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Destiny 2 Raid weapons Tier List: Ranked for PVE and PVP

by | Oct 22, 2022

Raid weapons are among the most sought-after pieces of equipment in Destiny 2. And that is as it should be.

After all, Raids are the epitome of endgame content. They are challenging, and they should reward you with gear worth your while. And let me tell you, they do. Some of the best weapons in Destiny 2 come from raids.

In this guide, we’ll cover every Raid weapon currently available, including Legendaries with their PVP and PVE god rolls and Exotics.

Checkmark icon V3Updated as of Season of Plunder’s release (S18).

Best Destiny 2 Raid weapons: Tier list

There are 44 raid weapons currently in the game:

NameWeaponsTypeArchetypeAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?RankSourceAvailable?Tier rankSource ❘ DLCFinal VerdictReleasedPerks
Koraxis's DistressKoraxis's Distress art
Koraxis's Distress
Grenade LauncherRapid-FireHeavyStrandLightfallYesRoot of Nightmares Raid

Root of Nightmares Raid
Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Slot: Void Strand | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Rapid-Fire



Season 20
Slot: Void Strand | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

Acasia's DejectionAcasia's Dejection art
Acasia's Dejection
Trace RifleAdaptiveSpecialSolarLightfallYesRoot of Nightmares Raid

Root of Nightmares Raid
Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Adaptive



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

Nessa's OblationNessa's Oblation art
Nessa's Oblation
ShotgunPinpoint SlugSpecialVoidLightfallYesRoot of Nightmares Raid

Root of Nightmares Raid
Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Pinpoint Slug



Season 20
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Pinpoint Slug

Mykel's Reverence art
Mykel's Reverence
SidearmRapid-FirePrimaryStrandLightfallYesRoot of Nightmares Raid

Root of Nightmares Raid
Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Slot: Void Strand | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire



Season 20
Slot: Void Strand | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

Conditional FinalityConditional Finality art
Conditional Finality
ShotgunExoticSpecialStasisLightfallYesRoot of Nightmares Raid

Root of Nightmares Raid
Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Exotic



Season 20
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Exotic

Rufus's FuryRufus's Fury art
Rufus's Fury
Auto RifleRapid-FirePrimaryStrandLightfallYesRoot of Nightmares Raid

Root of Nightmares Raid
Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Slot: Void Strand | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire



Season 20
Slot: Void Strand | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

Briar's ContemptBriar's Contempt art
Briar's Contempt
Linear Fusion RifleAggressiveHeavySolarLightfallYesRoot of Nightmares Raid

Root of Nightmares Raid
Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive



Season 20
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive

Commemoration
Commemoration
Machine GunAdaptiveHeavyVoidBeyond LightYesS › BestDeep Stone Crypt Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Deep Stone Crypt Raid

Beyond Light
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Under Pressure
PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Under Pressure

► Machine guns are popular in PVP because they offer an excellent ammo economy. When used right, one ammo brick can result in 4-5 kills. And Commemoration just so happens to be one of the top machine guns for PVP. It may not have as high base stats as Hammerhead, but it more than makes up for it with great perks. Commemoration has a lot of potential for PVE too. With the right perks, it can outclass most other legendary machine guns for ad clear.
Season 12
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Under Pressure
PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Under Pressure
FatebringerFatebringer art
Fatebringer
Hand CannonAdaptivePrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayYesS › BestVault of Glass Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Vault of Glass Raid

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

PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Firefly
PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Opening Shot

► One of the most iconic legendary weapons in the game, Fatebringer comes with insane stats and great perks. While it does have some competition, namely Eyasluna, this almost-perfect Hand Cannon holds its ground as an all-time community favorite.
Season 14
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Firefly
PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Opening Shot
Corrective MeasureCorrective Measure art
Corrective Measure
Machine GunAdaptiveHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesS › BestVault of Glass Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Vault of Glass Raid

Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds (also good: Subsistence) + One for All (also good: Firefly)

► Whereas Commemoration was made to shine in PVP, Corrective Measure was clearly conceived to shine in PVE. On top of the excellent base stats one should expect from a raid weapon, Corrective Measure also features best-in-class perks. With Rewind Rounds and Firefly, this could be the best ad clear legendary machine gun in the entire game.
Season 14
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds (also good: Subsistence) + One for All (also good: Firefly)
Hezen VengeanceHezen Vengeance art
Hezen Vengeance
Rocket LauncherAggressiveHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesS › BestVault of Glass Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Vault of Glass Raid

Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive

PvE God Roll: Lasting Impression (also good: Overflow ) + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Lasting Impression)
PvP God Roll: Impulse Amplifier (Tracking Module) + Cluster Bomb

► Hezen Vengeance has always been a weapon worth farming, but recent buffs and meta-shifts have made this rocket an S-Tier pick. From its excellent perk pool to its better-than-average stats and intrinsic damage, Hezen Vengeance is one of the best legendary rockets currently obtainable.
Season 14
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Aggressive

PvE God Roll: Lasting Impression (also good: Overflow ) + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Lasting Impression)
PvP God Roll: Impulse Amplifier (Tracking Module) + Cluster Bomb
InsidiousInsidious art v2
Insidious
Pulse RifleAggressive BurstPrimaryArcThe Witch QueenYesS › BestVow of the Disciple Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Vow of the Disciple Raid

The Witch Queen
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive Burst

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Dragonfly) + Rampage
PvP God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Heating Up) + Rampage

► One of very few 4-burst pulse rifles, people had big expectations for this weapon. And with outstanding perk combinations for both PVE and PVP, Insidious blew those out of the water. With an S-Tier Origin Trait and no terrible perks in its pool, there's not much to hate about this pulse rifle. For PVP in particular, Aggressive Burst Pulses hit like a truck, flinching opponents with ease.
Season 16
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive Burst

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Dragonfly) + Rampage
PvP God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Heating Up) + Rampage
Defiance of YasminDefiance of Yasmin art
Defiance of Yasmin
Sniper RifleAdaptiveSpecialKineticFree-to-PlayYesS › BestKing's Fall Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
King's Fall Raid

Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Adaptive

PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot
PvE God Roll: Firefly + Firing Line

► The "new kid on the block," The Defiance of Yasmin was recently released as part of the King's Fall raid loot table. And as should be expected from a raid weapon, the Defiance of Yasmin truly excels, especially in PvP. It features excellent base stats, the best perks for PvP, and a 40 zoom stat that feels just right...
Season 18
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Adaptive

PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot
PvE God Roll: Firefly + Firing Line
Succession
Succession
Sniper RifleAggressiveSpecialKineticBeyond LightYesS › BestDeep Stone Crypt Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE
Deep Stone Crypt Raid

Beyond Light
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Aggressive

PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Recombination (also good: Vorpal Weapon)
PvP God Roll: Moving Target + Snapshot Sights

► Succession is another hidden gem from the Deep Stone Crypt raid. While it can certainly hold its own in PVP (thanks to clean sights and great perk combinations), in PVE, it's top tier. Perhaps the best there is.

With the Reconstruction perk and something like Vorpal Weapon or Recombination, this can easily be the best DPS sniper in the entire game.
Season 12
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Aggressive

PvE God Roll: Reconstruction + Recombination (also good: Vorpal Weapon)
PvP God Roll: Moving Target + Snapshot Sights
Heritage
Heritage
ShotgunPinpoint SlugSpecialKineticBeyond LightYesS › BestDeep Stone Crypt Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE
Deep Stone Crypt Raid

Beyond Light
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Pinpoint Slug

PvE God Roll: Reconstruction (also good: Auto-Loading Holster) + Recombination

► Heritage is an absolute staple in the Kinetic Slot and will forever hold a place as a go-to option in my loadouts. It can hit like a truck with Recombination and can get up to double its regular magazine size. It wastes majors and bosses alike and is an option that we 100% recommend you grind for.
Season 12
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Pinpoint Slug

PvE God Roll: Reconstruction (also good: Auto-Loading Holster) + Recombination
ForbearanceForbearance art v2
Forbearance
Grenade LauncherWaveSpecialArcThe Witch QueenYesS › BestVow of the Disciple Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE
Vow of the Disciple Raid

The Witch Queen
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Wave

PvE God Roll: Ambitious Assassin (also good: Unrelenting) + Chain Reaction

► The first Wave Frame Grenade Launcher to come from a raid, Forbearance is widely regarded as the best Wave Frame we've gotten thus far. With the ability to roll the combo that made Salvager's Salvo famous, this weapon is an ad-clear machine. Not to mention, Wave Frames are extremely fun to use, and the Origin Trait is a nice cherry on top!
Season 16
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Wave

