Destiny 2 Catalysts Guide
All 45 Exotic Catalysts & How to Get Them
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, barely improving a weapon, while others can be game-changing, taking an exotic to an entirely new level.
But as with most things in Destiny 2, it’s hard to keep of all the exotics and catalysts in the game: Which exotics have a catalyst? How can you get them? Are they even worth it?
What is a Catalyst? Catalysts allow you to “upgrade” Exotic weapons by granting them either more stat points, a new perk, or both. Note that not every Exotic weapon has a Catalyst and every Catalyst needs to be first found and then unlocked. More about that below.
Our Exotic Tier list covers every exotic weapon in the game. It explains how to get them, what they do, and more. That’s a good place to start. This guide focuses on the catalysts themselves and tells you How to get them, how to unlocked them, and what effect they grant.
In the table below, we cover and rank every exotic catalyst in the game.
Destiny 2 Exotic Catalyst list 2020
These are the different Tier levels used for the table below:
- 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 weapons themselves. For example, the best catalysts as S Tier because they bring significant improvements to already great weapons:
Removed from the game: Catalysts highlighted as “Not Available” anymore were removed from the game and won’t be available anymore until Bungie implements new ways to acquire them (and that could take months).
Weapon | Catalyst Tier | Still Available? | Drops from / Difficulty | How to unlock | Catalyst effect | Type | Slot | Drops from | Still Available? | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Trinity Ghoul | Combat Bow | Best ❘ S | ![]() | Completions or kills in Gambit, Crucible, Strikes, or Nightfalls ❘ Easy | ► Get 400 kills | Trinity Ghoul Catalyst: ► Adds Forked Lightning perk: Reduces draw time by -108 and Lightning Rod now triggers from any arc damage final blow. | Combat Bow | Energy | Any activity | Yes |
![]() | Izanagi's Burden | Sniper Rifle | Best ❘ S | ![]() | Complete Heroic Menagerie with a Masterworked Chalice of Opulence ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills | Izanagi's Burden Catalyst: ► Adds Peerless Edge perk: Increases the damage bonus of Honed Edge when all 4 bullets are consumed. | Sniper Rifle | Kinetic | Quest | No |
![]() | Legend of Acrius | Shotgun | Best ❘ S | ![]() | Complete encounters and open Underbelly chests in Prestige Leviathan ❘ Hard | ► Get 500 kills | Legend of Acrius Catalyst: ► Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +2 and expands the ammo reserves. ► Increases reload speed by +36. | Shotgun | Heavy | Raid | No |
![]() | Riskrunner | Submachine Gun | Best ❘ S | ![]() | Complete Pain and Gain quest ❘ Easy | ► Get 500 kills ► Get 50 Arc Conductor kills | Riskrunner Catalyst: ► Increases range by +27. | Submachine Gun | Energy | Exotic Quest | Yes |
![]() | The Huckleberry | Submachine Gun | Best ❘ S | ![]() | Kills or completions on Heroic adventures ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills | he Huckleberry Catalyst: ► Adds Bull Rider perk: Kills with this weapon now reload the entire magazine. | Submachine Gun | Kinetic | Heroic Adventures | No |
![]() | Eriana's Vow | Hand Cannon | Best ❘ S | ![]() | Complete quest from Banshee-44 ❘ Average | ► Get 700 kills | Eriana's Vow Catalyst: ► Adds More to Give perk: Increases magazine size by +3 and adds the perk Auto-Loading Holster. | Hand Cannon | Energy | Quest | Yes |
![]() | Witherhoard | Grenade Launcher | Best ❘ S | ![]() | Complete quest from Banshee-44 ❘ Average | ► Get 400 kills | Witherhoard Catalyst: ► Adds Silent Alarm perk: Maximizes handling, holstering this weapon automatically reloads it after a short period of time. | Grenade Launcher | Kinetic | Quest | Yes |
![]() | Sunshot | Hand Cannon | Best ❘ S | ![]() | Kills, completions or wins on Strikes, Nightfalls or the Crucible ❘ Average | ► Get 500 Sturm kills ► Get 1000 Sun Blast kills | Sunshot Catalyst: ► Increases stability by +18 and range by +27. | Hand Cannon | Energy | Strikes, Nightfalls or Crucible | Yes |
