Destiny 2 is in season 21 currently, and with each season, it gets better exotic armor, weapons, higher levels, and much more. If you are looking for the best Destiny 2 Exotic Weapons Tier List, then you have come to the right place.
- Known for its rich collection of both playable characters and Armor, Destiny 2 has got an equally amusing fighting weapon list that stretches up to 90 total weapons.
- From Machine Guns to Shotguns, Launchers, Bows, Swords, and nearly seven different kinds of Rifles, all of the 90 Destiny 2 Exotic Weapons hail from a distinct style.
- Besides types, we have adopted overall efficacy and benefits as the primary factors for ranking each playable weapon option.
- Exotic Weapons that stand as the finest options in Destiny 2 are Bastion, Osteo Striga, Thunderlord, Chaperone, Forerunner, Monte Carlo, Divinity, Lorentz Driver, Gjallajorn, Witherhoard, Trinity Ghoul, The Lament, and Eriana’s Vow.
- Destiny 2 Exotic Weapons that aren’t worth grinding include Cerberus+1, Borealis, Coldheart, Graviton Lance, Truth, and Worldine Zero.
But before ranking them, we need to know the important things about exotic weapons. If you are not new to the game, then feel free to skip this part. We know it might be frustrating for you, but we must keep everyone happy, from the veterans to the ones who are just starting.
Destiny 2 Exotic Weapons Tier List Ranking Table | ||||
Type | S-Tier | A-Tier | B-Tier | C-Tier |
Shotgun | The Chaperone | Duality, Lord of Wolves | Tractor Cannon, Bad Juju, The Fourth Horseman, Legend of Acrius | – |
Machine Gun | Heir Apparent, Thunderlord | Xenophage | – | – |
SMG | Osteo Striga | Anarchy, Huckleberry | – | – |
Pulse Rifle | No Time to Explain | Outbreak Perfected | Vigilance Wing | Graviton Lance |
Fusion Rifle | Vex Mythoclast, Bastion, Jötunn, 1k Voices, Vex Mythoclast | Jötunn | Merciless | – |
Linear Fusion Rifle | Lorentz Driver | Lorentz Driver, Sleeper Simulant | The Queenbreaker, Arbalest | – |
Trace Rifle | Agers Scepter, Divinity | Wavesplitter | Ruinous Effigy | Prometheus Lens, Coldheart |
Sniper Rifle | – | Whisper of the Worm, Cloudstrike, Izanagi’s Burden | – | D.A.R.C.I, Borealis |
Auto Rifle | Monte Carlo | Hard Light | Tommy’s Matchbook | Cerberus+1, Sweet Business |
Scout Rifle | Dead Man’s Tale | MIDA, Dead Man’s Tale, Polaris Lance | Symmetry, Polaris Lance | The Jade Rabiit |
Sidearm | Travelers Chosen, Forerunner | Rat King | – | Crosethia 77k |
Hand Cannon | The Last Word, Ace of Spades, Eriana’s Vow | Thorn, Crimson, Sunshot, Sturm, Hawkmoon | Lumina, Malfeasance | – |
Sword | The Lament | Black Talon | Black Talon | Worldine Zero |
Combat Bow | Trinity Ghoul | – | Sky Burner’s Oath, Ticuu’s Divination, Wish-Ender | Leviathan’s Breath |
Grenade launcher | Witherhoard, Dead Messenger | Parasite, Anarchy | The Colony, Fighting Lion | The Prospector, Salvation’s Grip |
Rocket Launcher | Gjallajorn | Wardcliff Coil, Deathbringer, Eyes of Tomorrow | – | Two-Tailed Fox, Truth |
Now that you know the ranking, let’s briefly compare these Destiny 2 Exotic weapons by listing down their stats:
