Home Social Media Hype 1

The 10 S-Tier Exotic Weapons In Destiny 2 Right Now (Late 2025 Meta Breakdown)

• minute read
Contents

Are you looking to dominate the endgame content of Destiny 2 in the current sandbox? As of December 2025, the game's exotic weapon landscape has been fundamentally reshaped by the release of The Final Shape expansion and the ongoing Episode: Echoes, introducing several game-changing pieces of gear that have instantly become S-Tier must-haves for both PvE and PvP activities. This definitive guide breaks down the absolute top-tier exotic weapons you need to be farming right now, complete with their current roles and how to acquire them.

The power creep is real, and staying ahead of the curve means understanding which exotics offer unparalleled utility, damage, and build synergy. From the new Kinetic Heavy Trace Rifle that melts raid bosses to the return of a classic Pulse Rifle, the meta has never been more exciting. We've compiled the essential list of the guns carrying the sandbox right now, ensuring your Guardian is equipped with maximum firepower.

The New Exotic Powerhouses: Final Shape & Episode: Echoes Must-Haves

The most recent additions from The Final Shape expansion have immediately vaulted to the top of the Exotic Tier List, demanding a spot in every Guardian's arsenal. These weapons are crucial for tackling the highest difficulty content, including Master Raids and Grandmaster Nightfalls.

1. Microcosm (Heavy Kinetic Trace Rifle)

Microcosm has single-handedly redefined the boss-damage (DPS) meta in Destiny 2. This Heavy Kinetic Trace Rifle deals an absurd amount of sustained damage, especially when paired with a full fireteam using it. It is considered a foundational piece of the post-Final Shape DPS meta.

  • Weapon Type: Heavy Trace Rifle (Kinetic Slot)
  • Key Role: Top-tier Boss Damage (DPS) and Major Enemy Clear (PvE)
  • Acquisition: Unlocked by completing the Exotic quest Convalescence: Budding from Micah-10, which becomes available after finishing The Final Shape campaign.

2. Ergo Sum (Exotic Random-Roll Sword)

The Ergo Sum Exotic Sword is a unique and highly sought-after weapon because it is one of the few exotics capable of dropping with different elemental types (Solar, Arc, Void, Stasis, Strand, or Kinetic), making it incredibly versatile for build crafting.

  • Weapon Type: Special Ammo Sword (Random Element)
  • Key Role: High-Damage Melee DPS, Elemental Synergy, and Funnelweb-style clear.
  • Acquisition: Obtained by completing the post-campaign Exotic quest Destined Heroes. Its random roll capability means you may need to run the quest multiple times to get the perfect element for your main subclass build.

3. Red Death Reformed (Exotic Solar Pulse Rifle)

A triumphant return from the original Destiny, Red Death Reformed is a Solar Pulse Rifle that instantly restores a portion of your health and shields on a kill, making it a powerful tool for survivability in high-stakes activities.

  • Weapon Type: Primary Pulse Rifle (Solar)
  • Key Role: High Survivability, Health Regeneration, and consistent Primary DPS (PvE & PvP).
  • Acquisition: Available immediately upon purchasing the Season Pass for the current episode, Episode: Echoes (Season 24). Its powerful Catalyst, which further boosts its capabilities, is a reward for reaching Rank 145 on the Episode: Echoes Season Pass.

Established S-Tier Exotic Weapons (The Unshakeable Meta)

While new exotics shake up the meta, a handful of weapons remain essential, offering utility, damage, or crowd control that no other weapon can match. These are the exotic workhorses that have defined the Destiny 2 sandbox for years and continue to dominate in late 2025.

4. Gjallarhorn (Heavy Solar Rocket Launcher)

The undisputed king of Rocket Launchers. Gjallarhorn’s Wolfpack Rounds—rockets that split into tracking cluster missiles—make it the single best tool for team-based DPS, especially when combined with other Legendary Rocket Launchers. If you don't have it, get it.

  • Weapon Type: Heavy Rocket Launcher (Solar)
  • Key Role: Top-Tier Burst DPS, Fireteam Utility (buffs other rockets).

5. Divinity (Heavy Arc Trace Rifle)

Divinity is the ultimate support weapon for PvE. It creates a critical hit bubble on a target, significantly increasing the damage taken by that enemy, while simultaneously applying the Jolt debuff.

  • Weapon Type: Heavy Trace Rifle (Arc)
  • Key Role: Essential Debuff, Boss Damage Utility, and Critical Hit Enabler (PvE).

6. Dragon's Breath (Heavy Solar Rocket Launcher)

This Solar Rocket Launcher provides excellent sustained damage through its Scorch and Ignition effects. It's a fantastic alternative to Gjallarhorn, especially for solo play or when a persistent damage-over-time effect is needed.

