But unless you’re a Destiny veteran, it’s hard to keep track of the many exotic weapons available. Our Destiny 2 Exotic Tier list covers all the exotics in the game. It explains how to get them, how they work, and then it ranks them from best to worst. That’s a good place to start, but you’ll soon notice that some of the best are locked behind Exotic quests.
But Exotic quests in Destiny 2 are hard to define. Some are definitely worth it while others not really. And to make matters worst, many exotic quests were removed from the game on November 10, 2020.
‼️ Removed: Quests highlighted as “Removed” were, well, removed, and put into the DCV. The quests may no longer be available but most weapons can be acquired via the new Exotics kiosk.
In the table below, we cover all exotic quests in the game and help you prioritize which weapons to chase (including weapons’ Tier, quests’ difficulty, and availability).
All Destiny 2 Exotic Quests as of Beyond Light
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.
The list starts with S Tier and moves down until it reaches the bottom Tier. Also, you can filter and sort the list however you prefer!
| Name | Type | Rank | Quest Available | Requirements? | Weapons | Tier | Quest availability | Requires | Exotic Perk / Video guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lament | Sword | S › Best | Yes | Beyond Light |  The Lament | Sword | Best ❘ S |  |  | 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 |
| Dead Man's Tale | Scout Rifle | S › Best | Yes | Deluxe Edition |  Dead Man's Tale | Scout Rifle | Best ❘ S | |  | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk: "." ► Chaining precision hits grants bonus damage and quickens reload speed. Future drops of this weapon will have random rolls. ► Video guide from Datto |
| Divinity | Trace Rifle | S › Best | Yes | Shadowkeep |  Divinity | Trace Rifle | Best ❘ S | |  | 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 | S › Best | Yes | Shadowkeep |  Xenophage | Machine Gun | Best ❘ S | | | Slot: Heavy | Ammo: HeavyExotic Perk: "Fires high-powered explosive ammunition. Aiming this weapon increases its effective range and zoom magnification." ► Video guide from Datto |
| Ace of Spades | Hand Cannon | S › Best | Replaced | Forsaken |  Ace of Spades | Hand Cannon | Best ❘ S |  |  | 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. |
| The Chaperone | Shotgun | S › Best | Yes | Beyond Light |  The Chaperone | Shotgun | Best ❘ S | | | 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 |
| Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | A › Strong | Replaced | Free-to-Play |  Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | Strong ❘ A | |  | 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. |
| Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon | A › Strong | Yes | Deluxe Edition |  Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | | | 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." ► Video guide from Datto |
| Sturm | Hand Cannon | A › Strong | Replaced | Free-to-Play |  Sturm | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | | | 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. |
| Cloudstrike | Sniper Rifle | A › Strong | Yes | Beyond Light |  Cloudstrike | Sniper Rifle | Strong ❘ A | | | Slot: Energy | Ammo: SpecialExotic Perk: "Precision final blows generate a lightning bolt at the target's location. Rapid precision hits create a lightning storm at the point of impact." ► Video guide from Datto |
| Riskrunner | Submachine Gun | A › Strong | Yes | Free-to-Play |  Riskrunner | Submachine Gun | Strong ❘ A | | | 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 |
| Traveler's Chosen | Sidearm | A › Strong | Replaced | Shadowkeep |  Traveler's Chosen | Sidearm | Strong ❘ A | | | 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." ► Exotics from recent seasons are currently unobtainable. |
| Jötunn | Fusion Rifle | A › Strong | Replaced | Forsaken |  Jötunn | Fusion Rifle | Strong ❘ A | | | 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. |
| MIDA Multi-Tool | Scout Rifle | A › Strong | Replaced | Free-to-Play |  MIDA Multi-Tool | Scout Rifle | Strong ❘ A | | | 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. |
| Izanagi's Burden | Sniper Rifle | A › Strong | Replaced | Forsaken |  Izanagi's Burden | Sniper Rifle | Strong ❘ A | | | 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. |
| The Last Word | Hand Cannon | A › Strong | Replaced | Forsaken |  The Last Word | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | | | 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. |
| Thorn | Hand Cannon | A › Strong | Replaced | Forsaken |  Thorn | Hand Cannon | Strong ❘ A | | | 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. |
| Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle | A › Strong | Replaced | Free-to-Play |  Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle | Strong ❘ A | | | 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. |
| Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle | A › Strong | Replaced | Forsaken |  Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle | Strong ❘ A |  | | 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. |
| Whisper of the Worm | Sniper Rifle | A › Strong | Replaced | Free-to-Play |  Whisper of the Worm | Sniper Rifle | Strong ❘ A | | | 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. |
| Le Monarque | Combat Bow | A › Strong | Replaced | Forsaken |  Le Monarque | Combat Bow | Strong ❘ A | | | 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. |
| Rat King | Sidearm | A › Strong | Replaced | Free-to-Play |  Rat King | Sidearm | Strong ❘ A | | | 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 | A › Strong | Replaced | Free-to-Play |  Legend of Acrius | Shotgun | Strong ❘ A | | | 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. |
| Deathbringer | Rocket Launcher | A › Strong | Yes | Shadowkeep |  Deathbringer | Rocket Launcher | Strong ❘ A | | | 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 |
| Ruinous Effigy | Trace Rifle | B › Average | Replaced | Shadowkeep |  Ruinous Effigy | Exotic Trace Rifle | Average ❘ B | | | 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. |
| Wish-Ender | Combat Bow | B › Average | Yes | Forsaken |  Wish-Ender | Combat Bow | Average ❘ B | | | 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 | B › Average | Yes | Forsaken |  Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | Average ❘ B | | | 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." ► Video guide from Datto |
| Bad Juju | Pulse Rifle | B › Average | Replaced | Forsaken |  Bad Juju | Pulse Rifle | Average ❘ B | | | 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 | B › Average | Replaced | Forsaken |  Lumina | Hand Cannon | Average ❘ B | | | 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. |
| The Fourth Horseman | Shotgun | B › Average | Replaced | Shadowkeep |  The Fourth Horseman | Shotgun | Average ❘ B | | | 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. |
| Truth | Rocket Launcher | B › Average | Replaced | Forsaken |  Truth | Rocket Launcher | Average ❘ B | | | 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. |
| Salvation's Grip | Grenade Launcher | C › Weak | Yes | Beyond Light |  Salvation's Grip | Grenade Launcher | Weak ❘ C | | | 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 |
| Worldline Zero | Sword | D › Worst | Replaced | Free-to-Play |  Worldline Zero | Sword | Worst ❘ D | | | 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. |
Going deeper:
A new 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. Excellent content that every guardian should have experienced.
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 associated quests (or raids for that matter). Bungie’s solution is the new 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.
If you have very limited resources and can only chase 1 or 2 of the impacted weapons, I recommend:
- Izanagi’s Burden if you’re in need of an excellent PVE weapon (one of the best DPS special weapons in Destiny 2)
- Ace of Spades if you’re interested in one of the best PVP weapons in the game
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.
Close to 50% of the game went into the DCV on November 10, 2020, with the release of Beyond Light.
A comprehensive list including everything that went 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 quests removed and put into 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. Those quests will be retired on November 10 and incomplete progress abandoned.
These are all the quests impacted:
- Sturm
- MIDA Multi-tool
- Rat King
- Legend of Acrius
- Sleeper Simulant
- Polaris Lance
- Worldline Zero
- Ace of Spades
- The Last Word
- Le Monarque
- Jotunn
- Izanagi’s Burden
- Thorn
- Lumina
- Truth
- Bad Juju
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 has been definitely a huge shift for Destiny 2 as it marks the end and removal of a lot of content. To be fair, most of the content that went into the DCV won’t be missed (sorry, Curse of Osiris), but a few gems will.
The Whisper mission, for example, was an excellently designed quest that also rewarded you with an insane weapon. These are the experiences that help Destiny 2 thrive. Hopefully, Bungie will be able to bring both The Whisper and the Outbreak Perfected missions back so that everyone can experience them at least once.
What is your all-time favorite exotic quest and/or weapon? Let us know in the comments!
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.