Best Destiny 2 Gambit weapons: Tier List and Triumphs

by | Jul 7, 2024

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.

Episode 1 Echoes icon Destiny 2Updated 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:

ItemWeaponsTypeArchetypeAmmo?Element?RequirementsIn loot pool?RankSourceAvailable?Tier rankSource ❘ DLCFinal VerdictReleasedPerksBest of?
BygonesBygones art Destiny 2
Bygones
Pulse Rifle
Pulse RifleAdaptivePrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayYesPlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3

Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive



Episode 2
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

Dead WeightDead Weight art
Dead Weight
Shotgun
ShotgunRapid-FireSpecialArcFree-to-PlayYesS › BestPlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Best

S



Excels in:
PvE
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 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 Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvE God Roll: Subsistence + Frenzy (also good: Demolitionist)
Top-tier
BreakneckBreakneck art Destiny 2
Breakneck
Auto Rifle
Auto RiflePrecisionPrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayYesA › StrongPlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 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 symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvE God Roll: Enlightened Action (also good: Subsistence) + Onslaught
PvP God Roll: Keep Away + Tap the Trigger
Top-tier
HushHush art Destiny 2
Hush
Combat Bow
Combat BowPrecisionPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesA › StrongPlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Strong

A



Excels in:
PvP
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 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 Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Precision

PvP God Roll: Opening Shot or Offhand Strike + Archer’s Gambit
Top-tier
Servant LeaderServant Leader art
Servant Leader
Scout Rifle
Scout RifleRapid-FirePrimaryKineticFree-to-PlayYesB › AveragePlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Kinetic symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 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 symbol Destiny 2 Kinetic | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire

PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit (also good: Subsistence) + Rampage
PvP God Roll: Surplus (also good: Rapid Hit) + Kill Clip
Herod-CHerod-C art
Herod-C
Auto Rifle
Auto RifleHigh-ImpactPrimaryStasisFree-to-PlayYesB › AveragePlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Stasis Stasis | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 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 Stasis | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 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)
YesteryearYesteryear art
Yesteryear
Pulse Rifle
Pulse RifleAdaptivePrimaryVoidFree-to-PlayYesB › AveragePlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 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 Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Golden Tricorn PvP God Roll: Outlaw + Desperado
Albruna-DAlbruna-D art
Albruna-D
Sniper Rifle
Sniper RifleAggressiveSpecialArcFree-to-PlayYesB › AveragePlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Arc Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 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 Arc | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 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
TrustTrust art
Trust
Hand Cannon
Hand CannonPrecisionPrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesB › AveragePlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 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 Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 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 PleaserCrowd Pleaser Destiny 2 art
Crowd Pleaser
Grenade Launcher
Grenade LauncherAdaptiveHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesB › AveragePlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 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 Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Threat Detector (also good: Killing Wind) + Quickdraw
Qua Xaphan VQua Xaphan V art
Qua Xaphan V
Machine Gun
Machine GunHigh-ImpactHeavyVoidFree-to-PlayYesB › AveragePlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Excels in:
PvE
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 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 Void | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 Heavy | Archetype: High-Impact

PvE God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Destabilizing Rounds
Trinary SystemTrinary System art
Trinary System
Fusion Rifle
Fusion RifleAdaptiveSpecialSolarFree-to-PlayYesB › AveragePlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Average

B



Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 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 Solar | Ammo: Special ammo Destiny 2 Special | Archetype: Adaptive

PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster (also good: Feeding Frenzy) + High-Impact Reserves (also good: Swashbuckler)
Bottom DollarBottom Dollar art
Bottom Dollar
Hand Cannon
Hand CannonAggressivePrimaryVoidFree-to-PlayYesC › WeakPlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Weak

C



Excels in:
PvE + PvP
Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Void Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 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 Void | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive

PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage
PvP God Roll: Kiling Wind + Opening Shot
Borrowed TimeBorrowed Time art
Borrowed Time
Submachine Gun
Submachine GunAggressivePrimarySolarFree-to-PlayYesC › WeakPlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Weak

C



Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Solar Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 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 Solar | Ammo: Primary ammo Destiny 2 Primary | Archetype: Aggressive

PvE God Roll: Overflow + Rampage
PvP God Roll: Rangefinder + Demolitionist
Laser PainterLaser Painter art Destiny 2
Laser Painter
Linear Fusion Rifle
Linear Fusion RiflePrecisionHeavyStrandFree-to-PlayYesC › WeakPlaylist: GambitCheckmark icon V3
Weak

C



Playlist: Gambit
Destiny 2 Icon (final) Destiny 2
Free-to-Play
Slot: Strand Element Strand | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 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 Element Strand | Ammo: Heavy ammo Destiny 2 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:


🚨 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

We keep our content up to date! These are the latest changes made to this guide:
  • 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!

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
6 Comments
  1. obama

    “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

    Reply
    • topaz

      i mean… salvager’s salvo, too

      Reply
  2. Wot_Mixa_fox_

    Yay i got the weapon called trust from equiping all 3 weapons from each akenetic, power and, energy.

    Reply
  3. cola

    malfeasance quest was not sunset, you can pick it up from the quest archive.

    Reply
  4. Nick

    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.

    Reply
  5. steve

    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.

    Reply
Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hunter Prismartic Build Twitter Card v2 Destiny 2

Best Destiny 2 Infographics

Get our exclusive D2 infographics before everyone else, for FREE! Also, a weekly email covering all the best loot at reset.

You have Successfully Subscribed!