
As Destiny 2’s engaging Episode Heresy progresses into its second act, players are preparing for the imminent Guardian Games of 2025, where Guardians compete across various PvE and PvP challenges to showcase the strength of their respective classes.
Both the new act of Episode Heresy and Guardian Games introduce an array of unique weapons, some fresh while others are making a comeback. Each weapon comes with distinct ‘god rolls’ tailored for optimal performance in the current gameplay meta.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to note that not every weapon from this act will suit every player’s style.This article will evaluate and rank these weapons based on their in-game enjoyment and longevity beyond the immediate meta.
Our focus will be strictly on the significant weapon rolls found in the third and fourth columns of the tables below, excluding the first two columns, which offer minor gameplay variations. We will also emphasize the ideal Masterwork selections for each weapon.
10 Lotus-Eater (Adept)
Void Rocket Frame Sidearm – Grandmaster Nightfalls

Trait 1 |
Trait 2 |
Masterwork |
|
---|---|---|---|
PvE |
Reconstruction |
Withering Gaze OR Destabilizing Rounds |
Velocity |
PvP |
N/A |
Although the Lotus-Eater does not drop from either Guardian Games or Court of Blades, its powerful capabilities warrant its inclusion on this list as an honorable mention.
Available from Grandmaster Nightfalls between March 11th and 18th, there’s a possibility of its return before the season concludes.
One limitation of this rocket sidearm is its reload speed; however, thanks to Reconstruction, the need to reload becomes a non-issue. Coupled with Withering Gaze’s weaken effect or the volatile attribute of Destabilizing Rounds, the Lotus-Eater excels at dispatching tougher enemies effortlessly. The artifact perk in this season also grants it anti-barrier rounds, solidifying its status as a must-have item this gameplay cycle.
9 Division
Arc Heavy Burst Sidearm – Court of Blades

Trait 1 |
Trait 2 |
Masterwork |
|
---|---|---|---|
PvE |
Eddy Current |
Voltshot |
Range |
PvP |
Hip-Fire Grip |
Kill Clip |
Range |
Personally, standard sidearms outside of the rocket type have never captivated me. Ever since the introduction of rocket sidearms, like Indebted Kindness from Warlord’s Ruin, we’ve become accustomed to their high damage output. In contrast, typical sidearms often feel underwhelming.
Despite its heavy-burst archetype, Division’s performance is generally lacking when tackling high-level endgame content such as raids or Grandmaster Nightfalls. Nevertheless, when equipped with the right perks and in skilled hands, it can still serve as an add-clearing tool in less challenging scenarios, particularly when using perks like Eddy Current paired with Voltshot in Arc builds.
For PvP enthusiasts, options like Hip-Fire Grip and Kill Clip could yield a decent experience. However, the weapon’s time-to-kill (TTK) isn’t particularly competitive compared to established sidearm favorites like Drang (Baroque) or Heliocentric QSc.
8 Taraxippus
Strand Lightweight Scout Rifle – Guardian Games

Trait 1 |
Trait 2 |
Masterwork |
|
---|---|---|---|
PvE |
Fourth Time’s The Charm |
Tear OR Hatchling |
Reload Speed OR Stability |
PvP |
Keep Away OR Zen Moment |
Explosive Payload |
Stability |
Although scout rifles may not boast the highest damage outputs or be ideal for add-clearing, they excel at long-range engagements.Taraxippos stands out as one of the most favored scout rifles, securing the fourth spot on light.gg’s popularity rankings, trailing only behind Vault of Glass’s Vision of Confluence.
Returning from the 2023 Guardian Games, Taraxippos comes equipped with impressive utility perks that empower you to engage foes effectively from afar. It is most effective during mid to long-range encounters rather than in fast-paced close-quarters skirmishes.
In PvE-oriented scenarios, players should focus on the ammo-restoring perk Fourth Time’s The Charm, alongside strand-related perks such as Tear or Hatchling. While Tear is effective for severing enemies, Hatchling is ideal for Warlocks aiming to summon Threadlings.
In PvP, Keep Away shines on open maps like Vostok or Altar of Flame, while Zen Moment offers broader utility, enhancing accuracy amidst combat. The additional flinch from Explosive Payload also increases your chances of disrupting opponents’ shots.
Though the TTK may not be rapid, accuracy can counterbalance this potential drawback; hence, Stability could be the most beneficial Masterwork for this weapon.
7 Hullabaloo
Arc Compressed Wave Frame Grenade Launcher – Guardian Games

