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Destiny 2 Iron Banner weapons: Ranked for PvE & PvP

by | Apr 25, 2023

Destiny 2’s Iron Banner is back, and it features new loot, a new game mode, and more. Plus, on top of rewarding four Pinnacle rewards, Iron Banner also has a few great weapons on offer.

Not every Iron Banner weapon is a winner, but some of them are considered to be among the best weapons in the entire game. This guide covers every Iron Banner weapon in Destiny 2, including the best rolls for PVE and PVP.

Iron Banner Schedule

Iron Banner is now live in Destiny 2. It started on April 25, 2023, and will be available to all players until May 2, 2023. The Iron Banner mode this time around will be Eruption.

  • Iron Banner starts on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 9 AM PDT
  • Iron Banner ends on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 9 AM PDT

Checkmark icon V3 Updated as of Season of Defiance (S20).

Destiny 2 Iron Banner Weapons: Ranked

The Tier list below includes every non-sunset legendary Iron Banner weapon in the game. Keep in mind that moving forwards, all Iron Banner weapons will come with the following Origin Trait:

-TraitSourceActivation | EffectsSpecsSource TypeReleased
Skulking Wolf trait Destiny 2 art Skulking WolfIron BannerWhile at low health, Guardian final blows with this weapon grant enhanced radar and remove you from opposing radar.-ActivityThe Witch Queen

This list starts with the S Tier weapons and moves down from there. It also covers both PVE and PVP, with the “Excels in” column clearly identifying where each weapon shines:

⛔ These weapons are on a seasonal rotation. Each season, some weapons will become unobtainable, leaving room for previously unavailable weapons to return.

NameWeaponsTypeArchetypeAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?RankSourceAvailable?Tier rankSource ❘ DLCFinal VerdictReleasedPerksBest of?
Pressurized PrecisionPressurized Precision art Destiny 2
Pressurized Precision
Fusion RifleAdaptiveSpecialStrandFree-to-PlayYesIron BannerCheckmark icon V3

Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Strand Element Strand | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Adaptive



Season 21
Slot: Strand Element Strand | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Adaptive

PeacebondPeacebond art
Peacebond
SidearmAdaptivePrimaryStasisFree-to-PlayNoA › StrongIron BannerError icon V2
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvP God Roll: Rangefinder (also good: Killing Wind) + Swashbuckler
PvE God Roll: Subsistence + Headstone

► With good base stats that match those of the fan-favorite High Albedo, Peacebond also happens to offer several top-tier perks for both PVE and PVP. Peacebond was one of the few weapons to offer Headstone and that made it very special. That isn't any longer the case, as many other weapons can roll with Headstone these days. Still, Peacebond remains a solid sidearm.
Season 15
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvP God Roll: Rangefinder (also good: Killing Wind) + Swashbuckler
PvE God Roll: Subsistence + Headstone
Top-tier
Allied DemandAllied Demand art
Allied Demand
SidearmAdaptivePrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayYesA › StrongIron BannerCheckmark icon V3
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Subsistence) + Multikill Clip (also good: Frenzy)
PvP God Roll:Rangefinder + Iron Reach

► Allied Demand's reissued version offers some pretty good perk combinations. With tons of damage and reload traits for PvE and the rare combination of two range perks for PvP, this sidearm has what's needed to help Guardians succeed anywhere.
Season 18
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Subsistence) + Multikill Clip (also good: Frenzy)
PvP God Roll:Rangefinder + Iron Reach
Top-tier
Gunnora's AxeGunnora's Axe art

Gunnora's Axe
ShotgunPinpoint SlugSpecialArcFree-to-PlayYesA › StrongIron BannerCheckmark icon V3
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Pinpoint Slug

PvP God Roll: Moving Target (also good: Threat Detector) + Opening Shot (also good: Iron Reach)
PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster + Vorpal Weapon

► With an interesting perk pool and great stats, Gunnora's Axe is great for those who enjoy slug shotguns. It's hard to say if the meta will ever turn it into a must-have, but Gunnora's is still an excellent pick that can excel in the right hands.
Season 19
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Pinpoint Slug

