Destiny 2 has been live on consoles for almost a month now, giving players plenty of time to level their Guardians and begin collecting some of the game's most sought after loot. And once a Guardian reaches level 20 - the first soft level cap, reachable through earned experience - Destiny 2 becomes all about getting that loot.
Destiny 2's weapons and armors come in several different rarities, ranging from uncommon and rare to legendary and exotic. The exotic or yellow-coded gear is by far the best loot to get, often significantly bumping up a Guardian's power level - which, after reaching the XP level 20 becomes the real signifier of a Guardian's worth. So if a player wants their Guardian to take part in the more challenging, end-game content, they'll need to have an exotic or two equipped.
Being such powerful gear, exotics do come with limitations - like only being able to wear one exotic piece of armor and use one exotic weapon at a time. This makes knowing which exotic armor and weapons are the best very important, and on that front, we have you covered.
Here are the Best Exotic Weapons and Armor in Destiny 2:
BEST EXOTIC WEAPONS
Merciless (Fusion Rifle)
Cutting to the chase, Merciless is without a doubt a big favorite in the Destiny community. In fact, to hear some players talk about this solar fusion rifle, this gun is already a top contender to be Destiny 2's answer to the mighty Gjallarhorn. The reason behind this immediate love affair with Merciless is its perk, Conserve Momentum, which allows non-lethal hits with projectiles to charge the weapon faster until its wielder gets a kill. Add to that its increased damage after reloading, an extended magazine, and its pretty stable handling and what you have here is one incredibly powerful fusion rifle. Merciless is a must-have gun for PvE, but it can be a real difference maker in PvP matches as well.
Tractor Cannon (Shotgun)
Besides a unique design, what sets the Tractor Cannon apart from other shotguns (and exotics for that matter) are the unusual ways its perk and trait can be deployed in a firefight. Its intrinsic perk is Repulsor Force, which pushes away enemies when fired. Surely, some can already see what a monster that can be in Crucible matches, with the Guardian who's equipped the Tractor Cannon sending their enemies flying off edges and into bottomless pits. This force push also makes the Tractor Cannon great for mobs of enemies in PvE play, giving Guardians a chance to catch their breath and better think how they'll be clearing a path. Additionally, this void shotgun grants extra speed and handling after damaging an enemy, meaning if you want to use the Tractor Cannon's Repulsor Force for a quick getaway, you'll be fast enough to do just that.
MIDA Multi-Tool (Scout Rifle)
The MIDA Multi-Tool isn't a new gun for Destiny 2 but rather a holdover from the first game, and boy, are we glad it's back. There are other legendary and even exotic scout rifles that make for fantastic additions to any arsenal - like Skyburner's Oath, an exotic solar scout rifle that does extra damage to Cabal - but none are as universally useful as the MIDA Mult-Tool. This kinetic scout rifle boasts increased stability, has rounds that knock back enemies, and keeps the radar active when looking down sights. Those bonuses in themselves would be enough to make the Multi-Tool the must have scout rifle of the game, but when equipped with the legendary submachine gun, MIDA Mini-Tool, Guardians get increased movement speed to boot!
The Wardcliff Coil (Rocket Launcher)
This is a bizarre looking gun, no bones about it, but it's what this arc rocket launcher can do that makes it so appealing. Its intrinsic perk, Mad Scientist, allows it to fire a volley of rockets in a single shot which is, frankly, a wonder to behold in action. Couple that with its optimization for an especially explosive payload and its ability to automatically reload upon ammo pickup, and Wardcliffe Coil is easily one of the funkiest looking and most fun to use rocket launchers in the game.
Rat King (Sidearm)
Another winner from the wacky design department comes in Rat King, a handy little sidearm that's perfect for the whole fireteam. No, really, Rat King's intrinsic perk makes the weapon stronger when nearby fireteam members also have Rat King equipped; a bonus which can stack up to six times. That in itself is a wonderful perk, but Rat King is also pretty stable, has good range, a quick reload, and a decent magazine size. And as if that weren't enough to make players desire this kinetic sidearm, when a Guardian reloads Rat King immediately after a kill, they'll turn invisible.
