Best Destiny 2 PvP weapons: Meta guns for Competitive & Trials of Osiris
The best Destiny 2 PvP weapons are constantly changing, with new guns being added all the time, andThe Edge of Fateis no exception, giving Guardians plenty of fresh options to consider.
Contrary to what some Destiny players may think, the Crucible remains an extremely popular battleground for Guardians to test their mettle against one another.
One of the biggest draws of PvP is the challenge of buildcrafting and finding the best legendary andExotic weaponsto dominate the competition. This is especially tricky as more powerful guns are released, forcing players to farm new god rolls with every update.
Unsurprisingly, the PvP Meta is made up of the best weapons in the sandbox. There are all sorts of reasons why a weapon can excel in the Crucible, like having a stacked perk pool, offering a fast TTK, or just feeling great to use, and these are the meta weapons that’ll make sure you aren’t being left behind.
Best PvP weapons we’d recommend right now
Auto Rifles, Hand Cannons, and Pulse Rifles are currently the best primary weapons, while Shotguns, Fusion Rifles, and Sniper Rifles are the best special weapons, offering unrivaled lethality for taking down enemy Guardians.
These are the absolute best PvP weapons we’d recommend using in the current meta forCompetitiveandTrials of Osiris, with each being the strongest of the meta weapon types:
With the release of The Edge of Fate, the PvP meta is in flux. As is always the case whenever a large quantity of new weapons are added to the sandbox, expect this list to change more frequently than usual to account for the changing meta.
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The guns listed above are the best to use in the Crucible, which is why they are also the most used by high-level players. They all offer a fast TTK, have great stats, and either feature a phenomenal perk pool or powerful Exotic perks that are perfect for PvP.
Ideally, you’ll want to farm god rolls and obtain all of these weapons to make sure you are prepared for every occasion, with each excelling on different maps. For example, meta snipers like Cloudstrike are fantastic on open maps (Disjunction, Radiant Cliffs, Vostok, etc), while Shotguns like Conditional Finality dominate CQB maps (Burnout, Dead Cliffs, Rusted Lands, etc).
Best Top Slot Weapons for PvP (Kinetic, Stasis, Strand)
Primary Kinetic Weapons
Solemn Remembrance
Destiny 2’s newest Competitive PvP reward, Solemn Remembrance, has the power of a 140 RPM Hand Cannon and the ease-of-use of an old 180 archetype. While it struggles in long-range engagements, Slideshot and a Range Masterwork account for this weakness. Think of Solemn Remembrance as a more balanced Not Forgotten during its prime. A solid pick for any Hand Cannon enthusiast.
Last Thursday
Say hello to Destiny 2’s freshly minted successor to Bygones. While Last Thursday isn’t strictly superior to the aforementioned Pulse Rifle, it’s both infinitely easier to farm and benefits from Edge of Fate’s tiered loot system. That means a Tier 4 or 5 version will come with enhanced perks across the board. With basically zero recoil and some of the best PvP perks in Rapid Hit and Headseeker, Last Thursday is the Pulse you want with you in Crucible and Trials right now.
Aureus Neutralizer
The second of only two Spread Shot Hand Cannons, Aureus Neutralizer has better base stats than its sibling Phoneutria Fera, and a perk pool much better-suited to PvP. Range matters most with these close-quarters powerhouses, so Opening Shot is an absolute must to make two-tap headshots more consistent. At the same time, Lone Wolf provides some always-welcome additional aim assist and other benefits.
It might look like it was taken straight out of the Cold War, but this retro Pulse Rifle is one of the best options you can use in PvP. Added as a reprised Gambit gun, Bygones is a fantastic weapon with high stats and the proven perk combination of Keep Away and Headseeker. You can even run Lone Wolf as an alternative, a new perk that is perfect for flanking and making game-winning plays.
Crimil’s Dagger
Crimil’s Dagger was reprised in Echoes but came into its own in Revenant after120 RPM Hand Cannons were buffed. Following these changes, it is now a meta weapon that hits hard and gets access to the two best reloading perks in PvP: Slideways and Air Trigger. This is effectively the top-slot equivalent to Igneous Hammer, which is a huge compliment given how popular that gun is.
