Destiny 2 Exotic Quests: The complete list (2022 Edition)

[toc] 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 Season of the Haunted’s release (S17). 

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):

Weapon	Type	Element	Rank	Quest Available	Requirements	Weapon ❘ Type	Quest	Available?	Requires	Exotic Perk | Quest Guide
Parasite	Grenade Launcher	Solar	A › Strong	Yes	The Witch Queen	Parasite | Grenade Launcher	Of Queens and Worms		The Witch Queen	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires Hive worms which explode on impact. The size and damage of the explosion scales 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	Void	S › Best	Yes	Deluxe Edition	Dead Messenger | Grenade Launcher	Kill the Messenger		Deluxe Edition	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "One-shot handheld Grenade Launcher. Projectiles release a fan of three energy waves on contact with the ground. You can change damage type, cycling between Solar, Arc, and Void." ► Video guide from Ebontis
Edge of Action	Glaive	Void	B › Average	Yes	The Witch Queen	Edge of Action | Glaive	Report: REVERSE-LURE		The Witch Queen	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Solar	B › Average	Yes	The Witch Queen	Edge of Intent | Glaive	Report: REVERSE-LURE		The Witch Queen	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Arc	B › Average	Yes	The Witch Queen	Edge of Concurrence | Glaive	Report: REVERSE-LURE		The Witch Queen	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Solar	S › Best	Yes	30th Anniversary	Gjallarhorn | Rocket Launcher	And Out Fly the Wolves		30th Anniversary	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Rounds fired split into tracking cluster missiles upon detonation. Gain increased handling and reload speed when standing near allies. Firing this weapon also grants Wolfpack Rounds to nearby allies wielding non-Exotic Rocket Launchers." ► Video guide from Above
Forerunner	Sidearm	Kinetic	A › Strong	Yes	Free-to-Play	Forerunner | Sidearm	Magnum Opus		Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires full auto with increased rate of fire. Deals increased precision damage to unshielded targets. Tapping the trigger gives it less recoil and improves accuracy." ► Full guide
The Lament	Sword	Solar	S › Best	Yes	Beyond Light	The Lament | Sword	Lost Lament		Beyond Light	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Stasis	D › Worst	Yes	Beyond Light	Salvation's Grip | Grenade Launcher	The Stasis Prototype		Beyond Light	Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Arc	B › Average	Yes	Free-to-Play	Heir Apparent | Machine Gun	Top of Class		Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Arc	A › Strong	Yes	Shadowkeep	Divinity | Trace Rifle	Divine Fragmentation		Shadowkeep	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Sustained damage with this weapon envelops the target in a field that weakens and disrupts them." ► Video guide from Datto
Xenophage	Machine Gun	Solar	A › Strong	Yes	Shadowkeep	Xenophage | Machine Gun	The Journey		Shadowkeep	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires high-powered explosive ammunition. Aiming this weapon increases its effective range and zoom magnification." ► Video guide from Datto
Deathbringer	Rocket Launcher	Void	A › Strong	Yes	Shadowkeep	Deathbringer | Rocket Launcher	Symphony of Death		Shadowkeep	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Wish-Ender		Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	B › Average	Yes	Free-to-Play	Malfeasance | Hand Cannon	Darkness in the Light		Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	Tex Mechanica Tournament		Beyond Light	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a single-slug precision round. Precision kills briefly grant bonus handling, range, and precision damage with this weapon." ► Video guide from CoolGuy
Riskrunner	Submachine Gun	Arc	A › Strong	Yes	Free-to-Play	Riskrunner | Submachine Gun	A Spark of Hope		Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	The Queen Beckons		Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Larger magazine. Increased accuracy when firing from the hip. Picking up ammo for this weapon immediately reloads it." ► Video guide from Reckless Guardian
Dead Man's Tale	Scout Rifle	Kinetic	S › Best	Vaulted	Beyond Light	Dead Man's Tale | Scout Rifle	The Voice on the Other Side		Beyond Light	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Chaining precision hits grants bonus damage and quickens reload speed. Future drops of this weapon will have random rolls. PvE God Roll: Vorpal Weapon (also good: Killing Wind) ► Weapon can only be obtained via Xûr
Hawkmoon	Hand Cannon	Kinetic	A › Strong	Vaulted	Beyond Light	Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon	Let Loose Thy Talons		Beyond Light	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Final blows and precision hits with Hawkmoon grant stacks of Paracausal Charge. The final round in the magazine deals bonus damage based on the number of stacks. Stowing Hawkmoon on the final round removes this bonus." ► Weapon can only be obtained via Xûr
Ager's Scepter	Trace Rifle	Stasis	S › Best	Vaulted	Beyond Light	Ager's Scepter | Trace Rifle	A Hollow Coronation		Beyond Light	Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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.
Ruinous Effigy	Trace Rifle	Void	B › Average	Vaulted	Shadowkeep	Ruinous Effigy | Exotic Trace Rifle	Growth		Shadowkeep	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	B › Average	Vaulted	Shadowkeep	Traveler's Chosen | Sidearm	Exodus: Evacuation		Shadowkeep	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	Solar	B › Average	Vaulted	Shadowkeep	The Fourth Horseman | Shotgun	In Rides a Pale Horse		Shadowkeep	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	D › Worst	Vaulted	Shadowkeep	Bastion | Fusion Rifle	Memento		Shadowkeep	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Solar	A › Strong	Vaulted	Shadowkeep	Devil's Ruin | Sidearm	A Moment In Time		Shadowkeep	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Void	B › Average	Vaulted	Shadowkeep	Leviathan's Breath | Combat Bow	Make Bows, Not War		Shadowkeep	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Void	B › Average	Vaulted	Forsaken Pack	Truth | Rocket Launcher	Truth Behind the Stories		Forsaken Pack	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	The Other Side		Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	A › Strong	Vaulted	Forsaken Pack	Lumina | Hand Cannon	A Weapon of Hope		Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	Zero Hour		Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	The Essence		Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	Solar	A › Strong	Vaulted	Forsaken Pack	Jötunn | Fusion Rifle	A Giant's Might		Forsaken Pack	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Void	A › Strong	Vaulted	Forsaken Pack	Le Monarque | Combat Bow	A Butterfly's Grace		Forsaken Pack	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	The Cleansing		Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	A Mysterious Box		Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Cayde's Will		Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Precision kills increase reload speed and cause the target to explode. Reloading after a kill increases damage. Grants radar while aiming down sights." ► Weapon now obtainable via the Exotics kiosk in the Tower.
Polaris Lance	Scout Rifle	Solar	C › Weak	Vaulted	Free-to-Play	Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle	Nascent Dawn		Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Solar	A › Strong	Vaulted	Free-to-Play	Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle	Nodes and Protocols		Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Solar	A › Strong	Vaulted	Free-to-Play	Whisper of the Worm | Sniper Rifle	The Whisper		Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	Arc	D › Worst	Vaulted	Free-to-Play	Worldline Zero | Sword	Latent Data Memories		Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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	B › Average	Vaulted	Free-to-Play	MIDA Multi-Tool | Scout Rifle	Sight, Shoot, Repeat.		Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	C › Weak	Vaulted	Free-to-Play	Sturm | Hand Cannon	Relics of the Golden Age		Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	B › Average	Vaulted	Free-to-Play	Rat King | Sidearm	Rat King's Crew		Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic 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	Arc	B › Average	Vaulted	Free-to-Play	Legend of Acrius | Shotgun	Imperial Invitation		Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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.

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.