In Destiny 2 The Final Shape, hundreds of weapons are available for your Guardian. However, not all of them are suited for being played efficiently in The Crucible.
Hand cannons like Thorn are popular for their precision and high burst damage, which can two-tap or three-tap opponents, making them deadly in skilled hands.
Pulse rifles like Red Death Reformed offer stability and sustained damage, allowing players to control engagements from mid-range while benefiting from perks that enhance handling and survivability.
Submachine guns such as Shayura’s Wrath excel in close-quarters combat with their rapid-fire rate and high DPS, shredding enemies in seconds.
Sniper rifles provide long-range lethality, enabling one-shot headshot kills that dominate lanes and crucial map areas. Understanding and mastering these top-tier PvP weapons can significantly enhance your performance, giving you a competitive edge.
Top-5 Exotic PvP Weapons
Red Death Reformed (Pulse Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Red Death Reformed |
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| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Red Death Reformed is considered a meta weapon due to its powerful perks, such as Redemption and Inverse Relationship, which provide healing, increased reload speed, and damage boosts. Its catalyst further enhances its capabilities by adding Helping Hand, which creates a healing burst and restoration remnant upon getting final blows. These perks make it an excellent choice for both PvE and PvP activities. |
| How to Get it? | It is the season pass exotic for Episode: Echoes. You can claim it instantly from the season pass if you purchase Episode 1: Echoes, or once you reach level 40 on the pass if you’re a free-to-play Guardian. |
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Conditional Finality (Shotgun)
| Weapon Name: | Conditional Finality |
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| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Conditional Finality is a versatile Exotic shotgun that can deal both Stasis and Solar damage. Its unique perks, Paracausal Pellets and Split Decision, allow it to freeze or ignite targets, making it a great choice for both PvE and PvP.
In PvE, it has Champion-stunning capabilities and high potential damage, while in PvP, it has great handling, a solid one-hit kill range, and can take down supers with its Freeze-Ignite effect. |
| How to Get it? | It can only drop from the final boss of the Root of Nightmare raid. It is estimated to have a base drop rate of around 5%, but completing Triumphs can increase the drop rate. |
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The Chaperone (Shotgun)
| Weapon Name: | The Chaperone |
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| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Chaperone‘s unique Exotic trait, The Roadborn, makes it a meta weapon in PvE and PvP. This perk provides bonus handling, range, and precision damage after a precision kill, making it a formidable weapon in the hands of skilled Guardians. Its precision slug rounds offer high damage and accuracy at longer ranges compared to traditional shotguns, allowing for more versatile engagement options. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained by completing the exotic quest “The Chaperone” which involves various tasks and challenges. |
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Cloudstrike (Sniper Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Cloudstrike |
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| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Cloudstrike is a top-tier weapon in both PvE and PvP due to its powerful Exotic perks, such as Mortal Polarity and Stormbringer. These perks generate lightning bolts at the target’s location and create a lightning storm at the point of impact, respectively. Additionally, the Triple Tap perk, which is obtained through the catalyst, further enhances the weapon’s effectiveness by providing extra ammo on rapid precision hits. |
| How to Get it? | To get the Cloudstrike, you’ll need to own the Beyond Light DLC and follow these steps:
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Forerunner (Sidearm)
| Weapon Name: | Forerunner |
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| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Forerunner is a high damage Kinetic sidearm that uses Special ammo, making it unique. It is capable of dealing over 10,000 damage per precision hit in PvE, and its range is superior to that of other sidearms. Its perks include Pace Yourself, which improves accuracy when tapping the trigger, and Smooth Grip, which makes the weapon easier to hold and aim.
Forerunner is best paired with a weapon that uses primary ammo, and it is particularly effective in Gambit mode due to its high damage and decent ammo. |
| How to Get it? | To obtain the Forerunner, players need to complete the Magnum Opus quest. The first step is to speak to Xur in Eternity and collect seven Strange Coins. After that, players must complete three Starhorse bounties and buy the Forerunner from Xur. |
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Top-5 Kinetic PvP Weapons
Khvostov 7G-0X (Auto Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Khvostov 7G-0X |
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| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Khvostov 7G-0X is a meta weapon due to its unique Exotic perk, “The Right Choice,” which makes every seventh bullet from this weapon deal additional damage and ricochet to nearby targets. This makes it an effective ad-clear weapon in PvE and a powerful choice in PvP. |
| How to Get it? | To obtain the exotic version of Khvostov 7G-0X, you need to complete a series of steps involving Lost Encryption Bits and Motes of Light. First, collect 15 Lost Encryption Bits from gold region chests and Cyst missions in The Pale Heart. Then, gather 17 Motes of Light from Visions of the Traveler and Overthrow bosses. After obtaining all Motes of Light, use them to unlock the chest in the Speaker’s old location. |
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Thorn (Hand Cannon)
| Weapon Name: | Thorn |
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| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Thorn is a highly sought-after exotic hand cannon in Destiny 2 due to its consistent power and versatility. Its poison debuff on hit, which prevents opponents from regenerating health, makes it particularly effective in the Crucible.
