Destiny 2 Seasonal Weapons: Ranked for PvE & PvP

by | Mar 19, 2023

Destiny 2 is notorious for straight-up removing content from the game, either by putting it into the infamous DCV or simply removing items from the current rotation. 

This is particularly the case for Seasonal activities and weapons, which officially are removed once the next Expansion is released. In this guide we cover all seasonal weapons still available in Destiny 2. We tell you how to get them and which ones are worth farming.

💠 We cover the New Destiny 2 weapons from this season here.

Best Season of the Witch Weapons (S22)

Witch weapons can be acquired by farming Altars of Summoning and Savathûn’s Spire activities or decoding Witch Engrams at the H.E.L.M.:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Brya's Love artBrya's LoveScout RiflePrecisionLegendaryPrimaryVoidSeason 22YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryVoid Void-Seasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Witch (S22) icon
Season 22
Season 22EnergyCraftable
Eleatic Principle artEleatic PrincipleMachine GunRapid-FireLegendaryHeavyArcSeason 22YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Weak

C

-Seasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Witch (S22) icon
Season 22
Season 22HeavyCraftable
Kept Confidence artKept ConfidenceHand CannonAdaptiveLegendaryPrimaryStrandSeason 22YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvPSeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Witch (S22) icon
Season 22
Season 22KineticCraftable
Locus Locutus artLocus LocutusSniper RifleAdaptiveLegendaryPrimaryStasisSeason 22YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStasis Stasis
Average

B

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Witch (S22) icon
Season 22
Season 22KineticCraftable
Semiotician artSemioticianRocket LauncherHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavyStrandSeason 22YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Average

B

-Seasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Witch (S22) icon
Season 22
Season 22HeavyCraftable
The Eremite artThe EremiteFusion RifleHigh-ImpactLegendarySpecialSolarSeason 22YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Best

S

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Witch (S22) icon
Season 22
Season 22EnergyCraftableTop-tier

These weapons can be acquired by decoding Recovered Red War Engrams:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Deadpan Delivery artDeadpan DeliveryShotgunAggressiveLegendarySpecialArcFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc Arc-Recovered Red WarError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 22EnergyNo
Nightshade artNightshadePulse RifleLightweightLegendaryPrimaryStrandFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvPRecovered Red WarError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 22KineticNo
Persuader artPersuaderSniper RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialVoidSeason 22YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialVoid Void
Weak

C

-Recovered Red WarError icon V2Season of the Witch (S22) icon
Season 22
Season 22EnergyNo
The Showrunner artThe ShowrunnerSubmachine GunLightweightLegendaryPrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Average

B

PvERecovered Red WarError icon V2Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 22KineticNo

Best Season of the Deep Weapons (S21)

Deep weapons, aka, Taken weapons, can be acquired by farming Deep Dives or decoding Deep Engrams at the H.E.L.M.:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
A Distant Pull art Destiny 2A Distant PullSniper RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialStasisSeason 21YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStasis Stasis
Average

B

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21KineticCraftable
Different Times art Destiny 2Different TimesPulse RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryStrandSeason 21YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvE + PvPSeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21KineticCraftableTop-tier
Epochal Integration art Destiny 2Epochal IntegrationHand CannonAdaptiveLegendaryPrimarySolarSeason 21YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvE + PvPSeasonal activityError icon V2Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21EnergyNoTop-tier
Rapacious Appetite art Destiny 2Rapacious AppetiteSubmachine GunAggressiveLegendaryPrimaryStasisSeason 21YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStasis Stasis
Average

B

Seasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21KineticCraftable
Targeted Redaction art Destiny 2Targeted RedactionHand CannonAggressiveLegendaryPrimaryVoidSeason 21YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryVoid Void
Best

S

Seasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21EnergyCraftableTop-tier
Thin Precipice art Destiny 2Thin PrecipiceSwordVortexLegendaryHeavyStrandSeason 21YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand-Seasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21HeavyCraftable
Until Its Return art Destiny 2Until Its ReturnShotgunRapid-FireLegendarySpecialStrandSeason 21YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand-Seasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21KineticCraftable

