Best Destiny 2 PvE Weapons

Welcome to our Destiny 2 best PvE weapons guide, Guardian!

You will learn everything you need to know about Destiny 2 PvE meta, including perfect builds for efficient raid clears, nightfalls, and dungeons in Episode: Revenant. We tested specific god rolls and loadout combinations to cover all PvE activities and find the best weapons for your play style.

PvE activities in Destiny 2 require more than skill, good communication, and strategy. A perfect loadout can make the difference between failure and success.

Whether you're looking for the best exotics for PvE, current episode meta weapon, or loadouts for specific game modes, we cover everything in our guide!

Key Takeaways

Our top picks for the Best Destiny 2 PvE Weapons in Episode: Revenant are:

VS Chill Inhibitor
VS Velocity Baton
Grand Overture
Indebted Kindness
Tinasha's Mastery
Aberrant Action
Lost Signal
Zaouli's Bane
Sunshot
Still Hunt

Destiny 2: Best PvE Exotics

In Destiny 2, exotics are weapons with unique abilities, perks, and better stats. This section of the guide will cover the best PvE exotic weapons. We will split our weapons into three categories: kinetic, energy, and heavy weapons for better clarity.

Now let's check out the best PvE exotic weapons and their particularities in Destiny 2. Let's get started!

Top exotics for kinetic slot (for PvE)

Below you can find a selection of the best PvE exotic weapons for the kinetic slot. Our five weapon choices are best-in-slot for specific use cases in Episode: Revenant.

Top 3 kinetic exotics you can use for PvE are:

Izanagi's Burden
Witherhoard
Outbreak Perfected

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	Weapon Description	Features
Izanagi's Burden Rating: 5⭐ Source: Monuments to Lost Lights Kiosk	Sniper Rifle Slot: Kinetic \| Ammo: Special Exotic Trait – Honed Edge: "[Alternate Weapon Action]: Consume the magazine and load a round with additional range and damage." Catalyst – Increases the damage bonus of Honed Edge when four bullets are consumed.	Solid burst damage in any endgame activity Its exotic perk and catalyst makes this weapon very useful in any activity, providing amazing burst damage and the ability to boost DPS when switching to a heavy weapon.
Witherhoard Rating: 4.9⭐ Source: Monuments to Lost Lights Kiosk	Grenade Launcher Slot: Kinetic \| Ammo: Special Exotic Perk – Primeval's Torment: "Projectiles fired by this weapon blight the target or nearby area on impact." Intrinsic Traits – Break the Bank: “Blighted targets take damage over time and blight the nearby area on death.”	Witherhoard remains one of the most versatile and used weapons in the game. Because of its auto-loading holster passive exotic perk, this exotic weapon provides an amazing option for area-denial, increased DPS at bosses, and easy weapon swap for extra damage.
Outbreak Perfected Rating: 4.8⭐ Source:Zero Hour Exotic Mission	Pulse Rifle Slot: Kinetic \| Ammo: Primary Exotic Perk – The Corruption Spreads: “This weapon creates SIVA nanite swarms on rapid hits and precision kills.” Intrinsic Trait – Parasitism: "This weapon does more damage to enemies based on the number of SIVA nanites that attach to them."	Outbreak perfected can deal considerable damage to single targets. Because primary weapons now have infinite ammo, you can use this weapon (when you run out of special/heavy) in any raid or dungeon for extra DPS.

Weapon

Weapon Description

Features

Izanagi's Burden

Rating: 5⭐

Source: Monuments to Lost Lights Kiosk

Sniper Rifle

Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special

Exotic Trait – Honed Edge: "[Alternate Weapon Action]: Consume the magazine and load a round with additional range and damage."

Catalyst – Increases the damage bonus of Honed Edge when four bullets are consumed.

Solid burst damage in any endgame activity

Its exotic perk and catalyst makes this weapon very useful in any activity, providing amazing burst damage and the ability to boost DPS when switching to a heavy weapon.

Witherhoard

Rating: 4.9⭐

Source: Monuments to Lost Lights Kiosk

Grenade Launcher

Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special

Exotic Perk – Primeval's Torment: "Projectiles fired by this weapon blight the target or nearby area on impact."

Intrinsic Traits – Break the Bank: “Blighted targets take damage over time and blight the nearby area on death.”

Witherhoard remains one of the most versatile and used weapons in the game.

Because of its auto-loading holster passive exotic perk, this exotic weapon provides an amazing option for area-denial, increased DPS at bosses, and easy weapon swap for extra damage.

Outbreak Perfected

Rating: 4.8⭐

Source:Zero Hour Exotic Mission

Pulse Rifle

Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary

Exotic Perk – The Corruption Spreads: “This weapon creates SIVA nanite swarms on rapid hits and precision kills.”

Intrinsic Trait – Parasitism: "This weapon does more damage to enemies based on the number of SIVA nanites that attach to them."

Outbreak perfected can deal considerable damage to single targets.

Because primary weapons now have infinite ammo, you can use this weapon (when you run out of special/heavy) in any raid or dungeon for extra DPS.

Top exotics for energy slot (for PvE)

We have studied all the weapons used by the professional Destiny 2 players and found the best energy exotics for the Episode: Revenant. We treated each exotic separately to help you choose the one that fits your play style and build an overpowered guardian for PvE.

