[Top 15] Destiny 2 Best PvP Weapons And How To Get Them

Updated:

16 Aug 2022

15. The Last Word

Last Word got Buffed for MNK ???? is it S-Tier now ?

Starting off the list, we have The Last Word. To be completely honest, The Last Word may technically be higher on the list, but it has received so many buffs and nerfs over the years (sometimes for specific inputs) that I thought it would be best just to include it at the beginning of the list. The Last Word’s exotic trait makes it able to fire at full auto, with an increased number of rounds per minute due to fanning the gun's hammer. It was one of the first Tex Mechanica weapons, a unique weapon foundry in Destiny that have a fun cowboy aesthetic, and is a really fun gun to take into the crucible. Be sure to only hip fire this gun though, as aiming down the sights will drastically decrease the weapon aim assist, making landing shots much much harder in PvP.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 78
Range - 35
Stability - 40
Handling - 40
Reload Speed - 80
Rounds Per Minute - 225
Magazine - 8
Element - kinetic
Frame - N/A

The Last Word Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/1364093401/the-last-word/

What makes The Last Word Awesome

Amazing cowboy aesthetic (It spins when you pull it out)
Strong hip fire weapon (The aim assist on this weapon is insane)
Great time to kill
Synergizes with exotic armor (lucky pants give increased handling, auto-reload, and increased damage)

How to Get The Last Word

Purchase the Forsaken weapon pack on your preferred platform
Obtain the weapon from the exotic kiosk

How to get The Last Word (Exotic Hand Cannon) after Beyond Light in Destiny 2

14. The Summoner

The Summoner with Alacrity DEFIES the Metah | Destiny 2 Witch Queen

The Summoner has always been a reliable choice for the Crucible, even when auto rifles aren’t the most popular weapon types in the game. Sadly, that’s kind of where auto rifles sit right now. They’re not the most competitive option, but there are still a few that can tear through opponents, and the summoner is the current top dog. Coming from Trials of Osiris, and sometimes able to acquire an adept variant, The Summoner is in the ideal archetype (600 rpm) and has great stats and perks to make it lethal at longer ranges than others in its class. It can be a slog to acquire a good roll of this weapon but it is absolutely one that you should consider bringing into the crucible with you.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 21
Range - 52
Stability - 48
Handling - 70
Reload Speed - 56
Rounds Per Minute - 600
Magazine - 42
Element - solar
Frame - adaptive

The Summoner Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/1907698332/the-summoner/

What makes The Summoner awesome

Clean sight (Open and does not obscure much of the screen)
Optimal rounds per minute
Adept variant (Although is very hard to obtain)
Trials glows can be applied to this weapon (It's just cool alright)

How to Get The Summoner

Obtain trials engrams from rank-ups or additional wins on a 7-win card
Focus trials engrams with Saint-14

HOW TO GET THE SUMMONER - DESTINY 2

13. Found Verdict

Meet The Best Shotgun in The Game... (RIP Felwinters)

The found verdict is an outlier in the Crucible meta at the moment, being that shotguns have been somewhat kicked to the curb in PvP. Not many weapons can consistently 1 shot kill anymore, and the effective range of shotguns took a big hit to ensure that reality. The Found Verdict gets around this somewhat, as it has some of the best stats in the entire game, and those stats are present on one of the hardest-hitting archetypes. The Found Verdict also has an adept (It's called Timelost, but we all know that it’s just adept) variant that can be acquired from the Master version of the Vault of Glass raid. Vault of Glass is also the only free-to-play raid in the game right now, which means that anyone with the time and skill to beat the master version of the raid can acquire it, free of charge.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 80
Range - 41
Stability - 27
Handling - 24
Reload Speed - 46
Rounds Per Minute - 55
Magazine - 5
Element - Arc
Frame - Aggressive

Found Verdict Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/3197270240/found-verdict/

What makes Found Verdict awesome

Far-reaching and hard-hitting shotgun
Adept (Timelost) version available
Available in the free-to-play raid

