Anti-barrier weapons are part of Destiny 2's seasonal artifact system. These weapons may penetrate the shields of Barrier Champions, a type of enemy encountered in high-level activities such as Nightfalls, the Ordeal, and some seasonal activities.
Each season in Destiny 2 brings a unique seasonal artifact. By gaining XP and levelling up the artifact, players can unlock a variety of mods, including Anti-Barrier ones. These upgrades can be applied to certain types of weapons, allowing them to pierce Barrier Champions' shields. In this post, we will look at the top ten weapons for breaking the shields of anti-barrier champions.
What are the Best Anti-Barrier Weapons in Destiny 2?
Every season in Destiny 2 introduces a new artifact that designates a specific weapon type to counter Barrier Champions. These selected weapons can break the champions' shields. We'll cover the top 10 all-time best anti-barrier weapons in our discussion. Some of these are viable for use in the current Season of the Wish as anti-barrier weapons, while others may become relevant again in future seasons.
10. The Hero’s Burden
Destiny 2's Season of the Haunted reintroduces the only Adaptive Frame SMG, The Hero's Burden, complete with a new set of perks. Despite having the same fire rate as a Lightweight SMG, it has a somewhat more forgiving damage profile, making it an excellent choice for taking out Guardians with both headshots and body hits. The Hero's Burden emerges as perhaps the best Void SMG in the game, especially against barrier champions. It readily integrates with Void builds, with perks such as Volatile Rounds and Repulsor Brace, which grants an overshield when beating a Void-buffed enemy.
The Hero’s Burden Stats
- Impact: 20
- Range: 44
- Stability: 40
- Handling: 59
- Reload Speed: 53
- Reload Time: 1.93 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 51
- Inventory Size: 43
- Zoom: 14
- Airborne Effectiveness: 12
- Recoil: 93
- Rounds Per Minute: 900
- Magazine: 33
PvE God roll:
- Barrel: Hammer-Forged
- Magazine: Ricochet Rounds
- Perk 1: Feeding Frenzy
- Perk 2: Repulsor Brace
How to get The Hero’s Burden
The Hero's Burden in Destiny 2 is only available during the Iron Banner event, and players can obtain it by participating in the limited-time Crucible mode. This weapon drops randomly on completion of Iron Banner matches and is available in the loot pool in the season of the Wish.
9. Quicksilver Storm
Quicksilver Storm is a standout Primary weapon in Destiny 2, with a unique set of traits that appeal to a variety of playstyles and setups. While it performs well against barrier champions, it's worth noting that this season's artifact mod does not apply to auto rifles, which limits its use in specific scenarios. Nonetheless, its consistent base DPS and accessible burst damage option make it a formidable weapon in combat. Furthermore, its capacity to generate Tangles is helpful for players creating Strand builds, increasing its versatility on the battlefield.
Exotic Perk:
"Landing multiple hits turns your next shot into a homing micro-rocket. Landing multiple rockets loads a grenade."
Quicksilver Storm Stats
- Impact: 18
- Range: 40
- Stability: 85
- Handling: 48
- Reload Speed: 54
- Reload Time: 1.92 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 83
- Inventory Size: 59
- Zoom: 16
- Airborne Effectiveness: 26
- Recoil: 88
- Rounds Per Minute: 720
- Magazine: 51
How to get Quicksilver Storm
Quicksilver Storm is accessible to the owners of Lightfall DLC. All you need to do is get the DLC and claim the weapon for free.
8. Rufus’s Fury
Rufus' Fury is a 720 RPM Strand Auto Rifle with outstanding perk choices and excellent base stats. With unequalled range and aim assist in its class, it constantly delivers strong performance. Its high firing rate and combination with the strand class make it especially effective against barrier champions. Despite the release of new strand Auto Rifles, Rufus' Fury remains a popular choice due to its outstanding perks, high stability, and adaptability across all end-game activities.
Rufus's Fury Stats
- Impact: 18
- Range: 34
- Stability: 58
- Handling: 41
- Reload Speed: 50
- Reload Time: 1.99 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 82
- Inventory Size: 60
- Zoom: 16
- Airborne Effectiveness: 22
- Recoil: 56
- Rounds Per Minute: 720
- Magazine: 55
PvP God roll:
- Barrel: Corkscrew Rifling
- Magazine: Ricochet Rounds
- Perk 1: Perpetual Motion
- Perk 2: Target Lock
How to get Rufus's Fury
You can get this weapon from the Root of Nightmare Raid, specifically the raid's third (Zo’aurc) encounter. Once the gun drops, it can appear in secret chests hidden throughout the activity. You can easily farm the red borders of this weapon once this raid is the featured raid of the week.
