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 Exotics are good and worth grinding for? How good are the latest ones?
As many of the best weapons in Destiny 2 are Exotics, this Tier list covers every single Destiny 2 Exotic in detail, including their main perks, and overall ranking.
Best Destiny 2 Exotic weapons: Ranked from Best to Worst
These are the 107 Exotic weapons currently available as of Season of the Deep (S21), excluding the upcoming Ghost of the Deep Exotic.
Primary Exotics
Name | Weapons | Type | Archetype | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Rank | Source | Available? | Tier rank | Source ❘ DLC | Final Verdict | Released | Perks | Best of? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Centrifuse | ![]() Centrifuse | Auto Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Season Pass | ![]() | Excels in: PvE | Season Pass![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Sprinting, sliding, and firing this weapon builds a temporary electrostatic charge, increasing range and reload speed. Final blows with high charge cause explosions, and maximum charge explosions blind targets." | Season 21 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Sprinting, sliding, and firing this weapon builds a temporary electrostatic charge, increasing range and reload speed. Final blows with high charge cause explosions, and maximum charge explosions blind targets." | ||
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." ► With recent buffs to its main perk and stats, Tarrabah is an excellent option for anywhere in the game. If your Exotic slot is open, giving this thing a whirl in The Crucible or with a Solar 3.0 build is a great idea. | Season 4 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "This weapon stores power when dealing or receiving damage. Once full, hold reload to unleash the beast." | Top-tier |
Lumina | ![]() Lumina | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Best ❘ S 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." ►Lumina is one of the most unique Exotics in Destiny 2, allowing you to heal allies and spread one of the most potent damage buffs in the game. If you're looking to optimize a DPS phase—or want to play a more significant support role—this is a fantastic pick. This applies to PvP too. | 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." | Top-tier |
No Time to Explain | ![]() No Time to Explain | Pulse Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Beyond Light | Yes | S › Best | Beyond Light Campaign | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Beyond Light Campaign![]() 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." | Top-tier |
Osteo Striga | ![]() Osteo Striga | Submachine Gun | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | The Witch Queen | Yes | S › Best | The Witch Queen Campaign | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | The Witch Queen Campaign![]() 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, 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. 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." | Top-tier |
Sunshot | ![]() Sunshot | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Engram | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Exotic Engram![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires explosive rounds. Targets killed with Sunshot explode in Solar energy." ► One of very few Lightweight Hand Cannons left in the game, Sunshot feels exceptionally great to use even while disregarding its exotic perk. However, looking at how many explosions you can set off with this weapon, it's clear why the community often regards Sunshot as both fun and a beast at ad clear. | Season 1 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires explosive rounds. Targets killed with Sunshot explode in Solar energy." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
Vex Mythoclast | ![]() Vex Mythoclast | Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Vault of Glass Raid | ![]() | Best ❘ S 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 is arguably one of the strongest fusions in the game. Not only does the catalyst grant a 20% damage boost on a kill, but the Overcharge shots do considerable damage to enemies. And thanks to exotic primaries doing 40% more damage to red bars, Vex can also contend in end-game content. | 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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
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) | Top-tier |
Trespasser | ![]() Trespasser | Sidearm | Exotic | Primary | Arc | The Witch Queen | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Exotic Kiosk![]() The Witch Queen | 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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
The Huckleberry | ![]() The Huckleberry | Submachine Gun | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Engram | ![]() | Strong ❘ A 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." | Top-tier |
Outbreak Perfected | ![]() Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Strong ❘ A 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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
Quicksilver Storm | ![]() Quicksilver Storm | Auto Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Strand | Lightfall | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Exotic Kiosk![]() Lightfall | 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's missing something 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." | Top-tier |
Verglas Curve | ![]() Verglas Curve | Combat Bow | Exotic | Primary | Stasis | Season 20 | Yes | A › Strong | Season Pass | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | 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." ► Considered the Stasis Trinity Ghoul, Verglas Curve is not far from the S tier category. With its 'Hail Barrage' perk, you can chain the generation of Stasis Crystals back to back. Getting kills with the Stasis Crystals loads more Stasis Crystals back to the bow. | 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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
Crimson | ![]() Crimson | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Engram | ![]() | Strong ❘ A 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 is often a misunderstood weapon and typically receives mixed reviews. But just like The Last Word, Crimson can be very good for PvP, provided you're using a controller. | 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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
