Destiny 2’s Season of the Defiance is here in the Lightfall era, and that means it’s time to check out the best Destiny 2 PvP weapons for Crucible, Competitive, and Trials of Osiris.
One of the things that keep many Destiny 2 players engaged with the hit looter-shooter is obtaining powerful gear, and then taking their hard-earned armaments into the Crucible to test them out against other Guardians.
With hundreds of weapons on offer, the Destiny 2 meta can be tough to get a handle on, and that’s continued in Season of the Defiance. Between seasonal artifact mods, new weapon releases, and sandbox changes courtesy of Bungie, there is always something new and exciting to try out in PvP.
Now, 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’s competitive PvP modes — including Trials of Osiris.
Destiny 2 best PvP weapons for Season of the Defiance
10. Beloved
Beloved has seen a few versions over the years, but the Season of the Haunted version sees the lethal sniper rifle back in a big way.
With perks like Snapshot Sights and Moving Target available, players can get a big chunk of extra range and aim assistance to make it lethal. If you are into Sniper Rifles, this is the best option out there.
9. Le Monarque
The Le Monarque is the bane of many PvP players. The bow can be used to secure very fast kills by getting a headshot and then quick-swapping to another weapon to finish the job. It’s very hard to counter, especially if the one wielding the bow is used to the action.
Making Le Monarque even more devastating is the fact it has a poison effect, so you can see the health numbers of players for a while after you hit them, giving you some light tracking. Add on top of that, the bleed also makes it longer for their health to regain, and Le Monarque can be a pain to play against.
8. Felwinter’s Lie
Felwinter’s Lie has been one of the strongest PvP shotguns since it’s introduction in Season of the Worthy. With fantastic perks such as Slideshot, Opening Shot and Vorpal Weapon, Felwinter’s is a versatile legendary shotgun that can easily one tap opponents. Add it’s unique Shot Package perk to this already powerful weapon and no wonder PvP players tremble when they hear the name Felwinter.
7. No Time To Explain
Pulse Rifles definitely have a place in the PvP meta right now. While not as dominant as Hand Cannons, they offer great, longer-range options for players who prefer their feel more.
No Time To Explain is one of these fantastic pulse rifle options. It’s a great feeling PvP Pulse Rifle with exceptional range. That’s even without its exotic perk that gives you a personal turret that shoots other players. However, if you do manage to proc that, it’s certainly a nice thing to have!
6. Quicksilver Storm
Pre-order bonus Quicksilver Storm has taken the PvP meta by “storm”. The exotic auto rifle is a powerful enough weapon that it’s the only auto rifle within the top 10.
Landing multiple shots with the Quicksilver Storm adds in for decent bonus damage, boosting this already strong weapon into the 6th place slot.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
5. Autumn Wind
Autumn Wind is the newcomer to PvP meta. A rapid-fire frame pulse rifle introduced in Season of the Defiance, it’s quickly been picked up and hailed as the best pulse rifle around.
With great perks all throughout the weapon, Autumn Wind is a fantastic option that is easily attainable today.
4. Matador 64The Matador 64 was added during the 30th Anniversary Pack, and it’s a top-tier shotgun that carries the Perpetual Motion and Opening Shot perks which makes it very easy to get a kill when running up to someone.
With the right perks, you can hit a solid range, too, meaning it can be ideal for bursting into a room.
3. IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.3
If Hand Cannons are not your bag, the IKELOS SMG is probably your next best bet. The gun received its third reissue in Season of the Seraph, and now has some killer perks. It’s hard to get a truly bad roll.
The nice thing about the IKELOS is it’s one of the truly rare weapons that is both top-tier in PvP as well as PvE. While you’ll likely want different rolls for different activities, if you don’t care too much about maximizing every inch out of a gun, this is a great option to just throw onto a Guardian no matter what you are doing in Destiny 2.
2. Ace of Spades
The Ace of Spade, the Hand Cannon that Cayde-6 once wielded, has been a staple of the Crucible, as far back as Destiny 1. It’s perhaps the gun with the most longevity, and it’s rare it’s ever far from the top of the meta.
A deadly combination of perks in High-Caliber Rounds, Firefly, and Momento Mori make this one of the best dueling options in Destiny 2, able to outplay many other primary weapons.
1. Rose
Nothing feels more iconically Destiny than a Hand Cannon, so it’s no surprise to see one at the top here. The Rose is a classic that has seen new life after being reissued in Season of the Seraph. It can roll with some impressive perks, making it an absolute workhorse in the Crucible or Trials.
With a staggering 4.13% headshot accuracy from the player base, it’s no surprise people are loving it when going up against other Guardians.
Destiny 2 Best PvP weapons: Most popular Destiny 2 PvP weapons (by usage %)
As per Destiny Tracker:
- Rose (3.72%)
- Ace of Spades (2.80%)
- IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.3 (2.52%)
- Matador 64 (2.30%)
- Autumn Wind (2.13%)
- Quicksilver Storm (2.03%)
- No Time to Explain (2.02)
- Felwinter’s Lie (1.59%)
- Le Monarque (1.57%)
- Beloved (1.49%)
And there you have it: the best Destiny 2 PvP weapons. Keep an eye on this page to make sure you’re up-to-date on Destiny 2’s best PVP weapons, and check out some other helpful content here:
Best PvP weapons | Destiny 2 Promo Codes | Destiny 2 Prime Gaming Rewards | Infamy Ranks Guide | Glory Ranks Guide | Current Trials of Osiris map | Iron Banner countdown