Exotic catalysts are some of the most sought-after items in Destiny 2. Unlike legendary weapons, some Exotics can be dramatically enhanced by their catalyst. Granted, some catalysts are duds, but others can be game-changing, taking an Exotic to an entirely new level.
While our Exotic Tier list ranks and covers all the Exotic weapons, this guide focuses on the catalysts themselves and tells you what they do, how to get them, and how to unlock them.
Destiny 2 Exotic Catalyst list
These are the 82 catalysts currently available in the game as of Season of the Witch (Season 22):
| Name | Type | Slot | Catalyst Rank | Catalyst Source | Available? | Requirements | Catalyst | Tier | Source ❘ DLC | How to unlock | Catalyst effect | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ex Diris | Grenade Launcher | Energy | A › Strong | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Season 22 |   Ex Diris | Grenade Launcher | Strong ❘ A | Banshee-44's quest  Season 22 | ► Get 400 kills | ► Adds Berserk Rush perk: Weapon enrages faster while amplified. Final blows with this weapon make you amplified. | |
| Monte Carlo | Auto Rifle | Kinetic | S › Best | Strikes, Crucible, and Gambit | Yes | Shadowkeep |   Monte Carlo | Auto Rifle | Best ❘ S | Strikes, Crucible, and Gambit Shadowkeep | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Stochastic Vengeance perk: At 5 stacks of Markov Chain, switch between your melee attack and Monte Carlo's bayonet. Landing a bayonet melee hit grants melee energy. | Season 22 |
| Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | A › Strong | Strikes, Crucible, and Gambit | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | Strikes, Crucible, and Gambit Free-to-Play | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Vorpal Weapon perk: Increased damage against bosses, vehicles, and Guardians with their Super active. ► Increases range by +20. | Season 21 |
| The Navigator | Trace Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Ghost of the Deep Dungeon | Yes | Deluxe Edition |   The Navigator | Trace Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Ghost of the Deep Dungeon Deluxe Edition | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Gordian Knot perk: Special reload and then fire to create a Grapple Tangle at the targeted point. | Season 21 |
| Centrifuse | Auto Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Free-to-Play |  Centrifuse | Auto Rifle | Average ❘ B | Banshee-44's quest Free-to-Play | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Static Buildup perk: While amplified, this weapon gradually gains overcharge. | Season 21 |
| Quicksilver Storm | Auto Rifle | Kinetic | S › Best | Neomuna quest | Yes | Lightfall |  Quicksilver Storm | Auto Rifle | Best ❘ S | Neomuna quest  Lightfall | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Nano-entanglement perk: This weapon's damage type becomes Strand. Final blows with grenades from this weapon create Tangles. | Season 20 |
| Verglas Curve | Combat Bow | Kinetic | B › Average | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Season 20 |  Verglas Curve | Combat Bow | Average ❘ B | Banshee-44's quest Season 20 | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Shiver Quiver perk: Freezing a target grants this weapon faster draw speed for a short period of time. | Season 20 |
| Cloudstrike | Sniper Rifle | Energy | A › Strong | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Beyond Light |   Cloudstrike | Sniper Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Playlist Activity completions Beyond Light | ► Get 400 kills | ► Adds Triple Tap perk: Rapidly landing precision hits will return one round to the magazine. ► Increases Handling by +25. | Season 19 |
| Revision Zero | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Operation: Seraph's Shield Quest on Legendary | No | The Witch Queen |   Revision Zero | Pulse Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Operation: Seraph's Shield Quest on Legendary The Witch Queen | ► Mini quests | ►Choose one of the following Catalysts: - Frenzy Refit (Feeding Frenzy) - Pressurized Refit (Under Pressure) - Outlaw Refit (Outlaw) - 4-Timer Refit (Fourth Time's the Charm) | Season 19 |
| The Manticore | Submachine Gun | Energy | B › Average | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | The Witch Queen |   The Manticore | Submachine Gun | Average ❘ B | Banshee-44's quest The Witch Queen | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Flying Monster: Final blows with this weapon while airborne grant damage resistance. | Season 19 |
