Hand cannons have been at the top of the PvP Meta since the early days of Destiny 1. 10 years later, they remain at the top for the Crucible. And thanks to a few notable buffs recently released, Hand cannons have become meta for PvE too.
This guide covers all Hand Cannons in Destiny 2 and their best rolls for PvE and PvP.
Updated as of Episode 1: Echoes. See Updates.
Top Tier Hand Cannons (Episode 1)
This Tier list features the best Exotic and Legendary Hand cannons right now:
Item | Weapons | Type | Archetype | Ammo? | Element? | Requirements | In loot pool? | Rank | Source | Available? | Tier rank | Source ❘ DLC | Final Verdict | Released | Perks | Best of? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fatebringer | Fatebringer Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Vault of Glass Raid | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Vault of Glass Raid Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Firefly PvP God Roll: Explosive Payload + Eye of the Storm ► One of the most iconic legendary weapons in the game, Fatebringer comes with insane stats and great perks. While it does have some competition, namely Eyasluna, this almost-perfect Hand Cannon holds its ground as an all-time community favorite. | Season 14 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Firefly PvP God Roll: Explosive Payload + Eye of the Storm | Top-tier | |
Warden's Law | Warden's Law Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Heavy Burst | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Nightfall: The Ordeals | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Nightfall: The Ordeals Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Heavy Burst PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's the Charm (also good: Perpetual Motion) + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Frenzy ) PvP God Roll: Moving Target (also good: Discord) + Kill Clip ► While Warden's Law is only known for one thing (absurdly high DPS with the Hunter's Lucky Pants), it does exceptionally well at it. Although it definitely isn't a meta pick outside of that one use case, that alone bursts it above most of the pack; plus, it's an extremely fun and unique gun to use regardless! | Season 22 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Heavy Burst PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's the Charm (also good: Perpetual Motion) + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Frenzy ) PvP God Roll: Moving Target (also good: Discord) + Kill Clip | Top-tier | |
Sunshot | Sunshot Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Engram | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Exotic Engram Free-to-Play | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires explosive rounds. Targets killed with Sunshot explode in Solar energy." ► While it may not have access to the Season 23 Artifact that made it truly pop, Sunshot continues to dominate the current PvE meta. Even if you aren't rocking a Solar build, this weapon is a great option for any PvE activity you dive into. | Season 1 | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires explosive rounds. Targets killed with Sunshot explode in Solar energy." | Top-tier | |
Malfeasance | Malfeasance Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Quest | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Exotic Quest Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Shoot tainted slugs that burrow into the enemy. Stacking enough slugs causes them all to explode. Bonus damage against Taken enemies and Gambit invaders." ► Malfeasance has always been a fascinating weapon, and with the buffs to Hand Cannons, it quickly became one of the strongest Kinetic Primaries in the game, especially against Taken enemies. Malfeasance is even stronger when using the Lucky Pants Exotic, allowing for ridiculous damage. | Season 4 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Shoot tainted slugs that burrow into the enemy. Stacking enough slugs causes them all to explode. Bonus damage against Taken enemies and Gambit invaders." | Top-tier | |
Zaouli’s Bane | Zaouli’s Bane Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | King's Fall Raid | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | King's Fall Raid Free-to-Play | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Incandescent ► On top of offering excellent base stats (which can only be expected from a raid weapon), the Zaouli's Bane can also roll with an extremely lethal and unique perk combination: Explosive Payload + Incandescent. With a strong Solar 3.0 Build, a Zaouli's Bane with Incandescent can be a monster in mid to high-end PvE content. | Season 18 | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Incandescent | Top-tier | |
Midnight Coup | Midnight Coup Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Onslaught Activity | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Onslaught Activity Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Firefly or Explosive Payload + Frenzy or One for All ► Midnight Coup offers a plethora of perks. While the classic Outlaw and Rampage combo is still strong, Midnight Coup offers insane perk combinations that set it apart, and help it excel, be it for ad clear or taking down Majors. | Into the Light | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Firefly or Explosive Payload + Frenzy or One for All | Top-tier | |
Ace of Spades | Ace of Spades Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Kiosk | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP | Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Precision kills increase reload speed and cause the target to explode. Reloading after a kill increases damage. Grants radar while aiming down sights." ► Arguably the best 140 RPM hand cannon in the game, Ace of Spades has a lot to offer. With excellent base stats and some of the best perks around, namely Momento Mori, which is like Kill Clip on steroids and the ability to see your radar while zoomed in, this weapon has a bit of everything. | Season 4 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Precision kills increase reload speed and cause the target to explode. Reloading after a kill increases damage. Grants radar while aiming down sights." | Top-tier | |