Top 3 energy exotics you can use for PvE are:

Red Death Refromed
Still Hunt
Ex Diris

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	Weapon Description	Features
Red Death Reformed Rating: 5⭐ Source: Season Pass Reward	Pulse Rifle Slot: Energy \| Ammo: Primary Exotic Trait – Redemption: "Final blows with this weapon cure you and increase reload speed; reloading after final blows cures nearby allies.." Intrinsic Trait – Inverse Relationship: "When you deal damage with this weapon, it gains increased handling, takes reduced flinch, and movement speed is increased for a short time. When you are at reduced health, this weapon deals additional damage.."	Red Death Reformed is a weapon that can make staying alive very easy which makes it an excellent choice for endgame PvE activities.
Still Hunt Rating: 5⭐ Source: Wild Card Exotic Quest	Sniper Rifle Slot: Energy \| Ammo: Special Exotic Traits – Cayde's Retribution: "Pick up Orbs of Power or land precision hits to charge this weapon's Super bar. Once full, [Alternate Weapon Action] to fire Golden Gun shots." Intrinsic Traits – Sharpshooter: "This weapon gains passive bonuses to target acquisition, aim down sight speed, and flinch resistance. The bonus increases when this weapon's super mode is active."	The Still Hunt sniper is a perfect weapon for any DPS/Boss encounters, being the strongest DPS exotic in energy slot.
Ex Diris Rating: 4.7⭐ Source: Monuments to Lost Lights in the Tower	Grenade Launcher Slot: Energy \| Ammo: Special Exotic Trait – Corrupted Nucleosynthesis: "This weapon enrages when dealing or taking sustained damage, gaining increased rate of fire while enraged." Intrinsic Traits – Loyal Moths: “Final blows and rapid direct hits with this weapon create a loyal moth. The moth will seek out nearby targets and detonate, damaging and blinding them.”	With the new buffs from Episode: Revenant increasing both the impact damage, ammo reserves, moth cooldown, and moth spawn rate made the Ex Diris became one of the most powerfull exotic grenade launchers in the game.

Top exotics you can use for power slot (for PvE)

When it comes to the power slot, there are not many exotic weapons you can choose in Episode: Revenant. We selected the most overpowered exotic guns for raiding, nightfalls, and dungeons. Below you can find our selection of the best PvE power exotic weapons and their abilities.

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	Weapon Description	Features
Grand Overture Rating: 5⭐ Source: Monuments to Lost Lights in the Tower	Machine Gun Slot: Power \| Ammo: Heavy Exotic Trait – Wrath of the Colossus: "Heavy slug launcher that charges, then fires full auto while the trigger is held." Intrinsic Trait – Omega Strike: "Land hits with the slug launcher to load missiles,[Alternate Weapon Action] and then fire to launch several missiles in a volley." Catalyst – Missile explosions will blind combatants. Those defeated by missile impacts then explode.	Perfectly combines constant DPS and burst DPS in one weapon Grand Overture takes the spotlight of this Episode's heavy slot exotic weapon, having a very good DPS and amazing burst DPS with it's Intristic Perk.
Thunderlord Rating: 4.9⭐ Source: World Drop	Machine Gun Slot: Power \| Ammo: Heavy Exotic Trait – Reign Havoc: "Final blows with this weapon generate stunning lighting strikes from above. Strong against [Disruption] Overload Champions." Intrinsic Traits – Lightning Rounds: “This Weapon fires faster and more accurately the longer the triggers is held. Continuos damage generates stunning lightning strikes."	Thunderlord is a great exotic machine gun with massive AoE clear with big range and considerable base damage for single-targets.
Microcosm Rating: 4.9⭐ Source: Convalescence: Budding Exotic Quest	Trace Rifle Slot: Power \| Ammo: Heavy Exotic Traits – Paracausal Beam: “Fires a beam of Kinetic light, dealing massive bonus damage to shields.” Intrinsic Traits – Paracausal Imbuement: “Final blows with this weapon grant Super energy. This weapon gains bonus damage once your Super expires.”	Microcosm is a more versatile option since it deals very good single target damage, can melt through any low-tier adds, builds up super and transcendence energy very fast and has a lot of ammo.
Leviathan's Breath Rating: 4.9⭐ Source: Exotic Archive	Combat Bow Slot: Power \| Ammo: Heavy Exotic Traits – Big-Game Hunter: “Fires a massive heavy bolt that stuns unshielded combatants. Strong against [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions.” Intrinsic Traits – Leviathan's Sigh: “When fully drawn, the bolt creates a large concussive blast that knocks combatants back.”	Leviathan's Breath is a very easy to use, high damage output combat bow. Very good in almost all encounters in the game .

Weapon

Weapon Description

Features

Grand Overture

Rating: 5⭐

Source: Monuments to Lost Lights in the Tower

Machine Gun

Slot: Power | Ammo: Heavy

Exotic Trait – Wrath of the Colossus: "Heavy slug launcher that charges, then fires full auto while the trigger is held."

Intrinsic Trait – Omega Strike: "Land hits with the slug launcher to load missiles,[Alternate Weapon Action] and then fire to launch several missiles in a volley."