PvE God Roll: Ambitious Assassin (also good: Unrelenting) + Chain Reaction
CataclysmicCataclysmic art v2
Cataclysmic
Linear Fusion RiflePrecisionHeavySolarThe Witch QueenYesS › BestVow of the Disciple Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE
Vow of the Disciple Raid

The Witch Queen
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's The Charm + Bait and Switch

► Cataclysmic has always been great for total damage, but now also excels in DPS because of a buff to Bait and Switch. While most players now try to match their subclass and weapon elements for Font of Might, Cataclysmic continues to attract players of all subclasses with its unmatched raw damage.
Season 16
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Fourth Time's The Charm + Bait and Switch
Doom of ChelchisDoom of Chelchis art
Doom of Chelchis
Scout RiflePrecisionPrimaryVoidFree-to-PlayYesS › BestKing's Fall Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE
King's Fall Raid

Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + One For All (also good: Firefly + Frenzy)

► The King's Fall Scout Rifle, Doom of Chelchis, comes stacked with brilliant perks. It has combos like Firefly and Dragonfly and damage perks like One for All and Frenzy; you just can't go wrong with Chelchis. With the 'Runneth Over' origin trait, you can stack the magazine high to just lay on high health targets.
Season 18
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + One For All (also good: Firefly + Frenzy)
Touch of MaliceTouch of Malice art
Touch of Malice
Scout RifleExoticPrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayYesS › BestKing's Fall Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE
King's Fall Raid

Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "The final round in the magazine deals bonus damage and then regenerates itself. Rapidly defeating three targets restores health. Precision hits drain combatants' life force and charge up a ball of darkness."

► Touch of Malice is finally back. Whilst largely untouched compared to D1, the addition of its new perk "Charged with Blight," combined with the abundance of healing now available, makes Touch of Malice a primary ammo DPS monster. Perhaps the best DPS primary in the game right now.
Season 18
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "The final round in the magazine deals bonus damage and then regenerates itself. Rapidly defeating three targets restores health. Precision hits drain combatants' life force and charge up a ball of darkness."
Found VerdictFound Verdict art
Found Verdict
ShotgunAggressiveSpecialArcFree-to-PlayYesS › BestVault of Glass Raid
Best

S



Excels in:
PvP
Vault of Glass Raid

Free-to-Play
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Surplus (also good: Slideshot) + Opening Shot

► Found Verdict is one of the most sought-after Shotguns right now. Able to fit Adept mods with its Timelost variant, Found Verdict can reach up to a whopping 68 range with Smallbore, which is a popular all-rounder barrel. It's a stat monster and we definitely recommended it for PvP.
Season 14
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Aggressive

PvP God Roll: Surplus (also good: Slideshot) + Opening Shot
Eyes of Tomorrow
Eyes of Tomorrow
Rocket LauncherExoticHeavySolarBeyond LightYesA › StrongDeep Stone Crypt Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Deep Stone Crypt Raid

Beyond Light
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "This weapon is capable of tracking and firing at multiple targets simultaneously. Killing four or more combatants in a single volley increases the damage of the next volley."

► Even though recent buffs benefited Eyes of Tomorrow in PvE, it still doesn't hold up to other options like Gjallarhorn. However, its absurd tracking continues to make it a near-irreplaceable pick in 6v6 PvP and Gambit.
Season 12
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "This weapon is capable of tracking and firing at multiple targets simultaneously. Killing four or more combatants in a single volley increases the damage of the next volley."
Vision of ConfluenceVision of Confluence art
Vision of Confluence
Scout RiflePrecisionPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesA › StrongVault of Glass Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Vault of Glass Raid

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

PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds + Firefly (also good: Frenzy)
PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Kill Clip

► With the recent Scout Rifle buffs, Vision of Confluence is no longer only an option in PvE. With the right roll, Vision of Confluence can be a real menace in the Crucible. Vision also has stronger ad clear than some other Scout Rifles with Rewind Rounds and Firefly.
Season 14
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds + Firefly (also good: Frenzy)
PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Kill Clip
SubmissionSubmission art v2
Submission
Submachine GunLightweightPrimaryKineticThe Witch QueenYesA › StrongVow of the Disciple Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Vow of the Disciple Raid

