Destiny 2 is well-known for its diverse arsenal of weaponry, each with its attributes, perks, and powers. Exotic weapons, in particular, stand out because of their unique designs and game-changing abilities. Players eagerly seek them out because they can significantly impact gameplay and provide distinct advantages in various situations.

As of Season 23, Destiny 2 has an incredible roster of over 100 exotic weaponry. This collection includes a wide range of unique and strong weapons, each meant to provide a distinct advantage in combat. Let's look at the top 15 Exotic weapons that stand out for their remarkable performance in both PvE and PvP scenarios.

15. Trinity Ghoul (Best for PVE)

"I couldn't afford to miss. Not when it was his life on the line." —Marin Mansanas, Tangled Outrider

Trinity Ghoul remains an outstanding option for clearing ads, a role it has excelled in consistently and shows no signs of deviating from in the foreseeable future. Even amidst a game meta that leans heavily towards abilities, Trinity Ghoul continues to stand out as a prime choice for ad-clear across all PvE content, maintaining its position as a highly effective weapon for managing groups of enemies efficiently.

Exotic Perk:

"Fires an arrow that splits when released. Aiming down sights and fully drawing the bow both decrease the spread. Precision kills grant the next shot chain-lightning capabilities."

Trinity Ghoul Stats

• Impact: 80
• Accuracy: 80
• Stability: 50
• Handling: 53
• Reload Speed: 50
• Aim Assistance: 74
• Inventory Size: 52
• Zoom: 18
• Airborne Effectiveness: 24
• Recoil: 77
• Draw Time: 720

How to get Trinity Ghoul

There is no specific quest to get Trinity Ghoul. Instead, you can get it as a random reward for deciphering the exotic engrams. The exotic engrams follow a knockout system, increasing the chances of dropping the exotics you don’t own. The weekly vendor Xur sells it occasionally, so you can buy it from there.

14. Izanagi's Burden (Best for PVE)

"Shame. Guilt. Fear. We all bear them. Gather your regrets, purge them as best you can. Let your enemies feel the weight of your burdens." —Ada-1

Because of its special "Honed Edge" perk, Izanagi's Burden is known as possibly the most powerful Exotic Sniper Rifle in Destiny 2, with unmatched single-target damage capacity. The perks let players combine an entire magazine into a single supercharged shot that deals a ton of damage, making it ideal for quickly taking out bosses or other valuable targets in PvE.

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

13. Osteo Striga (Best for PVE)

"Victory is not in the unmaking of an enemy, but in the re-making of an enemy into your blade." —9th Understanding, 7th Revision of Sorrow

Osteo Striga quickly captivated players with its satisfying gameplay, earning it a spot among the best exotics in the game. Its ability to spread poison effects sets it apart as one of the top choices for clearing ads in PvE, while its bullets that track enemies simplify engagements in PvP, making it an accessible weapon for various types of players.

Exotic Perk: 

Fires a stream of sentient, toxic projectiles that track the targeted enemy. Landing a final blow or multiple precision hits triggers a burst that poisons nearby targets.

Osteo Striga Stats

• Impact: 25
• Range: 80
• Stability: 37
• Handling: 26
• Reload Speed: 18
• Reload Time: 2.49 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 55
• Inventory Size: 30
• Zoom: 13
• Airborne Effectiveness: 27
• Recoil: 99
• Rounds Per Minute: 600
• Magazine: 27

How to get Osteo Striga

To get Osteo Striga, you'll need to finish The Witch Queen expansion campaign. Once that's done, you'll get the Pattern as a reward when you finish the story. With the Pattern in your possession, make your way to the Enclave on Mars. Now, you can use it to craft it at the Relic located in the Enclave.

12. Wish-Ender (Best for PVE)

"Don't fret. It's a simple expedition. We'll be back before lunch." —Sjur Eido, First Queen's Wrath

The Wish-Ender is an Exotic Bow in Destiny 2 known for its abilities, making it a great choice for PvE content. Queen's Wrath, an in-game perk that lets players see through walls and strike targets, is what makes it so useful in PvE. It does damage to multiple enemies in a straight line. It's great for killing groups of enemies or enemies who are hiding behind cover because of this.