Catalyst – Missile explosions will blind combatants. Those defeated by missile impacts then explode.

Perfectly combines constant DPS and burst DPS in one weapon

Grand Overture takes the spotlight of this Episode's heavy slot exotic weapon, having a very good DPS and amazing burst DPS with it's Intristic Perk.

Thunderlord

Rating: 4.9⭐

Source: World Drop

Machine Gun

Slot: Power | Ammo: Heavy

Exotic Trait – Reign Havoc: "Final blows with this weapon generate stunning lighting strikes from above. Strong against [Disruption] Overload Champions."

Intrinsic Traits – Lightning Rounds: “This Weapon fires faster and more accurately the longer the triggers is held. Continuos damage generates stunning lightning strikes."

Thunderlord is a great exotic machine gun with massive AoE clear with big range and considerable base damage for single-targets.

Microcosm

Rating: 4.9⭐

Source: Convalescence: Budding Exotic Quest

Trace Rifle

Slot: Power | Ammo: Heavy

Exotic Traits – Paracausal Beam: “Fires a beam of Kinetic light, dealing massive bonus damage to shields.”

Intrinsic Traits – Paracausal Imbuement: “Final blows with this weapon grant Super energy. This weapon gains bonus damage once your Super expires.”

Microcosm is a more versatile option since it deals very good single target damage, can melt through any low-tier adds, builds up super and transcendence energy very fast and has a lot of ammo.

Leviathan's Breath

Rating: 4.9⭐

Source: Exotic Archive

Combat Bow

Slot: Power | Ammo: Heavy

Exotic Traits – Big-Game Hunter: “Fires a massive heavy bolt that stuns unshielded combatants. Strong against [Stagger] Unstoppable Champions.”

Intrinsic Traits – Leviathan's Sigh: “When fully drawn, the bolt creates a large concussive blast that knocks combatants back.”

Leviathan's Breath is a very easy to use, high damage output combat bow. Very good in almost all encounters in the game .

This topic covered the best exotic weapons you can use in PvE activities, such as raids, grandmaster nightfalls, dungeons, and open-world adventures. We encourage you to pick & master a gun that suits your play style and build.

Now, let's talk about the legendaries that can be integrated into your loadout to build the most powerful guardian in Destiny 2.

Best weapons perks for PvE

A few most sought-after perks on PvE activities make your mission more accessible, depending on the type or difficulty. We will only discuss the popularity and usage of the legendary perks in columns three and four that are the best for your weapon archetypes in Episode: Revenant.

Top 5 Perks for legendary weapons that you can use in PvE are:

Auto-Loading Holster
Envious Arsenal
Bait and Switch
Voltshot
Incandescent

Auto-Loading Holster

Trait – Refreshes stowed weapon from reserves after 2.5 seconds.
Why we recommend it – If you have zero ammo left in the clip, it will be fully loaded when you equip it again.
Best to use on – Grenade launchers / Rocket launchers

Envious Arsenal

Trait – Dealing damage with both other weapons before readying this weapon refills it from reserves. Increases ammo reserves.
Why we recommend it – After dealing damage with the other 2 weapons equipped, the weapon is fully reloaded, making this perk increase both reloading speed and overall DPS.
Best to use on – Grenade launchers

Bait and Switch

Trait – Deal damage with all equipped weapons within a short time to give this weapon a damage boost for an improved duration.
Why we recommend it – After dealing damage with all 3 equipped weapons, grants 30% damage buff to the weapons with the Bait and Switch perk.
Best to use on – Grenade launchers / Liniear fusion rifles

Voltshot

Trait – Reloading this weapon after defeating a target overcharges this weapon for a short period of time, causing it to jolt on its next hit..
Why we recommend it – Very easy to use and very strong ad clear in one perk.
Best to use on – Any weapon

Incandescent

Trait – Defeating a target spreads scorch to those nearby. More powerful combatants and opposing Guardians cause scorch in a larger radius.
Why we recommend it – Very easy to use and very strong ad clear, can regenerate class ability on solar builds and trigger ignitions.
Best to use on – Any weapon

Clown Cartridge

Trait – Reloading this weapon randomly overfills it from reserves.
Why we recommend it – On reload, overflows the magazine capacity by 10 to 50%.
Best to use on – Linear fusion rifle / Sniper rifle.

Rampage

Trait – Kills with this weapon temporarily grant increased damage. Stacks 3x.
Why we recommend it – When you get a weapon kill: 10% | 21% | 33.1% increased damage for 3.5 seconds, and the buff gets refreshed on the following kills.
Best to use on – Hand Cannon, Auto Rifle, Submachine Gun, Machine Gun, Fusion Rifle

Chain Reaction

Trait – Each final blow with this weapon creates an elemental damage explosion.
Why we recommend it – More potential kill radius and extra damage if adds are dying near a Champion/Mini-Boss/Boss enemy type.
Best to use on – Grenade launcher / Rocket launchers

Demolitionist

Trait – Kills with this weapon generate grenade energy. Activating your grenade ability reloads this weapon from reserves.
Why we recommend it – Kills with this weapon generate grenade energy. Activating your grenade ability reloads this weapon from reserves.
Best to use on – Submachine gun / Machine gun.

