Exotic Weapons are among the most iconic guns in Destiny 2, but just because they’re unique doesn’t make them good. Some define the meta, while others are best left in your collection, so we’ve ranked them all in this tier list from best to worst to help you figure out which is which.
Exotic weapons have always stood out as some of the most coveted items in Bungie’s looter shooter. Dating back to the start of the franchise, these unique weapons can be collected by purchasing them from Xur, completing Exotic missions, or even as rare World Drops.
Players can only equip one Exotic at a time, so it’s important to know which are meta. Otherwise, you could be missing out on powerful perks, great DPS combinations, or even game-breaking exploits. What makes a meta Exotic varies, but you can be certain that the high-tier weapons on this list will make your life easier, especially in endgame content.
Destiny 2 Exotic weapons tier list
| TIER | WEAPON |
|---|---|
| S | Ace of Spades, Choir of One, Conditional Finality, Dragon’s Breath, Graviton Lance, Khvostov 7G-0X, Necrochasm, Outbreak Perfected, Still Hunt, Sunshot |
| A | Ager’s Scepter, Bad Juju, Cloudstrike, Dead Man’s Tale, Divinity, Euphony, Fighting Lion, Final Warning, Forerunner, Gjallarhorn, Izanagi’s Burden, Le Monarque, Legend of Acrius, Leviathan’s Breath, Monte Carlo, No Time To Explain, Polaris Lance, Quicksilver Storm, Red Death Reformed, Telesto, The Huckleberry, The Navigator, Thorn, Thunderlord, Tractor Cannon, Whisper of the Worm, Wicked Implement, Wish-Ender, Witherhoard |
| B | Alethonym, Anarchy, Arbalest, Bastion, Cerberus+1, Crimson, Dead Messenger, Edge of Concurrence, Ergo Sum, Grand Overture, Hawkmoon Heir Apparent, Hierachy of Needs, Ice Breaker, Jotunn, Lumina, Malfeasance, Merciless, Microcosm, MIDA Multi-Tool, Osteo Striga, Parasite, Prometheus Lens, Rat King, Revision Zero, Riskrunner, Salvation’s Grip, Sleeper Simulant, Tarrabah,, The Chaperone, The Fourth Horseman, The Jade Rabbit, The Lament, The Last Word, The Prospector, The Wardcliff Coil, Ticuu’s Divination, Tommy’s Matchbook, Verglas Curve, Vex Mythoclast, Wish-Keeper, Worldline Zero |
| C | Black Talon, Borealis, Centrifuse, Coldheart, Collective Obligation, Cryosthesia 77K, D.A.R.CI, Deathbringer, Delicate Tomb, Determinisitic Chaos, Devil’s Ruin, Duality, Edge of Action, Edge of Intent, Eriana’s Vow, Ex Diris, Eyes of Tomorow, Hard Light, Heartshadow, Lord of Wolves, Lorentz Driver, One Thousand Voices, Ruinous Effigy, Skyburner’s Oath, Sturm, SUROS Regime, Sweet Business, Symmetry, Tessellation, The Colony, The Manticore, The Queenbreaker, Touch of Malice, Traveler’s Chosen, Trespasser, Truth, Two-Tailed Fox, Vexcalibur, Vigilance Wing, Wavesplitter, Winterbite, Xenophage |
Our tiers explained
- S-Tier: The best Exotics in the game that define either the PvE and PvP meta
- A-Tier: Strong Exotics that perform well and serve as powerful options
- B-Tier: Niche or more situational Exotics that can still be effective when used right
- C-Tier: Weak Exotics that are outclassed by other options and even some legendary weapons
S-Tier
Ace of Spades
- Weapon Type: Hand Cannon
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: Memento Mori, Firefly
- Catalyst: Funeral Pyre
- Debut Season: Season 4
- Best Use: PvP
Ace of Spades is one of Destiny’s most iconic Exotics, and it’s no surprise given both its legacy as Cayde-6’s trusty Hand Cannon and its dominance in PvP. When using this stylish weapon, you’ll have permanent radar, empowered rounds, fast reloads, and a TTK that can match the very best guns in the Crucible. If you fancy slaying some Guardians, this is the gun for the job.
