Solar 3.0 has been tearing it up in PvE and PvP for a while now. Not only is it fun as hell to use, but it also introduces new mechanics and powerful new perks. Namely, Incandescent.
Incandescent has been extremely popular this season, with top players incessantly farming weapons that can roll with it, but what does it do, and how does it pair with Solar subclasses? We’ll cover that and more below.
Updated as of Season of the Wish (S23).
Scorch weapons: Weapons with the Incandescent Perk
Incandescent can only roll on Solar weapons, meaning it’s relatively exclusive for now. That said, a few select Energy and Power weapons can have this S-Tier perk. Here is a list of all of the Solar weapons available that can roll with Incandescent:
Art | Weapon | Type | Archetype | Rarity | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Ammo? | Element? | Tier | Excels | Source | Craftable? | Requires | Released | Slot | Can be Crafted? | Best of? | Top Perk? |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Abide the Return | Sword | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Weak ❘ C | - | Shattered Throne Dungeon | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Heavy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | Abyss Defiant | Auto Rifle | High-Impact | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Crota's End Raid | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 22 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent,Sword Logic,Reconstruction |
![]() | Acasia's Dejection | Trace Rifle | Adaptive | Legendary | Special | Solar | Lightfall | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvE | Root of Nightmares Raid | ![]() | ![]() Lightfall | Season 20 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent,Reconstruction |
![]() | Adhortative | Pulse Rifle | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Season 23 | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Undying | ![]() | ![]() Season 23 | Season 23 | Energy | Craftable | Incandescent | |||
![]() | Ammit AR2 | Auto Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE + PvP | World loot pool | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 18 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Apex Predator | Rocket Launcher | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Forsaken Pack | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvE | Last Wish Raid | ![]() | ![]() Forsaken Pack | Season 4 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent,Explosive Light,Reconstruction |
![]() | Avalanche | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Free-to-Play | Seasonal | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | - | Event: Dawning | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 12 | Heavy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | Beloved | Sniper Rifle | Adaptive | Legendary | Special | Solar | Beyond Light | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvP | Presage | ![]() | ![]() Beyond Light | Season 17 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Briar's Contempt | Linear Fusion Rifle | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Lightfall | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvE | Root of Nightmares Raid | ![]() | ![]() Lightfall | Season 20 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent,Reconstruction |
![]() | Bug-Out Bag | Submachine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Season 21 | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | PvE | Fishing | ![]() | ![]() Season 21 | Season 21 | Energy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | BxR-55 Battler | Pulse Rifle | Legacy PR-55 | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvE + PvP | Dares of Eternity | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | 30th Anniversary event | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | CALUS Mini-Tool | Submachine Gun | MIDA Synergy | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Beyond Light | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvE | Presage | ![]() | ![]() Beyond Light | Season 17 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Caretaker | Sword | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Season 20 | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Seasonal activity | ![]() | ![]() Season 20 | Season 20 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Compass Rose | Shotgun | Precision | Legendary | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Seasonal | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvP | Event: Solstice | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Energy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Coronach-22 | Auto Rifle | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | - | Lost Sector | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 20 | Energy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | Drang (Baroque) | Sidearm | Together Forever | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Beyond Light | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvE + PvP | Presage | ![]() | ![]() Beyond Light | Season 17 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Eyasluna | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Stasis | 30th Anniversary | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvE + PvP | Grasp of Avarice Dungeon | ![]() | ![]() 30th Anniversary | 30th Anniversary event | Kinetic | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Fixed Odds | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Deluxe Edition | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Duality Dungeon | ![]() | ![]() Deluxe Edition | Season 17 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Greasy Luck | Glaive | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Special | Solar | Deluxe Edition | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvE + PvP | Ghost of the Deep Dungeon | ![]() | ![]() Deluxe Edition | Season 21 | Energy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Heliocentric QSc | Sidearm | Lightweight | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | - | Lost Sector | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 22 | Energy | No | Incandescent | ||
![]() | Igneous Hammer | Hand Cannon | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Lightfall | No | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvP | Trials of Osiris | ![]() | ![]() Lightfall | Season 13 | Energy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | IKELOS_SG_v1.0.3 | Shotgun | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | - | Operation: Seraph's Shield | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 19 | Energy | Craftable | Incandescent | |
