Best Destiny 2 PvP Weapons

Destiny 2: Best PvP Exotics

In Destiny 2, Exotics are rare weapons with unique abilities, great perks, and high stats. When building the perfect loadout, you can use only one exotic weapon. We have studied all the tier lists created by the Pro players and found the best exotics you can use in each slot for PvP.

Top Exotics for Kinetic slot (for PvP)

Below you can find a selection of the best exotic weapons for PvP you can use in the kinetic slot. Each kinetic exotic from our list is best-in-slot for specific use cases in season 20 (2023).

The top exotics will change in the following seasons, but we will ensure that our list is updated. We treated each exotic separately, so you will know which one fits your playstyle after checking our selection.

Top 3 Kinetic Exotics you can use in PvP are:

• Ace of Spades
• Dead Man's Tale
• Bastion
• Honorable Mention – The Last Word

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	Weapon Description	Features
Ace of Spades Rating: 5⭐ Source: Nothing Left to Say Mission	Hand Cannon Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Legendary Trait – Firefly: "Precision kills with this weapon increase reload speed and cause the target to explode, dealing Solar damage to nearby enemies." Intrinsic Traits – Memento Mori: “Reloading after a kill loads magazine with a few extra-damage bullets. Grants radar while aiming down sights.” Catalyst – Firefly deals more damage while Memento Mori is active.	Still the best 140 RPM Hand Cannon in PvP for PC Players. When it comes to stats, Ace of Spades is a monster. It has a big boost from Firefly, which is more effective with the Catalyst applied. Headshots help prime other targets for your follow-up damage. Memento Mori takes this gun to the moon in terms of its utility and consistency, considering that after one kill, you will get six bullets that can do 90 head damage and 55 body damage, along with a built-in outlaw. You have mega range, extra damage, Firefly explosions, plus extra Firefly damage when Memento Mori is active.
The Chaperone Rating: 5⭐ Source: Holliday Family History Quest	Shotgun Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special Legendary Trait – The Roadborn: "Precision kills briefly grant bonus handling, range, and precision damage with this weapon." Intrinsic Traits – Precision Slug: “Fires a single-slug precision round.”	The Chaperone is one of the best shotguns when it comes to PvP. The range and damage of this slug shotgun are very high, and once you get a precision kill with this weapon, it gains a significant boost in damage, range, handling, reload speed, and fire rate. It becomes easily comparable with a rapid-fire frame shotgun after the Roadborn perk procs.
Arbalest Rating: 4.9⭐ Source: Xur	Linear Fusion Rifle Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special Legendary Trait – Disruption Break: "Breaking an enemy’s shield with this weapon makes them more vulnerable to Kinetic damage for a brief period" Intrinsic Traits – Compounding Force: “Fires slugs that cause massive damage to combatant shields. Strong against [Shield-Piercing] Barrier Champions.”	The Fusion Rifles are one of the best choices in PvP, making Arbalest an absolute must-have. Arbalest has a low charge-up time that makes you feel like you are using a sniper rifle that has a low zoom. It also has a noticeable hitbox and pre-fire capability.
Dead Man's Tale Rating: 4.8⭐ Source: Xur	Scout Rifle Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Legendary Trait – Transformative: "Future Drops of this weapon will have random rolls." Intrinsic Traits – Cranial Spike: “Chaining precision hits grants bonus damage and quickens reload speed.”	Dead Man’s Tale will quickly become one of your favorite PvP weapons. Even for someone who doesn’t enjoy scout rifles, this is one of the go-to weapons when it comes to PvP. The exotic catalyst increases the hip fire rate and removes any hip-fire accuracy penalties. Because of its legendary trait, Dead Man’s tale can roll random perks. Our choice for PvP God Roll is: Hammer-Forged Rifling High-Caliber Rounds Vorpal Weapon & Composite Stock
