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Destiny 2 Power Weapons Guide (and Tier list)

[toc] Destiny 2 is all about the gunplay, and by extension, the weapons. They all feel different and changing weapon types can sometimes feel like changing games. For that reason, weapon guides play an important role around here.

Today, we focus on the most powerful weapon class in the game: Power weapons (officially referred to as Heavy weapons). We’ll cover both Exotic and Legendary weapons (including their PvP & PvE god rolls) and give you an overview of the current Meta.

Checkmark icon V3List updated as of Season of the Haunted’s release (S17).

What are Power weapons in Destiny 2?

Also referred to as Heavy weapons, Power weapons sit in the Heavy slot. There are only 8 weapon types that can use Heavy ammo, and can therefore be equipped in the Power slot:

Weapon Type Main Role
Rocket Launchers Burst Damage
 Grenade Launchers Add Clear
 Swords Add Clear, Single Target Damage
 Linear Fusion Rifles Single Target Damage
Machine Gun Add Clear
Shotguns*
Combat Bows*
Sniper Rifles* Single Target Damage

* The only few Heavy Shotguns, Bows, and Snipers are Exotics.

Unlike Energy weapons that can only deal either Solar, Arc, or Void damage, Heavy weapons can also deal Stasis damage. In fact, Power weapons and Kinetic weapons are the only guns able to deal Stasis damage.

Destiny 2 element icons ALL art

While Kinetic and Energy weapons both include Primary and Special ammo weapons, Power weapons only include guns that use Heavy ammo, aka, the purple ammo boxes. Needless to say, Heavy weapons are the most powerful in the game but their ammo is the most difficult to find.

Ammo art Destiny 2

Best Heavy weapons in Destiny 2: Tier list

Now that we’ve covered all the basics regarding Power weapons, it’s time we move on to what you’re probably here for: What are the best Power weapons in Destiny 2?

The list below includes what we consider the top-tier Heavy weapons in the game, for both PVE and PVP. By only including S Tier weapons, you can rest assured these are the most lethal guns out there:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?
Taipan-4fr artTaipan-4frLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvEWorld loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyCraftable
Stormchaser artStormchaserLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavyArcDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Best

S

PvEDuality Dungeon
Deluxe Edition
Season 17HeavyNo
Palmyra-B artPalmyra-BRocket LauncherPrecisionLegendaryHeavyStasisFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Best

S

PvE + PvPWorld loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 16HeavyCraftable
Cataclysmic art v2CataclysmicLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavySolarThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvEVow of the Disciple Raid
The Witch Queen
Season 16HeavyCraftable
Gjallarhorn artGjallarhornRocket LauncherExoticExoticHeavySolar30th AnniversaryYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvE + PvPGrasp of Avarice Dungeon
30th Anniversary
30th Anniversary eventHeavyNo
Reed's Regret artReed's RegretLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyStasisLightfallNoHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Best

S

PvETrials of OsirisLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 15HeavyNo
The Hothead artThe HotheadRocket LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayNoHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Best

S

PvENightfall: The Ordeals
Free-to-Play
Season 15HeavyNo
Crown-Splitter artCrown-SplitterSwordAggressiveLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvEWorld loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Corrective Measure artCorrective MeasureMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvE + PvPVault of Glass Raid
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Hezen Vengeance artHezen VengeanceRocket LauncherAggressiveLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvE + PvPVault of Glass Raid
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
THE SWARM artTHE SWARMMachine GunHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayNoHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Best

S

PvENightfall: The Ordeals
Free-to-Play
Season 13HeavyNo
CommemorationMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidBeyond LightYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvE + PvPDeep Stone Crypt Raid
Beyond Light
Season 12HeavyCraftable
The Lament Destiny 2The LamentSwordExoticExoticHeavySolarBeyond LightYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvEExotic Quest
Beyond Light
Season 12HeavyNo
Falling Guillotine artFalling GuillotineSwordVortexLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvEWorld loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 11HeavyNo

As a reminder, these are the different Tier levels used for our rankings:

  • S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapon types.
  • A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapon types, 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.

Note that this list is the result of the many different Tier lists we’ve done so far.