![]() | IKELOS_SR_v1.0.3 | Sniper Rifle | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Operation: Seraph's Shield | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 19 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Jorum's Claw | Pulse Rifle | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | PvP | Iron Banner | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 20 | Energy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | Judgment of Kelgorath | Glaive | Aggressive | Legendary | Special | Solar | The Witch Queen | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Operation: Seraph's Shield | ![]() | ![]() The Witch Queen | Season 19 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Jurassic Green | Pulse Rifle | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Seasonal | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvP | Event: Festival of the Lost | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 15 | Energy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Just in Case | Sword | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Season 21 | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | - | Fishing | ![]() | ![]() Season 21 | Season 21 | Heavy | No | Incandescent | ||
![]() | Last Foray | Sniper Rifle | Aggressive | Legendary | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Weak ❘ C | - | Lost Sector | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 21 | Energy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | Marsilion-C | Grenade Launcher | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Lost Sector | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 20 | Heavy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent,Explosive Light |
![]() | Mindbender's Ambition | Shotgun | Aggressive | Legendary | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | - | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 18 | Energy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | No Survivors | Submachine Gun | Aggressive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Deluxe Edition | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Ghost of the Deep Dungeon | ![]() | ![]() Deluxe Edition | Season 21 | Energy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Pre Astyanax IV | Combat Bow | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 22 | Energy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Retraced Path | Trace Rifle | Adaptive | Legendary | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Dares of Eternity | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | 30th Anniversary event | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Roar of the Bear | Rocket Launcher | High-Impact | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Weak ❘ C | - | Iron Banner | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 18 | Heavy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | Royal Executioner | Fusion Rifle | Adaptive | Legendary | Special | Solar | Season 20 | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Seasonal activity | ![]() | ![]() Season 20 | Season 20 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Staccato-46 | Scout Rifle | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | PvE | World loot pool | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 17 | Energy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | Strident Whistle | Combat Bow | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Vanguard Focusing | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 17 | Energy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Throne-Cleaver | Sword | Aggressive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | - | Engram Focusing | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 20 | Heavy | Craftable | Incandescent | |
![]() | Trust | Hand Cannon | Precision | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | PvE + PvP | Playlist: Gambit | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 20 | Energy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | Trustee | Scout Rifle | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Beyond Light | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE + PvP | Deep Stone Crypt Raid | ![]() | ![]() Beyond Light | Season 12 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent,Reconstruction |
![]() | Twilight Oath | Sniper Rifle | Rapid-Fire | Legendary | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | PvP | Shattered Throne Dungeon | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Energy | No | Incandescent | |
![]() | Tyranny of Heaven | Combat Bow | Lightweight | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Forsaken Pack | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | Last Wish Raid | ![]() | ![]() Forsaken Pack | Season 4 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Unwavering Duty | Machine Gun | Adaptive | Legendary | Heavy | Solar | Lightfall | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvE | Trials of Osiris | ![]() | ![]() Lightfall | Season 19 | Heavy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Uzume RR4 | Sniper Rifle | Adaptive | Legendary | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Best ❘ S | PvE + PvP | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 14 | Energy | No | Top-tier | Incandescent |
![]() | Without Remorse | Shotgun | Lightweight | Legendary | Special | Solar | Beyond Light | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Average ❘ B | PvP | Presage | ![]() | ![]() Beyond Light | Season 17 | Energy | Craftable | Incandescent | |
![]() | Zaouli’s Bane | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Legendary | Primary | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | ![]() | ![]() | Strong ❘ A | PvE | King's Fall Raid | ![]() | ![]() Free-to-Play | Season 18 | Energy | Craftable | Top-tier | Incandescent |

Incandescent weapons in Destiny 2, a few examples
This list effectively covers all the weapons that can currently apply scorch to a target as of Season of Plunder (S18).
What does Incandescent do: Hard Figures
The perk description of Incandescent does a pretty good job of explaining the basics of it:
Defeating a target spreads scorch to those nearby. More powerful combatants and opposing Guardians cause scorch in a larger radius.