| Thunderlord | Machine Gun | Heavy | A › Strong | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Forsaken Pack |  Thunderlord | Machine Gun | Strong ❘ A | Playlist Activity completions Forsaken Pack | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Return Stroke: Causing a lightning strike with this weapon partially reloads the magazine from reserves. | Season 18 |
| Delicate Tomb | Fusion Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | The Witch Queen |  Delicate Tomb | Fusion Rifle | Average ❘ B | Banshee-44's quest The Witch Queen | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Ionic Interment perk: Collecting an Ionic Trace partially reloads the magazine from reserves. | Season 18 |
| Touch of Malice | Scout Rifle | Kinetic | B › Average | King's Fall Raid | Yes | Free-to-Play |  Touch of Malice | Scout Rifle | Average ❘ B | King's Fall Raid Free-to-Play | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Rapid Hit perk: Rapid precision hits temporarily increase stability and reload speed. | Season 18 |
| Jötunn | Fusion Rifle | Energy | S › Best | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Forsaken Pack |  Jötunn | Fusion Rifle | Best ❘ S | Playlist Activity completions Forsaken Pack | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Cornered & Incandescent perks: Faster charge time or draw time when surrounded by combatants. Defeating a target spreads scorch to those nearby. More powerful combatants and opposing Guardians cause scorch in a larger radius. | Season 17 |
| Heartshadow | Sword | Heavy | A › Strong | Duality Dungeon (x3 banners) | Yes | Deluxe Edition |  Heartshadow | Sword | Strong ❘ A | Duality Dungeon (x3 banners) Deluxe Edition | ► Get 400 kills | ► Adds Wraithwalk perk: Faster movement while invisible. ► Increases Ammo Capacity by +50. | Season 17 |
| Trespasser | Sidearm | Energy | B › Average | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | The Witch Queen |  Trespasser | Sidearm | Average ❘ B | Banshee-44's quest The Witch Queen | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Tunnel Vision perk: Reloading after defeating a target greatly increases target acquisition and aim down sight speed for a short duration. | Season 17 |
| The Fourth Horseman | Shotgun | Energy | A › Strong | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Shadowkeep |   The Fourth Horseman | Shotgun | Strong ❘ A | Playlist Activity completions Shadowkeep | ► Get 400 kills | ► Adds And its name was Death perk: Adds an additional round to the magazine and increases reload speed by +40. | Season 16 |
| Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | A › Strong | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Beyond Light |   Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | Playlist Activity completions Beyond Light | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds the Hunter's Trance perk: Increases magazine size to 9. Also increases handling, reload speed, and range based on the number of Paracausal Charge stacks. | Season 16 |
| Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Playlist Activity completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 precision kills | ► Adds Disease Vector perk: Increases nanite damage. Enemies that die with nanites attached to them generate additional nanites. | Season 16 |
| Le Monarque | Combat Bow | Energy | A › Strong | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Forsaken Pack |  Le Monarque | Combat Bow | Strong ❘ A | Playlist Activity completions Forsaken Pack | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Unrelenting perk: Rapidly defeating targets triggers health regeneration. Guardians and powerful combatants count as more than one kill. | Season 16 |
| Whisper of the Worm | Sniper Rifle | Heavy | A › Strong | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Whisper of the Worm | Sniper Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Playlist Activity completions Free-to-Play | ► TBC | ► Adds Whispered Breathing perk: Aiming down the scope for 3 seconds increases range and precision damage while the weapon scope remains zoomed. | Season 16 |
| Dead Messenger | Grenade Launcher | Energy | A › Strong | Vox Obscura Quest on Legendary | Yes | The Witch Queen |  Dead Messenger | Grenade Launcher | Strong ❘ A | Vox Obscura Quest on Legendary The Witch Queen | ► Get 200 Solar kills, 200 Void kills, 200 Arc kills | ► Adds Turnabout perk: Using this weapon to break the shield of a combatant or a Guardian using their Super will grant you an overshield. | Season 16 |
