Destiny 2 Best PvP Weapons right now: Season 19 Edition

As you get more involved with Destiny 2, one of the first questions you’ll have is: What are the best weapons in the game?

And that’s not an easy question to answer, as it depends on whether you’re interested in PvP or PvE, casual or endgame content, etc. Today, we’ll focus on the best PvP weapons right now. We’ll cover both Exotic and Legendary weapons (including their PvP god rolls), and give you an overview of the current PvP meta.

Updated as of Season of the Seraph (S19)

Best PvP Primary weapons

In this section, we cover the best Primary PvP weapons. And by Primary, we mean either Kinetic or Energy weapons that use Primary ammo. Just remember Primary weapons use “normal” ammo, aka, white ammo boxes:

Weapons	Type	Ammo	Element	Slot	Requirements	In loot pool?	Source	Source ❘ DLC	Verdict	Part of?
Dead Man's Tale	Scout Rifle	Primary	Kinetic	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	Xûr	Xûr Beyond Light	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Chaining precision hits grants bonus damage and quickens reload speed. Future drops of this weapon will have random rolls. PvE God Roll: Vorpal Weapon (also good: Killing Wind) ► Dead Man's Tale has been reworked to receive improved stats and an increased rate of fire, instead of the plain increased damage it used to offer. While this lowers the potency of Dead Man's Tale, it remains a powerful option due to its high damage per shot and incredible range.	PVP
The Palindrome	Hand Cannon	Primary	Void	Energy	Free-to-Play	No	Nightfall: The Ordeals	Nightfall: The Ordeals Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Outlaw + One for All PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Rangefinder ► With S-Tier perks for both PVE and PVP, great stats, and an adept version, there is nothing to hate about The Palindrome. Plus, it can get max range, can take advantage of Volatile Rounds, and it feels amazing to fire, making it one of the best legendary weapons in the game.	PVP
No Time to Explain	Pulse Rifle	Primary	Kinetic	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	Exotic Quest	Exotic Quest 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
IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.2	Submachine Gun	Primary	Arc	Energy	Free-to-Play	Yes	World loot pool	World loot pool Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Subsistence (also good: Threat Detector) + Demolitionist ► Just like other IKELOS and Seventh Seraph weapons, IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.2's average perks and stats used to be counteracted by the absurd power of Warmind Cells. However, now that Warmind Cells have been heavily nerfed, there's no reason to run this SMG over other more popular options.	PVP
Ace of Spades	Hand Cannon	Primary	Kinetic	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	Exotic Kiosk	Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Precision kills increase reload speed and cause the target to explode. Reloading after a kill increases damage. Grants radar while aiming down sights." ► Arguably the best 140 RPM hand cannon in the game, Ace of Spades has a lot to offer. With excellent base stats and some of the best perks around, namely Momento Mori, which is like Kill Clip on steroids and the ability to see your radar while zoomed in, this weapon has a bit of everything.	PVP
Hawkmoon	Hand Cannon	Primary	Kinetic	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	Xûr	Xûr Beyond Light	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Final blows and precision hits with Hawkmoon grant stacks of Paracausal Charge. The final round in the magazine deals bonus damage based on the number of stacks. Stowing Hawkmoon on the final round removes this bonus." ► Many didn't like that Hawkmoon is not the same weapon it was in Destiny 1. But Hawkmoon is arguably the strongest Exotic Hand Cannon in PvP. It can provide very consistent 2 taps and even 1 taps, provided you are accurate enough. Hawkmoon will take some time to get used to, but once you do, it will be hard to go back to any other gun.	PVP
Tarrabah	Submachine Gun	Primary	Solar	Energy	Forsaken Pack	Yes	Exotic Kiosk	Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon stores power when dealing or receiving damage. Once full, hold reload to unleash the beast." ► Now that Tarrabah's perk is significantly easier to proc, it has become an extremely popular choice in PVE (especially with Solar 3.0 builds). And since it's now tied for the highest SMG zoom stat at 16, this beast of a weapon can excel in PVP too.	PVP
Austringer	Hand Cannon	Primary	Kinetic	Kinetic	Season 17	Yes	Derelict Leviathan	Derelict Leviathan Season 17	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	Energy	Season 17	Yes	Derelict Leviathan	Derelict Leviathan Season 17	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	Energy	The Witch Queen	Yes	Trials of Osiris	Trials of Osiris The Witch Queen	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive God Rolls: To be confirmed... ► Still too early to tell, review ongoing...	PVP