How to Get Found Verdict

Complete the Vault of Glass raid on normal or master difficulty and hope for a drop
Loot secret chests in the vault of glass after acquiring the weapon
Spend spoils of conquests to obtain the weapon

Destiny 2 - How to get Found Verdict (Legendary Shotgun) Plus God Roll Guide

12. Vex Mythoclast

This Vex Mythoclast Build BURNT THE ENTIRE LOBBY to a Crisp (Solar 3.0 Mod Build)

Speaking of Vault of Glass weapons, next up is the Vex Mythoclast. This weapon is known for absolutely destroying in the crucible, but only for a little while before being balanced. It currently sits in a balanced position, but it’s still a very solid option for PvP, assuming you can get one to drop for you. This “fusion rifle” really functions like an auto rifle, but fires at a faster rpm. The weapon can also be converted into a primary ammo linear fusion rifle when enough kills have been made. Just like the Found Verdict, this weapon drops from the Vault of Glass raid, which is free to all players.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 33
Range - 85
Stability - 40
Handling - 60
Reload Speed - 60
Rounds Per Minute - 390
Magazine - 33
Element - Solar
Frame - N/A

Vex Mythoclast Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/4289226715/vex-mythoclast/

What makes Vex Mythoclast awesome

Unique 390 rpm fusion rifle (it's really an auto rifle)
Vex themed weapon
A catalyst increases weapon effectiveness
Alternative firing mode makes this gun the only primary linear fusion in the game

How to Get Vex Myhtoclast

Complete the Vault of Glass raid and hope for a drop

Destiny 2: How to get Vex Mythoclast, Even with No Raid Experience! (Atheon One Phase Guide)

11. Fighting Lion

The Fighting Lion Got A SECRET BUFF!? Destiny 2

So, do you like constantly bombarding your enemies with an unlimited amount of grenade shots, or priming up enemies to be swiftly cleaned up with fast-firing primary weapons? If so, the Fighting Lion is the gun for you. This PRIMARY ammo grenade launcher allows players to ignore the special ammo economy entirely, by always having grenade launcher shots ready to fire. The drawback to being a primary weapon is that this weapon cannot one-hit-kill guardians in PvP unless you are benefiting from a damage boost such as the Radiant buff. It’s a great way to start engagements off on a strong foot or to clean up fights that may have otherwise gone sideways.

Weapon Stats

Blast Radius - 90
Velocity - 50
Stability - 75
Handling - 100
Reload Speed - 0
Rounds Per Minute - 90
Magazine - 1
Element - Void
Frame - N/A

Fighting Lion Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/3549153978/fighting-lion/

What makes Fighting Lion awesome

Primary ammo grenade launcher
Controlled demolition (can detonate when you see fit)
Great for priming or finishing
Kills increase weapon effectiveness

How to Get Fighting Lion

Obtain exotic engrams from playing the game
Purchase Xur weekly engram for legendary shards
Hope Xur sells it

HOW TO GET THE FIGHTING LION AND ITS CATALYST IN DESTINY 2

10. Drang (Baroque)

Drang GOD Roll (Drang Weapon Review) l Destiny 2 Season of the Haunted

Drang (Baroque) is a returning weapon that has recently been revamped in the season of the haunted. It is one of the best feeling sidearms in the game, synergizes with solar 3.0 builds, and also synergizes with the Sturm hand cannon. Sidearms are a very underrated archetype within PvP, and Drang just so happens to be in the best archetype for PvP (300 rpm). Its time to kill is fast, and its range is nothing to slouch at. It used to be, and is again, a clear outlier for the weapon type, and deserves a shot in the Crucible.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 49
Range - 60
Stability - 50
Handling - 66
Reload Speed - 30
Rounds Per Minute - 300
Magazine - 18
Element - Solar
Frame - Adaptive

Drang (Baroque) Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/502356570/drang-baroque/

What makes Drag (Baroque) awesome

Increases the effectiveness of the Sturm hand cannon (Overflows magazine and increases stats)
Optimal archetype for sidearms in PvP
Great range for sidearms
Able to roll incandescent perk, which synergizes with solar 3.0

How to Get Drang (Baroque)

