Destiny 2 has a wide variety of exotic weapons to choose from. Since the game's release, the number of exotic weapons has increased from 19 total in 2017 to now having 101 to choose from in 2023. With that many in the game and the ability to only use one at a time, it can be hard to choose which one to use.
Some weapons are best used with certain classes and subclasses. Others are best in PvE and not so good in PvE areas. Most of them can be difficult to understand how to use properly. All of them have their strengths and weaknesses. This list will help narrow down your choices and help you make a decision.
10 Graviton Lance
Graviton Lance is a solid exotic that has always been good since its release with the base game in 2017. It is a primary ammo Pulse Rifle in the energy weapon slot that does void damage. Its exotic perk, Black Hole, makes the second shot in the burst do high damage and has no recoil falloff. Any enemies killed with this weapon also explode into tracking void projectiles.
This weapon is amazing in PvE, but has unfortunately received some nerfs that make it so-so in PvP areas. It has been better in the past, and that's why it's so early in this list. Graviton Lance can be found by opening exotic engrams or by being purchased from Xur during the weekend.
9 Merciless
Merciless has also been around since the game's release but has recently been picked up by more players and recognized as a genuinely good weapon. It's a special ammo Fusion Rifle in the energy weapon slot that does solar damage. Conserve Momentum, its exotic perk, makes non-lethal hits charge shots faster. Reloading after a kill also increases its damage for a short time.
This weapon has become especially useful in the new Spire of the Watcher dungeon, as well as the Season of the Seraph activity playlist. As with the previous entry, a great weapon in PvE and not so good in PvP as you will usually only have one shot to kill another Guardian. Merciless can be found in exotic engrams or be purchased from Xur if he's offering it over the weekend.
8 The Last Word
Now for something a bit different. The Last Word is a fun weapon to use in both PvP and PvE. It is a primary ammo Hand Cannon in the kinetic weapon slot. Unlike other Hand Cannons, this weapon's exotic perk, Fan Fire, makes it fire full auto and has increased accuracy, precision damage, and reload speed when firing from the hip. This weapon is also very good for Hunters who use the Lucky Pants exotic armor that increases effectiveness with Hand Cannons.
This weapon could be higher on this list, but controller users have an increased advantage in PvP with this weapon and its aim assist. The Last Word can only be purchased in The Tower from the Monument to Lost Lights kiosk.
7 Parasite
This weapon is fairly new as far as Destiny exotic weapons go. Parasite is a Grenade Launcher that uses heavy ammo and is in the heavy weapon slot. It also does solar damage. Its exotic perk, Worm's Hunger, gives the weapon a bigger explosion and more damage based on the number of enemies defeated before firing the weapon. If you take damage from this explosion, it will also empower your weapons for a short time.
Parasite is great in raid and dungeon activities for doing large amounts of damage to boss encounter enemies. This weapon can only be acquired from the exotic quest "Of Queen and Worms" as part of the Witch Queen expansion and after completing the Witch Queen campaign.
6 Dead Man's Tale
Dead Man's Tale is a bit more unique than the last entries in this list. Unlike other exotic weapons, this one has a randomly rolled perk in the third slot, though its exotic perk is always the same. Cranial Spike makes chained precision hits increase damage and quickens reload speed. Dead Man's Tale is a primary ammo Scout Rifle in the kinetic slot.
This weapon is fun to use in both PvP and PvE and gives you bonus style points if you want to look like a space cowboy. This weapon can only be bought from Xur over the weekend and has a random third perk that is different every week. Outlaw is a great perk to have because it grants, even more, reload speed on a precision kill.
5 Thunderlord
This weapon is an absolute beast in any PvE encounter where clearing large amounts of enemies is needed. Thunderlord is a heavy ammo Machine Gun in the heavy inventory slot that deals arc damage. Reign Havoc, its exotic perk, makes kills generate lightning strikes from above and increase reload speed for a short time. This perk has made it earn its title as "King of the Machine Guns" in Destiny 2.
Thunderlord is best used on a Titan using the Arc 3.0 subclass because of damage resistance and the ability to get in and take hits. This weapon can only be purchased from the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower.
4 Arbalest
This weapon makes this list for a number of reasons. It's a special ammo Linear Fusion Rifle, which makes in one of two in the entire game. It is also the only Linear Fusion in the kinetic weapon slot in the game. Arbalest is so easy to use, and its exotic perk is very easy to understand. Compounding Force makes the weapon fire slugs that deal high damage to enemy shields and make them vulnerable to kinetic damage.
This weapon is fantastic in both PvE and PvE because it can almost always kill an enemy or Guardian in one precise shot. Arbalest is also great against Barrier Champions that are in high-difficulty activities. You can pick up this weapon by opening exotic engrams or by visiting Xur over the weekend.
3 Outbreak Perfected
This weapon is another great one for clearing groups of enemies. Outbreak Perfected is a primary ammo Pulse Rifle in the kinetic inventory slot. Its exotic perk, The Corruption Spreads, creates nanite swarms on rapid hits and precision kills and does more damage based on the number of nanites that attach to them.
This weapon is best used in PvE in strikes and Gambit, and is an all-around fun time to use. The sound of the weapons firing is also really cool. This weapon can only be purchased from the Monument to Lost Lights kiosk in the Tower.
2 Gjallarhorn
Fans of Destiny will instantly recognize this weapon's return from the original game. Gjallarhorn is a heavy Rocket Launcher in a heavy slot that deals solar damage. Its iconic exotic perk, Wolfpack Rounds, makes the rockets it fires split into tracking cluster missiles. It also gains increased reload speed and handling when standing next to allies. Anyone on your team also gets Wolfpack Round if they're using a non-exotic Rocket Launcher.
This weapon is a beast in all activities and is great in Gambit for invading or taking out invaders. Gjallarhorn can only be acquired from the quest "And Out Fly The Wolves" as a part of the Bungie 30th Anniversary Pack.
1 Witherhoard
Coming in at number one is Witherhoard! This kinetic, special ammo, Grenade Launcher is an absolute unit in all modes and is useful in any encounter, and works with whatever build your character is using. Its exotic perk, Primeval's Torment, makes its fired projectiles blight enemies or the nearby area on impact. Blighted enemies take damage over time and blight the nearby area on death.
In PvP, it is a hard counter to Ward of Dawn, which is extremely hard to deal with normally. Witherhoard can only be gained by being purchased in the Tower from the Monument to Lost Lights kiosk.