Thorn Rating: 4.8⭐ Source: Monuments to Lost Lights Kiosk	Hand Cannon Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Legendary Trait – Soul Devourer: "Absorbing a Remnant strengthens Mark of the Devourer and partially refills the magazine." Intrinsic Traits – Mark of the Devourer: “Rounds pierce targets and deal damage over time. Kills with this weapon leave behind Remnants.”	Thorn is an exotic 140 RPM Hand Cannon that fires poisonous rounds. Killing a target with this weapon leaves behind their soul, which you can consume to increase Thorn’s DoT damage – Two shot kill. Note: The damage over time also prevents healing and reviving in PvP.
The Last Word Rating: 4.7⭐ Source: Monuments to Lost Lights Kiosk	Hand Cannon Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Legendary Trait – Hip-Fire grip: "Increases accuracy, stability, and precision hit targeting when firing from the hip." Intrinsic Traits – Fan Fire: “This weapon fires full auto. Hip-fire shots deal bonus precision damage while increasing reload speed and accuracy.”	The Last Word is a 225 RPM Hand Cannon with the highest Time to Kill score (TTK) of 0.53 seconds. If you handle the weapon’s recoil and hip-shots, you will discover that the best & aggressive weapon in the PvP playlist is the Last Word.
Crimson Rating: 4.7⭐ Source: Xur	Hand Cannon Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Legendary Trait – Cruel Remedy: "Kills with this weapon heal the wielder. Precision kills also refill the magazine." Intrinsic Traits – Banned Weapon: “This weapon fires a 3-round burst.” Catalyst – Increases Crimson's Range by 18.	Crimson is a 3-round burst 415 RPM Hand Cannon with high stats, but where it shines is the range and stability that it comes with. The exotic hand cannon really shines on a controller because of high aim assistance paired with a mobility build to shred the enemies. Crimson comes with an intrinsic perk that Heals and Reloads your weapon after each precision kills, which gives you the capability to engage in more fights with no fear and great advantages.
Osteo Striga Rating: 4.7⭐ Source: The Witch Queen: Deluxe Edition	Submachine Gun Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary Legendary Perk – Toxic Overload: “Landing a final blow or multiple-precision hits triggers a burst that poisons nearby targets.” Unique Perk – Screaming Swarm: "Fires a stream of sentient, toxic projectiles that track the targeted enemy." Catalyst – Poison Final Blows return ammo to your magazine.	The incredibly powerful 600 RPM SMG is restricted only by the limited range. Osteo Striga’s tracking module requires stable aim and landing crit shots for the highest efficiency. Because it is Witch Queen related, Osteo Striga can be crafted with your perks. Our choice for PvP God Roll is: Fluted Barrel Accurized Rounds Toxic Overload & Hand-Laid Stock
Bastion Rating: 4.6⭐ Source: Monuments to Lost Lights Kiosk	Fusion Rifle Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special Legendary Trait – Breakthrough: "This weapon fires staggering projectiles. Strong against Unstoppable Champions." Intrinsic Traits – Saint's Fists: “Charge to fire three spreads of Kinetic slugs.” Catalyst – "Increases the maximum number of Dynamic Charge stacks."	This weapon has unstoppable capabilities. Even if it has received some little nerfs in the current season that made it harder to use, it remains an excellent choice for PvP. The Saint’s Fists makes this weapon feel like a fusion rifle – shotgun hybrid. We’ll only have to land seven slugs to deal lethal damage to a guardian regardless of the resilience tier. If you hit your target with the 1st full spread, the kill-time is 0.8 seconds, which is great. From 17 meters, Bastion is a very consistent weapon if you stay on target.