Fatebringer
Fatebringer is the OG Hand Cannon that has actually been meta for a while. However, it was inaccessible for the longest time, simply because no one was runningVault of Glass. With that raid now getting a reprised loot pool, teams aren’t hard to come by these days. Even if you have a roll from back in the day, the addition of Keep Away in column three makes it well worth giving The Templar another visit.
Redrix’s Estoc
Wow, Bungie was not playing around with this one. Redrix’s Estoc takes the iconic Battle Rifle tribute frame that BXR-Battler is known for and enhanced it with top-tier perks and base stats that dominate everything. With the right roll and mods, it’s possible to have over 90 Stability, 90 Handling, 70 Range, and 80 Aim Assistance, and that’s all before Lone Wolf comes into play.
Despiteseveral nerfssince its introduction, Estoc is still the cream of the crop as far as Pulse Rifles are concerned and one of the best PvP weapons overall.
Rose is the best Legendary Hand Cannon in PvP right now and has been for some time. It offers the consistency and damage of an Adaptive frame, yet also has the handling and movement buffs of a Lightweight Frame. It isn’t even hard to farm these days either, as Banshee-44 is offering it out for free as compensation forWeight Gate.
Aisha’s Care
Aisha’s Care has lost a lot of ground to Redrix’s Estoc in Episode Heresy but it’s still a solid alternative, especially if you can get hold of a coveted Zen Moment + Headseeker roll. With both perks active, you’ll enjoy huge buffs to aim assist and reductions to recoil and flinch, making Aisha’s Care accurate enough at long ranges to outcompete Estoc and most Scout Rifles.
Special Kinetic Weapons
This is yet another Shotgun that gets the legendary roll of Threat Detector + Opening Shot, which has been the meta in PvP ever since Metador 64 was added in Season 16. Unlike Matador, you’re able to get this gun from PvP itself, with it being a drop from Competitive. That means those who want to focus on PvP content can while also scoring themselves one of the best shotguns the Crucible has ever seen.
Defiance of Yasmin
When it comes to top slot Sniper Rifles, your options are limited. Most of the best PvP snipers are energy weapons, but Defiance of Yasmin is the exception to that rule. Received as a drop from King’s Fall, this raid gun is incredible, with it not only having high Aim Assistance but also the dream perk combination of Snapshot Sights and Opening Shot.
Imperial Decree
If you like Precision Frame Shotguns, Fractethyst is your best option, but those who prefer Aggressive Frames should use Imperial Decree instead. Its reprised variant is a PvP monster, with Slideshot negating the need to reload, and Opening Shot making it nice and consistent. Unfortunately, Imperial Decree is fairly hard to acquire now, as it is no longer available from seasonal activities.
Scatter Signal
Fusion Rifles aren’t in the best place currently, but if you do enjoy using them, then Scatter Signal is an excellent choice. The standout perk here is Kickstart, which provides a huge damage boost when sliding. This is a great fit on a Rapid-Fire Frame, as the faster fire rate makes it practical to slide into enemies and burst them down before they can react.
Exotic Kinetic Weapons
Ace of Spades
As Exotic Weapons go, Ace of Spades is about as simple as they come. By killing enemy players, you trigger Memento Mori, empowering your next six shots. These empowered shots deal more damage and will destroy other Guardians. Ace of Spades is as easy to use as it is satisfying, so it’s no surprise to see so many players still using this classic gun.
Conditional Finality
Conditional Finality is a shotgun that shoots flames out of one barrel and ice out of the other. The fire triggers Ignitions, dealing more damage, while the Ice freezes enemies, leaving them defenseless. What really makes Conditional Finality so good in PvP is its incredible Handling, which makes it the perfect candidate for playing aggressively and getting up close.
By dealing precision damage and securing final blows, Paracausal Shot boosts Hawkmoon’s damage and range significantly. Just three stacks of this buff lets you kill in two crits plus one body shot, and seven stacks makes it possible to one shot-Guardians in their Super. It is a devastating weapon, so be sure to check ourXur’s stockevery weekend to avoid missing out on a potential god roll.
Khvostov 7G-0X
When it first arrived in The Final Shape, Khvostov was by far the best Exotic in PvP, but nerfs since have brought it back in line. However, it remains an incredible weapon and the strongest overall Auto Rifle for those confident in their tracking skills.Unlocking Khvostovis a lot of work, but it’s well worth the grind given how powerful this is.