7. Izanagi's Burden
Izanagi's Burden is well-known as a top-tier weapon for high damage output, particularly in challenging end-game activities. Its ability to convert its magazine into a single deadly shot considerably increases its effectiveness, making it a top choice for quickly clearing powerful enemies such as Majors and barrier champions. When used properly with a weapon with Bait and Switch perk and accompanied by a Heavy Weapon, Izanagi's Burden becomes even more deadly, providing amazing DPS for champions.
Izanagi's Burden Stats
- Impact: 70
- Range: 48
- Stability: 41
- Handling: 47
- Reload Speed: 40
- Reload Time: 3.22 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 62
- Inventory Size: 60
- Zoom: 45
- Airborne Effectiveness: 6
- Recoil: 73
- Rounds Per Minute: 90
- Magazine: 4
Exotic Perk:
"Holding reload consumes the magazine and loads a round with additional range and damage."
How to get Izanagi's Burden
The process of getting the Trespasser is straightforward. You need to farm some resources, and you can buy the weapon from the exotic kiosk at the tower. You will need:
- 1 x Exotic Cipher
- 150,000 x Glimmer
- 2 x Ascendant Shard
6. Revision Zero
Revision Zero is a reliable exotic pulse weapon that is ideal for bringing down Anti-Barrier Champions. Its intrinsic perk allows it to fire shield-piercing shots, which easily penetrate those thick shields. It's a game changer in end-game activities when you must clear the ads quickly and deal with barrier champions. Furthermore, its adaptability makes it an excellent choice for taking on different enemies.
Exotic Perk:
This weapon fires special shield-piercing ammunition. Precision hits grant targeting data. [Alternate Weapon Action] to swap to the alternate scope, loading high-damage rounds based on the amount of targeting data.
Revision Zero Stats
- Impact: 35
- Range: 61
- Stability: 60
- Handling: 25
- Reload Speed: 38
- Reload Time: 2.3 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 40
- Inventory Size: 58
- Zoom: 18
- Airborne Effectiveness: 15
- Recoil: 65
- Rounds Per Minute: 450
- Magazine: 37
How to get Revision Zero
You can acquire the Revision Zero by completing the Operation: Seraph's Shield on any difficulty setting. Operation: Seraph's Shield is part of the Exotic Mission Rotator, and with three Missions in rotation, you can farm Seraph's Shield every three weeks.
5. Forerunner
The Forerunner in Destiny 2 offers an innovative twist to the sidearm category. It operates at 200 RPM and uses Special ammunition, channelling the classic design and lethality of the renowned Halo: Combat Evolved Magnum. Notably effective against anti-barrier champions, its large magazine and efficient shield-breaking powers make it an excellent choice. Hunters, among Guardian classes, can fully capitalize on its potential, particularly when combined with Mechaneer's Tricksleeves. This synergistic combination increases the Forerunner's efficacy, establishing its position as a lethal and stylish sidearm alternative.
Exotic Perk:
"Fires full auto with increased rate of fire. Deals increased precision damage to unshielded targets. Tapping the trigger gives it less recoil and improves accuracy."
Forerunner Stats
- Impact: 35
- Range: 100
- Stability: 70
- Handling: 60
- Reload Speed: 80
- Reload Time: 1.4 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 60
- Inventory Size: 56
- Zoom: 20
- Airborne Effectiveness: 30
- Recoil: 96
- Rounds Per Minute: 200
- Magazine: 15
How to get Forerunner
The questline for the Forerunner Exotic Sidearm is tied to Magnum Opus. This exotic quest is started by obtaining it from Xur and involves straightforward steps such as completing dares of eternity and collecting strange coins. Once you successfully navigate these steps and complete the quest, you'll be rewarded with the Forerunner Exotic Sidearm.
4. Eriana’s Vow
Eriana's Vow is a unique exotic hand cannon in Destiny 2 known for its exotic perks and design. Its main perk, "Eriana's Vow," allows it to fire armour-piercing shots when aiming down sights, making it very useful against barrier champions and challenging enemies. This ability is essential in end-game events, particularly against barrier champions, since it can quickly breach their shields with a single hit. Furthermore, Eriana's Vow includes an exotic catalyst that boosts its stats, most notably boosting its magazine size, which is extremely useful given its initial tiny capacity. This weapon works incredibly well with solar-focused setups, especially since the release of Solar 3.0.
Exotic Perk:
Bonus damage when aiming down sights on the opening shot of an attack. This bonus is preserved if the shot deals precision damage or strikes an elemental shield.