![]() | Ace of Spades | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Kills or completions in Strikes or Nightfalls ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills | Ace of Spades Catalyst: ► Adds Funeral Pyre perk: Firefly does more damage while Memento Mori is active. | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | Strikes or Nightfalls | Yes |
![]() | No Time To Explain | Pulse Rifle | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Complete quest from the Exo Stranger at the end of the Beyond Light campaign ❘ Average | ► Get 700 kills | No Time to Explain Catalyst: ► Adds Blast from the Side perk: Projectiles from the time portal shoots more frequently. | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | Exotic Quest | Yes |
![]() | Duality | Shotgun | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Complete quest from Banshee-44 ❘ Average | ► Get 400 kills | Duality Catalyst: ► Increases weapon range by +20 and expands the magazine size by +2. | Shotgun | Energy | Season Pass | Yes |
![]() | Bad Juju | Pulse Rifle | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | 45 Tributes placed in the Tribute Hall ❘ Average | ► Get 700 kills | Bad Juju Catalyst: ► Adds Unending Curse perk: Extends the duration of the perk String of Curses. | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | Tribute Hall | No |
![]() | Crimson | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Kill enemies in PVE ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills | Crimson Catalyst: ► Increases range by +18. | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | PVE | Yes |
![]() | Hard Light | Auto Rifle | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Kills or completions in Strikes or Nightfalls ❘ Average | ► Get 1000 kills | Hard Light Catalyst: ► Increases stability by +18. | Auto Rifle | Energy | Strikes or Nightfalls | Yes |
![]() | Lumina | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Completions or kills in Gambit, Crucible, Strikes, or Nightfalls ❘ Easy | ► Get 250 Noble Round heals | Lumina Catalyst: ► Adds Resonant Vitrue perk: Gain two Remnants per final blow instead of one. | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | Any activity | Yes |
![]() | Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Complete Zero Hour on Heroic difficulty ❘ Hard | ► Collect 500 SIVA Nanites from Zero Hour on Heroic ► Get 500 precision kills | Outbreak Perfected Catalyst: ► Adds Disease Vector perk:Deal additional nanite damage. | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | Quest | No |
![]() | Rat King | Sidearm | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Kills or completions in Strikes or Nightfalls ❘ Average | ► Get 1000 kills while everyone in your fireteam is also using Rat King | Rat King Catalyst: ► Adds Infestation perk: Increases aim assist and recoil direction. Refreshes health when Vermin activates. | Sidearm | Kinetic | Exotic Quest | Yes |
![]() | Ruinous Effigy | Exotic Trace Rifle | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Any PVE kill ❘ Easy | ► Destroy all Savathun's Eyes or ► Get 5000 kills | Ruinous Effigy Catalyst: ► Adds Deconstruction perk: Deals increased damage against targets damaged by Transmutation spheres. | Trace Rifle | Energy | PVE | No |
![]() | Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Complete encounters in Prestige Leviathan ❘ Hard | ► Get 1000 Sniper Rifle kills, 1000 Shotgun kills, and 2000 Submachine Gun kills with IKELOS weapons ► Loot the Oracle Chest in The Whisper mission ► Get 500 kills | Sleeper Simulant Catalyst: ► Lowers charge rate by -250 and expands ammo reserves. | Linear Fusion Rifle | Heavy | Raid | No |
![]() | SUROS Regime | Auto Rifle | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Kills or wins in the Crucible ❘ Average | ► Get 300 PVP kills | SUROS Regime Catalyst: ► Adds SUROS Ascendance perk: Improves recoil direction and increases the chance to activate "SUROS Legacy". | Auto Rifle | Kinetic | Crucible | No |
![]() | The Fourth Horseman | Shotgun | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Complete Season of the Worthy activities ❘ Average | ► Get 400 kills | The Fourth Horseman Catalyst: ► Adds And its name was Death perk: Adds an additional round to the magazine and increases reload speed by +40. | Shotgun | Energy | Raid | No |
![]() | The Jade Rabbit | Scout Rifle | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Kills or wins in the Crucible ❘ Average | ► Get 250 PVP kills | The Jade Rabbit Catalyst: ► Increases stability by +27. | Scout Rifle | Kinetic | Crucible | Yes |
