In Destiny 2, sidearms are often overlooked but pack a punch, especially in PvE. They're a solid pick for Guardians with easy recoil, high damage, and a range of useful perks. Despite some thinking, they lack range compared to pulse rifles or SMGs; sidearms deliver the game's highest damage output in both PvP and PvE.
In the recent Destiny 2 seasons, they brought in some powerful sidearms that can really shake up both PvP and PvE. They fit well into your loadout, offering a solid solution for dealing with enemies at different ranges. These new sidearms add versatility and strategy to your gameplay, making them worth checking out for an enhanced Destiny 2 experience.
What are the best sidearms in Destiny 2?
In this article, we'll explore the top ten sidearms in Destiny 2 for both PvP and PvE activities. These weapons bring unique strengths to the table and are favorites among Guardians in different game modes.
10. Allied Demand (Best for PVP)
Allied Demand has gained significant attention in Destiny 2, especially following the sidearm buff. Its popularity has surged due to a limited perk pool, boosting your likelihood of obtaining an ideal roll. For PvP fans, here's the game-changer – it achieves its optimal time-to-kill at nearly 25 meters!
If you're a fan of sidearms and don't mind a bit of Iron Banner grind, Allied Demand is worth the effort. With its improved performance and a chance at that perfect roll, it's become a go-to choice for Guardians who love to wield sidearms in their arsenal.
Allied Demand Stats
- Impact: 49
- Range: 34
- Stability: 32
- Handling: 67
- Reload Speed: 43
- Reload Time: 1.91 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 85
- Inventory Size: 44
- Zoom: 12
- Airborne Effectiveness: 23
- Recoil: 97
- Rounds Per Minute: 300
- Magazine: 15
PvE God roll:
- Barrel: Hammer-Forged Rifling
- Magazine: Accurized Rounds
- Perk 1: Rangefinder
- Perk 2: Frenzy
How to get Allied Demand
This weapon drops randomly on completion of Iron Banner matches but is unavailable in the weapon pool this season. The iron banner weapons reappear in the collection, and we hope this sidearm reappears.
9. Liminal Vigil (Best for PVE)
Liminal Vigil in Destiny 2 is a powerhouse sidearm, unique for having the Desperado perk. Tap the Trigger is always active, giving you a solid advantage, and Desperado kicks in to lower the time-to-kill even more, especially when paired with a sniper.
It's a go-to for PvE with perks like Desperado and Rangefinder, giving you an edge in combat. Some players are getting creative, throwing in Threat Detector and Perpetual Motion for a unique build. In a nutshell, Liminal Vigil is a versatile sidearm that excels in various scenarios, making it a standout choice.
Liminal Vigil Stats
- Impact: 56
- Range: 58
- Stability: 39
- Handling: 35
- Reload Speed: 20
- Reload Time: 2.03 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 85
- Inventory Size: 33
- Zoom: 12
- Airborne Effectiveness: 22
- Recoil: 94
- Rounds Per Minute: 325
- Magazine: 27
PvE God roll:
- Barrel: Chambered Compensator
- Magazine: High-Caliber Rounds
- Perk 1: Headstone
- Perk 2: Swashbuckler
How to get Liminal Vigil
To get the Liminal Vigil, You need to complete the final encounter of the Spire of the Watcher Dungeon. Since the dungeon is farmable, you can do it as many times as you want until you get the god-roll of this sidearm.
8. Forgiveness Adept (Best for PVP)
Forgiveness is the first sidearm to come with an Adept variant in Destiny 2, and it was eagerly anticipated by many. However, it only lived up to part of the expectations. The base stats are top-notch, and when coupled with Adept mods, it feels fantastic right out of the gate.
Being a Trials of Osiris weapon, it has guaranteed perks for PvP activities. In that realm, it stands out as one of the best sidearms in the game. So, while it might not be everyone's cup of tea, it's making waves in PvP activities.
Forgiveness Stats
- Impact: 56
- Range: 60
- Stability: 41
- Handling: 39
- Reload Speed: 24
- Reload Time: 1.99 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 90
- Inventory Size: 33
- Zoom: 12
- Airborne Effectiveness: 25
- Recoil: 96
- Rounds Per Minute: 325
- Magazine: 25
PvP God roll:
- Barrel: Smallbore
- Magazine: Ricochet Rounds
- Perk 1: Moving Target
- Perk 2: Rapid Hit
How to get Forgiveness
Forgiveness is one of the difficult weapons to get as it is linked with the Trials of the Osiris activity. You can only obtain it from the lighthouse chest, which you can only unlock by going flawless in trials. Once you open it in your collections, you can buy another one from Saint-14 by sacrificing your card and a few other resources.