Top Exotics for Energy slot (for PvP)

Since the new season release, we have tested almost all the exotics to find the most helpful energy weapon for PvP in the Season of Defiance (S20).

Top 3 Energy Exotics you can use in PvP are:

• Duality
• Le Monarque
• Cloudstrike

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	Weapon Description	Features
Cloudstrike Rating: 5⭐ Source: Empire Hunts	Sniper Slot: Energy | Ammo: Special Legendary Trait – Mortal Polarity: "Precision final blows generate a lightning bolt at the target's location." Intrinsic Traits – Stormbringer: “Rapid precision hits create a lightning storm at the point of impact.”	Cloudstrike is the most unique Sniper Rifle that can be easily considered the best SR in the game. The Precision shots are lethal for your targets. If you can land your headshot while your opponent is near a teammate, they will get easily eliminated by this weapon.
Jotunn Rating: 5⭐ Source: Monuments to Lost Lights Kiosk	Fusion Rifle Slot: Energy | Ammo: Special Legendary Trait – Charge Shot: "Hold down the trigger to charge up a tracking shot that explodes and burns on impact."	Jotunn is the most toxic weapon for PvP. Your enemies will go insane since you’ll have to shoot a bullet across the map, and someone will walk inside and explode out of nowhere. Due to its impressive exotic trait, you charge up and shoot tracking fire bolts every time you hold the trigger and one-shot your rivals. If you are looking for a very effective and super-easy-to-use weapon, Jotunn is perfect.
Duality Rating: 4.9⭐ Source: Monuments to Lost Lights Kiosk	Shotgun Slot: Energy | Ammo: Special Legendary Trait – On Black Wings: "Pellet final blows grant a stacking precision damage and reload speed buff. Precision hits with slugs extend the duration." Intrinsic Traits – Compression Chamber: “Fires a pellet spread in hip-fire or a single high-damage slug while aiming.”	Duality is a unique weapon that can be easily considered the king of shotguns. It has a high fire rate and excellent stability, and the catalyst that gives you a range boost, this weapon is lethal. Note: This weapon is amazing if you aim for the head. It’s a bit hard to use, but after you get used to it, you will get unbelievable results in PvP.
Lorentz Driver Rating: 4.8⭐ Source: Monuments to Lost Lights Kiosk	Linear Fusion Rifle Slot: Energy | Ammo: Special Legendary Trait – EM Anomaly: "A precision final blow with this weapon creates an implosion that pulls in nearby targets and damages them with an additional detonation." Intrinsic Traits – Langrangian Sight: “This weapon marks targets with an automated targeting system. Final blows on marked targets generate a telemetry pattern. Collecting three telemetry patterns without dying grants this weapon bonus damage for a long duration.” Catalyst – Lorentz Driver gains an enhanced radar. Additionally, while this weapon has three telemetry patterns, EM Anomaly detonations no longer require a precision final blow.	This weapon has an excellent automated targeting system that makes it fun and easy to use. If you manage to get the three telemetry patterns and activate the Lagrangian Sight, you will be able to one-shot people with a body shot. Note: An easy-to-use weapon that will blow your mind. That bonus damage granted by the Intrinsic Trait makes Lorentz Driver unstoppable.
Trespasser Rating: 4.8⭐ Source: Season of the Haunted	Sidearm Slot: Energy | Ammo: Primary Legendary Trait – Unrepentant: "Reloading after defeating a target causes the next burst to be a longer, more powerful superburst." Intrinsic Traits – Be the Danger: “Final blows with Unrepentant superbursts automatically reload your weapon and provide an Unrepentant superburst.”	Trespasser is the latest exotic Sidearm available in the game, a solid and addictive weapon that can shred your enemies. Landing a kill with the weapon’s Unrepentant Perk active will extend the duration of the buff and replenish your ammo, allowing you to keep firing arc-infused six-round bursts at enemies. This buff will remain active until you miss a shot, fail to eliminate a target or let the buff countdown expire.

Top Exotics for Power slot (for PvP)

When it comes to the power slot, there are not so many exotic weapons for PvP, and we selected the most OP Exotic guns for competitive activities. Below, you can find the best power exotics in Destiny 2 and their features.

The best PvP Power Exotic and a must-have in this season is Gjallarhorn.

