Destiny 2 is all about the loot, especially the Exotic weapons. These are extremely unique guns that have bizarre and extraordinary perks, and are often difficult to find. Below we've got every currently-known Exotic weapon, and we'll be sure to update it once more are revealed and found!
The setup for Exotic weapon perks in Destiny 2 is far easier to comprehend and more detailed than Destiny 1’s version. Each Exotic weapon has five perks: Intrinsic, Barrel, Magazine, Trait, Grip. These perks relate to a specific part of the gun, but the two most interesting perks will be Intrinsic and Trait.
Exotic Kinetic Weapons
Sweet Business
The Exotic weapon, Sweet Business, is an Auto Rifle that is equipped in the Kinetic weapon slot. In order to unlock the Sweet Business, you will need to play through the Homecoming story mission as a Titan. Once you reach Shaxx, he will reward you with the Sweet Business. Anyone who had a Thunderlord will tell you that it was one of the most enjoyable and underrated Exotics of Destiny 1. Fans of the Thunderlord will find it easy to pick up and use the Sweet Business.
Read: Destiny 2 - Titan Striker Subclass Guide
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Auto Rifle | Kinetic | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Payday | Larger magazine, Increased accuracy when firing from the hip |
| Barrel | Polygonal Rifling | Increased stability |
| Magazine | High-Caliber Rounds | Increases range |
| Trait | Business Time | Holding down the trigger increases range and rate of fire, auto loads ammo into mag from pick-up |
| Stock | Composite Stock | Increased Stability, Increases Handling Speed |
Vigilance Wing
Vigilance Wing is an Exotic Pulse Rifle that is equipped in your Kinetic (Primary) weapon slot. This takes on the appearance of a Trials of Osiris weapon, with Eqyptian-like imagery. The golden wings and white wraps are very similar to some of the armor pieces available in Trials of Osiris in Destiny.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Pulse Rifle | Kinetic | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Harsh Truths | 5-round burst, health regen and movement speed when a nearby ally is killed |
| Barrel | Corkscrew Rifling | Increases range and stability, and Handling Speed |
| Magazine | Alloy Magazine | Faster reloads when the magazine is empty |
| Trait | Last Stand | Improved performance when its wielder is last man standing |
| Stock | Composite Stock | Increased Stability, Increases Handling Speed |
MIDA Multi-Tool
Returning from Destiny 1, the MIDA Multi-Tool is a powerful Exotic Scout Rifle that keeps the radar on-screen whenever you aim-down-sights. In Destiny 2, the radar takes a while to reappear after ADSing, making these types of perks valuable. The faster you get your radar back, the sooner you can spot enemy movement.
The MIDA Multi-Tool Exotic Weapon pairs with the MIDA Mini-Tool, a Submachine Gun that is equipped in the Energy slot. When both are equipped, the MIDA Multi-Tool grants additional benefits.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Scout Rifle | Kinetic | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | MIDA Multi-Tool | This weapon boosts move speed |
| Barrel | Corkscrew Rifling | Balanced Barrel. Slightly increases range and stability. Slightly increases handling speed. |
| Magazine | High-Caliber Rounds | Shots from this weapon knock the target back farther. Slightly increases range. |
| Trait | MIDA Radar | Radar stays active while aiming down sights |
| Stock | Hand-Laid Stock | This weapon is optimized for recoil control. Increases stability |
Sturm
The Sturm is another pairing Exotic Weapon that receives bonuses when equipped alongside the Drang Sidearm.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Hand Cannon | Kinetic | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Accomplice | Kills with this weapon fill the magazine of the equipped Energy Weapon from reserves. |
| Barrel | Extended Barrel | Weighty barrel extension. Increases range. Decreases handling speed. |
| Magazine | Extended Mag | This weapon has a greatly increased magazine size, but reloads much slower. |
| Trait | Storm and Stress | Kills with Drang grant bonus precision damage until the next reload. |