Thorn | Thorn Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | S › Best | Exotic Kiosk | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP | Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Rounds pierce targets and deal damage over time. Kills leave behind Remnants which, when absorbed, increase damage." ► Thorn has rocketed right back into the meta with the release of its Exotic Catalyst. This catalyst provides practically everything: Range, Mobility, Handling, and Stability upon a single kill, or absorbing a remnant. This allows for constant kill-chaining and lets good players take over any lobby. | Season 6 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Rounds pierce targets and deal damage over time. Kills leave behind Remnants which, when absorbed, increase damage." | Top-tier | |
Hawkmoon | Hawkmoon Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Beyond Light Pack | Yes | S › Best | Xûr | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP | Xûr Beyond Light Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Final blows and precision hits with Hawkmoon grant stacks of Paracausal Charge. The final round in the magazine deals bonus damage based on the number of stacks. Stowing Hawkmoon on the final round removes this bonus." ► 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: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Final blows and precision hits with Hawkmoon grant stacks of Paracausal Charge. The final round in the magazine deals bonus damage based on the number of stacks. Stowing Hawkmoon on the final round removes this bonus." | Top-tier | |
Rose | Rose Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Lightweight | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Playlist: Crucible | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP | Playlist: Crucible Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Lightweight PvP God Rolls: Moving Target + Explosive Payload (also good: Eye of the Storm) ► Rose was a reward from competitive PvP, so it makes sense that it's a monster in The Crucible. The weapon has absurd stats and perks that allow it to rocket past its competition. Sure, it's harder to obtain than other options, but this grind is easily worth it if you're an avid Crucible player. | Season 19 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Lightweight PvP God Rolls: Moving Target + Explosive Payload (also good: Eye of the Storm) | Top-tier | |
Lumina | Lumina Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | A › Strong | Exotic Kiosk | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Exotic Kiosk Forsaken Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Kills with this weapon leave behind Remnants which convert your next hip fired shot into an ally-seeking Noble Round that heals them and grants both of you a weapon damage bonus for a short duration." ►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: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Exotic Exotic Perk: "Kills with this weapon leave behind Remnants which convert your next hip fired shot into an ally-seeking Noble Round that heals them and grants both of you a weapon damage bonus for a short duration." | Top-tier | |
Austringer | Austringer Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Primary | Kinetic | Beyond Light Pack | Yes | A › Strong | Presage | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Presage Beyond Light Pack | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage PvP God Roll: Eye of the Storm + Opening Shot (also good: Rangefinder) ► With a fanbase that rivals that of Spare Rations, nearly everyone was waiting for the day that Austringer came back. That day has come, and Austringer is once again a great pick for anything in the game. With amazing stats, even better perks, and the ability to be crafted, it's hard to not see why people love this weapon. | Season 17 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage PvP God Roll: Eye of the Storm + Opening Shot (also good: Rangefinder) | Top-tier | |
Exalted Truth | Exalted Truth Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Primary | Void | The Final Shape | Yes | A › Strong | Trials of Osiris | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Trials of Osiris The Final Shape | Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage (also good: Repulsor Brace) PvP God Roll: Rangefinder + Rampage ► Currently one of the best legendary hand cannons available, Exalted Truth's difficult method of obtainability is balanced out by the weapon's pure power. With buildcrafting options for PvE and a plethora of consistency perks for The Crucible, this is a weapon that will be hard to top with future releases. | Season 19 | Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage (also good: Repulsor Brace) PvP God Roll: Rangefinder + Rampage | Top-tier | |
Word of Crota | Word of Crota Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Precision | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Crota's End Raid | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Crota's End Raid Free-to-Play | Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Repulsor Brace (also good: Demolitionist) + Sword Logic (also good: Destabilizing Rounds) PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Sword Logic ► Word of Crota is in the running for the best 180 RPM hand cannon in the game, competing with other top-tier options such as Posterity. While it continues to be difficult to recommend 180 RPM options over other archetypes, Word of Crota excels in its own field and could become a top option with future sandbox changes. | Season 22 | Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Repulsor Brace (also good: Demolitionist) + Sword Logic (also good: Destabilizing Rounds) PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Sword Logic | Top-tier | |
Sightline Survey | Sightline Survey Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Precision | Primary | Arc | Episode 1: Echoes | Yes | A › Strong | Echoes Activities | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Echoes Activities Episode 1: Echoes | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Enlightened Action + Voltshot PvP God Roll: Keep Away (also good: Fragile Focus) + Kill Clip (also good: Precision Instrument) ► While 180 RPM hand cannons are notoriously disliked (especially in PvE), Sightline Survey is one of the best of the bunch. Offering some solid perks for all areas of the game, it may be with grinding if you're a fan of the way it feels to use. | The Final Shape | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Enlightened Action + Voltshot PvP God Roll: Keep Away (also good: Fragile Focus) + Kill Clip (also good: Precision Instrument) | Top-tier | |