Hawkmoon | ![]() Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Beyond Light | Yes | A › Strong | Xûr | ![]() | Strong ❘ A 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." ► Hawkmoon is one of the strongest Exotic Hand Cannons in PvP. It can consistently 2-tap (and even 1-tap) opposing Guardians, provided you are accurate enough. In the hands of an experienced player, Hawkmoon is definitely something to fear. | 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." | Top-tier |
Revision Zero | ![]() Revision Zero | Pulse Rifle | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | The Witch Queen | Yes | A › Strong | Unobtainable | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP | Unobtainable![]() The Witch Queen | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Precision hits grant targeting data. Swap to the alternate scope, loading high-damage rounds based on the amount of targeting data. Strong against Barrier Champions. Increased movement speed and target acquisition when moving while aiming down sights." ► Some have called Revision Zero the Pulse Rifle version of the Hawkmoon due to its charge function through precision hits. Charging up Sniper shots makes for quite a versatile weapon, but there will be better options if you just want a solid dueling Pulse Rifle. | Season 19 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Precision hits grant targeting data. Swap to the alternate scope, loading high-damage rounds based on the amount of targeting data. Strong against Barrier Champions. Increased movement speed and target acquisition when moving while aiming down sights." | Top-tier |
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, ![]() | Top-tier |
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." | |
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." | |
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." | |
The Last Word | ![]() The Last Word | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Average ❘ B 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." ► The Last Word is notorious for being way better on a controller than on mouse and keyboard. These days, it's much less common in The Crucible; however, it's still an alright pick for controller players who don't have much else to run. | 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 | B › Average | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Average ❘ B 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." ► Once one of the greats, Thorn has slowly drifted out of the meta. While it can still be strong in the hands of a skilled PvP player, it is outmatched by other exotic Hand Cannons like Ace of Spades and Hawkmoon, and can't hold a candle to options like The Immortal or No Time to Explain. | Season 6 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Rounds pierce targets and deal damage over time. Kills leave behind Remnants which, when absorbed, increase damage." | |
The Manticore | ![]() The Manticore | Submachine Gun | Exotic | Primary | Void | The Witch Queen | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvP | Exotic Kiosk![]() The Witch Queen | 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." ► The Manticore can completely catch opponents off guard if they refuse to take its airborne damage buff seriously. However, skilled players will quickly adapt and catch on to the Manticore's strategy and use you as a sitting duck when in the air. | 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." | |
Final Warning | ![]() Final Warning | Sidearm | Exotic | Primary | Strand | Lightfall | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Quest | ![]() | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvP | 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." ► While Final Warning may be a fun option inside of the Crubile, it isn't meta-defining and doesn't change the game too much. There are better options that don't take up your exotic slot. | 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." | |
Sturm | ![]() Sturm | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Average ❘ B | 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." ► Sturm is 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 can't be considered 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." | |
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." | |
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." |
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.
Special Exotics
Name | Weapons | Type | Archetype | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Rank | Source | Available? | Tier rank | Source ❘ DLC | Final Verdict | Released | Perks | Best of? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Navigator | ![]() The Navigator | Trace Rifle | Exotic | Special | Strand | Deluxe Edition | Yes | Ghost of the Deep Dungeon | ![]() | Ghost of the Deep Dungeon![]() Deluxe Edition | Slot: ![]() ![]() | Season 21 | Slot: ![]() ![]() | |||
Witherhoard | ![]() Witherhoard | Grenade Launcher | Exotic | Special | Kinetic | Shadowkeep | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Exotic Kiosk![]() Shadowkeep | 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." | Top-tier |
Cloudstrike | ![]() Cloudstrike | Sniper Rifle | Exotic | Special | Arc | Beyond Light | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Quest | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Exotic Quest![]() Beyond Light | Slot: ![]() ![]() 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." ► Cloudstrike is devastating. In PvE, it can be used in numerous hot-swap builds for incredible DPS. In PvP, it can be terribly devastating, capable of eliminating an entire Fireteam with one shot, especially in situations that force enemy players to group and capture specific objectives or hold choke points. | Season 12 | Slot: ![]() ![]() 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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
Dead Messenger | ![]() Dead Messenger | Grenade Launcher | Exotic | Special | Void | - | Yes | S › Best | Unobtainable | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Unobtainable | 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." | Top-tier |
Merciless | ![]() Merciless | Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Engram | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Exotic Engram![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Non-lethal hits make this weapon charge faster. Reloading immediately after a kill increases weapon damage for a short time." ► Merciless is unmatched in the Fusion Rifle department. With the changes to the Conserve Momentum perk lasting through reloading, Merciless became a beast overnight and can put out some ridiculous burst damage. | Season 1 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Non-lethal hits make this weapon charge faster. Reloading immediately after a kill increases weapon damage for a short time." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
