[Top 10] Destiny 2 Best Nightfall Weapons And How To Get Them

Updated:

16 Aug 2022

10. Unforgiven

You Need This! Unforgiven Is The BEST PvE SMG In Destiny 2

Starting off our list is the Unforgiven SMG. This SMG drops from the newly released Duality dungeon and has amazing synergy with the new Void 3.0 System. It features a new perk known as repulser brace, which grants the wielder an overshield after killing an enemy with a void debuff. Although Void 3.0 may not be the current hotness (Solar 3.0 currently has that honor until the launch of next season), it is still very strong and the Unforgiven is one of the few Void weapons that can truly benefit from the new changes.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 23
Range - 43
Stability - 16
Handling - 60
Reload Speed - 1
Rounds Per Minute - 750
Magazine - 31
Element - Void
Frame - Aggressive

Unforgiven Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/3000847393/unforgiven/

What makes Unforgiven awesome

Void 3.0 synergy - Repulsor Brace activates overshield and grenade perks assist with activating volatile rounds
Available in Duality Dungeon - Pinnacle drop possibility, small loot pool, lots of community playing the Duality Dungeon
Bitterspite Origin Trait - Increases reload speed after taking damage (Necessary to combat low reload stats.
Overload SMG - Capable of stunning overload champions in Season 17

How to Get Unforgiven

Play the Duality Dungeon
Hope for a drop
Loot secret chests after acquiring the weapon

How to get Unforgiven (Duality Dungeon Submachine Gun) Plus God Roll Guide in Destiny 2

9. Ogma PR6

Destiny 2: Ogma PR6 is THE PvE workhorse. It's one of the greatest weapons in Destiny 2

In my previous article on the best Pulse Rifles in Destiny 2, I mentioned how the Ogma PR6 is a great pulse rifle for PvE, and that applies to Nightfall strikes. The Ogma PR6 is especially great in Nightfall content due to its ability to roll adaptive munitions, which increases its effectiveness against shields of a different element type. This helps to combat the modifier known as Match Game, which is present in most difficulties of Nightfalls. Pulse Rifles also have an anti-barrier mod in Season 17, making it a great option for stunning champions as well.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 27
Range - 37
Stability - 67
Handling - 80
Reload Speed - 55
Rounds Per Minute - 450
Magazine - 33
Element - Solar
Frame - Lightweight

Ogma PR6 Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/2342054803/ogma-pr6/

What makes the Ogma PR6 awesome

Great PvE Perks - Adaptive munitions, Stats for all, wellspring, demolitionist, and dragonfly are all great perks that increase builds or weapon performance
Anti-barrier weapon - Stuns Barrier champions in Season 17
Omolon Fuild Dynamics origin trait - increases stability and reload speed for the first half of the magazine

How to Get the Ogma PR6

Hope for a world loop drop
Possible Rank up reward from Banshee
Banshee will occasionally sell the weapon

How to get Ogma PR6 (Legendary Pulse Rifle) Plus God Roll Guide in Destiny 2

8. Staccato 46

Destiny 2: Staccato-46 is kind of a PvE monster so check your drops!

This scout rife, newly introduced in season 17, is somewhat sliding under the radar. However, it should not be ignored as it is one of the best scout rifles for build crafting in Nightfall strikes. Much like the Ogma PR6, the Staccato 46 is a solar primary weapon that can slot an anti-champion mod (Unstoppable Scout Rifle). This allows the weapon to stun unstoppable champions, which are present in many of the Nightfall strikes. The gun can also roll with the new weapon perk Incandescent, which allows the weapon to spread scorch stacks to surrounding opponents. It synergizes with the new changes in Solar 3.0 and is one of the only weapons that can do so.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 62
Range - 49
Stability - 44
Handling - 48
Reload Speed - 40
Rounds Per Minute - 180
Magazine - 16
Element - Solar
Frame - Precision

Staccato 46 Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/4019668921/staccato-46/

What makes the Staccato 46 awesome

Strong PvE perks - Incandescent, explosive rounds, shoot to loot, adaptive munitions, and outlaw all work great against low-tier enemies in Nightfall strikes
Solar 3.0 synergy - Incandescent is only available on a few guns, and Staccato 46 can make use of it from farther distances
Anti-Unstoppable mod - Stun Unstoppable champions in Season 17

How to Get the Staccato 46

Hope for a world loop drop
Possible Rank up reward from Banshee
Banshee will occasionally sell the weapon

How to get Staccato-46 (Legendary Scout Rifle) Plus God Roll Guide in Destiny 2

7. Forbearance

The FORBEARANCE GOD ROLL You NEED! (Salvager's 2.0) - Destiny 2 Witch Queen Weapon Guide

The Forbearance is unique because it is one of the only wave-frame grenade launchers in the game, and is the ONLY wave-frame grenade launcher that deals arc damage. It can roll with the highly desirable roll of ambitious assassin and chain reaction allowing the gun to hold two grenades in the magazine and create large explosions on kills. The weapon serves a very similar purpose to the Salvergers Salvo grenade launcher, but its status as a wave frame allows it to deal damage to a larger group of enemies. This weapon can also be crafted after 5 Deepsight weapon acquisitions and has an adept variant available from the Master version of the Vow of the Disciple Raid