PvP God Roll: Moving Target (also good: Threat Detector) + Opening Shot (also good: Iron Reach)
PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster + Vorpal Weapon
Top-tier
Talons of the EagleTalons of the Eagle Destiny 2 1
Talons of the Eagle
Scout RifleHigh-ImpactPrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayNoA › StrongIron BannerError icon V2
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: High-Impact

PvP God Roll: Outlaw + Explosive Payload (also good: Opening Shot + Moving Target)

► Talons of the Eagle is a solid choice for Scout Rifle lovers. Its second perk column is stacked with strong perks like Opening Shot, Moving Target, and Explosive Payload, which all massively benefit the weapon in some way. It outclasses its Legendary Kinetic slot competition, making it a go-to option for PvP.
Season 11
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: High-Impact

PvP God Roll: Outlaw + Explosive Payload (also good: Opening Shot + Moving Target)
Top-tier
Orewing's MaulOrewings Maul Destiny 2
Orewing's Maul
Grenade LauncherLightweightSpecialVoidFree-to-PlayNoA › StrongIron BannerError icon V2
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Lightweight

PvP God Roll: Quickdraw (also good: Pulse Monitor) + Rangefinder

► Orewing's Maul is a personal favorite. However, compared to its main rival, Truthteller, it falls slightly short in PvE due to its perk pool. However, in PvP, Orewing is excellent. With Rangefinder, you can easily reach maximum velocity, and Quickdraw allows you to hot-swap much quicker.
Season 11
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Lightweight

PvP God Roll: Quickdraw (also good: Pulse Monitor) + Rangefinder
Top-tier
Multimach CCXMultimach CCX art
Multimach CCX
Submachine GunLightweightPrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayNoA › StrongIron BannerError icon V2
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Lightweight

PvP God Roll: Killing Wind (also good: Dynamic Sway Reduction) + Kill Clip (also good: Iron Reach)

► Previously, Multimach CCX was a must-have for any PVP player, as it could easily dominate any Crucible lobby. And while it holds less value than it did upon first release due to a wide variety of sandbox changes, there's no doubt that Multimach is still an excellent option for PVP.
Season 13
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Lightweight

PvP God Roll: Killing Wind (also good: Dynamic Sway Reduction) + Kill Clip (also good: Iron Reach)
Top-tier
The Time-Worn SpireThe Time-Worn Spire art
The Time-Worn Spire
Pulse RifleRapid-FirePrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayNoA › StrongIron BannerError icon V2
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Under Pressure (also good: Quickdraw) + Iron Grip (also good: Rampage)

► The Time-Worn Spire is a reprised Year 1 Iron Banner weapon that returned with plenty of fantastic perks. It belongs to one of the better archetypes, which, coupled with solid perks, can be a great choice for PVP.
Season 13
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Under Pressure (also good: Quickdraw) + Iron Grip (also good: Rampage)
Top-tier
Razor's EdgeRazor's Edge art
Razor's Edge
SwordVortexHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesA › StrongIron BannerCheckmark icon V3
Strong

A



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Vortex

PvE God Roll: Relentless Strikes + Chain Reaction (also good: Frenzy)

► Razor's Edge is the first-ever Iron Banner sword. It looks cool, it is part of the Vortex archetype, immediately placing it above many other swords. Furthermore, it can roll with a couple of interesting perks and features the Skulking Frenzy Origin trait.
Season 16
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Vortex

PvE God Roll: Relentless Strikes + Chain Reaction (also good: Frenzy)
Top-tier
Roar of the BearRoar of the Bear
Roar of the Bear
Rocket LauncherHigh-ImpactHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesB › AverageIron BannerCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: High-Impact

PvE God Roll: Field Prep (also good: Demolitionist) + Lasting Impression (also good: Incandescent)

► Roar of the Bear is back and has a couple of perks to back up its reissue in PvE. The Hothead and other rockets will still be the go-to options, but perks like Incandescent help Roar of the Bear stir the pot.
Season 18
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: High-Impact

PvE God Roll: Field Prep (also good: Demolitionist) + Lasting Impression (also good: Incandescent)
Dark DeciderDark Decider art
Dark Decider
Auto RifleRapid-FirePrimaryArcFree-to-PlayYesB › AverageIron BannerCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvE God Rolls: Subsistence + Voltshot