Heavy weapons list: The complete list

In case you’re looking for something much more specific (i.e. an Arc Precision Linear Fusion rifle) that you couldn’t find above, this list includes every Heavy weapon still viable in Destiny 2:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?
Koraxis's Distress artKoraxis's DistressGrenade LauncherRapid-FireLegendaryHeavyStrandLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Strand-Root of Nightmares RaidLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyCraftable
Briar's Contempt artBriar's ContemptLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavySolarLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar-Root of Nightmares RaidLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyCraftable
Winterbite artWinterbiteGlaiveExoticExoticHeavyStasisLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis StasisOngoing...-Exotic QuestLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyNo
Deterministic Chaos artDeterministic ChaosMachine GunExoticExoticHeavyVoidLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid VoidOngoing...-Exotic QuestLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyNo
Dimensional Hypotrochoid artDimensional HypotrochoidGrenade LauncherWaveLegendaryHeavyStasisLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis StasisOngoing...-NeomunaLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyCraftable
Marsilion-C artMarsilion-CGrenade LauncherRapid-FireLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar SolarOngoing...-World loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 20HeavyCraftable
Regnant artRegnantGrenade LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidSeason 20YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid VoidOngoing...-Seasonal activityLightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20HeavyCraftable
Circular Logic artCircular LogicMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyStrandLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid StrandOngoing...-Terminal OverloadLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyNo
Caretaker artCaretakerSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarSeason 20YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar SolarOngoing...-Seasonal activityLightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20HeavyCraftable
Nasreddin artNasreddinSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc ArcOngoing...-World loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 20HeavyNo
Fire and Forget art
Fire and ForgetLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavyStasisSeason 19YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Strong

A

PvESeasonal activitySeason 19 icon
Season 19
Season 19HeavyCraftable
Blowout art
BlowoutRocket LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Average

B

PvE + PvPPlaylist: Crucible
Free-to-Play
Season 19HeavyNo
Wendigo GL3 art
Wendigo GL3Grenade LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc ArcOngoing...-Nightfall: The Ordeals
Free-to-Play
Season 19HeavyNo
Retrofit Escapade art
Retrofit EscapadeMachine GunRapid-FireLegendaryHeavyVoidSeason 19YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid VoidOngoing...-Seasonal activitySeason 19 icon
Season 19
Season 19HeavyCraftable
Unwavering Duty artUnwavering DutyMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar SolarOngoing...-Trials of OsirisLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 19HeavyNo
Path of Least Resistance art
Path of Least ResistanceTrace RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialArcSeason 19YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc ArcOngoing...-Seasonal activitySeason 19 icon
Season 19
Season 19HeavyCraftable
Terminus HorizonMachine GunHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavyArcDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc ArcOngoing...-Spire of the Watcher Dungeon
Deluxe Edition
Season 19HeavyNo
Taipan-4fr artTaipan-4frLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvEWorld loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyCraftable
Cry Mutiny artCry MutinyGrenade LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Average

B

PvEExotic Kiosk
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyNo
Roar of the BearRoar of the BearRocket LauncherHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Average

B

PvEIron Banner
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyNo
Planck's Stride artPlanck's StrideMachine GunRapid-FireLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc ArcOngoing...-Seasonal activity
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyCraftable
Sailspy Pitchglass artSailspy PitchglassLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc ArcOngoing...-Seasonal activity
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyCraftable
Qullim’s Terminus art Qullim’s TerminusMachine GunHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavyStasisFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis StasisOngoing...-King's Fall Raid
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyCraftable
Stormchaser artStormchaserLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavyArcDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Best

S

PvEDuality Dungeon
Deluxe Edition
Season 17HeavyNo
Fixed Odds artFixed OddsMachine GunHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavySolarDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEDuality Dungeon
Deluxe Edition
Season 17HeavyCraftable
HeartartHeartshadowSwordExoticExoticHeavyVoidDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Strong

A

PvEDuality Dungeon
Deluxe Edition
Season 17HeavyNo
Bump in the Night artBump in the Night Rocket LauncherAggressiveLegendaryHeavyStasisFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Average

B

PvESeasonal activity
Free-to-Play
Season 17HeavyCraftable
Chain of Command artChain of CommandMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyStasisFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Average

B

PvEExotic Kiosk
Free-to-Play
Season 17HeavyNo
Palmyra-B artPalmyra-BRocket LauncherPrecisionLegendaryHeavyStasisFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Best

S

PvE + PvPWorld loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 16HeavyCraftable
Cataclysmic art v2CataclysmicLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavySolarThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvEVow of the Disciple Raid
The Witch Queen
Season 16HeavyCraftable
Parasite artParasiteGrenade LauncherExoticExoticHeavySolarThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEExotic Quest
The Witch Queen
Season 16HeavyNo
Typhon GL5 artTyphon GL5Grenade LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyStasisFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Strong

A

-World loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 16HeavyNo
Razor's Edge artRazor's EdgeSwordVortexLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Strong

A

-Iron Banner
Free-to-Play
Season 16HeavyNo
Grand Overture artGrand OvertureMachine GunExoticExoticHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Average