Arbalest | ![]() Arbalest | Linear Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Special | Kinetic | Lightfall | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Quest | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Exotic Quest![]() Lightfall | 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 ![]() | Top-tier |
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 ![]() | Top-tier |
Conditional Finality | ![]() Conditional Finality | Shotgun | Exotic | Special | Stasis | Lightfall | Yes | S › Best | Root of Nightmares Raid | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Root of Nightmares Raid![]() Lightfall | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Dual barrels split into Stasis and Solar damage. Landing nearly all Stasis pellets will freeze targets; landing nearly all Solar pellets will ignite targets." ► Conditional Finality is remarkable. In PvE, it has Champion stunning capabilities and excellent potential damage with a hot-swap setup, rivaling even Izanagi's Burden. In PvP, it has great handling, solid 1-hit kill range, and can take down supers with its Freeze-Ignite effect. | Season 20 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Dual barrels split into Stasis and Solar damage. Landing nearly all Stasis pellets will freeze targets; landing nearly all Solar pellets will ignite targets." | Top-tier |
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 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." | Top-tier |
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." | Top-tier |
Forerunner | ![]() Forerunner | Sidearm | Exotic | Special | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Quest | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP | Exotic Quest![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() 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 true menace in the right hands. While it may take some time to get used to, there is little you can do against a Forerunner player who is hitting their shots. Boasting a 0.60s time-to-kill at practically infinite range, Forerunner is an incredible pick inside of PvP | 30th Anniversary event | Slot: ![]() ![]() 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." | Top-tier |
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: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "This weapon shoots a steady cold fusion-powered laser that does exponentially more damage the longer it remains on a target." ► Originally, Coldheart's exotic perk was simply that it was a trace rifle. But finally, after years and years of community persuading, Bungie added a unique trait to it: the ability to generate Ionic Traces. While this doesn't put it on the level of Divinity or Ager's Scepter, it provides an excellent addition to those on an Arc subclass. | Season 1 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "This weapon shoots a steady cold fusion-powered laser that does exponentially more damage the longer it remains on a target." | Top-tier |
Wavesplitter | ![]() Wavesplitter | Trace Rifle | Exotic | Special | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Engram | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Exotic Engram![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() 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 is incredibly slept on. With the mod changes in Lightfall, Orbs of Power are now everywhere, which allows Wavesplitter to enter its 'supercharged' mode more often, making it a suppressing machine and giving it viability in almost all pieces of content. | Season 4 | Slot: ![]() ![]() 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." | Top-tier |
Bastion | ![]() Bastion | Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Special | Kinetic | Shadowkeep | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Exotic Kiosk![]() Shadowkeep | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Charge to fire 3 spreads of Kinetic slugs. This weapon fires ![]() ►While not the PvP menace it used to be, recent changes have made Bastion a powerhouse in end-game PvE. As a Kinetic fusion, it can also take advantage of the 10% extra damage to Kinetic weapons. Still outclassed by other exotics, these changes make it more justifiable than before. | Season 9 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Charge to fire 3 spreads of Kinetic slugs. This weapon fires ![]() | Top-tier |
Telesto | ![]() Telesto | Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Special | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Engram | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: 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." | Top-tier |
Jötunn | ![]() Jötunn | Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Special | Solar | Forsaken Pack | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: 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." ► Jötunn's tracking shots have long been a menace in casual PvP, and with its catalyst granting it Cornered, there's never been a better time to pick up the Terrifying Toaster. On the PvE side, Jotuun has Incandescent via its catalyst, making a perfect Solar 3.0 weapon to toy around with. | 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." | Top-tier |
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: ![]() ![]() 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." ► A true menace in PVP when it was first released, Lorentz Driver has become a fun but off-meta choice in all areas of the game. While it can still excel in niche scenarios, newer weapons have taken the meta away from Lorentz. | Season 15 | Slot: ![]() ![]() 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." | Top-tier |
Eriana's Vow | ![]() Eriana's Vow | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Special | Solar | Shadowkeep | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE | Exotic Kiosk![]() Shadowkeep | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Fires special ![]() ► 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: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Fires special ![]() | |
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: ![]() ![]() 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: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "This weapon's rate of fire is increased significantly and fires full auto. Each successive shot has more damage and more spread." | |
