Bungie has been doing an excellent job when it comes to adding new weapons to endgame activities. Playlist and Seasonal weapons have been great so far, but Nightfall weapons truly stand out, with a few of them now sitting among the best weapons in the game.
In this guide, we’ll cover all Nightfall: The Ordeal weapons released so far (including their PVP and PVE god rolls) and show you how to farm them.
Nightfall weapon this week: March 21, 2023
The Nightfall weapon this week is The Militia’s Birthright grenade launcher (dropping from The Arms Dealer Strike).
Week | Art | Weapon | Type | Element | Ammo | Week # |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
21 March 2023 | ![]() | The Militia's Birthright | Grenade Launcher | ![]() | ![]() | Week 4 |
New Nightfall weapons from Season 20
Bungie re-released the following Nightfall weapons with Season of Defiance:
- Buzzard – Sidearm
- THE SWARM – Machine Gun
Nightfall Weapon rotation for 2023
There are 16 Nightfall-specific weapons in total, but only 6 out of the 15 total weapons are currently on rotation with only one dropping each week. These are the other weapons on rotation this season:
- Wendigo GL3 – Grenade Launcher
- Hung Jury SR4 – Scout Rifle
- The Militia’s Birthright – Grenade Launcher
- Mindbender’s Ambition – Shotgun
Finally, these are the remaining Nightfall weapons that are not on rotation this season:
- Duty Bound – Adaptive Auto Rifle
- Silicon Neuroma – Sniper Rifle
- D.F.A. – Hand Cannon
- Horror’s Least– Pulse Rifle
- PLUG ONE.1 – Fusion Rifle
- The Comedian – Shotgun
- The Hothead – Rocket Launcher
- The Palindrome – Hand Cannon
- Uzume RR4 – Sniper Rifle

Nightfall weapon rotation
2023 Nightfall weapon rotation
Week | Art | Weapon | Type | Element | Ammo | Week # |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
28 February 2023 | ![]() | Hung Jury SR4 | Scout Rifle | ![]() | ![]() | Week 1 |
7 March 2023 | ![]() | Mindbender's Ambition | Shotgun | ![]() | ![]() | Week 2 |
14 March 2023 | ![]() | Wendigo GL3 | Grenade Launcher | ![]() | ![]() | Week 3 |
21 March 2023 | ![]() | The Militia's Birthright | Grenade Launcher | ![]() | ![]() | Week 4 |
28 March 2023 | Week 5 | |||||
4 April 2023 | Week 6 | |||||
11 April 2023 | Week 7 | |||||
18 April 2023 | Week 8 | |||||
25 April 2023 | Week 9 | |||||
2 May 2023 | Week 10 | |||||
9 May 2023 | Week 11 | |||||
16 May 2023 | Week 12 |
💠 Check out our Nightfalls this Week guide for more details about this Nightfall.
Best Destiny 2 Nightfall weapons
Keep in mind that since the release of The Witch Queen expansion, every Nightfall weapon comes with the following Origin Traits.
- | Trait | Source | Activation | Effects | Specs | Source Type | Released |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Stunning Recovery | Nightfall: The Ordeals | Stunning a Champion partially refills the magazine, triggers health regeneration, and improves Recovery for a short duration. | +60 HP instantly, +40 HP recovery over 3 seconds | Activity | The Witch Queen |
Our Tier list starts with the S Tier weapons and moves down from there. It also covers both PvE and PvP, with the “Excels in” column clearly identifying where each weapon shines:
⛔ These weapons are on a seasonal rotation. Each season, some weapons will become unobtainable to leave room for previously unavailable weapons to return.
