Destiny 2 tier list: Best Heavy Grenade Launchers for PvE & PvP

Heavy Grenade Launchers have been the top dog power weapon of choice for single-target damage in Destiny 2 since The Final Shape launched, usurping Linear Fusions from previous seasons.

Swords have found a niche as utility tools thanks to Keen Edge, and Machine Guns are often considered the king of add-clear. That said, GLs outpace even Rocket Launchers thanks to excellent perk options granting deeper ammo reserves and versatility in all areas of the sandbox.

In tiering Destiny 2’s current best Grenade Launchers, we’ve weighed up the flexibility of their perk pools, how well they perform in PvE and PvP, and their general ease of use. See below for the full tier list, and then continue for a more in-depth breakdown of the cream of the crop.

Heavy Grenade Launcher tier list

Our tiers explained

• S: The best
• A: Very good
• B: There might be situations where these can perform well
• C: Best to avoid unless you find yourself drawn to them

Meta Analysis

Heavy Grenade Launchers are already extremely potent in Destiny 2’s sandbox. With the launch of Episode Revenant on October 8, they’re guaranteed to be locked in as must-haves, thanks to Revenant’s seasonal artifact featuring several mods intended to bolster their efficiency even further.

We’ll update this list as and when Bungie adds more Grenade Launchers, so expect to see reshuffles following major updates.

S-Tier

Edge Transit

Dexerto

• Archetype: Adaptive
• Element: Void
• Source: Onslaught (Into the Light)
• Best Use: PvE

As will swiftly become evident throughout this list, Spike Grenades is a best-in-slot in most cases for PvE, with Quick or Volatile Launch the desired barrel. The core perk combo you’re looking for is Bait and Switch with Envious Assassin or Cascade Point.

Bait and Switch provides a 35% damage boost for 10 seconds after dealing damage with all three of your weapons in a short window. Cascade Point and Envious Assassin synergize extremely well, granting increased fire rate or deeper ammo reserves, respectively, for enemy kills before drawing Edge Transit.

Wendigo GL3

Bungie

• Archetype: Adaptive
• Element: Arc
• Source: Nightfall
• Best Use: PvE & PvP

Wendigo GL3 doesn’t quite compare to Edge Transit in PvE but it doesn’t lag far behind and, unlike its superior, can roll with top-tier PvP perks. As a guaranteed drop during weeks where it’s the dedicated Nightfall reward, it’s also easier to farm.

For PvE, you’ll want to hunt for Auto-Loading Holster and Explosive Light. The former will automatically reload the magazine when not in use, while the latter grants a 52% damage increase for a single shot after picking up an Orb of Light (stacks six times).

For PvP, Impulse Amplifier and Rangefinder stack will boost Wendigo’s Velocity to astronomical levels. Perfect for sniping opposing Guardians from afar without giving them time to dodge.

Memory Interdict

• Archetype: Adaptive
• Element: Void
• Source: Potential Xur stock
• Best Use: PvP

Memory Interdict can work in PvE with the right rolls but it’s not advised, as it’s outperformed by its competitors. Instead, be on the lookout for one with Impulse Amplifier or Quickdraw paired with Danger Zone whenever Xur’s in the Tower.

With said roll, Impulse Amplifier will boost Velocity – integral for PvP – while Danger Zone naturally increases Blast Radius whenever you’re surrounded by enemies. If you’re confident in your ability to land direct hits on opposing Guardians, Quickdraw is the preferred choice.

Cataphract GL3

Bungie

• Archetype: Adaptive
• Element: Strand
• Source: Trials of Osiris
• Best Use: PvP

While it’s primarily a PvP GL, it’s worth noting that Cataphract is the only Strand weapon of its type on this list. If you’re looking to build a subclass around the Darkness element, Envious Assassin with Bait and Switch is still a solid combo.

For PvP, where the Trials reward truly shines, Impulse Amplifier with Vorpal Weapon is the top roll. There’s an argument to be made for Explosive Light to replace the latter, but the superior damage boost it provides will almost always be overkill in Crucible. Vorpal Weapon, on the other hand, is a flat 10% damage increase requiring zero setup.

Typhon GL5

• Archetype: Adaptive
• Element: Stasis
• Source: Potential Gunsmith stock
• Best Use: PvE

Typhon’s strengths lie in its versatility. For PvE, it can serve as a no-nonsense boss and Major killer with Impulse Amplifier and Explosive Light, or be repurposed into a top-tier crowd control tool with Demolitionist and Chill Clip.

For PvP, you’ll want to swap out Hard Launch for Volatile or Confined for superior Veolicity and prioritize Adrenaline Junkie for the second perk for the boos to Handling on kills. Even then, though, it’s not a particularly great choice for the competitive meta, with better options out there.

A-Tier

Parasite

• Element: Solar
• Source: Witch Queen Exotic quest
• Best Use: PvE

The only weapon on this list you should, bar no exception, never use in PvP, Parasite can outdo almost every other heavy weapon in the game in terms of raw damage, but it does require setup and a risky playstyle.

Firing live worms instead of standard ammunition, each bug gets a stacking buff to explosive range and damage depending on the number of enemies killed immediately beforehand from your other weapons. Combine full stacks of Worm’s Hunger with Worm Byproduct, which empowers the weapon further from self-damage, and you’ll be able to make short work of any boss.

For Warlocks, which have access to plentiful self-healing, Parasite is especially useful, but Titans and Hunters can also make it work with Healing Grenades.