Weapon | Tier | Type | Impact/Blast Radius | Range | Reload Speed | RPM/Charge Time/Draw Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travelers Chosen | S Tier | Sidearm | 49.0 | 86.0 | 46.0 | RPM: 300 |
Vex Mythoclast | S Tier | Fusion Rifle | 33.0 | 85.0 | 60.0 | RPM: 390 |
No Time to Explain | S Tier | Pulse Rifle | 33.0 | 60.0 | 60.0 | RPM: 340 |
Ace of Spades | S Tier | Hand Canon | 84.0 | 75.0 | 42.0 | RPM: 140 |
The Last Word | S Tier | Hand Canon | 78.0 | 20.0 | 80.0 | RPM: 225 |
The Chaperone | S Tier | Shotgun | 75.0 | 100.0 | 37.0 | RPM: 35 |
Heir Apparent | S Tier | Machine Gun | 39.0 | 60.0 | 50.0 | RPM: 900 |
Forerunner | S Tier | Sidearm | 32.0 | 100.0 | 80.0 | RPM: 200 |
Bastion | S Tier | Fusion Rifle | 80.0 | 25.0 | 24.0 | CT: 780 |
Jötunn | S Tier | Fusion Rifle | 95.0 | 47.0 | 23.0 | CT: 820 |
1k Voices | S Tier | Fusion Rifle | 0.0 | 100.0 | 30.0 | CT: 1,000 |
Osteo Striga | S Tier | SMG | 25.0 | 80.0 | 18.0 | CT: 600 |
Gjallarhorn | S Tier | Rocket Launcher | 90.0 | N/A | 37.0 | RPM: 15 |
Divinity | S Tier | Trace Rifle | 6.0 | 67.0 | 45.0 | RPM: 1,000 |
Agers Scepter | S Tier | Trace Rifle | 6.0 | 69.0 | 55.0 | RPM: 1,000 |
Dead Messenger | S Tier | Grenade Launcher | 100.0 | N/A | 50.0 | RPM: 72 |
Monte Carlo | S Tier | Auto Rifle | 21.0 | 45.0 | 79.0 | RPM: 600 |
Witherhoard | S Tier | Grenade Launcher | 60.0 | N/A | 33.0 | RPM: 90 |
Dead Man’s Tale | S Tier | Scout Rifle | 67.0 | 60.0 | 50.0 | RPM: 120 |
Eriana’s Vow | S Tier | Hand Canon | 100.0 | 100.0 | 24.0 | RPM: 90 |
The Lament | S Tier | Sword | N/A | 40.0 | N/A | CT: 20 |
Thunderlord | S Tier | Machine Gun | 41.0 | 60.0 | 69.0 | RPM: 450 |
Lorentz Driver | S Tier | Linear Fusion Rifle | 41.0 | 38.0 | 28.0 | RPM: 533 |
Trinity Ghoul | S Tier | Combat Bow | 80.0 | 80.0 | 50.0 | DT: 720 |
Wardcliff Coil | A Tier | Rocket Launcher | 10.0 | N/A | 50.0 | RPM: 60 |
Polaris Lance | A Tier | Scout Rifle | 67.0 | N/A | 33.0 | RPM: 150 |
Black Talon | A Tier | Sword | 60.0 | 40.0 | N/A | CT: 75 |
Duality | A Tier | Shotgun | 80.0 | 70.0 | 1.0 | RPM: 65 |
Thorn | A Tier | Hand Canon | 84.0 | 34.0 | 40.0 | RPM: 140 |
Crimson | A Tier | Hand Canon | 92.0 | 55.0 | 60.0 | RPM: 415 |
MIDA | A Tier | Scout Rifle | 60.0 | 35.0 | 80.0 | RPM: 200 |
Sturm | A Tier | Hand Canon | 92.0 | 60.0 | 50.0 | RPM: 120 |
Deathbringer | A Tier | Rocket Launcher | 90.0 | N/A | 33.0 | RPM: 15 |
Eyes of Tomorrow | A Tier | Rocket Launcher | 50.0 | N/A | 46.0 | RPM: 20 |
Huckleberry | A Tier | SMG | 23.0 | 48.0 | N/A | RPM: 750 |
Sunshot | A Tier | Hand Canon | 80.0 | 31.0 | 72.0 | RPM: 150 |
Xenophage | A Tier | Machine Gun | 100.0 | 68.0 | 31.0 | RPM: 120 |
Anarchy | A Tier | Grenade Launcher | 70.0 | N/A | 63.0 | RPM: 150 |
Izanagi’s Burden | A Tier | Sniper Rifle | 70.0 | 48.0 | 40.0 | RPM: 90 |
Hawkmoon | A Tier | Hand Canon | 84.0 | 52.0 | 59.0 | RPM: 140 |
Parasite | A Tier | Grenade Launcher | 100.0 | N/A | 44.0 | RPM: 120 |
Cloudstrike | A Tier | Sniper Rifle | 55.0 | 60.0 | 40.0 | RPM: 140 |
