Solar weapons are an important part of a Guardian's armory in Destiny 2, as they unleash powerful fire damage to torch enemies and face challenges around the solar system. Solar weapons include armaments for various combat conditions, from primary auto rifles to heavy-hitting rocket launchers. Guardians use solar shotguns in close-quarters battles, precision solar sniper rifles in long-range combat, and deadly fire rocket barrages to exploit opponent weaknesses.
What are the best Solar Weapons in Destiny 2?
With each new season in Destiny 2, the weapon meta undergoes significant changes. This article will explore the top 10 solar weapons that excel in PvP and PvE gameplay. Let's jump right in.
10. Vex Mythoclast
Vex Mythoclast returned in Destiny 2 with the reintroduction of Vault of Glass in Season of the Splicer. Initially, it was underwhelming, but after receiving several buffs, it became a formidable weapon, reaching its peak in Season of the Lost thanks to Particle Deconstruction. It remains a strong choice in both PvE and PvP. Its power lies in its secondary linear firing mode and full-auto capability, eliminating the need for Special ammo. Warlocks, in particular, can maximize their potential by pairing them with the Rain of Fire Exotic boots, which grant the Radiant damage buff upon scoring final blows with fusion or linear fusion rifles.
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. Tyranny of Heaven
Tyranny of Heaven was once considered the weakest Bow in Destiny 2, no doubt about it. Its stats were subpar, it belonged to an unfavorable archetype, and its perks were unimpressive. However, it underwent a significant transformation in Season of the Deep, becoming the first Bow capable of rolling with Dragonfly and Incandescent perks. Upon scoring a precision kill, this combination allows for double explosions, breathing new life into the weapon.
Tyranny Of Heaven Stats
- Impact: 80
- Accuracy:
- Stability: 29
- Handling: 31
- Reload Speed: 34
- Aim Assistance: 35
- Inventory Size: 39
- Zoom: 12
- Airborne Effectiveness: 5
- Recoil: 80
- Draw Time: 55
PvE God roll:
- Bowstring: Polymer String
- Arrow: Straight Fletching
- Perk 1: Archer’s Tempo
- Perk 2: Incandescent
How to get Tyranny Of Heaven
To get Tyranny Of Heaven, you must complete the encounters of the Last Wish raid. The weapon can drop from any game encounter, and if you have unlocked it in your collections, you can also get it from the secret chests. We suggest you farm the first encounter (Kalli, the Corrupted) as it is the simplest and the fastest to complete. This weapon is also craftable, so you will need five patterns to craft it. You can farm the raid once it is the featured raid of the week to get all the red borders of the weapon.
8. The Summoner
The Summoner is a highly sought-after item among Trials of Osiris rewards, valued for its efficiency in Crucible matches and in various PvE scenarios. This weapon is well-known for its extraordinary versatility and good handling, and it comes with outstanding attributes that improve both its damage output and range capabilities. Its recent update to accommodate adept mods strengthens its standing as a formidable choice for PvP encounters. Notably, the adept targeting option considerably improves aim assistance by a large margin, increasing its competitiveness in Crucible matches.
The Summoner Stats
- Impact: 21
- Range: 40
- Stability: 41
- Handling: 70
- Reload Speed: 56
- Reload Time: 1.89 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 62
- Inventory Size: 51
- Zoom: 16
- Airborne Effectiveness: 24
- Recoil: 57
- Rounds Per Minute: 600
- Magazine: 42
PvP God roll:
- Barrel: Smallbore
- Magazine: Ricochet Rounds
- Perk 1: Dynamic Sway Reduction
- Perk 2: Rangefinder
How to get The Summoner
The Summoner 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. Zaouli’s Bane
When King's Fall was released, it brought some great weapons, and Zaouli's Bane stood out as the best legendary hand cannon for PvE. It's great for Solar 3.0 builds, especially with the Incandescent perk, which is particularly effective in the current Season of the Wish. Plus, it can roll with Explosive Payload and Incandescent, even deadlier.
Zaouli’s Bane Stats
- Impact: 84
- Range: 43
- Stability: 52
- Handling: 46
- Reload Speed: 43
- Reload Time: 3.16 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 77
- Inventory Size: 50
- Zoom: 14
- Airborne Effectiveness: 19
- Recoil: 89
- Rounds Per Minute: 140
- Magazine: 10
PvE God roll:
- Barrel: Hammer-Forged Rifling
- Magazine: Tactical Mag
- Perk 1: Explosive Payload
- Perk 2: Incandescent
How to get Zaouli’s Bane
You can get Zaouli's Bane from the King's Fall Raid in Destiny 2, which has a chance to drop in three encounters. You can open reward chests to find this hand cannon after defeating Golgoroth, the Daughters of Oryx, and Oryx himself.
6. Apex Predator
In Season of the Deep, Apex Predator underwent a significant perk overhaul, receiving arguably the most potent single-target DPS perk combination ever seen on a Rocket Launcher. This combination consists of Reconstruction paired with Bait and Switch. Reconstruction combines the effects of Clown Cartridge and Auto-Loading Holster into one perk, enabling you to load two rockets into the magazine by simply holstering the weapon. As a result, Apex Predator surpasses the majority of other rocket launchers in the game, showcasing that with the right adjustments, a weapon can successfully reclaim its position at the forefront of Guardian arsenals.