Nation of Beasts | Nation of Beasts Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Primary | Arc | Forsaken Pack | Yes | A › Strong | Last Wish Raid | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Last Wish Raid Forsaken Pack | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Dragonfly (also good: Eddy Current) + Voltshot (also good: Collective Action) ► Nation of Beasts was treated well with the Last Wish weapon refresh. While it's not the absolute strongest option out there, it's one of the best pairings for Arc builds in PvE. | Season 4 | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Dragonfly (also good: Eddy Current) + Voltshot (also good: Collective Action) | Top-tier | |
Posterity | Posterity Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Precision | Primary | Arc | Beyond Light Pack | Yes | A › Strong | Deep Stone Crypt Raid | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Deep Stone Crypt Raid Beyond Light Pack | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Reconstruction (also good: Rapid Hit) + One for All (also good: Rampage) ► With an extremely strong perk pool and amazing stats, Posterity is easily one of the best 180 RPM Hand Cannon in the game. The problem is it belongs to the weak Precision Frame archetype... While it isn't the best choice now, it might be worth picking up a roll you like when 180s get buffed. | Season 12 | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Reconstruction (also good: Rapid Hit) + One for All (also good: Rampage) | Top-tier | |
Bold Endings | Bold Endings Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Heavy Burst | Primary | Stasis | The Final Shape | Yes | A › Strong | The Pale Heart | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | The Pale Heart The Final Shape | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Heavy Burst PvE God Roll: Headstone (also good: Rapid-Hit) + Demolitionist or Collective Action ► Bold Endings has some stiff competition from Warden's Law, and people tend to still prefer the latter. While Bold Endings does well in the stat department, Warden's Law is better at what heavy burst hand cannons are primarily used for: boss damage. | The Final Shape | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Heavy Burst PvE God Roll: Headstone (also good: Rapid-Hit) + Demolitionist or Collective Action | Top-tier | |
Better Devils | Better Devils Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Primary | Strand | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Playlist: Crucible | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Playlist: Crucible Free-to-Play | Slot: Strand | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Demolitionist + Frenzy or Explosive Payload ► While Better Devils does have its fair share of solid perks (and is easily the best Strand hand cannon for PvE released thus far), it definitely doesn't compare to the top options we see being used constantly. | The Final Shape | Slot: Strand | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Demolitionist + Frenzy or Explosive Payload | Top-tier | |
Maahes HC4 | Maahes HC4 Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Heavy Burst | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | World loot pool | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | World loot pool Free-to-Play | Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Heavy Burst PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit or Repulsor Brace + Frenzy or Destabilizing Rounds ► Because there aren't all too many outstanding Void hand cannons for PvE, Maahes HC4 has seen a fair bit of use recently. Even so, unless you're running a Void build and are an avid hand cannon enjoyer, there's likely a better option out there for you. | The Final Shape | Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Heavy Burst PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit or Repulsor Brace + Frenzy or Destabilizing Rounds | Top-tier | |
Igneous Hammer | Igneous Hammer Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Primary | Solar | The Final Shape | Yes | A › Strong | Trials of Osiris | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP | Trials of Osiris The Final Shape | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Outlaw) + Rampage ► Igneous Hammer definitely isn't as popular as it was when it was first released, but the weapon still sees use in all areas of the game. With excellent stats and some top-tier perks on its side, Igneous continues to be one of the better 120 RPM hand cannons available. | Season 13 | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Outlaw) + Rampage | Top-tier | |
Cantata-57 | Cantata-57 Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Gunsmith | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP | Gunsmith Free-to-Play | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Eye of the Storm + Opening Shot (also good: Rangefinder ) ► Cantata-57 has definitely lost popularity since its initial release with The Witch Queen, but that doesn't mean it's not worth using! With a well-rounded balance of great perks and stats, this hand cannon still rivals top picks in The Crucible while being easier to obtain. | Season 16 | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvP God Roll: Eye of the Storm + Opening Shot (also good: Rangefinder ) | Top-tier | |
Luna's Howl | Luna's Howl Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Precision | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Onslaught Activity | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP | Onslaught Activity Free-to-Play | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvP God Roll: Encore or Eye of the Storm + Magnificent Howl or Kill Clip ► Given that Magnificent Howl was nerfed, Luna’s won’t be as overpowered as it used to be. However, its new suite of perks makes it one of the most powerful 140s for PvP, plus, it has the stats of a precision frame in terms of accuracy. This is a perfect dueling weapon for the hand cannon aficionados. | Into the Light | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvP God Roll: Encore or Eye of the Storm + Magnificent Howl or Kill Clip | Top-tier |
Destiny 2 Hand Cannons: Complete List
This database includes every viable Hand Cannon currently in the game:
Art | Name | Type | Archetype | Rarity | Ammo? | Element? | Requirements | In loot pool? | Ammo | Element | Tier | Excels | Source | Craftable? | Requires | Released | Slot | Can be Crafted? | Best of? | Top Perk? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ace of Spades | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | S › Best | PvP | Exotic Kiosk | No | Forsaken Pack | Season 4 | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | ||