Choir of One
- Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
- Element: Void
- Exotic Perks: Command Frame, Fanatical Lance
- Catalyst: Destabilizing Rounds/Onslaught/Subsistence
- Debut Season: Season 25
- Best Use: PvE
What would happen if Bungie took Cerberus+1, merged it with a Wyvern cannon, and cranked its damage up exponentially? That’s the premise of Choir of One, an Exotic added in Echoes that tears through adds in Auto Rifle mode, and demolishes Champions and bosses in Shotgun mode. As long as you are wary of its limited ammo capacity, there’s no doubt that this is a meta-defining gun.
Conditional Finality
- Weapon Type: Shotgun
- Element: Stasis
- Exotic Perks: Split Decision, Paracausal Pellets
- Catalyst: N/A
- Debut Season: Season 20
- Best Use: PvE & PvP
Forget One-Two Punch, Conditional Finality lands a one-two blow like no other. One barrel shoots ice and the other shoots fire. In PvE, this makes it a strong utility weapon that can stun Champions and one-shot most combatants. In PvP, Conditional Finality is the best shotgun in the meta, as its unrivaled consistency gives it a clear edge over the competition.
Dragon’s Breath
- Weapon Type: Rocket Launcher
- Element: Solar
- Exotic Perks: Composite Propellant, High Octane
- Catalyst: Pyromancer
- Debut Season: Season 23
- Best Use: PvE
Dragon’s Breath is a true Exotic in every meaning of the word. It’s unique, powerful, and versatile. This Rocket Launcher is both a great add-clear weapon and a strong option for boss DPS. Fire away, switch to another weapon, switch back, and repeat. It’s that easy, yet the overtime damage it produces outclasses almost everything else.
Graviton Lance
- Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
- Element: Void
- Exotic Perks: Block Hole, Cosmology
- Catalyst: Vorpal Weapon, Turnabout
- Debut Season: Season 1
- Best Use: PvE & PvP
At one stage, Graviton Lance was the most used gun in PvP. This led to a much-needed nerf, but even after that, it’s still a magnificent weapon. The main reason to use Graviton Lance is that it’s incredibly easy to use and is extremely consistent. It’s even viable in PvE, where it serves as one of the best Void primaries for both general use and add-clear, especially following the Pulse Rifle buffs in The Final Shape.
Khvostov 7G-0X
- Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: The Right Choice, Shoot to Loot
- Catalyst: N/A
- Debut Season: Season 24
- Best Use: PvE & PvP
At one point in Act 1, Khvostov 7G-0X became the most dominant PvP weapon since The Craftening. Since then, it has been nerfed, but the Exotic AR remains one of the most used weapons in The Crucible. It deals a lot of damage, can damage multiple enemies at once, and has practically zero recoil. This iconic gun may have been Destiny’s first, but it remains top-tier even after all of this time.
Necrochasm
- Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: Cursebringer, Desperation
- Catalyst: One For Thrall
- Debut Season: Season 22
- Best Use: PvE
When Necrochasm was first released as the Raid Exotic for Crota’s End, it was decent, but nothing too special. However, it has received a massive buff in The Final Shape, getting a new Catalyst, which is a unique spin on One For All that boosts damage by 35%. It’s easy to trigger too, as Desperation’s explosions can activate it, ensuring Necrochasm is now one of the best add clear weapons in the game.
Outbreak Perfected
- Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: The Corruption Spreads, Parasitism
- Catalyst: Rewind Rounds, Headseeker, Rapid Hit, Outlaw
- Debut Season: Season 6
- Best Use: PvE
Pulse Rifles received a massive buff when The Final Shape was released, seeing an effective damage increase of over 35% in PvE. Since Outbreak Perfected was strong beforehand, especially with its craftable variant available from Zero Hour, it’s incredible now. This Primary shreds through both Red Bar and Yellow Bar enemies alike, making it as versatile as it is hard-hitting.
Still Hunt
- Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
- Element: Solar
- Exotic Perks: Cayde’s Retribution
- Catalyst: N/A
- Debut Season: Season 24
- Best Use: PvE
Still Hunt is Golden Gun, but a Sniper Rifle. It’s a simple premise that doesn’t need much more of an explanation, and the result is a fantastic gun for DPS rotations. The best part is that it works with Celestial Nighthawk, dealing a big chunk of damage in one quick blow. Follow that up with a regular Golden Gun, and you can deal well over one million damage in just a few seconds.