Eriana’s Vow Stats
- Impact: 100
- Range: 100
- Stability: 30
- Handling: 23
- Reload Speed: 24
- Reload Time: 3.74 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 80
- Inventory Size: 0
- Zoom: 24
- Airborne Effectiveness: 9
- Recoil: 100
- Rounds Per Minute: 90
- Magazine: 6
How to get Eriana’s Vow
You can only get Eriana’s Vow from the Monument to Lost Lights weapon vault in the Tower. To craft the weapon, you’ll need to bring a hefty list of materials:
- 1x Exotic Cipher
- 100,000 Glimmer
- 1x Ascendant Shard
3. The Lament
Even after several changes, the Lament remains one of the game's most powerful swords. Its unique life steal ability is a game changer, allowing it to quickly clear yellow bars and Barrier Champions, resulting in a fun and formidable experience for players. Whether confronting raid bosses or the strongest Nightfall Champions, the Lament is more than capable of doing tremendous damage. With additional support, such as damage resistance or healing, players can reliably use this weapon in Grandmaster Nightfalls and even raid encounters.
Exotic Perk:
Revving the blade increases damage, shield bypass, and adds Shield Piercing rounds shield piercing to all attacks. You also gain stacks when dealing damage with revved attacks. Additional stacks increase the damage and damage resistance of heavy attacks.
Exotic Perk:
[Block]: Hold to rev the blade.
• Increases damage and adds [Shield-Piercing] shield piercing to all attacks.
• Gain stacks when dealing damage with revved attacks.
• Additional stacks increase the damage and damage resistance of heavy attacks.
Lament Stats
- Swing Speed: 40
- Impact: 60
- Range: 40
- Stability: 0
- Guard Efficiency: 0
- Guard Resistance: 0
- Inventory Size: 0
- Zoom: 0
- Charge Rate: 20
- Magazine: 46
- Ammo Capacity: 59
How to get Lament
To get The Lament in Destiny 2, complete the Beyond Light story campaign first. Then, see Banshee-44 at the Tower, get the Lost Lament quest from him, and follow its simple steps to unlock the weapon.
2. Arbalest
Arbalest is a weapon that combines the capabilities of a fusion rifle and a sniper rifle. It's cool because it launches piercing slugs that can break through opposing shields. So, when you're up against Anti-Barrier Champions, Arbalest is your best ally. Simply aim, shoot, and watch the shields melt away. It's handy in Nightfall Strikes when you need to dispatch those tough champions quickly. Furthermore, you won't have to worry about running out of special ammo thanks to its unique catalyst, which reloads the weapon on breaking the shield of a champion.
Exotic Perk:
"Fires a long-range precision Arc bolt that blinds enemies on hit. It has a slower charge time and deals greater damage."
Arbalest Stats
- Impact: 41
- Range: 36
- Stability: 50
- Handling: 25
- Reload Speed: 28
- Reload Time: 2.55 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 31
- Inventory Size: 34
- Zoom: 25
- Airborne Effectiveness: 12
- Recoil: 77
- Charge Time: 533
- Magazine: 5
How to get Arbalest
You can come across The Arbalest in a few different ways. It can drop as a random Exotic World drop. You might also find it in Xur's Exotic offerings. The Arbalest can be a reward from chests in various raids and completing matches in the Crucible and Gambit. Additionally, you can obtain it by completing the tougher versions of the Nightfall: The Ordeal activities.
1. Wish-Ender
Wish-Ender is an exotic battle bow famed for its ability to see past barriers and do massive damage with precise blasts. Wish-Ender can be a valuable tool for defeating Anti-Barrier Champions, especially when combined with the proper mods and teammates. Its ability to pierce opposing shields and do direct damage to champions makes it a significant weapon in activities like Nightfall Strikes, where Anti-Barrier Champions are common. With its unique perk "Queen's Wrath," which allows arrows to over-penetrate targets and deal bonus damage on precision hits, Wish-Ender can quickly dispatch Anti-Barrier Champions when used strategically and in conjunction with other anti-champion weapons and abilities.
Exotic Perk:
"While aiming down sights with a fully drawn Bow, combatants behind walls are highlighted, and arrows pierce shields. Strong against Barrier Champions. One shot can over-penetrate multiple targets."
Wish-Ender Stats
- Impact: 92
- Accuracy: 60
- Stability: 90
- Handling: 40
- Reload Speed: 30
- Aim Assistance: 51
- Inventory Size: 50
- Zoom: 18
- Airborne Effectiveness: 19
- Recoil: 60
- Draw Time: 780
How to get Wish-Ender
To get your hands on the Wish-Ender exotic bow, you must buy the Forsaken Expansion, which gives you access to Dreaming City destination, Last Wish raid, and the Shattered Throne dungeon. Once you own the expansion, you can access the quests kiosk at the tower and start the Hunter’s Remembrance Quest. In this quest, you must kill three enemies in the dungeon activity, and you can claim the weapon.
