Swords are a relatively new weapon archetype introduced in Destiny 2. They're designed for close combat, although some special swords can also shoot projectiles. While they may not be the best choice for every situation, swords can dish out severe damage if you get close to your target.
Because there's a huge variety of swords to choose from in Destiny 2, it can be overwhelming for players to figure out which is best for them. But if you have the right sword in your hand, you have the potential to dominate every activity in the game.
What are the best swords in Destiny 2?
Swords keep multiplying with each new season since they're always a part of the game’s meta. Whether you're a seasoned PvE player or a skilled PvP competitor, we've covered you with a list of the top 10 swords in the game.
10. Bequest (Best for PVE)
While Bequest may have a rather unremarkable Adaptive Frame, it's undeniably one of the top choices for swords right now. Acquired from the Deep Stone Crypt raid, Bequest offers an outstanding perk selection and the highest Impact rating among all Adaptive Swords, which offers more serious damage than any other frame.
Its fantastic perk combination of Tireless Blade and Surrounded sets Bequest apart. This pairing is particularly well-suited for PvE activities as it allows you to efficiently clear waves of lower-tier enemies without concerns about ammo conservation. This makes Bequest a standout choice for those looking to excel in PvE encounters.
Bequest Stats
- Swing Speed: 40
- Impact: 70
- Range: 40
- Stability: 0
- Guard Efficiency: 0
- Guard Resistance: 0
- Inventory Size: 0
- Zoom: 0
- Charge Rate: 70
- Magazine: 50
- Ammo Capacity: 60
PvE God roll:
- Blade: Honed Edge
- Guard: Burst Guard
- Perk 1: Tireless Blade
- Perk 2: Surrounded
How to get Bequest
You can get this weapon from the Deep Stone Crypt Raid, precisely the raid's final encounter (Taniks The Abomination). Once the weapon 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.
9. Eternity's Edge (Best for PVE)
Eternity's Edge, designed exclusively for Warlocks, is the Solar counterpart to Falling Guillotine, albeit without Whirlwind Blade. Being a Vortex sword, it holds a higher rank than most other Legendary swords, thanks to its exceptional ammo efficiency and impressive DPS potential.
The best combination of perks you can aim for with Eternity's Edge is Thresh and Whirlwind Blade. This setup is excellent for clearing out smaller enemies and dealing damage to bosses. Thresh helps you regenerate your super, which is especially beneficial for Warlocks using a solar build, while Whirlwind Blade enhances your boss damage potential.
Eternity's Edge Stats
- Swing Speed: 40
- Impact: 60
- Range: 50
- Stability: 0
- Guard Efficiency: 0
- Guard Resistance: 0
- Inventory Size: 0
- Zoom: 0
- Charge Rate: 20
- Magazine: 60
- Ammo Capacity: 62
PvE God roll:
- Blade: Honed Edge
- Guard: Infinite Guard
- Perk 1: Thresh
- Perk 2: Whirlwind Blade
How to get Eternity's Edge
Similar to Crown Splitter, there isn't a dedicated quest to get the Crown Splitter sword in Destiny 2. You can get it through random chances. The Crown Splitter might come as a drop from Legendary Engrams as part of the general loot pool, or you could luck out and receive it from faction packages when interacting with Tower vendors like Shaxx or Zavala.
8. Crown-Splitter (Best for PVE)
Crown-Splitter, exclusively available for Titans, is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to dealing with DPS. You'll quickly understand its devastating potential if you chain light attacks on a single target.
Even more impressive is that it can roll with the Relentless Strikes and Whirlwind Blade perks, making Crown-Splitter an exceptional choice for those seeking a sword that stands out in combat.
