Destiny 2: Best PvP Weapons, Ranked

Destiny 2 PvP is a constantly changing environment. Bungie nerfs some weapons types, buffs others, and continually adds more and more weapons and abilities to the game. The best PvP weapons, however, have remained relatively unchanged, save for a few new additions with recent content drops. We’ll be doing over the best of them in this guide, presented in order of quality.

The Best Weapons for PvP in Destiny 2

Destiny 2 PvP meta choices tend to require a few things: consistency, ease of use, and effectiveness, with even a modest perk selection. If a weapon has perks that elevate it beyond the rest of its class — and beyond others of the same type — it quickly lands as the best weapon in the game to use in the Crucible. The weapons presented here currently hold that title.

The Immortal SMG

We called The Immortal “power creep the gun” in our guide to getting it, and that holds true, as Bungie has done nothing to reign in its power. Thanks to some of the best perks in the game for a quick time-to-kill, including Target Lock, Rangefinder, Kill Clip, and Perpetual Motion, if you get a god roll of this weapon, it is easily the top weapon in Destiny 2 PvP.

No Time to Explain Exotic Pulse Rifle

Since its introduction in the Beyond Light expansion, the No Time to Explain Exotic Pulse Rifle has been one of the top PvP weapons in Destiny 2 and has survived — and even thrived — in the ever-changing sandbox. This is due to its consistent TTK from almost any distance, incredible ease of use, and its Exotic perk that summons a space-time rift that shoots more bullets are enemies you’re already shooting at. It won’t compete with the Immortal up close, but if you stick to sight lines, there’s no better choice.

Le Monarque Exotic Bow

One of the oldest Destiny 2 original weapons on our list, Le Monarque came out way back in the Black Armory DLC and was something of a sleeper hit for a while, as many players looked down on Bows as off-meta choices. No more. Combine its fast draw time, high-powered headshots, and long-lasting damage over time on a fully-drawn precision hit, and you’ve got quite the nuisance on your hands. If you pair it with a Quickdraw Handcannon, it’s easy to two-tap almost any Guardian in less than a second.

Matador 64 Shotgun

The “Mapador,” as it was known in the original Destiny, returned with the Bungie 30th Anniversary pack and is only available in the Grasp of Avarice Dungeon. However, if you get the right rolls on it — Ricochet Rounds, Perpetual Motion, and Opening Shot, for instance — it can live up to some of its former glory. Expect one-shot kills from an absolutely ridiculous distance, and laugh as your enemies fall.

Cloudstrike Sniper Rifle

Another Beyond Light addition, Cloudstrike is an Arc Exotic Sniper Rifle that doesn’t necessarily compete with the quickness of a crafted Beloved, nor the sheer stopping power of a 72 RPM with Snapshot Sights. However, its Exotic perk sends out a lightning storm on any precision kill that has the potential to clear entire groups of enemy Guardians for the price of a single shot. And because Snipers always one-shot to the head, if you can land the headshot, expect quite the light show.

Exalted Truth Hand Cannon

Like The Immortal, you get the Exalted Truth by competing in Trials of Osiris in the Crucible. The Exalted Truth Hand Cannon is probably the top overall weapon of its type in PvP. There’s nothing flashy about it. It doesn’t have the Ace of Spades’ or Thorn’s Exotic Perks, nor is it capable of styling on enemies up close or from long range. But within its killzone, and with good aim, it will reliably three-tap any Guardian that dares get between its crosshairs.

IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.3

Is it The Immortal? No, but the IKELOS SMG is probably much easier to get as a world drop than playing Trials of Osiris and is almost as good as the current meta king, especially if you managed to craft one during Season of the Seraph. It also synergizes well with Arc builds, should you choose to use one in the Crucible, and while it’s not the absolute best option, it remains one of the top PvP weapons in Destiny 2 nonetheless.

Jötunn Fusion Rifle

This weapon also released in the Black Armory DLC back in the day, and while its use is incredibly niche, it’s also probably the easiest weapon to get kills with. Just charge and aim in the general direction of your enemies. Unless they use some movement tech or get behind cover, the projectile will lightly track toward them. You can use Jötunn to quickly peak angles, and even if you die to a sniper, odds are you’ll trade. Not “honorable,” certainly, but more fun than it should be.

Skill is always a factor in PvP, but you’ll have an equipment advantage as well wielding the best PvP weapons in Destiny 2. Check out our library of comprehensive Destiny 2 guides here on GameSkinny.