Destiny 2 Exotic Tier List: All 95 weapons ranked for PVE & PVP

It’s easy to get lost with the many exotics available in Destiny 2, especially when you’re new or have been away for a while. After all, there are so many of them and new ones are added each season.

Which ones are good and worth grinding for? And a question that applies to veteran players too: How good are the latest Exotics?

As most of the best weapons in Destiny 2 are Exotics, this Tier list focuses on the Exotics currently available in the game, including their difficulty to obtain, main perks, and overall ranking.

Exotics in Destiny 2: Exotics are the highest quality items available to players. Rare and hard to acquire, Exotics are extremely powerful weapons that offer game-changing perks and generally amazing aesthetics. Note that only one Exotic weapon can be equipped at once.

Best Destiny 2 Exotic weapons: Ranked from Best to Worst

List updated as of Season of the Haunted’s release (S17). 

These are the 95 Exotic weapons currently available as of the release of Season of the Haunted (S17):

Name	Weapons	Type	Archetype	Ammo	Element	Requirements	Available?	Rank	Source	Obtainable?	Tier rank	Source ❘ DLC	Final Verdict	Released	Perks
Sunshot	Sunshot	Hand Cannon	Exotic	Primary	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Engram		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires explosive rounds. Targets killed with Sunshot explode in Solar energy." ► The only remaining lightweight frame (150 RPM) hand cannon in the game, Sunshot is a one-of-a-kind weapon that destroys ads. While there are non-exotic options that could replace this, there's no question that Sunshot is extremely fun to use and nice to shoot.	Season 1	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires explosive rounds. Targets killed with Sunshot explode in Solar energy."
Tarrabah	Tarrabah	Submachine Gun	Exotic	Primary	Solar	Forsaken Pack	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Kiosk		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon stores power when dealing or receiving damage. Once full, hold reload to unleash the beast." ► Now that Tarrabah's perk is significantly easier to proc, it has become an extremely popular choice in PVE (especially with Solar 3.0 builds). And since it's now tied for the highest SMG zoom stat at 16, this beast of a weapon can excel in PVP too.	Season 4	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon stores power when dealing or receiving damage. Once full, hold reload to unleash the beast."
Witherhoard	Witherhoard	Grenade Launcher	Exotic	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Kiosk		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Kiosk Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Projectiles fired blight the target or nearby area on impact. Blighted targets take damage over time and blight the nearby area on death." ► Witherhoard is the quintessential Grenade Launcher. It can deal good damage, lock down an area, stagger an enemy, deal with ads, and all that while being super easy to use. Witherhoard is also a counter to some 'meta' playstyles in PvP due to its AoE effect, hard countering a Ward of Dawn, or a Lorley Splendor Shield.	Season 11	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Projectiles fired blight the target or nearby area on impact. Blighted targets take damage over time and blight the nearby area on death."
Dead Man's Tale	Dead Man's Tale	Scout Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	S › Best	Xûr		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Xûr 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) ► With excellent stats and the ability to 2-tap guardians once its Exotic perk is active, Dead Man's Tale is extremely lethal at long ranges. Plus, it feels incredible to use in hip-fired mode thanks to its catalyst. By the way, with the ability to roll with random perks, it is one of the few Exotics that can truly excel in PvE and PvP.	Season 13	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)
Ager's Scepter	Ager's Scepter	Trace Rifle	Exotic	Special	Stasis	Beyond Light	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Kiosk		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Ager's Scepter is exactly what you would have expected from a proper Stasis trace rifle. Its ability to freeze and slow at will is remarkable, but on top of that, it has best-in-class stats and a top-tier catalyst. You won't find another weapon able to quickly dispose of ads while creating great synergies with a Stasis subclass.	Season 15	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."
Gjallarhorn	Gjallarhorn	Rocket Launcher	Exotic	Heavy	Solar	30th Anniversary	Yes	S › Best	Grasp of Avarice Dungeon		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Grasp of Avarice Dungeon 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." ► Gjallarhorn is nowhere as overpowered as it once was but still offers excellent stats and a great exotic perk (especially with the catalyst) that gives it that extra oomph to excel and become the meta option for rocket launcher users.	30th Anniversary event	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."
Osteo Striga	Osteo Striga	Submachine Gun	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	The Witch Queen	Yes	S › Best	Deluxe Edition		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Deluxe Edition The Witch Queen	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a stream of sentient, toxic projectiles that track the targeted enemy. Landing a final blow or multiple precision hits triggers a burst that poisons nearby targets." ► Feeling extremely nice to use in both PVE and PVP, Osteo Striga immediately became a lot of players' favorite exotic. Its poison-spreading effect makes it one of the best ad clear primaries in PVE, and its enemy-tracking bullets make it an easy-to-use option in PVP. Plus, its catalyst is S-tier. What's not to love?	Season 16	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a stream of sentient, toxic projectiles that track the targeted enemy. Landing a final blow or multiple precision hits triggers a burst that poisons nearby targets."
Dead Messenger	Dead Messenger	Grenade Launcher	Exotic	Special	Void	Deluxe Edition	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Quest		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Quest 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." ► Dead Messenger is one of the most potent weapons in the game. Excelling in both PvP and PvE, this Wave Frame Grenade Launcher is not only remarkably easy to use, but it can also completely nullify the Match Game modifier with its ability to change elements.	Season 16	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."