Lord of Wolves | A Tier | Shotgun | 68.0 | 20.0 | 80.0 | RPM: 640 |
Whisper of the Worm | A Tier | Sniper Rifle | 100.0 | 75.0 | 36.0 | RPM: 72 |
Outbreak Perfected | A Tier | Pulse Rifle | 27.0 | 44.0 | 45.0 | RPM: 450 |
Hard Light | A Tier | Auto Rifle | 21.0 | 40.0 | 64.0 | RPM: 600 |
Rat King | A Tier | Sidearm | 49.0 | 30.0 | 40.0 | RPM: 300 |
Wavesplitter | A Tier | Trace Rifle | 49.0 | 30.0 | 40.0 | RPM: 300 |
Sleeper Simulant | A Tier | Linear Fusion Rifle | 41.0 | 59.0 | 29.0 | RPM: 1,024 |
Fighting Lion | B Tier | Grenade Launcher | 100.0 | N/A | N/A | RPM: 90 |
The Colony | B Tier | Grenade Launcher | 30.0 | N/A | 60.0 | RPM: 140 |
Vigilance Wing | B Tier | Pulse Rifle | 33.0 | 60.0 | 40.0 | RPM: 530 |
Merciless | B Tier | Fusion Rifle | 75.0 | 39.0 | 43.0 | RPM: 1,000 |
Malfeasance | B Tier | Hand Canon | 78.0 | 40.0 | 80.0 | RPM: 180 |
Wish Ender | B Tier | Combat Bow | 92.0 | N/A | 30.0 | DT: 780 |
Ruinous Effigy | B Tier | Trace Rifle | 8.0 | 35.0 | 33.0 | RPM: 1,000 |
Legend of Acrius | B Tier | Shotgun | 84.0 | 100.0 | 20.0 | RPM: 55 |
The Fourth Horseman | B Tier | Shotgun | 80.0 | 22.0 | 36.0 | RPM: 360 |
Bad Juju | B Tier | Shotgun | 27.0 | 35.0 | 47.0 | RPM: 450 |
Arbalest | B Tier | Linear Fusion Rifle | 41.0 | 36.0 | 28.0 | RPM: 533 |
Tractor Cannon | B Tier | Shotgun | 65.0 | 10.0 | 15.0 | RPM: 80 |
Ticuu’s Divination | B Tier | Combat Bow | 68.0 | N/A | 60.0 | DT: 580 |
Sky Burner’s Oath | B Tier | Scout Rifle | 67.0 | 70.0 | 50.0 | RPM: 150 |
Lumina | B Tier | Hand Canon | 84.0 | 53.0 | 61.0 | RPM: 140 |
Tommy’s Matchbook | B Tier | Auto Rifle | 18.0 | 43.0 | 20.0 | RPM: 720 |
The Queenbreaker | B Tier | Linear Fusion Rifle | 41.0 | 50.0 | 60.0 | RPM: 633 |
Symmetry | B Tier | Scout Rifle | 45.0 | 20.0 | 15.0 | RPM: 260 |
The Jade Rabbit | C Tier | Scout Rifle | 67.0 | 80.0 | 54.0 | RPM: 150 |
Salvation’s Grip | C Tier | Grenade Launcher | 50.0 | N/A | 25.0 | RPM: 120 |
Borealis | C Tier | Sniper Rifle | 90.0 | 49.0 | 65.0 | RPM: 72 |
Truth | C Tier | Rocket Launcher | 90.0 | N/A | 39.0 | RPM: 15 |
Coldheart | C Tier | Trace Rifle | 6.0 | 60.0 | 30.0 | RPM: 1,000 |
The Prospector | C Tier | Grenade Launcher | 10.0 | N/A | 25.0 | RPM: 165 |
Cryosthesia 77k | C Tier | Sidearm | 51.0 | 72.0 | 46.0 | RPM: 260 |
Two Tailed Fox | C Tier | Rocket Launcher | 30.0 | N/A | 29.0 | RPM: 40 |
Leviathan’s Breath | C Tier | Combat Bow | 60.0 | N/A | N/A | DT: 1,328 |
Prometheus Lens | C Tier | Trace Rifle | 6.0 | 60.0 | 40.0 | RPM: 1,000 |
D.A.R.C.I | C Tier | Sniper Rifle | 55.0 | 30.0 | 60.0 | RPM: 140 |
Graviton Lance | C Tier | Pulse Rifle | 29.0 | 50.0 | 57.0 | RPM: 300 |
Sweet Business | C Tier | Auto Rifle | 18.0 | 30.0 | N/A | RPM: 360 |
Worldine Zero | C Tier | Sword | 60.0 | 40.0 | N/A | CT: 20 |
Cerberus+1 | C Tier | Auto Rifle | 33.0 | N/A | 35.0 | RPM: 360 |
Tier List Criteria
Every Exotic Weapon from Destiny 2 is included in this tier list. The Exotic Weapon Tier List for Destiny 2 assesses the usefulness and benefits of each piece of gear, allowing you to utilize it to determine which armor is most advantageous.
