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:
Item | Weapons | Type | Archetype | Ammo? | Element? | Requirements | In loot pool? | Rank | Source | Available? | Tier rank | Source ❘ DLC | Final Verdict | Released | Perks | Best of? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commemoration | ![]() Commemoration Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Heavy | Void | Beyond Light Pack | Yes | S › Best | Deep Stone Crypt Raid | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Deep Stone Crypt Raid![]() Beyond Light Pack | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Killing Tally (also good: Rampage) PvP God Roll: Rapid Hit + Killing Tally ►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. | Season 12 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Killing Tally (also good: Rampage) PvP God Roll: Rapid Hit + Killing Tally | Top-tier |
Hammerhead | ![]() Hammerhead Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Heavy | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Onslaught Activity | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Onslaught Activity![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Rampage (also good: Rewind Rounds) + Killing Tally (also good: Onslaught) PvP God Roll: Rampage (also good: Under-Over) + Tap the Trigger ► 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. | Into the Light | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Rampage (also good: Rewind Rounds) + Killing Tally (also good: Onslaught) PvP God Roll: Rampage (also good: Under-Over) + Tap the Trigger | Top-tier |
Watchful Eye | ![]() Watchful Eye Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Aggressive | Heavy | Arc | Episode 3: Heretic | Yes | S › Best | Heretical Activities | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Heretical Activities![]() Episode 3: Heretic | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Overflow or Field Prep + Jolting Feedback (also good: Killing Tally or Rolling Storm) PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Sword Logic ► Watchful Eye brings something new to the Machine Gun weapon type with strong Arc subclass perks. | Episode 3 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Overflow or Field Prep + Jolting Feedback (also good: Killing Tally or Rolling Storm) PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Sword Logic | Top-tier |
Unwavering Duty | ![]() Unwavering Duty Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Heavy | Solar | The Final Shape | Yes | S › Best | Trials of Osiris | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Trials of Osiris![]() The Final Shape | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Subsistence + Incandescent (also good: Killing Tally) ► 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. | Season 19 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Subsistence + Incandescent (also good: Killing Tally) | Top-tier |
Corrective Measure | ![]() Corrective Measure Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Heavy | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Vault of Glass Raid | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Vault of Glass Raid![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Destabilizing Rounds or Firefly + Killing Tally or One for All PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + High Impact Reserves ► 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! | Episode 3 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Destabilizing Rounds or Firefly + Killing Tally or One for All PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + High Impact Reserves | Top-tier |
Xenophage | ![]() Xenophage Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Exotic | Heavy | Solar | Shadowkeep Pack | Yes | A › Strong | Pit of Heresy Dungeon | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Pit of Heresy Dungeon![]() Shadowkeep Pack | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Fires high-powered explosive ammunition. Aiming this weapon increases its effective range and zoom magnification." ► While Xenophage was once at the top of the damage rankings, it has been tapered down quite a bit with nerfs. You'll find that other Exotics, such as Thunderlord and Heir Apparent, will out-damage it, but its uniquely high range and fire rate still give it a useful role in the sandbox. | Season 8 | Slot: ![]() ![]() Exotic Perk: "Fires high-powered explosive ammunition. Aiming this weapon increases its effective range and zoom magnification." | Top-tier |
Fixed Odds | ![]() Fixed Odds Machine Gun | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Heavy | Solar | Witch Queen Dungeon Key | Yes | A › Strong | Duality Dungeon | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Duality Dungeon![]() Episode 3: Heretic | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Feeding Frenzy + Incandescent (also good: Rampage) ► A fan favorite, Fixed Odds is one of the best options among slow-firing Machine guns. Offering a fine selection of perks, Fixed Odds is a great pick and performs nicely in more difficult content featuring beefier enemies. | Season 17 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Feeding Frenzy + Incandescent (also good: Rampage) | Top-tier |
Retrofit Escapade | ![]() Retrofit Escapade Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Rapid-Fire | Heavy | Void | The Witch Queen | Yes | A › Strong | Operation: Seraph's Shield | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Operation: Seraph's Shield![]() Witch Queen | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's the Charm + Target Lock (also good: Rampage) ► Retrofit Escapade remains one of the most popular heavy machine guns in the game due to its excellent damage output. While there are alternatives for higher damage output using other weapon types, Retrofit Escapade is a consistent and reliable weapon. | Season 19 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's the Charm + Target Lock (also good: Rampage) | Top-tier |