► While Dark Decider can roll with two of the most popular PvE perks currently available (Subsistence and Voltshot), this combination lacks synergy. Voltshot requires you to reload after a kill, but Subsistence reloads your weapon automatically, making for a gun that's only slightly above average.
Season 19
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvE God Rolls: Subsistence + Voltshot
Crimil's DaggerCrimils Dagger Destiny 2 1
Crimil’s Dagger
Hand CannonAggressivePrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayNoB › AverageIron BannerError icon V2
Average

B



Excels in:
PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Rangefinder (also good: Outlaw ) + Kill Clip

► Though Aggressive Frame Hand Cannons were significantly nerfed a while ago, Crimil's can still two-tap with Kill Clip active. However, without the perk active, Crimil's Dagger (and any other 120 RPM hand cannon) lags behind the competition in PVP.
Season 11
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Rangefinder (also good: Outlaw ) + Kill Clip
Bite of the FoxBite of the Fox Destiny 2
Bite of the Fox
Sniper RifleAggressiveSpecialKineticFree-to-PlayNoB › AverageIron BannerError icon V2
Average

B



Excels in:
PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights (also good: Firmly Planted) + Opening Shot

► With its strong perks and low zoom compared to other Aggressive Frame snipers, Bite of the Fox has never been a bad option in PVP. That being said, there are better Iron Banner weapons, making it average on this list.
Season 11
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights (also good: Firmly Planted) + Opening Shot
The Guiding SightThe Guiding Sight Destiny 2 art
The Guiding Sight
Scout RifleHigh-ImpactPrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayNoB › AverageIron BannerError icon V2
Average

B



Excels in:
PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: High-Impact

PvP God Roll: Rapid Hit + Vorpal Weapon

► The Guiding Sight comes with some okay perks. Rapid Hit is always a solid choice; however, in column 2, there isn't anything that stands out. Given that High-Impacts fall short in PvE compared to Lightweights and Precisions, you need to look at PvP rolls, of which there are none, making this an average Scout Rifle.
Season 12
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: High-Impact

PvP God Roll: Rapid Hit + Vorpal Weapon
RiiswalkerRiiswalker art
Riiswalker
ShotgunLightweightSpecialKineticFree-to-PlayNoB › AverageIron BannerError icon V2
Average

B



Excels in:
PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Lightweight

PvP God Roll: Quickdraw (also good: Surplus) + Iron Reach

► Given the current state of Lightweight Shotguns in PvP, it can be hard to justify using Riiswalker. However, Iron Reach can help compensate for the natural range deficit that Lightweights have compared to other archetypes.
Season 14
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Lightweight

PvP God Roll: Quickdraw (also good: Surplus) + Iron Reach
Occluded FinalityOccluded Finality art
Occluded Finality
Sniper RifleAggressiveSpecialArcFree-to-PlayNoB › AverageIron BannerError icon V2
Average

B



Excels in:
PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot

► Occluded Finality can get some pretty great perk rolls, but isn't used too much because of its terribly high zoom value. This wasn't as much of a problem before, but now that low zoom snipers were buffed, Occluded Finality can't compete anymore.
Season 14
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot
The Wizened RebukeThe Wizened Rebuke art
The Wizened Rebuke
Fusion RifleHigh-ImpactSpecialArcFree-to-PlayYesB › AverageIron BannerCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Excels in:
PvP
Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: High-Impact

PvP God Roll: Under Pressure (also good: Iron Grip) + Backup Plan (also good: High-Impact Reserves)

► One of the better high-impact fusions for PvP, The Wizend Rebuke suffers from its slow charge time. Its perk pool allows for the consistency most look for on fusions, but as an Iron Banner weapon, it might be a while until you land on a roll you enjoy.
Season 17
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: High-Impact

PvP God Roll: Under Pressure (also good: Iron Grip) + Backup Plan (also good: High-Impact Reserves)
The Steady HandThe Steady Hand Destiny 2
The Steady Hand
Hand CannonAggressivePrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayNoB › AverageIron BannerError icon V2
Average