| Osteo Striga | Submachine Gun | Kinetic | A › Strong | Crafting Relic | Yes | The Witch Queen |  Osteo Striga | Submachine Gun | Strong ❘ A | Crafting Relic The Witch Queen | ► Reach Level 10 to purchase at Crafting Relic | ► Poison final blows return ammo to the magazine. | Season 16 |
| Grand Overture | Machine Gun | Heavy | B › Average | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | The Witch Queen |  Grand Overture | Machine Gun | Average ❘ B | Banshee-44's quest The Witch Queen | ► Get 400 kills | ► Missile explosions will blind combatants. Those defeated by missile impacts then explode. | Season 16 |
| Arbalest | Linear Fusion Rifle | Kinetic | S › Best | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Lightfall |   Arbalest | Linear Fusion Rifle | Best ❘ S | Playlist Activity completions Lightfall | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Genesis perk: Breaking a combatant's shield with this weapon fills its magazine from reserves. Energy weapons regenerate ammo on hit when matching the damage type to the combatant's shield. | 30th Anniversary |
| Gjallarhorn | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | S › Best | Grasp of Avarice Dungeon (x3 chests) | Yes | 30th Anniversary |  Gjallarhorn | Rocket Launcher | Best ❘ S | Grasp of Avarice Dungeon (x3 chests) 30th Anniversary | ► Get 400 kills | ► Adds More Wolves perk: Increases magazine size. Final blows with Wolfpack Rounds spawn a faster, more powerful missile at the target's location. | 30th Anniversary |
| Forerunner | Sidearm | Kinetic | A › Strong | Reach Rank 16 with Xur | Yes | Free-to-Play |  Forerunner | Sidearm | Strong ❘ A | Reach Rank 16 with Xur Free-to-Play | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds The Rock perk: For several seconds after a final blow, you can consume part of your ammo reserves, converting your next grenade into a fragmentation grenade. | 30th Anniversary |
| Ager's Scepter | Trace Rifle | Kinetic | S › Best | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Beyond Light |   Ager's Scepter | Trace Rifle | Best ❘ S | Playlist Activity completions Beyond Light | ► Get 1000 kills | ► Adds Will Given Form perk: Hold reload to drain Super energy, overflowing and empowering the beam with bonus damage and the ability to slow and freeze targets. Can only be activated when Super energy is full. | Season 15 |
| Lorentz Driver | Linear Fusion Rifle | Energy | A › Strong | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Beyond Light |   Lorentz Driver | Linear Fusion Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Banshee-44's quest Beyond Light | ► Get 400 kills | ► Adds Jump Driver perk: Lorentz Driver gains an enhanced radar. Additionally, while this weapon has 3 telemetry patterns, EM Anomaly detonations no longer require a precision final blow. | Season 15 |
| The Huckleberry | Submachine Gun | Kinetic | S › Best | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   The Huckleberry | Submachine Gun | Best ❘ S | Playlist Activity completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Bull Rider perk: Kills with this weapon now reload the entire magazine. | Season 14 |
| Izanagi's Burden | Sniper Rifle | Kinetic | S › Best | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Forsaken Pack |   Izanagi's Burden | Sniper Rifle | Best ❘ S | Playlist Activity completions Forsaken Pack | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Peerless Edge perk: Increases the damage bonus of Honed Edge when all 4 bullets are consumed. | Season 14 |
| Legend of Acrius | Shotgun | Heavy | A › Strong | Nightfall Ordeals completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Legend of Acrius | Shotgun | Strong ❘ A | Nightfall Ordeals completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +2 and expands the ammo reserves. ► Increases reload speed by +36. | Season 14 |
| Bad Juju | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Forsaken Pack |   Bad Juju | Pulse Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Playlist Activity completions Forsaken Pack | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Unending Curse perk: Extends the duration of the perk String of Curses. | Season 14 |
| Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | Heavy | A › Strong | Nightfall Ordeals completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Nightfall Ordeals completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 300 kills | ► Lowers the weapon charge rate stat by -250 and expands the ammo reserves. | Season 14 |
