Chasing the best exotics is among the most fun and rewarding experiences in Destiny 2.
But unless you’re a Destiny veteran, it’s hard to keep track of the many Exotics in the game. Our Exotic Tier list covers every Exotic weapon. It tells you how to get them, how they work, and ranks them from best to worst. But what if you’re interested in an Exotic that is locked behind an Exotic quest?
In this guide, we cover every Exotic quest still available in Destiny 2, including the weapons that were previously part of an Exotic quest but are now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk.
All Destiny 2 Exotic Quests as of Season of the Lost
List updated as of The Witch Queen’s release (S16). 
These are all the Exotic quests currently available as of the release of The Witch Queen and Season 16 (note that many quests have been removed and put into the DCV):
| Name | Type | Slot | Rank | Quest Available | Requirements | Weapon ❘ Type | Quest availability | Requires | Exotic Perk | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parasite | Grenade Launcher | Heavy | A › Strong | Yes | The Witch Queen |  Parasite | Grenade Launcher | |  The Witch Queen | Slot:  Heavy | Ammo:  HeavyExotic Perk: "Fires Hive worms which explode on impact. The size and damage of the explosion scale with the number of enemies you've defeated just before firing this weapon. Taking damage from your own worm projectile detonation empowers your weapons for a short time." ► Video guide from JArv |
| Dead Messenger | Grenade Launcher | Energy | Ongoing | Yes | The Witch Queen |  Dead Messenger | Grenade Launcher | | The Witch Queen | Slot:  Energy | Ammo:  SpecialExotic 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." ► Video guide from Ebontis |
| Edge of Action | Glaive | Energy | Ongoing | Yes | The Witch Queen |  Edge of Action | Glaive | | The Witch Queen | Slot: Energy | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "When weapon energy is full, consume it before firing to make your next shot deploy a protective shield on impact." ► Video guide from Profane |
| Edge of Intent | Glaive | Energy | Ongoing | Yes | The Witch Queen |  Edge of Intent | Glaive | | The Witch Queen | Slot: Energy | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "When weapon energy is full, consume it before firing to make your next shot deploy a healing turret on impact." ► Video guide from Profane |
| Edge of Concurrence | Glaive | Energy | Ongoing | Yes | The Witch Queen |  Edge of Concurrence | Glaive | | The Witch Queen | Slot:  Energy | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "When weapon energy is full, consume it before firing to make your next shot track targets across the ground and unleash chain lightning on impact." ► Video guide from Profane |
| Gjallarhorn | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | S › Best | Yes | 30th Anniversary |  Gjallarhorn | Rocket Launcher | |  30th Anniversary | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic 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." ► Video guide from Above |
| Forerunner | Sidearm | Kinetic | A › Strong | Yes | 30th Anniversary |  Forerunner | Sidearm | | 30th Anniversary | Slot:  Kinetic | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "Oversized Sidearm with extended-range, heavy-caliber rounds. 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." ► Video guide from Ebontis |
| The Lament | Sword | Heavy | A › Strong | Yes | Beyond Light |  The Lament | Sword | |  Beyond Light | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "Revving the blade increases damage, shield bypass, and adds  shield piercing to all attacks. You also gain stacks when dealing damage with revved attacks. Additional stacks increase the damage and damage resistance of heavy attacks."► Video guide from Datto |
| Salvation's Grip | Grenade Launcher | Heavy | C › Weak | Yes | Beyond Light |  Salvation's Grip | Grenade Launcher | | Beyond Light | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "This weapon's projectiles create Stasis crystals and freeze nearby targets. Charging this weapon increases the freeze radius and amount of Stasis crystals created." ► Video guide from Datto |
| Heir Apparent | Machine Gun | Heavy | S › Best | Yes | Free-to-Play |  Heir Apparent | Machine Gun | |  Free-to-Play | Slot:  Kinetic | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "This weapon can be fired only when fully spun up. While at full health, spinning up this weapon protects you with an Arc Shield." ► Video guide from Fallout Plays |
| Divinity | Trace Rifle | Energy | S › Best | Yes | Shadowkeep |  Divinity | Trace Rifle | |  Shadowkeep | Slot: Energy | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "Sustained damage with this weapon envelops the target in a field that weakens and  disrupts them."► Video guide from Datto |
| Xenophage | Machine Gun | Heavy | C › Weak | Yes | Shadowkeep |  Xenophage | Machine Gun | | Shadowkeep | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "Fires high-powered explosive ammunition. Aiming this weapon increases its effective range and zoom magnification." ► Video guide from Datto |
| Deathbringer | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | A › Strong | Yes | Shadowkeep |  Deathbringer | Rocket Launcher | | Shadowkeep | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "Fires remotely detonated projectiles that drop Void orbs on combatants. Hold to fire, release to detonate. The further a Void orb falls, the more powerful its detonation becomes." ► Video guide from xHOUNDISHx |