Ace of Spades is still one of the best Destiny 2 PvP weapons

Best PvP Special weapons

In this section, we cover the best Special PVP weapons. And by Special, we mean either kinetic or Energy weapons that use Special ammo. If you sometimes get confused between Energy and Special weapons, just remember, Special weapons use “Special” ammo, aka, green ammo boxes:

Weapons	Type	Ammo	Element	Slot	Requirements	In loot pool?	Source	Source ❘ DLC	Verdict	Part of?
Retold Tale	Shotgun	Special	Void	Energy	Free-to-Play	Yes	Dreaming City	Dreaming City Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Precision PvP God Roll: Quickdraw (also good: Surplus) + Killing Wind ► Once reigning alongside Dust Rock Blues during the Forsaken era, Retold Tale benefitted a lot from the nerfs to Aggressive Shotguns, and thus has risen up the ranks to become one of the most consistent and powerful shotguns in the game with its solid perk pool.	PVP
Eye of Sol	Sniper Rifle	Special	Kinetic	Kinetic	The Witch Queen	No	Trials of Osiris	Trials of Osiris The Witch Queen	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Moving Target (also good: Surplus) + Snapshot Sights (also good: Opening Shot) ► Because of its similar stats and perks, Eye of Sol is said to be a kinetic version of Beloved. And while it is a little harder to obtain, its low zoom, high aim assist, and S-Tier perks in both columns make it easily worth the effort.	PVP
The Chaperone	Shotgun	Special	Kinetic	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	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 its 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
Found Verdict	Shotgun	Special	Arc	Energy	Free-to-Play	Yes	Vault of Glass Raid	Vault of Glass Raid Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvP God Roll: Surplus (also good: Slideshot) + Opening Shot ► Found Verdict is one of the most sought-after Shotguns right now. Able to fit Adept mods with its Timelost variant, Found Verdict can reach up to a whopping 68 range with Smallbore, which is a popular all-rounder barrel. It's a stat monster and we definitely recommended it for PvP.	PVP
Wastelander M5	Shotgun	Special	Kinetic	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Dares of Eternity	Dares of Eternity Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Lightweight PvE God Roll: Subsistence + One-Two Punch PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion (also good: Slideshot) + Opening Shot ► Wastelander M5 is one of the better-feeling shotguns in Destiny 2. It has a nice hipfire reticle and feels very snappy, even when compared to other Lightweight options. Featuring an excellent perk pool, the Wastelander M5 is one of the best shotguns in the Crucible right now, especially now that it can be crafted.	PVP
Matador 64	Shotgun	Special	Arc	Energy	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
Forerunner	Sidearm	Special	Kinetic	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	Exotic Quest	Exotic Quest Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires full auto with increased rate of fire. Deals increased precision damage to unshielded targets. Tapping the trigger gives it less recoil and improves accuracy." ► Forerunner is a fun, powerful, and accurate weapon. And while it can reach an insane time-to-kill in PvP (in theory), it does require you to pace your shots. With insane recoil and limited ammo, this weapon requires a player with a good aim to excel.	PVP
Dead Messenger	Grenade Launcher	Special	Void	Energy	Deluxe Edition	Yes	Exotic Quest	Exotic Quest Deluxe Edition	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "One-shot handheld Grenade Launcher. Projectiles release a fan of three energy waves on contact with the ground. You can change damage type, cycling between Solar, Arc, and Void." ► Dead Messenger is one of the most potent weapons in the game. Excelling in both PvP and PvE, this Wave Frame Grenade Launcher is not only remarkably easy to use, but it can also completely nullify the Match Game modifier with its ability to change elements.	PVE,PVP
Beloved	Sniper Rifle	Special	Solar	Energy	Season 17	Yes	Derelict Leviathan	Derelict Leviathan Season 17	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
Defiance of Yasmin	Sniper Rifle	Special	Kinetic	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

Don’t miss our: Destiny 2 guides covering all the major weapon sources:

	Nightfall: The Ordeal	Playlist	Free-to-Play
	Vow of the Disciple	Raid	The Witch Queen
	Deep Stone Crypt	Raid	Beyond Light
	Garden of Salvation	Raid	Shadowkeep
	Last Wish	Raid	Forsaken Pack
	Vault of Glass	Raid	Free-to-Play
	Grasp of Avarice	Dungeon	30th Anniversary
	Prophecy	Dungeon	Free-to-Play
	Trials of Osiris	Crucible	The Witch Queen
	Iron Banner	Crucible	Free-to-Play
	Dares of Eternity	Activity	Free-to-Play
	Xûr	Vendor	Free-to-Play
	Gunsmith	Vendor	Free-to-Play
	Exotic Engrams	Exotics	Free-to-Play
	Exotic Kiosk	Exotics	Various...
	Exotic Quests	Exotics	Various...

