Best Machine Guns in Destiny 2: Tier List for PvP and PvE

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 every Machine Gun in Destiny 2, including both Exotic and Legendaries, as well as the best rolls for PvE and PvP.

Updated as of Season of the Witch (S22). See Updates.

Destiny 2 Machine Gun Tier List: Top-tier Options

This Tier list features the best Exotic and Legendary Machine Guns right now, including the Commemoration:

Destiny 2 Machine Guns: The complete list

This database includes every viable Machine gun currently in the game:

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.

Best Machine Guns in Destiny 2: Top 5

Ready to dig deeper into the absolute best Machine guns in Destiny 2 right now? These are the cream of the crop, our favorites (for PvE and PvP):

 

5. Unwavering Duty

 Excels in PvE

Unwavering Duty is a solar heavy machine gun that is available via the Trials of Osiris loot pool. Players can secure this powerful weapon via engrams or completing weekly challenges.

In PvE, there is a great perk pool here. In slot 1, Ambitious Assassin is the perk you want. This will overload your magazine to ensure you have ample ammunition loaded to maximize time dealing damage without wasting time reloading. In slot 2, Incandescent will help you spread solar damage when conducting crowd control or you can get a roll with Killing Tally to maximize damage output.

For PvP, as with most heavy machine guns, you want to maximize your stability and handling by looking for a roll with Dynamic Sway Reduction and Tap the Trigger.

PvE God roll:

• Ambitious Assassin + Incandescent (also good: Killing Tally)

How to get it: Unwavering Duty can be acquired via Trials of Osiris engrams and rank ups.

Art	Weapon	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?
	Unwavering Duty	Machine Gun	Adaptive	Legendary	Heavy	Solar	Lightfall	Yes	Heavy	Solar	Best ❘ S	PvE	Trials of Osiris		Lightfall	Season 19	Heavy	No	Top-tier	Incandescent

 

4. Corrective Measure

 Excels in PvE

Corrective Measure is a top-tier void heavy machine gun that was reintroduced along with the Vault of Glass raid in Season 14. It can be found via the Conflux, Templar, or Atheon encounters within the raid – giving you at least three chances for it to drop in your first run of the raid.

In PvE, Rewind Rounds and Firefly is the preferred roll as you’ll find the ability to keep your magazine loaded and continue activating the explosive Firefly perk incredibly effective in crowd control scenarios. The weapon also provides great boss DPS via a Rewind Rounds and High Impact Rounds perk combination

For PvP, maximizing stability and handling is the way to go. Look for a roll with Dynamic Sway Reduction and Tap the Trigger so you can aim uninterrupted and shred your opponents in duels.

PVE God roll:

• Rewind Rounds + Firefly (also good: High Impact Rounds)

How to get it: Corrective Measure can be acquired by completing the first, third, or fifth encounter of the Vault of Glass raid.

Art	Weapon	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?
	Corrective Measure	Machine Gun	Adaptive	Legendary	Heavy	Void	Free-to-Play	Yes	Heavy	Void	Best ❘ S	PvE	Vault of Glass Raid		Free-to-Play	Season 14	Heavy	No	Top-tier

 

3. Grand Overture

 Excels in PvE

Grand Overture has had quite an underdog story. It has gone from one of the most overlooked exotic weapon options to becoming a top DPS dealing weapon. It is currently one of the best boss damage options in the game.

The reason Grand Overture excels is its exotic perks which turn this weapon into a heat-seeking missile launcher. When facing a boss, you can unload the weapon’s unique slug rounds into the boss which, in turn, loads the missiles granted by the exotic perk Omega Strike. Firing those missiles and alternating back to the slug rounds to reload the missiles again will have you maximizing your damage output.

Exotic Perk: “Heavy slug launcher that charges, then fires full auto while the trigger is held. Land hits with the slug launcher to load missiles and then fire to launch all missiles in a single volley.”

How to get it: Grand Overture can be purchased at the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower.

Art	Weapon	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?
	Grand Overture	Machine Gun	Exotic	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	The Witch Queen	Yes	Heavy	Arc	Best ❘ S	PvE	Exotic Kiosk		The Witch Queen	Season 16	Heavy	No	Top-tier

 

2. Commemoration

Excels in PvE and PvP

Commemoration is a void heavy machine gun that was introduced back in Beyond Light. This weapon can be found as a random drop after completion of the final encounter of the raid. It has a great perk pool that has kept it at the top even years after its introduction.