| Cryosthesia 77K | Sidearm | Kinetic | A › Strong | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Beyond Light |   Cryosthesia 77K | Sidearm | Strong ❘ A | Banshee-44's quest Beyond Light | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Cold Efficiency perk: Shattering a frozen target refills this weapon's magazine from reserves. | Season 14 |
| Deathbringer | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | B › Average | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Shadowkeep |   Deathbringer | Rocket Launcher | Average ❘ B | Playlist Activity completions Shadowkeep | ► Get 400 kills | ► Adds Dead Weight perk: Increases how quickly Dark Descent reaches its full potential. | Season 14 |
| Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle | Average ❘ B | Playlist Activity completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 Kills ► Get 50 Perfect Fifth kills | ► Adds Dragonfly perk: Precision kills create an explosion around defeated enemy. | Season 14 |
| Vex Mythoclast | Fusion Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Vault of Glass Raid | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Vex Mythoclast | Fusion Rifle | Average ❘ B | Vault of Glass Raid Free-to-Play | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Calculated Balance perk: While in full auto mode, final blows with this weapon grant bonus damage, accuracy, and stability for a short duration. | Season 14 |
| Skyburner's Oath | Scout Rifle | Energy | C › Weak | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Skyburner's Oath | Scout Rifle | Weak ❘ C | Playlist Activity completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 1000 Cabal kills | ► Increases range by +27. | Season 14 |
| Telesto | Fusion Rifle | Energy | C › Weak | Legend/Master Lost Sectors completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Telesto | Fusion Rifle | Weak ❘ C | Legend/Master Lost Sectors completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 300 kills | ► Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +3 and expands ammo reserves. | Season 14 |
| Worldline Zero | Sword | Heavy | D › Worst | PVE Kills | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Worldline Zero | Sword | Worst ❘ D | PVE Kills Free-to-Play | ► Get 300 kills | ► Adds Another Dimension perk: Reduces the activation time for the perk Tesseract. | Season 14 |
| Ticuu's Divination | Combat Bow | Energy | B › Average | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Beyond Light |   Ticuu's Divination | Combat Bow | Average ❘ B | Banshee-44's quest Beyond Light | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Causality Quiver perk: Perfectly drawn arrows that detonate Sacred Flames increase arrow damage. Striking targets unaffected by Sacred Flame refreshes Causality Arrows' duration. | Season 13 |
| Dead Man's Tale | Scout Rifle | Kinetic | S › Best | Presage Quest on Legendary | Yes | Beyond Light |   Dead Man's Tale | Scout Rifle | Best ❘ S | Presage Quest on Legendary Beyond Light | ► Get 800 kills | ► Adds Dark-Forged Trigger perk: Removes hipfire accuracy penalties and increases rate of fire from hip. Stacks of Cranial Spike increase hip rate of fire further. | Season 12 |
| Duality | Shotgun | Energy | A › Strong | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Beyond Light |   Duality | Shotgun | Strong ❘ A | Banshee-44's quest Beyond Light | ► Get 400 kills | ► Increases weapon range by +20 and expands the magazine size by +2. | Season 12 |
| No Time to Explain | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Exo Stranger quest | Yes | Beyond Light |   No Time To Explain | Pulse Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Exo Stranger quest Beyond Light | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Blast from the Side perk: Projectiles from the time portal shoots more frequently. | Season 12 |
| Leviathan's Breath | Combat Bow | Heavy | B › Average | PVE Kills | Yes | Shadowkeep |   Leviathan's Breath | Combat Bow | Average ❘ B | PVE Kills Shadowkeep | ► Obtain 1500 points. Kills give 1 point | ► Adds Colossal Quiver perk: Expands the ammo reserves by +5. | Season 12 |
| Witherhoard | Grenade Launcher | Kinetic | S › Best | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Shadowkeep |   Witherhoard | Grenade Launcher | Best ❘ S | Banshee-44's quest Shadowkeep | ► Get 400 kills | ► Adds Silent Alarm perk: Maximizes handling, holstering this weapon automatically reloads it after a short period of time. | Season 11 |