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	Weapon Description	Features
Gjallarhorn Rating: 5⭐ Source: And Out Fly The Wolves Quest	Rocket Launcher Slot: Power | Ammo: Heavy Legendary Trait – Pack Hunter: "Gain increased handling and reload speed when standing near allies. Firing this weapon also grants Wolfpack Rounds to nearby allies wielding non-Exotic Rocket Launchers." Intrinsic Trait – Wolfpack Rounds: "Rounds fired split into tracking cluster missiles upon detonation." Catalyst – Increases magazine size. Final blows with Wolfpack Rounds spawn a faster, more powerful missile at the target's location.	Gjallarhorn is a must-have weapon this season. It performs excellently good in PvP. It deals more damage than other rocket launchers in Destiny 2, which is impressive. The reload speed granted by the Pack Hunter perk makes it very quick. The weapon and its exotic catalyst will increase the magazine size, so Final Blows with the Wolfpack Rounds spawn faster & more powerful missiles at the target’s location. It's very aggressive and enjoyable to use the rocket launcher.
Black Talon Rating: 5⭐ Source: Xur	Shotgun Slot: Power | Ammo: Heavy Legendary Trait – Tireless Blade: "Sword ammo granted for every other powered sword kill." Intrinsic Traits – Crow's Wings: “Heavy Attack: Fire a heavy projectile attack. Heavy attacks are stronger with full energy.” Catalyst – Shots blocked immediately after guarding increase the damage of Crow's Wings for a very short duration	This void sword is mighty in the current season and very efficient in PvP. Black Talon is a very good PvP Heavy exotic capable of one-hit kills with both light attack and the charged heavy attack. The ammo efficiency allows you to pocket two fully energized heavy attacks when pulling heavy off from the wall. The sword is also helpful in defense, where it helps you reduce the incoming damage by about 70%. This means that when you’re in guard, you can tank two shots from a golden gun super.
The Wardcliff Coil Rating: 4.9⭐ Source: Xur	Rocket Launcher Slot: Power | Ammo: Heavy Legendary Trait – Mechanized Autoloader: "This weapon automatically reloads on ammo pickup." Intrinsic Traits – Mad Scientist: “This weapon fires a volley of rockets.”	This rocket launcher is fantastic due to the Mechanized Autoloader, which loads your gun automatically when you run out of heavy ammo. The big deal is the exotic perk that makes this weapon fire a volley of rockets instead of one rocket. Note: It feels like shooting a cluster bomb at the end of your bomb, and we recommend it for Beginners.

This section covered the best exotic weapons you can use in PvP activities, such as Trials of Osiris and Crucible. We encourage you to pick one of the presented weapons and proper god roll legendaries and smash your rivals.

We will talk about the legendaries that can be integrated into your loadout to shine in PvP.

Best Weapons Perks for PVP

The most desired perks in PvP activities maximize the efficiency and output of your loadout. We will only discuss the usage of the legendary traits in columns three and four that are the best for your weapon archetypes in Season of Defiance.

Top 5 Perks for Legendary Weapons that you can use in PvP are:

• Outlaw
• Kill Clip
• Desperado
• Explosive Payload
• Snapshot Sights

Outlaw

• Trait – Precision kills greatly decrease reload time.
• Why we recommend it – On precision kill you receive 70 Reload Speed with a 0.9 Duration Multiplier for 6 seconds.
• Best to use on – Hand Cannon.

Kill Clip

• Trait – Reloading after a kill grants increased damage.
• Why we recommend it – After reloading 3.8 seconds after a weapon kill, you receive 33% increased damage for 5 seconds.
• Best to use on – Submachine Gun, Pulse Rifle, Sidearm, Glaive.

Desperado

• Trait – Reloading after a precision final blow increases your rate of fire.
• Why we recommend it – After reloading within 6 seconds of a precision kill, you receive an increased rate of fire for 6 seconds.
• Best to use on – Pulse Rifle.

Explosive Payload

• Trait – Projectiles create an area-of-effect detonation on impact.
• Why we recommend it – Splits 50% of Damage into an explosive damage portion that deals 30% increased damage and has no damage falloff.
• Best to use on – Linear Fusion Rifle / Sniper Rifle.

Snapshot Sights

• Trait – Faster time to aim down sights.
• Why we recommend it – Instantly aim down sights animation.
• Best to use on – Scout Rifle, Sniper Rifle, Hand Cannon.

Rapid Hit

• Trait – Rapid precision hits temporarily increase stability and reload speed.
• Why we recommend it – You gain one Rapid Hit stack per precision hit, granting reload speed and stability for 2 seconds, increased per stack.
• Best to use on – Hand Cannon, Pulse Rifle, Sidearm.<./li>

Heating Up

• Trait – Final blows with this weapon increase accuracy and stability while improving vertical recoil.
• Why we recommend it – After a kill, you receive 15% aim assistance, 15 stability, and ~20 recoil reduction buffs on your weapon.
• Best to use on – Fusion Rifle, Pulse Rifle, Submachine Gun.

Eye of the Storm

• Trait – This weapon becomes more accurate and boosts handling as your health gets lower.
• Why we recommend it – At low Health, you receive 30 handling and increased aim assistance on your weapon.
• Best to use on – Submachine Gun, Hand Cannon, Combat Bow.

