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 covers every single Destiny 2 Exotic in detail, including their difficulty to obtain, main perks, and overall ranking.
Best Destiny 2 Exotic weapons: Ranked from Best to Worst
What are Exotics? 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.
These are the 101 Exotic weapons currently available as of the release of Season of the Seraph (S19), including the brand-new Exotic shotgun from the Root of Nightmares raid.
Primary Exotics
| Name | Weapons | Type | Archetype | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Rank | Source | Available? | 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:   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: 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: 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: Exotic Perk: "This weapon stores power when dealing or receiving damage. Once full, hold reload to unleash the beast." |
| No Time to Explain |  No Time to Explain | Pulse Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Beyond Light | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Quest | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Exotic Quest Beyond Light | Slot:  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." ► An exceptional pick in PVP (and a fun one in PVE), No Time to Explain's ability to provide you with an extra set of bullets continues to be helpful in most areas of the game. | Season 12 | Slot: 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." |
| 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: 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 became an instant favorite for many. 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, you can craft your own Osteo Striga God roll. What's not to love? | Season 16 | Slot: 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." |
| 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: 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: 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:  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." ► Trinity Ghoul has always been brilliant for ad-clear, and that doesn't seem to be changing any time soon. Despite the more ability-focused meta we have right now, Trinity Ghoul is still a top contender for ad-clear in all PvE content. | Season 4 | Slot: 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." |
| Wish-Ender |  Wish-Ender | Combat Bow | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Quest | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Exotic Quest Forsaken Pack | Slot: 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 has never been this strong, nor popular. With the newfound intrinsic ability to deal with Anti Barrier Champions with ease, even in Master and Grandmaster levels, and the fact that it effectively hits 3 times per arrow due to its piercing perk, Wish-Ender is currently a monster in PvE. | Season 4 | Slot: 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." |
| Outbreak Perfected |  Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Kiosk | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Exotic Kiosk Free-to-Play | Slot: 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's theme and great firing feel alone make it a popular PVE choice. And with buffs to Exotic primary weapon damage, it's now an excellent option for casual PVE content. | Season 6 | Slot: 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." |
| Touch of Malice |  Touch of Malice | Scout Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | King's Fall Raid | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | King's Fall Raid Free-to-Play | Slot: Exotic Perk: "The final round in the magazine deals bonus damage and then regenerates itself. Rapidly defeating three targets restores health. Precision hits drain combatants' life force and charge up a ball of darkness." ► Touch of Malice is finally back. Whilst largely untouched compared to D1, the addition of its new perk "Charged with Blight," combined with the abundance of healing now available, makes Touch of Malice a primary ammo DPS monster. Perhaps the best DPS primary in the game right now. | Season 18 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "The final round in the magazine deals bonus damage and then regenerates itself. Rapidly defeating three targets restores health. Precision hits drain combatants' life force and charge up a ball of darkness." |
| Hierarchy of Needs |  Hierarchy of Needs | Combat Bow | Exotic | Primary | Solar | Deluxe Edition | Yes | S › Best | Spire of the Watcher Dungeon | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Spire of the Watcher Dungeon Deluxe Edition | Slot: Exotic Perk: Precision hits and final blows build Guidance Ring energy. Arrows fired through a Guidance Ring release seeking projectiles, which do more damage based on distance traveled. ► Hierarchy of Needs is very unique, and it also happens to be excellent at boss damage. It actually beats Outbreak Perfected and Touch of Malice for the top spot in Primary DPS, making it a staple backup weapon. It does a shedload of damage and still has all the bonuses of being a bow. | Season 19 | Slot: Exotic Perk: Precision hits and final blows build Guidance Ring energy. Arrows fired through a Guidance Ring release seeking projectiles, which do more damage based on distance traveled. |
| The Jade Rabbit |  The Jade Rabbit | Scout Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Engram | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP | Exotic Engram Free-to-Play | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Chain body shots to gain bonus damage on your next precision shot, return ammo to the magazine, and increases its stability." ► The Jade Rabbit is one of the most potent options in PvP right now, with a very easy-to-use scope, excellent stability and a perk that furthers the potency and ease of use of High-Impact scout rifles. | Season 2 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Chain body shots to gain bonus damage on your next precision shot, return ammo to the magazine, and increases its stability." |
