Destiny 2 Weapon Levels: How to Level up Fast

by | Aug 16, 2024

With the Witch Queen DLC, a new system to obtain god rolls was born in weapon crafting. This system gives players more freedom over their weapons and the opportunity to shape them based on their specific needs.

Creating your very own god roll is simple with this system. Once you have crafted your weapon of choice, you just need to level it up to unlock more (and often more powerful) perk options.

Benefits of Leveling up Your Weapons

Weapon leveling is essential to get all the benefits weapon crafting has to offer:

  • Level 16 will allow you to insert any Enhanced Perk you want. Enhanced perks provide an improved effect of the chosen perk.
  • Level 20 provides a small stat boost to all of the weapon’s stats.
  • Two Enhanced Perks and an Enhanced Intrinsic Perk will give the weapon that gold ‘Masterwork’ weapon border we all love.
  • There is no ‘maximum level’ for weapons in Destiny 2. You can continuously use your favorite weapons and flex your super-high weapon levels!
Weapon Crafting TFS screen Destiny 2

Crafted Weapon, Destiny 2

Mementos

You can also use Mementos on crafted weapons, which further enhance your weapon’s customizability. Upon using a Memento when crafting a gun, the weapon will receive an innate kill tracker that you can choose depending on what type of Memento you inserted. For example, the Trials Momento can track Trials of Osiris kills.

Upon reaching Level 20, you can unlock a title for your gun. The titles are

  • Dusk Tamer for Vanguard Mementos
  • Primeval Usuper for Gambit Mementos
  • Pathmaker for Trials of Osiris Mementos

Finally, upon reaching Level 30, you will unlock a Memento-specific shader that you will be able to equip on your gun. It is important to note that you can only apply the shader to weapons that are slotted with the associated memento.

Crafted weapon with Memento

Crafted weapon with Memento, Destiny 2

Mementos, unfortunately, do not stack, so when you get one, it is worth putting it on a weapon, so it doesn’t sit there in your inventory forever.

PS: This page includes every craftable weapon in the game right now. Below are some of our favorites.

