Best Destiny 2 PvE weapons: Meta guns in Into The Light

❘ Updated: 2024-03-05T16:41:56

Bungie

Using the best weapons possible makes conquering even Destiny’s hardest challenges much easier. To help you overcome what lies ahead we’ve put together this list of the best Destiny 2 PvE weapons ordered by usage rate.

Although off-meta guns can be fun to use it’s best to stick to the top-tier weapons when tackling more demanding content. The difference between a solid gun and a meta gun is massive and will often be the biggest reason you can clear a Raid, Dungeon, or GM.

With randomized perks and different archetypes, there are always going to be guns that stand out above the competition. The PvE meta forms from these powerful firearms, and if you want the best DPS you’ll need to use them.

With the help of the tried-and-true community tool Destiny Tracker, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular weapons across all of Destiny 2 PvE, covering everything from campaign missions to end-game Raids and Grandmaster Nightfalls.

Destiny 2 best PvE weapons in Into The Light

10. Riptide

The Riptide Legendary Fusion Rifle as seen in Destiny 2.

This once dominant Fusion Rifle has fallen out of favor with Scatter Signal taking its spot. Despite a nerf to Chill Clip in Season 22, Riptide remains a good option that holds its own even the most difficult content Destiny 2 offers. It just isn’t the undisputed best top-slot Special weapon anymore.

God Roll: Arrowhead Brake + Accelerated Coils + Auto-Loading Holster + Chill Clip

9. CALUS Mini-Tool

Having last been reissued in Season 17, CALUS Mini-Tool is an older weapon but it’s arguably still the best Solar SMG thanks to its 900 RPM fire rate and access to Incandescent. Though Bug-Out Bag and No Survivors are great options too, many players already have a CALUS lying around in their vault. At the end of the day, why fix what isn’t broken?

God Roll: Corkscrew Rifling + Accurized Rounds + Unrelenting + Incandescent

8. Indebted Kindness

The Indebted Kindness legendary Sidearm in Destiny 2.

Introduced alongside Warlord’s Ruin, Indebted Kindness is the first of its kind, a Rocket Assisted Frame Sidearm. Yes, this thing is effectively a pocket Rocket Launcher, and thanks to its access to Voltshot it’s a deadly one at that. It’s no surprise it has already become a fan-favorite weapon.

God Roll: Volatile Launch + Flared Magwell + Impulse Amplifier/Beacon Rounds + Voltshot

7. Polaris Lance

The Polaris Lance Exotic Scout Rifle in Destiny 2.

Even though its Ignition damage was stealth nerfed, Polaris Lance remains a top-tier option thanks to its obvious synergy with the Seasonal Artifact. It’s especially strong in harder content where you’ll want to sit back and take things slow thanks to its incredible long-range damage output.

God Roll: Curated Roll

6. Zaouli’s Bane

The Zaouli's Bane Hand Cannon from Destiny 2.

With Solar Hand Cannons being so in demand right now it’s no surprise that Zaouli’s Bane has risen to prominence. This is one of the best PvE weapons in Destiny 2 thanks to its spectacular roll of Explosive Payload + Incandescent along with the Seasonal Artifact further empowering it.

God Roll: Arrowhead Brake + Tactical Mag + Explosive Payload + Incandescent

5. Quicksilver Storm

Quicksilver Storm Exotic Auto Rifle from Destiny 2.

Quicksilver Storm is still the best Exotic weapon introduced in Lightfall. This Strand Auto Rifle not only has 100 Stability making it extremely accurate but also an alternate fire grenade launcher that offers Special ammo damage potential without having to consume any ammo.

God Roll: Curated Roll

4. Scatter Signal

The Scatter Signal fusion rifle in Destiny 2.

Scatter Signal is one of the very few guns to get access to Slice, a new Strand-focused perk that makes severing targets much more consistent. This combined with classic meta Fusion Rifle perks like Overflow, Enlightened Action, and Controlled Burst makes this a strong option on a variety of loadouts.

God Roll: Arrowhead Brake + Accelerated Coils + Slice/Overflow/Enlightened Action + Controlled Burst

3. Dragon’s Breath

The Dragon's Breath exotic rocket launcher in Destiny 2.

As with all seasonal Exotics, Dragon’s Breath’s usage rate is a little inflated but don’t let that mislead you into thinking this Rocket Launcher is overhyped. Not only is it an unbelievable DPS weapon, but Dragon’s Breath is also an extremely rare case of a Heavy weapon being worthwhile to use for add clear. This is a true all-purpose Exotic and easily one of the best PvE weapons in Destiny 2.

God Roll: Curated Roll

2. Sunshot

Sunshot exotic solar hand cannon in destiny 2.

Holy Hand Cannon buff. When Bungie made Destiny’s most iconic gun type stronger in PvE they couldn’t even begin to imagine what the result would be. Sunshot has reached unprecedented levels with it becoming the best Solar weapon in Destiny 2. Be sure to give this a try if you haven’t already.

God Roll: Curated Roll

1. Apex Predator

If you need a legendary Rocket Launcher, you get Apex Predator. A couple of the other top-tier RPGs may marginally outdamage it these days but this Solar weapon’s ease of use and unmatched consistency ensure that Apex Predator is still the best Heavy PvE weapon for many Destiny 2 players.

God Roll: Quick Launch + Impact Casing + Reconstruction + Bait and Switch

Destiny 2 Best PvE weapons: Most popular guns (by usage %)

The PvE meta as of April 9, 2024, per Destiny Tracker:

Apex Predator (2.89%)
Sunshot (3.85%)
Dragon’s Breath (3.70%)
Indebted Kindness (2.62%)
Scatter Signal (2.61%)
Polaris Lance (2.07%)
Zaouli’s Bane (2.06%)
Quicksilver Storm (1.58%)
CALUS Mini-Tool (1.51%)
Riptide (1.50%)

Be sure to check out our other Destiny 2 content to stay ahead:

Best Destiny 2 PvP weapons | Best Destiny 2 Exotic weapons | Best Destiny 2 Hunter Builds | Best Destiny 2 Warlock Builds | Best Destiny 2 Titan Builds