Acquire opulent keys from Nightmare containment activity or after activity chests
Loot opulent chests on the derelict Leviathan
Focus umbral engrams after acquiring
Craft at the enclave after acquiring 5 deepsight versions of the weapon

How to get Drang (Baroque) Legendary Sidearm Plus God Roll Guide In Destiny 2

9. Duality

Duality FULLY Masterworked Review (Hybrid Shotgun) | Destiny 2 Beyond Light

The Duality was always a strong option in PvP, but now that the Chaperone has been knocked down a peg, the Duality has swooped in to claim the top spot for shotguns in this sandbox. The Duality’s exotic trait allows the gun to fire as a pellet shotgun when firing from the hip, or as a slug shotgun when aiming down sights. Its secondary exotic perk also makes it so that pellet shot kills increase precision damage, making the effective range of the slug round higher. It is the “Jack-of-all-trades” shotgun of choice this season and should be feared when in the hands of accurate players.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 80
Range - 95
Stability - 50
Handling - 80
Reload Speed - 1
Rounds Per Minute - 65
Magazine - 8
Element - Solar
Frame - N/A

Duality Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/3460576091/duality/

What makes Duality awesome

Dual fire (Slug shotgun and pellet shotgun)
Mag reload rather than shell reload (Reloads full mag rather than by shot)
Exotic perks feed into each other, benefiting both modes of firing
Easy to acquire from exotic kiosk

How to Get Duality

Purchase from the exotic kiosk in the tower

How To Get The Exotic Shotgun Duality And Exotic Catalyst - Destiny 2 Beyond light No DLC Required

8. Le Monarque

Le Monarque Just Got BETTER! (Exotic Catalyst) | Destiny 2 Witch Queen

The Le Monarque is, in my opinion, the single most infuriating weapon in the Crucible. It serves a similar role to the Fighting lion, as either a primer at the start of combat or a finisher at the end, but is honestly so much more annoying. Its exotic perk allows it to deal poison damage to players hit by perfectly timed precision shots, delaying recovery time and leaving opponents open to incoming damage. When paired together with strong hit weapons, such as hand cannons, a single follow-up shot can kill a guardian and provides almost instantaneous time to kill. The Le Monarque requires a very specific style of play to be truly dangerous, but in the right hands, I would fear it more than almost any other weapon in the game.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 76
Accuracy - 78
Stability - 81
Handling - 69
Reload Speed - 70
Draw time - 684
Magazine - 1
Element - Void
Frame - N/A

Le Monarque Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/3588934839/le-monarque/

What makes Le Monarque awesome

Poison damage delays opponent healing and provides info on enemy locations as damage ticks
Punishes opponents for being too aggressive
Great for priming or finishing
Easy to acquire from the exotic kiosk

How to Get Le Monarque

Purchase the Forsaken Weapon pack on your preferred platform
Purchase the weapon from the Exotic kiosk

How to get Le Monarque (Exotic Bow) after the Beyond Light update in Destiny 2

7. Dead Man’s Tale

Is Dead Man's Tale STILL Good? (Patch 4.0.0.1) | Destiny 2 Witch Queen

Do you like Scout Rifles? Do you wish that scout rifles were good in PvP? Do you also wish that scout rifles didn’t need to be aimed down to get kills? If the answer to any, or all, of these questions, was yes, then the Dead Man’s Tale is the scout rifle for you. This scout rifle has been dominant in PvP for some time, despite numerous attempts to try and balance it. Its exotic perks allow it to have increased effectiveness when firing from the hip, enabling it to be one of the best-feeling scout rifles in the game. If you love The Last Word, but don’t like having to be close to engage in gun fights, then this is the perfect weapon for you.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 67
Range - 70
Stability - 45
Handling - 65
Reload Speed - 50
Rounds Per Minute - 120
Magazine - 14
Element - Kinetic
Frame - N/A

Dead Man's Tale Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/3654674561/dead-mans-tale/

What makes Dead Man’s Tale awesome

Random Roll Exotic (only one of two)
Amazing cowboy aesthetic
Great (and only) hip fire scout rifle
Very clean iron sights

