Navigating the vast arsenal of Destiny 2 weapons can be overwhelming, especially with the ever-evolving meta that shifts with each update. Whether you're a returning Guardian or looking to optimize your loadout, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the best Destiny 2 weapons for both PvE and PvP content in 2025.

The Current Weapon Meta in Destiny 2

The Ash & Iron Major Update has significantly reshaped the weapon landscape in Destiny 2. With new gear receiving damage bonuses up to 10%, understanding what weapons to prioritize has never been more important.

Many players struggle to keep up with the constantly evolving meta, often investing time grinding for weapons that have already fallen out of favor. Our goal is to help you focus your efforts on the most effective weapons currently available.

Top Tier Exotic Weapons for 2025

Exotic weapons remain the cornerstone of many powerful builds, and choosing the right one can dramatically impact your gameplay experience. Since you can only equip one exotic weapon at a time, making the optimal choice is crucial.

S+ Tier (Meta-Defining)

These weapons have single-handedly shifted the current meta:

1. Vex Mythoclast - Following its recent buff, this fusion rifle has become a PvE powerhouse

2. Wish-Keeper - The Edge of Fate raid exotic that dominates in both PvE and PvP

3. Necrochasm - Returned from Destiny 1 with devastating chain reaction capabilities

S Tier (Best-in-Class)

These weapons consistently outperform in their respective categories:

• Ager's Scepter - Excellent crowd control with freezing capabilities

• Outbreak Perfected - Reliable damage output that scales with multiple users

• The Lament - Unmatched heavy slot DPS against barriers and bosses

• Whisper of the Worm - Precision sniper that rewards accuracy with sustained damage

Best PvE Weapons for High-End Content

When tackling challenging PvE content like Grandmaster Nightfalls or raids, DPS (damage per second) becomes a critical factor. However, the best PvE weapons balance raw damage with consistency and ease of use.

Heavy Weapons

The heavy slot often determines your DPS potential against bosses:

1. Thunderlord - An absolute DPS beast when paired with Titan barricades or Warlock rifts

2. Parasite - Often overlooked but delivers massive burst damage

3. Xenophage - Consistent, reliable damage without requiring critical hits

Special Weapons

For dealing with majors and providing burst damage:

• Arbalest - Exceptional for breaking all shield types and dealing with barrier champions

• Cloudstrike - Storm damage makes it ideal for clustered enemies

• Conditional Finality - Versatile shotgun offering both freezing and burning effects

Primary Weapons

For add clear and sustained damage:

• Outbreak Perfected - Nanite swarms provide excellent damage scaling

• Riskrunner - Unmatched against arc-dealing enemies

• Le Monarque - Poison effects control crowds effectively

Best PvP Weapons for Crucible Dominance

Unlike PvE, success in the Crucible depends more on TTK (time-to-kill) than raw damage output. The best PvP weapons offer consistent performance with forgiving usage patterns.

Top Crucible Choices

1. Ace of Spades - Remains the gold standard for hand cannons

2. Red Death Reformed - The pulse rifle's return has made it a meta choice

3. Thorn - DOT (damage over time) gives you tracking information on enemies

4. The Fourth Horseman - Unrivaled close-range burst damage

Legendary Weapons Worth Grinding For

While exotics often steal the spotlight, legendary weapons with the right perk combinations can be equally effective:

PvE God Rolls

• The Edge of Fate - Look for Explosive Payload and Firefly

• Hierarchy of Needs - Subsistence and Incandescent create devastating add clear potential

• Slayer's Fang - Rapid Hit and Focused Fury for sustained boss damage

PvP God Rolls

• Alethonym - Moving Target and Opening Shot for consistency

• Lodestar - Quick Draw and Snapshot Sights for snappy handling

• Barrow-Dyad - High-Impact Reserves and Killing Wind for snowballing potential

Weapon Farming Strategies

Getting your hands on these top-tier weapons requires a targeted approach:

1. Edge of Fate Raid - Weekly runs for Wish-Keeper and raid-exclusive legendaries

2. Nightfall Rotations - Track the weekly nightfall weapon and farm higher difficulties

3. Crucible Reputation - Reset your rank for updated rolls of PvP-focused weapons

4. Seasonal Activities - Often the easiest source for current meta weapons

Conclusion

The weapon landscape in Destiny 2 continues to evolve with each update, but understanding the core principles behind what makes a weapon effective will always serve you well. Focus on weapons that complement your playstyle rather than strictly adhering to the meta, and you'll find success across all activities.

Remember that even the most powerful weapons require practice to master. Spend time learning recoil patterns, optimal ranges, and synergies with your subclass abilities to maximize your effectiveness as a Guardian.

What weapons are you currently running in your loadout? Have you found success with options not covered in this guide? The beauty of Destiny 2 lies in its variety of viable options for different playstyles.