Weapon

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As a first-person shooter, Destiny features numerous weapons for Guardians to use in combat.

Overview

Each weapon type contains exotic variants, which are given a unique name and which have additional abilities and/or effects. Such notable "exotics" include the Fate of All Fools, Thunderlord, Patience and Time, Red Death, and Gjallarhorn, along with Thorn, Pocket Infinity, and Super Good Advice. Scopes and various sights have also been seen. Each Guardian will have 3 weapon slots to be able to carry a Primary, Special, and Heavy Weapon on their person, with the potential to store and access up to 9 additional weapons of each type. The primary slot is for the weapon used most frequently, such as auto rifles, scout rifles, pulse rifles, and hand cannons. The secondary slot is for specialty weapons that are highly situational such as shotguns, fusion rifles, and sniper rifles. The third slot is for heavy weapons such as rocket launchers and heavy machine guns. Ammo for the weapons will be color coded by slot type; white for primary, green for special, and purple for heavy. Purple is the rarest ammo to find, encouraging Guardians to use heavy weapons sparingly.

Many of the weapons in Destiny carry "implied fiction," bearing details of its creator, where it came from and the sort of person who had wielded it.

Rarity of the weapon as well as armor is color coordinated into five tiers: Basic (white), Uncommon (green), Rare (blue) Legendary (purple), and Exotic (gold). Basic and Uncommon weapons can be easily purchased at the gunsmith, with Rare weapons sometimes available. All the factions, the Vanguard and the Crucible sell Legendary weapons of each type. This is the only way to obtain Legendary weapons, outside of the very rare chance of finding a legendary engram or earning them as a random drop in a Raid. Exotic weapons, meanwhile, can only be purchased from Xur, acquired through an exotic bounty, or as a random reward during a Raid or Nightfall Strike.

Certain weapons are infused with different energies - thermal damage, arc damage, and void damage.

It should be noted that while Guardians are able to switch their weapon selection at any time through the menu, this comes at the penalty of losing both special weapon ammo and/or heavy weapon ammo for the switched guns. This encourages Guardians to plan their weapon selection in advance before entering a firefight.

Weapons are re-forgeable, which is done by Lord Saladin. This re-rolls their stats, but resets progression.

In Destiny 2, the weapon system is revamped, devising weapons into three categories: Power weapons, kinetic weapons, and energy weapons, which allow for increased player preference in regards to their arsenal layout.

Weapon upgrades

Weapons that are Common quality or better are capable of being upgraded by Guardians. Each weapon has an upgrade path that allows certain capabilities and improvements to be applied to the weapon, at the cost of a certain amount of Glimmer and potentially other materials. Each individual upgrade per weapon is unlocked with more experience. Additionally, while certain weapons will have a more or less "linear" upgrade tree, some weapon trees will diverge into different "branches", allowing for certain weapons to have more specialized applications as well as making it impossible to obtain all upgrades for that particular weapon.

Uncommon and Rare weapons typically only require glimmer and Weapon Parts to upgrade. Legendary weapons also require either Spinmetal, Helium Filaments, Spirit Bloom, or Relic Iron. The final upgrades also require either Ascendant Shards or Ascendant Energy (for pre-House of Wolves weapons only). Exotic weapons are similar to Legendary weapons, except instead of ascendant materials they require an Exotic Shard for the final upgrade.

Weapon Types (Destiny 1)

The following is a list of weapon types. The list of weapons within these types is located on its host page.

Primary weapons

Primary weapons are all-purpose weapons for most combat scenarios. Primary ammo is easy to come by and is stored in large quantities, so players will find themselves relying on these weapons the most.

• Auto rifle—fully automatic weapons capable of engaging multiple enemies at close-mid range, but require recoil control to use at longer distances.
• Hand cannon—double-action handguns with high impact and stopping power. Rewards a steady hand.
• Pulse rifle—burst fire, mid-range weapons with moderate recoil.
• Scout rifle—semi auto precision weapons meant for long range engagements.

Special weapons

Special weapons are more situational than primary weapons, filling specific niches. They are useful for tackling high-priority targets, or for backup in case a primary runs dry. Special ammo appears less often, and players cannot store as much special ammo.

• Fusion rifle—medium range, high impact weapons that require the user to charge before firing. Fires bolts in groups of seven.
• Shotgun—close range firearms that provide immediate conflict resolution. Rewards aggressive play.
• Sniper rifle—long range weaponry meant for causing high spikes of damage on their targets.
• Sidearm—semi-automatic pistols with high ammo reserves. Meant for taking out low-health targets in a pinch.

Heavy weapons

Heavy weapons are the most powerful weapon a player can carry. They are great for dealing lots of damage against powerful targets, or for dispersing large swarms of enemies. Heavy ammo appears the least and players can only carry a limited reserve, so heavy weapon use is generally reserved for more difficult encounters.

• Machine gun—heavy duty firearms built for suppression of hostile forces due to large magazine sizes and ammo reserves, good damage, and decent accuracy, even at long range.
• Rocket launcher—shoulder-mounted weapon systems that fire an explosive projectile that detonates upon impact.
• Sword—melee weapons meant for dealing high damage against single targets at close range.