Trait 1 |
Trait 2 |
Masterwork |
|
---|---|---|---|
Add-Clear |
Volt Shot |
Chain Reaction OR Rolling Storm |
Handling |
DPS (Raneiks Unified ONLY) |
Envious Arsenal |
One For All |
Handling |
As of 2025, the heavy wave-frame grenade launcher category includes only two options. Like its predecessor from Lightfall, Dimensional Hypotrochoid, Hullabaloo has garnered attention as a versatile weapon primarily suited for add-clearing, though many players hesitate to expend heavy ammo on lesser adversaries.
While its utility is limited, Hullabaloo can shine in certain situations, especially for players who prefer causing chaos by eliminating adds with perks such as Volt Shot and Chain Reaction.
In terms of DPS, Hullabaloo offers a unique advantage in the Raneiks Unified encounter within the Vesper’s Host dungeon. By utilizing Envious Arsenal for beneficial reloads and a damage boost when defeating three or more enemies, you can efficiently dispatch the Servitor boss and its minions.
For players struggling to farm deepsight patterns for Dimensional Hypertrochoid, Hullabaloo serves as an excellent alternative.Just be aware that this weapon drops exclusively from Guardian Games.
6 Refusal Of The Call
Strand Adaptive Glaive – Court of Blades

Trait 1 |
Trait 2 |
Masterwork |
|
---|---|---|---|
PvE |
Replenishing Aegis |
Close To Melee |
Reload Speed |
PvP (If you’re a glaive main) |
Impulse Amplifier |
Close To Melee OR Melee Momentum |
Handling |
Glaives have had a tumultuous journey in Destiny 2 since their launch during the Witch Queen expansion. In a game dominated by firearms, glaives often struggle to compete in melee effectiveness. However, the introduction of new seasonal artifact mods has revitalized their usage.
With artifact perks like Hold The Line and No Belle, which enhance reload speed, it’s time for glaive fans to rejoice as their beloved weapons receive much-needed improvements.
Nevertheless, for those who are not committed to the glaive playstyle, this weapon might not be suitable for PvP due to its slow projectiles and reliance on proximity for effective damage.
According to light.gg, the most favored perk combinations include Slice and Sword Logic. However, the latter only applies to glaive projectiles rather than melee attacks, and the effect of Slice on melee hits isn’t entirely clear.
As the first Strand glaive, this weapon offers excellent synergy with perks like Replenishing Aegis and Close to Melee, especially when paired with Hunter gauntlets like Triton Vice or armor sets featuring the Synthoceps perk.
5 Afterlight
Void Adaptive Fusion Rifle – Court of Blades

Trait 1 |
Trait 2 |
Masterwork |
|
---|---|---|---|
PvE |
Ambitious Assassin OR Discord |
Destabilizing Rounds |
Charge Time |
PvP |
Under Pressure |
Successful Warm-Up |
Charge Time |
While the Lead from Gold/Reservoir Burst combination is reliable for fusion rifles, options like Ambitious Assassin/Destabilizing Rounds stand out as prime choices. Achieving a kill with a single trigger pull can easily activate volatile effects on nearby enemies, leading to rapid multi-kills.
- Volatile Marksman: Rapid Void weapon defeats provide Volatile Rounds with added upgrades.
- Maligned Harvest: Quickly applying Volatile diminishes the next instance of Void damage, creating a weakening pulse.
- Void Flux: Eliminating weakened targets transfers Volatile effects to adjacent foes.
- Particle Reconstruction: A fan-favorite returning perk that debuffs enemies while increasing damage they receive.
In PvP, perks like Under Pressure and Successful Warm-Up complement this weapon well. Similarly, Zealot’s Reward from the Garden of Salvation raid can roll with comparable perks, making it an excellent farm option if you’re targeting specific traits. Otherwise, Afterlight might offer a more accessible alternative as it drops from Court of Blades.
4 Mirror Imago
Strand Adaptive SMG – Court of Blades