With Season 23, Thorn received additional buffs and a catalyst, further enhancing its performance. The catalyst increases the weapon’s range, stability, and airborne effectiveness, and grants additional benefits when absorbing a Remnant. |
| How to Get it? | To get the Thorn, you need to purchase it from the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower. It requires ownership of the Forsaken Pack and will cost you: 1 Exotic Cipher, 125,000 Glimmer, 1 Ascendant Shards. |
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Ace of Spades (Hand Cannon)
| Weapon Name: | Ace Of Spades |
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| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Ace of Spades is a powerful Exotic hand cannon. It is considered one of the best Exotic Primary weapons in the game, especially for PvP. Ace of Spades has excellent base stats and some of the best perks, such as Momento Mori, which is like Kill Clip on steroids and the ability to see your radar while zoomed in. |
| How to Get it? | To obtain the Ace of Spades, you need to acquire the Exotic Quest “The Last Word” from Banshee-44 in the Tower. After completing the questline, you will be rewarded with the Ace of Spades. |
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Rose (Hand Cannon)
| Weapon Name: | Rose |
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| Archetype: | Lightweight |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Rose has a Lightweight archetype, which means it has a higher handling stat than other 140 RPM hand cannons, but lower range and stability. This makes it a good option for players who prioritize mobility and quick repositioning in PvP encounters.
Rose has a solid roll for PvP, with perks such as Perpetual Motion, Moving Target, Explosive Payload, and Eye of the Storm. These perks can improve the weapon’s stability, range, and damage output, making it a formidable option in the Crucible. In PvE, Rose falls short compared to other hand cannons due to its lack of a solid reload + damage perk combo. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained through Lord Shaxx in the Competitive Ranks system and Engram focusing. To get it, you need to place in one of the seven Competitive Divisions in the Crucible Playlist. The higher you place, the more focuses you get, up to a maximum of seven each week. Each focus costs three engrams and 25,000 Glimmer. |
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Hawkmoon (Hand Cannon)
| Weapon Name: | Hawkmoon |
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| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Hawkmoon is a powerful exotic hand cannon in Destiny 2, known for its lethal exotic perk and impressive stats. It is only consistent in the hands of skilled players, making it a top choice for those who can consistently land precision hits. It stands out due to its unique mechanism: the last shot deals extra damage based on the number of precision hits landed throughout the magazine. This makes it a top-tier weapon in PvP. |
| How to Get it? | It can be acquired from Xûr, a vendor that appears weekly in the game. |
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Top-5 Energy PvP Weapons
The Riposte (Auto Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | The Riposte |
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| Archetype: | Lightweight |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Riposte is currently the only Legendary Lightweight Frame Auto Rifle in the game, making it feel unique to use. It has high handling, stability, and a decent amount of range, making it a strong choice for both PvE and PvP.
Its perk options are particularly strong for PvP, with options like Zen Moment, Dynamic Sway Reduction, and Kill Clip. |
| How to Get it? | The Riposte is obtained from completing your seven placement matches for the season in the Crucible, and after completing 3 matches per character, per week in the competitive playlist. |
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Igneous Hammer (Hand Cannon)
| Weapon Name: | Igneous Hammer |
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| Archetype: | Aggressive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Igneous Hammer is a highly regarded Hand Cannon, particularly in PvP. It is an Aggressive Framed Hand Cannon with high base stats, making it a popular choice among players. The weapon was first introduced in Season of the Chosen and quickly became a fan-favorite due to its power and effectiveness.