Best PvP Heavy weapons

In this section, we cover the best Heavy PVP weapons, also known as Power weapons. Unlike Primary and Special weapons that can be in either the Kinetic or Energy slots, Heavy weapons can only be in the Heavy slot. In other words, we’re talking about the weapons that use “heavy” ammo, aka, purple ammo boxes:

Weapons	Type	Ammo	Element	Slot	Requirements	In loot pool?	Source	Source ❘ DLC	Verdict	Part of?
Tractor Cannon	Shotgun	Heavy	Void	Heavy	Free-to-Play	Yes	Exotic Engram	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon emits a powerful impulse that pushes enemies away, suppresses their abilities, and makes them more vulnerable to all incoming damage." ► Tractor Cannon is still one of the game's most fun weapons and remains quite a powerful option. Being able to suppress enemies in PvP and weaken enemies in PvE is really useful. Plus, booping people out of the map or against the walls in PVP will never gets old.	PVP
The Wardcliff Coil	Rocket Launcher	Heavy	Arc	Heavy	Free-to-Play	Yes	Exotic Engram	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a volley of rockets and automatically reloads on ammo pickup." ► An outstanding choice for the Crucible, The Wardcliff Coil guarantees kills in any Crucible mode. As long as you don't accidentally blow yourself up, Wardcliff is a reliable and fun option for any PvP player.	PVP
The Other Half	Sword	Heavy	Void	Heavy	Free-to-Play	Yes	Dares of Eternity	Dares of Eternity Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Eager Edge + Whirlwind Blade (also good: Frenzy) ► Like its "other half"', The Other Half lives and dies by the Eager Edge perk. A fun option in PvE and a surprisingly strong option in PvP, make it rank above other Adaptive archetype swords.	PVP
Gjallarhorn	Rocket Launcher	Heavy	Solar	Heavy	30th Anniversary	Yes	Grasp of Avarice Dungeon	Grasp of Avarice Dungeon 30th Anniversary	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Rounds fired split into tracking cluster missiles upon detonation. Gain increased handling and reload speed when standing near allies. Firing this weapon also grants Wolfpack Rounds to nearby allies wielding non-Exotic Rocket Launchers." ► Despite its slight perk differences compared to Destiny 1, Destiny 2's Gjallarhorn continues its reign as king. Because of its tracking and Wolfpack Rounds in PvP and its perk that buffs nearby allies' rocket launchers in PvE, it's uncommon not to see anyone running Gjallarhorn in most activities.	PVE,PVP
Typhon GL5	Grenade Launcher	Heavy	Stasis	Heavy	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

Gjallarhorn , still a dominating Destiny 2 PVP weapon

Destiny 2 PvP Meta

Every sandbox change comes with a new meta. And while we love to criticize Bungie for not changing the meta often enough, the last few seasons have significantly altered the hierarchy of weapon types for PvP.

PS: If you’re looking for the complete rundown of the state of the current Meta for PVP and PVE, check out our Destiny 2 Meta guide.

We just covered the absolute best PvP weapons right now, but it’s equally important to understand how the different weapon types compare to each other.

What is Meta? Meta refers to the most used weapons for a particular activity. Generally, these weapons are the most used because they are the most powerful/efficient.

These are the different Tier levels used for these Tier lists:

• S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapon types.
• A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapon types, but not on the same level as S Tier Choices.
• B Tier – Average: Decent choices that can be lethal in the hands of a skilled player.
• C Tier – Weak: The middle of the pack, somewhat mediocre.
• D Tier – Worst: Lagging behind the competition, these don’t have much to offer.

The list starts with S Tier and moves down until it reaches the bottom Tier. Also, remember that the PvE meta is a completely different beast!

About TTK: Measured in seconds, TTK, or time-to-kill, is critical in PVP, because the lowest the TTK (generally less than a second), the faster you can kill your opponent. You can read all about it in our TTK guide.