Name | Weapons | Type | Archetype | Ammo | Element | Requirements | In loot pool? | Rank | Source | Available? | Tier rank | Source ❘ DLC | Final Verdict | Released | Perks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Palindrome | ![]() The Palindrome | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Primary | Void | Free-to-Play | No | S › Best | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Outlaw + One for All PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Rangefinder ► With S-Tier perks for both PVE and PVP, great stats, and an adept version, there is nothing to hate about The Palindrome. Plus, it can get max range, can take advantage of Volatile Rounds, and it feels amazing to fire, making it one of the best legendary weapons in the game. | Season 13 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Outlaw + One for All PvP God Roll: Killing Wind + Rangefinder |
Hung Jury SR4 | ![]() Hung Jury SR4 | Scout Rifle | Precision | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Explosive Payload (also good: Firefly) PvP God Roll: Rapid Hit + Box Breathing ► Hung Jury was already a good Scout Rifle in PvE. However, with the recent changes to Scout in Season 17, Hung Jury can now hang with the best in PvP. Box Breathing allows for an easy 3 tap, giving it a fast and reasonably forgiving time-to-kill. Hung Jury is an excellent pick for everyone. | Season 14 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Rapid Hit + Explosive Payload (also good: Firefly) PvP God Roll: Rapid Hit + Box Breathing |
Uzume RR4 | ![]() Uzume RR4 | Sniper Rifle | Adaptive | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | No | S › Best | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE + PvP | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + High-Impact Reserves (also good: Vorpal Weapon) PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Explosive Payload) ► Arguably the most well-rounded sniper on this list, Uzume RR4 is an almost-perfect choice for both PVE and PVP. Sure, it doesn't have the best stats in the game, but the versatility of this weapon is unrivaled. No matter what part of the game you play, a good Uzume will complete your loadout. | Season 14 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + High-Impact Reserves (also good: Vorpal Weapon) PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Explosive Payload) |
THE SWARM | ![]() THE SWARM | Machine Gun | High-Impact | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | No | S › Best | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Surplus (also good: Outlaw) + One for All (also good: Vorpal Weapon) ► High-Impact machine guns currently suffer from a lack of identity. That said, THE SWARM can still be great for PVE. It packs a strong punch and can roll with perks that not only improve its lethality but also its handling. It has good base stats too and can use the top-tier Adept Big Ones mod, if you have an Adept version of the gun. | Season 13 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Surplus (also good: Outlaw) + One for All (also good: Vorpal Weapon) |
The Hothead | ![]() The Hothead | Rocket Launcher | Adaptive | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | No | S › Best | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvE | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster (also good: Field Prep) + Lasting Impression (also good: Explosive Light) ► Containing solid stats, S-Tier perks, and an Adept version, The Hothead is often regarded as the best legendary rocket launcher. And because of recent nerfs to the damage of precision frame launchers, Hothead also does more damage than most competitive options. | Season 15 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster (also good: Field Prep) + Lasting Impression (also good: Explosive Light) |
Horror's Least | ![]() Horror's Least | Pulse Rifle | Rapid-Fire | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | S › Best | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Best ❘ S Excels in: PvP | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion (also good: Heating Up) + Kill Clip ► Able to dominate in the Crucible at mid-range, Horror's Least is one of the best pulse rifles in the game. With great stats, an Adept variant, and a well-rounded perk pool, this weapon is a beast and worth grinding if you're a pulse rifle fan. | Season 17 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion (also good: Heating Up) + Kill Clip |
Silicon Neuroma | ![]() Silicon Neuroma | Sniper Rifle | Aggressive | Special | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | No | A › Strong | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE + PvP | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + Firing Line PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot ► Silicon Neuroma is one of the few snipers that can roll with Snapshot Sights and Opening Shot, the holy grail of PVP snipers. On top of that, it packs a low zoom value that helps it excel at closer ranges, and thanks to the recent buff to low zoom snipers, it simply feels great to use. | Season 16 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Triple Tap + Firing Line PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot |
PLUG ONE.1 | ![]() PLUG ONE.1 | Fusion Rifle | Precision | Special | Arc | Free-to-Play | No | A › Strong | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Bottomless Grief (also good: Feeding Frenzy) + Reservoir Burst (also good: Cornered) ► With outstanding range, this weapon proves why Precision archetype Fusions are so strong right now. Feeding Frenzy + Resovoir burst will synergize well with Volatile rounds too. | Season 14 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Bottomless Grief (also good: Feeding Frenzy) + Reservoir Burst (also good: Cornered) |
Duty Bound | ![]() Duty Bound | Auto Rifle | Adaptive | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | No | A › Strong | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Strong ❘ A Excels in: PvE | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Stats for All Perpetual Motion + Frenzy Rampage ► Duty Bound is a decent all-around weapon. It comes with solid perks and can be used effectively pretty much anywhere in the game. 600 RPM Auto Rifles have always had a decent spot in PvE, and Duty Bound does not break this trend. | Season 16 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Stats for All Perpetual Motion + Frenzy Rampage |