The retuning Reckoning weapons can be acquired by fishing or decoding Deep Engrams:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Bug-Out Bag art Destiny 2Bug-Out BagSubmachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryPrimarySolarSeason 21YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Average

B

PvEFishingError icon V2Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21EnergyNoIncandescent
Just in Case art Destiny 2Just in CaseSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarSeason 21YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar-FishingError icon V2Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21HeavyNoIncandescent
Last Man Standing art Destiny 2Last Man StandingShotgunAggressiveLegendarySpecialSolarSeason 21YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar-FishingError icon V2Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21EnergyNo
Outlast art Destiny 2OutlastPulse RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimarySolarSeason 21YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Average

B

PvPFishingError icon V2Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21EnergyNo
Sole Survivor art Destiny 2Sole SurvivorSniper RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialArcSeason 21YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc Arc
Average

B

PvEFishingError icon V2Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21EnergyNoVoltshot
Spare Rations art Destiny 2Spare RationsHand CannonAdaptiveLegendaryPrimaryKineticSeason 21YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Average

B

PvPFishingError icon V2Season of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21KineticNoKinetic Tremors

Best Season of Defiance Weapons (S20)

These weapons can be acquired by farming Defiant Battlegrounds or decoding Defiant Engrams at the H.E.L.M.:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Caretaker artCaretakerSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarSeason 20YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Strong

A

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20HeavyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Perpetualis artPerpetualisAuto RifleAdaptiveLegendaryPrimaryStrandSeason 20YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20KineticCraftable
Prodigal Return artProdigal ReturnGrenade LauncherLightweightLegendarySpecialArcSeason 20YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc Arc
Best

S

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20EnergyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot
Raconteur artRaconteurCombat BowPrecisionLegendaryPrimaryStasisSeason 20YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStasis Stasis
Strong

A

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20KineticCraftableTop-tier
Regnant artRegnantGrenade LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidSeason 20YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Strong

A

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20HeavyCraftableTop-tierDestabilizing Rounds,Repulsor Brace,Explosive Light
Royal Executioner artRoyal ExecutionerFusion RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialSolarSeason 20YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Strong

A

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent

The retuning Reckoning weapons can be acquired by decoding Defiant Engrams:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Death's Razor artDeath's RazorSwordVortexLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvEEngram FocusingCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 20HeavyCraftableTop-tierDestabilizing Rounds
Goldtusk artGoldtuskSwordLightweightLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Average

B

-Engram FocusingCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 20HeavyCraftable
Imperial Decree artImperial DecreeShotgunAggressiveLegendarySpecialKineticFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Best

S

PvPEngram FocusingCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 20KineticCraftableTop-tier
Throne-Cleaver artThrone-CleaverSwordAggressiveLegendaryHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Average

B

-Engram FocusingCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 20HeavyCraftableIncandescent

The With Queen Seasonal Weapons

Seasonal weapons from prior Expansions are mostly gone from the game. However, some have returned thanks to the Exotic Mission Rotator.

Best Season of the Seraph Weapons (S19)

Seraph weapons can be acquired by farming the Operation: Seraph’s Shield Exotic Mission:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Revision Zero artRevision ZeroPulse RifleExoticExoticPrimaryKineticThe Witch QueenYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Average

B

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 19KineticCraftable
Disparity art
DisparityPulse RifleAggressive BurstLegendaryPrimaryStasisThe Witch QueenYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStasis Stasis
Strong

A

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 19KineticCraftableTop-tier
Fire and Forget art
Fire and ForgetLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavyStasisThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Average

B

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 19HeavyCraftable
IKELOS HC v1.0.2 Destiny 2 artIKELOS_HC_v1.0.3Hand CannonPrecisionLegendaryPrimaryVoidFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryVoid Void
Weak

C

-Operation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 19EnergyCraftableRepulsor Brace
IKELOS SG v1.0.2 Destiny 2 artIKELOS_SG_v1.0.3ShotgunRapid-FireLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Average