| Wish-Ender | Combat Bow | Kinetic | B › Average | Yes | Forsaken Pack |  Wish-Ender | Combat Bow | |  Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "While aiming down sights with a fully-drawn bow, enemies behind walls are highlighted. Piercing arrowheads damage the target on entry and exit. One-shot can over-penetrate multiple targets." ► Video guide from Datto |
| Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | A › Strong | Yes | Forsaken Pack |  Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | | Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "Shoot tainted slugs that burrow into the enemy. Stacking enough slugs causes them all to explode. Bonus damage against Taken enemies and Gambit invaders." ► Full guide. |
| The Chaperone | Shotgun | Kinetic | S › Best | Yes | Beyond Light |  The Chaperone | Shotgun | | Beyond Light | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "Fires a single-slug precision round. Precision kills briefly grant bonus handling, range, and precision damage with this weapon." ► Video guide from CoolGuy |
| Riskrunner | Submachine Gun | Energy | A › Strong | Yes | Free-to-Play |  Riskrunner | Submachine Gun | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Energy | Ammo: PrimaryExotic Perk: "When taking Arc Damage, this weapon becomes more powerful and resists incoming Arc Damage. Shots fired can become chain lightning and return ammo. Kills extend the duration of the effect." ► Video guide from nKuch |
| Sweet Business | Auto Rifle | Kinetic | C › Weak | Yes | Free-to-Play |  Sweet Business | Auto Rifle | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: PrimaryExotic Perk: "Larger magazine. Increased accuracy when firing from the hip. Picking up ammo for this weapon immediately reloads it." ► Video guide from Reckless Guardian |
| Ager's Scepter | Trace Rifle | Kinetic | S › Best | Vaulted | Beyond Light |  Ager's Scepter | Trace Rifle |  | Beyond Light | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "Final blows with this weapon generate a slowing burst around the defeated target. Stasis final blows transfer ammo to this weapon's magazine from reserves." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Dead Man's Tale | Scout Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  Dead Man's Tale | Scout Rifle | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: PrimaryExotic Perk: "Chaining precision hits grants bonus damage and quickens reload speed. Future drops of this weapon will have random rolls. ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary 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." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Ruinous Effigy | Trace Rifle | Energy | B › Average | Vaulted | Shadowkeep |  Ruinous Effigy | Exotic Trace Rifle | | Shadowkeep | Slot: Energy | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "Final blows with this weapon collapse victims into Void Transmutation spheres. Transmutation spheres you create can be picked up and wielded as weapons by you or your allies." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Traveler's Chosen | Sidearm | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Shadowkeep |  Traveler's Chosen | Sidearm | | Shadowkeep | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "Final blows grant stacks of Gathering Light. Consuming stacks, grant melee, grenade, and class ability energy based on the number of stacks. Each stack of Gathering Light improves this weapon's reload, handling, and target acquisition." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| The Fourth Horseman | Shotgun | Energy | B › Average | Vaulted | Shadowkeep |  The Fourth Horseman | Shotgun | | Shadowkeep | Slot: Energy | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "This weapon's rate of fire is increased significantly and fires full auto. Each successive shot has more damage and more spread." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Bastion | Fusion Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Shadowkeep |  Bastion | Fusion Rifle | | Shadowkeep | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "Charge to fire 3 spreads of Kinetic slugs. This weapon fires  staggering projectiles. Strong against Unstoppable Champions."► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Devil's Ruin | Sidearm | Energy | B › Average | Vaulted | Shadowkeep |  Devil's Ruin | Sidearm | | Shadowkeep | Slot: Energy | Ammo: PrimaryExotic Perk: "Variable trigger. Press and release to fire individual shots. Hold to charge up a high-powered, staggering laser."► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Leviathan's Breath | Combat Bow | Heavy | B › Average | Vaulted | Shadowkeep |  Leviathan's Breath | Combat Bow | | Shadowkeep | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "Fires a massive heavy bolt that staggers unshielded combatants. When fully drawn, the bolt knocks combatants back."► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Truth | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | B › Average | Vaulted | Forsaken Pack |  Truth | Rocket Launcher | | Forsaken Pack | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "This weapon's rockets have tracking and detonate when they are within close proximity of their targets." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Bad Juju | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Forsaken Pack |  Bad Juju | Pulse Rifle | | Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "Kills refill the magazine, increase damage for a short duration, and grant Super energy based on the number of kills. Fires full-auto." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Lumina | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | B › Average | Vaulted | Forsaken Pack |  Lumina | Hand Cannon | | Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "Kills with this weapon leave behind Remnants which convert your next hip fired shot into an ally-seeking Noble Round that heals them and grants both of you a weapon damage bonus for a short duration." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "This weapon creates SIVA nanite swarms on rapid hits and precision kills and does more damage to enemies based on the number of SIVA nanites that attach to them." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Thorn | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Forsaken Pack |  Thorn | Hand Cannon | | Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "Rounds pierce targets and deal damage over time. Kills leave behind Remnants which, when absorbed, increase damage." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Jötunn | Fusion Rifle | Energy | A › Strong | Vaulted | Forsaken Pack |  Jötunn | Fusion Rifle | | Forsaken Pack | Slot: Energy | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "Hold down the trigger to charge up a tracking shot that explodes and burns on impact. Energy matched shield explosion disorients enemies." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Le Monarque | Combat Bow | Energy | A › Strong | Vaulted | Forsaken Pack |  Le Monarque | Combat Bow | | Forsaken Pack | Slot: Energy | Ammo: PrimaryExotic Perk: "Arrows fired quickly after a full draw become poison arrows. Precision hits with poison arrows spread poison to nearby enemies." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| The Last Word | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Forsaken Pack |  The Last Word | Hand Cannon | | Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires full auto. Hip-fire shots deal bonus precision damage while increasing reload speed and accuracy." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Izanagi's Burden | Sniper Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Forsaken Pack |  Izanagi's Burden | Sniper Rifle | | Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "Holding reload consumes the magazine and loads a round with additional range and damage." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Ace of Spades | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | S › Best | Vaulted | Forsaken Pack |  Ace of Spades | Hand Cannon | | Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary 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." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle | Energy | A › Strong | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Energy | Ammo: PrimaryExotic Perk: "Precision hits return ammo to the mag. Landing 4 precision hits loads a delayed Solar explosive round for your next shot." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | Heavy | A › Strong | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "The weapon's laser over penetrates enemies and refracts off hard surfaces." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Whisper of the Worm | Sniper Rifle | Heavy | A › Strong | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  Whisper of the Worm | Sniper Rifle | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "Higher base precision damage. Rapidly landing three precision hits refills the magazine and missing a shot has a chance to return ammo." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Worldline Zero | Sword | Heavy | D › Worst | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  Worldline Zero | Sword | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "Press while sprinting to launch a heavy blink attack. Attacks partially bypass elemental shields." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| MIDA Multi-Tool | Scout Rifle | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  MIDA Multi-Tool | Scout Rifle | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "This weapon boosts move speed. Radar stays active while aiming down sights." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Sturm | Hand Cannon | Kinetic | B › Average | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  Sturm | Hand Cannon | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "Kills fill the magazine of the equipped Energy weapon from reserves. Kills with Drang reload this weapon and provides bonus damage." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Rat King | Sidearm | Kinetic | A › Strong | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  Rat King | Sidearm | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "This fully automatic weapon becomes stronger when nearby allies also have it equipped. Reloading immediately after a kill grants a brief period of invisibility." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
| Legend of Acrius | Shotgun | Heavy | B › Average | Vaulted | Free-to-Play |  Legend of Acrius | Shotgun | | Free-to-Play | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "This weapon fires blasts of high-damage Arc energy that over penetrates enemies. Its radar detects enemies from farther away." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower. |
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.
