The Ultimate Destiny 2 Exotic Weapon List: All 2025 S-Tier Meta Guns & How To Get The Final Shape Exotics
The Destiny 2 Exotic weapon sandbox is more dynamic than ever, especially following the monumental release of The Final Shape expansion and the subsequent sandbox updates in late 2025. The sheer number of Exotic weapons available can be overwhelming for new and returning Guardians, but knowing which ones define the current meta is key to dominating high-level content like Raids, Grandmaster Nightfalls, and the Crucible. This comprehensive guide, updated for December 21, 2025, breaks down the must-have Exotics, focusing on the game-changing additions from the latest expansion and the perennial S-Tier favorites that continue to carry the community.
The introduction of the new Prismatic subclass and a host of powerful new Exotic weapons has fundamentally shifted the DPS and add-clear landscape. Whether you are chasing a new high score in a Nightfall or looking for an edge in Trials of Osiris, mastering the top-tier Exotics is essential. We will cover the newest additions, their unique perks, and the crucial steps to add them to your arsenal today.
The New Era: Exotic Weapons from The Final Shape
The Final Shape introduced a suite of new Exotic weapons that immediately became foundational pieces of the current meta. These weapons often synergize directly with the new Prismatic and existing subclasses, offering unique utility not found anywhere else. Acquiring these weapons requires completing specific quests within the Pale Heart destination.
Khvostov 7G-0X (Exotic Auto Rifle)
The legendary Khvostov returns as a powerful Exotic Auto Rifle, a nod to the very first weapon a Guardian ever picks up. Its Exotic Perk, The Khvostov Method, allows you to swap between three distinct firing modes (900 RPM, 450 RPM, and 200 RPM), each granting a different bonus, such as increased range, damage, or stability. This versatility makes it a potent primary weapon for all situations.
- Acquisition: This weapon is a reward for a lengthy quest chain that begins after completing the main campaign. You must collect nine Region Chests across the Pale Heart and then complete the "Alone In The Dark" quest steps given by Micah-10. The final steps involve collecting lost parts from various Cysts within the Pale Heart.
Microcosm (Exotic Heavy Trace Rifle)
Microcosm is arguably the most impactful new Exotic for PvE boss damage. This Heavy Kinetic Trace Rifle is a dedicated DPS monster, designed to shred through high-health targets.
- Exotic Perk: Kinetic Transference makes this weapon deal significantly increased damage to enemies that have a Super active (like raid bosses or certain Champions). Crucially, it also grants Super energy on kills and deals bonus damage when your Super is full, making it a cornerstone of the post-Final Shape DPS meta.
- Acquisition: Microcosm is unlocked after completing the final step of Micah-10's Convalescence quest line, which involves a series of cooperative missions in the Pale Heart.
Tessellation (Exotic Special Linear Fusion Rifle)
This Exotic Special Linear Fusion Rifle is a Strand-damage powerhouse. Its unique perk, Unwound, spawns Threadlings—miniature Strand allies—upon dealing sustained damage, turning it into both a high-damage weapon and a potent source of add-clear utility.
- Acquisition: Tessellation was originally a pre-order bonus for The Final Shape, but is now available for all players through the Exotic Kiosk in the Tower, requiring an Exotic Cipher and other materials.
The S-Tier Exotic Weapon Meta for PvE & PvP (2025)
While new Exotics steal the spotlight, a core group of older weapons remains essential for top-tier performance. The current sandbox rewards weapons that offer superior add-clear, unmatched boss DPS, or decisive utility in the Crucible. Here are the Exotic weapons that define the current S-Tier meta for PvE and PvP.
S-Tier PvE Exotics: Boss Killers and Add-Clear Kings
These weapons are mandatory for any serious Raid, Dungeon, or Grandmaster Nightfall loadout. They offer unparalleled damage or crowd control, making challenging encounters manageable.
- Microcosm (Heavy Trace Rifle): The new king of sustained single-target damage. It is essential for high-level boss encounters where its Super-based damage bonus shines.
- Gjallarhorn (Exotic Rocket Launcher): The ultimate team utility weapon. Its Wolfpack Rounds and ability to grant Wolfpack Rounds to Legendary Rocket Launchers used by fireteam members make it a staple for burst damage phases in Raids.
- Trinity Ghoul (Exotic Bow): Unmatched for wave-clear. With its Catalyst, a single Arc kill triggers Lightning Rod, allowing every subsequent shot to create chain lightning, clearing entire rooms instantly.
- Whisper of the Worm (Exotic Sniper Rifle): A classic that has returned to prominence. Its ability to regenerate ammo on repeated precision hits makes it a go-to for sustained sniper DPS against bosses, especially those with large, easy-to-hit critical spots.
- Buried Bloodline (Exotic Sidearm): A Void Special Sidearm that grants Devour on final blows. This provides instant health regeneration and grenade energy, making it a top-tier "survivability Exotic" for solo players and high-difficulty content.
S-Tier PvP Exotics: Crucible Dominators
In the Crucible, the best Exotics offer one-shot potential, exceptional range, or a unique movement/utility advantage. These are the weapons you will see dominating Trials of Osiris and Competitive playlists.
- Dead Man's Tale (Exotic Scout Rifle): This Kinetic Scout Rifle is a precision powerhouse. Its Cranial Spike perk grants bonus damage and aim assist on chaining precision hits, making it a flexible, all-range weapon that rewards accuracy.
- Lord of Wolves (Exotic Shotgun): Famous for its burst damage, this Solar Shotgun can fire a devastating volley of rounds, making it a terrifying close-range threat that can easily secure multiple kills in a single engagement.
- Jade Rabbit (Exotic Scout Rifle): A favorite for long-range maps. Its unique perk returns ammo to the magazine on chaining body shots, and a precision hit after a body shot provides bonus damage, making it incredibly forgiving and lethal at distance.
- Forerunner (Exotic Sidearm): Firing a high-impact projectile, this weapon is essentially a mini-Sniper Rifle in the Special slot. It excels at securing two-tap kills from medium range, often catching opponents off guard.
Acquisition Methods: Where to Find Every Exotic
The method of acquiring an Exotic weapon in Destiny 2 depends on its age and origin. Understanding the different acquisition paths is crucial for completing your collection.
Exotic Kiosk (Monument to Lost Lights)
The vast majority of older, quest-based, and seasonal Exotics from vaulted expansions (like Forsaken or Shadowkeep) are now found at the Exotic Kiosk in the Tower. To purchase them, you will typically need a combination of resources:
- An Exotic Cipher (earned from Xur or the Season Pass).
- Ascendant Shards (earned from high-level activities).
- Glimmer and Planetary Materials.
Random Drops and World Pools
Many Exotics, particularly the original weapons from the Red War and early expansions, are part of the general loot pool. They can drop randomly from:
- Defeating high-level enemies.
- Opening Exotic Engrams (which can be focused at the Cryptarch).
- Completing the weekly Vex Strike Force event on Neomuna.
Raid & Dungeon Exotics
Some of the most powerful and sought-after Exotics are tied to specific Raids or Dungeons. These typically have a low chance to drop upon completing the final encounter and may require a specific challenge or triumph to unlock the highest drop chance. Examples include One Thousand Voices, Vex Mythoclast, and Conditional Finality.
Exotic Quests and Seasonal Tracks
Newer Exotics, especially those introduced with recent expansions like The Final Shape, are often tied to unique, multi-step Exotic Quests. These quests are designed to be a significant undertaking, often requiring exploration, puzzle-solving, and challenging combat encounters. Always check with the main NPC for the current expansion (like Micah-10 in the Pale Heart) to see if a new Exotic Quest is available.
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