Crown-Splitter Stats
- Swing Speed: 0
- Impact: 73
- Range: 60
- Stability: 0
- Guard Efficiency: 0
- Guard Resistance: 0
- Inventory Size: 0
- Zoom: 0
- Charge Rate: 20
- Magazine: 40
- Ammo Capacity: 48
PvE God roll:
- Blade: Jagged Edge
- Guard: Heavy Guard
- Perk 1: Thresh
- Perk 2: Vorpal Weapon
How to get Crown-Splitter
There is not any a specific quest to obtain the Crown Splitter sword in Destiny 2. Instead, you can acquire it by chance. The Crown Splitter can drop from Legendary Engrams as part of random world loot, or you might get lucky and receive it from faction packages when dealing with Tower vendors like Shaxx or Zavala.
7. Razor's Edge (Best for PVP)
Razor's Edge, an Iron Banner sword, hasn't always been the first choice for either PvE or PvP modes, but it has earned a special place in the hearts of many players. Its appearance resembles a unique iron-made lightsaber.
What sets Razor's Edge apart is that it shares the same frame as Falling Guillotine but comes with notably improved perks. The combination of Wellspring and Chain Reaction makes this sword huexcel at dealing with hordes of lower-tier enemies, as well as majors, all while boosting your ability energy. This makes Razor's Edge a fantastic option for those looking to clear out groups of enemies and recharge their abilities quickly.
Razor's Edge 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
PvP God roll:
- Blade: Hungry Edge
- Guard: Enduring Guard
- Perk 1: Wellspring
- Perk 2: Thresh
How to get Razor's Edge
This weapon drops randomly on completion of iron banner matches but, unfortunately, is not available in the weapon pool this season. The iron banner weapons reappear in the collection, and we hope this machine gun reappears.
6. Black Talon (Best for PVP)
Black Talon has a unique appearance that resembles a karambit infused with magical power, making it a beloved choice among many Guardians. It's considered one of the most potent Exotic weapons in Destiny 2, bridging the gap between high-damage swords and the safety of ranged weapons.
Black Talon delivers exceptional damage output and safety, surpassing many other swords. Its heavy attack releases Void projectiles that can track and target enemies, adding to its versatility and effectiveness in various situations.
Exotic Perk:
[Heavy Attack]: Fire a heavy projectile attack. Heavy attacks are stronger with full energy.
Sword ammo granted for every other powered sword kill.
Black Talon Stats
- Swing Speed: 40
- Impact: 60
- Range: 40
- Stability: 0
- Guard Efficiency: 0
- Guard Resistance: 0
- Inventory Size: 0
- Zoom: 0
- Charge Rate: 75
- Magazine: 50
- Ammo Capacity: 60
How to get Black Talon
There is no specific quest to get Black Talon. 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 also sells it occasionally, so you can also buy it from there.
5. Heartshadow (Best for PVE)
Heartshadow is quite an unusual sword in Destiny 2, mainly because of its eerie appearance and unique abilities. It can turn you invisible and launch explosive projectiles when you perform a heavy attack. The value of invisibility sets it apart from other swords, making Heartshadow stand out.
This sword is designed with Void builds in mind, especially for Nightstalkers. Its heavy attack releases a volley of Void projectiles, causing moderate damage upon hitting an enemy. Additionally, hitting a target with the orb inflicts a 15% Weaken effect, and getting kills with heavy attacks turns you invisible. It's an intriguing choice for those who prefer stealthy and void-focused gameplay.
Exotic Perk:
Heavy attacks made with full Sword energy turn you invisible and fire exploding Void projectiles.
Remaining invisible grants this weapon increased damage for a brief duration.
Hitting a target with this weapon's projectiles while Shot in the Dark is active weakens them.
Heartshadow Stats
- Swing Speed: 40
- Impact: 60
- Range: 40
- Stability: 0
- Guard Efficiency: 0
- Guard Resistance: 0
- Inventory Size: 0
- Zoom: 0
- Charge Rate: 35
- Magazine: 0
- Ammo Capacity: 50
How to get Heartshadow
Heartshadow is the exclusive exotic reward for completing the Ghost of the Deep Dungeon. You must defeat the dungeon’s final boss, Simmumah, to obtain this mighty sword. The more times you complete the dungeon, the higher the chances of receiving the weapon. The most effective strategy for getting Heartshadow is to farm the final encounter when Ghost of the Deep is the featured dungeon of the week, as this maximizes your chances of adding this unique sword to your arsenal.