Circular Logic | ![]() Circular Logic Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Heavy | Strand | Lightfall | Yes | A › Strong | Terminal Overload | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Terminal Overload![]() Lightfall | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvGod Rolls: Feeding Frenzy + Hatchling (also good: Demolitionist) ► Adaptive Frame weapons remain one of the most popular machine gun archetypes, providing a perfect balance across stats. Circular Logic is also a Strand weapon and has the benefit of rolling with perks such as Hatchling, making it a great crowd-controlling weapon in PvE. | Season 20 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvGod Rolls: Feeding Frenzy + Hatchling (also good: Demolitionist) | Top-tier |
Song of Ir Yût | ![]() Song of Ir Yût Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Crota's End Raid | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Crota's End Raid![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Target Lock ► A candidate for best arc heavy machine gun in the game, the Cursed Thrall origin trait coupled with a great perk pool offered here make this weapon a PvE favorite. | Season 22 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Target Lock | Top-tier |
Marcato-45 | ![]() Marcato-45 Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Heavy | Strand | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | World loot pool | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | World loot pool![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Demolitonist (also good: Slice) + Hatchling (also good: Onslaught) ► A strand Machine Gun with a unique perk pool, Marcato-45 can be a great support weapon. Combine Slice and Hatchling, and you can really cut down on the damage that enemies are outputting on your fireteam. You can also go for a more straightforward PvE roll in Demolitionist and Onslaught. | Season 23 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Demolitonist (also good: Slice) + Hatchling (also good: Onslaught) | Top-tier |
Pro Memoria | ![]() Pro Memoria Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Aggressive | Heavy | Strand | The Final Shape | Yes | A › Strong | The Pale Heart | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | The Pale Heart![]() The Final Shape | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Demolitionist + Frenzy ► Pro Memoria sports a new Frame called Aggressive. Aggressive frame machine guns deal higher damage, with the caveat of increased recoil. As a Strand machine gun with plenty of great perks, Pro Memoria makes a strong proposition for itself in the PvE space. | The Final Shape | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Demolitionist + Frenzy | Top-tier |
Speleologist | ![]() Speleologist Machine Gun | Machine Gun | Rapid-Fire | Heavy | Solar | Episode 1: Echoes | Yes | A › Strong | Echoes Activities | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Echoes Activities![]() Episode 1: Echoes | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Enlightened Action (also good: Envious Assassin) + Incandescent (also good: One for All) ► With a nice combination of Solar synergy and general strength, Speleologist is a great option for PvE-goers who don’t want to farm Trials or Duality for potential alternatives. While it doesn’t contain anything meta-defining, it gets the job done. | The Final Shape | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Enlightened Action (also good: Envious Assassin) + Incandescent (also good: One for All) | Top-tier |
Destiny 2 Machine Guns: Complete List
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? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Deterministic Chaos | Machine Gun | Exotic | Exotic | Heavy | Void | Lightfall | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | C › Weak | - | Exotic Quest | ![]() | ![]() Lightfall | Season 20 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Grand Overture | Machine Gun | Exotic | Exotic | Heavy | Arc | The Witch Queen | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | C › Weak | - | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | ![]() Witch Queen | Season 16 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Heir Apparent | Machine Gun | Exotic | Exotic | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Timed-Event | ![]() | ![]() | C › Weak | - | Event: Guardian Games | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 10 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Thunderlord | Machine Gun | Exotic | Exotic | Heavy | Arc | Forsaken Pack | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | B › Average | PvE | Exotic Engram | ![]() | ![]() Forsaken Pack | Season 4 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Xenophage | Machine Gun | Exotic | Exotic | Heavy | Solar | Shadowkeep Pack | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | A › Strong | PvE | Pit of Heresy Dungeon | ![]() | ![]() Shadowkeep Pack | Season 8 | Heavy | No | Top-tier | |
![]() | A Fine Memorial | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | B › Average | PvE | Moon | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Archon's Thunder | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Legendary | Heavy | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | C › Weak | - | Iron Banner | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Episode 2 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Avalanche | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Free-to-Play | Timed-Event | ![]() | ![]() | B › Average | - | Event: Dawning | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 12 | Heavy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | Chain of Command | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | C › Weak | PvE | Exotic Kiosk | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 17 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Circular Logic | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Strand | Lightfall | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | A › Strong | PvE | Terminal Overload | ![]() | ![]() Lightfall | Season 20 | Heavy | No | Top-tier | |
![]() | Commemoration | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Void | Beyond Light Pack | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | S › Best | PvE + PvP | Deep Stone Crypt Raid | ![]() | ![]() Beyond Light Pack | Season 12 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Repulsor Brace,Reconstruction |
