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A main gameplay loop inDestiny 2revolves around the loot players can obtain and use to fight dark forces throughout the solar system. With the newest expansions promising to venture past our known system, guardians will need to be armed with nothing but the best weaponry in order to withstand the threats to come.
With the newly formatted post-Final Shape episodes coming to a close, they brought a plethora of new weapons to the game along with improving existing weapons. The sources from which they can be obtained vary from being as easy as a world drop, to being from a raid. Regardless of where they come from, they are undoubtedly some of the most notable weapons in the sandbox. These are the best weapons to have in your inventory before theDestiny 2: Edge of Fate expansion.
Best Weapons to Get Before the Edge of Fate
Currently, all pieces of gear can be obtained from two different sources: activities that will be leaving the game come the release of Edge of Fate and activities that will be staying. Ones that are staying are things like Vanguard playlists and Crucible, while the ones that are leaving are things like the seasonal activities related to each episode that were released within this last year. Once they leave come July 15th,their respective loot cannot be obtainedunless brought back through some new form of content. This guide will organize the best weapons by whether they will be obtainable still once July 15th comes around, or if they will be leaving the game in the coming weeks.
Midnight Coup (Staying)
Midnight Coup was recently reprized prior to the launch of The Final Shape expansion, as it was previously only obtainable throughthe Leviathan raid back in 2017. When it was first introduced, it was easily one of the most sought-after weapons in the entire game. Its perk combinations made it so it could be a fantastic PvP dueling hand cannon, or an amazing primary weapon of choice in PvE. With its newer adaptation, that sentiment still holds strong for this weapon’s ability to hold its own in a sandbox that has evolved drastically since it was first added. For PvE, this weapon can roll with the infamous Shoot to Loot and Kinetic Tremors combination that can make it efficient at decent ad control while making sure you always have ammo. On the other hand, PvP players should look out for perks like Moving Target or Explosive Payload combined with Zen Moment or Opening Shot to ensure your shots stay consistent.
Aberrant Action (Leaving)
With the introduction of rocket sidearms, they have easily become one of the best special weapons in the entire game. So much so, that they can encourage builds centered around running double special weapons despite how that affects your ammo economy. Many of these sidearms continue to be added to the game, but Aberrant Action has proven to stand out from all the others due to its perk combinations and synergy with solar abilities. This weapon was added inthe first episode released last year, named Echoes, and is also one of the many craftable weapons available. That makes it even easier to ensure you get the perk combinations you are looking for. This weapon archetype in general is geared more towards PvE, with one of the best perk combinations being Heal Clip and Incandescent. With it being solar, doubling down on fantastic ad control and self-healing abilities is what cements this weapon’s top spot in the game. If there is any weapon you should be on the lookout for before Edge of Fate, this should be at the top of everyone’s list.
Abyssal Edge (Leaving)
Swords date all the way back to the Taken King expansion inDestiny 1, and their legacy has stayed strong as time passes. The new perks designed for them make them top contenders for your heavy weapon slot. For Titans specifically,this sword from the Heresy episodesynergizes especially well with Stronghold builds and can dish out serious damage because of that. When using it defensively, Flash Counter has proven to be the standout perk of this weapon. Titan builds make this especially potent, as they can sit in front of targets that deal massive amounts of damage and absorb as much damage as possible while disrupting the target. In tandem with that, Redirection has proven to be the final piece of an amazing combo for this weapon. For the other classes that may want to use this weapon in a more aggressive fashion, it has the combo of Slice and Hatchling due to its Strand nature, which can always serve as a great form of crowd control.
Redrix’s Estoc (Leaving)
Pulse Rifles and PvP have been a match made in heaven for many players, and Retrix’s Estoc reinforces that sentiment beautifully. While it is not specifically tied to an episode or seasonal content, it is obtainable through Lord Shaxx after increasing your rankby playing in the competitive PvP game mode. That will grant you one of the best pulse rifles in the game for PvP that can still hold its own in PvE with stasis synergy. When looking for perk combinations, Zen Moment or Lone Wolf combined with Headseeker are two of the most potent combinations. Being able to make your accuracy and damage passively more forgiving makes this weapon a monster in the right hands. For PvE, it can still serve as a great primary weapon for ad control when rolled with the Rymestealer and Headstone perk combo.
Lost Signal (Leaving)
Whilesingle-shot grenade launchers have also been around now for quite some time, the Echoes episode introduced a new archetype called area denial frames. These grenade launchers help serve as a more consistent form of crowd control, while also serving as a decent source of single-target damage. With the introduction of the prismatic subclasses, they are also particularly good at filling up your prismatic meter for the respective forms of damage they deal. Lost Signal is the first of its kind, and still holds its spot in the sandbox as one of the best area-denial grenade launchers you can use currently. Like Aberrant Action, it is also a craftable weapon capable of having enhanced perks. When crafting this weapon, Auto-Loading Holster proves to be the best perk for its third perk slot. This provides an ease of use that is not present on many weapons and can make damage rotations more optimal with the right builds. For your final perk, you have a lot of freedom to choose between some of the best perks in the game. If you are looking for single target damage, Vorpal Weapon can never go wrong. If you want the weapon to be better at handling ads, One for All is also a fantastic option. Of all the weapons in this guide, this easily provides some of the most flexible rolls that all come down to your personal preference.
No Survivors (Staying)
The Rite of the Nine eventgave some existing weapons a much-needed tune-up in the perk options available to them, thus reinforcing their place in the meta. One of the best examples is the No Survivors submachine gun. Previously introduced in the Ghosts of the Deep dungeon, it left room for improvement due to the lack of iconic solar perks that have become staples in PvE. With its newest version, that problem is resolved by having acces to the Heal Clip and Incandescent perk combination. This makes it easily one of the most reliable primary weapons to use that can tear through low-tier enemies. In PvP, it can still hold its own by having access to a rare perk like Master of Arms. Combine that with Rangefinder or Surplus, and it can contend with some of the best PvP weapons available.
Hezen’s Vengeance (Staying)
Easily one of the oldest weapons in the history of this franchise, Hezen’s Vengeance has proven to be one of the best rocket launchers in the entire game for DPS. Introduced all the way back in Vault of Glass fromDestiny 1, its modern version recently got a modernized overhaul of perks and the ability to be crafted. It is onlyavailable by playing the Vault of Glass raid, so you will need a team to get this weapon at all. However, due to its popularity, Fireteam Finder is a great way to find players who may be after the same pieces of gear you are looking for too. If you are fortunate enough to be able to craft this weapon, Envious Arsenal and Bait and Switch are the best perk combination to ensure you are dishing out as much damage as possible.