Crimson | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | B › Average | PvP | Exotic Engram | No | Free-to-Play | Season 2 | Kinetic | No | |||
Eriana's Vow | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Exotic | Special | Solar | Shadowkeep Pack | Yes | Special | Solar | B › Average | PvE | Exotic Kiosk | No | Shadowkeep Pack | Season 8 | Energy | No | |||
Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Beyond Light Pack | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | S › Best | PvP | Xûr | No | Beyond Light Pack | Season 12 | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | ||
Lumina | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | A › Strong | PvE + PvP | Exotic Kiosk | No | Forsaken Pack | Season 7 | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | ||
Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | S › Best | PvE | Exotic Quest | No | Free-to-Play | Season 4 | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | ||
Sturm | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | D › Worst | - | Exotic Kiosk | No | Free-to-Play | Season 1 | Kinetic | No | |||
Sunshot | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Solar | S › Best | PvE | Exotic Engram | No | Free-to-Play | Season 1 | Energy | No | Top-tier | ||
The Last Word | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | B › Average | PvP | Exotic Kiosk | No | Forsaken Pack | Season 5 | Kinetic | No | |||
Thorn | Hand Cannon | Exotic | Exotic | Primary | Kinetic | Forsaken Pack | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | S › Best | PvP | Exotic Kiosk | No | Forsaken Pack | Season 6 | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | ||
Ancient Gospel | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Void | Shadowkeep Pack | Yes | Primary | Void | C › Weak | PvE | Garden of Salvation Raid | Yes | Shadowkeep Pack | Season 8 | Energy | Craftable | |||
Annual Skate | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Solar | C › Weak | - | World loot pool | No | Free-to-Play | Season 15 | Energy | No | |||
Austringer | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Beyond Light Pack | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | A › Strong | PvE + PvP | Presage | Yes | Beyond Light Pack | Season 17 | Kinetic | Craftable | Top-tier | ||
Better Devils | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Strand | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Strand | A › Strong | PvE | Playlist: Crucible | No | Free-to-Play | The Final Shape | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | ||
Bold Endings | Hand Cannon | Heavy Burst | Legendary | Primary | Stasis | The Final Shape | Yes | Primary | Stasis | A › Strong | PvE | The Pale Heart | Yes | The Final Shape | The Final Shape | Kinetic | Craftable | Top-tier | ||
Bottom Dollar | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Void | C › Weak | PvE + PvP | Playlist: Gambit | No | Free-to-Play | Season 13 | Energy | No | |||
Cantata-57 | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Arc | A › Strong | PvP | Gunsmith | No | Free-to-Play | Season 16 | Energy | No | Top-tier | ||
Combined Action | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Arc | C › Weak | PvP | Lost Sector | No | Free-to-Play | Season 21 | Energy | No | Voltshot | ||
Crimil's Dagger | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | No | Primary | Kinetic | B › Average | PvP | Iron Banner | No | Free-to-Play | Season 11 | Kinetic | No | |||
Crisis Inverted | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Arc | C › Weak | - | Playlist: Crucible | No | Free-to-Play | Season 16 | Energy | No | |||
D.F.A. | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | C › Weak | - | Nightfall: The Ordeals | No | Free-to-Play | Season 17 | Kinetic | No | |||
Dire Promise | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | C › Weak | - | World loot pool | No | Free-to-Play | Season 10 | Kinetic | No | |||
Epochal Integration | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Solar | B › Average | PvE + PvP | Seasonal activity | No | Free-to-Play | Season 21 | Energy | No | |||
Exalted Truth | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Void | The Final Shape | Yes | Primary | Void | A › Strong | PvE + PvP | Trials of Osiris | No | The Final Shape | Season 19 | Energy | No | Top-tier | Repulsor Brace | |
Exuviae | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Stasis | Episode 2: Revenant | Yes | Primary | Stasis | Revenant Activities | No | Episode 2: Revenant | Episode 2 | Kinetic | No | |||||
Eyasluna | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Stasis | 30th Anniversary | Yes | Primary | Stasis | B › Average | PvE + PvP | Grasp of Avarice Dungeon | No | 30th Anniversary | 30th Anniversary event | Kinetic | No | |||
Fatebringer | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | S › Best | PvE + PvP | Vault of Glass Raid | No | Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | ||
Finite Impactor | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | No | Primary | Arc | D › Worst | - | Iron Banner | No | Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Energy | No | |||
Frontier's Cry | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Solar | D › Worst | - | Iron Banner | No | Free-to-Play | Season 16 | Energy | No | |||
Igneous Hammer | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | The Final Shape | Yes | Primary | Solar | A › Strong | PvP | Trials of Osiris | No | The Final Shape | Season 13 | Energy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent | |
IKELOS_HC_v1.0.3 | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Void | The Witch Queen | Yes | Primary | Void | C › Weak | - | Operation: Seraph's Shield | Yes | Witch Queen | Season 19 | Energy | Craftable | Repulsor Brace | ||
Judgment | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Stasis | C › Weak | - | Prophecy Dungeon | No | Free-to-Play | Season 23 | Kinetic | No | |||
Kept Confidence | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Strand | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Strand | B › Average | PvP | Xûr | Yes | Free-to-Play | Season 22 | Kinetic | Craftable | |||
Loud Lullaby | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | C › Weak | - | Moon | No | Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Kinetic | No | |||