Feeding Frenzy

Trait – Each rapid kill with this weapon progressively increases reload speed for a short time.
Why we recommend it – On Weapon Kill: 10 | 45 | 55 | 70 | 100 reload speed with 1x | 0.9x | 0.875x | 0.85x | 0.8x Reload Speed duration multiplier.
Best to use on – Submachine gun / Machine gun.

Fourth Time's The Charm

Trait – Rapidly landing precision hits will return two rounds to the magazine.
Why we recommend it – Dealing four precision hits generates two ammo to your weapon's magazine.
Best to use on – Sniper rifle / Auto rifle

Overflow

Trait – This weapon deals increased precision damage when near two or more allies.
Why we recommend it – When you pick up Special or Power ammo, your magazine gets overflowed to 200% of its regular capacity.
Best to use on – Sniper rifles / Auto rifle / Rocket launcher

Subsistence

Trait – Defeating targets partially reloads the magazine from reserves.
Why we recommend it – When you get a kill, it refills 10% of the weapon's magazine.
Best to use on – shotguns / Trace rifle / Machine gun / Submachine gun

Triple Tap

Trait – Rapidly landing precision hits will return one round to the magazine.
Why we recommend it – Dealing three Precision hits refunds one ammo to your weapon's magazine.
Best to use on – Sniper rifles / Hand cannon

Multikill Clip

Trait – Reloading grants increased damage based on the number of rapid kills made beforehand.
Why we recommend it – After reload, within 3.8 seconds after a weapon kill you receive 17% | 33% | 50% increased damage for 5 seconds.
Best to use on – Submachine gun / Auto rifle / Scout rifle / Sniper rifle.

Surrounded

Trait – This weapon gains bonus damage when three or more enemies are in close proximity.
Why we recommend it – While within 8 metres of 3+ enemies you receive 30% increased damage, paired with Surrounded Spec to increase damage by an additive 10% and adds a linger effect for 1.5 seconds.
Best to use on – Fusion rifle / Machine gun / Submachine gun / Sword.

Whirlwind Blade

Trait – Rapid sword strikes increase this weapon's damage for a short duration. Guarding also ends the effect.
Why we recommend it – Sword Specific trait that deals increased damage on following Hits: 3% | 6% | 9% | 12% | 15% | 18% | 21% | 24% | 27% | 30%.
Best to use on – Sword

In conclusion, it's essential in PvE to have perks that help you get around your weapon's reloading speed and get the highest DPS in the shortest time.

Destiny 2: Best PvE legendary weapons

This passage of our guide will focus on the best PvE legendary weapons and their god rolls. We researched all weapon types with their perks variations and found many options. We picked the top-tier legendaries for each slot to help you set up the best PvE build for Episode: Revenant.

Top weapons for kinetic slot (for PvE)

We will reveal the top-tier kinetic legendary weapons you can choose to make your PvE content much easier and more accessible. We discovered all the details about these weapons for you, so you will be ready to build the perfect god roll for your Guardian.

Top 3 kinetic legendaries you can use for PvE are:

Lost Signal
The Call
Midnight Coup

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	God Roll	Weapon Description
Lost Signal Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster + Vorpal Weapon	Grenade Launcher Source: Episode: Echoes Activities \| Slot: Kinetic Ammo: Special \| Archetype: Area-Denial Frame
Tinasha's Mastery Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Air Trigger + Chill Clip	Sidearm Source: Iron Banner \| Ammo: Special \| Archetype: Rocket-Assisted Frame
Midnight Coup Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Firefly + Kinetic Tremors	Hand cannon Source: Onslaught \| Slot: Kinetic Ammo: Primary \| Archetype: Adaptive Frame
Exuviae Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Subsistence + One for All	Auto Rifle Source: Prophecy Dungeon \| Slot: Kinetic Ammo: Primary \| Archetype: Adaptive Frame
The Call Rating: 4.9⭐	PvE God Roll: Subsistence + One For All	Sidearm Source: Pale Heart Activities \| Slot: Kinetic Ammo: Special \| Archetype: Rocket-Assisted Frame

Weapon

God Roll

Weapon Description

Lost Signal

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Auto-Loading Holster + Vorpal Weapon

Grenade Launcher

Source: Episode: Echoes Activities | Slot: Kinetic

Ammo: Special | Archetype: Area-Denial Frame

Tinasha's Mastery

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Air Trigger + Chill Clip

Sidearm

Source: Iron Banner |

Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rocket-Assisted Frame

Midnight Coup

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Firefly + Kinetic Tremors

Hand cannon

Source: Onslaught | Slot: Kinetic

Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive Frame

Exuviae

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Subsistence + One for All

Auto Rifle

Source: Prophecy Dungeon | Slot: Kinetic

Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive Frame

The Call

Rating: 4.9⭐

PvE God Roll: Subsistence + One For All

Sidearm

Source: Pale Heart Activities | Slot: Kinetic

Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rocket-Assisted Frame

Top legendary weapons for energy slot (for PvE)

We covered the best choices in terms of legendary weapons you should consider using in your energy slot to maximize the efficiency of your PvE loadout. Choosing the meta weapon for your energy slot will help you get ready for any PvE activity in the game.