The Witch Queen
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Lightweight

PvE God Roll: Overflow (also good: Subsistence) + Frenzy (also good: Swashbuckler)
PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Killing Wind

► Containing alright stats and a wide variety of interesting perk combinations, Submission is a strong option overall. While it isn't the best of the best in both PVE and PVP, it can hold its ground in both, making it a great pick if you don't have anything better.
Season 16
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Lightweight

PvE God Roll: Overflow (also good: Subsistence) + Frenzy (also good: Swashbuckler)
PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Killing Wind
DeliveranceDeliverance art v2
Deliverance
Fusion RiflePrecisionSpecialStasisThe Witch QueenYesA › StrongVow of the Disciple Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Vow of the Disciple Raid

The Witch Queen
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Rolls: Demolitionist (also good: Perpetual Motion) + Chill Klip

► Being the first kinetic (and Stasis!) legendary Fusion makes Deliverance already worth grabbing. Plus, with the great perk combos for PVE and PVP, you can't go wrong with this one-of-a-kind weapon.
Season 16
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Rolls: Demolitionist (also good: Perpetual Motion) + Chill Klip
Nation of BeastsNation of Beasts Destiny 2
Nation of Beasts
Hand CannonAdaptivePrimaryArcForsaken PackYesA › StrongLast Wish Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Last Wish Raid

Forsaken Pack
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Dragonfly (also good: Kill Clip)

► Primarily known for its curated roll of Outlaw + Dragonfly, Nation of Beasts quickly became a very nice pick in PVE. It is a good hand cannon. It has always been. It just struggles to keep up with recently released monsters such as Eyasluna or The Palindrome.
Season 4
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Dragonfly (also good: Kill Clip)
One Thousand VoicesDestiny 2 One Thousand Voices art
One Thousand Voices
Fusion RifleExoticHeavySolarForsaken PackYesA › StrongLast Wish Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Last Wish Raid

Forsaken Pack
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "Charging this weapon unleashes a giant continuous beam of death. The beam superheats its targets upon impact, causing delayed explosions."

► "Charging this weapon unleashes a giant continuous beam of death"... What more do you need to know? 1K is a fun addition to any PvE loadout and, if used right, can be deadly in PvP and wipe the floor when invading in Gambit.
Season 4
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "Charging this weapon unleashes a giant continuous beam of death. The beam superheats its targets upon impact, causing delayed explosions."
AnarchyDestiny 2 Anarchy
Anarchy
Grenade LauncherExoticHeavyArcForsaken PackYesA › StrongExotic Kiosk
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Exotic Kiosk

Forsaken Pack
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "Grenades stick to surfaces and chain Arc bolts to other mines. It also has the Moving Target perk."

► Anarchy, to this day, still has the strongest damage over time effect for boss damage. In high-end content, Anarchy still holds strong and is still a decent pick for Raids or high difficulty Nightfalls as you can also deal DPS with a high damage Special weapon such as a Sniper or Fusion Rifle.
Season 5
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "Grenades stick to surfaces and chain Arc bolts to other mines. It also has the Moving Target perk."
Accrued RedemptionAccrued Redemption art
Accrued Redemption
Combat BowPrecisionPrimaryKineticShadowkeepYesA › StrongGarden of Salvation Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Garden of Salvation Raid

Shadowkeep
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Archer's Tempo + Rampage

► Accrued Redemption is a solid bow, it can roll with Archer's Tempo and Explosive Head making it an excellent pick in PvE to quickly stagger targets at any distance.
Season 8
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Archer's Tempo + Rampage
Ancient GospelAncient Gospel art
Ancient Gospel
Hand CannonAdaptivePrimarySolarShadowkeepYesA › StrongGarden of Salvation Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Garden of Salvation Raid

Shadowkeep
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Outlaw) + Dragonfly (also good: Kill Clip)

► Even though it can roll with some great perks, there are simply too many other hand cannons that outclass the Ancient Gospel in a variety of ways. All that said, it isn't a bad choice for PVE whatsoever.
Season 8
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Outlaw) + Dragonfly (also good: Kill Clip)
Zealot's Reward
Zealot's Reward
Fusion RifleRapid-FireSpecialVoidShadowkeepYesA › StrongGarden of Salvation Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Garden of Salvation Raid