| 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: 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: 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." |
| Le Monarque |  Le Monarque | Combat Bow | Exotic | Primary | Void | Forsaken Pack | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Kiosk | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP | Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack | Slot:  Exotic Perk: "Arrows fired quickly after a full draw become poison arrows. Precision hits with poison arrows spread poison to nearby enemies." ► Le Monarque is a ridiculously oppressive pick in PvP as it can be combined with a Hand Cannon to deliver blindingly fast combo kills with relative ease. It also comes with intrinsic Overload Arrows, which, combined with its poison effect, are highly effective against Overload Champions. This makes Le Monarque an incredible pick for PvE too. | Season 5 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Arrows fired quickly after a full draw become poison arrows. Precision hits with poison arrows spread poison to nearby enemies." |
| Hawkmoon |  Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Beyond Light | Yes | S › Best | Xûr | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP | Xûr Beyond Light | Slot: 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 Hawkmoon is arguably the strongest Exotic Hand Cannon in PvP. It can provide very consistent 2 taps and even 1 taps, provided you are accurate enough. Hawkmoon will take some time to get used to, but once you do, it will be hard to go back to any other gun. | Season 12 | Slot: 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." |
| 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: 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: 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." |
| Traveler's Chosen |  Traveler's Chosen | Sidearm | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Shadowkeep | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Exotic Kiosk Shadowkeep | Slot: 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 best time-to-kill numbers, sidearms are considered a safe bet in PVP. And Traveler's Chosen is perhaps one of the best all-around sidearms in Destiny 2. It has the best base stats ever seen on a sidearm AND it features an extremely useful and consistent exotic perk. | Season 11 | Slot: 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." |
| Dead Man's Tale |  Dead Man's Tale | Scout Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Beyond Light | Yes | A › Strong | Xûr | | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Xûr Beyond Light | Slot: 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) ► Dead Man's Tale has been reworked to receive improved stats and an increased rate of fire, instead of the plain increased damage it used to offer. While this lowers the potency of Dead Man's Tale, it remains a powerful option due to its high damage per shot and incredible range. | Season 13 | Slot: 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) |
| Trespasser |  Trespasser | Sidearm | Exotic | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Season Pass | | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Season Pass Free-to-Play | Slot: 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, including PvE and PvP. | Season 17 | Slot: 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." |
| 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: 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: 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." |
| Skyburner's Oath |  Skyburner's Oath | Scout Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Engram | | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Exotic Engram Free-to-Play | Slot: 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 received a significant buff with the launch of Season 17. Hipfire shots now apply scorch, which, when stacked high enough, causes an ignition. However, you are locked to hipfiring your weapon to take advantage of this. To maximize the potential of Skyburner's, you also have to run a Solar subclass, limiting you further. | Season 1 | Slot: 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." |
| 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: 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: 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." |
| 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: 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: 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." |
| Collective Obligation |  Collective Obligation | Pulse Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Void | The Witch Queen | Yes | A › Strong | Vow of the Disciple Raid | | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Vow of the Disciple Raid The Witch Queen | Slot: 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: 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." |
| Quicksilver Storm |  Quicksilver Storm | Auto Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Strand | Lightfall Pre-Order | Yes | A › Strong | Pre-order bonus | | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Pre-order bonus Lightfall Pre-Order | Slot:  Exotic Perk: "Landing multiple hits turns your next shot into a homing micro-rocket. Landing multiple rockets loads a grenade." ► Quicksilver Storm is a fun and unique weapon. Combining an Auto Rifle with a Rocket Launcher and a Grenade Launcher, Quicksilver Storm is quite the all-rounder, however, it isn't quite fully there in terms of strength to be one of the greats. | Season 18 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Landing multiple hits turns your next shot into a homing micro-rocket. Landing multiple rockets loads a grenade." |