| Ruinous Effigy | Trace Rifle | Energy | A › Strong | PVE Kills | Yes | Shadowkeep |   Ruinous Effigy | Exotic Trace Rifle | Strong ❘ A | PVE Kills Shadowkeep | ► Destroy all Savathun's Eyes or ► Get 5000 kills | ► Adds Deconstruction perk: Deals increased damage against targets damaged by Transmutation spheres. | Season 11 |
| Traveler's Chosen | Sidearm | Kinetic | A › Strong | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Shadowkeep | Traveler's Chosen | Sidearm | Strong ❘ A | Playlist Activity completions Shadowkeep | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Osmosis perk: Using your grenade ability changes this weapon's damage type to match your subclass until you stow it. ► Adds Full Auto Trigger System perk: holding down the trigger will fire this weapon at full auto) perks. | Season 11 |
| Heir Apparent | Machine Gun | Heavy | A › Strong | Guardian Games event | No | Free-to-Play |   Heir Apparent | Heir Apparent | Strong ❘ A | Guardian Games event Free-to-Play | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Legion's Bullwark perk: Increases the Arc Shield's durability and partially reloads the magazine if it is destroyed. | Season 10 |
| Tommy's Matchbook | Auto Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Shadowkeep |   Tommy's Matchbook | Auto Rifle | Average ❘ B | Banshee-44's quest Shadowkeep | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Heat of the Moment perk: While Ignition Trigger is active, your health recovers much faster. | Season 10 |
| Symmetry | Scout Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Shadowkeep |   Symmetry | Scout Rifle | Average ❘ B | Banshee-44's quest Shadowkeep | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds Electric Styx perk: Increases the max stack size of Dynamic Charge from x15 to x20. | Season 9 |
| Eriana's Vow | Hand Cannon | Energy | S › Best | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Shadowkeep |   Eriana's Vow | Hand Cannon | Best ❘ S | Banshee-44's quest Shadowkeep | ► Get 700 kills | ► Adds More to Give perk: Increases magazine size by +3 and adds the perk Auto-Loading Holster. | Season 8 |
| Lumina | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | A › Strong | Any activity | Yes | Forsaken Pack |   Lumina | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | Any activity Forsaken Pack | ► Get 250 Noble Round heals | ► Adds Resonant Vitrue perk: Gain two Remnants per final blow instead of one. | Season 7 |
| Ace of Spades | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | S › Best | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls | Yes | Forsaken Pack |  Ace of Spades | Hand Cannon | Best ❘ S | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls Forsaken Pack | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Funeral Pyre perk: Firefly does more damage while Memento Mori is active. | Season 4 |
| Trinity Ghoul | Combat Bow | Energy | S › Best | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Trinity Ghoul | Combat Bow | Best ❘ S | Playlist Activity completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 400 kills | ► Adds Forked Lightning perk: Reduces draw time by -108 and Lightning Rod now triggers from any arc damage final blow. | Season 4 |
| Black Talon | Sword | Heavy | B › Average | PVE Kills | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Black Talon | Sword | Average ❘ B | PVE Kills Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Reversal perk: Shots blocked immediately after guarding increase the damage of Crow’s Wings for a very short duration. | Season 4 |
| Cerberus+1 | Auto Rifle | Kinetic | B › Average | PVE Kills | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Cerberus+1 | Auto Rifle | Average ❘ B | PVE Kills Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Focused Fire perk: Hold reload to swap to a tighter, close-ranged spread. | Season 4 |
| Lord of Wolves | Shotgun | Energy | C › Weak | Any activity | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Lord of Wolves | Shotgun | Weak ❘ C | Any activity Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Fang and Claw perk: Increases reload speed while Release the Wolves is active and increases stability when it's not. | Season 4 |
| SUROS Regime | Auto Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Kills or wins in the Crucible | Yes | Free-to-Play |   SUROS Regime | Auto Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Kills or wins in the Crucible Free-to-Play | ► Get 300 PVP kills | ► Adds SUROS Ascendance perk: Improves recoil direction and increases the chance to activate "SUROS Legacy". | Season 3 |