Borealis (Sniper Rifle)
We were hesitant to include any weapons or armor that were exclusive in some fashion, either as a pre-order bonus or console specific, but it just wouldn't be right to leave Borealis off the list. This is a sniper rifle for any occasion, boasting the ability to change its elemental damage from arc to void to solar at will. And for anyone who's played Destiny 2's redesigned Nightfall strikes, being able to easily and quickly switch from one element to another is an indispensable perk. Add to that this sniper rifle's extended mag, balanced barrel, and optimized recoil control and it's perfect for hanging back and packing a wallop. Oh, and did we mention it will transfer a bullet from reserves to magazine when breaking an enemy's shield? Yeah, it does that, too. So apologies to Xbox One players and soon those on PC, but Borealis is a PS4 exclusive (for now) and a must-have sniper rifle.
Sweet Business (Auto Rifle)
Though classified as an auto rifle, Sweet Business has more in common with a Gatling or mini-gun in that it can and will mow down just about anything in your way. This is the perfect weapon for wading into heavy fire, with its bonus to hip fire accuracy, recoil reduction, and high-caliber rounds that knock enemies back. As an added perk, holding down the trigger boosts range and rate of fire and automatically reloads upon ammo pickups - making it so nothing can stop your Guardian when you're on a roll.
Sunshot (Hand Cannon)
Whether you fire precisely or in a bit of a spray, Sunshot has you covered. This solar hand cannon has Accurized Rounds, meaning it can fire at long distances, but it also has Sun Blast, which causes enemies killed by Sunshot to explode, damaging nearby enemies. From there, Sunshot's perk kicks in, Sunburn, marking enemies who've taken damage from the hand cannon. With Sunshot equipped, it's easy to keep track of what's on its way and how much more it'll take to wipe it out, making this an all around great addition to your Guardian's arsenal.
Riskrunner (Submachine Gun)
Submachine guns are new to Destiny 2 and they've received a bit of a lukewarm reception from the game's community. But were there one submachine gun that can make any player a fan (besides the Multi-Tool's partner, MIDA Mini-Tool) it'd be Riskrunner. This arc submachine gun is perfect when taking arc damage as it increases its own damage output when under arc fire, allowing Guardians who are getting pummeled to strike back even harder. Additionally, when Arc Conductor is active, Riskrunner's shots have a chance to become chain lightning and return ammo. All in all, Riskrunner can pack a punch, perfect for a dangerous close encounter.
The Prospector (Grenade Launcher)
The Prospector has one of the neatest designs in the game, hearkening back to a simpler time of Old West shootouts. It can also practically guarantee you'd win that shootout with its high-capacity drum, explosive payload, and great recoil control. Sweetening the deal even more is The Prospector's intrinsic perk, which lets players fire all their grenades in quick succession when holding down the trigger, and upon releasing it, detonates the whole bunch simultaneously. Were anyone to have had this gun years ago it wouldn't have just been a gunfight at the O.K. Corral, but an annihilation.
Vigilance Wing (Pusle Rifle)
Last but certainly not least, Vigilance Wing is by far one of Destiny 2's most beautiful guns, with a design that could have come straight from Destiny 1's Trials of Osiris. More than just a pretty face, the real reason you'll fall in love with Vigilance Wing is its five-round burst. Yes, you read that right - five-round burst. But that isn't the only thing that makes Vigilance Wing a standout, it's also quite handy when playing with a fireteam and you quickly find yourself as the last Guardian standing. Thanks to its intrinsic perk, Harsh Truths, when a nearby ally is killed, those with Vigilance Wing will gain health regeneration and increased movement speed. Plus, if you are the last Guardian standing, the pulse rifle gives you improved weapon performance, meaning you'll be more likely to hang on until your teammates can return or be revived.
