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Destiny 2: Best Exotic Weapons & How to Get Them

Powerful and unique weapons.

Exotic Weapons in Destiny 2 are unique and powerful tools that Guardians can use in their fight against the Darkness. However, there are a few Exotic Weapons that stand out as the most powerful, and these are the ones every Guardian should have on standby. Here are the Best Exotic WEapons in Destiny 2 and how you can get them.

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The Best Exotic Weapons in Destiny 2

Trinity Ghoul

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What is it?

Trinity Ghoul is an Arc Energy Combat Bow added with the Forsaken Expansion. Its Intrinsic perk is known as Split Electron, which causes the bow to fire an arrow that splits when released. It also causes the spread to decrease when aiming down sights or fully drawing the bow. The weapon's Exotic perk is known as Lighting Rod and causes precision kills to grant the next shot chain-lightning capabilities.

How do you obtain it?

The only way currently to get Trinity Ghoul in Destiny 2 is with Exotic Engrams. The Fated Exotic Engram from Xur as well as the random World Drop Exotic Engrams have a chance to hold this weapon. There is also a chance Xur will have it in his weekend inventory.

Sunshot

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What is it?

Sunshot is a Solar Energy Hand Cannon introduced with the Red War in Destiny 2's first year. Its Intrinsic perk is called Sunburn. This causes the weapon to fire explosive rounds and highlight targets that take damage from it. Sunshot's other perk is called Sun Blast, which causes targets killed with it to explode with Solar Energy that can damage nearby enemies.

How do you obtain it?

The only way currently to get Sunshot in Destiny 2 is with Exotic Engrams. The Fated Exotic Engram from Xur and the random World Drop Exotic Engrams have a chance to hold this weapon. There is also a chance Xur will have it in his weekend inventory.

Related: Worst Exotic Weapons in Destiny 2

Osteo Striga

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What is it?

Osteo Striga is a Kinetic Submachine Gun introduced with The Witch Queen Expansion. Its Intrinsic perk is called Screaming Swarm, which fires a stream of sentient, toxic projectiles that track the targeted enemy. It has a perk known as Toxic Overload that causes a final blow or multiple Precision hits to trigger a burst that poisons nearby targets.

How do you obtain it?

This weapon is currently only obtainable to those who purchased the Deluxe edition of The Witch Queen expansion. However, we suspect that it will become available to all players in the future. Those who are able to obtain this weapon can do so by crafting it at The Enclave on Mars after completing The Witch Queen campaign.

Dead Man's Tale

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What is it?

Dead Man's Tale is a Kinetic Scout Rifle introduced with Season of the Chosen. Chaining precision hits grants bonus damage and quickens reload speed for this weapon due to its Intrinsic perk, Cranial Spike. This weapon has the ability to have random rolls and to get the most out of it, you will want to make sure you have a strong perk set.

How do you obtain it?

Currently, the only way to obtain Dead Man's Tale is by purchasing it from Xur on the weekend. He will carry random rolls for this weapon each weekend, so be sure to check out our guide on Xur's Weekend Inventory to see which roll he has on any given weekend.

Ace of Spades

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What is it?

Ace of Spades is a Kinetic Hand Cannon introduced in the Forsaken Expansion. Its Intrinsic perk is known as Memento Mori, which grants radar while aiming down sights, as well as loads the magazine with a few extra-damage bullets when reloading after a kill. Another perk on Ace of Spades is called Firefly. This causes precision kills to increase reload speed and cause the target to explode, dealing Solar damage to nearby enemies.

How do you obtain it?

The only way to obtain Ace of Spades currently is by purchasing it from the Monument of Lost Lights under the Forsaken Exotics Tab. It costs an Exotic Cipher, 125K Glimmer, 200 Microphasic Datalatice, and an Ascendant Shard or one singular Forsaken Cipher.

Gjallarhorn

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What is it?