B



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Swashbuckler

► Just like all other 120RPM Hand Cannons, The Steady Hand has gradually become a less desirable option in PVP. Plus, the only damage perk it has is Swashbuckler, which makes it harder to two-tap with this weapon compared to True Prophecy, Loud Lullaby, or Crimil's Dagger.
Season 12
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Swashbuckler
The Hero's BurdenThe Hero's Burden art
The Hero's Burden
Submachine GunAdaptivePrimaryVoidFree-to-PlayYesB › AverageIron BannerCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Feeding Frenzy + Destabilizing Rounds (also good: Kill Clip)

► The Hero's Burden has a solid perk pool, but its average stats prove to be its downfall. If you don't have a better SMG, this one will get the job done. However, with how many S-Tier SMGs there are already, there's no reason to run The Hero's Burden for too long.
Season 17
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Feeding Frenzy + Destabilizing Rounds (also good: Kill Clip)
Jorum's ClawJorum's Claw art
Jorum's Claw
Pulse RifleAdaptivePrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesB › AverageIron BannerCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

God Rolls:  Outlaw + Incandescent

Season 20
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

God Rolls:  Outlaw + Incandescent
The Fool's RemedyThe Fool's Remedy Destiny 2
The Fool's Remedy
SidearmSUROS Rapid-FirePrimarySolarFree-to-PlayNoC › WeakIron BannerError icon V2
Weak

C



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: SUROS Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Moving Target + Kill Clip

► The Fool's Remedy can roll with some decent perks, but Sidearms, in general, aren't that good (especially when not on a controller). Plus, while it has a solid optimal TTK at 0.67s, there are Archetypes with better TTKs out there.
Season 11
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: SUROS Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Moving Target + Kill Clip
The Forward PathThe Forward Path Destiny 2 art
The Forward Path
Auto RifleAdaptivePrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayNoC › WeakIron BannerError icon V2
Weak

C



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Eye of the Storm

► When The Forward Path first came out, it was exciting because we thought it could be a kinetic version of Gnawing Hunger… But there’s something about this auto that makes it unwieldy. It has decent stats, nice scopes, and awesome perks. Still, this auto rifle just feels bad to use...
Season 11
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Eye of the Storm
Archon's ThunderArchon's Thunder art
Archon's Thunder
Machine GunHigh-ImpactHeavySolarFree-to-PlayNoC › WeakIron BannerError icon V2
Weak

C



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: High-Impact

PvE God Roll: Field Prep (also good: Auto-Loading Holster) + Rampage

► With a weak archetype, poor stats, and an uninspiring perk selection, this is a weapon you can safely ignore...
Season 14
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: High-Impact

PvE God Roll: Field Prep (also good: Auto-Loading Holster) + Rampage
Forge's PledgeForge's Pledge art
Forge's Pledge
Pulse RifleAdaptivePrimarySolarFree-to-PlayNoC › WeakIron BannerError icon V2
Weak

C



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Stats for All + One for All (also good: Rampage)

► Despite the fact that Pulse Rifles have never been the meta in PVE, Forge's Pledge can roll with Rampage and other good perks, making it decent when the seasonal champion mods support it.
Season 15
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Stats for All + One for All (also good: Rampage)
Frontier's CryFrontier's Cry art
Frontier's Cry
Hand CannonPrecisionPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesC › WeakIron BannerCheckmark icon V3
Weak

C



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Kill Clip

► With a weak archetype, poor stats, and an uninspiring perk selection, this is a weapon you can safely ignore...
Season 16
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Kill Clip
Swarm of the RavenSwarm of the Raven Destiny 2
Swarm of the Raven
Grenade LauncherRapid-FireHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayNoD › WorstIron BannerError icon V2
Worst

D



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster + Quickdraw

► Swarm of the Raven used to be one of the strongest weapons in the game back in Season of Opulence. However, Destiny 2 has changed a lot since then, and Swarm of the Raven has been left behind with its unimaginative perks and subpar archetype.
Season 11
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster + Quickdraw
Shining SphereShining Sphere Destiny 2
Shining Sphere
Rocket LauncherAdaptiveHeavyArcFree-to-PlayNoD › WorstIron BannerError icon V2
Worst