How to Get Dead Man’s Tale

Purchase from Xur when he arrives on the weekend

How to get Dead Man's Tale and Hawkmoon in Witch Queen

6. Fatebringer

Fatebringer GOD ROLLS Reviews (PVP & PVE) | Destiny 2 Season of the Splicer

Returning to the Vault of Glass, we have the Fatebringer hand cannon. Hand cannons have always been dominant in the Crucible, and the Fatebringer is one of the top options within the weapon class. It is the perfect, 140 rpm archetype, has great perks such as explosive payload to increase flinch, has an adept variant, and strong overall stats. It is a workhorse of a weapon and can dominate in PvP. As stated with the Found Verdict, Vault of Glass is free to play, so every player can enter this raid for a chance to get the godroll of this weapon.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 84
Range - 56
Stability - 62
Handling - 70
Reload Speed - 46
Rounds Per Minute - 140
Magazine - 11
Element - Kinetic
Frame - Adaptive

Fatebringer Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/2171478765/fatebringer/

What makes Fatebringer awesome

Amazing perks for PvP
Great stats for hand cannons
Adept version available
Optimal PvP archetype (140 rpm)
Acquirable in Free-to-play raid

How to Get Fatebringer

Complete the Vault of Glass raid on normal or master difficulty and hope for a drop
Loot secret chests in the vault of glass after acquiring the weapon
Spend spoils of conquests to obtain the weapon

Destiny 2 - How to get Fatebringer (Legendary Hand Cannon) Plus God Rolls for PvP and PvE

5. Ace of Spades

Giving Ace of Spades +40% Impact | Destiny 2 Dev Letter

The argument for the best exotic hand cannon has raged throughout the destiny community for what feels like eons. However, I’m gonna put an end to that. Ace of Spades is the easiest Exotic hand cannon to use and has the highest benefits. It is, in my opinion, the best exotic hand cannon, and is a great weapon to start our top 5. The ace of spades honestly seems to have a litany of exotic perks. It doesn’t lose radar when aiming down sights, it has one of the best damage-dealing perks in the game, precision kills cause explosions, dealing extra damage to surrounding combatants, and precision kills increase reload speed. It simply makes you feel powerful when wielding it, and unlike other hand cannons, that power is not conditional or unreliable. It is always strong and is always a great option.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 84
Range - 85
Stability - 50
Handling - 50
Reload Speed - 42
Rounds Per Minute - 140
Magazine - 13
Element - Kinetic
Frame - N/A

Ace of Spades Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/347366834/ace-of-spades/

What makes Ace of Spades awesome

Amazing damage perk (Memento mori grants 6 rounds of increased damage, most damage perks are based on time, not bullet count)
Radar stays applied when aiming down sights
Intrinsic outlaw, increases reload speed after kill, which activates memento mori faster.
Unique reload animation

How to Get Ace of Spades

Purchase the Forsaken Weapon Pack
Purchase the weapon from the exotic kiosk in the tower

Destiny 2 - How to get Ace of Spades (Exotic Hand Cannon) after Beyond Light

4. The No Time to Explain

No Time to Explain Dominates (2 Burst King) | Destiny 2 Season of the Haunted

In my previous article on the best pulse rifles in Destiny, I mentioned how great The No Time to Explain was, and that assessment has not changed. Its ability to spawn the portal that shoots extra rounds of the gun makes it one of the fastest killing pulses in the game, despite it being in the slowest firing archetype. It has great stats, a fast ttk, can challenge guardians at long distances, and gets support from other timeline versions of itself. It is an amazing pulse rifle to bring into the Crucible.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 33
Range - 80
Stability - 60
Handling - 57
Reload Speed - 60
Rounds Per Minute - 340
Magazine - 24
Element - Kinetic
Frame - N/A

No Time to Explain Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/1594120904/no-time-to-explain/

What makes No Time to Explain awesome

A great archetype for fast time to kill in Crucible
Exotic perks help in both one on one and longer gun fights
Easy to acquire from completing the Beyond Light Campaign

