Destiny 2 Best Weapons Guide: Tier List for PVP (January 2024)

PVP in Destiny 2 can sometimes feel overwhelming if you're unprepared. It's competitive out there, so picking a great set of weapons is the first step towards success and maybe even earning a flawless Trials of Osiris run. For those reasons, here are the best weapons for PVP in Destiny 2.

About the Author

Though I've spent a lot of time surviving several challenging PVE activities, I often venture into the Crucible. Playing rounds of Control, Mayhem, and the infamous Trials of Osiris is a great change of pace, so I spend quite a lot of time making the perfect PVP build.

Disclaimers About the Tier List

This tier list is designed to help you figure out the best PVP weapons in Destiny 2. There are many different factors to consider when choosing a specific weapon including: average rolls, god rolls, game mode, weapon type, weapon archetype, and Bungie’s constant balance changes. Because of this, it’s important to understand the context around these weapons. As always, tier lists are inherently opinionated, even if they’re driven by data like popularity and DPS output. All of the weapons on this list regardless of their rating are perfectly suitable for PVP, so give them a chance to see if they fit your playstyle and build.

Tier List For Best PVP Weapons

• S: These are best-in-class weapons that are the go-to options for anyone using the archetype.
• A: These weapons are popular overall, but are edged out for one reason or another by the truly top-tier weapons.
• B: These weapons usually have an inherent weakness or downside compared to the higher-tiered options usually due to things like perk pool.
• C: These weapons are just average. Nothing special to set them apart.
• F: These weapons are lackluster and mediocre. You’ll rarely see them used.

Tier List Ranks and Explanations

1. Conditional Finality (S Tier)
2. Ammit AR2 (S Tier)
3. Cataphract GL3 (Adept) (S Tier)
4. Ace of Spades (A Tier)
5. Scalar Potential (A Tier)
6. Wendigo GL3 (Adept) (A Tier)
7. Le Monarque (B Tier)
8. Lethal Abundance (B Tier)
9. Beloved (C Tier)
10. The Chaperone (C Tier)

S Tier PVP Weapons

Conditional Finality

Shotguns can be lifesavers in PVP. In small maps and close encounters, these reign supreme since they can one-shot any enemy that comes close to you, as long as your aim is on point. Conditional Finality is a Stasis Exotic shotgun that carries a quite unique perk called Split Decision, which fires both Stasis and Solar damage. Both elements are used heavily in the Crucible. Not only that, the Paracausal perk Freezes targets as long as you land most of the Stasis pellets and Ignites enemies if you do the same with the Solar barrel.

• Excels in: PVP
• Source: Root of Nightmares dungeon.
• Craftable: No

Ammit AR2

Ammit AR2 does particularly well in PVE, it has been receiving quite a lot of love from PVP players. In fact, it's the most used Energy weapon of the bunch. Dynamic Sway Reduction and Tap the Trigger give this weapon increased stability and accuracy, something that is pretty valuable for an auto rifle such as the Ammit AR2.

• Excels in: PVP/PVE
• Source: Legendary engrams and world loot pool.
• Craftable: Yes
• PVE God Roll: Stats for All + Incandescent
• PVP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Tap the Trigger

Cataphract GL3 (Adept)

Trials of Osiris can become a brutal game mode, so it is no surprise that the most used weapons in PVP drops here. The Adept version of the Cataphract GL3 is predominantly used by Guardians, and the sheer velocity of its projectiles — which are enhanced by the Impulse Amplifier perk — makes this an extremely reliable and powerful Strand grenade launcher.

• Excels in: PVP
• Source: Trials of Osiris challenges.
• Craftable: No
• PVE God Roll: Envious Assasin + Chain Reaction
• PVP God Roll: Impulse Amplifier + Full Court

A Tier PVP Weapons

Ace of Spades

While the Ace of Spades is not as used as other hand cannons like Thorn or the Rose, it is still commonly used in PVP matches. We can thank its Memento Mori Exotic perk since it gives bullets a damage boost when you reload after a kill. It even grants radar if you ADS. Moreover, Firefly will reward precision kills with a reload speed boost and Solar explosions.

• Excels in: PVP
• Source: Exotic Archive.
• Craftable: No

Scalar Potential

The Scalar Potential is just great in PVP as it is in PVE. Its Rapid-Fire Frame archetype gives it more ammo reserves and increased reload speed, which complements perfectly with the Keep Away perk. Finally, Headseeker will grant a precision damage boost whenever this Arc pulse rifle lands body shots. Overall, Scalar Potential is a reliable weapon that you need to try.

• Excels in: PVP
• Source: Season Pass reward.
• Craftable: Yes
• PVE God Roll: Enlightened Action + Golden Tricorn
• PVP God Roll: Keep Away + Headseeker

Wendigo GL3 (Adept)

While the Cataphract GL3 (Adept) is significantly more fitted for challenging PVP battles, and it's more easily obtainable, the Wendigo GL3 Arc Legendary grenade launcher is a decent alternative. Chain Reaction causes an explosion after dealing a final blow, which could potentially take on multiple opponents in close quarters.

• Excels in: PVP
• Source: Season of the Seraph Grandmaster Nightfall.
• Craftable: No
• PVE God Roll: Field Prep + Explosive Light
• PVP God Roll: Chain Reaction + Explosive Light

B Tier PVP Weapons

Le Monarque

Bows are an acquired taste, but this weapon type should not be underestimated. That’s the case with Le Monarque, a balanced Void Exotic bow that works well in PVE and PVP. Not only does the Exotic Snapshot Sights perk reduce the amount of time to ADS, but the Poison Arrows perk grants poison damage to rapidly full-drawn arrows. These arrows poison and stun your opponents, which is great for PVP.

• Excels in: PVE/PVP
• Source: Exotic Archive.
• Craftable: No

Lethal Abundance

Lethal Abundance is a Legendary Strand auto rifle that is slightly better suited for the Crucible. Dynamic Sway Reduction and Target Lock heavily increase accuracy and damage as long as you keep pulling the trigger and have your target in sight.

• Excels in: PVP
• Source: Exotic engrams and world loot pool.
• Craftable: No
• PVE God Roll: Keep Away + Onslaught
• PVP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Target Lock 

C Tier PVP Weapons

Beloved 

The Beloved Solar Legendary sniper rifle may not be as easy to get as other sniper rifles, but it is a well-regarded Adaptive Frame weapon for PVP. Snapshot Sights is extremely useful during game modes such as Trials of Osiris given the reduced ADS time. Then, Moving Target increases both your movement and target acquisition as long as you keep moving while ADS. Simply aim fast, move to avoid incoming damage, and pull the trigger. 

• Excels in: PVP
• Source: Presage exotic mission, Exotic mission rotator.
• Craftable: Yes
• PVE God Roll: No Distractions + Incandescent
• PVP God Roll: Snapshot Sights + Moving Target

The Chaperone

If you have an astounding aim, then The Chaperone is probably the best weapon to equip. Thanks to the Precision Slug Exotic perk, this shotgun fires a single slug precision round that will also grant you increased handling and range. The weapon gets a precision damage buff after landing precision kills with the Roadborn perk. 

• Excels in: PVP
• Source: Exotic quest.
• Craftable: No

What Are the Go-To Weapons?

Hand cannons and shotguns are ideal and should be your priority, with auto rifles and submachine guns also entering the mix. Sniper rifles are not as popular as before, but they can serve for some ranged action, as long as you aim for the head. Finally, something like a grenade launcher could work perfectly for mid-range, just make sure you don't accidentally hit yourself.