The Destiny 2 Exotic Armor Tier List is divided into the following four categories:
- S-Tier: The most advantageous and finest weapons currently available in the game.
- A-Tier: Exceptional, top-notch weapons that are always advantageous to you.
- B-Tier: Balance yourself with stable weapons.
- C-Tier: Weapons best avoided.
S Tier

These weapons are/were the best in the game and are part of the ultimate Tier of Exputer’s Destiny Exotic Weapons Tier List. They are coupled with some good abilities and breathtaking attention to detail that make you stand out in the game.
Weapon | Type | PvP/PvE |
---|---|---|
Travelers Chosen | Sidearm | PvP |
Vex Mythoclast | Fusion Rifle | PvP |
No Time to Explain | Pulse Rifle | PvP |
Ace of Spades | Hand Cannon | PvP |
The Last Word | Hand Cannon | PvP |
The Chaperone | Shotgun | PvP |
Heir Apparent | Machine Gun | PvP |
Forerunner | Sidearm | PvP |
Bastion | Fusion Rifle | PvP |
Jötunn | Fusion Rifle | PvP |
1k Voices | Fusion Rifle | PvE |
Osteo Striga | SMG | PvE |
Gjallajorn | Rocket Launcher | PvE |
Divinity | Trace Rifle | PvE |
Agers Scepter | Trace Rifle | PvE |
Dead Messenger | Grenade Launcher | PvE |
Monte Carlo | Auto Rifle | PvE |
Witherhoard | Grenade Launcher | PvE |
No Time to Explain | Pulse Rifle | PvE |
Heir Apparent | Machine Gun | PvE |
Dead Man’s Tale | Scout Rifle | PvE |
Eriana’s Vow | Hand Cannon | PvE |
The Lament | Sword | PvE |
Thunderlord | Machine Gun | PvE |
Lorentz Driver | Linear Fusion Rifle | PvE |
Trinity Ghoul | Combat Bow | PvE |
Vex Mythoclast | Fusion Rifle | PvE |
A Tier

These weapons could be considered the second-best exotic weapons in the game. In our best Destiny 2 Exotic Weapons Tier List, they are ranked second, but one can put them easily on the ultimate tier.
Weapon | Type | PvP/PvE |
---|---|---|
Wardcliff Coil | Rocket Launcher | PvP |
Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle | PvP |
Black Talon | Sword | PvP |
Dead Man’s Tale | Scout Rifle | PvP |
Duality | Shotgun | PvP |
Lorentz Driver | Linear Fusion Rifle | PvP |
Thorn | Hand Cannon | PvP |
Crimson | Hand Cannon | PvP |
MIDA | Scout Rifle | PvP |
Sturm | Hand Cannon | PvP |
Deathbringer | Rocket Launcher | PvP |
Eyes of Tomorrow | Rocket Launcher | PvP |
Deathbringer | Rocket Launcher | PvE |
Huckleberry | SMG | PvE |
Sunshot | Hand Cannon | PvE |
Thorn | Hand Cannon | PvE |
Xenophage | Machine Gun | PvE |
Anarchy | Grenade LauncherRiskrunner – SMG | PvE |
Izanagi’s Burden | Sniper Rifle | PvE |
Hawkmoon | Hand Cannon | PvE |
Parasite | Grenade Launcher | PvE |
Cloudstrike | Sniper Rifle | PvE |
Lord of Wolves | Shotgun | PvE |
Whisper of the Worm | Sniper Rifle | PvE |
Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle | PvE |
Jötunn | Fusion Rifle | PvE |
Hard Light | Auto Rifle | PvE |
Rat King | Sidearm | PvE |
Wavesplitter | Trace Rifle | PvE |
Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle | PvE |
B Tier

These weapons, in our opinion, are not worth the grind unless you want to or have unlocked them in the past and can be considered average and are the second worst on our Destiny 2 Exotic Weapons Tier List.
