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Destiny 2 Weapon Level Guide: How to Level up Fast

by | Apr 12, 2023

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

The benefits of leveling up your weapons

Leveling your weapon 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!
Crafted Weapon with title

Crafted Weapon with the “Pathmaker” title, 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.

ArtWeaponTypeArchetypeRarityAmmoElementRequirementsIn loot pool?Ammo?Element?TierExcelsSourceCraftable?RequiresReleasedSlotCan be Crafted?Best of?Top Perk?
Beloved artBelovedSniper RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Best

S

PvPDerelict LeviathanCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 17EnergyCraftableTop-tier
BxR-55 Battler artBxR-55 BattlerPulse RifleLegacy PR-55LegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Best

S

PvE + PvPDares of EternityCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
30th Anniversary eventEnergyCraftableTop-tier
CALUS Mini-Tool artCALUS Mini-ToolSubmachine GunMIDA SynergyLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Best

S

PvEDerelict LeviathanCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 17EnergyCraftableTop-tier
Cataclysmic art v2CataclysmicLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavySolarThe Witch QueenYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvEVow of the Disciple RaidCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 16HeavyCraftableTop-tier
Commemoration Destiny 2 artCommemorationMachine GunAdaptiveLegendaryHeavyVoidBeyond LightYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvEDeep Stone Crypt RaidCheckmark icon V3Beyond Light Destiny 2 icon
Beyond Light
Season 12HeavyCraftableTop-tier
Conditional Finality artConditional FinalityShotgunExoticExoticSpecialStasisLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStasis Stasis
Best

S

PvERoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20KineticCraftableTop-tier
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
Defiance of Yasmin artDefiance of YasminSniper RifleAdaptiveLegendarySpecialKineticFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Best

S

PvE + PvPKing's Fall RaidCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18KineticCraftableTop-tier
Deliverance art v2DeliveranceFusion RiflePrecisionLegendarySpecialStasisThe Witch QueenYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialStasis Stasis
Best

S

PvEVow of the Disciple RaidCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 16KineticCraftableTop-tier
Doom of Chelchis artDoom of ChelchisScout RiflePrecisionLegendaryPrimaryVoidFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryVoid Void
Best

S

PvEKing's Fall RaidCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tier
Drang (Baroque) artDrang (Baroque)SidearmTogether ForeverLegendaryPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Best

S

PvE + PvPDerelict LeviathanCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 17EnergyCraftableTop-tier
Fixed Odds artFixed OddsMachine GunHigh-ImpactLegendaryHeavySolarDeluxe EditionYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavySolar Solar
Best

S

PvEDuality DungeonCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 17HeavyCraftableTop-tier
Forbearance art v2ForbearanceGrenade LauncherWaveLegendarySpecialArcThe Witch QueenYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc Arc
Best

S

PvEVow of the Disciple RaidCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 16EnergyCraftableTop-tier
Heritage Destiny 2 artHeritageShotgunPinpoint SlugLegendarySpecialKineticBeyond LightYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Best

S

PvE + PvPDeep Stone Crypt RaidCheckmark icon V3Beyond Light Destiny 2 icon
Beyond Light
Season 12KineticCraftableTop-tier
Hierarchy of Needs artHierarchy of NeedsCombat BowExoticExoticPrimarySolarDeluxe EditionYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimarySolar Solar
Best

S

PvESpire of the Watcher DungeonCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 19EnergyCraftableTop-tier
IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.2 artIKELOS_SMG_v1.0.3Submachine GunAggressiveLegendaryPrimaryArcFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
Best

S

PvE + PvPWorld loot poolCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 11EnergyCraftableTop-tier
IKELOS_SR_v1.0.2 artIKELOS_SR_v1.0.3Sniper RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialSolar Solar
Best

S

PvEWorld loot poolCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 11EnergyCraftableTop-tier
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
Insidious art v2InsidiousPulse RifleAggressive BurstLegendaryPrimaryArcThe Witch QueenYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
Best

S

PvE + PvPVow of the Disciple RaidCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 16EnergyCraftableTop-tier
Iterative Loop artIterative LoopFusion RifleRapid-FireLegendarySpecialArcLightfallYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialArc Arc
Best

S

PvE + PvPNeomunaCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20EnergyCraftableTop-tier
Osteo Striga artOsteo StrigaSubmachine GunExoticExoticPrimaryKineticThe Witch QueenYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Best

S

PvE + PvPThe Witch Queen CampaignCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
The Witch Queen
Season 16KineticCraftableTop-tier
Palmyra-B artPalmyra-BRocket LauncherPrecisionLegendaryHeavyStasisFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyStasis Stasis
Best

S

PvE + PvPWorld loot poolCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 16HeavyCraftableTop-tier
Rufus's Fury artRufus's FuryAuto RifleRapid-FireLegendaryPrimaryStrandLightfallYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryStrand Element Strand
Best

S

PvERoot of Nightmares RaidCheckmark icon V3Lightfall Preorder icon
Lightfall
Season 20KineticCraftableTop-tier
Succession Destiny 2 artSuccessionSniper RifleAggressiveLegendarySpecialKineticBeyond LightYesSpecial ammo Destiny 2 SpecialKinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic
Best

S

PvEDeep Stone Crypt RaidCheckmark icon V3Beyond Light Destiny 2 icon
Beyond Light
Season 12KineticCraftableTop-tier
Taipan-4fr artTaipan-4frLinear Fusion RiflePrecisionLegendaryHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesHeavy ammo Destiny 2 HeavyVoid Void
Best

S

PvEWorld loot poolCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18HeavyCraftableTop-tier
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
Tarnished Mettle artTarnished MettleScout RifleLightweightLegendaryPrimaryArcFree-to-PlayYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryArc Arc
Best

S

PvESeasonal activityCheckmark icon V3Free to Play Destiny 2 icon
Free-to-Play
Season 18EnergyCraftableTop-tier
Under Your Skin artUnder Your SkinCombat BowPrecisionLegendaryPrimaryVoidDeluxe EditionYesPrimary ammo Destiny 2 PrimaryVoid Void
Best

S

PvEPsiOps BattlegroundsCheckmark icon V3The Witch Queen Destiny 2 icon
Deluxe Edition
Season 16EnergyCraftableTop-tier

How to level weapons in Destiny 2

It takes between 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
Games have been a part of my life for the better part of my age, I've been hooked on them for years, and Destiny 2 is no exception. I've racked up countless hours and plenty of experience, which I hope to share with Blueberries who want to get involved with Destiny.
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