Killing Wind

• Trait – Final blows grant increased mobility, weapon range, and handling for a short duration.
• Why we recommend it – Receive 20 range, 50 mobility, 40 handling, and 5% increased damage falloff distance on weapon kill that lasts for 5 seconds.
• Best to use on – Fusion Rifle, Hand Cannon, Submachine Gun, Auto Rifle

Moving Target

• Trait – Increased movement speed and target acquisition when moving while aiming down sights.
• Why we recommend it – Passively grants 10 Aim Assist and 3% Reduced Movement Speed Penalty from ADS and Strafing.
• Best to use on – Fusion Rifle, Hand Cannon, Submachine Gun, Pulse Rifle

Dynamic Sway Reduction

• Trait – Improves accuracy and stability while continuously holding down the trigger.
• Why we recommend it – Gradually increased accuracy and stability while sustaining fire.
• Best to use on – Submachine Gun, Auto Rifle

Rangefinder

• Trait – Aiming this weapon increases its effective range and zoom magnification. Increased projectile velocity while aiming Rocket Launchers, Grenade Launchers, and Bows.
• Why we recommend it – While aiming down sights, you receive 10% increased zoom, 30% increased aim assist falloff distance, and 5% faster projectile speed.
• Best to use on – Pulse Rifle, Hand Cannon

Hip-Fire Grip

• Trait – Increases accuracy, stability, and precision hit targeting when firing from the hip.
• Why we recommend it – 20% Increased aim assistance when Hip-Firing.
• Best to use on – Shotgun.

Under Pressure

• Trait – Improved stability and accuracy as the magazine gets lower.
• Why we recommend it – Increased stability and aim assistance while your magazine is below 50%.
• Best to use on – Fusion Rifle.

Quickdraw

• Trait – This weapon can be drawn unbelievably fast.
• Why we recommend it – 100% Ready/Stow handling with a 0.95 duration multiplier for 1 second.
• Best to use on – Sniper Rifle, Shotgun, Hand Cannon, Fusion Rifle

In conclusion, it's essential in PvP to have your weapon ready for any situation and to have perks that help you with damage output and better reload speed.

Destiny 2: Best PvP Legendary Weapons

We have many options for the best legendary weapons for PvP in Destiny 2. Still, we picked the top-quality legendaries for each slot for season 20 to help you set up the best build for competitive ventures. We tested all the perks variations to decide the PvP god roll for the weapons that we recommend for each slot. We included all weapon types in our guide to ensure that you will find the right gun for your playstyle in the following topics.

Top Legendary Weapons for Kinetic slot (for PvP)

Top 3 Kinetic Legendaries you can use in PvP are:

• Austringer
• New Purpose
• Riiswalker

This topic will cover the top-tier kinetic legendary weapons that you can choose to crash your opponents in PvP. We exposed all the details about these weapons for you, so you will be ready to build the perfect god roll for each.

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	God Roll	Weapon Description
New Purpose Rating: 5⭐	PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Desperado	Pulse Rifle Source: Duality Dungeon Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: High-Impact Frame
Austringer Rating: 5⭐	PvP God Roll: Eye of the Storm/Snapshot Sights + Opening Shot.	Hand Cannon Source: Castellum Activities Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive Frame
Rufus's Fury Rating: 5⭐	PvP God Roll: Moving Target + Tap the Trigger	Auto Rifle Source: Iron Banner Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Rapid-Fire Frame
The Immortal Rating: 5⭐	PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Kill Clip	Submachine Gun Source: Trials of Osiris Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Aggressive Frame
Silicon Neuroma Rating: 4.9⭐	PvP God Roll: Snapshot Sight + Opening Shot .	Sniper Rifle Source: Nightfall Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive Frame
Deliverance Rating: 4.9⭐	PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Tap the Trigger.	Fusion Rifle Source: Vow of the Disciple Raid Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Precision Frame
Submission Rating: 4.7⭐	PvP God Roll: Perpetual Motion + Killing Wind.	Submachine Gun Source: Vow of the Disciple Raid Slot: Kinetic | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Lightweight Frame

Top Legendary Weapons for Energy slot (for PvP)

The current section covers the best choices in terms of legendary weapons you may consider using in your energy slot to maximize the efficiency of your PvP loadout. Choosing the meta weapon for your energy slot will take your PvP build to the next level.