Sunshot
- Weapon Type: Hand Cannon
- Element: Solar
- Exotic Perks: Sunburn, Sun Blast
- Catalyst: +20 Stability, +20 Range
- Debut Season: Season 1
- Best Use: PvE
Regardless of what season, act, or episode we’re in, Sunshot is always strong. You can’t go wrong with a Hand Cannon that spreads fire everywhere, especially when all you have to do is get final blows to set enemies ablaze. In Revenant, Sunshot remains a great choice when using Solar, though a 10% nerf to its splash damage last season has slightly reduced its effectiveness.
A-Tier
Ager’s Scepter
- Weapon Type: Trace Rifle
- Element: Stasis
- Exotic Perks: Ager’s Call, Rega’s Refrain
- Catalyst: Will Given Form
- Debut Season: Season 15
- Best Use: PvE
The Stasis focus of Revenant has given some Exotics a chance to shine, and Ager’s Sceptre is certainly no exception. This excellent Trace Rifle has become a crown control machine, capable of freezing hundreds of enemies in a matter of seconds. This gives it spectacular synergy with Stasis builds like Mask of Fealty and Rime-Coat Raiment, both of which are dominating this season.
Bad Juju
- Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: String of Curses, Hip-Fire Grip
- Catalyst: Unending Curse
- Debut Season: Season 7
- Best Use: PvE
For years, Bad Juju had a mysterious secondary effect that would cause explosions every 145 kills. After a buff in Revenant, this now triggers every three kills, making this an exceptional weapon for add clear, while also retaining its ability to charge your Super faster than just about anything else. It may have been a meme weapon before, but Bad Juju is now a seriously powerful gun that you need to try.
Cloudstrike
- Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
- Element: Arc
- Exotic Perks: Mortal Polarity, Stormbringer
- Catalyst: Triple Tap
- Debut Season: Season 12
- Best Use: PvP
Sniper Rifles don’t see too much use in PvE these days, but they are still dominant in PvP. Cloudstrike is no exception, with this Exotic having the potential to produce some crazy plays. After landing a headshot on an enemy Guardian, a lightning bolt will slam the ground, striking anyone nearby. If multiple players are all standing next to one another, it’s your big chance to make a montage-worthy play.
Dead Man’s Tale
- Weapon Type: Scout Rifle
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: Cranial Spike
- Catalyst: Dark-Forged Trigger
- Debut Season: Season 13
- Best Use: PvE & PvP
While DMT has been a good option in PvP for years now, its buffs in Season 24 have turned it into a great PvE weapon too. It now melts through adds with ease, dealing over 20,000 damage per shot in dungeon-level content. If you fancy yourself a marksman who enjoys using precision weapons, the buffed version of Dead Man’s Tale is one of the best right now.
Divinity
- Weapon Type: Trace Rifle
- Element: Arc
- Exotic Perks: Judgment, Penance
- Catalyst: N/A
- Debut Season: Season 8
- Best Use: PvE
Divinity is not a complicated weapon. You shoot an enemy with it, and then they take 15% more damage from all sources. Additionally, it makes landing precision hits much easier, helping your teammates be more consistent on damage phases. A big nerf in The Final Shape makes it more difficult to upkeep Judgment, but that alone is nowhere near enough to knock it out of the meta.
Euphony
- Weapon Type: Linear Fusion Rifle
- Element: Strand
- Exotic Perks: Unwound, Spindle
- Catalyst: N/A
- Debut Season: Season 24
- Best Use: PvE
Raid Exotics are typically either extremely good or useless. Thankfully, Euphony is the former, giving Guardians plenty of reasons to farm Salvation’s Edge. This Strand Exotic deals incredible single-target DPS, with each shot producing additional Threadlings, and those Threadlings enhancing the weapon itself. It’s a simple gameplay loop that outputs a lot of damage. All you have to do is hit your shots.
Fighting Lion
- Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
- Element: Void
- Exotic Perks: Delayed Gratification, Thin the Herd
- Catalyst: Chimera
- Debut Season: Season 1
- Best Use: PvE & PvP
Fighting Lion’s power in PvP is no secret, with it being one of the scariest guns to go up against when in the hands of a capable player. However, it’s now viable in PvE too, with the buffed grenade launcher spawning volatile bursts on direct hits. With it essentially having an intrinsic version of Destabilizing Rounds, Fighting Lion is now a legitimately great add clear weapon, assuming you hit your shots.