| Crimson | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | A › Strong | PVE Kills | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Crimson | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | PVE Kills Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Increases range by +18. | Season 2 |
| The Jade Rabbit | Scout Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Kills or wins in the Crucible | Yes | Free-to-Play |   The Jade Rabbit | Scout Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Kills or wins in the Crucible Free-to-Play | ► Get 250 PVP kills | ► Increases stability by +27. | Season 2 |
| Prometheus Lens | Trace Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Prometheus Lens | Trace Rifle | Average ❘ B | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Increases stability by +18 and handling by +18. | Season 2 |
| The Colony | Grenade Launcher | Heavy | C › Weak | Kills or wins in the Crucible | Yes | Free-to-Play |   The Colony | Grenade Launcher | Weak ❘ C | Kills or wins in the Crucible Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +1 and expands ammo reserves. | Season 2 |
| Riskrunner | Submachine Gun | Energy | S › Best | Banshee-44's quest | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Riskrunner | Submachine Gun | Best ❘ S | Banshee-44's quest Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills ► Get 50 Arc Conductor kills | ► Increases range by +27. | Season 1 |
| Rat King | Sidearm | Kinetic | A › Strong | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Rat King | Sidearm | Strong ❘ A | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls Free-to-Play | ► Get 1,000 kills while everyone in your fireteam is also using Rat King | ► Adds Infestation perk: Increases aim assist and recoil direction. Refreshes health when Vermin activates. | Season 1 |
| The Wardcliff Coil | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | A › Strong | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls | Yes | Free-to-Play |   The Wardcliff Coil | Rocket Launcher | Strong ❘ A | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Pinpoint Guidance Module perk: Tightens rockets spread. | Season 1 |
| MIDA Multi-Tool | Scout Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Legend Glory rank | Yes | Free-to-Play |   MIDA Multi-Tool | Scout Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Legend Glory rank Free-to-Play | ► Get 250 precision kills in PVP | ► Adds No Distractions perk: Aiming this weapon for a short period reduces flinch. | Season 1 |
| The Prospector | Grenade Launcher | Heavy | A › Strong | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls | Yes | Free-to-Play |   The Prospector | Grenade Launcher | Strong ❘ A | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +1 and expands ammo reserves. ► Increases blast radius by +20. | Season 1 |
| Sunshot | Hand Cannon | Energy | A › Strong | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Sunshot | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | Playlist Activity completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills ► Get 1000 Sun Blast kills | ► Increases stability by +18 and range by +27. | Season 1 |
| Hard Light | Auto Rifle | Energy | A › Strong | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Hard Light | Auto Rifle | Strong ❘ A | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls Free-to-Play | ► Get 1000 kills | ► Increases stability by +18. | Season 1 |
| Fighting Lion | Grenade Launcher | Energy | B › Average | PVE Kills | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Fighting Lion | Grenade Launcher | Average ❘ B | PVE Kills Free-to-Play | ► Get 1000 kills ► Complete 167 bounties | ► Adds Chimera perk: When Fighting Lion is fired, equipped Kinetic and Power weapon gain increased handling and accuracy for a brief period of time. ► Increases reload speed by +27. | Season 1 |
| Graviton Lance | Pulse Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Graviton Lance | Pulse Rifle | Average ❘ B | Playlist Activity completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills ► Get 1000 Cosmology kills | ► Adds Hidden Hand perk: Increases the aim assist and targeting acquisition stats. ► Increases range by +18. | Season 1 |
| D.A.R.C.I. | Sniper Rifle | Heavy | B › Average | PVE Kills | Yes | Free-to-Play |   D.A.R.C.I. | Sniper Rifle | Average ❘ B | PVE Kills Free-to-Play | ► Get 300 kills | ► Increases stability by +18. | Season 1 |