7. Peacebond (Best for PVP)
Peacebond is a versatile weapon in Destiny 2, serving well in PvE and PvP. The Headstone perk, known for its synergy with Stasis builds, adds an extra edge to your gameplay. It's not just about PvE; it also brings a lot to the table in PvP matches.
If you like switching things up, roll with Ragefinder and Iron Reach. This adds variety to your playstyle and can catch your opponents off guard. So, whether you're battling through challenging PvE content or facing off against other Guardians in PvP, Peacebond has got you covered with its adaptability and powerful perks.
Peacebond Stats
- Impact: 75
- Range: 33
- Stability: 79
- Handling: 50
- Reload Speed: 29
- Reload Time: 1.93 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 69
- Inventory Size: 43
- Zoom: 12
- Airborne Effectiveness: 25
- Recoil: 92
- Rounds Per Minute: 491
- Magazine: 30
PvP God roll:
- Barrel: Hammer-Forged Rifling
- Magazine: Accurized Rounds
- Perk 1: Rangefinder
- Perk 2: Eye of the Storm
How to get Peacebond
This weapon drops randomly on completion of Iron Banner matches but is unavailable in the weapon pool this season. The iron banner weapons reappear in the collection, and we hope this sidearm reappears.
6. Trespasser (Best for PVE)
Trespasser is a fan-favorite sidearm in Destiny 2, and it's an absolute beast when its exotic perk kicks in. While it may not be the top choice for the most challenging content like Master or Grandmaster, it shines everywhere, from PvE to PvP.
This unique sidearm fires three-round bursts, but the real magic happens when you reload after a kill. The bursts become supercharged, firing six shots in one go, capable of instantly taking down most PvE enemies.
Exotic Perk:
"Reloading after defeating a target causes the next burst to be a longer, more powerful superburst. Final blows with Unrepentant superbursts automatically reload your weapon and provide an Unrepentant superburst."
Trespasser Stats
- Impact: 75
- Range: 39
- Stability: 85
- Handling: 53
- Reload Speed: 33
- Reload Time: 1.88 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 70
- Inventory Size: 50
- Zoom: 12
- Airborne Effectiveness: 29
- Recoil: 100
- Rounds Per Minute: 491
- Magazine: 30
PvE God roll:
- Barrel: Hammer-Forged Rifling
- Magazine: Tactical Mag
- Perk 1: Explosive Payload
- Perk 2: Firefly
How to get Trespasser
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
- 100,000 x Glimmer
- 1 x Ascendant Shard
5. Brigand's Law (Best for PVE)
Brigand's Law is an arc legendary sidearm that might not catch your eye initially, but it's a hidden gem, primarily for Arc 3.0 builds. The standout perk is Voltshot, and that's what makes it shine. To get the perfect roll, you might need some luck or unlock all the patterns to craft it at the Enclave.
Brigand's Law is considered one of the best primary weapons in the game, and here's why: Voltshot pairs amazingly well with any Arc build, ensuring Threat Detector and Surrounded are almost always active. Plus, it's got an origin trait that lets it pack a punch even at range.
Brigand's Law Stats
- Impact: 35
- Range: 20
- Stability: 63
- Handling: 51
- Reload Speed: 41
- Reload Time: 1.79 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 59
- Inventory Size: 67
- Zoom: 12
- Airborne Effectiveness: 14
- Recoil: 95
- Rounds Per Minute: 450
- Magazine: 15
PvE God roll:
- Barrel: Fluted Barrel
- Magazine: Accurized Rounds
- Perk 1: Threat Detector
- Perk 2: Voltshot
How to get Brigand's Law
The only way to get this weapon is from the weekly vendor (Xur). Xur has sold some amazing rolls of this weapon in the past and offers it frequently in its inventory. You need to watch its weekly offerings and might be lucky enough to get a god-roll Brigand's Law.
4. Traveler's Chosen (Best for PVE)
Traveler's Chosen is one of the best kinetic sidearms in the game. It has killer base stats and a super helpful exotic perk. The perk combination is a perfect mix for both PvP and PvE activities.
This kinetic gun has two cool perks: Gathering Light and Gift of the Traveler. Gathering Light gives you energy for melee, grenades, and class abilities. Gift of the Traveler improves reload, handling, and target acquisition. Stack up Gathering Light, and the Traveler's Chosen becomes your go-to sidearm for keeping your abilities fresh.
Exotic Perk:
"Final blows grant stacks of Gathering Light. Consuming stacks, grant melee, grenade, and class ability energy based on the number of stacks. Each stack of Gathering Light improves this weapon's reload, handling, and target acquisition."