ArtNameTypeArchetypeRarityAmmo?Element?RequirementsIn loot pool?AmmoElementTierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Dead Man's Tale artDead Man's TaleScout RifleExoticExoticPrimaryKineticBeyond Light PackYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
S › Best
PvPPresageCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Icon (final) Destiny 2
Beyond Light Pack
Season 13KineticCraftableTop-tier
Destiny 2 Outbreak Perfected artOutbreak PerfectedPulse RifleExoticExoticPrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
S › Best
PvEZero HourCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Season 6KineticCraftableTop-tier
Destiny 2 Whisper of the Worm artWhisper of the WormSniper RifleExoticExoticHeavySolarFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
S › Best
PvEThe WhisperCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Season 3HeavyCraftableTop-tier
Acasia's Dejection artAcasia's DejectionTrace RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialSolarLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
S › Best
PvERoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Icon (final) Destiny 2
Lightfall
Season 20EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Reconstruction
Ammit AR2 artAmmit AR2Auto RiflePrecisionLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
S › Best
PvE + PvPGunsmithCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Apex Predator art Destiny 2Apex PredatorRocket LauncherAdaptiveLegendaryHeavySolarForsaken PackYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
S › Best
PvELast Wish RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesForsaken Icon (final) Destiny 2
Forsaken Pack
Season 4HeavyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Explosive Light,Reconstruction,Bait and Switch
Beloved artBelovedSniper RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialSolarBeyond Light PackYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
S › Best
PvPPresageCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Icon (final) Destiny 2
Beyond Light Pack
Season 17EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Bequest Destiny 2 artBequestSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyArcBeyond Light PackYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
S › Best
PvEDeep Stone Crypt RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Icon (final) Destiny 2
Beyond Light Pack
Season 12HeavyCraftableTop-tier
Briar's Contempt artBriar's ContemptLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavySolarLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
S › Best
PvERoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Icon (final) Destiny 2
Lightfall
Season 20HeavyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Reconstruction
Brigand's LawBrigand's LawSidearmRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryArcFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
S › Best
PvEXûrCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot
BxR-55 Battler artBxR-55 BattlerPulse RifleLegacy PR-55LegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
S › Best
PvE + PvPDares of EternityCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
30th Anniversary eventEnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
CALUS Mini-Tool artCALUS Mini-ToolSubmachine GunMIDA SynergyLegendaryPrimarySolarBeyond Light PackYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
S › Best
PvEPresageCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Icon (final) Destiny 2
Beyond Light Pack
Season 17EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Cataclysmic art v2CataclysmicLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavySolarThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
S › Best
PvEVow of the Disciple RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Witch Queen Icon (final) Destiny 2
Witch Queen
Season 16HeavyCraftableTop-tierBait and Switch
Chronophage art Destiny 2ChronophageTrace RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialVoidEpisode 1: EchoesYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialVoid Void
S › Best
PvEEchoes ActivitiesCheckmark icon V3 YesEP1 Echoes Icon (final) Destiny 2
Episode 1: Echoes
The Final ShapeEnergyCraftableTop-tier
Commemoration Destiny 2 artCommemorationMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidBeyond Light PackYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
S › Best
PvE + PvPDeep Stone Crypt RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Icon (final) Destiny 2
Beyond Light Pack
Season 12HeavyCraftableTop-tierRepulsor Brace,Reconstruction
Critical Anomaly FINAL art Destiny 2Critical AnomalySniper RifleAggressiveLegendarySpecialStasisThe Final ShapeYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStasis Stasis
S › Best
PvE + PvPSalvation's Edge RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Final Shape Icon (final) Destiny 2
The Final Shape
The Final ShapeKineticCraftableTop-tierChaos Reshaped,Bait and Switch
Deliverance art v2DeliveranceFusion RiflePrecisionLegendarySpecialStasisThe Witch QueenYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStasis Stasis
S › Best
PvEVow of the Disciple RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Witch Queen Icon (final) Destiny 2
Witch Queen
Season 16KineticCraftableTop-tierBait and Switch
Doom of Chelchis artDoom of ChelchisScout RiflePrecisionLegendaryPrimaryVoidFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryVoid Void
S › Best
PvEKing's Fall RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tierRepulsor Brace
Doomed Petitioner art Destiny 2Doomed PetitionerLinear Fusion RifleAggressiveLegendaryHeavyVoidLightfallYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
S › Best
PvEStarcrossedCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Icon (final) Destiny 2
Lightfall
Season 23HeavyCraftableTop-tierReconstruction
Drang (Baroque) artDrang (Baroque)SidearmTogether ForeverLegendaryPrimarySolarBeyond Light PackYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
S › Best
PvE + PvPPresageCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Icon (final) Destiny 2
Beyond Light Pack
Season 17EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Forbearance art v2ForbearanceGrenade LauncherWaveLegendarySpecialArcThe Witch QueenYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc Arc
S › Best
PvEVow of the Disciple RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Witch Queen Icon (final) Destiny 2
Witch Queen
Season 16EnergyCraftableTop-tierBait and Switch
Heritage Destiny 2 artHeritageShotgunPinpoint SlugLegendarySpecialKineticBeyond Light PackYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
S › Best
PvE + PvPDeep Stone Crypt RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Icon (final) Destiny 2
Beyond Light Pack
Season 12KineticCraftableTop-tierReconstruction