The Huckleberry	The Huckleberry	Submachine Gun	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Engram		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Increased rate of fire and recoil while you're holding down the trigger. Kills with this weapon temporarily grant increased damage and partially reload the magazine." ► A powerhouse of a weapon, The Huckleberry isn't flashy but can clear ads like nothing else. Without the need to reload and pre-nerf Rampage on your side, nothing will be able to stand in your way. The recent buff to Exotic primary weapons further cemented it as one of the best Exotics in the game.	Season 3	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Increased rate of fire and recoil while you're holding down the trigger. Kills with this weapon temporarily grant increased damage and partially reload the magazine."
Trinity Ghoul	Trinity Ghoul	Combat Bow	Exotic	Primary	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Engram		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires an arrow that splits when released. Aiming down sights and fully drawing the bow both decrease the spread. Precision kills grant the next shot chain-lightning capabilities." ► Able to deal insane chain-lighting damage, Trinity Ghouls has always been a favorite when it comes to taking care of red bar enemies. And now that it received a +40% damage in PVE against ads, it became insanely powerful this season.	Season 4	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires an arrow that splits when released. Aiming down sights and fully drawing the bow both decrease the spread. Precision kills grant the next shot chain-lightning capabilities."
Arbalest	Arbalest	Linear Fusion Rifle	Exotic	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Engram		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires slugs that cause massive damage to enemy shields. Strong against Barrier Champions. Breaking an enemy's shield with this weapon makes them more vulnerable to Kinetic damage." ► Able to deal with Anti-barrier champions and shielded enemies with ease (regardless of their elemental affinities), Arbalest is one of the best weapons for endgame content right now. It is so good, expect every Fireteam to have at least one Arbalest equipped.	Season 6	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires slugs that cause massive damage to enemy shields. Strong against Barrier Champions. Breaking an enemy's shield with this weapon makes them more vulnerable to Kinetic damage."
The Lament	The Lament	Sword	Exotic	Heavy	Solar	Beyond Light	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Quest		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE	Exotic Quest 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." ► Despite some of its targeting issues, the Lament remains arguably the best sword (and one of the best weapons) in the game. Its Lifesteal perk is a powerful tool, and its ability to shred through high health targets or Barrier Champions makes it a fun and powerful weapon.	Season 12	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."
Trespasser	Trespasser	Sidearm	Exotic	Primary	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	S › Best	Season Pass		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE	Season Pass Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Reloading after defeating a target causes the next burst to be a longer, more powerful superburst. Final blows with Unrepentant superbursts automatically reload your weapon and provide an Unrepentant superburst." ► Our favorite sidearm in the game, Trespasser is a monster with its exotic perk active. While it won't be the best choice in Master or Grandmaster content, it's exceptionally powerful and fun everywhere else.	Season 17	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Reloading after defeating a target causes the next burst to be a longer, more powerful superburst. Final blows with Unrepentant superbursts automatically reload your weapon and provide an Unrepentant superburst."
The Chaperone	The Chaperone	Shotgun	Exotic	Special	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Quest		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP	Exotic Quest 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." ► It certainly requires more skill than your average pellet shotgun, but in the right hands, The Chaperone is the deadliest shotgun in the entire game. Because of its excellent base stats and its precision-slug frame, The Chaperone has the longest one-hit kill distance of any shotgun in the game, provided you can hit your headshots.	Season 4	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."
Ace of Spades	Ace of Spades	Hand Cannon	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Kiosk		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Arguably the best 140 RPM hand cannon in the game, Ace of Spades has a lot to offer. With excellent base stats and some of the best perks around, namely Momento Mori, which is like Kill Clip on steroids and the ability to see your radar while zoomed in, this weapon has a bit of everything.	Season 4	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."
Duality	Duality	Shotgun	Exotic	Special	Solar	Beyond Light	Yes	S › Best	Exotic Kiosk		Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP	Exotic Kiosk Beyond Light	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a pellet spread in hip-fire or a single high-damage slug while aiming. Pellet final blows grant a stacking precision damage and reload speed buff. Precision hits with slugs extend the duration." ► Duality is still, to this day, one of the most potent Special Weapons in the game. It is the king of shotgun versatility, and in the hands of a skilled player, it can turn any lobby upside-down with its unique Pellet/Slug Shotgun playstyle. It's also a very stylish weapon netting it some bonus points.	Season 12	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a pellet spread in hip-fire or a single high-damage slug while aiming. Pellet final blows grant a stacking precision damage and reload speed buff. Precision hits with slugs extend the duration."
Tractor Cannon	Tractor Cannon	Shotgun	Exotic	Heavy	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Engram		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon emits a powerful impulse that pushes enemies away, suppresses their abilities, and makes them more vulnerable to all incoming damage." ► Tractor Cannon is still one of the game's most fun weapons and remains quite a powerful option. Being able to suppress enemies in PvP and weaken enemies in PvE is really useful. Plus, booping people out of the map or against the walls in PVP will never gets old.	Season 1	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon emits a powerful impulse that pushes enemies away, suppresses their abilities, and makes them more vulnerable to all incoming damage."