Luna's Howl | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Solar | A › Strong | PvP | Onslaught Activity | No | Free-to-Play | Into the Light | Energy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent | |
Maahes HC4 | Hand Cannon | Heavy Burst | Legendary | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Void | A › Strong | PvE | World loot pool | No | Free-to-Play | The Final Shape | Energy | No | Top-tier | ||
Malediction | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | C › Weak | PvP | Playlist: Pursuit | No | Free-to-Play | Season 22 | Kinetic | No | |||
Midnight Coup | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | S › Best | PvE | Onslaught Activity | No | Free-to-Play | Into the Light | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | Kinetic Tremors | |
Nation of Beasts | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Forsaken Pack | Yes | Primary | Arc | A › Strong | PvE | Last Wish Raid | Yes | Forsaken Pack | Season 4 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Voltshot | |
Nature of the Beast | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Arc | D › Worst | - | World loot pool | No | Free-to-Play | Season 11 | Energy | No | |||
Optative | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Void | B › Average | PvE | Undying | Yes | Free-to-Play | Season 23 | Energy | Craftable | |||
Posterity | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Beyond Light Pack | Yes | Primary | Arc | A › Strong | PvE | Deep Stone Crypt Raid | Yes | Beyond Light Pack | Season 12 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Voltshot,Reconstruction | |
Pure Poetry | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | C › Weak | - | Vanguard Focusing | No | Free-to-Play | Season 18 | Kinetic | No | |||
Rose | Hand Cannon | Lightweight | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | S › Best | PvP | Playlist: Crucible | No | Free-to-Play | Season 19 | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | ||
Round Robin | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Strand | Lightfall | Yes | Primary | Strand | B › Average | PvP | Neomuna | Yes | Lightfall | Season 20 | Kinetic | Craftable | |||
Seventh Seraph Officer Revolver | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | D › Worst | PvE | Xûr | No | Free-to-Play | Season 10 | Kinetic | No | Reconstruction | ||
Sightline Survey | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Episode 1: Echoes | Yes | Primary | Arc | A › Strong | PvE + PvP | Echoes Activities | Yes | Episode 1: Echoes | The Final Shape | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Voltshot | |
Something New | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Timed-Event | Primary | Stasis | B › Average | - | Event: Solstice | No | Free-to-Play | Season 17 | Kinetic | No | |||
Spare Rations | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | C › Weak | PvP | Fishing | No | Free-to-Play | Season 21 | Kinetic | No | Kinetic Tremors | ||
Survivor's Epitaph | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | B › Average | PvP | Playlist: Crucible | No | Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Kinetic | No | |||
Targeted Redaction | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Void | C › Weak | PvE | Xûr | Yes | Free-to-Play | Season 21 | Energy | Craftable | |||
The Palindrome | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | No | Primary | Void | B › Average | PvP | Nightfall: The Ordeals | No | Free-to-Play | Season 13 | Energy | No | |||
The Steady Hand | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | No | Primary | Kinetic | D › Worst | - | Iron Banner | No | Free-to-Play | Season 12 | Kinetic | No | |||
True Prophecy | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | C › Weak | PvP | World loot pool | No | Free-to-Play | Season 10 | Kinetic | No | |||
Trust | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Solar | B › Average | PvE + PvP | Playlist: Gambit | No | Free-to-Play | Season 20 | Energy | No | Incandescent | ||
Vulpecula | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Stasis | C › Weak | - | Xûr | No | Free-to-Play | Season 15 | Kinetic | No | |||
Waking Vigil | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Arc | B › Average | PvP | Shattered Throne Dungeon | No | Free-to-Play | Season 13 | Energy | No | Voltshot | ||
Warden's Law | Hand Cannon | Heavy Burst | Legendary | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Kinetic | S › Best | PvE + PvP | Nightfall: The Ordeals | No | Free-to-Play | Season 22 | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | ||
Word of Crota | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Void | A › Strong | PvE + PvP | Crota's End Raid | Yes | Free-to-Play | Season 22 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Sword Logic | |
Yesterday's Question | Hand Cannon | Heavy Burst | Legendary | Primary | Arc | The Final Shape | Yes | Primary | Arc | Trials of Osiris | No | The Final Shape | Episode 2 | Energy | No | |||||
Zaouli’s Bane | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Primary | Solar | S › Best | PvE | King's Fall Raid | Yes | Free-to-Play | Season 18 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
Tier Ranks used for our list:
- S+ Tier – Meta: Weapons so good they singlehandedly shifted the current meta
- S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapons.
- A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapons, but not on the same level as S Tier Choices.
- B Tier – Average: Either decent weapons or weapons that fit a very specific niche/use case.
- C Tier – Weak: Mediocre weapons that are easily outclassed by the competition.
- D Tier – Worst: Weapons that don’t have much to offer and don’t deserve your attention.
Best D2 Hand Cannons Today
Ready to dig deeper into the absolute best hand cannons in Destiny 2 right now? These are the cream of the crop, our favorites (for PvE and PvP):
5. Warden’s Law
Excels in PvE
Coming in at #5 on our list is currently one of the most unique legendary weapons in the game: Warden’s Law.
Even though Bungie has recently added more entries to the heavy burst frame, they simply don’t compare to Warden’s Law. And while it only has one purpose in the current meta, its strengths in that area are enough to boost it above most of its competition.
When combined with the Lucky Pants Hunter exotic, Warden’s Law can pump out absurdly high DPS. Many still prefer other options that take special and heavy ammo instead, but having a weapon that’s easy to use and never runs out of ammo for DPS is still extremely desirable.