| MIDA Multi-Tool |  MIDA Multi-Tool | Scout Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP | Exotic Kiosk Free-to-Play | Slot: Exotic Perk: "This weapon boosts move speed. Radar stays active while aiming down sights." ► MIDA Multi-Tool is still one of the strongest Scout Rifle picks in PvP. It provides an increased movement speed, High-Caliber Rounds that flinch your opponent, and a reasonably competitive time-to-kill. It isn't the 'best' option because it is out-damaged by High-Impact Scout rifles such as Jade Rabbit or Polaris Lance. | Season 1 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "This weapon boosts move speed. Radar stays active while aiming down sights." |
| Polaris Lance |  Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP | Exotic Kiosk Free-to-Play | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Precision hits return ammo to the mag. Landing 4 precision hits loads a delayed Solar explosive round for your next shot." ► Polaris Lance has skyrocketed up the ranks with the Scout Rifle buffs for PvP. With its exotic perk, Polaris behaves like a budget version of the Hawkmoon. Once you get that explosive shot primed, you can two-tap players with low enough Resilience or comfortably 1 crit 2 body opponents making the gun incredibly easy to use. | Season 3 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Precision hits return ammo to the mag. Landing 4 precision hits loads a delayed Solar explosive round for your next shot." |
| 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: 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: 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: 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: Exotic Perk: "Rounds pierce targets and deal damage over time. Kills leave behind Remnants which, when absorbed, increase damage." |
| Devil's Ruin |  Devil's Ruin | Sidearm | Exotic | Primary | Solar | Shadowkeep | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | | Strong ❘ A | Exotic Kiosk Shadowkeep | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Variable trigger. Press and release to fire individual shots. Hold to charge up a high-powered,  ► 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: Exotic Perk: "Variable trigger. Press and release to fire individual shots. Hold to charge up a high-powered, |
| 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: 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: 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." |
| Tommy's Matchbook |  Tommy's Matchbook | Auto Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Solar | Shadowkeep | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Kiosk | | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP | Exotic Kiosk Shadowkeep | Slot: 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 can literally melt opponents. It has an outrageous bodyshot time to kill of 0.77 seconds when the perk gets going and can rip through most enemies in PvE. However, as you enter harder content, or face better players, Tommy's Matchbook becomes MUCH harder to use, and requires a very skilled hand to succeed with. | Season 10 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Sustained fire with this weapon overheats it, increasing damage but burning the user. Overheat damage is reduced while hip firing." |
| Graviton Lance |  Graviton Lance | Pulse Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Engram | | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE | Exotic Engram Free-to-Play | Slot: 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 Graviton Lance specifically and Exotic primaries as a whole have made this pulse rifle not only a fun pick but also a potent one. While Collective Obligation is more suitable for Void builds, Graviton Lance's unique firing pattern and explosions lead to an exceptional weapon in casual content. | Season 1 | Slot: 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." |
| 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: 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: 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." |
| Vigilance Wing |  Vigilance Wing | Pulse Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Engram | | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvP | Exotic Engram Free-to-Play | Slot: Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a 5-round burst. When a nearby ally is killed, gain health regeneration, and increased movement speed." ► Vigilance Wing has always been a solid choice for PVP; in recent times, however, it's gotten outclassed. Without a buff soon, Vigilance Wing may drop down into the lower half of pulse rifles. | Season 1 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a 5-round burst. When a nearby ally is killed, gain health regeneration, and increased movement speed." |
| 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: 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: 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: 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." ► The days of Hard Light's domination over the Crucible are long gone, and these days it sits in the middle of the pack. It does have its niche uses and fun ways to ricochet kill enemies, but many Legendary alternatives surpass it in both PvE and PvP. | Season 1 | Slot: 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: 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: Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a 3-round burst. Kills with this weapon heal the wielder. Precision kills also refill the magazine." |
| SUROS Regime |  SUROS Regime | Auto Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Engram | | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvP | Exotic Engram Free-to-Play | Slot: 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 a faster rate of fire can absolutely shred opposing Guardians. This makes SUROS an incredibly oppressive option if used correctly. It has fallen slightly behind, though, especially in this current long-range meta. | Season 3 | Slot: 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." |