Top 3 energy legendaries you can use for PvE are:

Luna's Howl
Forbearance
Zaouli's Bane

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	God Roll	Weapon Description
Aberrant Action Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Heal Clip + Incandescent	Hand Cannon Source: Episode: Echoes Activities \| Slot: Energy Ammo: SPecial \| Archetype: Rocket Assisted Frame
Forbearance Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Ambitious Assassin + Chain Reaction	Grenade Launcher Source: Vow of the Disciple Raid \| Slot: Energy Ammo: Special \| Archetype: Wave Frame
Zaouli's Bane Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Incandescent	Hand Cannon Source: King's Fall Raid \| Slot: Energy Ammo: Primary \| Archetype: Adaptive Frame
Indebted Kindness Rating: 4.9⭐	PvE God Roll: Beacon Rounds + Voltshot	Sidearm Source: Warlord's Ruin Dungeon \| Slot: Energy Ammo: Special \| Archetype: Rocket-Assisted Frame
VS Velocity Baton Rating: 4.9⭐	PvE God Roll: Repulsor Brace + Destabilizing rounds	Grenade Launcher Source: Vesper's Host Dungeon \| Slot: Energy Ammo: Special \| Archetype: Area-Denial Frame
No Hesitation Rating: 4.9⭐	PvE God Roll: Physic + Incandescent	Auto Rifle Source: Pale Heart Activities \| Slot: Energy Ammo: Primary \| Archetype: Support Frame

Weapon

God Roll

Weapon Description

Aberrant Action

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Heal Clip + Incandescent

Hand Cannon

Source: Episode: Echoes Activities | Slot: Energy

Ammo: SPecial | Archetype: Rocket Assisted Frame

Forbearance

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Ambitious Assassin + Chain Reaction

Grenade Launcher

Source: Vow of the Disciple Raid | Slot: Energy

Ammo: Special | Archetype: Wave Frame

Zaouli's Bane

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Explosive Payload + Incandescent

Hand Cannon

Source: King's Fall Raid | Slot: Energy

Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive Frame

Indebted Kindness

Rating: 4.9⭐

PvE God Roll: Beacon Rounds + Voltshot

Sidearm

Source: Warlord's Ruin Dungeon | Slot: Energy

Ammo: Special | Archetype: Rocket-Assisted Frame

VS Velocity Baton

Rating: 4.9⭐

PvE God Roll: Repulsor Brace + Destabilizing rounds

Grenade Launcher

Source: Vesper's Host Dungeon | Slot: Energy

Ammo: Special | Archetype: Area-Denial Frame

No Hesitation

Rating: 4.9⭐

PvE God Roll: Physic + Incandescent

Auto Rifle

Source: Pale Heart Activities | Slot: Energy

Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Support Frame

Top legendary weapons for power slot (for PvE)

Power weapons are the difference-making aspect of any PvE activity, and a god-rolled loadout is a key to success because of its DPS and survivability. We revealed the best options for the current episode to ensure that you will break necks in PvE.

Top 3 power legendaries you can use for PvE are:

VS Chill Inhibitor
Bitter/Sweet
Edge Transit

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	God Roll	Weapon Description
VS Chill Inhibitor Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Envious Arsenal/Cascade Point + Bait and Switch	Grenade Launcher Source: Vesper's Host Dungeon \| Slot: Power Ammo: Heavy \| Archetype: Rapid-Fire Frame
Bitter/Sweet Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Envious Arsenal + Bait and Switch	Grenade Launcher Source: Onslaught: Salvation / Tomb of Elders \| Slot: Power Ammo: Heavy \| Archetype: Adaptive Frame
Half Truths Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Anything + Eager Edge	Sword Source: Dares of Eternity \| Slot: Power Ammo: Heavy \| Archetype: Adaptive Frame
Commemoration Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Reconsturction + Killing Tally	Machine Gun Source: Deep Stone Crypt Raid \| Slot: Power Ammo: Heavy \| Archetype: Adaptive Frame
Cataclysmic Rating: 5⭐	PvE God Roll: Fourth Time’s the Charm + Bait and Switch	Linear Fusion Rifle Source: Vow of the Disciple Raid \| Slot: Power Ammo: Heavy \| Archetype: Precision Frame

Weapon

God Roll

Weapon Description

VS Chill Inhibitor

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Envious Arsenal/Cascade Point + Bait and Switch

Grenade Launcher

Source: Vesper's Host Dungeon | Slot: Power

Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Rapid-Fire Frame

Bitter/Sweet

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Envious Arsenal + Bait and Switch

Grenade Launcher

Source: Onslaught: Salvation / Tomb of Elders | Slot: Power

Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive Frame

Half Truths

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Anything + Eager Edge

Sword

Source: Dares of Eternity | Slot: Power

Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive Frame

Commemoration

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Reconsturction + Killing Tally

Machine Gun

Source: Deep Stone Crypt Raid | Slot: Power

Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Adaptive Frame

Cataclysmic

Rating: 5⭐

PvE God Roll: Fourth Time’s the Charm + Bait and Switch

Linear Fusion Rifle

Source: Vow of the Disciple Raid | Slot: Power

Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Precision Frame

Now you know which weapons to choose in different situations, but the question is:
How to combine those weapons to get the meta loadout?