![]() | Corrective Measure | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | A › Strong | PvE + PvP | Vault of Glass Raid | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Episode 3 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | |
![]() | Eleatic Principle | Machine Gun | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | C › Weak | - | Xûr | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 22 | Heavy | Craftable | ||
![]() | Fixed Odds | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Witch Queen Dungeon Key | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | A › Strong | PvE | Duality Dungeon | ![]() | ![]() Episode 3: Heretic | Season 17 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Hammerhead | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | S › Best | PvE + PvP | Onslaught Activity | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Into the Light | Heavy | No | Top-tier | |
![]() | Marcato-45 | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Strand | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | A › Strong | PvE | World loot pool | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 23 | Heavy | No | Top-tier | |
![]() | Planck's Stride | Machine Gun | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | C › Weak | - | Xûr | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 18 | Heavy | Craftable | ||
![]() | Pro Memoria | Machine Gun | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Strand | The Final Shape | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | A › Strong | PvE | The Pale Heart | ![]() | ![]() The Final Shape | The Final Shape | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Bait and Switch |
![]() | Qua Furor V | Machine Gun | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | World loot pool | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Episode 3 | Heavy | No | ||||
![]() | Qua Xaphan V | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Legendary | Heavy | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | B › Average | PvE | Playlist: Gambit | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 22 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Qullim’s Terminus | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Legendary | Heavy | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | B › Average | PvE | King's Fall Raid | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 18 | Heavy | Craftable | ||
![]() | Recurrent Impact | Machine Gun | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Heavy | Stasis | The Witch Queen | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | B › Average | PvE | Vox Obscura | ![]() | ![]() Witch Queen | Season 16 | Heavy | Craftable | ||
![]() | Retrofit Escapade | Machine Gun | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Heavy | Void | The Witch Queen | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | A › Strong | PvE | Operation: Seraph's Shield | ![]() | ![]() Witch Queen | Season 19 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | |
![]() | Seventh Seraph SAW | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | C › Weak | - | Xûr | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 10 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Shattered Cipher | Machine Gun | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Heavy | Void | Free-to-Play | No | ![]() | ![]() | C › Weak | - | World loot pool | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Song of Ir Yût | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | A › Strong | PvE | Crota's End Raid | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 22 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Voltshot,Sword Logic,Reconstruction,Bait and Switch |
![]() | Speleologist | Machine Gun | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Episode 1: Echoes | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | A › Strong | PvE | Echoes Activities | ![]() | ![]() Episode 1: Echoes | The Final Shape | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Terminus Horizon | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Witch Queen Dungeon Key | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | B › Average | - | Spire of the Watcher Dungeon | ![]() | ![]() Episode 3: Heretic | Season 19 | Heavy | No | Voltshot | |
![]() | THE SWARM | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | B › Average | PvE | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 13 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Thermal Erosion | Machine Gun | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Beyond Light Pack | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | C › Weak | - | Empire Hunts | ![]() | ![]() Beyond Light Pack | Season 12 | Heavy | No | ||
![]() | Unwavering Duty | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | The Final Shape | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | S › Best | PvE | Trials of Osiris | ![]() | ![]() The Final Shape | Season 19 | Heavy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Watchful Eye | Machine Gun | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Arc | Episode 3: Heretic | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | S › Best | PvE + PvP | Heretical Activities | ![]() | ![]() Episode 3: Heretic | Episode 3 | Heavy | No | Top-tier |
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 GunArchetype: Adaptive | Ammo: ![]() Element: ![]() | Craftable: ![]() Released: Season 19 | Source: Trials of OsirisRequires: The Final Shape |
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 GunArchetype: Adaptive | Ammo: ![]() Element: ![]() | Craftable: ![]() Released: Episode 3 | Source: Vault of Glass RaidRequires: 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 GunArchetype: Aggressive | Ammo: ![]() Element: ![]() | Craftable: ![]() Released: Episode 3 | Source: Heresy ActivitiesRequires: Episode 3: Heretic |
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 GunArchetype: Adaptive | Ammo: ![]() Element: ![]() | Craftable: ![]() Released: Season 12 | Source: Deep Stone Crypt RaidRequires: 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 GunArchetype: Adaptive | Ammo: ![]() Element: ![]() | Craftable: ![]() Released: Into the Light | Source: Onslaught ActivityRequires: Free-to-Play |
Machine Guns and the Meta
How do Machine Guns compare to other Heavy weapons in PvE and PvP?