The Chaperone
The Chaperone is a simple weapon that is extremely effective, being a Slug Shotgun that has the most range of any option in the sandbox. Even better, if you activate The Roadborn, it receives boosts to handling, range, rate of fire, and precision damage, turning it into an extremely well-rounded weapon that is terrifying to come up against.
Forerunner
A homage to Halo’s Magnum, Forerunner is an absolute monster in Destiny 2 just as it was in its original franchise. Able to three-tap a Guardian from extreme ranges thanks to its in-built zoom and use of Special Ammo, the only drawback preventing Forerunner from becoming an absolute nuisance in the Crucible is it’s extremely poor ammo economy.
The Last Word
While its place in Destiny 2’s PvP hierarchy is affected substantially by the surrounding meta, The Last Word has historically been one of the best-performing weapons in the Crucible thanks to its lightning-fast TTK when hip-fired.
After taking something of a vacation during Echoes and Revenant, its popularity sky-rocketed in Episode Heresy as a result of buffs to Hunters’ Radiant Dance Machines Exotic, which now provides huge boosts to weapon effectiveness and class ability synergy when scoring kills by hip-firing.
Outbreak Perfected
Outbreak Perfected isn’t a Trace Rifle but you’d be forgiven for believing as such – this SIVA spewing machine has essentially zero recoil. Paired with above-average Range, Outbreak is a monster of a Pulse based on those merits alone, but its Exotic perks, which generate nanites that attach to enemies and deal additional damage, push it to the realms of top-tier. A worthy Exotic for your primary slot.
More helpful guides
Best Energy Weapons for PvP (Arc, Solar, Void)
Primary Energy Weapons
Aisha’s Embrace
Scout Rifles, specifically Rapid-Fire archetypes, have received a much-needed glow-up in The Edge of Fate. To celebrate their return to relevance, Bungie reprised Aisha’s Embrace in Season 27 with a refreshed perk pool. Embrace has a dizzying TTK with Precision Instrument boosting damage and Keep Away or Rapid Hit boosting precision consistency.
Forgiveness
Like Aisha’s Embrace, another Trials weapon of yesteryear, Forgiveness, received a reissue in The Edge of Fate. The Heavy Burst Sidearm remains as potent as ever and hits like a truck with Headseeker active. Now that it’s also able to benefit from Lone Wolf’s multi-stat boost, Forgiveness is a close-quarters monster.
Phoneutria Fera
Say hello to Destiny 2’sfirst-ever Spread Shot Hand Cannon. As the archetype suggests, this revolver actually shares more in common with shotguns than traditional Hand Cannons, delivering a high-damage payload of multiple rounds at short to medium-range.
While Phoneutria Fera can’t one-shot a Guardian at point-blank range like shotguns, with the right perks and skill, it’s absolutely capable of two-tapping and uses primary ammo, to boot. Well worth trying if you’re looking to spice up your loadout in Edge of Fate.
Submachine Guns aren’t the hottest weapon type in PvP at the moment but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Obtained from Edge of Fate’s Desert Perpetual raid, Antedote boasts some seriously solid base stats and belongs to the best SMG archetype for PvP. You’ll want increase range however possible, of course, which is where Rangefinder comes in. Whack on Target Lock for extra damage and watch it melt other Guardians.
Elsie’s Rifle
Previously known as The Stranger’s Rifle, Elsie’s Rifle is Destiny 2’s take on an old classic. Its return brought with it an incredible PvP weapon, with it being one of the few remaining Pulse Rifles that can reliably two-burst enemy Guardians. In particular, Zen Moment in the third slot is incredible on a Pulse Rifle, as it makes this weapon extremely consistent.
Exalted Truth
First released in Season 19 and then immediately reprised in Season 20, Exalted Truth hasn’t proven to be that popular. Thankfully, Bungie’s third attempt finally hits the mark by giving the Trials weapon Lone Wolf. This addition means it can quite literally maximize its Aim Assistance stat when both this and Alacrity are active, making it more forgiving than every other Hand Cannon.
Igneous Hammer
If you like the feel of Aggressive Hand Cannons, Igneous Hammer is the gun for you. With Keep Away procced, this Hand Cannon is practically a pocket Scout Rifle. A Scout Rifle with fast handling and access to just about every meta PvP perk at that. Sure, Keep Away and Eye of the Storm are incredible, but you may also use Rapid Hit, Rangefinder, Moving Target, or Opening Shot.