We researched and prepared the most overpowered build options that you can use in the current episode for specific activities.

PvE meta for Episode: Revenant (2025)

We tried dozens of varieties to discover the meta PvE builds you can use in Destiny 2 Episode: Revenant. In the following sections, we unveil our best PvE loadouts recommendations for the current episode, along with details that will help you make the most suitable decision for raids, nightfalls, and other challenges. Following our advice, you will feel the power in your own hands while fighting against the most dangerous monsters using our meta builds.

PvE meta weapon (archetypes) in 2025, Episode: Revenant

Every new episode brings new weapons and buffs and nerfs to existing ones and archetypes buffs/nerfs. The hierarchy changed for PvE Weapons and their use in the last few episodes. We covered all weapon archetypes and compared them to determine the power tiers and usage in Episode: Revenant.

Please check the different tier levels used for the tier Lists:

S Tier – Strongest weapon archetypes.
A Tier – Strong weapon types, but not on the same level as S Tier.
B Tier – Reasonable choices in specific activities only.
C Tier – No efficiency at all during the current episode or Meta.
D Tier – Highly not recommended to use currently.

PVE PRIMARY META WEAPONS

Weapon Archetype	Tier	Current State
Submachine Guns		Submachine guns are perfect for any activity in the current meta. They provide good DPS, infinite ammo, an acceptable range, and a durable option for endgame interests.
Pulse Rifles		Pulse Rifles are perfect for Master/Grandmaster content; good DPS, range & viable for specific activities while paired with Anti-Barrier mod for Champions.
Auto Rifles		Auto rifles are not as strong as Submachine Guns because DPS lacks, even if they have better range and target acquisition. A few Auto Rifles can excel and can be considered S Tier with a strong build (For Example, Gnawing Hunger on a void 3.0 build)
Hand Cannons		Hand Cannons can do good damage with good range and are safe because of their peak-shooting capabilities. The lackluster DPS and magazine size make them easily replaceable by other archetypes listed above.
Scout Rifles		Scout rifles are way better than other episode and have received many buffs, but they can still be outclassed by different archetypes in almost every activity. Although, you can equip an unstoppable mod for this archetype, making them viable for endgame content.
Combat Bows		Bows can be an excellent choice in various situations, but in complex content, they are challenging to use as you want to stay as far away from enemies as possible.
Sidearms		Sidearms are not in a good spot for now, since the damage is decent but their range is very limited.

PVE SPECIAL META WEAPONS

Weapon Archetype	Tier	Current State
Rocket-Assisted Sidearm		Rocket-Assisted Frame Sidearms are the best weapons to occupy your special slot, having good damage, amazing range, very good ammo efficiency and overall very easy to use.
Grenade Launchers		Grenade Launchers are second-to-best in slot, having very high burst potential, paired with auto-loading perks like envious arsenal/auto-loading holster or envious assassin, allows these weapons to have amazing DPS, very good ammo efficiency, and can really boost the total damage at bosses.
Sniper Rifles		They are highly used as safe endgame weapons with high DPS and multiple perk choices such as Firing Line, Vorpal Weapon, Overflow, etc.
Shotgun		Shotguns have the best DPS out of all special weapons, but comes with the risk of having to be very close to the targe to actaully put that DPS to use, great choice for regular content, but not very good for high-end activities like Grand Master Nightfalls .
Fusion Rifles		Technically weaker than sniper rifles because of a more dangerous spot you must take before shooting it, high DPS, and more range than shotguns. But, because of them being repeatedly nerfed, fusion rifles are an average choice in PvE for the current meta.
Trace Rifles		Trace rifles are way better than other episodes and have received many buffs, but they can still be outclassed by different archetypes in almost every activity.
Glaives		Similar to swords, but can also deal damage from afar. Most of glaive usage has to be paired with Titan's Synthoceps to shine, other than that most of glaives are heavly outclassed by other weapons.

PVE HEAVY META WEAPONS

Weapon Archetype	Tier	Current State
Grenade Launchers		Grenade launchers are the apex of PvE Heavy Meta Weapons, having the highest DPS, burst and overall damage plus being able to clear ads at the same time. Most of them are fairly easy to get, the perk combination "Envious Arsenal / Envious Assassin" paired with "Bait and Switch" makes the grenade launchers unmatched in PvE activities.
Heavy Exotic Sniper Rifles		Heavy Exotic sniper rifles are an amazing choice when it comes to a longer DPS phase, "Whisper of the Worm" is the strongest exotic in heavy slot when it comes to overall damage, while "Darci" has a very high DPS.
Rocket Launchers		Rocket Launchers are excellent for burst damage and ad clearing because of the more significant magazines and perks. Even with the recent nerfs, rocket launchers are still a solid option in most PvE activites.
Linear Fusion Rifles		Linear Fusion Rifles have the best single target precision damage in the game, with the right perk combination they can also have amazing ammo efficiency.
Machine Guns		Machine guns are amazing weapons for fast ad clear, and decent damage output, they stand as jack of all trades but master of none.
Swords		Swords are not in the best spot for damage now, they are used mostly in 2-3 encounters in the game, but where they shine is speed. Swords with the perk "Eager Edge" are the best when it comes to moving fast, skipping sections, are just speedrunning the game

Which is the current meta Loadout for PvE?