Telesto	Telesto	Fusion Rifle	Exotic	Special	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Engram		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fusion projectiles attach and detonate with a delayed Void blast. Multikills with this weapon immediately reload your equipped Kinetic and Energy weapons from reserves." ► Telesto is a menace in PVP: Setting traps, getting multikills and shutting down Supers are all possible. And now that it can synergize with Void 3.0 it's even more usable. You'll find a place for it in any loadout.	Season 2	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fusion projectiles attach and detonate with a delayed Void blast. Multikills with this weapon immediately reload your equipped Kinetic and Energy weapons from reserves."
Thunderlord	Thunderlord	Machine Gun	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	Forsaken Pack	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Engram		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Engram Forsaken Pack	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Kills with this weapon generate lightning strikes from above and increase reload speed for a short time." ► Thunderlord is still (arguably) the king of machine guns for ad clear. Its ability to speed up its rate of fire and rain down lightning on enemies is no joke, even in higher-level content. However, Thunderlord receives a lot of flak for being an Exotic that may not be worth your exotic slot, especially when there are legendaries that can almost keep up with it.	Season 4	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Kills with this weapon generate lightning strikes from above and increase reload speed for a short time."
Jötunn	Jötunn	Fusion Rifle	Exotic	Special	Solar	Forsaken Pack	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► With its tracking shots, Jotunn can be a very niche but fun perk for PvP and can prove useful in PvE environments where the boss may be moving around a lot. Best used in casual PvP playlists, as an experienced player will know how to dodge the tracking shot reliably.	Season 5	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."
Lumina	Lumina	Hand Cannon	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Ever since it received a wide variety of stat and damage buffs in Season 16, Lumina has become an amazing hand cannon. It feels great to use, and the 35% buff it gives is rare to come by. Plus, with Solar 3.0, you can expect to see some new builds with this weapon very soon.	Season 7	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."
Deathbringer	Deathbringer	Rocket Launcher	Exotic	Heavy	Void	Shadowkeep	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Quest		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Quest 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." ► Deathbringer is a strange beast. In fact, many discard it simply because they don't fully understand it. But when used right, Deathbringer can deal massive damage in PVE and can easily lead to insane multi-kills in PVP. Some even prefer it to Gjallarhorn.	Season 8	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."
Forerunner	Forerunner	Sidearm	Exotic	Special	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Quest		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Quest 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." ► Forerunner is a fun, powerful, and accurate weapon. And while it can reach an insane time-to-kill in PvP (in theory), it does require you to pace your shots. With insane recoil and limited ammo, this weapon requires a player with a good aim to excel.	30th Anniversary event	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."
Graviton Lance	Graviton Lance	Pulse Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Engram		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Second shot of a burst rips a hole through space-time, doing high damage and recoil with no falloff. Kills with this weapon cause enemies to detonate and spawn tracking Void projectiles." ► Significant buffs to both Exotic primaries and Pulse rifles breathe new life to Graviton Lance. It still has stiff competition in the likes of Outbreak Perfected or Bad Juju but it remains an extremely solid option, especially for those rocking a Void build.	Season 1	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Second shot of a burst rips a hole through space-time, doing high damage and recoil with no falloff. Kills with this weapon cause enemies to detonate and spawn tracking Void projectiles."
Coldheart	Coldheart	Trace Rifle	Exotic	Special	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Engram		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon shoots a steady cold fusion-powered laser that does exponentially more damage the longer it remains on a target." ► Coldheart has always done a decent job at dealing sustained damage against Bosses, Majors, and Champions. But now that it was buffed with increased damage and also grants ability energy, it is much easier to recommend.	Season 1	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon shoots a steady cold fusion-powered laser that does exponentially more damage the longer it remains on a target."
Riskrunner	Riskrunner	Submachine Gun	Exotic	Primary	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Quest		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Quest 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." ► Riskrunner can make you unstoppable, assuming you're taking arc damage (which includes throwing your arc grenade at your feet!). When its perk activates, you literally become an unkillable god able to lethal deal chain damage with ease.	Season 1	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."
Sleeper Simulant	Sleeper Simulant	Linear Fusion Rifle	Exotic	Heavy	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Kiosk Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "The weapon's laser over penetrates enemies and refracts off hard surfaces." ► After spending years in the shadows, the recent buffs to Linear Fusion rifles have made Sleeper Simulant a strong DPS option once again. And it gets even better once you've unlocked its catalyst. Sleeper Simulant can deal with Majors and Bosses with ease, as long as you can hit your crits...	Season 3	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "The weapon's laser over penetrates enemies and refracts off hard surfaces."
Whisper of the Worm	Whisper of the Worm	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Heavy	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Originally known in Destiny 1 as Black Hammer, then Black Spindle, Whisper of the Worm has seen it all. Even though it's not meta right now, Whisper can still do great damage (provided you can hit your shots) and is bound to become meta again soon enough.	Season 3	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."
One Thousand Voices	One Thousand Voices	Fusion Rifle	Exotic	Heavy	Solar	Forsaken Pack	Yes	A › Strong	Last Wish Raid		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Last Wish Raid Forsaken Pack	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Charging this weapon unleashes a giant continuous beam of death. The beam superheats its targets upon impact, causing delayed explosions." ► "Charging this weapon unleashes a giant continuous beam of death"... What more do you need to know? 1K is a fun addition to any PvE loadout and, if used right, can be deadly in PvP and wipe the floor when invading in Gambit.	Season 4	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Charging this weapon unleashes a giant continuous beam of death. The beam superheats its targets upon impact, causing delayed explosions."