Sure, Warden’s Law may be nothing more than a fun pick for Warlocks and Titans, but its unmatched DPS strength on the Hunter class is enough to boost it above most of the competition. These are the top Warden’s Law God Rolls:
- PvE God roll: ourth Time’s the Charm (also good: Perpetual Motion) + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Frenzy )
- PvP God roll: Moving Target (also good: Discord) + Kill Clip
How to get it: Warden’s Law is a Nightfall Weapon that can be acquired from Nightfall completions, Engrams, and/or rank-ups.
Name: Warden's Law | Type: Hand CannonArchetype: Heavy Burst | Ammo: PrimaryElement: Kinetic | Craftable: NoReleased: Season 22 | Source: Nightfall: The OrdealsRequires: Free-to-Play |
4. Malfeasance
Excels in PvE
Originally released as one of the weakest exotics out at the time, Malfeasance now excels in many PvE activities.
The most obvious pairing for Malfeasance is the same as Warden’s Law: Lucky Pants. While only Hunters can take advantage of the synergy, the damage you can put out with this combination of exotics is absurd.
Even so, Malfeasance can hold its ground without Lucky Pants just as well. With high base damage through Explosive Shadow, a boost to damage against Taken enemies with Taken Predator, Vorpal Weapon with its catalyst, and the ability to stun Unstoppable champions, Malfeasance can do just about anything. While deciding to run this over a different exotic is something you’ll rarely see, the intrinsic power of Malfeasance is unparalleled.
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.”
How to get it: We cover How to get Malfeasance + Catalyst here.
Name: Malfeasance | Type: Hand CannonArchetype: Exotic | Ammo: PrimaryElement: Kinetic | Craftable: NoReleased: Season 4 | Source: Exotic QuestRequires: Free-to-Play |
3. Lumina
Excels in PVE and PVP
Lumina is the premier support Exotic, allowing you to heal and empower allies with ease.
In PvE, Lumina’s 35% damage bonus is one of the highest in the game. Banner Shield is the only one that surpasses it at 40%, but that requires someone to be locked in a Super. This makes Lumina a powerful option in casual and hardcore content alike.
Lumina increases damage by 15% in The Crucible, which is still significant. Its healing abilities are also potent here and can quickly help teammates cheat death. This weapon is the clear choice for Guardians wanting to strengthen their support role in a fireteam. Plus, you’ll reap the rewards in the form of your own damage buff.
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.”
How to get it: Lumina can be acquired from Exotic engrams or occasionally from Xûr.
Name: Lumina | Type: Hand CannonArchetype: Exotic | Ammo: PrimaryElement: Kinetic | Craftable: NoReleased: Season 7 | Source: Exotic KioskRequires: Forsaken Pack |
2. Zaouli’s Bane
Excels in PvE
While it feels a bit one-sided to have our top two picks on this list serve the exact same purpose, they’re both extremely strong and deserve the rankings they have.
With Explosive Payload and Incandescent, Zaouli’s Bane is effectively a legendary version of Sunshot. And while other options excel further when not using a Solar build (Midnight Coup and Fatebringer come to mind), Zaouli’s feels extremely nice to use and is hard to beat.
If you’re able to find a team to farm King’s Fall for this weapon, definitely get some runs in. This weapon is definitely worth the hype and is the default option for many Guardians in PvE. These are the top Zaouli’s Bane God Rolls:
- PvE God roll: Explosive Payload + Incandescent
How to get it: Zaouli’s Bane can be acquired from the King’s Fall Raid.
Name: Zaouli’s Bane | Type: Hand CannonArchetype: Adaptive | Ammo: PrimaryElement: Solar | Craftable: YesReleased: Season 18 | Source: King's Fall RaidRequires: Free-to-Play |
1. Sunshot
Excels in PvE
Sunshot has consistently been an outstanding weapon throughout Destiny 2’s history but recently has become one of the best PvE weapons in the game. Even without any synergies, Sunshot is able to dominate most PvE activities. With relatively high damage per shot and explosions that do a fair bit of work as well, Sunshot is perhaps the smoothest-feeling ad clearing hand cannon Destiny 2 has to offer.
Finding synergies within the Solar subclasses, however, is where Sunshot takes off. Both Solar subclasses and Sunshot are absurdly powerful on their own, but utilizing fragments like Ember of Empyrean or Solar-based seasonal mods pushes their potency to its limit.
While some cases may call for different hand cannons or primary weapons entirely, Sunshot is both fun and strong, making it one of the best weapons currently obtainable in Destiny 2.
Exotic Perk: “This weapon fires explosive rounds. Targets killed with Sunshot explode in Solar energy.”
How to get it: We cover How to get Sunshot + Catalyst here.
Name: Sunshot | Type: Hand CannonArchetype: Exotic | Ammo: PrimaryElement: Solar | Craftable: NoReleased: Season 1 | Source: Exotic EngramRequires: Free-to-Play |
Hand Cannons and the PvP Meta: TTK
We covered which Hand Cannons are considered top-tier (and should be farmed) and which ones can be safely ignored. But how do they compare to other primary weapons in PvP?
