete with The Immortal. If you're a fan of SMGs, you need this weapon. | PVP |
The Chaperone | Shotgun | Special | Exotic | Kinetic | Beyond Light | Exotic Quest | Exotic Quest Beyond Light | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a single-slug precision round. Precision kills briefly grant bonus handling, range, and precision damage with this weapon." ► It certainly requires more skill than your average pellet shotgun, but in the right hands, The Chaperone is the deadliest shotgun in the entire game. Because of its excellent base stats and Precision-slug frame, The Chaperone has the longest one-hit kill distance of any shotgun in the game, provided you can hit your headshots. | PVP |
Imperial Decree | Shotgun | Special | Legendary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Engram Focusing | Engram Focusing Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive God Rolls: Threat Detector (also good: Slideshot) + Opening Shot ► Aggressive shotguns are one of the best options for PvP due to their pellet spread and high damage. Imperial Decree comes with excellent perks, making it a contender for Best Shotgun for the kinetic slot. Plus, it can be crafted, which cuts down on the luck required to get a god roll. | PVP |
Defiance of Yasmin | Sniper Rifle | Special | Legendary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | King's Fall Raid | King's Fall Raid Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot PvE God Roll: Firefly + Firing Line ► Defiance of Yasmin rarely gets any talk, which is strange given how solid its perk pool and stats are. Individual snipers are better in specific activities, but Defiance is a jack of all trades that's hard to beat in terms of overall potency. | PVP |
Conditional Finality | Shotgun | Special | Exotic | Stasis | Lightfall | Root of Nightmares Raid | Root of Nightmares Raid Lightfall | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Dual barrels split into Stasis and Solar damage. Landing nearly all Stasis pellets will freeze targets; landing nearly all Solar pellets will ignite targets." ► Conditional Finality is remarkable. In PvE, it has Champion stunning capabilities and excellent potential damage with a hot-swap setup, rivaling even Izanagi's Burden. In PvP, it has great handling, solid 1-hit kill range, and can take down supers with its Freeze-Ignite effect. | PVE,PVP |
Scatter Signal | Fusion Rifle | Special | Legendary | Strand | Season 23 | Seasonal activity | Seasonal activity Season 23 | Slot: Strand | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Overflow + Controlled Burst (also good: Slice) PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Under-Over ► Scatter Signal is the Fusion rifle everybody's talking about in Season of the Wish. With amazing PvE perks, including Overflow and Controlled Burst, and the benefits of the Rapid-Fire Frame, it's easy to see why Scatter Signal is one of the most sought-after weapons this season. | PVE,PVP |
Before you go…
If you’re looking to take your game to the next level in PvE and PvP, definitely check out our Top PvE weapons and Top PvP weapons round-ups.
0 Comments