Final Warning
- Weapon Type: Sidearm
- Element: Strand
- Exotic Perks: All at Once, Pick Your Poison
- Catalyst: String Theory
- Debut Season: Season 20
- Best Use: PvE
Final Warning is one of the most powerful primary weapons in Destiny 2. A fully charged burst while aimed in outdamages many Special weapons, putting most Fusion Rifles to shame. It requires some getting used to and isn’t an all purpose gun by any means, but when used right, it’s an incredible option that can add a lot to your loadouts.
Forerunner
- Weapon Type: Sidearm
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: Full Stop, Pace Yourself
- Catalyst: The Rock
- Debut Season: Season 15
- Best Use: PvE & PvP
This throwback Exotic serves as a nostalgia hit for Halo players who grew up with the Magnum. Much like its predecessor, Forerunner his super hard if you can deal precision damage, both in PvP and PvE. This makes it a very good option for dealing with Tormentors and mowing down champions without having to waste Heavy ammo.
Gjallarhorn
- Weapon Type: Rocket Launcher
- Element: Solar
- Exotic Perks: Wolfpack Rounds, Pack Hunter
- Catalyst: More Wolves
- Debut Season: Season 15
- Best Use: PvE
Before Dragon’s Breath became a thing, Gjallarhorn was all the rage. Even now, it’s still a great option that justifies using up your lone Exotic slot. While not a good DPS weapon in its own right, Gjallarhorn empowers your teammate’s Rocket Launchers, making them deal much more damage. If coordinated properly, this can increase a Raid team’s damage by over 50%.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
Izanagi’s Burden
- Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: Honed Edge, No Distractions
- Catalyst: Peerless Edge
- Debut Season: Season 5
- Best Use: PvE
It takes some practice, but Izanagi’s Burden is an elite DPS option when used correctly. By combining the effects of Honed Edge and Peerless Edge, it’s possible to hit shot after shot fore over 150,000 damage each. Weave those into either a Rocket Launcher or Grenade Launcher rotation, and you’ll be dealing the best DPS possible in the current meta, though nerfs to Reconstruction have made this trickier to execute.
Le Monarque
- Weapon Type: Bow
- Element: Void
- Exotic Perks: Poison Arrows, Snapshot Sights
- Catalyst: Unrelenting
- Debut Season: Season 5
- Best Use: PvE & PvP
You know Le Monarque is strong because Bungie keeps trying to nerf it. Its fast handling and overtime poison damage make it the perfect candidate to pair with a Hand Cannon in PvP. Land a precision shot with Le Monarque, and then quickly switch to a Hand Cannon to finish the job. It’s that simple. As for PvE, it is a strong counter against Overload Champions and has great add-clear which is rare for a Bow.
Legend of Acrius
- Weapon Type: Shotgun
- Element: Arc
- Exotic Perks: Shock Blast, Long March
- Catalyst: Deeper Pockets, Trench Barrel
- Debut Season: Season 1
- Best Use: PvE
Big shotgun deals big damage. Get up close, melee to activate Trench Barrel, pull the trigger, and repeat. As Exotics go, they don’t get much simpler than Legend of Acrius, but given the absurd damage it deals, that’s really not a bad thing. Obviously, this is somewhat situational as you need to be up close but when used right, very little can out damage this Exotic.
Leviathan’s Breath
- Weapon Type: Bow
- Element: Void
- Exotic Perks: Big-Game Hunter, Leviathan’s Sigh
- Catalyst: Colossal Quiver, Archer’s Tempo
- Debut Season: Season 8
- Best Use: PvE
This heavy-duty Bow deals a lot of damage and can stagger bosses, leaving them effectively stun-locked. Add in its ability to stun Unstoppable Champions plus its incredible ammo economy. and it becomes obvious why so many players love Leviathan’s Breath. Just be sure to get the catalyst before taking it into high-end content, as Archer’s Tempo is essential.