Anarchy	Anarchy	Grenade Launcher	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	Forsaken Pack	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Grenades stick to surfaces and chain Arc bolts to other mines. It also has the Moving Target perk." ► Anarchy, to this day, still has the strongest damage over time effect for boss damage. In high-end content, Anarchy still holds strong and is still a decent pick for Raids or high difficulty Nightfalls as you can also deal DPS with a high damage Special weapon such as a Sniper or Fusion Rifle.	Season 5	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Grenades stick to surfaces and chain Arc bolts to other mines. It also has the Moving Target perk."
Izanagi's Burden	Izanagi's Burden	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Special	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Holding reload consumes the magazine and loads a round with additional range and damage." ► An easy-to-use powerhouse of a weapon, Izanagi's Burden has continued to be a DPS beast even though all the nerfs. Pair this sniper with the rocket launcher of your choice (and maybe a teammate running Divinity), and you'll be ready to conquer any PVE challenge the game has to offer.	Season 5	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Holding reload consumes the magazine and loads a round with additional range and damage."
Bad Juju	Bad Juju	Pulse Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Bad Juju is one of the most underrated weapons in Destiny 2. It can be an absolute monster in PVE and gets even better with the catalyst. And with the recent buffs to Exotic primaries and pulse rifles, it can finally compete with the best.	Season 7	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."
Divinity	Divinity	Trace Rifle	Exotic	Special	Arc	Shadowkeep	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Quest		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Quest 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." ► Able to deal with Overload Champions and easily apply a huge debuff on everything, Divinity is excellent for endgame PVE activities. It may relegate its user to a "support" role, but it remains extremely valuable, especially against enemies that have hard-to-hit crit spots.	Season 8	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Sustained damage with this weapon envelops the target in a field that weakens and disrupts them."
Eriana's Vow	Eriana's Vow	Hand Cannon	Exotic	Special	Solar	Shadowkeep	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Kiosk Shadowkeep	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires special shield-piercing ammunition. Bonus damage when aiming down sights on the opening shot of an attack." ► Previously a no-brainer in activities with Barrier Champions, Eriana's Vow now sits in the shadow of its main competitor: Arbalest. While still an extremely fun and unique gun that's worth using once in a while, this weapon just hasn't been able to keep up with the meta.	Season 8	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires special shield-piercing ammunition. Bonus damage when aiming down sights on the opening shot of an attack."
Ticuu's Divination	Ticuu's Divination	Combat Bow	Exotic	Primary	Solar	Beyond Light	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Kiosk Beyond Light	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Hipfiring this weapon fires multiple tracking projectiles. Targets marked explode upon death, or when struck again. Arrows fired while aiming down sights cause Sacred Flames to instantly detonate." ► Ticcu's Divination may require more work than Trinity Ghoul but it is nonetheless an excellent weapon capable of easily disposing of ads but also dealing serious damage to majors in PVE.	Season 13	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Hipfiring this weapon fires multiple tracking projectiles. Targets marked explode upon death, or when struck again. Arrows fired while aiming down sights cause Sacred Flames to instantly detonate."
Parasite	Parasite	Grenade Launcher	Exotic	Heavy	Solar	The Witch Queen	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Quest		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Exotic Quest The Witch Queen	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Ffires 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." ► Arguably the most unique gun in the game, Parasite fires live explosive worms instead of regular grenades. If you can get lots of Worm's Hunger stacks, this weapon can do some insane damage. Its unmatched burst damage and extremely high fun factor combine to make Parasite an extremely strong option in PVE.	Season 16	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Ffires 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."
Heartshadow	Heartshadow	Sword	Exotic	Heavy	Void	Deluxe Edition	Yes	A › Strong	Duality Dungeon		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE	Duality Dungeon Deluxe Edition	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Heavy attacks made with full Sword energy turn you invisible and fire exploding Void projectiles. Remaining invisible grants this weapon increased damage. Hitting a target with this weapon’s projectiles while invisible weakens them." ► While Heartshadow does require you to change your playstyle a bit due to its unique perks and heavy attack, it can be extremely useful in the right hands. Not only are Invisibility and Weaken irreplaceable buffs for PVE, but they also allow this sword to have great synergy with a Void subclass. Plus, Heartshadow is extremely fun to use!	Season 17	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Heavy attacks made with full Sword energy turn you invisible and fire exploding Void projectiles. Remaining invisible grants this weapon increased damage. Hitting a target with this weapon’s projectiles while invisible weakens them."
The Wardcliff Coil	The Wardcliff Coil	Rocket Launcher	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Engram		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a volley of rockets and automatically reloads on ammo pickup." ► One of the best PVP rocket launcher in the game, The Wardcliff Coil is incredibly lethal and could potentially wipe an entire team. On top of that, it's a consistent and reliable weapon that can practically guarantee kills, even in competitive modes.	Season 1	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a volley of rockets and automatically reloads on ammo pickup."
Vigilance Wing	Vigilance Wing	Pulse Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Engram		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a 5-round burst. When a nearby ally is killed, gain health regeneration, and increased movement speed." ► Vigilance Wing is an excellent weapon to bring to the Crucible. Its ease of use alone nets it an S tier. However, it's also one of the most lethal weapons in the game with a unique 5 burst shot.	Season 1	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a 5-round burst. When a nearby ally is killed, gain health regeneration, and increased movement speed."