| Rat King |  Rat King | Sidearm | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Kiosk | | Average ❘ B | Exotic Kiosk Free-to-Play | Slot: 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 capable when used by yourself and quite strong when used in a Fireteam with other Rat King users. | Season 1 | Slot: 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." |
| Malfeasance |  Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Quest | | Average ❘ B | Exotic Quest Free-to-Play | Slot: 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: 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." |
| Cryosthesia 77K |  Cryosthesia 77K | Sidearm | Exotic | Primary | Stasis | Beyond Light | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Kiosk | | Average ❘ B | Exotic Kiosk Beyond Light | Slot:  Exotic Perk: "Press and release to fire individual shots. Hold to fire a Charged Shot when Liquid Cooling is active. Final blows with this weapon enable a Charged Shot for a short duration. Targets hit by this shot are instantly frozen." ► Cryosthesia 77K has been through a lot. It was originally released in a sorry state, but it recently received several buffs that help it stand on its own. While it will serve you best in PVE as part of a carefully selected Stasis built, it can hold its own in the hands of an experienced sidearm user in PVP. | Season 14 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Press and release to fire individual shots. Hold to fire a Charged Shot when Liquid Cooling is active. Final blows with this weapon enable a Charged Shot for a short duration. Targets hit by this shot are instantly frozen." |
| Sweet Business |  Sweet Business | Auto Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | C › Weak | Exotic Quest | | Weak ❘ C | Exotic Quest Free-to-Play | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Larger magazine. Increased accuracy when firing from the hip. Picking up ammo for this weapon immediately reloads it." ► Sweet Business is fun, but that's about it. It can have an excellent TTK when it's ramped up, but when enemies hear a revved-up Sweet Business, they will simply either take cover or peek shoot. This renders the Sweet Business mostly ineffective. | Season 1 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Larger magazine. Increased accuracy when firing from the hip. Picking up ammo for this weapon immediately reloads it." |
| Sturm |  Sturm | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | C › Weak | Exotic Kiosk | | Weak ❘ C | Exotic Kiosk Free-to-Play | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Kills fill the magazine of the equipped Energy weapon from reserves. Kills with Drang reload this weapon and provides bonus damage." ► After its time in the spotlight in Season of the Chosen, Sturm has returned to being a pretty niche pick. Even if you play into the gameplay loop of using this gun by equipping Drang, it just feels like a lot of work for not too much payoff. While unique and fun at times, Sturm just isn't a top-tier pick right now. | Season 1 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Kills fill the magazine of the equipped Energy weapon from reserves. Kills with Drang reload this weapon and provides bonus damage." |
| Cerberus+1 |  Cerberus+1 | Auto Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | C › Weak | Exotic Engram | | Weak ❘ C | Exotic Engram Free-to-Play | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Shoots erratic bullets from all gun barrels at the same time. Aiming this weapon reduces the spread of its projectiles." ► To say Cerberus+1 is a niche option is an understatement. Cerberus is excellent at dealing with Titan Barricades, especially Citan's Rampart barricades, but other than that, this is a poor weapon, too erratic to do anything notable with. | Season 4 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Shoots erratic bullets from all gun barrels at the same time. Aiming this weapon reduces the spread of its projectiles." |
| Symmetry |  Symmetry | Scout Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Arc | Shadowkeep | Yes | C › Weak | Exotic Kiosk | | Weak ❘ C | Exotic Kiosk Shadowkeep | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Precision hits build up Dynamic Charge. Swapping to Arc Seeker mode increases damage and partially reloads the magazine. Arc Seekers track toward combatants you target." ► Symmetry isn't necessarily a bad option. It has a unique exotic perk and can kill enemies in two shots with enough stacks of Dynamic Charge. However, it requires constant precision to take full advantage of that perk. With alternatives such as High-Impact Pulse Rifles and Scout Rifles, Symmetry as an Exotic option struggles to keep up. | Season 9 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Precision hits build up Dynamic Charge. Swapping to Arc Seeker mode increases damage and partially reloads the magazine. Arc Seekers track toward combatants you target." |
| The Manticore |  The Manticore | Submachine Gun | Exotic | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Ongoing | Season Pass | | Ongoing... | Season Pass Free-to-Play | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Dealing damage while grounded charges antigrav repulsors. Dealing damage while airborne extends antigrav repulsors. Dealing damage while airborne increases this weapon's damage output." ► Still too early to tell, review ongoing... | Season 19 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Dealing damage while grounded charges antigrav repulsors. Dealing damage while airborne extends antigrav repulsors. Dealing damage while airborne increases this weapon's damage output." |
| Revision Zero |  Revision Zero | Pulse Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Season 19 | Yes | Ongoing | Exotic Quest | | Ongoing... | Exotic Quest Season 19 | Slot: Exotic Perk: To be confirmed... ► Still too early to tell, review ongoing... | Season 19 | Slot: Exotic Perk: To be confirmed... |