| Coldheart | Trace Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Coldheart | Trace Rifle | Average ❘ B | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls Free-to-Play | ► Get 300 kills | ►Increases stability by +18 and reload speed by +18. | Season 1 |
| Merciless | Fusion Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Merciless | Fusion Rifle | Average ❘ B | Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 kills | ► Increases stability by +36 and range by +36. | Season 1 |
| Vigilance Wing | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | B › Average | Kills or wins in the Crucible | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Vigilance Wing | Pulse Rifle | Average ❘ B | Kills or wins in the Crucible Free-to-Play | ► Get 250 PVP kills ► 5 Blood for Blood medals | ► Adds Full Auto Trigger System perk: Makes the weapon fire fully automatic when holding down the fire button. | Season 1 |
| Tractor Cannon | Shotgun | Heavy | B › Average | PVE Kills | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Tractor Cannon | Shotgun | Average ❘ B | PVE Kills Free-to-Play | ► Get 300 kills | ► Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +3 and expands ammo reserves. | Season 1 |
| Sturm | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | C › Weak | PVE Kills | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Sturm | Hand Cannon | Weak ❘ C | PVE Kills Free-to-Play | ► Get 500 Sturm kills ► Get 500 Drang kills | ► Increases handling by +40 and range by +18. | Season 1 |
| Sweet Business | Auto Rifle | Kinetic | C › Weak | Playlist Activity completions | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Sweet Business | Auto Rifle | Weak ❘ C | Playlist Activity completions Free-to-Play | ► Get 250 Multikills | ► Adds Serious Business perk: Reduces incoming flinch when firing Sweet Business at full speed. | Season 1 |
| Borealis | Sniper Rifle | Energy | D › Worst | PVE Kills | Yes | Free-to-Play |   Borealis | Sniper Rifle | Worst ❘ D | PVE Kills Free-to-Play | ► Get 150 Solar Mode kills, 150 Void Mode kills, 150 Arc Mode kills | ► Increases reload speed by +18. | Season 1 |
| Hierarchy of Needs | Combat Bow | Energy | Ongoing | Spire of the Watcher Master Completion | Yes | Deluxe Edition |   Hierarchy of Needs | Combat Bow | Ongoing... | Spire of the Watcher Master Completion Deluxe Edition | ► Get 500 kills | ► Adds Emergency Scramble perk: Deploying a Guidance Ring or striking a target with a seeking projectile improves draw time and reload speed for a moderate duration. |
These are the different Tier levels used for the table above:
- S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapons in our Tier List.
- A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapons, 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.
For the sake of clarity, the ranking below focuses on the benefits of each Catalyst but is also influenced by the weapons themselves. For example, the best Catalysts can be considered S Tier because they significantly improve an already great weapon.
How to get Catalysts in Destiny 2
There are several methods to acquire Catalysts in Destiny 2. These are the main ones:
- Participating in any activity
- Complete a specific quest
- Complete Playlist Activities
- Complete Strikes or Nightfalls
- Complete Nightfall: Ordeals
- Get PVE Kills
- Complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors
- Get Kills and Wins in the Crucible
- Participate in the Guardian Games event
- Complete the Vault of Glass Raid
- Complete the Grasp of Avarice Dungeon
The table above will tell you exactly what is required to get a specific Catalyst.
Catalysts for older Exotics
Bungie routinely sneaks a catalyst for two for older Exotics. These almost never get the spotlight, but they can turn an average weapon and turn it into a monster.
The following catalysts were added with the release of Season of the Witch (S22):
- Monte Carlo Catalyst
Season of the Deep (S21):
Season of the Seraph (S19):
Season of the Haunted (S17):
- Jötunn’s catalyst
- Heartshadow’s catalyst
Catalysts & the DCV
When Bungie introduced the Destiny Content Vault (DCV), close to 50% of the game was “vaulted” and effectively removed from the game. Roughly half of the locations, activities, quests, and gear were removed from the game and still cannot be experienced today. As explained by Bungie:
Each year, usually at the expansion boundaries, we will cycle some destination and activity content out of the game (and into the DCV) to make room for new experiences.
With the DCV, several Exotic weapons and catalysts were removed, too, and became unavailable to new players for a long time.
