Best Machine Guns in Destiny 2: Tier List (Heresy Meta)

Machine guns have been underwhelming for a long time, but thanks to recent buffs, they have finally claimed their place in the meta. In fact, today’s top-tier machine guns can easily compete with the best weapons in the game.

This guide covers all Machine Guns in Destiny 2 and their best rolls for PvE and PvP.

Update based on Episode 3: Heresy. See Updates.

Top Tier Machine Guns (Episode 3)

These are the best Exotic and Legendary Machine guns right now:

Destiny 2 Machine Guns: Complete List

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 Machine Guns Today

If you’re prepared to only chase the best of the best, these are the 5 absolute best machine guns in the game right now:

 

5. Unwavering Duty

Excels in PvE

Unwavering Duty is one of the best Machine guns in the game right now. While you do need to play Trials of Osiris to get it, it will be absolutely worth it if you’re looking for a top-tier Solar Adaptive Frame.

• PvE God roll: Subsistence + Incandescent (also good: Killing Tally)

How to get it: Unwavering Duty is a Trials of Osiris Weapon that can be acquired from Trials completions, Engrams, and/or rank-ups.

Name: Unwavering Duty

Type: Machine Gun Archetype: Adaptive

Ammo: Heavy Element: Solar

Craftable: No Released: The Edge of Fate

Source: Trials of Osiris Requires: The Edge of Fate

 

4. Corrective Measure

Excels in PvE and PvP

Upgraded to an aggressive frame, Corrective Measure now has both the power and the perks to make it a top-tier pick, especially with the origin trait doubling the mag! These are the top Corrective Measure God Rolls:

• PvE God roll: Destabilizing Rounds + One for All
• PvP God roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + High Impact Reserves

How to get it: Corrective Measure can be acquired from the Vault of Glass Raid.

Name: Corrective Measure

Type: Machine Gun Archetype: Adaptive

Ammo: Heavy Element: Void

Craftable: Yes Released: Episode 3

Source: Vault of Glass Raid Requires: Free-to-Play

 

3. Watchful Eye

Excels in PvE and PvP

Watchful Eye brings something new to the Machine Gun weapon type with strong Arc subclass perks. These are the top Watchful Eye God Rolls:

• PvE God roll: Overflow or Field Prep + Jolting Feedback (also good: Killing Tally or Rolling Storm)
• PvP God roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Sword Logic

How to get it: Watchful Eye is a Heresy Weapon from Episode 3 that can be acquired from activities such as the Nether or the Court of Blades.

Name: Watchful Eye

Type: Machine Gun Archetype: Aggressive

Ammo: Heavy Element: Arc

Craftable: No Released: Episode 3

Source: Heresy Activities Requires: Episode 3: Heresy

 

2. Commemoration

Excels in PvE and PvP

Commemoration remains a top contender amongst machine guns even years after its introduction. Reconstruction, paired with the 30% damage buff offered by Killing Tally, makes this a no-brainer option in PvE. Given that Machine Guns are some of the few heavy weapons in PvP that can reasonably get a lot of kills, it’s easy to see why players will enjoy using Commemoration. These are the top Commemoration God Rolls:

• PvE God roll: Reconstruction + Killing Tally (also good: Rampage)
• PvP God roll: Rapid Hit + Killing Tally

How to get it: Commemoration can be acquired from the Deep Stone Crypt Raid.

Name: Commemoration

Type: Machine Gun Archetype: Adaptive

Ammo: Heavy Element: Void

Craftable: Yes Released: Season 12

Source: Deep Stone Crypt Raid Requires: Beyond Light Pack

 

1. Hammerhead

Excels in PvE and PvP

The re-issued Hammerhead immediately jumped to the top of the meta. Adaptive Frame machine guns remain a great option due to their well-rounded stats, and the Hammerhead’s great perk pool and strong stability can make it your favorite ad-clearing weapon, DPS-dealing weapon, or even your favorite PvP heavy weapon. These are the top Hammerhead God Rolls:

• PvE God roll: Destabilizing Rounds (also good: Rewind Rounds) + Killing Tally (also good: Onslaught)
• PvP God roll: Rampage (also good: Under-Over) + Tap the Trigger

How to get it: Hammerhead is an Onslaught weapon that can be acquired from activity completions, Engrams, and/or rank-ups.

Name: Hammerhead

Type: Machine Gun Archetype: Adaptive

Ammo: Heavy Element: Void

Craftable: No Released: Into the Light

Source: Onslaught Activity Requires: Free-to-Play

Machine Guns and the Meta

How do Machine Guns compare to other Heavy weapons in PvE and PvP?

The PvE Meta

Remember that DPS is one of the most important factors when it comes to PvE. 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.

According to Bungie, these are the different roles for Heavy weapons:

Role	Explanation	Target Weapon types
Add Clear	Clearing weaker enemies faster than you could with a primary ammo weapon. For most content, primaries do the add clear job perfectly well, so this is most useful in high-difficulty PvE.	Main: Machine Guns, Grenade Launchers, Swords Secondary: Rocket Launchers
Single Target Damage	Burning down a boss.	Main: Linear Fusion Rifles, Exotic Snipers, Swords Secondary: Grenade Launchers, Machine Guns
Burst Damage	Burning down a champion quickly, or for bosses with multiple damage phases, clearing a phase quickly.	Main: Rocket Launchers Secondary: Linear Fusion Rifles

The PvP Meta

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.

Before you go…

Are you looking for a top-tier Primary and Special weapon to round out your loadout? We cover the Best Destiny 2 Auto Rifles and Best Destiny 2 Trace Rifles, too.

You now know everything there is to know about machine guns in Destiny 2, whether that is for PvP or PvE content.