Destiny 2 - All Exotic Weapons

Here are all the Exotic weapons available in Destiny 2.

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 a new Exotic Weapon in Destiny 2 that boasts an incredible 5-round burst, unheard of for a Pulse Rifle.

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

With its third-round doing extra damage, the Graviton Lance Exotic Weapon is great at long-range shots.
With its third-round doing extra damage and having no damage drop-off, the Graviton Lance Exotic Weapon is great at long-range shots.

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

For the first time, players can get their hands on an Exotic version of a Cabal weapon.
For the first time, players can get their hands on an Exotic version of a Cabal weapon.

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

If your shot doesn't kill the enemy, this Exotic Fusion Rifle will kick itself into overdrive to help you charge up your next shot quicker.
If your shot doesn't kill the enemy, this Exotic Fusion Rifle will kick itself into overdrive to help you charge up your next shot quicker.

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 Tractor Cannon looks like a cross between the Portal Gun and the Gravity Gun. This Exotic Shotgun pushes enemies back, great for some cheeky Crucible plays.
The Tractor Cannon looks like a cross between the Portal Gun and the Gravity Gun. This Exotic Shotgun pushes enemies back, great for some cheeky Crucible plays.

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!

Sam Chandler is the Australian piece of the AllGamers puzzle. Out of all his gaming-related passions, collecting N64 games, speedrunning, and Souls games rank among the most important. You can reach Sam through Twitter, @SamuelChandler, or through his email, sam.chandler@allgamers.com, at any time of the day or night on either side of the globe.

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