| Verglas Curve |  Verglas Curve | Combat Bow | Exotic | Primary | Stasis | Season 20 | Yes | Ongoing | Season Pass | | Ongoing... | Season Pass Season 20 | Slot: Exotic Perk: Final blows with this weapon grant Stasis arrows. Your next hip-fire shot will fire all of them in a single volley. Stasis arrows freeze targets on contact and create Stasis crystals when affecting the environment. | Season 20 | Slot: Exotic Perk: Final blows with this weapon grant Stasis arrows. Your next hip-fire shot will fire all of them in a single volley. Stasis arrows freeze targets on contact and create Stasis crystals when affecting the environment. |
| Final Warning |  Final Warning | Sidearm | Exotic | Primary | Strand | Lightfall | Yes | Ongoing | Exotic Quest | | Ongoing... | Exotic Quest Lightfall | Slot: Exotic Perk: Holding down the trigger marks targets and loads multiple bullets, which fire in a burst with increased stability on trigger release. Hitting a marked target with a fully charged burst will unravel them. Hipfiring Projectiles will track marked targets and deal increased body shot damage. Aiming Projectiles have greatly increased velocity and deal extra critical hit damage. | Season 20 | Slot: Exotic Perk: Holding down the trigger marks targets and loads multiple bullets, which fire in a burst with increased stability on trigger release. Hitting a marked target with a fully charged burst will unravel them. Hipfiring Projectiles will track marked targets and deal increased body shot damage. Aiming Projectiles have greatly increased velocity and deal extra critical hit damage. |
Special Exotics
| Name | Weapons | Type | Archetype | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Rank | Source | Available? | Tier rank | Source ❘ DLC | Final Verdict | Released | Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conditional Finality |  Conditional Finality | Shotgun | Exotic | Special | Stasis | Lightfall | Yes | Root of Nightmares Raid | | Root of Nightmares Raid Lightfall | Slot:  | Season 20 | Slot: |
||
| 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: 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: 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." |
| 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: 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 one of the strongest kinetic special weapon choices right now, allowing you to slow and freeze with ease. With its absurd stats, perks, and an S-Tier catalyst, this trace rifle is a staple for anyone wanting to create a Stasis build or just clear ads. | Season 15 | Slot: 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." |
| 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: 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: 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." |
| Izanagi's Burden |  Izanagi's Burden | Sniper Rifle | Exotic | Special | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Kiosk | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Holding reload consumes the magazine and loads a round with additional range and damage." ► A powerhouse of a weapon, Izanagi's Burden can reach some incredible DPS numbers, especially when combined with an Auto-Loading Holster Rocket Launcher. While this combo is slightly more demanding than some other DPS options, it is well worth the effort to unlock this beast's potential. | Season 5 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Holding reload consumes the magazine and loads a round with additional range and damage." |
| 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: Exotic Perk: "Fires slugs that cause massive damage to enemy shields. Strong against  ► Arbalest continues to dominate in every area of the game, even through nerfs to both its damage and aim assist. With the ability to bypass Barrier Champion and elemental shields in 1-2 shots (even on Grandmaster difficulty), Arbalest will remain an unstoppable force. | Season 6 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Fires slugs that cause massive damage to enemy shields. Strong against |
| Divinity |  Divinity | Trace Rifle | Exotic | Special | Arc | Shadowkeep | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Quest | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Exotic Quest Shadowkeep | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Sustained damage with this weapon envelops the target in a field that weakens and  ► Divinity has been a great choice since it was released back in Shadowkeep. Even though a recent nerf reduced its debuff potential to 15%, this trace rifle still proves its worth through the ability to make crits way easier to hit. Plus, it's still considered the best Overload weapon in the game. | Season 8 | Slot: Exotic Perk: "Sustained damage with this weapon envelops the target in a field that weakens and |
| 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: 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: Exotic Perk: "Fires a single-slug precision round. Precision kills briefly grant bonus handling, range, and precision damage with this weapon." |
| Duality |  Duality | Shotgun | Exotic | Special | Solar | Beyond Light | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Kiosk | | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP | Exotic Kiosk Beyond Light | Slot: 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: 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." |
| 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: 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: 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." |
| 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: 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: Exotic Perk: "Hold down the trigger to charge up a tracking shot that explodes and burns on impact. Energy matched shield explosion disorients enemies." |
| Cloudstrike |  |