Monte Carlo
- Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
- Element: KInetic
- Exotic Perks: Monte Carlo Method, Markov Chain
- Catalyst: Stochastic Vengeance
- Debut Season: Season 8
- Best Use: PvE
Monte Carlo is a top tier option for anyone who enjoys using melee builds. Charge up Stochastic Vengeance to activate its bayonet, which can be used alongside Exotics like Synthoceps to deal well over 100,000 damage in a single stab. This even rips champions apart and constantly replenishes melee energy, so the fun never stops. We recommend using this with Strand Titan for the best results.
No Time To Explain
- Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
- Element: KInetic
- Exotic Perks: Rewind Again, Feeding Frenzy
- Catalyst: Blast from the Side
- Debut Season: Season 12
- Best Use: PvP
With freakishly high stats, a competitive TTK, and practically no recoil, it’s not hard to see why so many players love using No Time to Explain. That’s not all either, as this gun is also very forgiving and easy to secure two burst kills with. This consistency makes it a wonderful weapon regardless of whether you are a seasoned veteran or someone trying PvP for the first time.
Polaris Lance
- Weapon Type: Scout Rifle
- Element: Solar
- Exotic Perks: The Perfect Fifth, Zen Moment
- Catalyst: Dragonfly
- Debut Season: Season 3
- Best Use: PvE
Polaris Lance is yet another Exotic that has remained meta even after getting nerfed. The main strength of this hard-hitting Scout Rifle is that it is effective at any range and triggers an unholy number of Ignitions. These Ignitions melt even the tankiest of targets, making this one of the few Primary weapons capable of stunning and defeating Champions efficiently.
Quicksilver Storm
- Weapon Type: Auto Rifle
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: Rocket Tracers, Grenade Chaser
- Catalyst: Nano-entanglement
- Debut Season: Season 18
- Best Use: PvE
While Quicksilver Storm is no longer the undisputed GOAT of Strand Weapons, this Auto Rifle remains a good option for those wanting burst damage without having to use Special Ammo. Charge up its underbarrel grenade launcher and fire away It’s a simple process that is capable of downing tanky enemies and even Champions, but it can take a while to charge following the nerfs.
Red Death Reformed
- Weapon Type: Pulse Rifle
- Element: Solar
- Exotic Perks: Redemption, Inverse Relationship
- Catalyst: Helping Hand
- Debut Season: Season 24
- Best Use: PvP
This Exotic Pulse Rifle is one of the best Pulse Rifles in the sandbox, especially in PvP. Redemption is Heal Clip cranked up to 11, providing the same healing bonuses, but without the need to reload. When you do need to reload though, it also speeds up reload speed and even heals nearby allies. Be sure to unlock its catalyst too, which makes its already impactful healing even stronger.
Telesto
- Weapon Type: Fusion Rifle
- Element: Void
- Exotic Perks: Unplanned Reprieve, Harbinger’s Pulse
- Catalyst: Deeper Pockets
- Debut Season: Season 2
- Best Use: PvE
Telesto has always been a reliable DPS option that work with just about any build. It has only gotten better over time too, with a buff in Revenant Act 2 boosting its explosive damage by 20%. This Fusion Rifle is far from a complicated Exotic, but if you need a weapon that just shoots and deals a lot of damage, then you can’t go wrong with this classic.
The Huckleberry
- Weapon Type: SMG
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: Ride the Bull, Rampage
- Catalyst: Kinetic Tremors
- Debut Season: Season 3
- Best Use: PvE
The Huckleberry has undergone a true zero to hero story in Revenant, with it being given Kinetic Tremors and the ability to reload on final blows. Combined with its unique version of Rampage, which stacks up to 66%, this SMG now melts through anything any anyone that dares stand in its way. It might not be the flashiest gun, but there’s always a place in the meta for Exotics that deal this much damage.
The Navigator
- Weapon Type: Trace Rifle
- Element: Strand
- Exotic Perks: Protective Weave, Weft Cutter
- Catalyst: Gordian Knot
- Debut Season: Season 21
- Best Use: PvE
Ghosts of the Deep isn’t a popular Dungeon, but those wanting to use The Navigator will have to farm it. The process of getting this Exotic Trace Rifle may not be fun, but the weapon’s incredible utility makes it all worthwhile. It can produce Woven Mail on demand, sever targets with ease, and create Grapple points, letting Strand Titans wreak havoc with their mighty punches.