PvP Primary weapons meta

Weapon Type	Rank	Tier	Trend	Role ❘ Current State	Category
Hand Cannons	A › Strong	Strong ❘ A	-	► Hand Cannons are in a bit of a strange spot. Many will argue that they are still the best weapons in the game, however, due to the prevalence of Pulse Rifles and especially SMGs, Hand Cannons have slowly been pushed out of many players' main pick. They are still excellent duelling weapons though, and feel amazing to use so they still retain a strong ranking. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (120 RPM) - Example: Igneous Hammer	PVP Primaries
Pulse Rifles	S › Best	Best ❘ S	-	► Pulse Rifles have seen a resurgence in the past few seasons, with constant buffs to all types of Pulse Rifles. It is hard not to find success with one due to the high-flinch potential of Rapid-Fire Pulses or the lethal time-to-kill of High-Impact Pulses. ► Best Archetype: High-Impact (340 RPM) - Example: The Messenger	PVP Primaries
Sidearms	A › Strong	Strong ❘ A		► Sidearms have lost their place at the top of the meta, but they remain a solid pick, especially for players using a Controller, as they inherently have manageable stability with a rapid time-to-kill. Honestly, the main reason they've lost their place at the top is due to how powerful SMGs are right now. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (325 RPM) - Example: Forgiveness	PVP Primaries
Auto Rifles	C › Weak	Weak ❘ C	-	► Auto Rifles aren't doing greét right now. They contest a similar range as Hand Cannons, however, they lack the peak shooting potential that Adaptive Hand Cannons bring. They can also be contested at close range by SMGs, making them difficult to use everywhere. However, a good player can still find value in an Auto Rifle as they do provide high flinch and constant damage. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (600 RPM) - Example: Gnawing Hunger	PVP Primaries
Combat Bows	B › Average	Average ❘ B	-	► Bows are incredibly unique. They have a remarkably slow time to kill, however, this isn't where Bows shine. Hotswap builds with bows can be incredibly potent and don't require much learning either. Bows also provide incredible value when teamshooting opponents. Despite this, Bows on their own are quite mediocre and need something behind them to really shine. ► Best Archetype: Precision (Slower Draw Time) - Example: Strident Whistle	PVP Primaries
Scout Rifles	B › Average	Average ❘ B	-	► Scouts have been tuned down to make them less potent in the hands of the average player. However, good scout rifle players will still be able to do pretty well in lobbies, however, they may find themselves outmatched by Pulse Rifles. ► Best Archetype: High-Impact (150 RPM) - Example: Polaris Lance	PVP Primaries
Submachine Guns	S › Best	Best ❘ S		► SMGs have soared in power and will absolutely destroy you if you get within their effective range which, nowadays, feels like it's across the map. This, combined with their incredible ease of use and high potential in skilled hands makes for a very oppressive weapon to face against. ► Best Archetype: Aggressive (750 RPM)- Example: IKELOS_SMG_V1.0.3	PVP Primaries

PvP Special weapons meta

For the sake of clarity, the categories below do not include Exotics that use an abnormal type of ammo, such as  Eriana’s Vow or Arbalest.

If you’re particularly interested in these unique exotics, check out our Exotic Tier list, including every exotic weapon currently in the game.

Weapon Type	Rank	Tier	Trend	Role ❘ Current State	Category
Shotguns	A › Strong	Strong ❘ A		► Shotguns received a significant change in Season 19 that made their pellet spread more consistent overall. With pre-determined spread patterns per archetype, and the reversal of some widely disliked nerfs, Shotguns are coming back. ► Best Archetype: Lightweight (65 RPM)- Example: Matador 64	PVP Specials
Linear Fusion Rifles	A › Strong	Strong ❘ A	-	► The special ammo Linear Fusion category of weapon is rather barren, but the two weapons that occupy it, Arbalest and Lorentz Driver, are both forces to be reckoned with. While they have received some deserved nerfs throughout Seasons 17-19, they remain a solid choice for players wanting a long-range option.	PVP Specials
Sniper Rifles	S › Best	Best ❘ S	-	► Sniper Rifles are in an excellent place right now. After the nerfs to Linear Fusion Rifles, it only makes sense that Sniper usage picks up, and with options that come stacked with aim assist and excellent perks like Defiance of Yasmin or Beloved, it's easy to see why Snipers have risen up the ranks. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (90 RPM)- Example: Beloved	PVP Specials
Trace Rifles	B › Average	Average ❘ B		► Trace Rifles are quite a niche pick and will fall short as a competitive option in most players' hands. Even once you learn to master Trace Rifles, you'll be better off with a Special weapon that can provide a one-hit-kill t rather than one that can be out-dueled by a Primary weapon. ► All Archetypes are 1000 RPM - Best Option: Coldheart	PVP Specials
Glaives	A › Strong	Strong ❘ A	-	► Glaives are somewhat of a sleeper pick. However, with the Season 19 buffs and hit registration improvements they received, they can be quite annoying to play against. However, they do remain heavily outclassed by other mid to long-range options, and can't compete at close range due to the lackluster melee. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (55 RPM)- Example: The Enigma	PVP Specials
Fusion Rifles	S › Best	Best ❘ S		► Fusion Rifles have seen buff after buff, and with Season of the Haunted, they finally saw a slight nerf. However, this change hasn't altered the state of Fusion Rifles enough to consider them noticeably weaker than before. They are able to cover the close-medium range excellently and a good Fusion Rifle player can be incredibly hard to beat. ► Best Archetype: Precision (780ms Charge Time) - Example: Main Ingredient	PVP Specials
Grenade Launchers	A › Strong	Strong ❘ A	-	► Grenade Launchers remain the most 'annoying' option in PvP. The ability to flush players out from cover is not lost on players in PvP, and being able to 1-hit kill with certain rolls allows Grenade Launchers to be a highly tactical, but also lethal option. They also serve as an excellent 'hot-swap' choice to allow for easy cleanups with your Primary weapon. ► Best Archetype: Wave Frame - Example: Dead Messenger	PVP Specials

