Like Nightfalls, Gambit is another reliable source of good weapons. Not all of them are must-haves, but some are considered top-tier. But Gambit weapons are also popular for another reason: The Dark Age Arsenal triumph, which is required to earn the Dredgen title.
Today we cover all the guns that count as Gambit weapons, but also every exclusive Gambit weapon released so far.
Updated as of Episode 1: Echoes. See Updates.
Destiny 2 Gambit weapons: Exclusives
These are all the Gambit weapons available today, including the reissued Pinnacle, the Breakneck auto rifle:
Item | Weapons | Type | Archetype | Ammo? | Element? | Requirements | In loot pool? | Rank | Source | Available? | Tier rank | Source ❘ DLC | Final Verdict | Released | Perks | Best of? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bygones | Bygones Pulse Rifle | Pulse Rifle | Adaptive | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Playlist: Gambit | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive | Episode 2 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive | ||||
Dead Weight | Dead Weight Shotgun | Shotgun | Rapid-Fire | Special | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Playlist: Gambit | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Subsistence + Frenzy (also good: Demolitionist) ► Dead Weight is part of the Rapid-Fire archetype, the best Shotgun archetype for PvE right now. It also comes with almost every perk you could ever want for PvE, making it one of the best Shotguns for PvE right now. | Season 17 | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Subsistence + Frenzy (also good: Demolitionist) | Top-tier | |
Breakneck | Breakneck Auto Rifle | Auto Rifle | Precision | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Playlist: Gambit | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Enlightened Action (also good: Subsistence) + Onslaught PvP God Roll: Keep Away + Tap the Trigger ► Although Breakneck lost its killer perk Rampage when it was reprised, it makes a strong argument for one of the best auto rifle options in both PvE and PvP. Introductions of new perks such as Enlightened Action keep your reload speed high and make Breakneck a destructive add-control machine. | Season 23 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Enlightened Action (also good: Subsistence) + Onslaught PvP God Roll: Keep Away + Tap the Trigger | Top-tier | |
Hush | Hush Combat Bow | Combat Bow | Precision | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | A › Strong | Playlist: Gambit | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvP | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvP God Roll: Opening Shot or Offhand Strike + Archer’s Gambit ► Hush is a good Bow compared to the competition, especially because it's Solar. Archer’s Gambit, its trademark perk, also helps, as it's incredibly fun and powerful. However, if you are looking to use a Bow to clear ads, some Exotic options may be better. | The Final Shape | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvP God Roll: Opening Shot or Offhand Strike + Archer’s Gambit | Top-tier | |
Servant Leader | Servant Leader Scout Rifle | Scout Rifle | Rapid-Fire | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Playlist: Gambit | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Subsistence) + Rampage PvP God Roll: Surplus (also good: Rapid Hit) + Kill Clip ► Servant Leader is a decent option. It comes with plenty of solid perks, but it doesn't feel as good as some of the other options in the game, making it quite a middle-of-the-road pick. | Season 15 | Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Subsistence) + Rampage PvP God Roll: Surplus (also good: Rapid Hit) + Kill Clip | ||
Herod-C | Herod-C Auto Rifle | Auto Rifle | High-Impact | Primary | Stasis | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Playlist: Gambit | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: High-Impact PvE God Roll: Frenzy + Perpetual Motion PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion (also good: Dynamic Sway Reduction) + Moving Target (also good: Tap the Trigger) ► Previously only a good option in the Crucible, changes to Gambit's origin traits have made Herod-C a solid option in both PvP and PvE. Gun and Run stacked with various momentum-related perks will make you an agile force to be reckoned with. | Season 16 | Slot: Stasis | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: High-Impact PvE God Roll: Frenzy + Perpetual Motion PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion (also good: Dynamic Sway Reduction) + Moving Target (also good: Tap the Trigger) | ||
Yesteryear | Yesteryear Pulse Rifle | Pulse Rifle | Adaptive | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Playlist: Gambit | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Golden Tricorn PvP God Roll: Outlaw + Desperado ► Perk pool issues aside, Yesteryear can be a good pulse rifle in the right hands. While Adaptive frames have always been the underdogs, the inclusion of Desperado means it can compete with some of the best pulses in the game. | Season 18 | Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Golden Tricorn PvP God Roll: Outlaw + Desperado | ||