Trait 1 |
Trait 2 |
Masterwork |
|
---|---|---|---|
PvE |
Overflow OR Subsistence |
Sword Logic OR Hatchling |
Stability |
PvP |
To The Pain |
Target Lock |
Range |
Submachine guns (SMGs) in Destiny 2 have established a solid reputation as premier weapons for add-clearing and close-range combat, thanks to their firing speed that swiftly incapacitates enemies.
Like the new exotic SMG Barrow-Dyad, Mirror Imago excels, boasting a variety of strong rolls that make it a top contender for both PvE and PvP playstyles.
What elevates Mirror Imago above its peers is the flexibility of its perks, providing various profitable options tailored to player needs. However, it shines brightest in PvE scenarios.
Utilizing the Overflow perk allows users to double their magazine size upon collecting ammo blocks, potentially yielding an impressive total of 80 rounds during engagement. Alternatively, Subsistence can also be a favorable choice, as it activates with each kill. With add-clearing perks like Sword Logic and Hatchling being effective, users can build this weapon to suit their playstyle.
In PvP, options are somewhat more limited. Nevertheless, applying Target Lock increases TTK, while To The Pain provides a slight handling advantage during confrontations; this weapon is exclusively available through the Court of Blades activity.
3 Anamnesis
Void Lightweight Bow – Court of Blades

Trait 1 |
Trait 2 |
Masterwork |
|
---|---|---|---|
PvE |
Dragonfly OR Archer’s Tempo OR Repulsor Brace |
Destabilizing Rounds OR Demoralize |
Accuracy |
PvP |
Successful Warm-Up OR Hip-Fire Grip |
Impulse Amplifier OR Destabilizing Rounds |
Draw Time |
Similar to the prior entries on this list, Anamnesis features captivating perk combinations that can be highly effective for add-clearing, depending on the player’s approach when utilizing Episode Heresy’s artifact mods.
For gathering overshields, combining Repulsor Brace with Destabilizing Rounds is highly beneficial. Players can also take advantage of Dragonfly paired with Destabilizing Rounds, enhancing headshot impacts through secondary void explosions. Meanwhile, Archer’s Tempo combined with Destabilizing Rounds allows for quicker draw times.
However, for users adept at landing headshots, opting for Archer’s Tempo combined with Demoralize will create a powerful synergy to debilitate enemy factions caught within the area of effect.
As is the case with glaives, this weapon is not recommended for PvP unless you have a high degree of confidence in your accuracy. This particular weapon can be acquired only through the Court of Blades activity.
2 Keraunios
Arc Adaptive Trace Rifle – Guardian Games

Trait 1 |
Trait 2 |
Masterwork |
|
---|---|---|---|
PvE |
Overflow OR Eddy Current |
Detonator Beam OR Rolling Storm OR Jolting Feedback |
Stability |
PvP |
N/A |
Trace rifles, particularly the arc variety, have greatly improved since their introduction, particularly with the new artifact mods providing increased functionality for this weapon class. The latest addition to the Guardian Games arsenal, Keraunios, stands out as a solid arc trace rifle offering a compelling perk combination.
Consensus agrees that Bolt Charge is an outstanding addition within the game. With this said, the Eddy Current and Rolling Storm pairing is optimal for any arc build. Continuous kills will keep players consistently amplified, stacking Bolt Charges. Alternatively, Jolting Feedback is useful for battling resilient foes or Overload Champions.
Players should avoid seeking PvP rolls for this weapon; aside from the Lodestar, trace rifles are often deemed less effective against other Guardians.
1 The Title
Void Aggressive Submachine Gun – Guardian Games

Trait 1 |
Trait 2 |
Masterwork |
|
---|---|---|---|
PvE |
Repulsor Brace |
Destabilizing Rounds |
Stability |
PvP |
Perpetual Motion |
Rangefinder |
Range |
The Title marks a return as a Guardian Games weapon, first introduced during Season of the Risen in the Witch Queen expansion. It has proven itself to be a sleeper hit for both PvE and PvP gameplay.
Even though it has a slower fire rate compared to other SMGs, The Title delivers a consistent recoil pattern while dealing significant damage, emphasizing precision over a volume of fire.
For PvE, players should focus on achieving the Repulsor Brace and Destabilizing Rounds combination, allowing for void debuffs while granting overshields in return. This weapon proves valuable for mid-tier content, especially when contending with multiple adds.
Despite my own inclination to avoid PvP, The Title excels in Guardian engagements, providing a higher kill rate compared to other SMGs. Perpetual Motion and Rangefinder may not seem flashy, but they serve as reliable perks that can make a crucial difference in tight firefights.
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