Shadowkeep
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Under Pressure + High-Impact Reserves

► With excellent base stats and some of the best PVP perks, Zealot's Reward became a PVP monster overnight. Its Rapid-Fire Frame and ability to benefit from "Volatile rounds" make the Zealot's Reward a beast in PvE too.
Season 8
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Under Pressure + High-Impact Reserves
Praedyth's RevengePraedyth's Revenge art
Praedyth's Revenge
Sniper RifleRapid-FireSpecialKineticFree-to-PlayYesA › StrongVault of Glass Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Vault of Glass Raid

Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds + Firefly (also good: High-Impact Reserves)

► Praedyth's Revenge is one of the best PVE snipers in the entire game. It certainly has the base stats to challenge any other sniper, but even better, it offers excellent PVE-oriented perks that can't be found in any other sniper. Namely, Rewind Rounds and Firefly.
Season 14
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvE God Roll: Rewind Rounds + Firefly (also good: High-Impact Reserves)
Collective ObligationCollective Obligation art
Collective Obligation
Pulse RifleExoticPrimaryVoidThe Witch QueenYesA › StrongVow of the Disciple Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
Vow of the Disciple Raid

The Witch Queen
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "This weapon leeches Void debuffs when damaging targets that are suppressed, weakened, or volatile. Once charged, damage from this weapon applies the same Void debuffs that were leeched. Weapon automatically reloads when you gain Devour, a Void overshield, or become invisible."

► With the ability to debuff everything in sight, Collective Obligation can do things no other weapon can. That being said, you're almost required to create a build with it to make it worth your exotic slot. While this weapon has potential, having to work so hard to make your exotic feel "exotic" isn't great.
Season 16
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "This weapon leeches Void debuffs when damaging targets that are suppressed, weakened, or volatile. Once charged, damage from this weapon applies the same Void debuffs that were leeched. Weapon automatically reloads when you gain Devour, a Void overshield, or become invisible."
Smite of MerainSmite of Merain art
Smite of Merain
Pulse RifleAdaptivePrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayYesA › StrongKing's Fall Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE
King's Fall Raid

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

PvE God Roll: Demolitionist (also good: Focused Fury) + Adrenaline Junkie (also good: One for All)

► From its synergistic combinations like Demolitionist and Adrenaline Junkie to its ability to roll with two damage perks at once, Smite of Merain's perks alone make it a solid choice for PVE. 4-burst pulse rifles will continue to be the most potent option, but this can be a unique alternative.
Season 18
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Demolitionist (also good: Focused Fury) + Adrenaline Junkie (also good: One for All)
TransfigurationTransfiguration Destiny 2
Transfiguration
Scout RifleHigh-ImpactPrimaryKineticForsaken PackYesA › StrongLast Wish Raid
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvP
Last Wish Raid

Forsaken Pack
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: High-Impact

PvP God Roll: Rampage + Kill Clip

► Transfiguration has one stand-out roll that is massively potent: Rampage and Kill Clip. With both of these perks active, Transfiguration can kill in 2 shots giving it a blindingly fast time to kill. However, aside from this combination, Transfiguration doesn't offer much more outside of that.
Season 4
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: High-Impact

PvP God Roll: Rampage + Kill Clip
Sacred ProvenanceSacred Provenance art
Sacred Provenance
Pulse RifleAggressive BurstPrimaryKineticShadowkeepYesB › AverageGarden of Salvation Raid
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE
Garden of Salvation Raid

Shadowkeep
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive Burst

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Outlaw) + Kill Clip

► 4-burst pulse rifles have always excelled in PVE, and Sacred Provenance is no exception. Even though Insidious and Veles-X are generally considered better, this pulse is still a solid option for PVE.
Season 8
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive Burst

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Outlaw) + Kill Clip
Posterity
Posterity
Hand CannonPrecisionPrimaryArcBeyond LightYesB › AverageDeep Stone Crypt Raid
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE
Deep Stone Crypt Raid

Beyond Light
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Reconstruction (also good: Rapid Hit) + One for All (also good: Rampage)

► With an extremely strong perk pool and amazing stats, Posterity is easily the best 180RPM Hand Cannon in the game. Its only problem at the moment is that it's a Precision Hand Cannon, which are quite weak throughout the game. While it isn't the best choice now, it might be worth picking up a roll that you like for when 180s get buffed.
Season 12
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Reconstruction (also good: Rapid Hit) + One for All (also good: Rampage)
Vex MythoclastVex Mythoclast art
Vex Mythoclast
Fusion RifleExoticPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesB › AverageVault of Glass Raid
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE
Vault of Glass Raid

Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a single bolt with each trigger pull. Defeating targets builds stacks of Overcharge. Swap firing modes when fully Overcharged to charge up and fire more powerful linear fusion shots."