Thorn
- Weapon Type: Hand Cannon
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: Mark of the Devourer, Soul Devourer
- Catalyst: Refined Soul
- Debut Season: Season 6
- Best Use: PvP
Three things are certain in life: Death, taxes, and Thorn being great in PvP. This iconic Destiny 2 Hand Cannon was already strong, but the addition of a catalyst in Season 23 took it to another level. It is one of the best Exotics in PvP, offering a highly competitive TTK, and the effective range to outgun just about anything.
Thunderlord
- Weapon Type: Machine Gun
- Element: Arc
- Exotic Perks: Reign Havoc, Feeding Frenzy
- Catalyst: Return Stroke
- Debut Season: Season 4
- Best Use: PvE & PvP
Thunderlord is never a bad choice. Although it doesn’t excel at anything, this Arc Machine Gun has decent damage, great add-clear, solid ammo economy, and is stylish as hell. Your teammates probably won’t appreciate you bringing it to DPS in a Raid, but otherwise, you can’t go wrong with this fan-favorite Exotic.
Tractor Cannon
- Weapon Type: Shotgun
- Element: Void
- Exotic Perks: Repulsor Force, The Scientific Method
- Catalyst: Magazine +3, Inventory Size +50
- Debut Season: Season 1
- Best Use: PvE
Tractor Cannon is used for one reason and one reason only, it makes enemies take 30% more damage from all sources. That is the biggest damage debuff currently available from any Destiny 2 weapon, bettering even Divinity. Against any boss with a large health pool, it’s well worth using this to support your teammates.
Trinity Ghoul
- Weapon Type: Bow
- Element: Arc
- Exotic Perks: Split Electron, Lightning Rod
- Catalyst: Forked Lightning
- Debut Season: Season 4
- Best Use: PvE
If you need an add-clear Exotic weapon, you should be using Trinity Ghoul. That is at least if you are playing lower to medium-difficulty content. In high-end content, its inability to consistently kill in one shot hurts Trinity Ghoul big time, but if it can do that, there’s simply no better option. For true chaos, consider partnering it with an Arc build and be shocked by its electrifying AOE damage.
Whisper of the Worm
- Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
- Element: Solar
- Exotic Perks: White Nail, Mulligan
- Catalyst: Whispered Breathing
- Debut Season: Season 3
- Best Use: PvE
It isn’t always the easiest Exotic weapon to use, but in situations where this sniper excels, nothing can beat Whisper of the Worm. If you can land constant precision hits over and over, this is the DPS weapon you should be using. The Sniper Rifle’s buffs that reduced flinch in Revenant have made this gun more consistent too, allowing it to flourish against a wider range of bosses.
Wicked Implement
- Weapon Type: Scout Rifle
- Element: Stasis
- Exotic Perks: Creeping Attrition, Tithing Harvest
- Catalyst: Hadopelagic Tribute, Headstone
- Debut Season: Season 21
- Best Use: PvE
It had a rough start to life, as Wicked Implement was initially hard to get yet not very good. However, it’s much easier to acquire these days and several buffs have made it a genuinely strong option. Even better, Revenant’s artifact offers Anti-Barrier Scout Rifle, Wind Chill, and Brain Freeze, all three of which make this rifle deadlier than ever.
Wish-Ender
- Weapon Type: Bow
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: Queen’s Wrath, Broadhead
- Catalyst: N/A
- Debut Season: Season 4
- Best Use: PvE
Wish-Ender is not only the best counter for Barrier Champions, but also one of the hardest-hitting Exotic Primary weapons. Its non-existent damage fall-off, and its ability to hit multiple times with each shot make it truly deadly. The Exotic Bow is especially strong in high-end content, where it’s often better to play slow and pick off enemies from a safe distance than run in like a madman.
Witherhoard
- Weapon Type: Grenade Launcher
- Element: Kinetic
- Exotic Perks: Primeval’s Torment, Break the Bank
- Catalyst: Silent Alarm
- Debut Season: Season 11
- Best Use: PvE & PvP
Witherhoard’s biggest strength is that it has no real weakness. This Grenade Launcher can be used to deal damage over time, blight enemies, and is even a solid add-clear weapon. The addition of Area Denial Frames like VS Velocity Baton have hurt it slightly, but if you find yourself wondering what top slot Exotic to use, there’s still a good chance Witherhoard is the right choice.