The weapon’s perks contribute to its popularity, with options like Rapid Hit, Quickdraw, and Rampage providing significant advantages in battle. Its high damage output, combined with these perks, allows for optimal TTK, especially against overshielded Guardians. Igneous Hammer’s range and aim assist also make it a headshot magnet, further enhancing its effectiveness. |
| How to Get it? | Igneous Hammer is a Trials of Osiris exclusive weapon. The Adept version is only available through completing a flawless card and reaching the Lighthouse. Once either version is acquired, you can focus more drops at Saint-14, but keep in mind that you can only focus the Adept version the weekend it is available. |
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Elsie’s Rifle (Pulse Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Elsie’s Rifle |
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| Archetype: | High-Impact |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | In PvP, Elsie’s Rifle has slightly less range than The Messenger but makes up for it with 10 more recoil direction, making it very stable with the right mods. It also has access to stat-boosting perks, making it a strong energy slot contender in 3v3 modes.
In PvE, while high-impact pulses are less common and can be clunky, Elsie’s Rifle can still be enjoyable for add clear and short work of most enemies. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained as a reward from the Onslaught activity in Destiny 2. Players can also increase their chances of getting it by completing the associated weapon quest from Arcite-44. |
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Shayura’s Wrath SMG
| Weapon Name: | Shayura’s Wrath |
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| Archetype: | Precision |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Shayura’s Wrath is a highly regarded SMG in Destiny 2. As a Legendary weapon, it boasts a Void damage type and a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute. The weapon’s handling and reload speed are also respectable, at 34 and 32 respectively, allowing for quick weapon swaps and efficient reloading.
One of the standout features of Shayura’s Wrath is its hidden stats, which include an aim assistance of 60 and an inventory size of 24. These attributes make it easier to land critical hits and provide ample space for additional weapons and equipment. The weapon’s zoom of 17 further enhances its effectiveness in combat. |
| How to Get it? | To get Shayura’s Wrath, you can obtain it from any Trials of Osiris Reward source, including the Weekly challenges for winning 7 matches and winning rounds, or from Trials engrams. The Adept version can only be earned by completing a flawless Trials of Osiris Passage by winning 7 matches without losing or by getting through a Passage of Persistence. |
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Red Death Reformed (Pulse Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Red Death Reformed |
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| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Red Death Reformed is considered a meta weapon due to its powerful perks, such as Redemption and Inverse Relationship, which provide healing, increased reload speed, and damage boosts. Its catalyst further enhances its capabilities by adding Helping Hand, which creates a healing burst and restoration remnant upon getting final blows. These perks make it an excellent choice for both PvE and PvP activities. |
| How to Get it? | It is the season pass exotic for Episode: Echoes. You can claim it instantly from the season pass if you purchase Episode 1: Echoes, or once you reach level 40 on the pass if you’re a free-to-play Guardian. |
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Top-5 Heavy PvP Weapons
The Other Half (Sword)
| Weapon Name: | The Other Half |
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| Archetype: | Adaptive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Other Half is a unique adaptive sword with the ability to boost damage, handling, and reloading during a fight. What makes this sword stand out is its exclusive perks and its rarity, making it a sought-after item among players. Unlike other swords, The Other Half’s god rolls focus on maximizing ammo rather than damage, with Enduring Blade being a top option. |
| How to Get it? | To obtain The Other Half, players can follow these steps:
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Commemoration (Machine Gun)
| Weapon Name: | Commemoration |
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| Archetype: | Adaptive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Commemoration is a good weapon because it benefits from recent buffs to machine guns, increasing its DPS and effectiveness, especially in PvE scenarios.
It ranks as one of the top machine guns due to its unique perk combinations, such as Reconstruction paired with Killing Tally, Rampage, or Dragonfly. These perks enhance its capability to handle bosses and clear groups of enemies efficiently without frequent reloading. The weapon’s adaptability and the boost in DPS and ammo reserves make it a preferred choice for many players in Destiny 2’s current meta. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained by defeating Taniks The Abomination in the final encounter of the Deep Stone Crypt raid. It can also be obtained by spending 60 Spoils of Conquest at the loot cache at the end of the raid. Additionally, Commemoration can be crafted with 5 Deepsight (red border) versions of the weapon. |
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Hammerhead (Machine Gun)
| Weapon Name: | Hammerhead |
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| Archetype: | Adaptive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Hammerhead is a void machine gun that has made a return in the game’s Into the Light update, boasting double damage perks and a smooth sound. The god roll for this weapon typically includes Rampage and Killing Tally, providing unparalleled damage potential and making it a top choice for many players.