The Summoner
If Precision Auto Rifles aren’t your thing, consider using The Summoner instead of Prosecutor. This Adaptive Frame AR feels great to use and gets access to several top-tier PvP perks. It has a fast TTK while also being laser-accurate, which is more than enough to cement its place in the meta, although newer seasons have added guns that make this less special than it once was.
The Riposte
Looking for something snappier than The Summoner or Prosecutor? Look no further than The Riposte – Crucible’s Competitive Lightweight Void Auto Rifle added in Season 24. Despite being a 720 RPM Auto, getting one of these bullet-spewing monsters with Zen Moment will make it pinpoint accurate up to medium range. Throw in Target Lock for some extra damage and you’ll be laughing.
Special Energy Weapons
Zealot’s Reward
Without a doubt, Zealot’s Reward is your best option in Episode Heresy, should you decide to run a Fusion Rifle in PvP. The double whammy of crafted Garden of Salvation weapons and refreshed perk pools for each of its weapons transformed Zealot’s into an absolute monster. Don’t let its meagre range stat fool you, either – Closing Time and Under Pressure will grant an always-active range and accuracy boost respectively.
Iterative Loop
Don’t sleep on Iterative Loop. Rapid-Fire Fusion Rifles have returned to favor in Episode Heresy and Iterative Loop is one of the best, especially if you’ve got the patience to farm the Pattern from Lightfall activties. More than any other archetype, Rapid-Fire Fusions benefit most from Kickstart, drastically reducing charge time and boosting damage during a slide.
Keen Thistle
The perk combination of Lone Wolf and Closing Time is outrageously good on snipers. Only a few Sniper Rifles get this roll, and most of them are a pain to farm. Assuming you play Trials of Osiris regularly, Keen Thistle shouldn’t be too hard to get followingthis season’s reworkto rewards. Alternatively, any of Mechabre, Omniscient Eye, or Veleda-F work equally well.
Matador 64
At this point, Matador 64 is the most meta gun of Destiny 2’s meta guns. Ever since it was released, this Arc Shotgun has been top-tier in PvP. While its perks are great, it’s more so the unique feel of this weapon that makes it so popular. It’s so easy to use and yet also so incredibly strong. Plus, it’s fairly easy to farm too, with it being a common drop from Grasp of Avarice.
Prophet of Doom
They did it – Bungie has finally given you a reason to farm Garden of Salvation. This reprised Arc Shotgun is a direct upgrade to Matador 64, which is crazy to say given how dominant that weapon has been for so long. This is effectively a craftable version of Matador 64 with better stats. You can’t complain with that, especially since GoS is one of the easiest raids to farm.
Scavenger’s Fate
The addition of Lone Wolf has transformed the shotgun meta, with old favorites like Matador 64 slowly being phased out. In its place are newcomers like Scavenger’s Fate, which gets access to both Lone Wolf and Closing Time, two incredible perks that provide passive boosts to key stats like range, handling, and aim assist. The best part is this is a seasonal gun, so practically anyone can get it.
Exotic Energy Weapons
Graviton Spike
The new Exotic kid on the block, Graviton Spike has quickly risen to the top of meta tier lists. The weapon’s unique perks, which grant huge damage buffs by dealing damage to charge two separate fire modes – one Arc, the other Stasis – make it exceptionally powerful. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to stick with the Arc firing mode by default and then swap to the Stasis mode when the energy gauge is full to deliver a two-tap kill to any unwitting Guardian. Rinse and repeat.
Cloudstike
For the most part, Cloudstrike is just a Sniper Rifle that feels great to use. What helps it stand out is Mortal Polarity, its unique Exotic Perk which reigns lightning down every time you secure a final blow. In PvP, this lightning strike can take out multiple Guardians at once, giving you the potential for some incredible, montage-worthy plays.
Graviton Lance
Before it was nerfed in Season 23, Graviton Lance was unbelievably dominant. Even after that nerf, it remains one of the best weapons in PvP. It won’t be chaining multi-kills together like before, but for one-on-one gunfights, it is still a genuine beast. Don’t be fooled by its Pulse Rifle identity either, Graviton Lance feels more like a top-tier Scout Rifle, with its effective range being something special.
