Destiny 2 Strand weapons: Tier List & How to get them

by | Sep 3, 2023

With the Lightfall Expansion, a brand-new element was released: Strand. On top of several over-the-top Strand abilities, including the ability to fling yourself in the air, Lightfall also introduced Strand weapons for the first time. Season of the Witch continues the trend by adding even more Strand weapons to the mix.

In this guide, we cover every Strand weapon released so far since Lightfall’s release, including both Legendary and Exotic weapons.

Strand Weapons: The Complete List

These are all the Strand weapons currently available in Destiny 2.

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Quicksilver Storm artQuicksilver StormAuto RifleExoticExoticPrimaryStrandLightfallYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Best

S

PvEExotic KioskError icon V2 NoLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 18KineticNoTop-tier
Final Warning artFinal WarningSidearmExoticExoticPrimaryStrandLightfallYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvPExotic QuestError icon V2 NoLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20KineticNo
The Navigator art Destiny 2The NavigatorTrace RifleExoticExoticSpecialStrandDeluxe EditionYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvE + PvPGhost of the Deep DungeonError icon V2 NoThe Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 21KineticNoTop-tier
Wish-Keeper art Destiny 2Wish-KeeperCombat BowExoticExoticPrimaryStrandSeason 23YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvE + PvPExotic QuestCheckmark icon V3 YesSeason of the Wish icon Destiny 2
Season 23
Season 23KineticCraftable
The Guiding Sight Destiny 2 artThe Guiding SightScout RifleHigh-ImpactLegendaryPrimaryStrandFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Worst

D

-Iron BannerError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 12KineticNo
Perpetualis artPerpetualisAuto RifleAdaptiveLegendaryPrimaryStrandSeason 20YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Preorder icon
Season 20
Season 20KineticCraftable
Round Robin artRound RobinHand CannonAggressiveLegendaryPrimaryStrandLightfallYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvPNeomunaCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20KineticCraftable
Volta Bracket artVolta BracketSniper RifleAggressiveLegendarySpecialStrandLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvPNeomunaCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20KineticCraftable
Synchronic Roulette artSynchronic RouletteSubmachine GunPrecisionLegendaryPrimaryStrandLightfallYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Weak

C

-Terminal OverloadError icon V2 NoLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20KineticNo
The Immortal artThe ImmortalSubmachine GunAggressiveLegendaryPrimaryStrandLightfallYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Best

S

PvE + PvPTrials of OsirisError icon V2 NoLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20KineticNoTop-tier
 artMykel's ReverenceSidearmRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryStrandLightfallYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvERoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20KineticCraftable
Rufus's Fury artRufus's FuryAuto RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryStrandLightfallYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Best

S

PvE + PvPRoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20KineticCraftableTop-tierReconstruction
Old Sterling art Destiny 2Old SterlingAuto RifleAdaptiveLegendaryPrimaryStrandFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvELost SectorError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 21KineticNo
Pressurized Precision art Destiny 2Pressurized PrecisionFusion RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialStrandFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvPIron BannerError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 21KineticNoTop-tier
Different Times art Destiny 2Different TimesPulse RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryStrandSeason 21YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvE + PvPSeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3 YesSeason of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21KineticCraftableTop-tier
Glissando-47 art Destiny 2Glissando-47Scout RiflePrecisionLegendaryPrimaryStrandFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvELost SectorError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 21KineticNoReconstruction
Until Its Return art Destiny 2Until Its ReturnShotgunRapid-FireLegendarySpecialStrandSeason 21YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
Best

S

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3 YesSeason of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21KineticCraftableTop-tier
Nox Perennial V artNox Perennial VFusion RifleHigh-ImpactLegendarySpecialStrandFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvELost SectorError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 22KineticNoTop-tier
Kept Confidence artKept ConfidenceHand CannonAdaptiveLegendaryPrimaryStrandSeason 22YesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvPSeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3 YesSeason of the Witch (S22) icon
Season 22
Season 22KineticCraftable
Nightshade artNightshadePulse RifleLightweightLegendaryPrimaryStrandFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Average

B

PvPRecovered Red WarError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 22KineticNo
Fang of Ir Yût artFang of Ir YûtScout RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryStrandFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvECrota's End RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 22KineticCraftableTop-tierSword Logic
Swordbreaker artSwordbreakerShotgunLightweightLegendarySpecialStrandFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvECrota's End RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 22KineticCraftableTop-tierSword Logic
Lethal Abundance art Destiny 2Lethal AbundanceAuto RifleHigh-ImpactLegendaryPrimaryStrandFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvPIron BannerError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 23KineticNoTop-tier
Scatter Signal art Destiny 2Scatter SignalFusion RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialStrandSeason 23YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
Best