D



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Tracking Module

► Being the same frame and element as The Hothead, you'd expect Shining Sphere to be at least average automatically. However, because of its horrible perk pool, this rocket launcher is one of the worst.
Season 11
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Tracking Module
Finite ImpactorFinite Impactor art
Finite Impactor
Hand CannonAggressivePrimaryArcFree-to-PlayNoD › WorstIron BannerError icon V2
Worst

D



Iron Banner
Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Iron Reach

► One of the absolute worst options within its archetype; do not waste your time farming one of these...
Season 14
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Iron Reach

These are the different Tier levels used for our list:

  • S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapons in our Tier List.
  • A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapons, but not on the same level as S Tier Choices.
  • B Tier – Average: Decent choices that can be lethal in the hands of a skilled player.
  • C Tier – Weak: The middle of the pack, somewhat mediocre.
  • D Tier – Worst: Lagging behind the competition, these don’t have much to offer.

New Iron Banner Weapons in Season 20

Season of Defiance introduced two returning weapons from Destiny 2 Year 1, the Jorum’s Claw and the Bite of the Fox:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Jorum's Claw artJorum's ClawPulse RifleAdaptiveLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Average

B

-Iron BannerError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 20EnergyNo

Weapons cycled out from the loot pool

With now 22 Iron Banner weapons in total, Bungie cycled out four weapons at the beginning of Season 16 (Multimach CCX, Timeworn Spire, Guiding Sight, Steady Hand), two weapons at the beginning of Season 17 (Occluded Finality, Finite Impactor) and two more at the beginning of this season, Season 18 (Peacebond and Archon’s Thunder). This means these weapons can no longer be obtained until Bungie decides to reintroduce them to the loot pool.

Best Destiny 2 Iron Banner weapons in 2022

This section covers the top Iron Banner weapons in Destiny 2, including those that can’t be obtained this season. This can be frustrating for those of you who didn’t have a chance to get these before, but rest assured, all the unobtainable weapons will eventually return.

 

Archon's Thunder Destiny 2 featured Machine Gun

5. Archon’s Thunder

Vanguard logo Destiny 2 Excels in PVE

Even though Machine Guns aren’t the PVE meta right now, Archon’s Thunder still packs a punch and is very underrated.

With its high damage per bullet, you’ll be able to chunk down both red bar enemies and Elite/Miniboss-level enemies with ease. Plus, with the chance to roll with Rampage or High-Impact Reserves in the second column, you’ll be able to get even more damage out and demolish everything standing in your way.

While LMGs can lack in DPS, they’re still a great option for some situations. Even during a boss fight, they can be useful–pair this with Divinity, and you’ll have ad clear on lock while also helping your team with damage.

With its high damage per bullet and additional damage perks, Archon’s Thunder is a great pick for any PVE activity when you need some extra help with ad clear.

PVE God roll:

  • Perk 1: Field Prep (also good: Auto-Loading Holster)
  • Perk 2: Rampage
ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Archon's Thunder artArchon's ThunderMachine GunHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayNoHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Weak

C

-Iron BannerError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo

 

The Time -Worn Spire Destiny 2 featured Pulse Rifle.

4. The Time-Worn Spire

Crucible logo Destiny 2 Excels in PVP

With its 0.80s TTK and great perk combinations, The Time-Worn Spire is an outstanding option for any Pulse Rifle user out there.

In the first column, this pulse can roll with tons of great perks. With Slideways and Under Pressure, you can get tons upon tons of stability, making this weapon compete with some of the longest-range weapons in the game currently. Moving Target and Feeding Frenzy are also good, depending on how you play.

The second column is also filled with a couple of different amazing perks. Iron Grip provides even more stability, allowing this gun to fire in a nearly straight line. Rampage (and even Vorpal Weapon) can also be used to buff your damage a bit more.

Overall, because of its ability to get tons of stability and differing sights, The Time-Worn Spire is one of the best Pulse Rifles in the game for PVP and is never a bad option.