D.F.A. | ![]() D.F.A. | Hand Cannon | Adaptive | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | B › Average | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Average ❘ B Excels in: PvE | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage ► A community favorite back in Year 1, D.F.A. has been brought back in, sadly, a pretty average state. This weapon doesn't have the stats or perks to carry it in PVP, and while it can roll Outlaw / Rampage, there isn't too much here for high-level PVE content either. | Season 17 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Outlaw + Rampage |
Shadow Price | ![]() Shadow Price | Auto Rifle | Precision | Primary | Arc | Free-to-Play | No | B › Average | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Average ❘ B | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Overflow (also good: Feeding Frenzy) + One for All (also good: Swashbuckler) ► Shadow Price is a decent option. It features a couple of good perks, but that's about it. Not being part of a good archetype, having no origin trait and mediocre stats lands it in the middle of the pack. | Season 13 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Overflow (also good: Feeding Frenzy) + One for All (also good: Swashbuckler) |
The Comedian | ![]() The Comedian | Shotgun | Aggressive | Special | Void | Free-to-Play | No | C › Weak | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Weak ❘ C | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Subsistence + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Trench Barrel) ► The Comedian is truly a joke, no pun intended. It has a woefully bad perk pool and cannot compete in PvP or PvE. Its perks center around ad clear, which is not the role that Shotguns should fill at all. And even in its Adept form, The Comedian still falls short. | Season 15 | Slot: ![]() ![]() PvE God Roll: Subsistence + Vorpal Weapon (also good: Trench Barrel) |
Mindbender's Ambition | ![]() Mindbender's Ambition | Shotgun | Aggressive | Special | Solar | Free-to-Play | Yes | Ongoing | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Ongoing... | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() God Rolls: To be confirmed... ► Still too early to tell, review ongoing... | Season 18 | Slot: ![]() ![]() God Rolls: To be confirmed... |
The Militia's Birthright | ![]() The Militia's Birthright | Grenade Launcher | Lightweight | Special | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Ongoing | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Ongoing... | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() God Rolls: To be confirmed... ► Still too early to tell, review ongoing... | Season 18 | Slot: ![]() ![]() God Rolls: To be confirmed... |
Wendigo GL3 | ![]() Wendigo GL3 | Grenade Launcher | Adaptive | Heavy | Arc | Free-to-Play | Yes | Ongoing | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Ongoing... | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() God Rolls: To be confirmed... ► Still too early to tell, review ongoing... | Season 19 | Slot: ![]() ![]() God Rolls: To be confirmed... |
Buzzard | ![]() Buzzard | Sidearm | Adaptive | Primary | Kinetic | Free-to-Play | Yes | Ongoing | Nightfall: The Ordeals | ![]() | Ongoing... | Nightfall: The Ordeals![]() Free-to-Play | Slot: ![]() ![]() God Rolls: To be confirmed... | Season 20 | Slot: ![]() ![]() God Rolls: To be confirmed... |
- S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapon types.
- A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapon types, but not on the same level as S Tier Choices.
- B Tier – Average: Decent choices that can be lethal in the hands of a skilled player.
- C Tier – Weak: The middle of the pack, somewhat mediocre.
- D Tier – Worst: Lagging behind the competition, these don’t have much to offer.
Nightfall weapon farm: How to get them
Farming a Nightfall weapon is as straightforward as it gets: they only drop from Nightfall: The Ordeals completions. But you’ll have to wait until the weapon you want is on rotation before you start farming Nightfalls.
But completing a Nightfall is easier said than done. Sometimes referred to as a Nightfall Strike, a Nightfall: The Ordeal is much harder than a Strike, especially on Legend, Master, and Grandmaster difficulties. As soon as you start tackling Legend Nightfalls and above, you’ll have to deal with Match game enemy shields, no matchmaking, and more.
The list of modifiers you’ll have to deal with can be found in the Nightfall selection screen. You can also find them in our Nightfall guide.
Nightfall weapons drop rates
Obviously, most players opt to tackle higher difficulties because the higher the difficulty, the bigger the reward. This applies to Nightfall weapon drops too. Exact drop rates are unknown but the higher the difficulty, the higher the chances to earn a Nightfall weapon:
Hero activity level is now soft cap + 20. Legend is Power cap + 30, and Master is Power cap + 40. Each has a scaling combat delta that keeps you under level in the activity and provides a smoother pathway to Grandmaster.
Nightfall Difficulty | Recommended Level | Drop rate |
Hero | TBC | Uncommon |
Legend | TBC | Common |
Master | TBC | Common |
Grandmaster | TBC | Common+ |
Adept Nightfall weapons
On top of offering higher drop rates, completing a Nightfall on the Grandmaster difficulty can also reward you with an Adept weapon.
Nightfall Adept weapons are souped-up versions of the standard Nightfall: The Ordeal weapons. They sport a new design, offer better stats (via an improved Masterwork), and can equip powerful Adept mods, which are superior to normal mods.
Unlike Adept Trials weapons, Adept weapons from Nightfalls can only be farmed once the Grandmaster difficulty becomes available, which is during the latter part of a season. In Season of the Defiance, Grandmaster Nightfalls will become available in March/April, 2023.

Nightfall Strike weapons from Season 17
Needless to say, Adept weapons are superior and a major flex (as Grandmaster Nightfalls are not an easy feat for the average player) for hardcore players.
About the hothead. It should be minimum A tier. It can roll with explosive light and clown cartridge making it one of if not the best legendary rocket to pair with gally if you are not using izanagi rocket strat. Plus with access to adept big ones this makes running rockets in GM’s worth again due to bonus damage to champions and bosses, just make sure you have a hunter running aeons.
Agreed. Not to mention it gets Auto Loading and even Demo in that first column. A lot of the weapon reviews and grades, on this site, are kinda whack… but the one for Hothead is pretty bad.
he rated at S tier
Subsistence Vorpal on Silicion neuroma doesn’t really seem like the pvp god roll
OK Super app.