4. The Other Half (Best for PVP)
The Other Half is essentially the other part of the Halo Energy Sword, completing the set alongside the Half-Truths Sword you typically obtain from Xur's Treasure Hoard. While they may appear similar, The Other Half offers far more powerful perk combinations than its Arc counterpart.
One of its standout perks is Eager Edge, which not only adds a fun element to the sword but can also be utilized for rapid movement through certain techniques, such as Shatterdive and Well of Radiance, among other options. This makes The Other Half a compelling choice for those looking for effectiveness and versatility in combat.
The Other Half Stats
- Swing Speed: 40
- Impact: 60
- Range: 40
- Stability: 0
- Guard Efficiency: 0
- Guard Resistance: 0
- Inventory Size: 0
- Zoom: 0
- Charge Rate: 20
- Charge Time: 20
- Magazine: 55
- Ammo Capacity: 61
PvP God roll:
- Blade: Jagged Edge
- Guard: Balanced Guard
- Perk 1: Eager Edge
- Perk 2: Frenzy
How to get The Other Half
You can get The Other Half sword by playing the Dares of Eternity playlist. It's always there, but it's rare to get as a drop. You only need one Deepsight Resonance pattern to craft it. Sometimes, you might find The Other Half sword from Xur or in the weapon chest at Xur's Treasure Horde.
3. Sola's Scar (Best for PVP)
Sola's Scar has a distinctive appearance, resembling a short reaping hook with an orange glow. It's essentially a curved blade that delivers solid slices. Being a Caster Sword, it's a viable choice for your PvP matches.
Trials of the Osiris provides some fantastic PvP weapons, and even though swords aren't typically the first choice for PvP, Sola's Scar stands out as one of the most popular options. It boasts an excellent combination of stats and perks, making it a go-to choice for many players in PvP scenarios.
Sola's Scar Stats
- Swing Speed: 40
- Impact: 60
- Range: 40
- Stability: 0
- Guard Efficiency: 0
- Guard Resistance: 0
- Inventory Size: 0
- Zoom: 0
- Charge Rate: 50
- Magazine: 46
- Ammo Capacity: 59
PvP God roll:
- Blade: Jagged Edge
- Guard: Heavy Guard
- Perk 1: Relentless Strikes
- Perk 2: Chain Reaction
How to get Sola's Scar
Sola's Scar 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.
2. Falling Guillotine (Best for PVE)
Falling Guillotine remains one of the top-notch Legendary Swords in the game. Its impressive Vortex Frame design, diverse perks, and strong stats place it firmly in the top-tier category. Since Season 11, Falling Guillotine has been a game-changer in the meta, and its cool neon-lit blades make it a stylish choice too.
Falling Guillotine offers one of the most sought-after perks in the game Whirlwind Blade. This combination turns the weapon into a game-changer when paired with Relentless Strikes. With the right strategy, it has the power to take down raid or dungeon bosses in the blink of an eye.
Falling Guillotine 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
PvE God roll:
- Blade: Honed Edge
- Guard: Swordmaster’s Guard
- Perk 1: Relentless Strikes
- Perk 2: Whirlwind Blade
How to get Falling Guillotine
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 you might be lucky enough to get a god-roll Falling Guillotine.
1. The Lament (Best for PVE)
Despite a few nerfs, the Lament stands as one of the game's top-tier swords. Its Lifesteal perk is a game-changer, allowing it to tear through high-health targets and Barrier Champions easily, making it enjoyable and formidable.
It's more than capable of taking down raid bosses or the most challenging Nightfall Champions effortlessly. With some extra damage resistance or healing, you can confidently use this sword in GM Nightfalls and even raids.
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.
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 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.
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