► Vex Mythoclast has gone through so many nerfs and buffs during its Destiny 2 lifespan, that it's hard to say how meta it currently is. With that said, Vex Mythoclast is one of the most sought-after Exotics and is a fun addition to any loadout.
Season 14
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Exotic

Exotic Perk: "This weapon fires a single bolt with each trigger pull. Defeating targets builds stacks of Overcharge. Swap firing modes when fully Overcharged to charge up and fire more powerful linear fusion shots."
The SupremacyThe Supremacy art
The Supremacy
Sniper RifleRapid-FireSpecialKineticForsaken PackYesB › AverageLast Wish Raid
Average

B



Excels in:
PvP
Last Wish Raid

Forsaken Pack
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Rapid Hit

► With low zoom and off-the-charts aim assist, The Supremacy is considered one of the best feeling snipers in the game by a big portion of the community. However, while this weapon does still hold its own, snipers higher up on this list have better perks and are easier to farm.
Season 4
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Rapid Hit
Trustee
Trustee
Scout RifleRapid-FirePrimarySolarBeyond LightYesB › AverageDeep Stone Crypt Raid
Average

B



Excels in:
PvP
Deep Stone Crypt Raid

Beyond Light
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Killing Wind (also good: Surplus)+ Eye of the Storm (also good: High-Impact Reserves)

► Trustee is a decent option, and in the right hands, it has the potential to pop off. However, it is simply outclassed by High-Impact Scout Rifles right now, making it a hard option to recommend.
Season 12
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Killing Wind (also good: Surplus)+ Eye of the Storm (also good: High-Impact Reserves)
Age-Old Bond
Age-Old Bond
Auto RifleHigh-ImpactPrimaryVoidForsaken PackYesC › WeakLast Wish Raid
Weak

C



Last Wish Raid

Forsaken Pack
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: High-Impact

PvE/PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Kill Clip

► Age-Old Bond falls in the rankings due to its poor archetype. High-Impacts aren't exactly the strongest of picks right now when it comes to PvE or PvP... However, with the right roll, you could find some success with Age-Old Bond.
Season 4
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: High-Impact

PvE/PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Kill Clip
Tyranny of HeavenTyranny of Heaven art
Tyranny of Heaven
Combat BowLightweightPrimarySolarForsaken PackYesC › WeakLast Wish Raid
Weak

C



Last Wish Raid

Forsaken Pack
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Lightweight

PvE God Roll: Archer's Tempo + Explosive Head

► There isn't much going on for Tyranny of Heaven. It has poor base stats and a severely limited perk selection. It also happens to be one of the hardest bows to obtain, as it's locked behind the Last Wish raid.
Season 4
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Lightweight

PvE God Roll: Archer's Tempo + Explosive Head
Chattering BoneChattering Bone Destiny 2
Chattering Bone
Pulse RifleLightweightPrimaryKineticForsaken PackYesC › WeakLast Wish Raid
Weak

C



Last Wish Raid

Forsaken Pack
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Lightweight

PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage

► Because of its relatively small perk pool and challenging obtaining method, Chattering Bone has yet ever to be a popular pick. The age-old combination of Outlaw and Rampage can have this weapon prove useful in PVE, but we still recommend many other options on this list regardless.
Season 4
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Lightweight

PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage
Omniscient EyeOmniscient Eye art
Omniscient Eye
Sniper RifleRapid-FireSpecialSolarShadowkeepYesC › WeakGarden of Salvation Raid
Weak

C



Garden of Salvation Raid

Shadowkeep
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: No Distractions + Snapshot Sights