Melee

Melee weapons and grenades fall under Guardian abilities, rather than collectible weapons.

• Hunter's knife—Throwing Knife (Gunslinger), Blink Strike (Bladedancer), Smoke (Nightstalker)
• Warlock Melee—Scorch (Sunsinger), Energy Drain (Voidwalker), Thunderstrike (Stormcaller)
• Titan Melee—Storm Fist (Striker), Disintegrate (Defender), Sunstrike (Sunbreaker)

Relic weapons

Relic weapons and objects are items that only appear in specific circumstances and have a limited time to use. They provide unique abilities that aid players during high-level encounters. Switching to another weapon will drop the relic weapon.

• Ascendant Sword—dropped by Swordbearers, Gatekeepers, Blades of Crota, and Hagrist, Blade's Edge. Serve as the only means of damage against Crota, Son of Oryx and Thalnok, Fanatic of Crota.
• Chalice of Light—Relic that appears in Crota's End; serves as the only way to combat the "Presence of Crota" debuff by providing health regeneration. Unavailable in Hard Mode.
• Scorch Cannon—dropped by Scorch Captains, Wolves' Guards, and Taniks, the Scarred. A Solar-damage rocket launcher with high velocity, a degree of tracking, and a feature that allows rockets to be converted into stickybombs upon holding the trigger; does more damage the longer the trigger is held. Holds ten rounds when equipped.
• Shock Cannon−Arc version of the Scorch Cannon. Used by Shock Captains and Taniks Perfected.
• Null Cannon−Void version of the Scorch Cannon. Used by Null Captains and Taniks Perfected.
• Saladin's Iron Battle Axe—Relic weapon in the Rise of Iron. Deals heavy Solar damage, regenerates energy when landing a hit, and can perform a special attack, where a line of fire is launched forward and creates a huge burning spot afterwards. Can send enemies flying upwards.
• The Aegis—Shield Relic in the Vault of Glass Raid that negates debuffs inflicted by Oracles and Atheon, Time's Conflux, and increases damage against the latter. Has a Super attack that serves as the only way of breaking the Templar's shield
• Tomb Husk—Handheld Hive Relic that opens Hive doors.

Enemy weapons

Fallen

• Shock Pistol—handheld Arc pistol wielded by Dregs.
• Shock Dagger—Arc one-handed knife wielded by Dregs.
• Shock Blades—Arc swords wielded by Vandals and Captains. Used in pairs.
• Shock Rifle—Arc rifle that fires homing projectiles. Used by Vandals and Captains.
• Shrapnel Launcher—Solar shotguns that deal high damage. Used by Captains and Vandals.
• Trip Mine—Solar tripmines that trigger when stepped through and detonate in a focused area.
• Web Mine—Arc mines that trigger when stepped on and release a web of energy upon detonation.
• Wire Rifle—Arc sniper rifle used by Vandals.

Hive

• Shredder—Void damage carbine wielded by Acolytes and Knights.
• Boomer—Arc damage siege weapon that fires explosive bolts. Used by Knights and Acolytes.
• Cleaver—Heavy duty Sword used by Knights.

Vex

• Slap Rifle—Solar damage firearm used by Goblins.
• Slap Grenade—Void damage grenade used by Hobgoblins.
• Torch Hammer—Void damage siege weapon that fires explosive bolts. Used by Minotaurs and Goblins.
• Line Rifle—Solar damage Sniper Rifle used by Hobgoblins.
• Aeon Maul—Void damage siege weapon that fires large energy slugs. Used exclusively by Hydras.

Cabal

• Slug Rifle—Solar damage firearm used by Legionaries and Psions.
• Cabal Shield−Shield utilized by Phalanxes.
• Projection Rifle—Solar damage grenade launcher used by Centurions.
• Heavy Slug Thrower—Solar damage machine gun used by the Colossus.

Taken

• Acolyte's Eye—Arc damage turret deployed by Taken Acolytes.
• Taken Blight—Sphere of Darkness that slows down Guardians as well as disabling recovery.

Splicer

• SIVA Charge—Solar damage grenade used by Splicer Dregs.
• Wretched Gaze—Void damage machine cannon used by Kovik, Splicer Priest.
• SIVA Cannon−Solar damage artillery cannon used by Aksis, Archon Prime.

Weapon Types (Destiny 2)

There is a new weapons system in place for Guardians: instead of primary, special, and heavy weapons, there are kinetic, energy, and power weapons respectively.

Kinetic and Energy Weapons

Kinetic and energy weapons will be the same types of weapons, but the differentiation is that kinetic weapons will deal more damage against non-shielded enemies, whereas energy weapons will have an element on them, be it Arc, Solar, or Void, and will deal more damage against enemy shields.