![]() | The Prospector | Grenade Launcher | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Kills or completions in Strikes or Nightfalls ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills | The Prospector Catalyst: ► Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +1 and expands ammo reserves. ► Increases blast radius by +20. | Grenade Launcher | Heavy | Strikes or Nightfalls | Yes |
![]() | The Wardcliff Coil | Rocket Launcher | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Kills or completions in Strikes or Nightfalls ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills | The Wardcliff Coil Catalyst: ► Adds Pinpoint Guidance Module perk: Tightens rockets spread. | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | Strikes or Nightfalls | Yes |
![]() | Whisper of the Worm | Sniper Rifle | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | Complete The Whisper on Heroic difficulty ❘ Hard | ► Farm 100 Blighted Essence from The Whisper on Heroic difficulty | Whisper of the Worm Catalyst: ► Adds Whispered Breathing perk: Aiming down the scope for 3 seconds increases range and precision damage while the weapon scope remains zoomed. | Sniper Rifle | Heavy | Quest | No |
![]() | Prometheus Lens | Trace Rifle | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Kills or completions in Strikes or Nightfalls ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills | Prometheus Lens Catalyst: ► Increases stability by +18 and handling by +18. | Trace Rifle | Energy | Strikes or Nightfalls | Yes |
![]() | Black Talon | Sword | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Kill enemies in PVE ❘ Easy | ► Get 500 kills | Black Talon Catalyst: ► Adds Reversal perk: Shots blocked immediately after guarding increase the damage of Crow’s Wings for a very short duration. | Sword | Heavy | PVE | Yes |
![]() | Cerberus+1 | Auto Rifle | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Kill enemies in PVE ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills | Cerberus+1 Catalyst: ► Adds Focused Fire perk: Hold reload to swap to a tighter, close-ranged spread. | Auto Rifle | Kinetic | PVE | Yes |
![]() | Coldheart | Trace Rifle | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Kills or completions in Strikes or Nightfalls ❘ Average | ► Get 300 kills | Coldheart Catalyst: ►Increases stability by +18 and reload speed by +18. | Trace Rifle | Energy | Strikes or Nightfalls | Yes |
![]() | D.A.R.C.I. | Sniper Rifle | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Kill enemies in PVE ❘ Average | ► Get 300 kills | D.A.R.C.I. Catalyst: ► Increases stability by +18. | Sniper Rifle | Heavy | PVE | Yes |
![]() | Fighting Lion | Grenade Launcher | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Kill enemies in PVE ❘ Average | ► Get 1000 kills ► Complete 167 bounties | Fighting Lion Catalyst: ► 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. | Grenade Launcher | Energy | PVE | Yes |
![]() | Graviton Lance | Pulse Rifle | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Kills, completions or wins on Strikes, Nightfalls or the Crucible ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills ► Get 1000 Cosmology kills | Graviton Lance Catalyst: ► Adds Hidden Hand perk: Increases the aim assist and targeting acquisition stats. ► Increases range by +18. | Pulse Rifle | Energy | Strikes, Nightfalls or Crucible | Yes |
![]() | Merciless | Fusion Rifle | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Kills or completions in Strikes or Nightfalls ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills | MercilessCatalyst: ► Increases stability by +36 and range by +36. | Fusion Rifle | Energy | Strikes or Nightfalls | Yes |
![]() | Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Complete the 5th and final Nascent Dawn quest ❘ Average | ► Get 500 Kills ► Get 50 Perfect Fifth kills | Polaris Lance Catalyst: ► Adds Dragonfly perk: Precision kills create an explosion around defeated enemy. | Scout Rifle | Energy | Quest | No |
![]() | Symmetry | Scout Rifle | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Complete quest from Banshee-44 ❘ Average | ► Get 700 kills | Symmetry Catalyst: ► Adds Electric Styx perk: Increases the max stack size of Dynamic Charge from x15 to x20. | Scout Rifle | Energy | Quest | Yes |