Weapon | Type | PvE/PvP |
---|---|---|
Fighting Lion | Grenade Launcher | PvE |
The Colony | Grenade Launcher | PvE |
Vigilance Wing | Pulse Rifle | PvE |
Merciless | Fusion Rifle | PvP |
Malfeasance | Hand Cannon | PvP |
Wish-Ender | Combat Bow | PvP |
Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle | PvP |
Ruinous Effigy | Trace Rifle | PvP |
Legend of Acrius | Shotgun | PvP |
The Fourth Horseman | Shotgun | PvP |
Bad Juju | Shotgun | PvP |
Arbalest | Linear Fusion Rifle | PvP |
Tractor Cannon | Shotgun | PvP |
Ticuu’s Divination | Combat Bow | PvP |
Sky Burner’s Oath | Combat Bow | PvP |
Black Talon | Sword | PvP |
Lumina | Hand Cannon | PvP |
Tommy’s Matchbook | Auto Rifle | PvP |
The Queenbreaker | Linear Fusion Rifle | PvP |
Symmetry | Scout Rifle | PvP |
C Tier

The worst weapons of our Destiny 2 Weapons Tier List. I am not sure if most people would even consider grinding for these unless they are obsessed with collecting exotic weapons, despite how bad they are.
Weapon | Type | PvP/PvE |
---|---|---|
The Jade Rabiit | Scout Rifle | PvP |
Salvation’s Grip | Grenade Launcher | PvE |
Borealis | Sniper Rifle | PvE |
Truth | Rocket Launcher | PvE |
Coldheart | Trace Rifle | PvE |
The Prospector | Grenade Launcher | PvE |
Crosethia 77k | Sidearm | PvE |
Two Tailed Fox | Rocket Launcher | PvE |
Leviathan’s Breath | Combat Bow | PvE |
Prometheus Lens | Trace Rifle | PvE |
D.A.R.C.I | Sniper Rifle | PvE |
Graviton Lance | Pulse Rifle | PvE |
Sweet Business | Auto Rifle | PvE |
Worldine Zero | Sword | PvE |
Cerberus+1 | Auto Rifle | PvE |
All About The Exotic Weapons
The exotic weapons are not so important for casual players or those who are just starting, but for the long-time enthusiasts of any game, they matter a lot. For those unaware, exotic weapons are rare and not easy to fetch.
Are They Optional?
Yes, the Exotic Weapons in Destiny 2 are optional, and you can enjoy the game without them, but if you go for it, it gives a new purpose to the game with great perks and stats enhancement.
Where To Get Them?
These optional weapons can be found only in random places, and you need to unlock them. The process can be simple if the weapon is not rare, but if it is otherwise, you need to go on challenging quests to be able to see the rare items in your possession.
Some of the ways of unlocking them are:
- The decryption of special exotic engrams.
- Random Rewards
- From Vendors
- Quests and Missions
- Buying a Season Pass
- Drops
- The decryption of the bright engrams.
Can You Unlock All Exotic Weapons?
No, you can’t do that, unfortunately. With each season, the exotic weapons become time-bound, and as the new season comes, it is impossible to get the past season’s exotic weapons.
Equipping Them
The game only allows you to equip one exotic weapon at one point. In all the updates till now, this has not been changed, and it is highly unlikely we will see it change.
Changes Due To Updates
Last Update: 7.1.0.2
Here are all the changes you need to be aware of that took place in the latest Destiny 2 Patch Update:
- Some older Iron Banner Special/Power weapons that had lost their scope glint have been fixed.
- Purchasing a Last Wish deep sight weapon from Hawthorne will no longer unintentionally award bonus pattern progress in addition to the progress provided by consuming the deep sight on the weapon.
- The size of the red dot in Mecurial Overreach’s scope has been increased based on player feedback.
- The damage of the Collective Action weapon perk against Guardians has been reduced to 10% from 20%.
- The icon for the Navigator’s intrinsic trait has been changed.
Disclaimer
Our legendary Destiny 2 Exotic Weapons Tier List is based on our research, community input, and game time in Destiny 2. Some of these exotic weapons might be ranked higher or lower than your expectations.
Thus we are open to your feedback, but this Tier List can not be a subject of unjust criticism since ranking something is a variable thing to do.
The exotic weapons in Destiny 2 are not easy to fetch, and many gamers are fond of them, maybe to flaunt them or for their sense of achievement or the love of the game.
Therefore we must be aware of all the best exotic weapons in the game. Some are worth grinding for, while others are best avoided. We at Exputer have ranked them all in tiers to help you decide which weapons are worth the effort.
Related to this: Destiny 2 Weapons Tier List
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