Weapon Stats

Blast Radius - 90
Velocity - 89
Stability - 52
Handling - 80
Reload Speed - 71
Rounds Per Minute - 72
Magazine - 1
Element - Arc
Frame - Wave Frame

Forbearance Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/613334176/forbearance/

What makes Forbearance awesome

Unique wave frame - Only 3 non-sunset wave frame grenade launchers in the game, great for low bar enemy kills
Ideal perk combinations - Ambitious assassin and chain reaction wipe out groups of ads almost instantaneously
Craftable weapon - can eventually create the god roll version of the weapon, as well as slot-enhanced perks

How to Get Forbearance

Complete encounters in the Vow of the Disciple raid and hope for a drop
Loot hidden chests throughout the raid and hope for a drop (Only after acquiring the weapon)
Focus the weapon using spoils of conquest at the end of the raid (Must have required number of Spoils of Conquest
Craft a version after obtaining 5 deepsight versions of the gun

ALL Raid Red Box Drop Sources (Secret Chests) | Destiny 2 Vow of the Disciple

6. Calus Mini-tool

Destiny 2: A crafted Calus Mini-Tool is one of the best SMGs in the game

The Calus Mini-tool is a returning submachine gun, which is capable of rolling with the highly desired perk incandescent. As mentioned before, incandescent allows the weapon to spread scorch stacks to nearby opponents after weapon kills. While the Staccato 46 was great at doing this from afar, the Calus Mini-tool is the ideal choice for up close and personal use. This weapon is also able to be crafted after acquiring 5 deepsight versions of the weapon.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 15
Range - 35
Stability - 54
Handling - 80
Reload Speed - 41
Rounds Per Minute - 900
Magazine - 37
Element - Solar
Frame - Lightweight

Calus Mini-tool Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/2490988246/calus-mini-tool/

What makes the Claus Mini-Tool awesome

Stong PvE perks - Unrelenting, grave robber, feeding frenzy, and incandescent all boost weapon effectiveness and have build potential.
Craftable weapon - Able to slot enhanced perks and craft the ideal god roll
Solar 3.0 synergy - Incandescent can proc and spread scorch rapidly due to Submachine gun fast Time-to-kill.
Anti-champion mod - Overload SMG available in season 17

How to Get the Calus Mini-Tool

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 the Calus Mini-Tool (Submachine Gun) Plus God Roll Guide in Destiny 2

5. Osteo Striga

Osteo Striga EXOTIC Catalyst Review (Exotic Needler) | Destiny 2 Witch Queen

This is the last primary weapon on the list for today and serves as an honorable mention since the weapon is only able to be acquired by purchasing the deluxe version of the Witch Queen campaign. The Osteo Striga is, undeniably, one of the best weapons for ad clear in the game. Its Exotic perk spreads poison bursts to nearby enemies, damaging them over time, and reactivating the poison pulse after an enemy is killed by the weapon. The weapon is also effective against champions due to the Overload SMG mod in season 17.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 25
Range - 80
Stability - 37
Handling - 26
Reload Speed - 18
Rounds Per Minute - 600
Magazine - 27
Element - Kinetic
Frame - N/A

Osteo Striga Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/46524085/osteo-striga/

What makes weapon the Osteo Striga awesome

Unique posion effect - only shared with Thorn and Le Monarque
Great ad control potential - Spread position to multiple enemies at a time, and rounds track towards enemies.
Anti-Champion rounds - Overload SMG available in Season 17

How to Get the Osteo Strigga

Purchase the Deluxe edition of the Witch Queen expansion
Complete the Witch Queen campaign
Craft the Osteo Striga at the Enclave on Mars

How to Get Osteo Striga! Weapon Guide & Review! | Destiny 2 Witch Queen

4. Gjallarhorn

The Gjallarhorn is probably the most iconic weapon in the Destiny franchise. It is well known for causing a staggering amount of DPS on bosses and having strong crowd control due to its wolfpack round rockets. This remains true in Destiny 2 and has the additional benefit of supplying teammates using legendary rocket launchers with wolfpack rounds. Gjallarhorn works wonders at taking out stunned champions, as well as damaging the final boss at the end of Nightfall strikes. It doesn’t require a great deal of finesse to use and has the high damage output necessary to finish off Nightfall bosses.

Weapon Stats

Blast Radius - 100
Velocity - 40
Stability - 54
Handling - 76
Reload Speed - 67
Rounds Per Minute - 15
Magazine - 1
Element - Solar
Frame - N/A

Gjallarhorn Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/1363886209/gjallarhorn/

What makes the Gjallarhorn awesome

Wolfpack rounds - Added damage to enemies hit by wolfpack rounds, can grant wolfpack rounds to legendary rocket launchers of teammates
Exotic Catalyst adds round in the magazine - Increases DPS and overall damage potential
Amazing versatility - works well in every major area of the game (Boss DPS, crowd control, and champion stopping)

How to Get Gjallarhorn

Purchase the Bungie 30th anniversary pack
Get the Gjallarhorn quest from Shaw Han in the Cosmodrome
Complete the quest
Visit Shaw Han to get the Gjallarhorn

Destiny 2: How to get GJALLARHORN! - New Dungeon & Exotic Quest Guide!