B

-Operation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 19EnergyCraftableIncandescent
IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.2 artIKELOS_SMG_v1.0.3Submachine GunAggressiveLegendaryPrimaryArcFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
Best

S

PvE + PvPOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 19EnergyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot
IKELOS_SR_v1.0.2 artIKELOS_SR_v1.0.3Sniper RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 19EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Judgment of Kelgorath artJudgment of KelgorathGlaiveAggressiveLegendarySpecialSolarThe Witch QueenYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Strong

A

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 19EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Path of Least Resistance art
Path of Least ResistanceTrace RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialArcThe Witch QueenYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc Arc
Strong

A

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 19HeavyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot
Retrofit Escapade art
Retrofit EscapadeMachine GunRapid-FireLegendaryHeavyVoidThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Strong

A

PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 19HeavyCraftableTop-tier
Tripwire Canary artTripwire CanaryCombat BowLightweightLegendaryPrimaryArcThe Witch QueenYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
Average

B

PvPOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 19EnergyCraftable

Season of Plunder Weapons (S18)

Plunder weapons are technically gone from the game. They can sometimes return as part of Xur’s wares. We keep track of Xur’s rotation here.

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Blood Feud artBlood FeudSubmachine GunAggressiveLegendaryPrimaryStasisFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStasis Stasis
Average

B

PvEXûrCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18KineticCraftable
Brigand's LawBrigand's LawSidearmRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryArcFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
Best

S

PvEXûrCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot
No Reprieve artNo ReprieveShotgunPinpoint SlugLegendarySpecialStasisFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStasis Stasis--XûrCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18KineticCraftable
Planck's Stride artPlanck's StrideMachine GunRapid-FireLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Weak

C

-XûrCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyCraftable
Sailspy Pitchglass artSailspy PitchglassLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyArcFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
Average

B

PvEXûrCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyCraftableVoltshot
Tarnished Mettle artTarnished MettleScout RifleLightweightLegendaryPrimaryArcFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
Best

S

PvEXûrCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot

Season of the Haunted Weapons (S17)

Haunted weapons can be acquired by farming the Presage Exotic Mission:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?

Season of the Risen Weapons (S16)

Risen weapons can be acquired by farming the Vox Obscura Exotic Mission:

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?

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

  • 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.

Before you go…

If you’re interested in the Exotics from past seasons, we cover and rank the Best Exotics in Destiny 2 here. 

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 (and now Diablo 4) 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.
More from Ric Molina
7 Comments
  1. Leaf

    I feel like Royal Entry should be S-tier, considering all rockets deal the same amount of damage either way, and precision frames have inherent tracking. That, and Clown Cartridge can cause some insanely high burst damage.

    Reply
    • Ric (aka Prim)

      Fully agreed/ I have changed the tier rankings to reflect that and put Royal Entry in front of Code Duello for that reason. Thanks, cheers!

      Reply
  2. Astra

    Threaded needle is from the free battlepass

    Reply
  3. J.H

    Is there a reason the PVE and PVP columns are swapped in the two weapon tables (“Destiny 2 Season of the Lost Weapons God rolls” & “Season of the Splicer Weapons God Rolls”)? It makes it slightly confusing to read.

    Reply
  4. Manoj Patel

    Can you rate these rolls?

    Chroma Rush
    AH Brake, Tact.Mag/Acc’d rounds, Subsistence, AJ
    MW -Handling
    Jurassic Green vs BXR-55
    JG – AHB, Rich. Rounds,Heating Up, Multikill clip. MW -Handling
    BXR – AHB, Steady Rounds, PM, AJ MW – Stability

    Night Watch Vs Servant Leader
    Night Watch – HF’d, Tact. Mag, Rapid hit, E. Payload, MW Handling
    Servant Leader – AHB, Acc’d rounds, Outlaw, Frenzy – MW Range

    Reply
  5. Big POPPA

    What is danger zone?

    Reply
  6. mike oxsmall

    What does danger zone do on blinding grenades because blinding grenades has very small blast radius so how is danger zone best pve slot on the ignition code this does not make sense whatsoever i do not get it can you please explain this to me i dont get it

    Reply
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