Apex Predator Stats
- Blast Radius: 50
- Velocity: 49
- Stability: 43
- Handling: 44
- Reload Speed: 44
- Reload Time: 3.37 s
- Aim Assistance: 68
- Inventory Size: 33
- Zoom: 20
- Airborne Effectiveness: 3
- Recoil: 61
- Rounds Per Minute: 20
- Magazine: 1
PvE God roll:
- Barrel: Volatile Launch
- Magazine: Impact Casing
- Perk 1: Reconstruction
- Perk 2: Bait and Switch
How to get Apex Predator
You'll need to venture into the Last Wish raid to acquire Apex Predator. During the Season of the Witch, completing any encounter within the raid has a chance to drop this formidable rocket launcher. Once you've unlocked it in your collections, you can also obtain it from the secret chests scattered throughout the raid.
5. Igneous Hammer (Adept)
While not as dominant as in the past, Igneous Hammer still stands out with its impressive stats among all 120 RPM Hand Cannons and enticing perks. Although it may not currently be considered part of the meta, this weapon remains highly versatile and capable of excelling in any situation. In PvP, Igneous Hammer continues to reign as one of the top hand cannons, thanks to its updated perk pool that synergizes well with multiple classes. While it may not be the top choice in the current meta, Igneous Hammer consistently performs exceptionally well across various PvP scenarios.
Igneous Hammer Stats
- Impact: 92
- Range: 65
- Stability: 35
- Handling: 37
- Reload Speed: 30
- Reload Time: 3.55 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 69
- Inventory Size: 55
- Zoom: 14
- Airborne Effectiveness: 23
- Recoil: 95
- Rounds Per Minute: 120
- Magazine: 9
PvP God roll:
- Barrel: Hammer Forged Rifling
- Magazine: Accurized Rounds
- Perk 1: Rapid Hit
- Perk 2: Opening Shot
How to get Igneous Hammer
Players can obtain the Igneous Hammer from the lighthouse chest, which can only be unlocked by going flawless in trials.
4. The Lament
Even after minor tweaks, the Lament remains one of the game's premier swords. Its Lifesteal perk is groundbreaking, allowing it to easily eliminate high-health enemies and Barrier Champions, increasing its fun and efficacy. When challenged against Legendary Swords, the Lament truly shines: it can destroy Barrier Champion shields, unleash devastating damage with its light and heavy attack combinations, and even heal the wielder. While it does not dominate the Crucible Heavy weapon meta, this sword has established itself as a must-have for close-range boss DPS.
Exotic Perk:
[Block]: Hold to rev the blade.
• Increases damage and adds [Shield-Piercing] shield piercing to all attacks.
• Gain stacks when dealing damage with revved attacks.
• Additional stacks increase the damage and damage resistance of heavy attacks.
The Lament Stats
- Swing Speed: 40
- Impact: 60
- Range: 40
- Stability: 0
- Guard Efficiency: 0
- Guard Resistance: 0
- Inventory Size: 0
- Zoom: 0
- Charge Rate: 20
- Magazine: 46
- Ammo Capacity: 59
How to get The Lament
To get The Lament in Destiny 2, complete the Beyond Light story campaign first. Then, see Banshee-44 at the Tower, get the Lost Lament quest from him, and follow its simple steps to unlock the weapon.
3. CALUS Mini-Tool
The CALUS Mini-Tool, making a triumphant return, swiftly regained its position as a dominant force within the meta. Recognized as one of the standout weapons during The Witch Queen era, it continues to be a favored inclusion in Solar PvE loadouts. Notably, the CALUS Mini-Tool is now craftable, allowing Guardians to customize it to their preferences after obtaining five red border versions. However, acquiring this weapon necessitates ownership of either the Beyond Light DLC or the Season of the Chosen.
CALUS Mini-Tool Stats
- Impact: 15
- Range: 30
- Stability: 49
- Handling: 65
- Reload Speed: 31
- Reload Time: 2.27 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 49
- Inventory Size: 70
- Zoom: 14
- Airborne Effectiveness: 28
- Recoil: 80
- Rounds Per Minute: 900
- Magazine: 37
PvE God roll:
- Barrel: Smallbore
- Magazine: Accurized Rounds
- Perk 1: Unrelenting
- Perk 2: Incandescent
How to get CALUS Mini-Tool
In the Season of the Wish, 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 must watch its daily offerings and might be lucky enough to get a god-roll.
2. Gjallarhorn
Gjallarhorn, the iconic DPS powerhouse from the original Destiny, has returned triumphantly to Destiny 2, much to the delight of fans, and retains its immense power. During its initial release, it was an incredibly formidable rocket launcher that Bungie promptly adjusted due to the overwhelming damage output of its Wolfpack Rounds. While Gjallarhorn may not boast the highest PvE DPS in its current iteration, it is a valuable support weapon, providing allied Legendary Rocket Launchers with Wolfpack Rounds and significantly enhancing their reload speed.
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 must 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.
1. Sunshot
Solar 3.0 brought Sunshot back into the PvE meta of Destiny 2. As one of the few Lightweight Hand Cannons available, Sunshot offers an incredibly satisfying experience even without its exotic perk. With just one or two shots, it can easily dispatch most red bar enemies in the game, including those in Grandmaster difficulty, triggering explosive chain reactions upon their elimination. This ability to clear entire rooms in seconds makes Sunshot incredibly potent. It becomes even more powerful when paired with mods like Radiant or Surge.
Sunshot Stats
- Impact: 80
- Range: 31
- Stability: 40
- Handling: 81
- Reload Speed: 72
- Reload Time: 2.45 seconds
- Aim Assistance: 60
- Inventory Size: 53
- Zoom: 14
- Airborne Effectiveness: 27
- Recoil: 98
- Rounds Per Minute: 150
- Magazine: 12
Exotic Perk:
"This weapon fires explosive rounds. Targets killed with Sunshot explode in Solar energy."
How to get Sunshot
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.