► Omniscient Eye was pretty good for its time but has since fallen to new giants that dominate the current PVP meta. Sure, it's still a nice sniper that feels good to use, but realistically there's no reason to choose this over something like Beloved or the 1000 Yard Stare.
Season 8
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: No Distractions + Snapshot Sights
Prophet of Doom
Prophet of Doom
ShotgunPrecisionSpecialArcShadowkeepYesC › WeakGarden of Salvation Raid
Weak

C



Garden of Salvation Raid

Shadowkeep
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Feeding Frenzy + One-Two Punch (also good: Rampage)

► Prophet of Doom doesn't have terrible base stats. However, its perk pool is severely limited compared to other Shotguns, making it fall short in PvP? And due to the current PvE meta, Prophet of Doom falls short in PvE too, because of its pellet-based nature.
Season 8
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Feeding Frenzy + One-Two Punch (also good: Rampage)
Reckless OracleReckless Oracle Destiny 2
Reckless Oracle
Auto RifleRapid-FirePrimaryVoidShadowkeepYesC › WeakGarden of Salvation Raid
Weak

C



Garden of Salvation Raid

Shadowkeep
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

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

► Poor Reckless Oracle doesn't stand a chance. It is locked behind a raid and doesn't bring anything special to the table. It behaves like a 720 RPM SMG, but lacks great perks and has to face extremely strong competition.
Season 8
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvP God Roll: Outlaw (also good: Under Pressure) + Kill Clip
Lubrae's RuinLubrae's Ruin art v2
Lubrae's Ruin
GlaiveAdaptiveSpecialSolarThe Witch QueenYesC › WeakVow of the Disciple Raid
Weak

C



Vow of the Disciple Raid

The Witch Queen
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Grave Robber + Swashbuckler

► While Lubrae's Ruin has amazing lore, it lacks in numerous key gameplay areas. Just like other glaives, the ranged ability feels weak, and the melee attack can get you into trouble if you're not careful. Not to mention, some melee-based traits don't even work with the glaive melee attack, making Lubrae's Ruin feel terrible to wield.
Season 16
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Grave Robber + Swashbuckler
Apex Predator
Apex Predator
Rocket LauncherAdaptiveHeavySolarForsaken PackYesD › WorstLast Wish Raid
Worst

D



Last Wish Raid

Forsaken Pack
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Tracking Module + Auto-Loading Holster

► Containing a selection of only three perks per column, all of which are weak, Apex Predator is often regarded as one of the worst raid drops in the game. There's really no reason to go back to Last Wish to chase this weapon.
Season 4
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Tracking Module + Auto-Loading Holster
Techeun Force
Techeun Force
Fusion RifleAdaptiveSpecialArcForsaken PackYesD › WorstLast Wish Raid
Worst

D



Last Wish Raid

Forsaken Pack
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Kill Clip + Rampage

► Part of a somewhat weak archetype and hard to farm, this weapon has little to offer and doesn't deserve your attention. If it was a Precision frame instead, it would be in a better spot right now.
Season 4
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Kill Clip + Rampage
Bequest
Bequest
SwordAdaptiveHeavyArcBeyond LightYesD › WorstDeep Stone Crypt Raid
Worst

D



Deep Stone Crypt Raid

Beyond Light
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Relentless Strikes + Surrounded

► Bequest suffers from being an Adaptive Frame, and top of that, it can't roll with the typical top-tier sword perks including Whirlwind Blade or even Vorpal Weapon. But to make matters worse, as a Deep Stone Crypt weapon, it is more difficult to obtain than most other swords in the game.
Season 12
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Relentless Strikes + Surrounded
Zaouli’s BaneZaouli’s Bane art
Zaouli’s Bane
Hand CannonAdaptivePrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesOngoingKing's Fall RaidOngoing...

King's Fall Raid

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

PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Incandescent

► On top of offering excellent base stats (which can only be expected from a raid weapon), the Zaouli's Bane can also roll with an extremely lethal and unique perk combination: Explosive Payload + Incandescent. With a strong Solar 3.0 Build, a Zaouli's Bane with Incandescent can be a monster in mid to high-end PvE content.
Season 18
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Incandescent
Qullim’s TerminusQullim’s Terminus art
Qullim’s Terminus
Machine GunHigh-ImpactHeavyStasisFree-to-PlayYesOngoingKing's Fall RaidOngoing...