3. Witherhoard

Destiny 2 | Is Witherhoard Worth Using In 2022? (Full Weapon Review & Breakdown)

The Witherhoad is unique for being one of two weapons in Destiny 2 that can deal significant damage to enemies while other weapons are being used. Witherhoard’s exotic trait allows the weapon to tag enemies with blighted energy, which will cause tick damage. The exotic catalyst also supplies the weapon with an auto-loading holster, allowing you to fire the weapon, switch to your heavy weapon, and then switch back to a fully loaded Witherhoard once the tick damage runs on. It is the best special weapon to pair with a high DPS heavy weapon for great boss damage.

Weapon Stats

Impact 60
Blast Radius - 5
Velocity - 12
Stability - 68
Handling - 63
Reload Speed - 33
Rounds Per Minute - 90
Magazine - 1
Element - Kinetic
Frame - N/A

Witherhoard Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/2357297366/witherhoard/

What makes Witherhoard awesome

Very unique purpose - As mentioned before, it is one of only 2 weapons able to do sustained damage over time while shooting other weapons.
Versatile weapon - Damage over time good at dealing with bosses, and champions. The dropped blight pool works great against ads.
Taken weapon - Has an odd (and probably unintentional) combination with the Malfeasance hand cannon that allows Malfeasance to deal increased damage to an enemy hit by Witherhoard grenades.

How to Get Witherhoard

Visit the Exotic kiosk in the tower
Purchase the Witherhoard with the required materials

Destiny 2 - How to get Witherhoard (Exotic Grenade Launcher) And Catalyst After Beyond Light

2. Cataclysmic

Cataclysmic GOD ROLL GUIDE (Linear Fusion Rifle) - Vow of the Disciple Raid Weapon Guide | Destiny 2

The Cataclysmic is a new Linear Fusion from the Vow of the Disciple raid. This solar linear fusion rifle has insane damage output thanks to a series of great damage perks that pair well with ammo generation perks. This weapon can also be crafted at the Enclave on Mars after acquiring 5 deepsight versions of the weapon. An adept variant is also available from the Master version of the raid. While I generally think that the crafted version of the raid weapons are better, I do recommend trying to get the Adept Cataclysmic for its ability to slot the Adept Big One's mod. This grants a large damage boost to both bosses and yellow bar enemies, making it great against bosses and champions in Nightfall activities.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 41
Range - 39
Stability - 58
Handling - 26
Reload Speed - 25
Charge Time - 533
Magazine - 6
Element - Solar
Frame - Precision Frame

Cataclysmic Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/999767358/cataclysmic/

What makes Cataclysmic awesome

Great DPS potential - 4th times the charm and Clown Cartridge can make the magazine for this weapon massive.
Craftable version available - The craftable version of the gun can get enhanced perks, increasing the effectiveness of already great perks
Adept version - Adept weapons can slot adept mods, which are very helpful for Nightfall activities
Anti-Champion - Great at damaging champions after stuns.

How to Get Cataclysmic

Complete encounters in the Vow of the Disciple raid and hope for a drop
Loot hidden chests throughout the raid and hope for a drop (Only after acquiring the weapon)
Focus the weapon using spoils of conquest at the end of the raid (Must have required number of Spoils of Conquest
Craft a version after obtaining 5 deepsight versions of the gun

ALL Raid Red Box Drop Sources (Secret Chests) | Destiny 2 Vow of the Disciple

1. Stormchaser

The New Burst Linear Fusion Is Insane! (Stormchaser)

This gun has quickly risen to the top of the DPS chart, which makes it the best weapon to use in Nightfall strikes. This linear fusion rifle comes from the new Duality dungeon and is a unique, aggressive frame weapon. The gun fires in a burst of 3 high damage shots that deal a truly incredible amount of damage to the crit spots of bosses. It has amazing perks, such as clown cartridge and firing line, which increases both the damage and magazine count of the weapon. It is my current favorite linear fusion in the game, and should not be overlooked if you are looking for a great option for your heavy slot.

Weapon Stats

Impact - 38
Range - 31
Stability - 48
Handling - 40
Reload Speed - 25
Charge Time - 533
Magazine - 5
Element - Arc
Frame - Aggressive

Stormchaser Full Details: https://www.light.gg/db/items/3652506829/stormchaser/

What makes Stormchaser awesome

Unique aggressive frame - 3 burst shot that deals high damage with each shot in the burst
Bitterspite origin trait - increases reload speed when taking damage
Great perk pairings - Clown cartridge and firing line is unbelievably strong

How to Get Stormchaser