Whenever Bungie adds a new type of Primary weapon to Destiny 2, there’s always concern over how it will impact PvP. In the case of Lodestar, the first Trace Rifle to use primary ammo, those concerns were valid, as it has immediately taken over and is causing all kinds of headaches. In practice, it is essentially a Pulse Rifle with a 75 round magazine, a fast TTK, laser-accurate hip fire and almost zero recoil. Have fun!
Red Death Reformed
Red Death Reformed is an Exotic weapon added in The Final Shape that excels in PvP. It is a solid enough Pulse Rifle from a TTK standpoint, but it’s the gun’s self-healing that makes it truly extraordinary. This Exotic Pulse Rifle grants Cure on every final blow, constantly healing you up. Its Catalyst can also be unlocked, which improves healing further by adding an AOE effect on every other kill.
Vex Mythoclast
Vex Mythoclast is another Exotic weapon that doesn’t play anything like you’d expect. Despite being aFusion Rifle, this Raid Exotic is best treated like anAuto Rifle– a rather excellent Auto Rifle at that. The only thing keeping it in check is its reduced 360 RPM fire rate, but if one day it returns to 390 RPM, you can be damn sure a Vex Mythoclast meta will follow closely.
Best Heavy Weapons for PvP
Heavy Legendary Weapons
Archon’s Thunder
Machine Guns have made a comeback in PvP, with their blisteringly fast TTKs making them appealing. There are several good options, but Archon’s Thunder stands out as the best, with its double damage perk roll allowing it to delete enemy Guardians in an instant. The only downside is that you’ll need to farm Iron Banner to get this, leaving yourself at the mercy of skill-based matchmaking.
Cataphract GL3
As many unfortunate players have found out by now, Cataphract GL3 is really hard to farm. However, if you can put up with the grind and enjoy Trials of Osiris, it is currently the best Heavy weapon in PvP. You’ll want both Proximity Mines and Impulse Amplifier, with the other perks being far less important. Good luck on the grind!
Edge Transit
If you don’t feel like spending hours and hours farming Cataphract GL3, go and get Edge Transit instead. It’s 95% as good, rolls more or less the same perks, and is much easier to farm. With weapon attunement returning in Onslaught, it shouldn’t take you long at all to get. If you’re lucky, you might even receive a PvE god roll too, with this weapon excelling in every activity.
Hammerhead
Machine Gunsare often overlooked in PvP as other Heavy weapons have insta-kill potential. While Hammerhead can’t do that, it does still offer a fast TTK that will demolish any other automatic Primary or Special weapon. What makes Hammerhead so good is its high stats and access to Fourth Time’s the Charm, which produces ammo out of thin air, letting you get way more out of each pickup.
The Other Half
Truthfully, this could be anySwordwith Enhanced Eager Edge. Switch it out for Half-Truths if you like, they both work equally well. The main point is that this perk lets you lunge forward as far as possible, providing unmatched mobility. Use this in unison with Grapple, and the other team is going to have a really hard time beating you. It’s not easy to use properly, but The Other Half is deadly in the right hands.
Heavy Exotic Weapons
Deathbringer
This bizarre Exotic Rocket Launcher is strong in PvP, but you have to use it right. The premise of Deathbringer is that you fire an orb above the enemy team, which then explodes and rains down Void damage, instantly killing any Guardians it hits. This is great for retaking objectives, by pressuring enemy players off the point, letting you sweep in for a free capture.
Thunderlord
While there are probably better weapons to use your Exotic slot on, Thunderlord is the old faithful, which is rarely ever a bad option. Much like Cloudstrike, it can produce lighting strikes that stun and hit other players. It has a fast TTK and excellent stats, making it a perfectly serviceable gun for those who don’t enjoy using Grenade Launchers.
Wardcliff Coil
While it’s not recommended to use Wardcliff Coil as a go-to weapon, this Exotic Rocket Launcher can catch other teams completely off guard if used right. When fired, it shoots a volley of rockets, barraging the enemy teams, and wiping them all out at once if they are close together. It has the potential to turn around a fight with a single trigger pull, which isn’t true of most other weapons.
That’s all for the best PvP Weapons in Destiny 2. Be sure to check out thebest PvE weaponsto round off your loadouts, as well as the metaHand Cannons,Auto Rifles,SMGs, andRocket Launchers, so that you are as well informed on the current sandbox as possible.