IKELOS SG v1.0.2 Destiny 2 artIKELOS_SG_v1.0.3ShotgunRapid-FireLegendarySpecialSolarThe Witch QueenYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
S › Best
PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Witch Queen Icon (final) Destiny 2
Witch Queen
Season 19EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.2 artIKELOS_SMG_v1.0.3Submachine GunAggressiveLegendaryPrimaryArcThe Witch QueenYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
S › Best
PvE + PvPOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Witch Queen Icon (final) Destiny 2
Witch Queen
Season 19EnergyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot
Judgment of Kelgorath artJudgment of KelgorathGlaiveAggressiveLegendarySpecialSolarThe Witch QueenYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
S › Best
PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Witch Queen Icon (final) Destiny 2
Witch Queen
Season 19EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent
Non-Denouement FINAL art Destiny 2Non-DenouementCombat BowPrecisionLegendaryPrimaryArcThe Final ShapeYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
S › Best
PvE + PvPSalvation's Edge RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Final Shape Icon (final) Destiny 2
The Final Shape
The Final ShapeEnergyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot,Chaos Reshaped
Nullify FINAL art Destiny 2NullifyPulse RifleHeavy BurstLegendaryPrimarySolarThe Final ShapeYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
S › Best
PvE + PvPSalvation's Edge RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Final Shape Icon (final) Destiny 2
The Final Shape
The Final ShapeEnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent,Chaos Reshaped
Oversoul Edict artOversoul EdictPulse RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryArcFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
S › Best
PvE + PvPCrota's End RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Season 22EnergyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot,Sword Logic
Path of Least Resistance art
Path of Least ResistanceTrace RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialArcThe Witch QueenYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc Arc
S › Best
PvEOperation: Seraph's ShieldCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Witch Queen Icon (final) Destiny 2
Witch Queen
Season 19HeavyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot
Prodigal Return artProdigal ReturnGrenade LauncherLightweightLegendarySpecialArcLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc Arc
S › Best
PvEAvalonCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Icon (final) Destiny 2
Lightfall
Season 20EnergyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot
Rufus's Fury artRufus's FuryAuto RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryStrandLightfallYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
S › Best
PvE + PvPRoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Icon (final) Destiny 2
Lightfall
Season 20KineticCraftableTop-tierReconstruction
Scatter Signal art Destiny 2Scatter SignalFusion RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialStrandLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
S › Best
PvE + PvPStarcrossedCheckmark icon V3 YesLightfall Icon (final) Destiny 2
Lightfall
Season 23KineticCraftableTop-tier
Someday art Destiny 2SomedayShotgunPrecisionLegendarySpecialKineticThe Final ShapeYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
S › Best
PvEThe Pale HeartCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Final Shape Icon (final) Destiny 2
The Final Shape
The Final ShapeKineticCraftableTop-tier
Succession Destiny 2 artSuccessionSniper RifleAggressiveLegendarySpecialKineticBeyond Light PackYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
S › Best
PvE + PvPDeep Stone Crypt RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesBeyond Light Icon (final) Destiny 2
Beyond Light Pack
Season 12KineticCraftableTop-tierReconstruction
Summum Bonum FINAL art Destiny 2Summun BonunSwordWaveLegendaryHeavyArcThe Final ShapeYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyArc Arc
S › Best
PvESalvation's Edge RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Final Shape Icon (final) Destiny 2
The Final Shape
The Final ShapeHeavyCraftableTop-tierChaos Reshaped,Bait and Switch
Tarnished Mettle artTarnished MettleScout RifleLightweightLegendaryPrimaryArcFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
S › Best
PvEXûrCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tierVoltshot
Techeun Force art Destiny 2Techeun ForceFusion RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialArcForsaken PackYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc Arc
S › Best
PvE + PvPLast Wish RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesForsaken Icon (final) Destiny 2
Forsaken Pack
Season 4EnergyCraftableTop-tierReconstruction
The Call art Destiny 2The CallSidearmRocket-AssistedLegendarySpecialStrandThe Final ShapeYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
S › Best
PvEThe Pale HeartCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Final Shape Icon (final) Destiny 2
The Final Shape
The Final ShapeKineticCraftableTop-tier
The Eremite artThe EremiteFusion RifleHigh-ImpactLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
S › Best
PvEXûrCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Season 22EnergyCraftableTop-tier
The Other Half artThe Other HalfSwordAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
S › Best
PvEDares of EternityCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
30th Anniversary eventHeavyCraftableTop-tierRepulsor Brace
The Supremacy art Destiny 2The SupremacySniper RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialKineticForsaken PackYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
S › Best
PvE + PvPLast Wish RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesForsaken Icon (final) Destiny 2
Forsaken Pack
Season 4KineticCraftableTop-tierKinetic Tremors,Bait and Switch
Under Your Skin artUnder Your SkinCombat BowPrecisionLegendaryPrimaryVoidThe Witch QueenYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryVoid Void
S › Best
PvEVox ObscuraCheckmark icon V3 YesThe Witch Queen Icon (final) Destiny 2
Witch Queen
Season 16EnergyCraftableTop-tier
Until Its Return art Destiny 2Until Its ReturnShotgunRapid-FireLegendarySpecialStrandFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStrand Element Strand
S › Best
PvEXûrCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Season 21KineticCraftableTop-tier
Zaouli’s Bane artZaouli’s BaneHand CannonAdaptiveLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
S › Best
PvEKing's Fall RaidCheckmark icon V3 YesDestiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tierIncandescent