| Stock | Combat Grip | This weapon causes much less vertical recoil. |
Rat King
The Rat King is an Exotic Weapon with an appealing Intrinsic perk, especially when everyone in a Raid party has one equipped.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Hand Cannon | Kinetic | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Rat Pack | This weapon becomes stronger when nearby fireteam members also have it equipped. Stacks up to 6 times |
| Barrel | Smallbore | Dual strength barrel. Increases range. Increases stability |
| Magazine | Tactical Mag | This weapon has multiple tactical improvements. Slightly increases stability. Slightly increases reload speed. Slightly increases Magazine size. |
| Trait | Vermin | Reloading immediately after a kill grants a brief period of invisibility. |
| Stock | Smooth Grip | This weapon is slightly easier to hold and aim. SLightly increases stability. Slightly increases handling speed. |
Exotic Energy Weapons
Riskrunner
The Exotic weapon, Riskrunner, is a Submachine Gun that is equipped in the Energy weapon slot. In order to unlock the Riskrunner, you will need to play through the Homecoming story mission as a Warlock. Once you reach Shaxx, he will reward you with the Riskrunner. Fans of the Zhalo Supercell will feel immediately at home with the Riskrunner, especially given its Arc attack type.
Read: Destiny 2 - Dawnblade Warlock Subclass Guide
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Submachine Gun | Arc | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Arc Conductor | Becomes more powerful and resists Arc Damage when you take Arc Damage. Kills extend overcharged state |
| Barrel | Arrowhead Brake | Greatly controls recoil, increases handling speed |
| Magazine | Extended Mag | Increases magazine size, decreases reload speed |
| Trait | Superconductor | When Arc Conductor is active, shots fired have a chance to chain lightning and return ammo |
| Stock | Short-Action Stock | Increases handling speed |
Sunshot
The Exotic weapon, Sunshot, is a Hand Cannon that is equipped in the Energy weapon slot. In order to unlock the Sunshot, you will need to play through the Homecoming story mission as a Hunter. Once you reach Shaxx, he will reward you with the Sunshot. The Sunshot feels right at home in the hands of the Gunslinger Hunter, landing headshots and exploding enemies in quick succession. The Sunshot is even one of the fastest time-to-kill Crucible weapons - so be sure to use it!
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Hand Cannon | Solar | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Sunburn | Fires explosive rounds and highlights targets it hits |
| Barrel | Chambered Compensator | Increased stability, improved recoil, increase handling speed |
| Magazine | Accurized Rounds | Increases range |
| Trait | Sun Blast | Targets killed with Sunshot explode in Solar energy |
| Stock | Textured Grip | Increases handling speed, decreases stability |
Hard Light
Hard Light makes its glorious return from Destiny! This was an originally underwhelming Auto Rifle, but it began receiving more attention around the later half of the game. In Destiny 2, Hard Light will likely be an extremely valuable weapon, given its ability to change damage type.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Auto Rifle | Arc/Solar/Void | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Volatile Light | Rounds have no damage fall-off, overpenetrate targets, and richochet |
| Barrel | Polygonal Rifling | Increased stability |
| Magazine | Alloy Magazine | Faster reloads when the magazine is empty |
| Trait | Core | Modifies the weapons damage type: Arc, Solar, or Void |
| Stock | Composite Stock | Increases stability, increases handling speed |
Coldheart
Coldheart is the preorder bonus Exotic Weapon that was given to players who slapped down money on Destiny 2 before it came out. If you were one of those gamers, be sure to check out our guide on how to get the Coldheart, as it's not given to you straight away! Coldheart is able to dish out large amounts of damage, provided you can keep the stream on the target. If the stream falls off the target, even for a second, the damage multiplier you built up will disappear.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Trace Rifle | Arc | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Cold Fusion | This weapon shoots a steady cold fusion-powered laser. |