Weapon Type | Rank | Tier | Trend | Role ❘ Current State | Category |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hand Cannons | S › Best | Best ❘ S | - | ► Hand Cannons feel great right now and can deal with all the other meta options, provided they are in the hands of a skilled player. They are unbelievably forgiving in terms of aim-assist and can compete at solid ranges. Hand Cannons are the jack of all trades, and while they may not dominate up close or far away, they are incredibly scary to face in a mid-range duel. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (120 RPM) - Example: Igneous Hammer | PVP Primaries |
Pulse Rifles | S › Best | Best ❘ S | - | ► Pulse Rifles have seen a resurgence in the past few seasons, with constant buffs to all types of Pulse Rifles. It is hard not to find success with one due to the high-flinch potential of Rapid-Fire Pulses or the lethal time-to-kill of High-Impact Pulses. ► Best Archetype: High-Impact (340 RPM) - Example: The Messenger | PVP Primaries |
Auto Rifles | S › Best | Best ❘ S | ► Auto Rifles are remarkably easy to use. Options like Khvostov or The Summoner both excel at medium range, and if you can close the gap on Pulse Rifles, you can easily take advantage of the high flinch factor and solid time-to-kill that Auto Rifles have. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (600 RPM) - Example: Khvostov 7G-0X | PVP Primaries | |
Sidearms | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | - | ► Sidearms have lost their place at the top of the meta, but they remain a solid pick, especially for players using a Controller, as they inherently have manageable stability with a rapid time-to-kill. Honestly, the main reason they've lost their place at the top is due to how powerful SMGs are right now. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (325 RPM) - Example: Forgiveness | PVP Primaries |
Submachine Guns | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | ► SMGs have lost a little bit of power as aggressive play isn't as prevalent as it once was, but you can definitely still succeed with certain SMGs, especially on close-range maps. ► Best Archetype: Aggressive (720 RPM) - Example: Unending Tempest | PVP Primaries | |
Combat Bows | B › Average | Average ❘ B | - | ► Bows are incredibly unique. They have a remarkably slow time to kill, however, this isn't where Bows shine. Hotswap builds with bows can be incredibly potent and don't require much learning either. Bows also provide incredible value when teamshooting opponents. Despite this, Bows on their own are quite mediocre and need something behind them to really shine. ► Best Archetype: Precision (Slower Draw Time) - Example: Strident Whistle | PVP Primaries |
Scout Rifles | C › Weak | Weak ❘ C | - | ► Scout Rifles are struggling right now. In most situations, the maps are too small to benefit the long range of a Scout rifle. An Aggressive or High-Impact Pulse Rifle will better serve your needs. Plus, Scout Rifles are abysmal up close. There are one or two outliers that shine but, on the whole, Scout Rifles are in a weak spot. ► Best Archetype: Rapid-Fire (260 RPM) - Example: Fang of Ir Yût | PVP Primaries |
Remember that when it comes to PvP, TTK is perhaps the most important factor. As you know, the lower the TTK, the faster you can kill your opponent. This TTK guide includes the TTK figures for every weapon in Destiny 2. When it comes to PvP, top Hand Cannons dominate the Crucible:
- | Weapon Type | Archetype | Optimal TTK | Optimal Kill | Body Shot TTK | Specs | --- | Best in Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hand Cannon | Adaptive 140 RPM | 0.87 | 3 crit | 1.73 | Good stability, decent range | Austringer | ||
Hand Cannon | Aggressive 120 RPM | 1.00 | 2 crit 1 body | 1.50 | High range, low stability and handling | Igneous Hammer | ||
Hand Cannon | Precision 180 RPM | 1.00 | 2 crit 2 body | 1.33 | High stability, poor handling | Frontier's Cry | ||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 1.00 | 3 crit 1 body | 1.33 | - | Malfeasance | ||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 1.00 | 2 crit 1 body | 1.50 | - | Sturm | ||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 0.87 | 3 crit | 1.73 | - | Thorn | ||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 0.80 | 3 crit | 1.60 | - | Sunshot | ||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 0.53 | 3 crit | 1.33 | - | The Last Word | ||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 0.87 | 6 crit 1 body | 1.43 | - | Crimson | ||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 0.67 | 1 crit 1 body | 1.33 | - | Eriana's Vow |
That said, TTK is only half of the picture. With decent range and the ability to peek-shoot (shoot and cover), hand cannons are extremely powerful dueling weapons. There’s a reason the vast majority of elite PvP players main a hand cannon. Hand cannons are not the easiest to master, but they do have a high skill ceiling. Those who know how to master hand cannons will often come on top of most of their duels in The Crucible.
Hand Cannons and the PvE Meta: DPS
How do Hand Cannons compare to other primary weapons in PvE?