How to Get Not Time to Explain

Complete the Beyond Light Campaign
Speak to the Exo Stranger to be rewarded the weapon

Destiny 2 – How to get No Time To Explain (Exotic Pulse Rifle) plus catalyst, weapon review and lore

3. Piece of Mind

Destiny 2: Piece of Mind has an insane interaction with Overflow + Focused Fury (Review + Craft)

This gun held the top spot on my previous list of the best pulse rifles in Destiny, and for good reason. It is craftable, has great stats for its archetype, and shreds players due to its rapid-fire frame. It is not only a great weapon but an easily obtainable one at that, which adds to its value. If you are looking for a great legendary pulse rife, this is the one that you want. It will destroy your opponents in PvP.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 23
Range - 36
Stability - 56
Handling - 37
Reload Speed - 32
Rounds Per Minute - 540
Magazine - 35
Element - Kinetic
Frame - Rapid-Fire Frame

Piece of Mind Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/2097055732/piece-of-mind/

What makes Piece of Mind awesome

Easy to acquire
Great stability and handling (which are essential for a rapid-fire weapon)
Land Tank origin trait (Increases damage resistance after kill)
Craftable weapon

How to Get Piece of Mind

Open Chests with Psychogenic intel at the end of PSI-ops Battlegrounds (possible reward
Focus umbral engrams at the War Table Vendor
Rank up War Table Reputation (Possible Reward)
Craftable at the enclave (After finding 5 Deepsight versions of the weapon)

How to get Piece of Mind (Legendary Pulse Rifle) Plus God Roll Guide in Destiny 2

2. Austringer

Crafted Austringer is literally just cheating

Recently reintroduced during the season of the Haunted, the austringer has come back with a vengeance to establish its dominance in PvP. The Austringer used to be an incredible weapon but was held back due to the lightweight 150 rpm hand cannons outclassing it. But the 150s are no more, and Austringer has claimed the best in class acquirable hand cannon. While better guns, such as the palindrome still exist, the austringer is relatively easy to obtain and is the ONLY craftable hand cannon in the game. That alone elevates it to new heights, but it is a strong option even outside of a crafted god roll.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 84
Range - 51
Stability - 69
Handling - 52
Reload Speed - 56
Rounds Per Minute - 140
Magazine - 12
Element - Kinetic
Frame - Adaptive

Austringer Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/3055790362/austringer/

What makes Austringer awesome

Clean, clear sights
Craftable weapon (Can acquire enhanced versions of top-tier PvP perks)
Optimal archetype for PvP (140 rpm)

How to Get Austringer

Acquire opulent keys from Nightmare containment activity or after activity chests
Loot opulent chests on the derelict Leviathan
Focus umbral engrams after acquiring
Craft at the enclave after acquiring 5 deepsight versions of the weapon

How to get Austringer (Season of the Haunted) Plus God Roll Guide in Destiny 2

1. Beloved

Crafted Beloved is a gift from the heavens

This sniper was in a very similar situation to Austringer, only the Beloved was always the best in class. Now it has returned, reclaimed that position, and slapped other options out of even being considered. Its perk pool has been changed slightly, which has dropped it slightly out of favor, but it can also now be crafted, making it the best option for PvP sniping in the game. With larger Crucible maps being introduced, flinch increases, airborne effectiveness changes, and the removal of most one-hit-kill weapons in the game, the Beloved is a no-brainer to have in your arsenal. Use it well.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 70
Range - 60
Stability - 56
Handling - 42
Reload Speed - 38
Rounds Per Minute - 90
Magazine - 4
Element - Solar
Frame - Kinetic

https://www.light.gg/db/items/3107853529/beloved/

What makes Beloved awesome

Amazing sniper PvP perks (Snapshot w/ quickdraw)
Craftable weapon (can craft enhanced versions of perks
Great archetype for PvP (90 rpm)
One hit Kills with headshots in PvP

How to Get Beloved

Acquire opulent keys from Nightmare containment activity or after activity chests
Loot opulent chests on the derelict Leviathan
Focus umbral engrams after acquiring
Craft at the enclave after acquiring 5 deepsight versions of the weapon