| Barrel | Extended Barrel | Weighty barrel extension. Increases range. Decreases handling speed. |
| Magazine | Enhanced Battery | Strong battery life. Increases magazine size. |
| Trait | Longest Winter | Coldheart's laser does exponentially more damage the longer it remains on a target. |
| Stock | Hand-Laid Stock | This weapon is optimized for recoil control. Increases stability |
Fighting Lion
Despite the Fighting Lion being a Grenade Launcher, it is equipped in the Energy weapon slot. Don't let that fool you - this is one mean Exotic Weapon.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Grenade Launcher | Void | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Delayed Gratification | Grenade projectiles will bounce off surfaces. Hold [fire] to fire, and release to detonate. |
| Barrel | Countermass | This weapon is weighted for vertical recoil. Greatly controls recoil. Increases stability. Increases handling speed. |
| Magazine | Imposion Rounds | Grenades travel faster and have controlled explosion. Increase Projectile speed. Greatly increases stability. Decreases blast radius. |
| Trait | Thin the Herd | Direct hits with this weapon do more damage to shielded enemy combatants. Rapid kills against grenade-damaged enemies will refill the magazine. |
| Stock | Short-Action Stock | This weapon is especially easy to grip. Greatly increases handling speed. |
Graviton Lance
The Graviton Lance is a powerful Exotic Weapon that packs a mean punch at all distances. The last bullet in the 3-round burst makes the Pulse Rifle kick, but the damage payoff is worth the recoil.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Pulse Rifle | Void | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Black Hole | Third shot of a burst rips a hole through spacetime, doing high damage and recoil with no fall-off. |
| Barrel | Hammer-Forged Rifling | Durable ranged barrel. Increases range. |
| Magazine | Accuraized Rounds | This weapon can fire longer distances. Increases Range. |
| Trait | Cosmology | Kills with this weapon cause enemy targets to detonate. |
| Stock | Fitted Stock | This stock makes the weapon stable but heavy. Increases stability. Improves recoil direction. Slightly decreases handling speed. |
Skyburner's Oath
Skyburner's Oath is an appealing Exotic Scout Rifle, especially for those who look to be fighting the Cabal a lot. Considering the Leviathan Raid is probably going to be Cabal-focused, it might be a good idea to work toward unlocking this Exotic Weapon.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Scout Rifle | Solar | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Slug Rifle | This weapon fires solar slugs that get stronger when aiming down sights. |
| Barrel | Extended Barrel | Weighty barrel extension. Increases range. Decreases handling speed. |
| Magazine | Extended Mag | This weapon has a greatly increased magazine size, but reloads much slower. |
| Trait | For the Empire | This weapon is Full Auto, does extra damage to Cabal and penetrates Phalanx Shields. |
| Stock | Short-Action Stock | This weapon is especially easy to grip. Greatly increases handling speed. |
Exotic Power Weapons
The Wardcliff Coil
Originally known as the Dubius Volley from Destiny 1, The Wardcliff Coil is a gun Destiny players have been waiting to get their hands on for years, and now thanks to Destiny 2, they can. This Rocket Launcher fires a volley of Arc rockets, extremely quickly and reloads itself automatically when you walk over ammo.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Rocket Launcher | Arc | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Mad Scientist | This weapon fires a volly of rockets |
| Barrel | Volatile Launch | Increased Blast, Decreased Handling, Decreased Projectile Speed |
| Magazine | Extended Mag | Bigger Magazine, Slower Reload |
| Trait | Mechanized Auto Loader | Automatically Reloads on Ammo Pickup |
| Stock | Composite Stock | Increased Stability, Increases Handling Speed |
D.A.R.C.I.
