Destiny 2 Best Legendary Weapons right now: Season 20

While Exotics tend to get most of the attention, Legendary weapons are the backbone of the weapons system in Destiny 2. But with hundreds of Legendary weapons in the game, it’s difficult to figure out which ones are worth your attention or the grind.

Enter our Top 20 legendary weapons in Destiny 2, for both PvE and PvP. To help you navigate this list, we grouped weapons per slot: Kinetic, Energy, and Heavy.

Best Legendary weapons: Primary ammo

In this section, we cover the best Legendary weapons that use Primary ammo, including the best Kinetic weapons. Just remember Primary weapons use “normal” ammo, aka, white ammo boxes:

Top PvE Primary weapons

Weapons	Type	Ammo	Element	Requirements	In loot pool?	Source	Source ❘ DLC	Verdict	Part of?
Fatebringer	Hand Cannon	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	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: Killing Wind + Opening Shot ► 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
Submission	Submachine Gun	Primary	Kinetic	The Witch Queen	Yes	Vow of the Disciple Raid	Vow of the Disciple Raid The Witch Queen	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Lightweight PvE God Roll: Overflow (also good: Subsistence) + Frenzy (also good: Swashbuckler) PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Killing Wind ► Containing alright stats and a wide variety of interesting perk combinations, Submission is a strong option overall. While it isn't the best of the best in both PVE and PVP, it can hold its ground in both, making it a great pick if you don't have anything better.	PVE
CALUS Mini-Tool	Submachine Gun	Primary	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Derelict Leviathan	Derelict Leviathan Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: MIDA Synergy PvE God Roll: Unrelenting (also good: Moving Target) + Incandescent ► Able to roll with the excellent perk Incandescent, CALUS Mini-Tool immediately cemented itself as a top-tier pick with the release of Solar 3.0. Plus, it's one of the few top-tier craftable SMGs currently in the game, meaning it's one of the easiest to get as well.	PVE
Unforgiven	Submachine Gun	Primary	Void	Deluxe Edition	Yes	Duality Dungeon	Duality Dungeon Deluxe Edition	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Demolitionist (also good: Feeding Frenzy) + Adrenaline Junkie (also good: Rampage) ► Unforgiven is commonly forgotten due to its abysmal reload speed stat but is actually highly underrated. With Demolitionist in the first column and extremely synergistic perks in the second, Unforgiven is a clear choice for any Void 3.0 build.	PVE
Rufus's Fury	Auto Rifle	Primary	Strand	Lightfall	Yes	Root of Nightmares Raid	Root of Nightmares Raid Lightfall	Slot: Strand | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire God Rolls: Demolitionist (also good: Reconstruction) + Hatchling (also good: Target Lock) ► With the ability to roll with some outstanding perk combinations, Rufus's Fury is the best Strand primary weapon we’ve seen thus far. And compared to Perpetualis, the other Strand Auto, Rufus’s has better rolls and is part of what most consider a superior frame (720 RPM).	PVE