How to level weapons in Destiny 2

It takes 143 to 145 kills to gain a single level on your crafted weapon. This means that in order to reach the important Level 16, you will need around 2,300 kills on that one single weapon.

Luckily, there are multiple methods to level up your newly crafted guns, and we’ll give some tips on how to optimize your leveling experience.

Weapon Level Farm

There are numerous farming spots and strategies to level up new weapons, but first and foremost, do remember that by simply playing the game and completing activities, you will gradually level up your weapon.

Shuro Chi farming

Starting off with my preferred strategy, the Shuro Chi farming spot is one of the community’s favorites for all things farming. Shuro Chi is so popular because you can easily reach this spot solo thanks to the Wish Wall, found up in a hidden section before the first encounter of the Last Wish raid (this does mean you need to own the Forsaken expansion to access it).

Simply shoot the panels on the wall until it matches the image below and step onto the plate to be teleported to the start of the Shuro Chi encounter. Place a Rally Flag and farm the first part of the encounter over and over. You can hope to get around 80-90 kills per run.

Shuro Chi wish

With a Rally Flag spot being available, you can also level up your Special and Heavy weapons with ease as you can have constant access to full ammo every run.

Grasp of Avarice dungeon

Another fan-favorite spot for farming is the beginning of the Grasp of Avarice dungeon. Enemies will constantly spawn out of the cave, meaning you can have a constant stream of enemies.

The Grasp farm is extremely quick to access as you simply have to load in and start farming. There is no need to walk miles or deal with the Wish Wall. Just get in and get farming.

The only thing that you do have to keep an eye on is making sure that you avoid the engrams that drop from enemies, as once picked up, you will need to pick another engram every 30 seconds, or you will die. If you do find that you have picked one up by accident, though, do not worry, as you will simply respawn nearby (the area isn’t a Respawning Restricted zone).

Momentum Control

A method that is slightly more dependent on you as a player is farming the Momentum Control game mode. Granted, Momentum Control does have to be the weekly rotating game mode; however, if you fancy yourself as a bit of a PvP player and are tired of farming PvE enemies, Momentum Control is a fun and relatively fast way to level up your weapons. On top of the kills you are getting, you will also receive Weapon Level progress for each match activity completion.

These are the three fastest methods that I have tried in order to level my weapons. However, you can also simply use your weapons in day-to-day content to passively level them up, however, it will be fairly slower than target farming.

The fastest way to level up weapons in Destiny 2

Combined with one of the three farming spots covered before, these extra tips will help you level up your weapons as fast as possible:

  • Running Nightstalker with the Deadfall super will allow you to farm kills much faster as the ‘Tethered’ kills also count as weapon kills. This is especially good for Shuro Chi farming.
  • Farming for kills is generally faster than farming activities as the percentage gain isn’t worth the amount of time it may take to complete a certain activity.
  • If you do decide to play some activities and don’t want to use your crafted weapon just yet, you can always swap to it before the activity ends and receive the level percentage.
  • If you are looking to level Special or Heavy weapons, the Shuro Chi farm is by far the most optimal as you can replenish your ammo every run.
  • Selecting perks that enhance your farming speed can make your time farming more enjoyable as you can always Reshape your gun back to the god roll you are looking for.

Before you go…

Weapon Crafting is a unique addition to the game, which allows players to finally have a guaranteed path to a god roll on their favorite weapons through targeted farming methods. It has grown to be a core mechanic in the game and is a system that you will definitely want to take full advantage of to optimize your gaming experience.

But you can’t craft a weapon before first unlocking its pattern… This is why we’ve listed every source of Deepsight weapons in the game right now.

About The Author

Matthew Evans
Matthew Evans
I've been hooked on Destiny 2 for years now... I've racked up countless hours and plenty of experience, which I hope to share with Blueberries who want to get involved with Destiny. You can find Matthew on Twitter.
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