The D.A.R.C.I. Exotic Sniper Rifle seems like it will be a powerful weapon to use against bosses due to its Trait: more damage with Precision hits. However, if it doesn't deal enough damage, it may fall by the wayside in a similar fashion to Patience and Time from Destiny 1.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Sniper Rifle | Arc | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Personal Assitant | Aim at an enemy to view its health and other critical information on the scope. |
| Barrel | Extended Barrel | Weighty barrel extension. Increases range. Decreases handling speed. |
| Magazine | Extended Mag | This weapon has a greatly increased magazine size, but reloads much slower. |
| Trait | Target Acquired | When Personal Assistant is active this weapon has better target acquisition and deals more Precision damage. |
| Stock | Short-Action Stock | This weapon is especially easy to grip. Greatly increases handling speed. |
Merciless
Until you manage to connect the projectiles and get a kill, the Merciless Exotic Fusion Rifle will increase its charge-up rate. This is perfect for those situations where you need to get the second blast off quickly.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Fusion Rifle | Solar | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Conserve Momentum | Non-lethal hits with projectiles make this weapon charge faster until its wielder gets a kill. |
| Barrel | Chambered Compensator | Stable barrel attachment. Increases stability Improves recoil and direction. Slightly Decreases handling speed. |
| Magazine | Extended Mag | This weapon has a greatly increased magazine size, but reloads much slower. |
| Trait | Impetus | Reloading immediately after a kill increases weapon damage for a short time. |
| Stock | Fitted Stock | This stock makes the weapon stable but heavy. Increases stability. Improves recoil direction. Slightly decreases handling speed. |
Legend of Acrius
The ability to see enemies on your radar from further away gives you a huge edge over the competition, especially in tight maps with lots of corridors. The Legend of Acrius Exotic Shotgun also fires shells that overpenetrate enemies, meaning the combatant behind the one you shot will also take damage.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Shotgun | Arc | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Shock Blast | This weapon fires blasts of high-damage Arc energy that overpenetrates enemies. |
| Barrel | Full Bore | Barrel optimized for distance. Greatly increases range. Decreases stability. Slightly decreases handling speed. |
| Magazine | Accurized Rounds | This weapon can fire longer distances. Increases Range. |
| Trait | Long March | Detect enemies on your radar from farther away. |
| Stock | Fitted Stock | This stock makes the weapon stable but heavy. Increases stability. Improves recoil direction. Slightly decreases handling speed. |
The Prospector
The Prospector Exotic Grenade Launcher spits out damage like no other, the trouble is ensuring all grenades land in the area you want them to. I could see this being a decent weapon to use against bosses, especially if the fire rate is fast enough to provide a good damage-per-second stat.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Grenade Launcher | Arc | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Excavation | Hold [Fire] to fire grenades. Release to detonate all live grenades simultaneously. |
| Barrel | Volatile Launch | This weapon is optimized for an especially explosive payload. Greatly Increased Blast radius. Slightly decreases handling speed. Slightly decreases projectile speed. |
| Magazine | Augmented Drum | Heavy, high capacity drum. Greatly increases magazine size. Greatly decreases reload speed. |
| Trait | Full Auto Trigger System | Holding down the trigger will fire this weapon at full auto. |
| Stock | Hand-Laid Stock | This weapon is optimized for recoil control. Increases stability |
Tractor Cannon
The blast from the Tractor Cannon does deal damage, but the main point of this Exotic Weapon is to push your enemies away from you.
| Weapon Type | Damage Type | Description |
| Shotgun | Void | |
| Perks | ||
| Intrinsic | Repulsor Force | This weapon fires a powerful impulse to push enemies away. |
| Barrel | Extended Barrel | Weighty barrel extension. Increases range. Decreases handling speed. |
| Magazine | Particle Repeater | Constrains recoil for every bolt. Increases stability. |
| Trait | The Scientific Method | Damaging an opponent temporarily increases speed and handling. |
| Stock | Composite Stock | This weapon has a versatile dual-purpose stock. Slightly increases stability. Slightly increases handling speed. |
There are sure to be more Exotic Weapons hidden within Destiny 2, especially during the Leviathan Raid. So be sure to check back with us when we find more! In the mean time, make sure you're using the best weapons for PvP!