Top PvP Primary weapons

Weapons	Type	Ammo	Element	Requirements	In loot pool?	Source	Source ❘ DLC	Verdict	Part of?
The Immortal	Submachine Gun	Primary	Strand	Lightfall	Yes	Trials of Osiris	Trials of Osiris Lightfall	Slot: Strand | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Aggressive PvP God Rolls: Rangefinder (also good: Encore) + Target Lock PvE God Roll: Perpetual Motion (also good: Keep Away) + Hatchling (also good: Demolitionist) ► The Immortal is perhaps the best legendary SMG in the game right now. From absurd PvP-centered stats and perks to synergistic options like Demolitionist and Hatchling for PvE, this weapon has no shortage of outstanding aspects. Sure, stepping into Trials of Osiris can be daunting, but this is worth it.	PVP
Austringer	Hand Cannon	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Derelict Leviathan	Derelict Leviathan Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage PvP God Roll: Eye of the Storm + Opening Shot (also good: Rangefinder) ► With a fanbase that rivals that of Spare Rations, nearly everyone was waiting for the day that Austringer came back. That day has come, and Austringer is once again a great pick for anything in the game. With amazing stats, even better perks, and the ability to be crafted, it's hard to not see why people love this weapon.	PVP
Drang (Baroque)	Sidearm	Primary	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Derelict Leviathan	Derelict Leviathan Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Together Forever PvE God Roll: Wellspring + Incandescent PvP God Roll: Moving Target (also good: Swashbuckler) + Rampage ► One of the strongest sidearms in the game, Drang (Baroque), is back and has excellent rolls for every part of the game. Incandescent alone makes it great for PvE (although not as good as CALUS Mini-Tool), and its high zoom stat and well-rounded first column make it a good PvP pick too.	PVP
Exalted Truth	Hand Cannon	Primary	Void	Lightfall	Yes	Trials of Osiris	Trials of Osiris Lightfall	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Rangefinder + Rampage ► A relatively new hand cannon from Trials of Osiris, Exalted Truth features exactly what you'd expect from an endgame reward: Excellent stats and perks. With a combination of stability and damage perks, this is one of the best Legendary hand cannons for PvP right now.	PVP

Best Legendary weapons: Special ammo

In this section, we cover the best Legendary weapons that use Special ammo. Not to be confused with Energy weapons, Special weapons use “Special” green ammo boxes:

Top PvE Sepcial weapons

Weapons	Type	Ammo	Element	Requirements	In loot pool?	Source	Source ❘ DLC	Verdict	Part of?
Heritage	Shotgun	Special	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	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 ► 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
Forbearance	Grenade Launcher	Special	Arc	The Witch Queen	Yes	Vow of the Disciple Raid	Vow of the Disciple Raid The Witch Queen	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Wave PvE God Roll: Ambitious Assassin (also good: Unrelenting) + Chain Reaction ► The first Wave Frame Grenade Launcher to come from a raid, Forbearance is widely regarded as the best Wave Frame we've gotten thus far. With the ability to roll the combo that made Salvager's Salvo famous, this weapon is an ad-clear machine. Not to mention, Wave Frames are extremely fun to use, and the Origin Trait is a nice cherry on top!	PVE
Riptide	Fusion Rifle	Special	Stasis	Free-to-Play	Yes	Playlist: Crucible	Playlist: Crucible Free-to-Play	Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster (also good: Compulsive Reloader) + Chill Clip ► Riptide's large perk pool makes it annoying to grind, but it's undoubtedly worth it. You can slow and freeze combatants instantly with incredibly synergistic combinations such as Auto-Loading Holster and Chill Clip. Additionally, because of Riptide's quick charge time and deep ammo reserves, you can stun-lock enemies (including Champions!) with its back-to-back freezing potential.	PVE
Iterative Loop	Fusion Rifle	Special	Arc	Lightfall	Yes	Neomuna	Neomuna Lightfall	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Under Pressure (also good: Compulsive Reloader) + Voltshot ► This Arc fusion rifle is one of the most sought-after weapons in Neomuna. Not only is it craftable, which means you can have access to enhanced perks, but Iterative Loop also offers good stats and a top-tier PvE perk that is rarely seen in Fusion rifles: Voltshot.	PVE