BEST EXOTIC ARMOR
Eye of Another World (Warlock Head)
An exotic weapon can be equipped to any Guardian no matter their class, but armor is more specific; a Warlock helmet cannot be worn by a Hunter, for example. And that's a real shame in the case of this helmet, Eye of Another World, because any class would love to put it on their head. This helmet not only looks super cool (seriously, Warlocks seem to always have the coolest looking gear) but its perk is one of the best in the game: Cerebral Uplink. What it does is two-fold, it highlights priority targets and improves the regeneration speed of grenades, melee, and Rift abilities. That's a lot of bonuses for a helmet that isn't specific to any subclass, making Eye of Another World a no-brainer pick for the best Warlock head around.
Mask of the Quiet One (Titan Head)
As of now there are only two Titan exotic heads to choose from and that makes our pick of Mask of the Quiet One an easy one. This helmet sports another wild design, giving Titans a disquieting appearance with its face-shrouding chain mail, horns and pointy ears. But it's not all about how it looks, it's what it does, and in this case, Mask of the Quiet One does quite a bit. First off, the helmet grants melee, grenade, and class ability energy when damaged, meaning that for each hit a Titan takes they gain a bit of a recharge on those abilities. That in itself is pretty great for the Titan who likes to be in the thick of it, but if that Titan prefers the Sentinel subclass it gets even better. In addition to ability regeneration, Mask of the Quiet One also grants health regeneration with every void ability kill, making the Sentinel Titan who wears this helm and initiates their super near unstoppable! Look out for these horned terrors in the Crucible.
Knucklehead Radar (Hunter Helmet)
Hunters are rarely the most fashionable of Guardians. Sure, their hooded cloaks are cool but otherwise their style is more utilitarian than flashy. Still, it isn't style but substance that matters when it comes to exotic armor, and though Knuckleheard Radar kind of makes Hunters look like a cyclops, it is definitely the best exotic helmet offered. Knucklehead Radar is an old favorite from Destiny 1 and it's easy to see why - useful by every subclass, this helmet allows a Guardian's radar to remain active when looking down a gun's sights. Simple? Yes. Effective? Oh yes. The MIDA Multi-Tool offers a similar perk, but for Hunters looking to use something else, a sniper rifle perhaps, and still avoid being snuck up on, this helmet is where it's at.
Wings of Sacred Dawn (Warlock Chest)
Back to Warlocks and their enviable fashion, we have what is another winner in the design department - Wings of Sacred Dawn. Players can actually grab this chest piece early on in the game, but that doesn't make it any less desirable once a Warlock is reaching their peak power level. Formulated specifically for the Dawnblade subclass, this chest is one of two exotics available for Warlocks and choosing it as the best exotic chest is no contest. When equipped, Wings of Sacred Dawn allows Dawnblade Warlocks to briefly hover in midair while aiming their weapons. Making it all the more powerful, precision hits extend the duration of the effect. And yes, this includes Dawnblade's super ability, allowing Warlocks to feel like an avenging angel as they fling flaming swords from on high.
Hallowfire Heart (Titan Chest)
A super ability is a Guardian's greatest strength, giving them immense power for a short time. Since it's only active for such a brief time, however, Guardians are known to hold on to their super ability, waiting for the perfect moment. That's where this Titan chest comes in, Hallowfire Heart, an exotic chest that's just ideal for Sunbreaker Titans. It greatly improves the recharge rate on solar abilities while Hammer of Sol (the Sunbreaker's super ability) is charged and ready to fire, so while waiting for that most perfect moment to unleash hell, everything else gets a recharge boost. This means that grenades, melees, and Sunspots are ready that much sooner, giving Sunbreakers a lot of ways to wreck their enemies before finishing off what's left with their super. Plus, your tummy looks like it's on fire and who doesn't love that?
Raiden Flux (Hunter Chest)
As you may have noticed, most exotic chests deal directly with a certain subclass and this Hunter chest is no different. Raiden Flux is perhaps the go-to piece of armor for Arcstriders, greatly enhancing the damage output and duration of their super ability. When equipped, Raiden Flux allows for quick, successive attacks with Arc Staff to increase the damage and duration, turning any Arcstrider into a stone-cold killer. Admittedly, this chest is probably the wonkiest looking piece of armor out of the bunch, with its orange tubes hugging a Hunter's waist like a corset of Cheetos, but who cares when it allows you to level the competition with just a few, quick strikes.