The Hammerhead is praised for its ability to clear ads efficiently and excel in various activities, including Gambit, where it takes out champions and invaders with ease. Its versatile perk pool allows for unique combinations, such as Rampage + Onslaught or Rewind Rounds and Killing Tally, catering to different playstyles. Also, the weapon has a comfortable recoil direction and a solid reload speed, further enhancing its overall performance. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained by playing the new activity associated with Into the Light called Onslaught. Arcite offers a quest that unlocks Hammerhead’s attunement, which increases drop chances for the weapon by 50%. |
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Cataphract GL3 (Grenade Launcher)
| Weapon Name: | Cataphract Gl3 |
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| Archetype: | Adaptive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Cataphract GL3 stands out due to its substantial damage output, with nearly as much total damage as Cold Comfort while having double the DPS. The weapon’s launch parameters are particularly stable. It also boasts a high blast radius, making it effective at causing widespread damage.
The Cataphract GL3 offers unique perks that improve its performance. Precision final blows with this weapon trigger a Cursed Thrall explosion and increase reload speed for a short time. This perk, combined with final blows with Cursed Thrall explosions refilling the magazine, makes it a formidable choice in both PvE and PvP. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained by participating in the Trials of Osiris. Once obtained, players can focus their Trials Engrams into the Grenade Launcher. It can also randomly drop after completing Trials matches. |
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Wendigo GL3 (Grenade Launcher)
| Weapon Name: | Wendigo Gl3 |
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| Archetype: | Adaptive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Wendigo GL3 is a 120 Rounds Per Minute Adaptive Frame Arc Grenade Launcher with a Magazine Size of 6. This weapon was initially released as a Pinnacle weapon from the Vanguard and quickly became a staple of many players’ arsenals due to its high damage output and large blast radius.
The weapon has been praised for its ability to shred and deal a large chunk of damage into almost any boss, making it highly valuable for PvE end-content. Its high impact damage is not due to spike grenades, as some players may believe, but rather due to the Blinding Grenades perk that causes the damage to be more spread evenly between the explosion and direct impact. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained by farming Nightfalls during its designated rotation, which occurs once every six weeks. |
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Top-3 PvP Loadouts
- Pick a Primary Weapon: Choose a weapon you’re comfortable with for most fights. Hand cannons, pulse rifles, or SMGs are good options. Look for one with good range, stability, and perks that boost accuracy or damage.
- Choose a Special Weapon: Pick a weapon that complements your primary weapon. If your primary is for mid-range, go for a shotgun or sniper rifle for close or long-range. Make sure it has perks that help in quick kills.
- Select a Heavy Weapon: Choose a heavy weapon that can clear multiple enemies or take down tough targets quickly. Rocket launchers or grenade launchers work well.
- Consider Your Abilities: Match your weapons with your subclass abilities. If you’re using a Solar subclass, consider weapons that enhance Solar damage.
- Test and Adjust: Play a few matches and see how your loadout feels. If something isn’t working, swap it out and try again until it feels right.
A good PvP loadout balances your strengths and covers weaknesses, allowing you to handle different situations effectively.
So, here are the best PvP loadouts in D2 TFS:
- Ace Of Spades + Matador 64 + The Other Half
- Ace Of Spades: A solid hand cannon with excellent range and handling, perfect for mid-range duels.
- Matador 64: A precision shotgun that excels in close-range combat, with perks like Opening Shot to ensure accurate kills.
- The Other Half: A sword that can quickly close the gap with Eager Edge, ideal for quick movement and finishing blows.
- The Immortal + Cloudstrike + Memory Interdict
- The Immortal: An aggressive SMG that shreds enemies up close, making it deadly in fast-paced encounters.
- Cloudstrike: A sniper rifle that rewards precision with lightning strikes, great for picking off enemies from a distance.
- Memory Interdict: A grenade launcher with AoE damage, useful for controlling space and getting multi-kills.
- Conditional Finality + Igneous Hammer + Typhon Gl5
- Conditional Finality: A universal shotgun that can freeze and ignite enemies, making it powerful in both offense and defense.
- Igneous Hammer: A hand cannon that delivers high damage with good range, excellent for 1v1 encounters.
- Typhon Gl5: A grenade launcher that provides explosive damage, great for disrupting enemy positions.
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