Delicate Tomb | ![]() Delicate Tomb | Fusion Rifle | Exotic | Special | Arc | The Witch Queen | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE | Exotic Kiosk![]() The Witch Queen | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Fires a wide horizontal spread when shot from the hip. Final blows with this weapon have a chance to generate Ionic Traces. Collecting an Ionic Trace overcharges this weapon's next shot, jolting targets on hit." ► Even though Jolt's damage is getting reigned in, Delicate Tomb continues to be a solid pick for Arc 3.0 builds, especially now that Jolt stuns Overload Champions. While there are certainly better options, with the right build, Delicate Tomb can put in serious work. | Season 18 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Fires a wide horizontal spread when shot from the hip. Final blows with this weapon have a chance to generate Ionic Traces. Collecting an Ionic Trace overcharges this weapon's next shot, jolting targets on hit." | |
Lord of Wolves | ![]() Lord of Wolves | Shotgun | Exotic | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Engram | ![]() | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvP | Exotic Engram![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() 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: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Fires a powerful short-range burst of Solar damage. Hold to swap to a longer, more powerful burst." | |
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: ![]() ![]() 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." ► Other than the notorious "Laser Tag Weekend" that it caused, Prometheus Lens has never seen much use. While it can be a fun alternative to other special weapons at times (and can excel, to a certain extent, with ammo-based mods), there aren't many scenarios where Prometheus is utilized. | Season 2 | Slot: ![]() ![]() 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." | |
Ruinous Effigy | ![]() Ruinous Effigy | Trace Rifle | Exotic | Special | Void | Shadowkeep | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | Average ❘ B | Exotic Kiosk![]() Shadowkeep | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Final blows with this weapon collapse victims into Void Transmutation spheres. Transmutation spheres you create can be picked up and wielded as weapons by you or your allies." ► One of the most "exotic" feeling weapons Destiny 2 has to offer, Ruinous Effigy easily beats out most other options in terms of fun factor. Plus, with various buffs to this weapon's special abilities (such as its drain and ball slam), Ruinous can be an excellent major-killing option in low-tier PVE. | Season 11 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Final blows with this weapon collapse victims into Void Transmutation spheres. Transmutation spheres you create can be picked up and wielded as weapons by you or your allies." | |
Edge of Action | ![]() Edge of Action | Glaive | Exotic | Special | Void | The Witch Queen | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Quest | ![]() | Average ❘ B | Exotic Quest![]() The Witch Queen | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "When weapon energy is full, consume it before firing to make your next shot deploy a protective shield on impact.." ► Edge of Action slowly became the best of the three class-specific glaives. That's because of its interactions with Helm of Saint-14 and its general ease of use. All that said, it still can be hard making the call to use your exotic slot on a glaive, and the exotic perk can be tedious to proc at times, making it average on our list. | Season 16 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "When weapon energy is full, consume it before firing to make your next shot deploy a protective shield on impact.." | |
Edge of Intent | ![]() Edge of Intent | Glaive | Exotic | Special | Solar | The Witch Queen | Yes | B › Average | Exotic Quest | ![]() | Average ❘ B | Exotic Quest![]() The Witch Queen | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "When weapon energy is full, consume it before firing to make your next shot deploy a healing turret on impact." ► Warlocks have the most average of the three Exotic glaives: It doesn't offer as many build opportunities as the Titan one does, but it's also not utterly useless as the Hunter one. Sure, the healing turret is a nice tool in your kit to have, but there are way more powerful synergies you can experiment with for more potent effects. | Season 16 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "When weapon energy is full, consume it before firing to make your next shot deploy a healing turret on impact." | |
Borealis | ![]() Borealis | Sniper Rifle | Exotic | Special | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | C › Weak | Exotic Engram | ![]() | Weak ❘ C | Exotic Engram![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Holding changes this weapon's damage type. Breaking an enemy shield with that shield's energy type grants bonus damage for the rest of the magazine." ► You would think that Borealis would succeed now that Match Game is such an important part of endgame content. However, Dead Messenger and Arbalest do a way better job at this, and Borealis has almost nothing else going for it, making it a subpar option. | Season 1 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Holding changes this weapon's damage type. Breaking an enemy shield with that shield's energy type grants bonus damage for the rest of the magazine." | |
Edge of Concurrence | ![]() Edge of Concurrence | Glaive | Exotic | Special | Arc | The Witch Queen | Yes | D › Worst | Exotic Quest | ![]() | Worst ❘ D | Exotic Quest![]() The Witch Queen | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "When weapon energy is full, consume it before firing to make your next shot track targets across the ground and unleash chain lightning on impact." ► Hunters are known to sometimes get the short end of the stick, and this happens to be one of those times. Edge of Concurrence and its chain lightning abilities are exceptional in theory, but other exotics already do this significantly better (namely Trinity Ghoul and Riskrunner). All that said, it's hard to recommend Edge of Concurrence, even with Arc 3.0. | Season 16 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "When weapon energy is full, consume it before firing to make your next shot track targets across the ground and unleash chain lightning on impact." |