The meta PvE loadout depends on your favorite class, your play style, the buffed subclass in the current episode, and the activity you are completing. Based on our experience and weapons tier lists, we found the most overpowered loadouts that you can use.

The builds include meta weapons for each slot and must-have mods. A meta loadout equipped will make the difference and help you effortlessly defeat any champion or boss.

Top 3 solar meta loadouts for PvE are:

Lost Signal + Sunshot + VS Chill Inhibitor
Tinasha's Mastery + Red Death Reformed + Edge Transit
Izanagi's Burden + Luna's Howl + Cataclysmic

Top 3 void meta loadouts for PvE are:

Lost Signal + Collective Obligation + VS Chill Inhibitor
Midnight Coup + VS Velocity Baton + Edge Transit
Izanagi's Burden + Unforgiven + Commemoration

Top 3 arc meta loadouts for PvE are:

Tinasa's Mastery + Trinity Ghoul + Bitter/Sweet
Exuviae + Ex Diris + Bitter/Sweet
Lost Signal + Ikelos SMG + Grand Overture

Top 3 stasis meta loadouts for PvE are:

Lost Signal + Sunshot + VS Chill Inhibitor
Exuviae + VS Velocity Baton + VS Chill Inhibitor
Tinasa's Mastery + Graviton Lance + Edge Transit

Top 3 strand meta loadouts for PvE are:

The Call + Sunshot + Pro Memoria
Final Warning + VS Velocity Baton + Cataphract Gl3
Quicksilver Storm + Indebted Kindness + Koraxis's Distress

Recommended loadouts

We will present the best builds for experienced and intermediate PvE players in the following topic. Our selection will make your guardian an absolute PvE beast. Some weapons may feel a bit difficult to handle for beginners, and we are sure that all the loadouts will suit you with some practice. Make sure you maximize your damage by equipping x3 Weapon Surge mods on your leg armor and x3 Time Dilation mods on your class item for longer DPS phases.

Kinetic Weapon	Energy Weapon	Power Weapon	Subclass
Tinasha's Mastery Recommended mods: Backup Mag Stasis Loader	Sunshot Recommended mods: Solar Dexterity Solar Loader	VS Chill Inhibitor Recommended mods: Backup Mag Stasis Loader Stasis Dexterity	Prismatic
Liturgy Recommended mods: Quick Access Sling Stasis Loader	Graviton Lance Recommended mods: Void Dexterity Void Loader	VS Chill Inhibitor Recommended mods: Backup Mag Stasis Loader Stasis Dexterity	Prismatic
Midnight Coupe Recommended mods: Bckup Mag Kinetic Loader	Still Hunt Recommended mods: Solar Dexterity Solar Loader	Apex Predator Recommended mods: Quick Access SLing Solar Loader Solar Dexterity	Solar
Lost Signal Recommended mods: Quick Access Sling Stasis Loader (if it does not have auto-loading holster)	Sunshot Recommended mods: Solar Dexterity Solar Loader	VS Chill Inhibitor Recommended mods: Backup Mag Stasis Loader Stasis Dexterity	Solar
Lost Signal Recommended mods: Backup Mag Kinetic Loader	Ikelos SMG Recommended mods: Arc Dexterity Arc Loader	Grand Overture Recommended mods: Heavy Ammo Finder x1 Heavy Ammo Scavenger (swap) Arc Reload	Arc
Izanagi's Burden Recommended mods: Special Ammo Finder Kinetic Loader	Unforgiven Recommended mods: Bakcup Mag Void Loader	Edge Transit Recommended mods: Backup Mag Heavy Ammo Finder Void Loader	Void
Exuviae Recommended mods: Backup Mag Stasis Loader	Still Hunt Recommended mods: Solar Loader	VS Chill Inhibitor Recommended mods: Backup Mag Heavy Ammo Finder Stasis Loader	Stasis
Final Warning Recommended mods: Strand Loader Strand Dexterity	VS Velocity Baton Recommended mods: Quick Access Sling Void Loader Special Ammo Finder x2	Pro Memoria Recommended mods: Backup Mag Heavy Ammo Finder	Strand

Kinetic Weapon

Energy Weapon

Power Weapon

Subclass

Tinasha's Mastery

Recommended mods:

Backup Mag
Stasis Loader

Sunshot

Recommended mods:

Solar Dexterity
Solar Loader

VS Chill Inhibitor

Recommended mods:

Backup Mag
Stasis Loader
Stasis Dexterity

Prismatic

Liturgy

Recommended mods:

Quick Access Sling
Stasis Loader

Graviton Lance

Recommended mods:

Void Dexterity
Void Loader

VS Chill Inhibitor

Recommended mods:

Backup Mag
Stasis Loader
Stasis Dexterity

Prismatic

Midnight Coupe

Recommended mods:

Bckup Mag
Kinetic Loader

Still Hunt

Recommended mods:

Solar Dexterity
Solar Loader

Apex Predator

Recommended mods:

Quick Access SLing
Solar Loader
Solar Dexterity

Solar

Lost Signal

Recommended mods:

Quick Access Sling
Stasis Loader (if it does not have auto-loading holster)

Sunshot

Recommended mods:

Solar Dexterity
Solar Loader

VS Chill Inhibitor

Recommended mods:

Backup Mag
Stasis Loader
Stasis Dexterity

Solar

Lost Signal

Recommended mods:

Backup Mag
Kinetic Loader

Ikelos SMG

Recommended mods:

Arc Dexterity
Arc Loader

Grand Overture

Recommended mods:

Heavy Ammo Finder x1
Heavy Ammo Scavenger (swap)
Arc Reload

Arc

Izanagi's Burden

Recommended mods:

Special Ammo Finder
Kinetic Loader

Unforgiven

Recommended mods:

Bakcup Mag
Void Loader

Edge Transit

Recommended mods:

Backup Mag
Heavy Ammo Finder
Void Loader

Void

Exuviae

Recommended mods:

Backup Mag
Stasis Loader

Still Hunt

Recommended mods:

Solar Loader

VS Chill Inhibitor

Recommended mods:

Backup Mag
Heavy Ammo Finder
Stasis Loader

Stasis

Final Warning

Recommended mods:

Strand Loader
Strand Dexterity

VS Velocity Baton

Recommended mods:

Quick Access Sling
Void Loader
Special Ammo Finder x2

Pro Memoria

Recommended mods:

Backup Mag
Heavy Ammo Finder

Strand

Recommended loadouts for beginners

If you are a beginner in Destiny 2, some weapon archetypes may feel a bit overwhelming. We want to help you learn new tricks in PvE and progress while having fun, so we prepared the best loadout choices for you. The following builds are beginner-friendly and will help you defeat any monster easily.

Top 3 meta loadouts for beginners in PvE are:

The Call + Ikelos SMG + Bitter/sweet
Lost Signal + Sunshot/Graviton Lance + VS Chill Inhibitor
The Last Breath + Indebted Kindness + Thunderlord

Top 10 PvE Weapons you can use in 2025

Izanagi’s Burden
Witherhoard
Still Hunt
Commemoration
Ikelos SMG
VS Chill Inhibitor
VS Velocity Baton
Indebted Kindness
Aberrant Action
Honorable Mention: The Call, Tinasha's Mastery, Grand Overture

Best raid weapons

We covered the best weapons you can use in Destiny 2 raids in the following list based on our experience. Our selection helps you choose the right weapon to face the most dangerous PvE monsters and raise your chances of killing any boss fast and efficiently.

Top 7 best weapons for raids are:

VS Chill Inhibitor
Bitter/Sweet
Edge Transit
Whisper of the Worm
Still Hunt
Grand Overture
Honorable Mention: Outbreak Perfected

Note: Raids are challenging and time-consuming Co-Op activities in Destiny 2. You will find high-quality weapons and armor pieces at the end of these PvE activities, so the struggle is worth it.

Best nightfall weapons

Nightfalls are high-difficulty activities where even the most experienced players could get in trouble. To prevent any obstacle in Nightfalls, you need the best weapons equipped. We are ready to reveal the meta weapons for 2025 in the following table.

Top 5 Best Weapons for Nightfalls are:

Arbalest
Izanagi's Burden
Commemoration
Indebted Kindness
Honorable Mention: Witherhoard

Note: Nightfalls are exhausting, but you will fill your stash with extraordinary rewards at the end. Prepare your meta loadout wisely, and you will be able to defeat any threat, even if you choose Grandmaster difficulty.

Update Log

03.12.2024 - Updated entire guide for Episode: Revenant.

25.04.2023 - Updated Sections for the Season of Defiance.

12.09.2022 - Updated Sections for the Season of Plunder.

20.06.2022 - Added Best Weapon Perks for PvE Section.

14.06.2022 - Added PvE Meta Weapon (Archetypes) in the "Seasonal Meta" section.

09.06.2022 - Updated Loadouts in the "Seasonal Meta" section.

09.06.2022 - Updated Top Legendaries in the "Kinetic/Energy/Power Weapons" sections.

09.06.2022 - Updated Top Exotics in the "Kinetic/Energy/Power Weapons" sections.

Related Guides

Now that you have learned the best PvE loadouts in Destiny 2, how about you check out our guides about Raids, Dungeons & Meta Weapons?

Conclusion

We included every meta weapon you should use in PvE for Episode: Revenant and the most overpowered builds in our guide. You will be an absolute beast in raids, nightfalls, and dungeons if you follow our suggestions.
The meta weapons will change every following episodes, so we will ensure that this guide is updated.

Choose the weapons that fits your play style, combine them wisely to maximize your build efficiency, and don’t forget to have fun. Keep an eye on our Best PvE weapons guide regularly to ensure that your guardian is ready to face the new challenges.

About KBoosting

In case you didn’t know, at KBoosting, we are not only about guides and articles, but we also provide Destiny 2 boosting services to ensure the players have a better experience in their favorite games. All you have to do is to choose the desired weapon for your loadout and let our professional boosters handle everything for you.

You can buy the Best Destiny 2 PvE Weapons or Top Loadouts from our store, and we will follow your instructions and prepare your account. You deserve the best gaming experience, Guardian! We're here to make it happen!

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