Albruna-D | Albruna-D Sniper Rifle | Sniper Rifle | Aggressive | Special | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Playlist: Gambit | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Rolls: Triple Tap (also good: Field Prep) + Firing Line (also good: High-Impact Reserves) PvP God Rolls: Moving Target + Snapshot Sights ► Albruna-D does have solid perks but lacks anything specific to help it stand out among the rest. Unless you're already playing Gambit for something else, searching for a good roll of this sniper simply isn't worth it. | Season 19 | Slot: Arc | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Rolls: Triple Tap (also good: Field Prep) + Firing Line (also good: High-Impact Reserves) PvP God Rolls: Moving Target + Snapshot Sights | ||
Trust | Trust Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Precision | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Playlist: Gambit | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE + PvP | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Incandescent (also good: Adrenaline Junkie) PvP God Roll: Opening Shot + Eye of the Storm (also good: Rangefinder) ► A small portion of the community stands by Trust, and understandably so. Its perk pool is nothing to scoff at, containing some outstanding choices for both PvE and The Crucible. That said, its fatal flaw is the frame it resides in: Precision. 180RPM Hand Cannons have never been good and need a significant buff to see more playtime. | Season 20 | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Incandescent (also good: Adrenaline Junkie) PvP God Roll: Opening Shot + Eye of the Storm (also good: Rangefinder) | ||
Crowd Pleaser | Crowd Pleaser Grenade Launcher | Grenade Launcher | Adaptive | Heavy | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Playlist: Gambit | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Threat Detector (also good: Killing Wind) + Quickdraw ► Crowd Pleaser is a decent option for PvP. It isn't as popular as some of its competition due to its vast perk pool, making it hard to get the god roll. However, Crowd Pleaser comes with good perks such as Quickdraw, Killing Wind, and Threat Detector, which are all decent choices for PvP. | Season 12 | Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Threat Detector (also good: Killing Wind) + Quickdraw | ||
Qua Xaphan V | Qua Xaphan V Machine Gun | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Heavy | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Playlist: Gambit | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: High-Impact PvE God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Destabilizing Rounds ► Qua Xaphan V is a solid newcomer to a crowded field of forebearers such as Commemoration and Corrective Measure. In terms of DPS, it is outclassed by Retrofit Escapade, making it a solid option but master of none. | Season 22 | Slot: Void | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: High-Impact PvE God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Destabilizing Rounds | ||
Trinary System | Trinary System Fusion Rifle | Fusion Rifle | Adaptive | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Playlist: Gambit | Average ❘ B | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster (also good: Feeding Frenzy) + High-Impact Reserves (also good: Swashbuckler) ► An Adaptive frame that can get the same god roll as Main Ingredient, Trinary System is one of few Adaptive fusions seen in PvP, and can also be an orange-bar shredder in PvE. However, with the introduction of Royal Executioner, it is hard to recommend farming for this. | Season 13 | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster (also good: Feeding Frenzy) + High-Impact Reserves (also good: Swashbuckler) | ||
Bottom Dollar | Bottom Dollar Hand Cannon | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | Yes | C › Weak | Playlist: Gambit | Weak ❘ C Excels in: PvE + PvP | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage PvP God Roll: Kiling Wind + Opening Shot ► With poor stats, and an uninspiring perk selection, this is a weapon you can safely ignore... | Season 13 | Slot: Void | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage PvP God Roll: Kiling Wind + Opening Shot | ||
Borrowed Time | Borrowed Time Submachine Gun | Submachine Gun | Aggressive | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | C › Weak | Playlist: Gambit | Weak ❘ C | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Overflow + Rampage PvP God Roll: Rangefinder + Demolitionist ► With a weak archetype, poor stats, and an uninspiring perk selection, this is a weapon you can safely ignore... | Season 14 | Slot: Solar | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Aggressive PvE God Roll: Overflow + Rampage PvP God Roll: Rangefinder + Demolitionist | ||
Laser Painter | Laser Painter Linear Fusion Rifle | Linear Fusion Rifle | Precision | Heavy | Strand | Free-to-Play | Yes | C › Weak | Playlist: Gambit | Weak ❘ C | Playlist: Gambit Free-to-Play | Slot: Strand | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Focused Fury ► With a weak archetype, poor stats, and an uninspiring perk selection, this is a weapon you can safely ignore... | Season 21 | Slot: Strand | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Precision PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Focused Fury |
🚨 Note that all Gambit weapons come with the following Origin Trait: Invader Tracker.