B-Tier
| WEAPON | TYPE | EXOTIC PERKS |
|---|---|---|
| Alethonym | Stasis Grenade Launcher | Harvester Spike, Vestigial Alchemy |
| Anarchy | Arc Heavy GL | Arc Traps, Moving Target |
| Arbalest | Kinetic Linear Fusion Rifle | Compounding Force, Disruption Break |
| Bastion | Kinetic Fusion Rifle | Saint’s Fists, Breakthrough |
| Cerberus+1 | Kinetic Auto Rifle | Four-Headed Dog, Spread Shot Package |
| Crimson | Kinetic Hand Cannon | Banned Weapon, Cruel Remedy |
| Dead Messenger | Void Grenade Launcher | Trinary Vision, The Fundamentals |
| Edge of Concurrence | Arc Glaive | Edge of Concurrence, Lightning Seeker |
| Ergo Sum | Kinetic Sword | Varies, Transcendent Duelist |
| Grand Overture | Arc Machine Gun | Wrath of the Colossus, Omega Strike |
| Hawkmoon | Kinetic Hand Cannon | Paracausal Shot, Opening Shot |
| Heir Apparent | Solar Machine Gun | Heavy Slug Thrower, Armor of the Colossus |
| Hierachy of Needs | Solar Bow | Guidance Ring, Apolionic Tangent |
| Ice Breaker | Stasis Sniper Rifle | No Backpack, Ice Breaker |
| Jotunn | Solar Fusion Rifle | Charge Shot, Shield Disorient |
| Lumina | Kinetic Hand Cannon | Noble Rounds, Blessing of the Sky |
| Malfeasance | Kinetic Hand Cannon | Explosive Shadow, Taken Predator |
| Merciless | Solar Fusion Rifle | Conserve Momentum, Impetus |
| Microcosm | Kinetic Trace Rifle | Paracausal Beam, Paracausal Imbuement |
| MIDA Multi-Tool | Kinetic Scout Rifle | MIDA Multi-Tool, Mid Radar |
| Osteo Striga | Kinetic SMG | Screaming Swarm, Toxic Overload |
| Parasite | Solar Grenade Launcher | Worm’s Hunger, Worm Byproduct |
| Prometheus Lens | Solar Trace Rifle | Prismatic Inferno, Flame Refraction |
| Rat King | Kinetic Sidearm | Rat Pack, Vermin |
| Revision Zero | Kinetic Pulse Rifle | Hunter’s Trace, Moving Target |
| Riskrunner | Arc SMG | Arc Conductor, Superconductor |
| Salvation’s Grip | Stasis Heavy GL | Cryocannon, Shatter Shot |
| Sleeper Simulant | Solar Linear Fusion Rifle | Dornroschen, Moving Target |
| Tarrabah | Solar SMG | Ravenous Beast, Bottomless Appetite |
| The Chaperone | Kinetic Shotgun | Precision Slug, The Roadborn |
| The Fourth Horseman | Arc Shotgun | Thunderer, Broadside |
| The Jade Rabbit | Kinetic Scout Rifle | The Fate of All Fools, Zen Moment |
| The Lament | Solar Sword | Banshee’s Wail, Revved Consumption |
| The Last Word | Kinetic Hand Cannon | Fan Fire, Hip-Fire Grip |
| The Prospector | Arc Heavy GL | Excavation, Full Auto Trigger System |
| The Wardcliff Coil | Arc Rocket Launcher | Mad Scientist, Mechanized Autoloader |
| Ticuu’s Divination | Solar Bow | Sacred Flame, Causality Arrows |
| Tommy’s Matchbook | Solar Auto Rifle | Ignition Trigger, Heat Sink |
| Verglas Curve | Stasis Bow | Hail Barrage, Hail Storm |
| Vex Mythoclast | Solar Fusion Rifle | Timeless Mythoclast, Temporal Unlimiter |
| Wish-Keeper | Strand Bow | Snareweaver, Silkbound Slayer |
| Worldline Zero | Arc Sword | Tesseract, Tireless Blade |
C-Tier
| WEAPON | TYPE | EXOTIC PERKS |
|---|---|---|
| Black Talon | Void Sword | Crow’s Wings, Tireless Blade |
| Borealis | Void Sniper Rifle | The Fundamentals, Ionic Return |