King's Fall Raid

Free-to-Play
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: High-Impact



► Still too early to tell, review ongoing...
Season 18
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: High-Impact

Midhas’s ReckoningMidhas’s Reckoning art
Midhas’s Reckoning
Fusion RifleHigh-ImpactSpecialArcFree-to-PlayYesOngoingKing's Fall RaidOngoing...

King's Fall Raid

Free-to-Play
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: High-Impact



► Still too early to tell, review ongoing...
Season 18
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: High-Impact

These are the different Tier levels used for this tier list ranking:

  • 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.

The list starts with the S Tier and moves down from there.

Raid weapon perks: Are they good enough?

Destiny has been around for a long time. The original was released 7 years ago! In all those years, many weapon perks have come and gone. In fact, these past few seasons, Bungie has really stepped it up in terms of introducing new perks that are equally creative and lethal.

In fact, some of the most powerful perks are unique to raid weapons. These are the highlights:

Deep Stone Crypt perks

  • Redirection: Damaging rank-and-file combatants increases damage against more powerful ones.
  • Recombination: Elemental final blows increase the damage of this weapon’s next shot.
  • Reconstruction: This weapon slowly reloads itself over time, up to double capacity.

Vault of Glass perks

  • Rewind Rounds: When this weapon’s magazine is empty, it refills from reserves based on the number of hits.
  • Firefly: Precision kills with this weapon increase reload speed and cause the target to explode, dealing Solar damage to nearby enemies.

If you want to know which weapons can roll with these, just filter the table above to only show you Deep Stone Crypt or Vault of Glass weapons.

Destiny 2 Raid weapon farming: How to get them

Farming raid weapons is straightforward but certainly not easy. You’ll need a committed Fireteam and a few hours in front of you.

 Farming newer raids

After years of complaints that raids (and dungeons) should be farmable, Bungie finally listened and introduced a system to farm the latest raids, including Vault of Glass and Vow of the Disciple.

Spoils of Conquest and chests

Once you have defeated the final boss, you’ll see a cache (chest) appear right next to the usual chest that spawns once the encounter is over. These caches are a great addition to the game as they let you use Spoils of Conquest (the raid currency) to purchase specific weapons and armor.

Purchasing a weapon or armor you have already found costs only 20 Spoils of Conquest, which can be earned from completing a full Raid, any Raid, including Garden of Salvation and Last Wish. This gives you more opportunities to find good rolls on the specific weapons you’re interested in.

On top of that, with these caches, you have a chance to get something you haven’t found before. They are more expensive, though, so think twice before using your precious Spoils of Conquest…

These loot tables cover exactly what items can drop from every encounter:

Older raids

Up until recently, farming older raids, including Last Wish and Garden of Salvation, was impossible. These could only be completed once per character per week.

But Season of the Haunted (S17) introduced a Raid and Dungeon rotation. Every week, a different raid and dungeon are part of the weekly rotation, which means they become fully farmable, on top of also offering a Pinnacle reward each. This page covers the weekly Raid and dungeon rotation in depth.

Ranking criteria

For the record, as much as we tried to keep this list as objective as possible, it’s still based on our personal experience playing the PC version of the game.

Finally, if you’re wondering what criteria was used to build this Tier list, these are the main factors I took into account:

  • Lethality: The higher the effective DPS and usability, the higher the ranking.
  • Consistency: Some weapons may not have the highest DPS numbers, but they are so consistent, they more than make up for their lower DPS numbers.
  • Ease of use: Similar to the point above, some weapons are very effective because they are easy to use and don’t require too much skill or setup. This is also rewarded with higher rankings.
  • PVE/PVP Performance: High lethality in either PVE or  PVP is equally valuable. However, a weapon that is good at both PVE and PVP should rank higher than one that is slightly better on only PVE or PVP.
  • Fun factor: Not the most important factor, but it also helps if the weapon is damn fun to shoot with!

If you strongly disagree with some of the rankings here, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. By the way, what is your personal favorite?

The Last Word

You now know everything there is to know about raid weapons in Destiny 2. Are you currently chasing any of these weapons? Let us know in the comments below.

About The Author

Ric Molina
Ric Molina
I've been covering gaming since 2012, and some of my work has been featured by large brands, including MSN.com, Forbes, Rock Paper Shotgun, and more. I've been obsessed with Destiny 2 for years now, and I hope to provide new and returning players with the guides and resources I wish I had when I first started.
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