Karnstein Armlets (Warlock Arms)
Warlock's already benefit from having the melee attack with the greatest range in Destiny 2, making it so they can easily slap enemies away like flies on a hot day. Then comes Karnstein Armlets, a pair of exotic arms that make a Warlock's melee even better. Not specified for any subclass, these gauntlets are perfect for any Warlock who can't resist smacking their enemies around. With every melee attack, Karnstein Armlets grant health recovery in addition to melee, grenade, and class ability energy! These gauntlets are the absolute best Destiny 2 has to offer any Warlock, making it extra hard to ever want to equip another exotic.
Synthoceps (Titan Arms)
Warlock's may have the greatest range with their melee, but if there's one class that's ready to punch its way out of any situation, it's Titans. Thankfully, with these exotic arms equipped, Titans can punch further and harder than ever before! Synthoceps not only increase the range of a Titan's lunge, but it increases the damage of those punches when surrounded. So yes, with these gauntlets equipped it would be totally feasible for a Titan of any subclass to enter the fray and come out victorious without firing a single bullet. What more can a punch-happy Titan wish for?
Mechaneer's Tricksleeves (Hunter Arms)
Honestly, Hunters are lacking in the exotic gauntlet department, with only two choices - Young Ahamkara's Spine and Mechaneer's Tricksleeves. But unless you just love laying trip mines as a Nightstalker, it's Mechaneer's Tricksleeves all the way. Granted, their perk is only beneficial if your Hunter uses a sidearm, but if they do, then these arms allow for faster readying and reloading speed. Having your weapon loaded and ready to go is certainly key if you're hoping to fire first, so in a lot of situations (Crucible in particular) these sleeves are just essential.
Lunafaction Boots (Warlock Legs)
The new Rift ability given to Warlocks is one of the best additions to Destiny 2, giving the class even more support abilities. In most cases, Warlocks can choose to have their Rift either heal or increase damage, with each option having its obvious advantages. However, with the Lunafaction Boots equipped, Warlocks of any subclass get another option - allow for their Rifts to also automatically reload weapons. Just imagine, your Guardian is fleeing from an enemy and sees a Warlock's Rift, they dive into it and both their health return and ammo reloads! These boots can become a real game-changer, and all you need do is wear them.
Dunemarchers (Titan Legs)
Titans aren't the speediest of classes, but what they can lack in mobility they more than make up for in resilience. With these legs, however, you can have it both ways. Dunemarchers don't only increase a Titan's sprint speed, they also build up a charge while sprinting. That charge can then be distributed to all surrounding enemies, damaging them, after hitting just one with a melee attack. In a sense, Dunemarchers transform one punch into many, dealing damage to anyone foolish enough to get too close. It's a useful mechanic for all subclasses, giving Titans only more reason to run straight into a fight.
Orpheus Rig (Hunter Legs)
A piece of armor designed specifically for Nightstalkers, these legs are sure to be popular. Like so may exotic armor pieces, Orpheus Rig are intended to aid in regenerating energy for abilities, be they melee, grenade or class-related. This armor's perk, however, is tied directly to a Nightstalker's super ability, Shadowshot, allowing a Hunter with Orpheus Rig equipped to gain back ability energy for every enemy tethered. And as any Nightstalker can tell you, when you fire Shadowshot into a crowd, a lot of enemies get tethered. Just think of how much each ability could recharge with a cluster of enemies tethered? These legs are a must have for any Nightstalker worth their salt. Plus, you get to sport some nifty looking Shadowshot arrows in a hip quiver, which for Hunters, is about as cool looking as you can get.
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Those are our picks for the best exotic weapons and armor currently available in Destiny 2? Did you favorite make it on our list? What weapon or piece of armor did we leave off that your Guardian can't live without? Leave us your thoughts in the comments!