| Centrifuse | Arc Auto Rifle | Overcharge Capacitor, Regenerative Motion |
| Coldheart | Arc Trace Rifle | Cold Fusion, Longest Winter |
| Collective Obligation | Void Pulse Rifle | Void Leech, Umbral Sustenance |
| Cryothesia 77K | Stasis Sidearm | LN2 Burst, Liquid Cooling |
| D.A.R.C.I. | Arc Sniper Rifle | Personal Assistant, Target Acquired |
| Deathbringer | Void Rocket Launcher | Dark Deliverance, Dark Descent |
| Delicate Tomb | Arc Fusion Rifle | Traitor’s Vessel, Tempest Cascade |
| Deterministic Chaos | Void Machine Gun | Vexadecimal, Heavy Metal |
| Devil’s Ruin | Solar Sidearm | Close the Gap, Pyrogenesis |
| Duality | Solar Shotgun | Compression Chamber, On Black Wings |
| Edge of Action | Void Glaive | Edge of Action, Remote Shield |
| Edge of Intent | Solar Glaive | Edge of Intent, Restorative Turret |
| Eriana’s Vow | Solar Hand Cannon | Looks Can Kill, Death at First Glance |
| Ex Diris | Arc Grenade Launcher | Corrupted Nucleosynthesis, Loyal Moths |
| Eyes of Tomorrow | Solar Rocket Launcher | Eyes on All, Adaptive Ordnance |
| Hard Light | Void Auto Rifle | Volatile Light, The Fundamentals |
| Heartshadow | Void Sword | Exhumation, Shot in the Dark |
| Lord of Wolves | Solar Shotgun | Shrapnel Launcher, Release the Wolves |
| Lorentz Driver | Void Linear Fusion Rifle | Lagrangian Sight, EM Anomaly |
| One Thousand Voices | Solar Fusion Rifle | Ahamkara’s Eye, Unforeseen Repercussions |
| Ruinous Effigy | Void Trace Rifle | Transmutation, Evolution |
| Skyburner’s Oath | Solar Scout Rifle | Slug Rifle, For the Empire |
| Sturm | Kinetic Hand Cannon | Accomplice, Storm and Stress |
| SUROS Regime | Kinetic Auto Rifle | SUROS Legecy, Spinning Up |
| Sweet Business | Kinetic Auto Rifle | Payday, Business Time |
| Symmetry | Arc Scout Rifle | Revolution, Dynamic Charge |
| Tessellation | Kinetic Fusion Rifle | Property: Undecidable, Property: Irreducible |
| The Colony | Void Heavy GL | Insectoid Robot Grenaes, Serve the Colony |
| The Manticore | Void SMG | Soaring Fang, Swooping Talons |
| The Queenbreaker | Arc Linear Fusion Rifle | Wire Rifle, Hip-Fire Grip |
| Touch of Malice | Kinetic Scout Rifle | Touch of Malice, Charged with Blight |
| Traveler’s Chosen | Kinetic Sidearm | Gathering Light, Gift of the Traveler |
| Trespasser | Arc Sidearm | Unrepentant, Be the Danger |
| Truth | Void Rocket Launcher | Prototype Trueseeker, Grenades and Horseshoes |
| Two-Tailed Fox | Void Rocket Launcher | Twintails, Play with Your Prey |
| Vexcalibur | Void Glaive | M1R Distribution Matrix, Perpetual Loophole |
| Vigilance Wing | Kinetic Pulse Rifle | Harsh Truths, Last Stand |
| Wavesplitter | Void Trace Rifle | Harmonic Laser, Supercharged Battery |
| Winterbite | Stasis Glaive | Big Frigid Glaive, Tilting at Windmills |
| Xenophage | Solar Machine Gun | Pyrotoxin Rounds, Rangefinder |
That’s all for our complete Destiny 2 Exotic weapons tier list. For more ideas on what you should use on your next loadout, check out the best PvE Weapons and best PvP Weapons. We’ve also covered the best Hunter build, best Warlock build, and best Titan build to help you dominate everything Bungie’s looter shooter has to offer.