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.

11. Duality (Best for PVP)

"The question becomes whether or not to fire, not where to aim." —Osiris

Duality remains one of Destiny 2's most powerful Special Weapons, with unparalleled shotgun versatility. Its unique pellet/slug shotgun shooting system allows players to adapt to various battle conditions, making it a formidable force in confrontations at both close quarters and more precise encounters. Duality, in the hands of an experienced guardian, has the potential to dominate any match by providing a strategic advantage with its twin shooting modes.

Exotic Perk: 

"Fires a pellet spread in hip-fire or a single high-damage slug while aiming. Pellet final blows grant a stacking precision damage and reload speed buff. Precision hits with slugs extend the duration."

Duality Stats

• Impact: 80
• Range: 70
• Stability: 45
• Handling: 60
• Reload Speed: 1
• Aim Assistance: 65
• Inventory Size: 70
• Zoom: 12
• Airborne Effectiveness: 6
• Recoil: 78
• Rounds Per Minute: 65
• Magazine: 6

How to get Duality

You can buy this weapon from the Exotic Kiosk at the Tower if they already have the Beyond Light Expansion Pack. It costs

• 1 Exotic Cipher
• 100,000 Glimmer
• 150 Glacial Starwort
• 1 Ascendant Shard.

10. Vex Mythoclast (Best for PVE)

…a causal loop within the weapon's mechanism, suggesting that the firing process somehow binds space and time into…

Vex Mythoclast came back in Destiny 2 with the release of Vault of Glass Raid. It is, without a doubt, the best exotic fusion rifle in the game. Vex Mythoclast is a fantastic weapon for PvE activities, as it works well at all ranges. The catalyst of this weapon also gives it a 20% damage boost. The exotic primaries are also buffed in PvE activities with a 40% damage boost, making this weapon a must-have in your load-outs.

Vex Mythoclast Stats

• Impact: 33
• Range: 85
• Stability: 30
• Handling: 50
• Reload Speed: 60
• Reload Time: 2 s
• Aim Assistance: 75
• Inventory Size: 40
• Zoom: 15
• Airborne Effectiveness: 19
• Recoil: 80
• Rounds Per Minute: 360
• Magazine: 25

Exotic Perk:

 "This weapon fires a single bolt with each trigger pull. Defeating targets builds stacks of Overcharge. Swap firing modes when fully Overcharged to charge up and fire more powerful linear fusion shots."

How to get Vex Mythoclast 

Vex Mythoclast is the raid exotic for the Vault of Glass raid. The only way to obtain this gun is by beating the raid's final boss (Atheon). The drop rate of the weapon increases with every completion, and the best way to get this weapon is by farming the final encounter when Vault of Glass is the featured raid of the week.

9. Ace of Spades (Best for PVP)

"Folding was never an option." —Cayde-6

Ace of Spades is the best pick among 140 RPM hand cannons in Destiny 2, thanks to its great basic stats and diverse perks. The outstanding perk, "Memento Mori," increases damage substantially more than Kill Clip while reloading after a kill, and its ability to keep the radar visible when aiming down sights provides a vital tactical edge. 

Exotic Perk: 

 "Precision kills increase reload speed and cause the target to explode. Reloading after a kill increases damage. Grants radar while aiming down sights."

Ace of Spades Stats

• Impact: 84
• Range: 75
• Stability: 40
• Handling: 40
• Reload Speed: 42
• Reload Time: 3.19 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 70
• Inventory Size: 56
• Zoom: 14
• Airborne Effectiveness: 14
• Recoil: 100
• Rounds Per Minute: 140
• Magazine: 13

How to get Ace of Spades

You can only get Ace of Spades 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

8. Conditional Finality (Best for PVP)

You will dream of me… I will never leave you…

Conditional Finality is a great shotgun because of its adaptability and utility in Destiny's key playlists. This Exotic's ability to deal both Stasis and Solar damage and freeze and ignite opponents with each shot distinguishes it from others. PvP excels with superb handling, a consistent one-hit kill range, and the ability to beat supers using its unique Freeze-Ignite effect.