S

PvE + PvPSeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3 YesSeason of the Wish icon Destiny 2
Season 23
Season 23KineticCraftableTop-tier
Belisarius-D art Destiny 2Belisarius-DPulse RifleAggressive BurstLegendaryPrimaryStrandFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvE + PvPCrucible CompetitiveError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 23KineticNoTop-tier
Supercluster art Destiny 2SuperclusterShotgunPinpoint SlugLegendarySpecialStrandSeason 23YesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3 YesSeason of the Wish icon Destiny 2
Season 23
Season 23KineticCraftableTop-tierReconstruction
Naeem's Lance art preview Destiny 2Naeem's LanceSniper RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialStrandDeluxe EditionYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvEWarlord's Ruin DungeonError icon V2 NoThe Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 23KineticNoTop-tier
Tusk of the Boar art Destiny 2Tusk of the BoarGrenade LauncherWaveLegendarySpecialStrandFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element StrandOngoing...-Iron BannerError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 23KineticNo
Relentless art Destiny 2RelentlessPulse RifleHigh-ImpactLegendaryPrimaryStrandFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element StrandOngoing...-Prophecy DungeonError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 23KineticNo
Taraxippos art Destiny 2TaraxipposScout RifleLightweightLegendaryPrimaryStrandFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvPEvent: Guardian GamesError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 23KineticNoTop-tier
Incisor art Destiny 2IncisorTrace RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialStrandLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
Best

S

PvETrials of OsirisError icon V2 NoLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 23EnergyNoTop-tier
Circular Logic artCircular LogicMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyStrandLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvETerminal OverloadError icon V2 NoLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyNoTop-tier
Koraxis's Distress artKoraxis's DistressGrenade LauncherRapid-FireLegendaryHeavyStrandLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Average

B

-Root of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyCraftableReconstruction
Laser Painter art Destiny 2Laser PainterLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyStrandFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Weak

C

-Playlist: GambitError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 21HeavyNo
Thin Precipice art Destiny 2Thin PrecipiceSwordVortexLegendaryHeavyStrandSeason 21YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Worst

D

-Seasonal activityCheckmark icon V3 YesSeason of the Deep Icon
Season 21
Season 21HeavyCraftable
Crowning Duologue artCrowning DuologueRocket LauncherPrecisionLegendaryHeavyStrandFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Worst

D

-Event: SolsticeError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 21HeavyNo
Cataphract GL3 artCataphract GL3Grenade LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyStrandLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvPTrials of OsirisError icon V2 NoLightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 22HeavyNoTop-tierBait and Switch
Semiotician artSemioticianRocket LauncherHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavyStrandSeason 22YesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Average

B

-Seasonal activityCheckmark icon V3 YesSeason of the Witch (S22) icon
Season 22
Season 22HeavyCraftable
Marcato-45 art Destiny 2Marcato-45Machine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyStrandFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Strong

A

PvEWorld loot poolError icon V2 NoFree to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 23HeavyNoTop-tier
Dragoncult Sickle art preview Destiny 2Dragoncult SickleSwordCasterLegendaryHeavyStrandDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStrand Element Strand
Worst

D

-Warlord's Ruin DungeonError icon V2 NoThe Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 23HeavyNo

Note that a few of them are Exotics; including the Ghost of the Deep Exotic, The Navigator:

 

The Navigator Trace rifle

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Navigator (Trace Rifle)

Released with Season of the Deep, The Navigator is part of the Ghost of the Deep’s loot table.

Firing this weapon at an ally grants Woven Mail to both the user and the target. Dealing sustained damage severs the target.

 

Quicksilver Storm Catalyst

Quicksilver Storm (Auto rifle)

The Quicksilver Storm was released in Season 19 as a bonus to all players who pre-ordered Lightfall. This Exotic Auto rifle starts out as a Kinetic weapon but transforms into a Strand weapon once its Catalyst is unlocked. As described in the weapon’s catalyst:

This weapon’s damage type becomes Strand. Final blows with grenades from this weapon create Tanbles.

 

Final Warning sidearm featured trailer

Final Warning (Sidearm)

This sidearm is the only other Strand exotic in the game. It features aggressive tracking capabilities, similar to the sidearm from the original Titanfall game.

Hold down the trigger of this Kinetic slot Strand Sidearm to mark targets within range and load a burst of bullets. When hip firing, projectiles track aggressively toward marked targets.

Before you go…

Looking for more elemental weapons? The following guides cover every Arc, Solar, Void, and Stasis weapon currently in the game:

By now, you know everything there is to know about Strand weapons in Destiny 2: What makes them special, how to recognize them, and which ones are the best. This will hopefully help you get one step closer to the perfect loadout, combining top-tier armor, mods and weapons. What is your favorite Strand weapon so far?

Also, these are some of our latest guides featuring many of the exciting new features delivered with Lightfall and Season of Defiance:

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
2 Comments
  1. DCG

    You missed Volta Bracket, primary strand sniper rifle.

    Reply
  2. Jesse Cleary

    Well actually he didn’t 🤓🤓🤓

    Reply
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