Starting with PvE, the roll you want to get is Reconstruction and Killing Tally so you can continue to activate the 30% damage boost provided by Killing Tally without the need to reload. Killing Tally will make your damage output impressive as you take out minor enemies and shift your gaze to major enemies or bosses.

In PvP, viable perks include Surplus and Under Pressure. Seeing as you will be operating with a small amount of ammo in The Crucible, Under Pressure should kick in upping your stability and accuracy.

PvE God roll:

• Reconstruction + Killing Tally

PvP God roll:

• Surplus + Under Pressure

How to get it: Commemoration can be acquired by completing the Deep Stone Crypt raid.

Art	Weapon	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?
	Commemoration	Machine Gun	Adaptive	Legendary	Heavy	Void	Beyond Light	Yes	Heavy	Void	Best ❘ S	PvE + PvP	Deep Stone Crypt Raid		Beyond Light	Season 12	Heavy	Craftable	Top-tier	Repulsor Brace,Reconstruction

 

1. Thunderlord

Excels in PvE and PvP

Ironically one of the first exotic weapons showcased by Bungie way back in Destiny 1, Thunderlord still reigns supreme. It is not only one of the most effective heavy weapon options in the game, it is also one of the most fun. You can find this arc exotic heavy machine gun via any Exotic engrams throughout the world.

In PvE, this may be one of the best options no matter your scenario. Trying to crowd control? Thunderlord’s excellent exotic perk Reign Havok will supply you with ample AOE damage as it rains lightning around you. If it’s boss damage you seek, Thunderlord comes in at the top of the class in that department as well.

In the Crucible, should you find some heavy ammo to load up Thunderlord, you are guaranteed to out-duel the next poor guardian that comes into your view. You will find the time to kill to be impressive as you shred your opponents.

Exotic Perk: “Kills with this weapon generate lightning strikes from above and increase reload speed for a short time.”

How to get it: Thunderlord can be acquired via Exotic engrams or Xûr.

Art	Weapon	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?
	Thunderlord	Machine Gun	Exotic	Exotic	Heavy	Arc	Forsaken Pack	Yes	Heavy	Arc	Best ❘ S	PvE + PvP	Exotic Engram		Forsaken Pack	Season 4	Heavy	No	Top-tier

Machine Guns and the PvP Meta: TTK

We covered in detail the Machine guns that are considered top-tier (and should be farmed) and the ones that can be safely ignored. But how do they compare to other Heavy weapons in PvP?

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.

Machine guns and the PvE Meta: DPS

How do Machine guns compare to other Heavy weapons in PvE?

Weapon Type	Rank	Tier	Trend	Role ❘ Current State	Category
Rocket Launchers	S › Best	Best ❘ S		► Main role: Burst Damage (Secondary role: Add Clear) ► If an S+ category existed, Rocket Launchers would be there. They absolutely dominate the DPS meta for any boss that isn't Crota and easily outclass other options thanks to their flexibility in damage rotations and their ability to be spammed at bosses. Rockets are incredibly strong right now, and it wouldn't be surprising if they received some tuning soon. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (20 RPM) - Example: The Hothead	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 in a good spot right now. In fact, they are the go-to option for Crota in Crota's End. However, this is only because of a modifier that increases Sword damage against Crota. Outside of this specific boss, Swords are a decent option that doesn't excel simply because they are out-damaged by other heavy weapons. ► Best Archetype: Whirlwind - Example: Falling Guillotine	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
Grenade Launchers	B › Average	Average ❘ B	-	► Main role: Add Clear (Secondary role: Single Target Damage). ► Grenade Launchers are on the rise, and with a couple of changes, we could see them soar to the top of the pile. For now, though, they remain a mediocre option with a couple of outliers, such as the Cataphract GL3, which is mainly good because it has Bait and Switch, not because it's a Grenade Launcher. ► Best Archetype: Adaptive (120 RPM) - Cataphract GL3	PVE Heavies
Exotic Sniper Rifles	C › Weak	Weak ❘ C	-	► Main role: Single Target damage ► Exotic Snipers still require more help. D.A.R.C.I remains a complete joke, and Whisper of the Worm isn't strong enough to bring the ranking up. While Whisper is a surprisingly decent option, it requires a teammate using Divinity in most situations, unless you are very consistent with your shots. And even then, Rocket Launchers are still superior DPS options. ► Best Archetype: Aggressive (72 RPM) - Example: Whisper of the Worm	PVE Heavies

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

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.

When it comes to actual DPS, Machine guns are much more capable these days:

Your turn

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