Traveler's Chosen Stats
- Impact: 49
- Range: 80
- Stability: 65
- Handling: 54
- Reload Speed: 40
- Reload Time: 1.8 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 80
- Inventory Size: 44
- Zoom: 12
- Airborne Effectiveness: 35
- Recoil: 85
- Rounds Per Minute: 300
- Magazine: 15
How to get Traveler's Chosen
You can only get Traveler's Chosen 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
3. Mykel's Reverence (Best for PVP)
Mykel's Reverence stands out as Destiny 2's inaugural Legendary Sidearm, featuring a Rapid-Fire Frame that delivers unexpectedly high damage. The exclusive raid perk, Paracasual Affinity, boosts damage by 20% for any Darkness kill, including Stasis and Strand abilities.
To enhance its versatility, consider pairing Mykel's Reverence with Unrelenting for swift healing, or opt for Rewind Rounds to enjoy a significantly larger magazine. Unrelenting becomes particularly handy if you're rocking a Strand build without self-healing. Alternatively, for melee-focused builds, Swashbuckler could be preferred over Paracasual Affinity.
Mykel's Reverence Stats
- Impact: 35
- Range: 33
- Stability: 67
- Handling: 53
- Reload Speed: 47
- Reload Time: 1.73 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 61
- Inventory Size: 67
- Zoom: 12
- Airborne Effectiveness: 25
- Recoil: 96
- Rounds Per Minute: 450
- Magazine: 18
PvP God roll:
- Barrel: Corkscrew Rifling
- Magazine: Ricochet Rounds
- Perk 1: Perpetual Motion
- Perk 2: Hatchling
How to get Mykel's Reverence
You can get this weapon from the Root of Nightmare Raid, specifically the raid's second (Enter the Root) and third (Zo’aurc) encounters. Once the gun drops, it can appear in secret chests hidden throughout the activity. You can easily farm the red borders of this weapon once this raid is the featured raid of the week.
2. Drang (Baroque) (Best for PVP)
Drang has been a PvP favorite in Destiny 2 since day one. This Sidearm pairs with the Sturm Hand Cannon, offering easy use, impressive stats, and great perks. Its return in Year 5 allows players to craft it with enough copies and Deepsight Harmonizers.
The Drang (Baroque) variant stands out with excellent rolls, making it a strong choice for PvE and PvP. With perks like Incandescent, it's solid for PvE, and its balanced stats make it a reliable pick in PvP, too.
Drang (Baroque) Stats
- Impact: 49
- Range: 35
- Stability: 60
- Handling: 71
- Reload Speed: 30
- Reload Time: 1.91 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 70
- Inventory Size: 50
- Zoom: 13
- Airborne Effectiveness: 23
- Recoil: 80
- Rounds Per Minute: 300
- Magazine: 18
PvP God roll:
- Barrel: Smallbore
- Magazine: Accurized Rounds
- Perk 1: Moving Target
- Perk 2: Incandescent
How to get Drang (Baroque)
In the Season of the Witch, the only way to get this weapon is from the gunsmith vendor (Banshee-44). Banshee has sold some amazing rolls of this weapon in the past and offers it frequently in its inventory. You need to watch its daily offerings and might be lucky enough to get a god-roll.
1. Forerunner (Best for PVP)
The Forerunner in Destiny 2 is a bit of an unconventional sidearm. It operates at 200 RPM, using Special ammo, and retains the distinctive design and lethality inspired by the iconic Halo: Combat Evolved Magnum. Originally known for causing havoc in PvP, recent sidearm buffs have made it a force to be reckoned with in PvE.
Among the different classes, Hunters, in particular, can maximize its potential, especially when coupled with Mechaneer's Tricksleeves. This unique combination adds more effectiveness to the Forerunner, making it a standout choice for Guardians seeking a lethal and stylish sidearm.
Exotic Perk:
"Fires full auto with increased rate of fire. Deals increased precision damage to unshielded targets. Tapping the trigger gives it less recoil and improves accuracy."
Forerunner Stats
- Impact: 35
- Range: 100
- Stability: 70
- Handling: 60
- Reload Speed: 80
- Reload Time: 1.4 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 60
- Inventory Size: 56
- Zoom: 20
- Airborne Effectiveness: 30
- Recoil: 96
- Rounds Per Minute: 200
- Magazine: 15
How to get Forerunner
The questline for the Forerunner Exotic Sidearm is tied to Magnum Opus. This exotic quest is started by obtaining it from Xur and involves straightforward steps such as completing dares of eternity and collecting strange coins. Once you successfully navigate these steps and complete the quest, you'll be rewarded with the Forerunner Exotic Sidearm.
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