![]() | Tommy's Matchbook | Auto Rifle | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Complete quest from Banshee-44 ❘ Average | ► Get 700 kills | Tommy's Matchbook Catalyst: ► Adds Heat of the Moment perk: While Ignition Trigger is active, your health recovers much faster. | Auto Rifle | Energy | Quest | Yes |
![]() | Tractor Cannon | Shotgun | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Kill enemies in PVE ❘ Average | ► Get 300 kills | Tractor Cannon Catalyst: ► Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +3 and expands ammo reserves. | Shotgun | Heavy | PVE | Yes |
![]() | Vigilance Wing | Pulse Rifle | Average ❘ B | ![]() | Kills or wins in the Crucible ❘ Average | ► Get 250 PVP kills ► 5 Blood for Blood medals | Vigilance Wing Catalyst: ► Adds Full Auto Trigger System perk: Makes the weapon fire fully automatic when holding down the fire button. | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | Crucible | Yes |
![]() | Telesto | Fusion Rifle | Weak ❘ C | ![]() | Complete encounters in Prestige Eater of Worlds ❘ Hard | ► Acquire the Gift of the Lighthouse, then interact with the forge on Mercury | Telesto Catalyst: ► Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +3 and expands ammo reserves. | Fusion Rifle | Energy | Raid | No |
![]() | Lord of Wolves | Shotgun | Weak ❘ C | ![]() | Completions or kills in Gambit, Crucible, Strikes, or Nightfalls ❘ Easy | ► Get 500 kills | Lord of Wolves Catalyst: ► Adds Fang and Claw perk: Increases reload speed while Release the Wolves is active and increases stability when it's not. | Shotgun | Energy | Any activity | Yes |
![]() | The Colony | Grenade Launcher | Weak ❘ C | ![]() | Kills or wins in the Crucible ❘ Average | ► Get 500 kills | The Colony Catalyst: ► Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +1 and expands ammo reserves. | Grenade Launcher | Heavy | Crucible | Yes |
![]() | Skyburner's Oath | Scout Rifle | Weak ❘ C | ![]() | Complete encounters in the Leviathan raid ❘ Hard | ► Get 1000 Cabal kills | Skyburner's Oath Catalyst: ► Increases range by +27. | Scout Rifle | Energy | Raid | No |
![]() | Sturm | Hand Cannon | Weak ❘ C | ![]() | Kill enemies in PVE on Nessus ❘ Average | ► Get 500 Sturm kills ► Get 500 Drang kills | Sturm Catalyst: ► Increases handling by +40 and range by +18. | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | PVE | Yes |
![]() | Sweet Business | Auto Rifle | Weak ❘ C | ![]() | Kills, completions or wins on Strikes, Nightfalls or the Crucible ❘ Average | ► Get 250 Multikills | Sweet Business Catalyst: ► Adds Serious Business perk: Reduces incoming flinch when firing Sweet Business at full speed. | Auto Rifle | Kinetic | Strikes, Nightfalls or Crucible | Yes |
![]() | Borealis | Sniper Rifle | Worst ❘ D | ![]() | Kill enemies in PVE ❘ Average | ► Get 150 Solar Mode kills, 150 Void Mode kills, 150 Arc Mode kills | Borealis Catalyst: ► Increases reload speed by +18. | Sniper Rifle | Energy | PVE | Yes |
![]() | MIDA Multi-Tool | Scout Rifle | Worst ❘ D | ![]() | Kills or wins in Competitive Crucible matches at Legend Glory rank ❘ Hard | ► Get 250 precision kills in PVP | MIDA Multi-Tool Catalyst: ► Adds Outlaw perk: Increase weapon reload speed after a precision kill. | Scout Rifle | Kinetic | Crucible | Yes |
![]() | Worldline Zero | Sword | Worst ❘ D | ![]() | Kill enemies in PVE with a sword equipped ❘ Easy | ► Hit all 5 of the weekly bosses in Mars Protocol with Worldline Zero while they’re unshielded | Worldline Zero Catalyst: ► Adds Another Dimension perk: Reduces the activation time for the perk Tesseract. | Sword | Heavy | PVE | No |
![]() | Anarchy | Grenade Launcher | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Grenade Launcher | Heavy | - | No |
![]() | Arbalest | Linear Fusion Rifle | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Linear Fusion Rifle | Kinetic | - | No |
![]() | Bastion | Fusion Rifle | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Fusion Rifle | Kinetic | - | No |
![]() | Deathbringer | Rocket Launcher | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | - | No |
![]() | Devil's Ruin | Sidearm | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Sidearm | Energy | - | No |
![]() | Divinity | Trace Rifle | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Trace Rifle | Energy | - | No |