  • Weapon Type: Heavy Rocket Launcher (Solar)
  • Key Role: Sustained Damage, Add Clear, and Solar Synergy (PvE).

7. Trinity Ghoul (Primary Arc Bow)

Trinity Ghoul is arguably the best add-clearing exotic in the entire game. Its catalyst allows a single precision kill to chain lightning to nearby enemies, completely wiping out entire groups of minor enemies in seconds.

  • Weapon Type: Primary Bow (Arc)
  • Key Role: Unmatched Crowd Control (Add Clear) in all PvE activities.

The Exotic Weapons Dominating the PvP Meta (Crucible & Trials)

In the Crucible, Exotic weapons are chosen for their ability to secure a rapid time-to-kill (TTK), grant superior mobility, or offer unique utility that disrupts the enemy team's strategy. The late 2025 meta favors weapons with consistency and a low TTK.

8. Buried Bloodline (Special Void Sidearm)

A recent standout, this Void Sidearm is a powerhouse in the current PvP meta. It fires a three-round burst, and its unique perk leeches health from targets, providing immediate survivability. It also applies Void Leech, granting the user Devour, which is a massive boon in the Crucible.

  • Weapon Type: Special Sidearm (Void)
  • Key Role: Duel Potential, Health Regeneration, and Void Build Synergy (PvP & PvE).

9. Wicked Implement (Primary Stasis Scout Rifle)

While often overlooked, the Wicked Implement has seen a rise in popularity, especially after a buff to its rate of fire (RPM). Its ability to slow and freeze targets with precision final blows makes it a highly disruptive and effective dueling weapon in the right hands, especially on larger maps.

  • Weapon Type: Primary Scout Rifle (Stasis)
  • Key Role: Long-Range Engagement, Crowd Control (Slow/Freeze), and Disruptive Utility (PvP).

10. Ace of Spades (Primary Kinetic Hand Cannon)

A perennial favorite, Ace of Spades remains a top-tier choice for its consistency and the powerful Mementos Mori perk, which grants bonus damage on reloading after a kill. This makes it one of the most reliable and highest-damage Hand Cannons in the game for skilled players.

  • Weapon Type: Primary Hand Cannon (Kinetic)
  • Key Role: Consistent TTK, High Damage Dueling, and excellent Range (PvP).

Maximizing Your Exotic Power: Understanding Weapon Acquisition

The journey to acquiring these powerful exotics varies significantly. Understanding the current acquisition methods is key to expanding your arsenal of Exotic weapons and armor.

Quest Exotics (Microcosm, Ergo Sum): These are tied to specific, often lengthy, questlines within the latest expansions, such as The Final Shape's "Destined Heroes" or "Convalescence" chains. These quests guarantee the weapon upon completion, but often require significant investment in the new patrol zones and activities.

Season Pass Exotics (Red Death Reformed): These are the most straightforward to acquire, as they are granted instantly upon purchase of the Season Pass (or Episode Pass) for the current season. Their catalysts, however, are often high-level rewards, requiring dedicated play to unlock.

Lost Sector Exotics: While most of the weapons on this list are quest-based, many Exotic armor pieces and a few older weapons are still acquired through farming Legendary and Master Lost Sectors. This remains a core method for Guardians looking to complete their collections and find high-stat rolls.

Raid/Dungeon Exotics (Divinity): Some of the most powerful exotics, like Divinity, are locked behind specific Raid or Dungeon challenges, requiring a fireteam and mastery of complex mechanics. These are often the pinnacle of Exotic weapon challenges.

The late 2025 meta is defined by the new utility and sheer damage of The Final Shape exotics like Microcosm and Ergo Sum, while classics like Gjallarhorn and Trinity Ghoul continue to anchor the PvE experience. Prioritize acquiring the new quest weapons first, then fill in the gaps with the established S-Tier champions to ensure you are ready for any challenge the Witness throws your way.

The 10 S-Tier Exotic Weapons in Destiny 2 Right Now (Late 2025 Meta Breakdown)
destiny 2 exotic weapons
destiny 2 exotic weapons

Detail Author:

  • Name : Martin Herman
  • Username : jess80
  • Email : smith.janiya@treutel.net
  • Birthdate : 1995-04-08
  • Address : 1862 Leanne Roads Hillsmouth, DE 26949
  • Phone : 631.942.9707
  • Company : Lockman LLC
  • Job : Power Plant Operator
  • Bio : Sunt sunt tempore veritatis cupiditate est voluptatem exercitationem. Dolor modi ullam tempore velit eum id. Neque porro culpa eum non qui omnis.

Socials

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/dhackett
  • username : dhackett
  • bio : In quaerat dolor alias placeat autem qui. Cum iste et commodi aliquid iusto in. Est vero dolores et harum eius earum quisquam.
  • followers : 4896
  • following : 2101

Random Posts