SUROS Regime	SUROS Regime	Auto Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Engram		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "The bottom half of each magazine deals bonus damage and can return health on kill. Holding down the trigger increases rate of fire." ► SUROS Regime's ability to combine a higher damage per bullet and faster rate of fire absolutely shreds opposing Guardians. This makes SUROS an incredibly oppressive option that can dominate many meta weapons if used correctly with good aim and quick target acquisition.	Season 3	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "The bottom half of each magazine deals bonus damage and can return health on kill. Holding down the trigger increases rate of fire."
Lord of Wolves	Lord of Wolves	Shotgun	Exotic	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Engram		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a powerful short-range burst of Solar damage. Hold to swap to a longer, more powerful burst." ► Lord of Wolves dominated the meta for a good part of early 2022. But Season 17's changes to the Special ammo economy and a specific nerf to the weapon, hurt the Lord of Wolves. However, despite the nerfs, it remains an extremely easy shotgun to use with very high levels of lethality.	Season 4	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a powerful short-range burst of Solar damage. Hold to swap to a longer, more powerful burst."
Le Monarque	Le Monarque	Combat Bow	Exotic	Primary	Void	Forsaken Pack	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Le Monarque can be lethal in the hands of an experienced PVP player. It can bring a guardian down to 1 HP with a "perfect draw" headshot, making it an extremely easy clean-up kill with a Quickdraw Hand Cannon. Another strategy is to get a damage buff beforehand to easily secure one-hit-kills. Both strategies are extremely efficient and hard to counter.	Season 5	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."
The Last Word	The Last Word	Hand Cannon	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► While The Last Word has been crazy on controller for years, mouse and keyboard users haven't had the same experience. Luckily, this weapon got buffed on M&K in Season 17, meaning you'll probably see a lot more of it.	Season 5	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."
Thorn	Thorn	Hand Cannon	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Considered a top tier PVP weapon for a long time, Thorn shows no signs of slowling down. The damage over time is a pain to fight against in PVP, and it's a super fun gun to use in PVE as well. Even if the meta doesn't favor Thorn, it's still a great option.	Season 6	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."
Tommy's Matchbook	Tommy's Matchbook	Auto Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Solar	Shadowkeep	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Exotic Kiosk Shadowkeep	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Sustained fire with this weapon overheats it, increasing damage but burning the user. Overheat damage is reduced while hip firing." ► Tommy’s Matchbook has overall decent stats and features an astronomical mag size of 100 bullets. With its overheat damage, Tommy’s Matchbook can absolutely melt your opponents in a 0.77 second BODYSHOT time to kill. If you're willing to use it as a hipfire weapon, Tommy’s Matchbook is an absolutely fantastic choice.	Season 10	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Sustained fire with this weapon overheats it, increasing damage but burning the user. Overheat damage is reduced while hip firing."
No Time to Explain	No Time to Explain	Pulse Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Quest		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Exotic Quest Beyond Light	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Precision shots and shots against combatants affected by Stasis return to the magazine. At 10 stacks, a small portal will open, shooting bullets from an alternate timeline version of this weapon. Precision hits extend the portal's duration." ► No Time to Explain is a PVP powerhouse. Not only is it part of the most deadly Pulse rifles archetype (with insanely low TTKs), it also has great base stats and perks that make it nearly unstoppable when activated.	Season 12	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Precision shots and shots against combatants affected by Stasis return to the magazine. At 10 stacks, a small portal will open, shooting bullets from an alternate timeline version of this weapon. Precision hits extend the portal's duration."
Hawkmoon	Hawkmoon	Hand Cannon	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Beyond Light	Yes	A › Strong	Xûr		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Xûr 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." ► Many didn't like that Hawkmoon is not the same weapon it was in Destiny 1. But with an extremely lethal Exotic perk and off-the-charts stats, Hawkmoon is perhaps the best hand cannon we have ever seen. Despite this, Hawkmoon has a pretty obvious flaw: it’s only consistent if you are consistent.	Season 12	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."
Eyes of Tomorrow	Eyes of Tomorrow	Rocket Launcher	Exotic	Heavy	Solar	Beyond Light	Yes	A › Strong	Deep Stone Crypt Raid		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Deep Stone Crypt Raid Beyond Light	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon is capable of tracking and firing at multiple targets simultaneously. Killing four or more combatants in a single volley increases the damage of the next volley." ► Eyes of Tomorrow was disappointing at launch because of its low damage output against bosses. A recent buff has improved the situation, but more importantly, it remains an excellent weapon for ad clear and a monster in Gambit and in 6v6 PvP modes.	Season 12	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon is capable of tracking and firing at multiple targets simultaneously. Killing four or more combatants in a single volley increases the damage of the next volley."