B

PvEExotic Kiosk
Free-to-Play
Season 16HeavyNo
Red Herring artRed HerringRocket LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Average

B

PvEThrone World
Free-to-Play
Season 16HeavyCraftable
Recurrent Impact artRecurrent ImpactMachine GunRapid-FireLegendaryHeavyStasisDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Average

B

PvEPsiOps Battlegrounds
Deluxe Edition
Season 16HeavyCraftable
Tarnation artTarnationGrenade LauncherRapid-FireLegendaryHeavyArcThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Weak

C

-Wellspring
The Witch Queen
Season 16HeavyCraftable
Gjallarhorn artGjallarhornRocket LauncherExoticExoticHeavySolar30th AnniversaryYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvE + PvPGrasp of Avarice Dungeon
30th Anniversary
30th Anniversary eventHeavyNo
Hero of Ages artHero of AgesSwordVortexLegendaryHeavyArc30th AnniversaryYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Strong

A

PvEGrasp of Avarice Dungeon
30th Anniversary
30th Anniversary eventHeavyNo
Half-Truths artHalf-TruthsSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Average

B

PvPDares of Eternity
Free-to-Play
30th Anniversary eventHeavyCraftable
The Other Half artThe Other HalfSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Average

B

PvPDares of Eternity
Free-to-Play
30th Anniversary eventHeavyCraftable
Zephyr artZephyrSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyStasisFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Average

B

PvEEvent: Dawning
Free-to-Play
30th Anniversary eventHeavyNo
Reed's Regret artReed's RegretLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyStasisLightfallNoHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Best

S

PvETrials of OsirisLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 15HeavyNo
The Hothead artThe HotheadRocket LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayNoHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Best

S

PvENightfall: The Ordeals
Free-to-Play
Season 15HeavyNo
Ascendancy artAscendancyRocket LauncherPrecisionLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvE + PvPExotic Kiosk
Free-to-Play
Season 15HeavyNo
Canis Major artCanis MajorGrenade LauncherRapid-FireLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Worst

D

-Xûr
Free-to-Play
Season 15HeavyNo
Crown-Splitter artCrown-SplitterSwordAggressiveLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvEWorld loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Corrective Measure artCorrective MeasureMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvE + PvPVault of Glass Raid
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Hezen Vengeance artHezen VengeanceRocket LauncherAggressiveLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvE + PvPVault of Glass Raid
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Archon's Thunder artArchon's ThunderMachine GunHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayNoHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEIron Banner
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Eternity's Edge artEternity's EdgeSwordVortexLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEWorld loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Memory Interdict artMemory InterdictGrenade LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Strong

A

PvPWorld loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Quickfang artQuickfangSwordLightweightLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Average

B

PvPWorld loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Love and Death artLove and DeathGrenade LauncherRapid-FireLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Weak

C

-Moon
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
A Fine Memorial artA Fine MemorialMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Weak

C

-Moon
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Night Terror artNight TerrorSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Weak

C

-Moon
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Shattered Cipher artShattered CipherMachine GunRapid-FireLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayNoHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Worst

D

-Unobtainable
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
Abide the Return artAbide the ReturnSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Worst

D

-Dreaming City
Free-to-Play
Season 14HeavyNo
THE SWARM artTHE SWARMMachine GunHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayNoHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Best

S

PvENightfall: The Ordeals
Free-to-Play
Season 13HeavyNo
Sola's Scar artSola's ScarSwordCasterLegendaryHeavySolarLightfallNoHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvE + PvPTrials of OsirisLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 13HeavyNo
Code Duello artCode DuelloRocket LauncherHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEUnobtainable
Free-to-Play
Season 13HeavyNo
Heretic artHereticRocket LauncherAggressiveLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Average

B

PvEMoon
Free-to-Play
Season 13HeavyNo
Threaded Needle artThreaded NeedleLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Average

B

PvEUnobtainable
Free-to-Play
Season 13HeavyNo
Royal Entry artRoyal EntryRocket LauncherPrecisionLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Average

B

PvEPlaylist: Vanguard
Free-to-Play
Season 13HeavyNo
Sleepless artSleeplessRocket LauncherHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Average

B

PvEDreaming City
Free-to-Play
Season 13HeavyNo
Tarantula artTarantulaLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Weak

C

-World loot pool
Free-to-Play
Season 13HeavyNo
CommemorationMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidBeyond LightYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvE + PvPDeep Stone Crypt Raid
Beyond Light
Season 12HeavyCraftable
The Lament Destiny 2The LamentSwordExoticExoticHeavySolarBeyond LightYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvEExotic Quest
Beyond Light
Season 12HeavyNo