With new seasonal and event weapons constantly being introduced in Destiny 2, one may wonder why weapons from the early years are less prominent. Generally, the newest weapons are less common among Guardians, but the passage of time serves as the ultimate jury. This list will not include any weapon variants such as Adepts since they naturally rank as the rarest weapons. Additionally, we will use the latest version of each weapon as the predominant version for commonality. Finally, we will list the rarest single weapon for each weapon category to create a balanced list.
We will be using Charlemagne’s data to craft our list of the rarest weapons in Destiny 2. Their tools will take into account all Destiny 2 Guardians from across all platforms who haven’t turned on progression privacy — this is about 99.85% of the Destiny 2 population. We will use the Global Rarity numbers, meaning that all Guardians will be taken into account. (Adjusted Rarity only includes Guardians that have played a minimum of ten hours).
With that being said, here is the list.
Auto Rifles
Necrochasm - 0.361%
While it is one of the newer weapons on the list, the quest to unlock Necrochasm is a bit convoluted, to say the least. From completing the Bottomless Pit quest steps to getting the Husk of the Pit auto rifle, and then farming Essence of the Oversoul — which is a randomized drop that you can only get from Crota’s End raid. This weapon is new, but that didn’t do much for its commonality.
- Source: Crota’s End raid.
Combat Bows
Pre Astyanax IV - 0.270%
Just like the Necrochasm, the Pre Astyanax IV is one of the additions to the Season of the Witch. While being competent in both PVE and PVP, thanks to its quality perks such as Archer’s Tempo and Explosive Head, the fact that this is a Nightfall weapon did it no favors. Nightfall rotations can be rough, and this bow knows it.
- Source: Nightfall activity.
Fusion Rifle
Tessellation - 0.510%
The Tessellation may be the most controversial pick on the list since the only way of getting it is by pre-ordering Destiny 2: The Final Shape expansion. It is a pretty decent weapon to use for each class with its Undecidable trait, which will adapt its damage type to whatever subclass you have equipped.
- Source: The Final Shape pre-order bonus.
Glaives
Unexpected Resurgence - 0.655%
While possessing decent capabilities for add-clear and boss fights, the Unexpected Resurgence is an Adaptive Blade that didn’t adapt much to the Guardians’ inventory. This is because you will need to complete challenges in Trials of Osiris and get to Rank 16 to obtain it, which can get extremely competitive and tiring.
- Source: Reward for completing Trials of Osiris challenges.
Grenade Launchers
Cataphract GL3 - 0.601%
The Cataphract GL3 is a Season of the Deep grenade launcher that suffers from the same fate as the Unexpected Resurgence. This is also a Trials of Osiris weapon, requiring Guardians to reach Rank 10 with Saint-14. Be prepared to compete for a while.
- Source: Reward for completing Trials of Osiris challenges.
Hand Cannons
Word of Crota - 0.772%
Word of Crota, as you might expect, is a Crota’s End Legendary Void weapon. Word of Crota drops from the third encounter — where you battle Ir Yut, the Deathsinger — and the final encounter as well. This is easier said than done, but now you can use the in-game Fireteam Finder functionality to get some extra help clearing the raid.
- Source: Crota’s End raid.
Linear Fusion Rifles
Briar’s Contempt - 1.457%
While it has a chance to drop only after the first encounter in the Root of Nightmares raid, the Briar’s Contempt linear fusion rifle remains absent from player arsenals. This Solar weapon also featured a three-burst firing burst, which is significantly less popular compared to fully-automatic weapons.
- Source: Root of Nightmares raid.
Machine Guns
Qua Xaphan V - 1.097%
The Qua Xaphan V is not the rarest entry on this list but suffers the “new weapon” commonality issue. With Gambit not being the most popular game mode, it is no surprise that the Qua Xaphan is a rare Season of the Witch weapon.
- Source: Complete Gambit matches and earn rank-up rewards from the Drifter.
Pulse Rifles
Belisarius-D - 0.260%
The Belisarius-D is a Season of the Wish weapon, but it suffers from two conditions that bring it to the list. First off, it is a Trials of Osiris weapon that will be awarded after completing the seven placement matches in Competitive PVP. Not only that but the drop was bugged before it was patched on December 12, impacting the number of Guardians
- Source: Complete 7 placement Trials of Osiris Matches or Glory Matches.
Rocket Launchers
Tomorrow’s Answer - 1.280%
This Void rocket launcher is a great weapon for those who are willing to invest time in Trials of Osiris challenges. Its High-Impact Frame archetype is complemented by its magazine and trait pool, which focuses on reducing this weapon’s reload speed and even its stability.
- Source: Reward for completing Trials of Osiris challenges.
Shotguns
Swordbreaker - 0.783%
The Swordbreaker Legendary Strand shotgun is currently the rarest of its kind, and can only be obtained at the Crota’s End raid. It has a chance to drop after the second and fourth encounter, meaning that you will have to work hard for this Lightweight Frame shotgun that brings forth some usage for PVP as well.
- Source: Crota’s End raid.
Sidearms
Buried Bloodline - 0.143%
The Season of the Wish Warlord’s Ruin dungeon brings forward the Buried Bloodline Exotic sidearm. Its unique design which resembles a crossbow only acts as an aesthetic addition to what is the rarest sidearm in the game. You will need to beat the final boss of the Warlord’s Ruin dungeon, but it’s not a guaranteed drop.
- Source: Warlord’s Ruin dungeon.
Sniper Rifles
Naeem’s Lance - 0.610%
While not as difficult to get as the Buried Bloodline sidearm, the Naeem’s Lance only has a chance to drop from the second and third encounters during the Warlord’s Ruin dungeon. It is a decent Strand sniper rifle that has fallen into this category likely due to the difficulty of the challenge and being a relatively new weapon.
- Source: Warlord’s Ruin dungeon.
Submachine Guns
Tarrabah - 1.127%
While it used to be obtainable after completing the Crown of Sorrows raid, the famous Tarrabah Solar submachine gun is now available to get at the Exotic Archive in the Monument of Lost Lights. Its Ravenous Beast Exotic perk allows this weapon to store and eventually release huge amounts of Solar power at the enemy, making it a great choice for those who have some Season of the Opulence nostalgia.
- Source: Exotic Archive at the Tower.
Swords
Dragoncult Sickle - 0.650%
A brand-new Void sword, the Dragoncult Sickle not only looks great and features a great heavy projectile attack, but also is extremely rare because it is a Warlord’s Ruin weapon. It is a possible drop from both the first Rathil boss fight and the third encounter for Hefn’s Vengeance, making it particularly hard to get.
- Source: Warlord’s Ruin dungeon.
Trace Rifles
The Navigator - 0.477%
Finally, we have The Navigator Exotic trace rifle. Introduced during the Season of the Deep, this weapon suffers from two factors. On one hand, trace rifles are amongst the least used weapons in the game, especially in PVP. On the other hand, to get this weapon you will need to beat the final boss in the Ghosts of the Deep dungeon.
- Source: Ghosts of the Deep dungeon.