These are the different Tier levels used for this tier list:
- S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapons.
- A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapons, but not on the same level as S Tier Choices.
- B Tier – Average: Either decent weapons or weapons that fit a very specific niche/use case.
- C Tier – Weak: Mediocre weapons that are easily outclassed by the competition.
- D Tier – Worst: Weapons that don’t have much to offer and don’t deserve your attention.
Weapons that count as “Gambit weapons”
For some reason, Bungie never updated the Dark Age Arsenal triumph to ensure that every weapon from Gambit counts toward its completion. Therefore, the following list is important, as it only includes the weapons that will allow you to complete that triumph.
The Dark Arsenal: Win a Gambit match with a Gambit weapon equipped in every slot.
These are the weapons that are guaranteed to count towards that triumph and, eventually, the Dredgen seal:
Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | Primary | Kinetic | Exotic Quest | ||
Trust | Hand Cannon | Primary | Solar | Playlist: Gambit | Incandescent | |
Trustee | Scout Rifle | Primary | Solar | Deep Stone Crypt Raid | Incandescent,Reconstruction | |
Bad Omens | Rocket Launcher | Heavy | Void | World loot pool | ||
Gnawing Hunger | Auto Rifle | Primary | Void | Drifter Focusing | ||
Lonesome | Sidearm | Primary | Kinetic | World loot pool | ||
Night Watch | Scout Rifle | Primary | Kinetic | World loot pool |
🚨 Note that Bygones, a sunsetted weapon, also counts as a Gambit weapon.
Where can you find these weapons?
If you’re still struggling to get the Dredgen seal, and more precisely, the Dark Age Arsenal triumph, these are easiest “Gambit weapons” to obtain:
- Malfeasance: This Exotic can now be purchased at the Monument to Lost Lights (aka, the Exotics Kiosk) in the tower.
- Trust: Trust can now be directly purchased (focused) from the Drifter.
Does Power Level Matter in Gambit?
Keep in mind that Power Levels do not matter against AI combatants. A 1600 and a 1750 Power Level weapon will do equal damage to AI enemies. Power Levels are only important when fighting other Guardians while invading or during an enemy invasion.
Pro tip: You can just equip the Gambit weapons before the end of the match to get the win to count towards the triumph.
See latest Updates
- July 7, 2024: General updates as of the release of Episode 1 and The Final Shape DLC.
- November 28, 2023: General updates and the inclusion of Year 6 weapons (so far).
- September 23, 2022: Inclusion of Year 5 weapons.
- June 23, 2021: Guide published for the first time.
Stay tuned, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for next season!
“And as an added bonus, Crowd Pleaser is the only arc grenade launcher that can roll with Chain Reaction.” Blast Battue can also roll with chain reaction and is pretty easy to target farm if you have season of the hunt
i mean… salvager’s salvo, too
Yay i got the weapon called trust from equiping all 3 weapons from each akenetic, power and, energy.
malfeasance quest was not sunset, you can pick it up from the quest archive.
Someone on this site needs to correct this, because this is absolutely NOT true… ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Malfeasance: This Exotic can be now purchased at the Monument to Lost Lights (aka, the Exotics Kiosk) in the tower.
It must be sniper rifle month I’ve played gambit all week including over a reset &every weapon drop has been the sniper rifle, dirty rotten peace of crap sniper not even a decent perk sr been getting worse perks imaginable, I guess the shards are gud. BUT ITS DEFINITELY SNIPER MONTH.