Going deeper:
The Exotics Kiosk: The Monument to Lost Lights
Way too many Exotic quests were removed from the game and put into the DCV. Plus, some of those quests were truly brilliant.
But what’s done is done and at least Bungie was quick to provide an alternative method to acquire those exotics that suddenly found themselves without an associated quest (or raid for that matter). Bungie’s solution is the Monument to Lost Lights Exotic Archive, also known as the Exotics Kiosk. You can find it at the Tower, next to the Vault:
The new Exotics kiosk in the Tower
The kiosk offers every weapon impacted by the DCV in exchange for several in-game currencies and materials. The prices are somewhat steep, but it would have felt wrong if Bungie simply gave all the Exotics away.
We cover and rank all of the Monument to Lost Lights Exotics, including their cost and difficulty, in this guide.
About the Destiny Content Vault (DCV)
The DCV is 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.
With the release of the Beyond Light expansion, close to 50% of the game went into the DCV. And with the release of The Witch Queen, most of the content released with Forsaken was also removed and put into the DCV.
Exotic quests and the DCV
As explained by Bungie:
As content enters the DCV, there will be some Exotic quests that can obviously no longer be completed in their original forms.
For the sake of clarity, only the quests went into DCV. The weapons themselves are staying. If you already had any of these in your inventory or collections, they should still be there.
The Last Word
Hopefully, this list will help you chase the Exotic weapons you’re still missing and help you stay focused and understand where to find what you’re looking for.
Beyond Light was definitely a huge shift for Destiny 2. It was the beginning of the Destiny Content Vault and took away several gems. While no one misses the Curse of Osiris DLC, The Whisper mission, for example, was an excellently designed quest that also rewarded you with an insane weapon. Those experiences helped Destiny 2 thrive. Hopefully, Bungie will someday bring back some of the best Exotic quests that have been taken away from us…
What is your all-time favorite exotic quest and/or weapon? Let us know in the comments!
Latest changes
Things change fast in Destiny 2. For that reason, this ranking will be updated at least once per season.
Changes introduced this season:
With the release of The Witch Queen expansion and the end of Destiny 2’s “Year 4”, many more Exotic quests were removed from the game and put into the DCV. This list reflects all the quests that were removed and weapons that were added to the Monument to Lost Lights.
I dont see legend of acrius on the list.
I initially counted it as a “raid exotic”, but you’re right. It’s definitely a quest with a final raid step so I just added Legend of Acrius in here.
you marked “The Fourth Horseman” as available. this is incorrect, it is no longer obtainable. if you get to Zavala’s office the doors on the right are closed. this was one of the exotics removed at the end of Season of the Worthy.
This list is no where near complete for EVERY exotic in the game. You are missing the Risk Runner SMG, Leviathans Breath Bow (from Banshee 44 in the tower), as well as many many more
That is not true. Riskrunner is in the “Strong” section.
Malfeasance (to my knowledge) isn’t available at the kiosk, but the quest is still available
In the Monument to the Lost Light section, you should add the weapons with the requirements (Materials) to get them.