Marsilion-C

• Archetype: Rapid-Fire
• Element: Solar
• Source: Lost Sectors
• Best Use: PvE

The only Rapid-Fire archetype on this list, Marsilion-C, along with Cry Mutiny, is the only heavy GL able to roll Incandescent and, unlike the latter, isn’t locked to a specific perk setup.

Paired with Envious Assassin, Marsilion can wipe entire rooms with indiscriminate Solar explosions with little downtime. For more widespread appeal, Incandescent can be swapped out for Explosive Light.

The downside? It’s currently only available as a random drop from Lost Sectors, so farming the perfect roll will take some time.

Regnant

• Archetype: Adaptive
• Element: Void
• Source: Avalon Exotic Mission
• Best Use: PvE

While it’s essentially the Void counterpart to Wendigo, Regnant, unlike its sibling – which can’t role Arc’s Voltshot – gets access to Destabilizing Rounds.

Paired with Auto-Loading Holster or Envious Assassin, this boomer will become an add-clear machine. Alternatively, you can use Envious Assassin and Explosive Light for the tried and true single-target option.

Interference VI

• Archetype: Adaptive
• Element: Arc
• Source: World drop
• Best Use: PvE

Farming specific world drops is a frustrating experience in Destiny 2, but if you have the patience, Interference VI is an excellent PvE Grenade Launcher.

If you’re lucky enough to find one with Clown Cartridge – a chance to reload the magazine beyond normal capacity – and Full Court, you’ll be machine-gunning bosses down from across the map thanks to the latter’s damage boost (up to 25%) based on each grenade’s travel distance.

B-Tier

Weapon	Source	Best Roll (PvE)	Best Roll (PvP)
Berenger’s Memory	World drop	Barrel: Hard LaunchMagazine: Spike GrenadesPerk 1: Clown CartridgePerk 2: Auto-Loading HolsterMasterwork: Blast Radius	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: Proximity GrenadesPerk 1: Threat DetectorPerk 2: DemolitionistMasterwork: Handling
Canis Major	Potential Xur stock	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: Spike GrenadesPerk 1: Clown CartridgePerk 2: Chain ReactionMasterwork: Blast Radius	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: Proximity GrenadesPerk 1: Impulse AmplifierPerk 2: Vorpal WeaponMasterwork: Handling
Crowd Pleaser	Gambit	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: Spike GrenadesPerk 1: Ambitious AssassinPerk 2: Chain ReactionMasterwork: Blast Radius	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: Spike Grenades or Proximity GrenadesPerk 1: Killing WindPerk 2: DemolitionistMasterwork: Velocity
Dimensional Hypotrochoid	Neomuna activities	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: High-Velocity RoundsPerk 1: Envious AssassinPerk 2: Chain ReactionMasterwork: Handling	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: High-Velocity RoundsPerk 1: Threat DetectorPerk 2: Chain ReactionMasterwork: Handling
Hullabaloo	Guardian Games	Barrel: Linear CompensatorMagazine: High-Velocity RoundsPerk 1: VoltshotPerk 2: Chain ReactionMasterwork: Handling	Barrel: Linear CompensatorMagazine: High-Velocity RoundsPerk 1: Impulse AmplifierPerk 2: Chain ReactionMasterwork: Handling
Koraxis’s Distress	Root of Nightmares	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: Spike GrenadesPerk 1: ReconstructionPerk 2: HatchlingMasterwork: Blast Radius	Barrel: Quick LaunchMagazine: Proximity GrenadesPerk 1: Impulse AmplifierPerk 2: SurroundedMasterwork: Blast Radius
Outrageous Fortune	World drop	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: Spike GrenadesPerk 1: Auto-Loading HolsterPerk 2: RampageMasterwork: Blast Radius	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: Remote Detonation or Proximity GrenadesPerk 1: Auto-Loading HolsterPerk 2: QuickdrawMasterwork: Handling

C-Tier

Weapon	Source	Best Roll (PvE)	Best Roll (PvP)
Blast Battue	Lost Sectors	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: Spike GrenadesPerk 1: Clown CartridgePerk 2: Chain Reaction or Auto-Loading HolsterMasterwork: Blast Radius	Barrel: Volatile Launch or Confined LaunchMagazine: Proximity GrenadesPerk 1: Threat DetectorPerk 2: Disruption Break or WellspringMasterwork: Handling
Cry Mutiny	Monument to Lost Lights	Fixed roll	Fixed Roll
Love and Death	Moon activities	Barrel: Quick LaunchMagazine: Spike GrenadesPerk 1: Field PrepPerk 2: Full CourtMasterwork: Velocity	Barrel: Confined LaunchMagazine: Proximity GrenadesPerk 1: Auto-Loading HolsterPerk 2: SwashbucklerMasterwork: Blast Radius or Reload Speed
Tarnation	The Wellspring	Barrel: Volatile LaunchMagazine: Spike GrenadesPerk 1: Clown CartridgePerk 2: Danger ZoneMasterwork: Blast Radius	Barrel: Confined LaunchMagazine: Proximity GrenadesPerk 1: Killing WindPerk 2: Chain ReactionMasterwork: Blast Radius

That’s a wrap on our tier list for Heavy Grenade Launchers, but be sure to check out our rundown of the best Exotic weapons and builds for all three of Destiny 2’s classes to help you put together the best build for your Guardian.