PVE God roll:

  • Perk 1: Under Pressure (also good: Quickdraw)
  • Perk 2: Iron Grip (also good: Rampage)
ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
The Time-Worn Spire artThe Time-Worn SpirePulse RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayNoPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Strong

A

PvPIron BannerError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 13KineticNoTop-tier

 

Orewing's Maul Destiny 2 featured Grenade launcher

3. Orewing’s Maul

Vanguard logo Destiny 2Best PVE Iron Banner weapon in Destiny 2

While this Grenade Launcher doesn’t seem like much at first, Orewing’s Maul is actually an S-Tier pick in PVE with the right perks.

The bulk of this weapon’s utility doesn’t actually come from a perk in the last two columns; instead, it comes from a magazine option: Blinding Grenades. This perk allows this weapon to completely inhibit your enemy’s ability to fight back, allowing you to get the upper hand in a fight in seconds.

Paired with Field Prep or Auto-Loading Holster, you can blind everything in sight, something extremely useful in any PVE activity–even Grandmaster Nightfalls and Master Raids.

While special ammo Grenade Launchers aren’t amazing as a whole right now in PVE, the utility that Blinding Grenades gives is unmatched, making Orewing’s Maul a great choice.

PVE God roll:

  • Perk 1: Quickdraw (also good: Field Prep)
  • Perk 2: Auto-Loading Holster (also good: Demolitionist)
ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?

 

Riiswalker Destiny 2 featured Shotgun

2. Riiswalker

Crucible logo Destiny 2 Excels in PVP

Riiswalker is one of the best shotguns in the game as it comes with some unique perk combos, among other things.

To begin, Riiswalker is one of only two kinetic pellet shotguns in the game (that aren’t sunset) that can roll with Quickdraw. This already makes it an extremely great pick, as Quickdraw is an S-Tier perk for shotguns.

Additionally, because its an Iron Banner weapon, Riiswalker can roll with Iron Reach in the second column. This adds almost 20 range, which is the most important stat when talking about the consistency of shotguns.

Lastly, this weapon belongs to the Lightweight archetype, which gives you an extra bump in Mobility and movement speed. While not needed, these buffs are a nice cherry on top.

Riiswalker is a great special weapon for any PVP player and is one of the best shotguns in the game.

PVP God roll:

  • Perk 1: Quickdraw (also good: Surplus)
  • Perk 2: Iron Reach
ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Riiswalker artRiiswalkerShotgunLightweightLegendarySpecialKineticFree-to-PlayNoSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Average

B

PvPIron BannerError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 14KineticNo

 

Multimach CCX Destiny 2 featured SMG

1. Multimach CCX

Vanguard logo Destiny 2Best PVE Iron Banner weapons in Destiny 2

Submachine Guns have always been a great pick in PVP, and the Multimach CCX is one of the best out there.

Lightweight Frame SMGs in general are very good, as they have an amazing TTK at 0.67s. Additionally, they provide a nice Mobility and movement speed buff.

In the first column, Killing Wind is the best choice, giving this weapon some extra range. In the second, the two most popular options are Iron Reach (for extra range) or Kill Clip (for extra damage).

With the great traits that this can get, plus the ability to change sights, Multimach CCX is able to get insane amounts of range for an SMG, making it one of the best PVP weapons in the game.

Overall, the Multimach CCX is a great and well-rounded choice because of its quick TTK, nice intrinsic movement speed and Mobility buffs, and its ability to get near-max range.

PVP God roll:

  • Perk 1: Killing Wind (also good: Dynamic Sway Reduction)
  • Perk 2: Kill Clip (also good: Iron Reach)
ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Multimach CCX artMultimach CCXSubmachine GunLightweightLegendaryPrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayNoPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Strong

A

PvPIron BannerError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 13KineticNoTop-tier

Your turn

You now know everything there is to know about weapons dropping from Iron Banner in Destiny 2, whether that is for PVP or PVE content.

So, which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

About The Author

Andrew Sideris
Andrew Sideris
When my brother introduced me to the Destiny franchise in 2015, I immediately knew that it would take up a lot of my free time for years to come. With my over seven years of game knowledge, six months of writing experience for Blueberries.gg, and hundreds of Blueberries already guided through endgame content, I hope to allow newcomers to have the same great introduction I had all those years ago.
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1 Comment
  1. q

    riiswalker is indeed available with legacy gear encoding

    Reply
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