Exotic Perk:

 "Dual barrels split into Stasis and Solar damage. Landing nearly all Stasis pellets will freeze targets; landing nearly all Solar pellets will ignite targets."

Conditional Finality Stats

• Impact: 80
• Range: 35
• Stability: 20
• Handling: 60
• Reload Speed: 66
• Aim Assistance: 56
• Inventory Size: 51
• Zoom: 12
• Airborne Effectiveness: 4
• Recoil: 70
• Rounds Per Minute: 55
• Magazine: 2

How to get Conditional Finality

You can only get Conditional Finality from the final chest of Root of The Nightmare raid. You have three chances of dropping it in a week by completing the raid on three different characters. You can also farm this weapon when this raid is the featured raid of the week.

7. Thorn (Best for PVP)

"To rend one's enemies is to see them not as equals, but objects—hollow of spirit and meaning." —13th Understanding, 7th Book of Sorrow

The addition of the Thorn catalyst has increased the significance of this legendary Hand Cannon, making it a strong contender in Destiny's PvP arenas. Its increased range and consistency enable it to outperform competing weapons in numerous battles, reaffirming its status as a powerful choice for guardians. While Thorn may not be the most powerful weapon in Destiny, it has demonstrated its ability to defeat the most difficult PvE tasks.

Exotic Perk: 

 "Rounds pierce targets and deal damage over time. Kills leave behind Remnants which, when absorbed, increase damage."

Thorn Stats

• Impact: 84
• Range: 34
• Stability: 55
• Handling: 65
• Reload Speed: 40
• Reload Time: 3.25 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 85
• Inventory Size: 60
• Zoom: 14
• Airborne Effectiveness: 21
• Recoil: 100
• Rounds Per Minute: 140
• Magazine: 11

How to get Thorn 

You can only get Thorn 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
• 125,000 Glimmer
• 1x Ascendant Shard

6. No Time to Explain (Best for PVP)

A single word etched onto the inside of the weapon's casing: Now.

No Time to Explain is an Exotic Pulse Rifle carved out a place in the Destiny 2 best exotics for PvP activities. It's most known for its inherent perk, "Time-Slip," which allows you to generate a vortex that fires bullets at your adversaries while echoing your shots. The weapon also includes the perk "Rewind Again," which returns accuracy hits to the magazine, allowing you to fire for longer periods without having to reload.

Exotic Perk: 

Precision shots and shots against combatants slowed or frozen by Stasis will return to the magazine.

No Time to Explain Stats

• Impact: 33
• Range: 60
• Stability: 55
• Handling: 42
• Reload Speed: 60
• Reload Time: 1.89 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 40
• Inventory Size: 57
• Zoom: 17
• Airborne Effectiveness: 24
• Recoil: 73
• Rounds Per Minute: 340
• Magazine: 24

How to get No Time to Explain

To get the "No Time to Explain" pulse rifle in Destiny 2, all you need to do is complete the Beyond Light campaign and then visit the Exo Stranger on Europa. They'll award you the rifle and provide you with a quest called "Soon." This means owning or having access to the Beyond Light expansion is necessary to obtain this fantastic pulse rifle. 

5. Gjallarhorn (Best for PVE)

“If there is beauty in destruction, why not also in its delivery?” — Feizel Crux

Gjallarhorn is widely regarded as the best Exotic Rocket Launcher in Destiny 2, thanks to its unparalleled strength and effectiveness. Its popularity comes from the unusual "Wolfpack Rounds" perk, which launches a swarm of tracking cluster missiles following the first explosion, resulting in tremendous area-of-effect damage. This ability makes Gjallarhorn extremely effective in wiping out groups of opponents and dealing massive damage to bosses, making it a top pick for both PvE and PvP battles.

Exotic Perk:

Rounds fired split into tracking cluster missiles upon detonation. Gain increased handling and reload speed when standing near allies. Firing this weapon also grants Wolfpack Rounds to nearby allies wielding non-Exotic Rocket Launchers.