The Gjallarhorn is a Solar Power Rocket Launcher introduced into Destiny 2 as part of the Bungie 30th Anniversary event. It comes equipped with the Intrinsic perk, Wolfpack Rounds. This causes rounds that are fired to split into tracking cluster missiles upon detonation. It also sports the Pack Hunter perk, which gives increased handling and reload speed when standing near allies as well as granting Wolfpack Rounds to nearby allies wielding non-Exotic Rocket Launchers.

How do you obtain it?

This weapon is currently only obtainable to those who purchased the 30th Anniversary Pack in Destiny 2. For players who did purchase the pack, in order to unlock the weapon, you must complete the Grasp of Avarice Dungeon, as well as the And Out Fly the Wolves questline.

Arbalest

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What is it?

The Arbalest is a Kinetic Linear Fusion Rifle. It has an Intrinsic perk known as Compounding Force. This perk enables the weapon to fire slugs that cause massive damage to combatant shields and are strong against Barrier Champions. Its other perk is known as Disruption Break, which causes an enemy to be more vulnerable to Kinetic damage after their shield is broken with Arbalest. The Catalyst for this weapon is what really makes it stand out, so you will want to be on the hunt for it.

How do you obtain it?

Arbalest is currently only found as a random reward within Exotic engrams . It is also sometimes offered by Xur during his weekend black market sales.

Related: How to get Sweet Business in Destiny 2 – Queen Beckons Exotic Quest

Izanagi's Burden

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What is it?

Izanagi's Burden is a Kinetic Sniper Rifle introduced in Destiny 2's Season of the Forge. THis weapon is capable of consuming its entire magazine and loading a single round with additional range and damage due to its Intrinsic perk, Honed Edge. It also receives reduced flinch when aiming the weapon for short periods because of its No Distractions perk.

How do you obtain it?

The only place players can find Izanagi's Burden in Destiny 2 today is at the Monument of Lost Lights under the Forsaken Exotics Tab. It is purchasable for an Exotic Cipher, 125K Glimmer, 250 Spinmetal Leaves, and two Ascendant Shards or one singular Forsaken Cipher.

Witherhoard

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What is it?

Witherhoard is a Kinetic Grenade Launcher that was introduced with Season of Arrivals. Its Intrinsic perk known as Primeval's Torment causes the weapon's projectiles to blight the target or nearby area on impact. It also has a perk called Break the Bank, which causes blighted targets to take damage over time and also blight the nearby area on death.

How do you obtain it?

The only way to obtain Witherhoard now is by purchasing it from the Monument of Lost Lights under the Shadowkeep Exotics Tab. It costs an Exotic Cipher, 100K Glimmer, 150 Glacial Starwort, and an Ascendant Shard.

The Huckleberry

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What is it?

The Huckleberry is a Kinetic Submachine Gun that was introduced into the game alongside the Warmind Expansion. This weapon stands out because of its Intrinsic perk, Ride the Bull. This gives the weapon an increased rate of fire and recoil while you're holding down the trigger, as well as reloading a portion of the magazine with every kill. This is paired with the Rampage perk that temporarily grants increased damage with each kill.

How do you obtain it?

This weapon is currently only earnable as a random reward from Exotic engrams. However, Xur has a small chance to sell this weapon as part of his rotating weekend inventory.

So there you have it, those are the best Exotic Weapons in Destiny 2. With more and more new and old Exotic Weapons coming to the game each season, there are plenty of opportunities for new weapons to dethrone these and take the top spots.

For more on Destiny 2, check out Who is Eva Levante in Destiny 2? (Lore) right here on Pro Game Guides.


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Mason Moses
My name is Mason Moses. I am an entertainment aficionado, who spends more time consuming it than I would like to admit. I've been playing video games for the past 15 years and every time I turn one on, it feels like the very first time. Since I liked games so much, I decided that I would write about them.

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Destiny 2: Best Exotic Weapons & How to Get Them

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