The PvE Meta
Weapon Type | Rank | Tier | Trend | Role ❘ Current State | Category |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Exotic Sniper Rifles | S › Best | Best ❘ S | ![]() | ► Main role: Single Target damage ► The recent buffs to certain Snipers, like Whisper of the Worm, and the Sniper's Meditation artifact mod make Exotic Sniper Rifles an easy, accessible, and powerful DPS option on bosses like The Witness in particular. Any boss that has a reasonable crit spot and a decently lengthed damage phase can be destroyed by Whisper right now, and you should definitely take advantage of it. ► Best Archetype: Aggressive (72 RPM) - Example: Whisper of the Worm | PVE Heavies |
![]() Grenade Launchers | S › Best | Best ❘ S | ![]() | ► Main role: Add Clear (Secondary role: Single Target Damage). ► Grenade Launchers have finally reached the apex of the DPS meta. Grenade Launchers like Edge Transit and Cataphract GL3 with Envious Assassin and Bait and Switch are incredibly powerful thanks to the amount of burst damage they can put out. Because of this, it's safe to say that Grenade Launchers belong in the top tier of PvE Heavies. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (120 RPM) - Example: Edge Transit | PVE Heavies |
![]() Machine Guns | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | ► Main role: Add Clear ► With the nerf to double-special loadouts, players can't mindlessly spam Machine Guns at enemies anymore and be rewarded for it. However, Machine guns are still excellent at ad clear and remain decent for DPS. That said, for DPS, they are massively outclassed by Rocket Launchers. ► Best Archetype: Rapid-Fire (900 RPM) - Example: Retrofit Escapade | PVE Heavies |
![]() Swords | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | ► Main roles: Add Clear & Single Target damage (i.e. Boss damage). ► Swords are pretty decent right now. In fact, they are the go-to option for Crota in Crota's End and for the Herald of Finality in Salvation's Edge. However, this is only because of the design of the boss fight and a specific buff to Sword damage against Crota. Outside of these bosses, Swords are a decent but mediocre option as they are simply out-damaged by other heavy weapons. ► Best Archetype: Whirlwind - Example: Falling Guillotine | PVE Heavies |
![]() Rocket Launchers | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | ► Main role: Burst Damage (Secondary role: Add Clear) ► Rockets aren't as good as they used to be, but they are still definitely usable. In most relevant content such as the most recent raid, Salvation's Edge, Rockets aren't too popular (outside of Still Hunt rotations). Despite this Rockets are still a competitive option, and they do some solid burst damage. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (20 RPM) - Example: Apex Predator | PVE Heavies |
![]() Linear Fusion Rifles | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | ![]() | ► Main role: Single Target damage (Secondary role: Burst Damage) ► Linear Fusion Rifles might not be the top dogs anymore, but they are still serious contenders when it comes to total damage. Options like Cataclysmic and Briar's Contempt can still see some use in today's meta. However, despite their strengths, most situations do not require the amount of total damage that Linear Fusions offer, and if they do, options like Leviathan's Breath can fill that void very easily. ► Best Archetype: Precision (533 RPM) - Example: Reed's Regret | PVE Heavies |
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
Weapon Type | Rank | Tier | Trend | Role ❘ Current State | Category |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Rocket Launchers | S › Best | Best ❘ S | - | ► Rocket Launchers remain a staple in many players' loadouts. They can provide high-range one-shot kills, and can also do AoE damage which can potentially allow you to clear teams if they are close enough together. ► Best Archetype: Precision (15 RPM) - Example: Gjallarhorn | PVP Heavies |
![]() Grenade Launchers | S › Best | Best ❘ S | - | ► Heavy Grenade Launchers are an incredible option for those who are confident in landing their direct hits. They can functionally serve as a Rocket Launcher, but instead of coming with only a single shot, Grenade Launchers can bring 3, which, of course, means more potential kills. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (120 RPM) - Example: Memory Interdict | PVP Heavies |
![]() Machine Guns | A › Strong | Strong ❘ A | - | ► Machine Guns are still an incredible option for Control as they can provide many kills. However, they do require multiple shots to kill which can lead to you potentially being Sniped or peak-shot by a Primary Weapon. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (450 RPM) - Example: Corrective Measure | PVP Heavies |
![]() Linear Fusion Rifles | B › Average | Average ❘ B | - | ► Linear fusion rifles are in the middle of an identity crisis. They are stronger than sniper rifles and have more aim assistance, but they still require Heavy ammo and a headshot to one-shot an enemy. On top of that, they also have a charge time to take into account. Compared to a sniper rifle that fires immediately and only uses Special ammo, Linear Fusion rifles make little sense for the Crucible. | PVP Heavies |
![]() Swords | C › Weak | Weak ❘ C | - | ► Swords are perhaps the most fun option (especially with Eager Edge); however, they are too inconsistent to warrant any competitive use. Furthermore, benefitting from third-person view is no longer possible without Heavy ammo, making the only niche usage swords had redundant. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive/Lightweight- Examples: Half-Truths/Quickfang | PVP Heavies |
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.
See latest Updates
- March 17, 2025: Inclusion of Machine guns from Episodes 2 & 3 and updates based on the Episode: Heresy’s meta.
- August 22, 2024: General updates according to The Final Shape Meta and the inclusion of Machine guns from Episode 1.
- March 5, 2024: General updates and the inclusion of Machine guns from Season 23.
- November 20, 2023: Inclusion of Season 21 and 22 new machine guns.
- April 30, 2023: General updates and the inclusion of Season 19 and 20 new machine guns.
- May 20, 2022: The guide is published for the first time.
Stay tuned, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for next season!
Qullim’s Terminus is still ongoing?