Reintroducing “vaulted” Exotic catalysts
Slowly, Bungie has been reintroducing some of those lost catalysts. With the release of the Witch Queen expansion, the following Catalysts were reintroduced:
- Outbreak Perfected
- Whisper of the Worm
- The Fourth Horseman
- Hawkmoon
- Dead Man’s Tale
- Ager’s Scepter
In Season of the Chosen (S13), nine more catalysts were reintroduced:
- Bad Juju
- Izanagi’s Burden
- Sleeper Simulant
- The Huckleberry
- Worldline Zero
- Polaris Lance
- Telesto
- Legend of Acrius
- Skyburner’s Oath
At this stage, virtually all existing catalysts are available to new players (except Heir Apparent’s, which can only be obtained during the yearly Guardian Games event).
It’s great that Bungie found quick methods to re-introduce them, just as they did with Exotic weapons and the Monument to Lost Lights.
Your Turn
When I first got into Destiny 2, Exotic Catalysts were some of the most mysterious items for me. Where do they come from? Do you have to find them and then unlock them? Granted, Catalysts are not overly complicated, but they are part of yet another system that is hardly explained in-game.
With this guide, hopefully, all of your questions have been answered and you should have all the information you need to start chasing and unlocking more catalysts.
Which are your favorite Exotic Catalysts? Let me know in the comments section below!
Why is the Suros Regime marked as not available?
Is it ok to use Destiny 2 boosting services? Like d2-recovery.com? I want to buy catalyst from them, but afraid a bit.
I wouldn’t recommend a service like that. First of all, they break the game’s terms of service and could get your account banned. Second, I find the whole thing shady, with lots of fine print (like that you need to have found the catalyst first and then they just do the kills to unlock it).
I wouldn’t touch that stuff even with a ten-foot pole!
I used to write bots for another popular game and almost all of the seller’s of such services were in the same IRC chat I belonged to— short version it’s that they use a lot of hacks and/or bots to do the hard work. This puts your account at significant risk.
This page was better before, you could know how to get the catalysts and not only what are the requirements to finish them.
I’m surprised. Maybe there’s a formatting issue or something. Are you on mobile or desktop? From here, I can see the following columns:
– Where to find it ❘ Requires
– How to unlock it
– Catalyst effect
Really? I’m on desktop, for me the page definitely changed. I even tried a different browser to see if the problem was on my side but it’s the same on both browsers. I tried even on my phone now and got the same page.
I have two columns, how to unlock the catalysts and what the catalysts do.
Here, a Print as proof. https://prnt.sc/194b2fz
Thanks for the follow up and the print screen. Just solved a huge catching issue that was plaguing that page (and maybe many more) and completely ruining the content!
It should be finally solved now… Hopefully it did for you too. In any case, THANKS A LOT for the alert.
I’m glad I was able to help. This page has been on my favorites since I started playing d2 last year and I always check here to get information. I’m really glad you were able to fix the problem, grats!
why is monte carlo not on the list?
Monte Carlo doesn’t have a catalyst yet
Hi. It says Riskrunner is in the Free to Play column, but requires a quest only available after Shadowkeep, which is not available to me as a free to play player currently. Is there something I’m missing? I understand Shadowkeep is a DLC.
i was also free to play but is still got it
isnt the riskrunner catalyst like 500 pve kills or something
got the masterwork as a f2p
You only need to finish the initial mission, which is available for all players
Sleeper catalyst should be A tier tho.
At the least.
I miss how to get Jötunn catalyst? How can I get it? Please explain.
FYI – Le Monarque has a catalyst now…
The Dead Messenger and Grand Overture catalyst effects are out of order.
You’re right! I just thought the Grand Overture’s info was wrong but it actually swapped info with Dead Messanger. They really gotta fix that
Was going to point this out myself. Surprised it’s still not been fixed.
Outbreak Perfected’s catalyst has an important second effect to it’s catalyst not mentioned here: Nanites spawn when an enemy infected with nanites dies, letting it spread to other enemies. Not sure if that changes anything, Tier-wise, but it’s important to keep information accurate.
I just got a Catalyst for Two-Tailed Fox (ugh, another Rocket launcher that needs “many” kills. Purple ammo hard to get!) I think I got it either during normal PVE wandering or completing a Vanguard Ops playlist.