![]() | Heir Apparent | Machine Gun | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Machine Gun | Heavy | - | No |
![]() | Jötunn | Fusion Rifle | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Fusion Rifle | Energy | - | No |
![]() | Le Monarque | Combat Bow | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Combat Bow | Energy | - | No |
![]() | Leviathan's Breath | Combat Bow | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Combat Bow | Heavy | - | No |
![]() | Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | - | No |
![]() | Monte Carlo | Auto Rifle | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Auto Rifle | Kinetic | - | No |
![]() | One Thousand Voices | Fusion Rifle | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Fusion Rifle | Heavy | - | No |
![]() | Tarrabah | Submachine Gun | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Submachine Gun | Energy | - | No |
![]() | The Chaperone | Shotgun | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Shotgun | Kinetic | - | No |
![]() | The Last Word | Hand Cannon | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | - | No |
![]() | The Queenbreaker | Linear Fusion Rifle | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Linear Fusion Rifle | Heavy | - | No |
![]() | Thorn | Hand Cannon | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | - | No |
![]() | Thunderlord | Machine Gun | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Machine Gun | Heavy | - | No |
![]() | Traveler's Chosen | Sidearm | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Sidearm | Kinetic | - | No |
![]() | Truth | Rocket Launcher | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | - | No |
![]() | Two-Tailed Fox | Rocket Launcher | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | - | No |
![]() | Wavesplitter | Trace Rifle | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Trace Rifle | Energy | - | No |
![]() | Wish-Ender | Combat Bow | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Combat Bow | Kinetic | - | No |
![]() | Xenophage | Machine Gun | - | No Catalyst | - | - | - | Machine Gun | Heavy | - | No |
Going deeper:
About the Destiny Content Vault (DCV)
The DCV was a big deal. In Bungie’s words:
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.
Close to 50% of the game was “vaulted’ and put into the DCV on November 10, 2020, with the release of Beyond Light. This means that roughly half of the locations, activities, and gear were removed from the game and cannot be experienced anymore.
A comprehensive list including everything that is going away would be too long to cover here, but when it comes to Exotic quests, and catalysts, this is everything you need to know:
Exotic catalysts effective removed from the game
As explained by Bungie, the catalysts for the following weapons became unavailable on November 10, 2020, with the launch of the Beyond Light Expansion:
- Bad Juju
- The Huckleberry
- Izanagi’s Burden
- Legend of Acrius
- Polaris Lance
- Skyburner’s Oath
- Sleeper Simulant*
- Telesto*
- Outbreak Perfected*
- Whisper of the Worm*
- Worldline Zero*
Bungie does clarify the following:
If you have these catalysts already equipped and their objectives completed, you can continue using them at your leisure. If you already have any catalysts with an asterisk, make sure you finish completing the necessary objective to apply it as the objective will no longer be available at the end of Season of Arrivals.
As you can see, a lot of exotics and catalysts are leaving. If you crave any of these, you better get started before it’s too late. In fact, if you have limited playtime and can only chase 1 or 2 of these, I recommend:
- Whisper of the Worm if you’re in need of an excellent PVE weapon
- Telesto if you’re looking for a great PVP option
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, by themselves, catalysts are not overly complicated, it’s just 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 know what catalysts you want and how you can go about finding them.
Beyond Light did add a couple of new catalysts to chase. But in parallel, it removed a lot of them. Hopefully, they will find a meaningful way to re-introduce them into the game soon, just as they did with Exotic weapons and the Monument to Lost Lights.
So 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!