Top PvP Special weapons

Weapons	Type	Ammo	Element	Requirements	In loot pool?	Source	Source ❘ DLC	Verdict	Part of?
Matador 64	Shotgun	Special	Arc	30th Anniversary	Yes	Grasp of Avarice Dungeon	Grasp of Avarice Dungeon 30th Anniversary	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Precision PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Opening Shot (also good: Killing Wind) ► Matador 64 is, in my experience, the best Precision shotgun in the game. Its ability to roll with excellent perks such as Opening Shot and Perpetual Motion makes Matador 64 a beast in PvP. It is a staple in my Energy slot if I ever need a shotgun, even in the most competitive of environments.	PVP
Main Ingredient	Fusion Rifle	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	World loot pool	World loot pool Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Precision PvP God Roll: Under Pressure + High Impact Reserves (also good: Tap the Trigger) ► With great stats and an insane perk selection (that had to be nerfed due to its potency), Main Ingredient is one of the most used weapons in the Crucible right now, and with reason.	PVP
Fractethyst	Shotgun	Special	Stasis	Free-to-Play	Yes	Xûr	Xûr Free-to-Play	Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Precision PvP God Roll: Quickdraw (also good: Slideshot) + Opening Shot ► As Aggressive Shotguns continue to receive indirect nerfs, Precision Shotguns are again on the rise, and Fractethyst is no exception. Fractethyst is one of the best Precision Shotguns available and is a consistent option Guardians should not overlook.	PVP
Beloved	Sniper Rifle	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	Derelict Leviathan	Derelict Leviathan Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Moving Target (also good: Quickdraw) ► Arguably the community's favorite legendary sniper in the entire franchise, this "beloved" weapon is back and better than ever before. With low zoom, high aim assist, the ability to be crafted, and Snapshot Sights, it's no wonder Beloved is so popular in PVP.	PVP
Imperial Decree	Shotgun	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Engram Focusing	Engram Focusing Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive God Rolls: Threat Detector (also good: Slideshot) + Opening Shot ► Aggressive frames are one of the best options for PvP due to their pellet spread and high damage. Imperial Decree can also get several great perks in both columns for PvP, making it a contender for the best shotgun for the kinetic slot.	PVP
Defiance of Yasmin	Sniper Rifle	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	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 ► The "new kid on the block," The Defiance of Yasmin was recently released as part of the King's Fall raid loot table. And as should be expected from a raid weapon, the Defiance of Yasmin truly excels, especially in PvP. It features excellent base stats, the best perks for PvP, and a 40 zoom stat that feels just right...	PVP

Best Legendary weapons: Heavy ammo

In this section, we cover the best Legendary weapons that use Heavy ammo. Heavy weapons use “Power” purple ammo boxes:

Top PvE Heavy weapons

Weapons	Type	Ammo	Element	Requirements	In loot pool?	Source	Source ❘ DLC	Verdict	Part of?
The Hothead	Rocket Launcher	Heavy	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	Nightfall: The Ordeals	Nightfall: The Ordeals Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster (also good: Field Prep) + Lasting Impression (also good: Explosive Light) ► Containing solid stats, S-Tier perks, and an Adept version, The Hothead is often regarded as the best legendary rocket launcher. And because of recent nerfs to the damage of precision frame launchers, Hothead also does more damage than most competitive options.	PVE
Cataclysmic	Linear Fusion Rifle	Heavy	Solar	The Witch Queen	Yes	Vow of the Disciple Raid	Vow of the Disciple Raid The Witch Queen	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's The Charm + Bait and Switch ► Cataclysmic has always been great for total damage, but now also excels in DPS because of a buff to Bait and Switch. While most players now try to match their subclass and weapon elements for Font of Might, Cataclysmic continues to attract players of all subclasses with its unmatched raw damage.	PVE

Top PvP Heavy weapons

Weapons	Type	Ammo	Element	Requirements	In loot pool?	Source	Source ❘ DLC	Verdict	Part of?
Typhon GL5	Grenade Launcher	Heavy	Stasis	Free-to-Play	Yes	World loot pool	World loot pool Free-to-Play	Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Impulse Amplifier + Explosive Light (also good: Chill Klip) ► Even though Typhon GL5 has some great perks like Explosive Light, it doesn't excel in any part of the game simply because it's a heavy Grenade Launcher. Until these become stronger options for either ad clear or DPS, this weapon will sadly be forgotten by most of the community.	PVP

Your turn

This list was created using a combination of usage data (from DestinyTracker and Warmind.io) and the personal experiences of the BlueberriesGG staff when tackling endgame PvE and PvP content.

We are confident that these are the most effective and lethal Legendary weapons in the game right now. You just need to find your favorite Exotic and you can start building top-tier loadouts!

Do you have any other suggestions that you believe should be part of the Top 20? Let us know in the comments section!