Weapon Type | Rank | Tier | Trend | Role ❘ Current State | Category |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pulse Rifles | S › Best | Best ❘ S | - | ► Pulse Rifles are in a great place right now. They offer good range and pretty decent damage, allowing you to take down some beefier targets nicely. There are also some excellent pulses in the game right now, like Insidious, Sacred Provenance, or New Purpose. Unfortunately, High-Impact and Aggressive frames are the only archetypes worth your time, as the others rely on Exotic Perks or god rolls to compete. ► Best Archetype: Aggressive (450 RPM) - Example: Insidious | PVE Primaries |
Hand Cannons | S › Best | Best ❘ S | - | ► Hand Cannons have shot up the rankings thanks to the changes introduced this Season, all the way up to the S tier. They have solid range and can dispatch enemies with complete ease in almost all difficulties. Hand Cannons have truly taken over the spotlight with their most recent buffs, and they shouldn't be leaving it any time soon. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (140 RPM) - Example: Fatebringer | PVE Primaries |
Auto Rifles | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | ► Auto Rifles are in a good place right now, options like Khvostov are incredibly potent, and utility picks such as No Hesitation make Auto Rifles a very solid option for those wanting to use a good Primary Weapon. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (600 RPM) - Example: Khvostov 76-0X | PVE Primaries | |
Combat Bows | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | - | ► Bows are a high-damage, high-range option for players who prefer to keep their distance. The main issue with bows is that they are slow at clearing ads (outside of Trinity Ghoul). and when you have to deal with ads up close, bows can massively struggle. However, their solid range and excellent damage make them a strong option. ► Best Archetype: Precision - Example: Under Your Skin | PVE Primaries |
Submachine Guns | B › Average | Average ❘ B | ► SMGs are not so hot anymore, due to the buffs to other weapon archetypes, as well as the prevalence of ability usage at close range, there is little space for SMGs to compete these days. ►Best Archetype- Aggressive (750 RPM) - Example: Unforgiven | PVE Primaries | |
Scout Rifles | B › Average | Average ❘ B | - | ► Scout Rifles are the definition of average right now. They can do the job just fine, you can plink away at enemies from a safe distance in high-level content; however, when it comes down to it, most players will prefer to use a Hand Cannon or SMG as they simply do the same job better and faster. Scouts aren't bad at all, but they certainly aren't a go-to ► Best Archetype: Lightweight (200 RPM) - Example: Tarnished Mettle | PVE Primaries |
Sidearms | C › Weak | Weak ❘ C | - | ► Aside from a few select sidearms with certain perks, there really isn't much of a reason to use Sidearms. They have slightly higher damage numbers than SMGs, but typically come with significantly less range. Outside of top-tier weapons like a god-roll Brigand's Law or High Albedo, there is no real reason to run a sidearm. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (491 RPM) - Example: High Albedo | PVE Primaries |
Keep in mind that when it comes to PvE, DPS is one of the most important factors. As you know, the higher the DPS, the more damage you can deal to a Boss or Major. This DPS chart includes the DPS numbers for every weapon in Destiny 2.
When it comes to actual DPS, hand cannons are not in a great place right now:
- | Weapon Type | Archetype | Sustained DPS | Mag DPS | Total Damage | Specs | --- | Best in Class | Change? | Ammo |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 15272 | 17801 | 474680 | With "First Glance" | Eriana's Vow | Same | Special | ||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 10943 | 13668 | /w Catalyst | Malfeasance | Same | Primary | |||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 10678 | 15274 | /w Catalyst | Hawkmoon | Same | Primary | |||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 6098 | 7022 | "Soul Devourer" | Thorn | Same | Primary | |||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 5513 | 9803 | - | The Last Word | Same | Primary | |||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 4636 | 6418 | "Momento Mori" | Ace of Spades | Primary | ||||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 4552 | 6730 | - | Crimson | Same | Primary | |||
Hand Cannon | Precision | 4336 | 5244 | High stability, poor handling | Posterity | Buffed | Primary | |||
Hand Cannon | Lightweight | 4327 | 5215 | - | Rose | Primary | ||||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 4071 | 5120 | - | Sturm | Primary | ||||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 4018 | 5215 | - | Lumina | Primary | ||||
Hand Cannon | Aggressive | 3992 | 4654 | High range, low stability and handling | Igneous Hammer | Same | Primary | |||
Hand Cannon | Exotic | 3985 | 5363 | - | Sunshot | Primary | ||||
Hand Cannon | Adaptive | 3934 | 4741 | Good stability, decent range | Eyasluna | Same | Primary | |||
Hand Cannon | Double Fire | 3884 | 4902 | - | Warden's Law | Primary |
Before you go…
Are you looking for a top-tier Special and Heavy weapon to round out your loadout? We cover the Best Destiny 2 Trace Rifles and Best Destiny 2 Linear Fusion Rifles, too.
You now know everything there is to know about hand cannons in Destiny 2, whether that is for PvP or PvE content.
See latest Updates
- July 22, 2024: General updates according to The Final Shape Meta and the inclusion of Hand Cannons from Episode 1.
- February 28, 2024: General updates and the inclusion of Hand Cannons from Season 23.
- October 25, 2023: Inclusion of Season 22 weapons.
- May 30, 2023: General updates (based on the current sandbox) and the inclusion of Season 18 to 21 hand cannons.
- June 3, 2022: The guide is published for the first time.
Stay tuned, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for next season!
References to Warmind cells need to be removed.
they nerfed collective action, so targeted Redaction does two shot anymore
Targeted redaction is not that good