• Auto Rifle—fully automatic carbines with large magazine sizes meant for engaging multiple enemies at close range.
• Bow—great for taking out single targets with long-range precision.
• Pulse Rifle—burst-fire carbines built for tackling foes at a middling distance.
• Scout Rifle—semi-automatic carbines made for long-range engagements centered around precision.
• Hand Cannon—revolver-style handguns with high stopping power at close range.
• Sidearm—compact pistols with high ammo reserves for complimenting other weapons.
• Submachine Gun—fully-automatic firearms with fast fire rates meant for quickly hosing down enemies at close range.
• Trace rifle—powerful energy rifles that fire concentrated, singular beams that can be focused down upon targets.

Power Weapons

Power weapons have a defined role and will be used to take on either entire crowds of enemies at once or engage a single high-priority target.

• Rocket Launcher—shoulder mounted weapons that fire a warhead with a high blast radius.
• Shotgun—tubular firearms meant for dealing high spikes of damage at close range.
• Sniper Rifle—long-range rifles built for high precision damage against large enemies.
• Fusion Rifle—charge-fire weapons that release a cluster of seven elemental bolts that can kill at medium range.
• Grenade Launcher—tubular firearms capable of firing multiple grenades to siege enemy positions.
• Linear Fusion Rifle—stronger fusion rifles that fire powerful singular beams.

Melee

Melee weapons and grenades fall under Guardian abilities, rather than collectible weapons.

• Hunter's knife—Throwing Knife (Gunslinger), Blink Strike (Bladedancer)
• Warlock Melee—Scorch (Sunsinger), Energy Drain (Voidwalker)
• Titan Melee—Storm Fist (Striker), Disintegrate (Defender)
• Hunter Melee—Arc Fist (Arcstrider)

Relic weapons

Like in the original game, relic weapons and objects are items that only appear in specific circumstances and have a limited time to use. They provide unique abilities that aid players during high-level and Patrol encounters. Switching to another weapon will drop the relic weapon.

• Ascendant Sword—dropped during Escalation Protocol. Can be used to cleave enemies up during the encounter.
• Scorch Cannon—dropped during certain Public Events.
• Valkyrie—explosive javelins created by Rasputin and used against Xol, Will of the Thousands.

Enemy Weapons

Some enemies have received additional weaponry. Several enemy weapons from Destiny also return.

Fallen

• Arc Spear—Arc damage spears used by Wretches.
• Fallen Mace—Kinetic maces used by Stalkers.
• Fallen Shield—Kinetic shields used by Lurkers.
• Flame Cauldron—Solar damage spears used by Ravagers.
• Flame Torch-Solar damage torches used by Wraiths.
• Sawblade Launcher—Void launchers used by Scorn Raiders.
• Shock Pistol—Arc pistol wielded by Dregs.
• Shock Dagger—Arc one-handed knife wielded by Dregs.
• Shock Blades—Arc swords wielded by Vandals and Captains. Used in pairs.
• Shock Rifle—Arc rifle that fires homing projectiles. Used by Vandals and Captains.
• Shrapnel Launcher—Solar shotguns that deal high damage. Used by Lurkers, Captains, Vandals, and Marauders.
• Solar Pistol—Modified Shock Pistols that dish out Solar damage.
• Wire Rifle—Arc sniper rifle used by Vandals.

Hive

• Shredder—Void damage carbine wielded by Acolytes and Knights.
• Boomer—Arc damage siege weapon that fires explosive bolts. Used by Knights and Acolytes.
• Cleaver—Heavy duty Sword used by Knights.

Vex

• Vex Laser Rifle—Void damage Trace Rifle employed by Nessus-born Vex Minotaurs, Hobgoblins and Harpies.
• Slap Rifle—Solar damage firearm used primarily by Goblins and Harpies. Uncommonly used by Minotaurs and Hobgoblins.
• Slap Grenade—Void damage grenade used by Hobgoblins.
• Torch Hammer—Void damage siege weapon that fires explosive bolts. Used by Minotaurs and Goblins.
• Line Rifle—Solar damage Sniper Rifle used by Hobgoblins.
• Aeon Maul—Void damage siege weapon that fires large energy slugs. Used exclusively by Hydras.

Cabal

• Heavy Slug Thrower—Solar damage machine gun used by certain Colossi.
• Slug Rifle—Solar damage firearm used by Legionaries.
• Cabal Slug Shotgun—Arc damage shotgun employed by Red Legion Legionaires and Phalanxes.
• Cabal Severus—dual wielded blade weapons employed by Gladiators.
• Cabal Headhunter—Solar damage precision rifle employed by Red Legion Psions.
• Cabal Magma Launcher—Pyrotechnic weapons employed by Incendiors.
• Cabal Bronto Cannon—Void damage portable siege cannon employed by Red Legion Centurions.
• Cabal Slug Launcher—Arc-damage automatic energy cannon employed by the Red Legion Colossus.

Taken

• Acolyte's Eye—Arc damage turret deployed by Taken Acolytes.
• Taken Blight—sphere of Darkness that slows down Guardians as well as disabling recovery.

Trivia

A "Cudgel of Xanthor" has been referred to as an example of an incredibly powerful weapon within Destiny, but does not appear in the actual game. It appears as a weapon in the novel The Cudgel of Xanthor by Jeff Green.

Gallery

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List of appearances

• The Law Of The Jungle (First appearance)
• Destiny
• Destiny 2