Top 3 Energy Legendaries you can use in PvP are:

• BxR-55 Battler
• Beloved
• Hero's Burden

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	God Roll	Weapon Description
Beloved Rating: 5⭐	PvP God Roll: Snapshot + Quickdraw	Sniper Rifle Source: Castellum Activities Slot: Energy | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Adaptive Frame
Hero's Burden Rating: 4.8⭐	PvP God Roll: Fragile Focus + Iron Reach	Submachine Gun Source: Iron Banner Slot: Energy | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive Frame
BxR-55 Battler Rating: 5⭐	PvP God Roll: Outlaw + Kill Clip	Pulse Rifle Source: 30th Anniversary Slot: Energy | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Legacy PR-55 Frame
Mindbender's Ambition Rating: 5⭐	PvP God Roll: Threat Detector + Swashbuckler	Shotgun Source: Nightfall Slot: Energy | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Aggressive Frame
Matador 64 Rating: 4.8⭐	PvP God Roll: Threat Detector + Opening Shot	Shotgun Source: Grasp of Avarice Dungeon Slot: Energy | Ammo: Special | Archetype: Precision Frame
Funnelweb Rating: 4.8⭐	PvP God Roll: Steady Hands & Rangefinder	Submachine Gun Source: World Loot Pool Slot: Energy | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Lightweight Frame

Top Legendary Weapons for Power slot (for PvP)

Even if the power weapon is less used in PvP, you still need the best weapon in this slot that can make the difference. To benefit the most from your meta loadout in every situation, we carefully selected the most powerful PvP legendaries for your power slot.

Top 3 Power Legendaries you can use in PvP are:

• Commemoration
• Palmyra-B
• Razor's Edge

Note: The weapons are sorted from the best to worst, so the table can serve as a tier list.

Weapon	God Roll	Weapon Description
Commemoration Rating: 5⭐	PvP God Roll: Dynamic Sway Reduction + Rampage	Hand Cannon Source: Deep Stone Crypt Raid Slot: Energy | Ammo: Primary | Archetype: Adaptive Frame
Palmyra-B Rating: 4.9⭐	PvP God Roll: Impulse Amplifier + Chill Clip	Rocket Launcher Source: Throne World Activities Slot: Power | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Häkke Precision Frame
Reed's Regret Rating: 4.9⭐	PvP God Roll: Heating Up + Rampage/Adagio	Linear Fusion Rifle Source: Trials of Osiris Slot: Power | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Precision Frame
Razor's Edge Rating: 4.8⭐	PvP God Roll: Unrelenting + Assassin’s Blade	Sword Source: Iron Banner Slot: Energy | Ammo: Heavy | Archetype: Vortex Frame

Now you know which weapon to choose in any situation, but the question that comes to our minds is:
How to combine those weapons to get the meta loadout?
We researched and prepared the most overpowered build options you can use in the current season.

PvP Meta for Season of Defiance (2023)

Regarding the best PvP loadouts you can use in Destiny 2 season 20, we tested dozens of combinations to find the meta build, so you don't have to. In the following topics, we will expose our meta loadouts recommendations for Season of Defiance and details that will help you make the best decision based on your play style.

PvP Meta Weapon (Archetypes) in 2023, S20

Every season comes with massive changes to the meta PvP weapons, significantly altering the weapon types used in competitive playlists. The tier list is up to date with the current Season of Defiance, and any changes can occur in a short time.

Please check the different Tier levels used for the Tier Lists:

• S Tier – Strongest weapon archetypes.
• A Tier – Strong weapon types, but not on the same level as S Tier.
• B Tier – Reasonable choices in specific activities only.
• C Tier – No efficiency at all during the current season or Meta.
• D Tier – Highly not recommended to use currently.

PVP PRIMARY META WEAPONS

Weapon Archetype	Tier	Current State
Hand Cannons		Hand Cannons have always been one of the top PvP choices in Destiny 2. They can deal a lot of damage in a short time (low TTK – Time To Kill), perfect for peak shooting.
Pulse Rifles		Pulse Rifles are easy to use, have a good range, stable aim assist, & pretty fast TTK. Adaptive Frames Pulses are easier to use than High-Impact Frames, but they have a higher time to kill and are not as lethal as hand cannons.
Sidearms		Sidearms received a few buffs for PvP; target acquisition is way better, and even if they have a limited range, they can shred the competition.
Submachine Guns		Submachine Guns are more prevalent in PVP than they were before. If played correctly, the SMGs can become lethal at the close-range fight, and they can get the job done with the right perks and decent-range PvP maps. They are an excellent counter for shotguns, a more popular choice.
Combat Bows		Combat Bows are not a good choice when it comes to PvP. With a headshot, bows cannot kill an enemy, and you can already be dead by the time you have to shoot the second arrow. The exception is the Le Monarque, which can one-shot a Guardian.
Auto Rifles		Auto Rifles have a significant drawback: you are forced to stay out of cover while shooting the weapon, making you a living target easy to kill.
Scout Rifles		Scout Rifles have the worst TTK time and are almost unusable in closed-quarter combat. The exception is the Dead Man’s Tale, the best scout rifle in the game and a trendy choice among skilled players.