PvP Heavy weapons meta

Weapon Type	Rank	Tier	Trend	Role ❘ Current State	Category
Rocket Launchers	S › Best	Best ❘ S	-	► Rocket Launchers remain a staple in many players' loadouts. They can provide high-range one-shot kills, and can also do AoE damage which can potentially allow you to clear teams if they are close enough together. ► Best Archetype: Precision (15 RPM) - Example: Gjallarhorn	PVP Heavies
Machine Guns	A › Strong	Strong ❘ A	-	► Machine Guns are still an incredible option for Control as they can provide many kills. However, they do require multiple shots to kill which can lead to you potentially being Sniped or peak-shot by a Primary Weapon. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (450 RPM) - Example: Corrective Measure	PVP Heavies
Grenade Launchers	S › Best	Best ❘ S		► Heavy Grenade Launchers are an incredible option for those who are confident in landing their direct hits. They can functionally serve as a Rocket Launcher, but instead of coming with only a single shot, Grenade Launchers can bring 3, which, of course, means more potential kills. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (120 RPM) - Example: Memory Interdict	PVP Heavies
Swords	C › Weak	Weak ❘ C	-	► Swords are perhaps the most fun option (especially with Eager Edge), however, they are too inconsistent to warrant any competitive use. Furthermore, benefitting from third-person view is no longer possible without Heavy ammo, making the only niche usage swords had now redundant. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive/Lightweight- Examples: Half-Truths/Quickfang	PVP Heavies
Linear Fusion Rifles	C › Weak	Weak ❘ C		Linear fusion rifles are in the middle of an identity crisis. They are stronger than sniper rifles and have more aim assistance, but they still require Heavy ammo and a headshot to one-shot an enemy. On top of that, they also have a charge time to take into account. Compared to a sniper rifle that fires immediately and only uses Special ammo, Linear Fusion rifles make little sense for the Crucible. In PVP, you want a Heavy weapon that can either easily down several guardians or guarantee a kill in a high-stakes match. It isn't impossible to do with a linear fusion rifle, but other weapon types can accomplish that more easily.	PVP Heavies

The Meta can change in a heartbeat, but you can rest assured, though, this overview is up to date with the current Season of the Splicer and will be updated as soon as a new meta arrives.

Best Crucible weapons: Loadouts

Up until now, we have split our top PVP guns into Primaries, Special and Heavy weapons. This makes sense when comparing weapons against each other.

But once you start building towards the ultimate loadout, a weapon’s slot becomes crucial. That’s because you can only carry one Kinetic, one Energy, and one Heavy weapon at a time. For example, if you’re committed to using an Igneous Hammer as your primary weapon, then your Special weapon will have to be Kinetic.

The Best Destiny 2 Crucible weapons

In this section, we’ll share some of the most popular PvP loadouts right now.

-	Kinetic	--	Special	---	Heavy	Meta
	No Time to Explain		Beloved		The Other Half	PVP
	Dead Man's Tale		Matador 64		Typhon GL5	PVP
	Defiance of Yasmin		IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.3		Gjallarhorn	PVP

The Last Word

We did our best to include both Legendary weapons and Exotics, as well as the top tier, most difficult to obtain weapons, and easier to get, yet still great alternatives. Did we miss your current favorite PVP weapon? Do you have a particularly good PVP loadout you would like to share? Let us know in the comments section below!

For the record, this list is based on our experience playing the PC version of the game.