Lorentz Driver	Lorentz Driver	Linear Fusion Rifle	Exotic	Special	Void	Beyond Light	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP	Exotic Kiosk Beyond Light	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Final blows on marked targets generate telemetry patterns which, when picked up, grant bonus ability energy. Collecting 3 telemetry patterns without dying grants bonus damage for a long duration. Also, a precision final blow with this weapon creates an implosion that pulls in nearby targets and damages them with an additional detonation." ► While Bungie often delivers undercooked, underpowered Exotics, they did the exact opposite with Lorentz Driver. With best in class base stats and insane exotic perks, Lorentz Driver excels in both PVE and PVP. In fact, it has such high aim assist, it often manages kills that should not have happened in the Crucible...	Season 15	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Final blows on marked targets generate telemetry patterns which, when picked up, grant bonus ability energy. Collecting 3 telemetry patterns without dying grants bonus damage for a long duration. Also, a precision final blow with this weapon creates an implosion that pulls in nearby targets and damages them with an additional detonation."
Outbreak Perfected	Outbreak Perfected	Pulse Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Outbreak Perfected is making a comeback, partly because it has always been a good weapon, able to deal considerable damage to single targets, but mostly because it received major buffs against PVE enemies. With a +44% damage against red bar enemies, Outbreak Perfected is finally meta again.	Season 6	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."
Xenophage	Xenophage	Machine Gun	Exotic	Heavy	Solar	Shadowkeep	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Quest		Strong ❘ A	Exotic Quest Shadowkeep	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires high-powered explosive ammunition. Aiming this weapon increases its effective range and zoom magnification." ► Xenophage has seen many ups and downs. Unnecessary changes turned it into a joke and the weapon remained in that state for a long time. But now that Xenophage was returned to its original state, it's once again an excellent PVE weapon that never disappoints.	Season 8	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires high-powered explosive ammunition. Aiming this weapon increases its effective range and zoom magnification."
Devil's Ruin	Devil's Ruin	Sidearm	Exotic	Primary	Solar	Shadowkeep	Yes	A › Strong	Exotic Kiosk		Strong ❘ A	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Able to deal with Unstoppable Champions, this is a fun weapon that does decent damage and melts shotgun apes in PVP when in laser mode. You will rarely see it in the wild, but this weapon deserves more attention, especially now that primary ammo is unlimited.	Season 9	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."
D.A.R.C.I.	D.A.R.C.I.	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Aim at an enemy to activate Personal Assistant and view critical information. When Personal Assistant is active, this weapon has better target acquisition and deals significantly more precision damage." ► D.A.R.C.I. used to be one of the worst Exotics in the entire game. It was easily surpassed by snipers only requiring Special ammo and its Personal Assistant perk was a joke. Bungie finally gave it a buff, including a 20% damage increase, which helps it a little.	Season 1	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Aim at an enemy to activate Personal Assistant and view critical information. When Personal Assistant is active, this weapon has better target acquisition and deals significantly more precision damage."
Monte Carlo	Monte Carlo	Auto Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Shadowkeep	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Engram Shadowkeep	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Dealing damage with this weapon reduces melee cooldown and can fully charge your melee with each kill. Melee kills and kills with this weapon increase damage." ► Monte Carlo is a decent auto rifle with a clean aesthetic and nice stats overall. Its exotic perk grants you melee energy with hits and kills, and on top of that, it also comes with an exotic version of Swashbuckler, which is a nice touch and pairs really well with melee-focused playstyles.	Season 8	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Dealing damage with this weapon reduces melee cooldown and can fully charge your melee with each kill. Melee kills and kills with this weapon increase damage."
Heir Apparent	Heir Apparent	Machine Gun	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	Free-to-Play	No	B › Average	Event: Guardian Games		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP	Event: Guardian Games 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." ► Heir Apparent became a true menace when it finally received a Catalyst. It was so strong, it was eventually nerfed. Heir Apparent is not what it once was anymore, but it can still shine in casual PvE thanks to its good ad-clearing capabilities and ammo economy.	Season 10	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."
Traveler's Chosen	Traveler's Chosen	Sidearm	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Shadowkeep	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Kiosk		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Capable of inflicting some of the highest DPS, sidearms are considered a safe bet in PVP. And Traveler's Chosen, the newest exotic in the game, is perhaps the best sidearm ever created. It has the best base stats ever seen on a sidearm AND it features an extremely useful and consistent exotic perk.	Season 11	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."
Cloudstrike	Cloudstrike	Sniper Rifle	Exotic	Special	Arc	Beyond Light	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Quest		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP	Exotic Quest Beyond Light	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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." ► While it's easily the most fun sniper to use on this list, Cloudstrike currently doesn't see much use. By no means is it bad, but there are better options. Plus, while the lightning storms it can produce are cool, they're niche in PVP and their damage in PVE is just average.	Season 12	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic 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."
Collective Obligation	Collective Obligation	Pulse Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Void	The Witch Queen	Yes	B › Average	Vow of the Disciple Raid		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP	Vow of the Disciple Raid The Witch Queen	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon leeches Void debuffs when damaging targets that are suppressed, weakened, or volatile. Once charged, damage from this weapon applies the same Void debuffs that were leeched. Weapon automatically reloads when you gain Devour, a Void overshield, or become invisible." ► With the ability to debuff everything in sight, Collective Obligation can do things no other weapon can. That being said, you're almost required to create a build with it to make it worth your exotic slot. While this weapon has potential, having to work so hard to make your exotic feel "exotic" isn't great.	Season 16	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon leeches Void debuffs when damaging targets that are suppressed, weakened, or volatile. Once charged, damage from this weapon applies the same Void debuffs that were leeched. Weapon automatically reloads when you gain Devour, a Void overshield, or become invisible."