PVP SPECIAL META WEAPONS

Weapon Archetype	Tier	Current State
Shotguns		Shotguns are the most potent Special Weapon right now; they are dominant, lethal, and easy to use. It works wonderfully in crowded maps, and where the weapons shine is, of course, when close-quarter combats occur.
Sniper Rifles		Sniper Rifles recently received nerfs to their flinch and aim assist, making them harder to use and master. They are still a top choice for PvP and maps, where sniping is an excellent choice to try eliminating a player before the fight starts.
Glaives		Glaives are pretty popular in PvP playlists because of their double usage, being a beast on close-quarter combats and long-range. The downside of the Glaives is the vulnerability you display when you use it.
Trace Rifles		Trace Rifles have a very disappointing time to kill; they are slow and pretty hard to use if you are flinched or pushed by enemies.
Fusion Rifles		Fusion Rifles suffered from a range nerf a few seasons ago, making their usage similar to shotguns but with higher TTK and harder to use.
Grenade Launchers		Special Grenade Launchers became less popular since the day Mountaintop was retired. They are fun to use but don’t shred in the competitive playlist as they were supposed to.

PVP HEAVY META WEAPONS

Weapon Archetype	Tier	Current State
Rocket Launchers		Rocket Launchers are in a great place in PvP, with insane burst damage that can one-shot multiple enemies per one rocket. They can guarantee a kill without requiring much skill, effort, or position.
Machine Guns		Machine Guns are the safe bet in PvP, with excellent TTK, good range, and enough ammo to eliminate two to four guardians. Exotic machine guns are significantly stronger in this case because of their intrinsic perks (Heir Apparent).
Grenade Launchers		Grenade Launchers can be a good option for PvP playlists; with great perks, they can be mighty, such as Chain Reaction, which could get you a multi-kill if the enemies are grouped. But, compared to the other weapons listed above, they can quickly become replaceable.
Swords		Swords are high-risk, high-reward weapons that shined a few seasons ago when third-person peek was a thing. They can still be an excellent situational weapon, but because you are vulnerable to any other enemy while chasing your victim, that makes it easily replaceable.
Linear Fusion Rifles		Linear Fusion Rifles are unbalanced PvP weapons with more downsides than upsides; they require Heavy Ammo, a headshot to one-shot an enemy, and a high charge time. If you want a Heavy Weapon that can eliminate guardians or guarantee a kill, it’s better to rely on other weapon types.

Which is the current Meta Loadout for PvP?

Choosing the meta PvP loadout is not an easy job, and it depends on your favorite class, your play style, your team, and the buffed subclass in the current season. Based on our weapons tier lists, we found the most overpowered loadout that you can use for each class.

The builds include meta weapons for each slot and must-have mods. A meta loadout equipped with excellent PvP skills will make the difference and take you one step further in becoming a god in competitive playlists.

• Ace of Spades + Matador 64 + Palmyra-B
• The Immortal + Beloved + Gjallarhorn
• Rufus's Fury + Jotunn + Commemoration

Recommended Loadouts

The loadouts that we will present in the following table are the absolute best choices for experienced and intermediate PvP players. If you are a beginner, some of these weapons will feel a bit hard to handle, but we are sure that the loadouts will be suitable for you with a bit of practice.

