If there’s anything that Bungie has proven over the last couple of decades, it’s that it knows how to make guns. From Marathon to Halo to Destiny to now Destiny 2, it has crafted some of the most impressively designed and sounding weapons around. It’s no surprise that everything in Destiny 2 revolves around your weapon.
Whether you like to shoot from afar with your Sniper Rifle or want to get in close with a Hand Cannon or even smack some enemies around with a Sword, there are plenty of options to choose from when picking out your arsenal of choice.
However, everything can be pretty daunting for someone who’s never played a Destiny game before or is unsure of all the changes from the original to its sequel. This is where we come in. Here is our complete guide to weapons in Destiny 2.
Destiny 2 Weapons Guide
Destiny 2 – All Weapon Classes
Let’s begin with a breakdown of all the different weapons you will have to choose from in this massive online shooter. Many vary in style from short-range to long-range to even melee-range. Here are all of the current categories of weapons in Destiny 2 (in alphabetical order):
- Auto Rifles (short to mid-range)
- Fusion Rifles (mid-range)
- Grenade Launchers (mid to long-range)
- Hand Cannons (short-range)
- Pulse Rifles (mid-range)
- Rocket Launchers (long-range)
- Scout Rifles (mid to long-range)
- Shotguns (short-range)
- Side Arms (short to mid-range)
- SMG (Sub-machine guns, short to mid-range)
- Sniper Rifles (long-range)
- Swords (Melee-range)
Destiny 2 – Kinetic Weapons
In the first game, you had a primary weapon, special weapon, and heavy weapon on you at all times. The same three weapon formula is still in Destiny 2, but the names and even some designation has greatly changed. Primary weapons are now Kinetic weapons.
Kinetic weapons represent your primary source of firepower in the game, having no specific elemental alignment. This will be your best friend on the battlefield, so it is imperative that you select one that fits your perfect playstyle. You still collect ammo for these weapons by picking up the white-grayish ammo boxes dropped from enemies.
Destiny 2 – Energy Weapons
Replacing the special weapons in the first game are Energy weapons. These Energy weapons are essentially your secondary weapon, but with some crucial and much needed changes.
The difference between Kinetic and Energy weapons are less apparent in Destiny 2. There aren’t really any weapons exclusive to one or the other, allowing for you to better pick what you want.
What is different is the purpose of Energy weapons. Each of these is aligned to a specific element and these are the weapons you will want to use first to bring down an enemy’s shield or armor. The Energy green ammo is also far more common to find than before, allowing you to actually use this as your main weapon if you would like.
Destiny 2 – Power Weapons
Power weapons replace the ultra powerful heavy weapons. Power weapons haven’t changed much at all, except in name alone. Each of them still utilize the same purple ammo that is slightly easier to find than in the original.
The types of weapons are roughly the same, too, incorporating ones like shotguns, sniper rifles, and rocket launchers to make for the special, third weapon that you will want to use against the biggest and baddest opponents.
Destiny 2 – Exotic Weapons
Exotic weapons will become your BFF in Destiny 2. These are the weapons that you will want to strive to get above all else. For those that don’t know what they are, they are essentially upgradeable weapons.
This means that even if you were to receive one at say, level four, you could still upgrade it beyond its current power by sacrificing more powerful weapons of the same category. For a complete list of these, check here.