Gjallarhorn Stats

• Blast Radius: 90
• Velocity: 45
• Stability: 64
• Handling: 66
• Reload Speed: 37
• Reload Time: 3.5 s
• Aim Assistance: 76
• Inventory Size: 50
• Zoom: 20
• Airborne Effectiveness: 6
• Recoil: 49
• Rounds Per Minute: 15
• Magazine: 1

How to get Gjallarhorn 

You'll need to acquire the 30th Anniversary pack DLC to obtain the Gjallarhorn. Once you've completed the prologue event, "Dares of Eternity," head back to Xur to initiate the "And Out Fly the Wolves" quest. This quest involves a series of straightforward steps and completing the "Grasp of Avarice" dungeon. Once you've completed the quest, you'll finally be able to wield this exceptional exotic rocket launcher.

4. Arbalest (Best for PVE)

"We didn't have linear fusions in the Dark Age. But we made it work." —The Drifter
Despite nerfs to its damage and aim assist, Arbalest remains dominant across all aspects of the game. It can still efficiently eliminate Barrier Champions and elemental shields with just 1-2 shots, even on the most challenging Grandmaster difficulty. Arbalest's simplicity makes it a remarkably effective weapon choice.

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. 

3. Witherhoard (Best for PVE)

"Like a one-man private security company." —The Drifter

Witherhoard is a standout Kinetic weapon in Destiny 2, particularly in PvE scenarios, and is frequently regarded as the best Grenade Launcher in the game. This single-shot Grenade Launcher is notable for its capacity to deal area-of-effect (AOE) damage, making it ideal for both add clearance and boss damage. The real potential of Witherhoard is unlocked when you obtain its catalyst, which adds an Auto-Loading Holster feature.

Exotic Perk:

Projectiles fired by this weapon blight the target or nearby area on impact. Blighted targets take damage over time and blight the nearby area on death.

Witherhoard Stats

• Impact: 60
• Blast Radius: 0
• Velocity: 12
• Stability: 63
• Handling: 48
• Reload Speed: 33
• Reload Time: 2.8 seconds
• Aim Assistance: 84
• Inventory Size: 46
• Zoom: 12
• Airborne Effectiveness: 6
• Recoil: 96
• Rounds Per Minute: 90
• Magazine: 6

How to get Witherhoard 

The process of getting Witherhoard 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
• 100,000 x Glimmer 
• 1 x Ascendant Shard

2. Quicksilver Storm (Best for PVE)

Three words. Carved by hand: Affinity. Altruism. Awareness.

Quicksilver Storm is regarded as one of the best Primary weapons in Destiny 2 due to its high DPS, straightforward burst damage capability, and ability to generate Tangles for Strand setups. Its increasing popularity among exotic primary weapons is due to its numerous advantages. As a Strand Auto Rifle with a flawless Stability score of 100, it has exceptional control.

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. You only need to get the DLC and claim the weapon for free.

1. Le Monarque (Best for PVE)

"Wings flutter. Beauty distracts. Poison injects. The butterfly's curse extends to your enemies. A short life, shortened further by your hand." —Ada-1

Le Monarque is an incredibly powerful weapon in PvP because to its synergy with Hand Cannons, which allows for rapid combo kills with ease. Furthermore, its built-in Overload Arrows, along with the poison effect, make it extremely effective against Overload Champions. These attributes also make Le Monarque an excellent choice for PvE content.

Exotic Perk:

"Arrows fired quickly after a full draw become poison arrows. Precision hits with poison arrows spread poison to nearby enemies. Strong against Overload Champions"

Le Monarque Stats

• Impact: 68
• Accuracy:73
• Stability: 46
• Handling: 54
• Reload Speed: 40
• Aim Assistance: 70
• Inventory Size: 56
• Zoom: 18
• Airborne Effectiveness: 18
• Recoil: 78
• Draw Time: 612

How to get Le Monarque

The process of getting Le Monarque 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
• 125,000 x Glimmer 
• 1 x Ascendant Shard

You may also be interested in:

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• Top 10 Destiny 2 Best Exotic Weapons for PvP