Kinetic Weapon	Energy Weapon	Power Weapon
Ace of Spades Recommended Mods: Hand Cannon Targeting Hand Cannon Dexterity Unflinching Hand Cannon Aim	Matador 64 Recommended Mods: Shotgun Dexterity	Palmyra-B Recommended Mods: Rocket Launcher Dexterity Icarus Grip / Targeting Adjuster Radar Booster / Quick Access Sling
The Immortal Recommended Mods: Submachine Gun Targeting Submachine Gun Dexterity Submachine Gun Loader	Beloved Recommended Mods: Sniper Rifle Targeting	Gjallarhorn Recommended Mods: Rocket Launcher Dexterity
Rufus's Fury Recommended Mods: Auto Rifle Dexterity Auto Rifle Loader Unflinching Auto Rifle Aim	Jotunn Recommended Mods: Grenade Launcher Dexterity Grenade Launcher Loader Unflinching Grenade Launcher Aim	Commemoration Recommended Mods: Machine Gun Dexterity Machine Gun Loader Unflinching Machine Gun Aim

Recommended Loadouts for Beginners

We prepared some fantastic options if you don't feel ready to use some difficult weapon archetypes and want the best loadout to help you progress in PvP while having fun. The following builds are beginner-friendly and will help you improve your PvP stats to make your life easier.

• Submission + Jotunn + Commemoration
• Austringer + Funnelweb + The Wardcliff Coil
• D.F.A. + Beloved + Gjallarhorn

As you already know, there are two PvP playlists in Destiny 2: Trials and Crucible. Depending on which playlist you choose, the meta weapons will vary.

Top 7 PvP Weapons in 2023

Top 7 Best Weapons for Trials of Osiris are:

• The Immortal
• Matador 64
• Defiance of Yasmin
• Beloved
• Hero's Burden
• Found Verdict
• Gjallarhorn

Best Weapons for Trials of Osiris

In the following list, you will find the best Trials of Osiris weapons to guarantee your success and help you get flawless easier.

• The Immortal
• Matador 64
• Defiance of Yasmin
• Beloved
• Hero's Burden
• The Chaperone
• Gjallarhorn

We covered the most potent weapons for the Trials of Osiris based on our experience in the current topic. In case you are wondering which are the best weapons from Trials of Osiris, please check the list below:

• The Immortal
• Aisha's Embrace
• Eye of Sol

Note: Trials are one of the most rewarding activities in Destiny 2 for both veteran players and rookies. Even though you may not have the best of times, at least you're going to walk away with some high-quality loot.

Best Weapons for Crucible

Crucible is a game mode that can be tough, so you will need the best weapons to excel. We researched and found the meta weapon choices for each class and play style. In the following table, you will find the best weapons for Crucible in 2023 with details.

Top 7 Best Weapons for Crucible are:

• Beloved
• Matador 64
• Austringer
• The Wardcliff Coil
• Le Monarque

The best weapon you can get from Crucible playlists is the Reckless Endangerment shotgun.

Note: Even though Crucible playlists are challenging, it worth your time since it's very interactive, and you can get a pinnacle reward and valuable loot. If you prepare your guardian wisely, with the best loadout, you can be a beast in this PvP mode and have lots of fun.

Update Log

09.06.2022 - Updated Top Exotics in the "Kinetic/Energy/Power Weapons" sections

09.06.2022 - Updated Top Legendaries in the "Kinetic/Energy/Power Weapons" sections

09.06.2022 - Updated Loadouts in the "Seasonal Meta" section

14.06.2022 - Added PvP Meta Weapon (Archetypes) in the "Seasonal Meta" section

20.06.2022 - Added Best Weapon Perks for PvP Section

12.09.2022 - Updated Sections for the Season of Plunder.

25.04.2023 - Updated Sections for the Season of Defiance.

Related Guides

Now that you have learned the Warlord's Ruin Dungeon in Destiny, how about you check out our guides about Raids & Meta Weapons?

• Warlord's Ruin Dungeon Guide
• Crota's End Raid Guide
• King's Fall Raid Guide
• Vow of the Disciple Raid Guide
• Best PvE Weapons in Destiny 2

Conclusion

Our guide includes every meta weapon that you can go for in PvP for season 20 and the perfect loadout. If you follow our recommendations, you'll handle any competitive match easily. You now know which weapon fits your play style and how to combine them wisely to maximize your winning chances in any situation.

The meta weapons will change in the following seasons, so we will keep this guide updated. Keep an eye on our Best PvP weapons guide regularly to ensure that your guardian is ready to face the new challenges.

I did my best to cover any questions you may have regarding this topic. I hope you found this guide helpful, and now you are ready to smash your enemies using the best PvP weapons in Destiny 2.

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