The Fourth Horseman	The Fourth Horseman	Shotgun	Exotic	Special	Solar	Shadowkeep	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Kiosk		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Boasting some of the highest burst DPS in the entire game, The Fourth Horseman is an "all or nothing" weapon. It can deal with Majors easily, but as you delve into more challenging content, the Fourth Horseman can become quite a risky weapon to opt for, making it a pretty middle-of-the-pack option.	Season 10	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."
Vex Mythoclast	Vex Mythoclast	Fusion Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Vault of Glass Raid		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE	Vault of Glass Raid Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a single bolt with each trigger pull. Defeating targets builds stacks of Overcharge. Swap firing modes when fully Overcharged to charge up and fire more powerful linear fusion shots." ► Vex Mythoclast has gone through so many nerfs and buffs during its Destiny 2 lifespan, that it's hard to say how meta it currently is. With that said, Vex Mythoclast is one of the most sought-after Exotics and is a fun addition to any loadout.	Season 14	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a single bolt with each trigger pull. Defeating targets builds stacks of Overcharge. Swap firing modes when fully Overcharged to charge up and fire more powerful linear fusion shots."
Grand Overture	Grand Overture	Machine Gun	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Kiosk		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE	Exotic Kiosk Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Heavy slug launcher that charges, then fires full auto while the trigger is held. Land hits with the slug launcher to load missiles and then fire to launch all missiles in a single volley." ► Grand Overture is a strong option when compared to other machine guns. For example, it has one of the best DPS outputs for a machine gun right now. However, it can't be considered top-tier as it's lacking when it comes to ad clear, which is what machine guns are used for right now.	Season 16	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Heavy slug launcher that charges, then fires full auto while the trigger is held. Land hits with the slug launcher to load missiles and then fire to launch all missiles in a single volley."
MIDA Multi-Tool	MIDA Multi-Tool	Scout Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Kiosk		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvP	Exotic Kiosk Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon boosts move speed. Radar stays active while aiming down sights." ► MIDA Multi-Tool is definitely making a comeback! Benefiting from a significant aim assist buff, MIDA has become a real threat in the Crucible. With a good TTK, a mobility bonus, and excellent base stats, MIDA is one of the best PVP Scout right now. Having said that, Scouts still lag behind entire weapon types, and even among Scouts, Dead Man Tale's remains the most viable PVP scout at your disposal.	Season 1	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon boosts move speed. Radar stays active while aiming down sights."
Fighting Lion	Fighting Lion	Grenade Launcher	Exotic	Primary	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Grenade projectiles will bounce off surfaces. Hold to fire, and release to detonate. Direct hits do more damage to enemy shields. Rapid kills against grenade-damaged enemies refill the magazine." ► The Fighting Lion can be one of the most fun weapons to use but also one of the most annoying weapons to fight against. Mastering the Fighting Lion playstyle in the Crucible can yield excellent results. However, it takes time to master and it requires quite a niche playstyle.	Season 1	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Grenade projectiles will bounce off surfaces. Hold to fire, and release to detonate. Direct hits do more damage to enemy shields. Rapid kills against grenade-damaged enemies refill the magazine."
Hard Light	Hard Light	Auto Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Rounds fired from this weapon have reduced damage falloff, over-penetrate targets, and ricochet off hard surfaces dealing extra damage. It can also change its damage type." ► Hard Light's bullets can deal increased damage after they ricochet, which means you can continue to damage your opponents, even if they’re behind cover. This, combined with Hard Light’s absolutely massive 100 stability and reduced damage falloff make it a capable auto rifle in the Crucible.	Season 1	Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Rounds fired from this weapon have reduced damage falloff, over-penetrate targets, and ricochet off hard surfaces dealing extra damage. It can also change its damage type."
Crimson	Crimson	Hand Cannon	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a 3-round burst. Kills with this weapon heal the wielder. Precision kills also refill the magazine." ► Effectively a Hand Cannon version of Red Death from Destiny 1, Crimson received mixed reviews when it first came out that still hold up today. Just like The Last Word, Crimson is good on a controller in PVP but lacks everywhere else in the game.	Season 2	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a 3-round burst. Kills with this weapon heal the wielder. Precision kills also refill the magazine."
Black Talon	Black Talon	Sword	Exotic	Heavy	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B Excels in: PvP	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Can fire heavy projectile attacks. Heavy attacks are stronger with full energy. Most attacks partially bypass elemental shields." ► Black Talon is the definition of a mediocre option. It can pump out decent burst damage in higher-level content but takes up your exotic slot. And while it can neutralize Supers very quickly in PvP, there are a plethora of options that can do it even better.	Season 4	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Can fire heavy projectile attacks. Heavy attacks are stronger with full energy. Most attacks partially bypass elemental shields."
Legend of Acrius	Legend of Acrius	Shotgun	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Kiosk		Average ❘ B	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► Legend of Acrius is the shadow of its former self. It still packs a decent punch, at least in DPS terms. But nowadays, it's vastly outclassed by rival Exotics in the Heavy slot such as The Lament, Xenophage, and even some legendary options.	Season 1	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."
