Completing the Challenge: Solving DPS Weapons in Destiny 2

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Bungie constantly evolves the meta in Destiny 2, refreshing the weapon landscape each season. This includes extensive balance adjustments, reworkings of Exotic weapons, new Artifact perks, and weapons that surpass earlier powerhouses in damage. For dedicated players, keeping up with what’s effective in the game can be quite demanding.

This guide is designed to assist returning players in re-entering endgame PvE content by providing a snapshot of the current popular strategies and weapons. We’ll explore effective damage strategies, suggest solid DPS builds, and recommend the best weapons for endgame activities.

Our focus here is on practical usability rather than theoretical damage figures. For those who want to dive into the numerical details, check out Aegis’ DPS spreadsheet for more in-depth statistics.

Popular DPS Strategies

Current Meta Weapons

As of Episode: Heresy, the prevailing DPS meta in PvE mostly revolves around Linear Fusion Rifles outfitted with the Particle Reconstruction artifact mod. This mod applies up to a 29% weaken effect on targets and allows partial magazine refills, significantly enhancing sustained damage. Using the recently updated The Queenbreaker, which fires in a burst of three rounds, is arguably the simplest and most effective DPS strategy available. Just aim and fire.

Another favorite this season is the Lord of Wolves. This shotgun delivers more damage than many heavy weapons. Approach your target closely and hip-fire; avoid aiming down sights. The hip-fire DPS is incredibly high and inflicts constant Scorch, leading to frequent Ignitions for more damage. If you pair this with a Storm’s Keep Barricade, you’ll trigger even more Bolt Charge detonations.

This season, Hezen Vengeance from Vault of Glass has taken the DPS scene by storm. Its timed variant allows the player to double the rocket capacity after activating their Super for 20 seconds, basically offering an enhanced version of Clown Cartridge for free. Most players opt for Envious Arsenal combined with Bait and Switch (or Elemental Honing) to obliterate bosses by firing two rockets, swapping, and repeating. This setup achieves unmatched rocket DPS—no other launcher can compete.

Meta DPS Builds

Top Heavy Weapons

This season, Hezen Vengeance stands out as the premier choice for Heavy DPS. This rocket launcher can essentially double its magazine size, allowing for remarkable damage output. When your Super ends, it stores two rockets for about 20 seconds, making it efficient when used with Envious Arsenal and Bait and Switch.

For fights where precision damage is viable, consider using The Queenbreaker with the Particle Reconstruction mod. This combination provides a strong weakening effect simply through firing your Linear Fusion Rifle, and The Queenbreaker’s rapid fire rate generally surpasses many long-range DPS options.

Weapon	Source	Notes
Hezen Vengeance	Vault of Glass raid	Envious Arsenal + Bait and Switch (or Elemental Honing) Highest rocket DPS in the game. Origin trait doubles its magazine size.
The Queenbreaker	Exotic Engrams	Combat Sights Highest DPS for a linear fusion rifle.
VS Velocity Baton	Vesper’s Host dungeon	Envious Arsenal + Bait and Switch Best DPS for a grenade launcher. High burst damage but lower overall.
Grand Overture	Exotic Kiosk	Shots charge a rocket barrage. Hold reload to fire the barrage. Outstanding burst DPS; good ongoing damage otherwise.
Scintillation	Nightfall reward	Rewind Rounds + Bait and Switch Great alternative to Queenbreaker without using your Exotic slot.
Gjallarhorn	And Out Fly The Wolves quest	Grants nearby rocket launchers Wolfpack Rounds, increasing DPS significantly. Essential for optimal rocket DPS in six-player activities.
Winterbite	Strider quest	Melee attacks deal increased damage and inflict Slow. Great sword alternative for specific scenarios, such as Ecthar in Ghosts of the Deep.

Top Special Weapons

Guardian shooting Lord of Wolves in Destiny 2.

Special weapon damage is surprisingly competitive in the current game environment. Lord of Wolves stands out here, capable of sustaining damage comparable to a rocket launcher while delivering even more total damage. If masterworked, it will also trigger Ignitions during damage phases, boosting overall damage output.

Other solid choices include Cloudstrike for backup damage, Praedyth’s Revenge for more sustained performance, and Unvoiced for strong close-range DPS.

Weapon	Source	Notes
Lord of Wolves	Exotic Engrams	Increased damage when hip-firing, inflict Scorch with the catalyst. Outstanding close-range DPS.
Cloudstrike	Empire Hunts	Rapid precision hits spawn a lightning strike. Effective as a backup DPS choice.
Ergo Sum	Pale Heart content	Features random Exotic perks. Can provide nearby swords with Wolfpack Rounds.
New Land Beyond	Edge of Fate preorder bonus	Damage scales based on precision hits. Strong overall damage output.
Praedyth’s Revenge	Vault of Glass raid	Envious Arsenal or Fourth Time’s the Charm + Bait and Switch or Elemental Honing Best DPS among Legendary snipers.
Unvoiced	Sundered Doctrine dungeon	Redirection + Bait and Switch Highest DPS from a Legendary shotgun with ramped Redirection.
Izanagi’s Burden	Exotic Kiosk	Holding reload transforms the magazine into a high-damage shot. Excellent burst damage option.
Still Hunt	Wild Card quest	Precision hits build energy, allowing you to load Golden Gun rounds. Good for Hunters with Celestial Nighthawk.

Top Primary Weapons

While primary weapons aren’t typically used for boss damage, there are cases where having one as a backup is advantageous. Lucky Pants enable Hunters to use 180 and 260 RPM hand cannons effectively in place of heavy weapons. Ignoring Exotic armor, standout options include Outbreak Perfected when used strategically within a team, and Barrow-Dyad with its Taken Ambition perk. The Final Warning is also a solid choice if you’re comfortable with its unique charge-up mechanic.

Weapon	Source	Notes
Outbreak Perfected	Zero Hour Exotic mission	Shots generate nanites that attach to targets, boosting damage. Effective DPS when multiple team members use it.
Final Warning	The Final Strand quest	Rapid precision hits generate a lightning strike. Useful as a supplementary DPS option.
Barrow-Dyad	Episode: Heresy content	Taken Ambition launches high-damage projectiles, charging with sustained damage. Effective DPS when paired with Peacekeepers.
Malfeasance	Gambit quest	Shots embed in the target; five projectiles trigger an explosion. Good damage output when paired with Lucky Pants.