- | Weapon Perk | PvE Damage increase | PvP Damage increase | Duration | Activation | Effects | Type | Weapons | Released |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Incandescent | 30 scorch | - | Kills apply scorch to nearby enemies. Killing Powerful enemies and Players increases the range to 8 meters. | Specific | Various | Season 17 |
In clearer terms, Incandescent does the following:
- Kills apply 30 Scorch to enemies within a few meters.
- Ember of Ashes increases this to 40 Scorch.
- Killing Powerful Combatants and Players increases the range to 8 meters.
The enhanced version of the perk does the following:
- PVE: Scorch stacks increased to 40 and to 85 with Ember of Ashes equipped
- PVP: Scorch stacks stay at 30 and are increased to 45 with Ember of Ashes equipped
These precise figures come from always excellent Light.gg.
But what is Scorch in Destiny 2?
Scorch is a stacking Solar 3.0 debuff that causes damage over time to enemies. If an enemy reaches 100 stacks of scorch, they will ignite, causing a high-damage area of effect explosion.
Incandescent applies 30 scorch stacks at its base to affected targets, and the “larger radius” extends to 8 meters.
All of that makes Incandescent similar to Dragonfly or Firefly while not requiring a precision kill (and having significantly more synergy with other abilities). There are numerous ways to make this perk even more potent; we’ll cover those in the next section.
How do you trigger Incandescent, and what synergizes with it?
Proccing Incandescent is as simple as getting a kill with your weapon while other enemies are nearby. However, there are tons of ways to make its effect even better.
Enhanced Incandescent
The first is to get the enhanced version of the perk, available by crafting a weapon capable of rolling with the trait. Doing so will increase the scorch stacks applied to enemies from 30 to 40. While that doesn’t sound like much, it reduces the kills needed to ignite a nearby enemy from four to three.

Incandescent with a Solar 3.0 build, Destiny 2
A Solar 3.0 fragment
While using a Solar subclass, you can also utilize the Ember of Ashes fragment to make Incandescent more powerful. This fragment increases the number of all scorch stacks applied by 50%. That means you’ll add 45 scorch stacks to an enemy with regular Incandescent and 85 with the enhanced version. With both Ember of Ashes and enhanced Incandescent, you only need to get two kills to trigger an ignite explosion!
There are many other ways to pair an Incandescent weapon with a Solar subclass—we’re just scratching the surface here. We encourage you to experiment with various Solar 3.0 fragments and abilities to make Incandescent fit your playstyle better! This perk is already substantial on its own, but its synergies make it as popular as it is.
Before you go…
New ways to increase Incandescent’s potency and synergy with Solar builds are always coming. As always, we encourage you to take this perk a step further and make it your own! And just as this is a top-tier Solar perk, definitely check out Voltshot, its Arc counterpart.
Hi Andrew, thank you very much for this article! It was very informative, well organized, easy to read, and straight to the point. I have not played Destiny 2 in about 2 years, but I am very interested in starting again soon. I miss the game, honestly. In the second-last paragraph, you said that with Solar 3.0 and the enhanced version of Incandescent, the scorch stacks applied to an enemy would be 85. Would it not be 60 scorch stacks, or is there something I’m missing? Based on the info from this article, this is the math I’m doing: (30 + 10) * 1.5 = 60
I’m sorry for nitpicking. I just found this confusing and thought I’d leave a comment to ask you about it. Also, since I’m already making a comment, I have a couple other questions. Do scorch stacks expire after a certain amount of time, or under certain conditions (besides when they reach 100 and explode)? If so, do they go away all at once or is it gradual? Lastly, can the scorch stacks contributed by one player add with those applied by another, detonating when the combined value reaches 100, or is it up to the individual player to reach 100 stacks on their own? Thanks so much!
In leu of the author posting I will say this, I’m not sure the mathematical result of how it’s actually applied as regular incandescent has a different variable compared to it’s enhanced variance through crafting. However in regards to the other questions, all buffs/debuffs in the game have timers so if you switch targets eventually it will reset the stacks. Unsure if it’s gradual or all at once but I would assume the latter as it’d just make it easier to code into the game. In regards to team/individual stacking of Incandescent I believe that all stacks are team based contribution rather than solo contribution due to it’s interactions in higher level content. This is just my personal opinion through running similar ignition builds and loving the constant explosions that happen. Hope this helps, cheers.
sky burners oath exotic… has scorch when shooting from the hip…