Skyburner's Oath	Skyburner's Oath	Scout Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon lobs large, explosive, seeking slugs when firing from the hip. When aiming down sights, the slugs travel fast and straight, with higher damage and a lower rate of fire." ► Skyburner's Oath is an Exotic Scout Rifle that looks like a good PVP option on paper. Only needing to land 1 precision shot and 3 body shots, its 0.90s time-to-kill seems competitive. In practice, those hip-fired shots hardly go where you want them to go. And in 6v6, it's even worse, as there are too many targets for the tracking to be accurate. In PVE, you might find some use for it when facing Cabal, but even then, a top-tier Scout will serve you better.	Season 1	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon lobs large, explosive, seeking slugs when firing from the hip. When aiming down sights, the slugs travel fast and straight, with higher damage and a lower rate of fire."
Rat King	Rat King	Sidearm	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Kiosk		Average ❘ B	Exotic Kiosk 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." ► One of the most unique primary weapons available, Rat King is strong using it by yourself and very strong using it with others.	Season 1	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."
Merciless	Merciless	Fusion Rifle	Exotic	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Non-lethal hits make this weapon charge faster. Reloading immediately after a kill increases weapon damage for a short time." ► Kudos to those of you who remember when Merciless was the best option for DPS in PvE. Unfortunately, even with its unique perk set, Merciless is outmatched by more than a few Legendary Fusion Rifles.	Season 1	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Non-lethal hits make this weapon charge faster. Reloading immediately after a kill increases weapon damage for a short time."
The Jade Rabbit	The Jade Rabbit	Scout Rifle	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Chain body shots to gain bonus damage on your next precision shot, return ammo to the magazine, and increases its stability." ► Jade Rabbit has one of the best time-to-kills (0.80 seconds) for any Scout Rifle. The problem is you need to land 3 precision shots without missing. For every missed shot or body shot, the time-to-kill quickly becomes one of the worst in the game. In other words, this Exotic Scout is extremely unforgiving. It has the 3rd WORST handling and the worst magazine size of all Scout Rifles. With perfect aim, it can be great, but now that Dead Man's Tale is available, why bother?	Season 2	Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Chain body shots to gain bonus damage on your next precision shot, return ammo to the magazine, and increases its stability."
Prometheus Lens	Prometheus Lens	Trace Rifle	Exotic	Special	Solar	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a Solar trace beam and generates a damaging heat field that grows while the weapon continues to fire. Kills with this weapon return a fraction of the ammo used." ► Prometheus Lens had its 15 minutes of fame when a bug allowed it to dominate the Crucible for an entire weekend. Other than that, the weapon has always been considered mediocre at best. But the mere addition of ammo mods has shown us that Prometheus Lens has a lot to offer.	Season 2	Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a Solar trace beam and generates a damaging heat field that grows while the weapon continues to fire. Kills with this weapon return a fraction of the ammo used."
Wish-Ender	Wish-Ender	Combat Bow	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Forsaken Pack	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Quest		Average ❘ B	Exotic Quest 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." ► Wish-Ender is far from popular but it can still be useful in PVP, though, but only as part of a coordinated team that uses it to have constant visuals on the enemy, something always helpful in 3v3 modes.	Season 4	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."
Wavesplitter	Wavesplitter	Trace Rifle	Exotic	Special	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Laser damage has three power levels that oscillate while the trigger is held down. Collecting an Orb of Light grants a short period of maximum power." ► Wavesplitter can be a decent alternative for both PVP and PVE, but you'll be better off with any of the other Trace rifles on this list. In fact, this weapon could be much more useful, but a lack of a Catalyst holds it back.	Season 4	Slot: Void | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Laser damage has three power levels that oscillate while the trigger is held down. Collecting an Orb of Light grants a short period of maximum power."
The Queenbreaker	The Queenbreaker	Linear Fusion Rifle	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a long-range precision Arc bolt that blinds enemies on hit. It has a slower charge time and deals greater damage." ► Previously amazing when invading in Gambit, The Queenbreaker has suffered from too many nerfs. And while it also benefited from the buff to Linear Fusions, there's no reason why anyone would choose it over Sleeper Simulant (or even a good legendary Linear Fusion).	Season 4	Slot: Arc | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Fires a long-range precision Arc bolt that blinds enemies on hit. It has a slower charge time and deals greater damage."
Two-Tailed Fox	Two-Tailed Fox	Rocket Launcher	Exotic	Heavy	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Engram		Average ❘ B	Exotic Engram Free-to-Play	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Shoots two rockets, one Void and one Solar, that can track onto the same target. The Void rocket suppresses enemies. The Solar rocket causes damage over time." ► Two-Tailed Fox is, on paper, still a great boss-damage rocket launcher. But with additions such as The Gjallarhorn or even the Deathbringer, the Two-Tailed Fox simply doesn't cut it anymore.	Season 4	Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Shoots two rockets, one Void and one Solar, that can track onto the same target. The Void rocket suppresses enemies. The Solar rocket causes damage over time."
Malfeasance	Malfeasance	Hand Cannon	Exotic	Primary	Kinetic	Free-to-Play	Yes	B › Average	Exotic Quest		Average ❘ B	Exotic Quest 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." ► One of the more interesting Hand Cannons on this list, Malfeasance still really hasn't found a solid place in the game. While it does excel at killing Taken and invaders in Gambit, that's an incredibly small niche. Plus, it's a part of the most lacking archetype, making it a poor choice everywhere else.	Season 4	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."
Truth