Energy weapons in Destiny 2 The Final Shape occupy the Energy slot and deal elemental damage, making them invaluable for breaking enemy shields with matching elements—Solar, Arc, or Void. They are essential in all types of content, as their elemental properties allow them to deal bonus damage to shielded enemies, which is not possible with Kinetic weapons. This makes Energy weapons a must-have, especially in activities where shielded foes are prevalent.
The TTK and DPS are crucial metrics when considering any weapons in D2 TFS. High DPS (damage per second) is particularly vital in PvE for taking down bosses and majors efficiently, whereas low TTK (time to kill) is more critical in PvP for quickly defeating opponents. We’ll consider these metrics when making the tier list you will see below.
Some D2 Energy weapons can be crafted through the Deepsight Resonance mechanic, indicated by red borders, allowing you to get the perfect combination of perks with a guarantee. In The Final Shape (same as in earlier Destiny 2 seasons) this is a superb feature that definitely must be considered when you’ll be deciding which weapon to farm for your best loadout.
In this guide, we will delve into the best Energy weapons for PvE and PvP (and make Gamingcy’s tier list for them), explaining their perks, God Rolls, and why they excel in the current Destiny 2 TFS meta.
The Best PvE Energy Weapons (D2 TFS)
An Energy weapon is considered meta for PvE in Destiny 2 TFS when it excels at clearing enemies and dealing a lot of damage to specific targets.
Key factors include elemental damage, synergy with mods, and ammo efficiency. The best Energy weapons can quickly remove enemy shields, work well with subclass builds, and provide consistent DPS.
Perks that enhance reload speed, damage after kills, or precision hits can also elevate a weapon’s effectiveness, making it a go-to choice for many activities. Simple and reliable performance in a variety of encounters is what makes an Energy weapon meta for PvE.
While making our top, we considered all these factors: check below what we’ve got.
Graviton Lance (Pulse Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Graviton Lance |
| Weapon Type: |  Pulse Rifle |
| Tier Rank: |  A-tier for PvE and PvP |
| Slot: |  Energy |
| Ammo: |  Primary |
| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | It is known for its stability and explosive rounds. It is good because its third shot of the burst rips a hole through space-time, dealing high damage and creating a void explosion. This makes it very effective for both PvE and PvP content, particularly for add clear due to its chain explosions that empower ability recharge. |
| How to Get it? | To obtain the Graviton Lance, players can complete the campaign mission “Sacrilege” and choose it as a reward, or they can obtain it through Exotic Engrams or rewards. |
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Red Death Reformed (Pulse Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Red Death Reformed |
| Weapon Type: | Pulse Rifle |
| Tier Rank: | A-tier for PvE and PvP |
| Slot: |  Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Red Death Reformed is considered a meta weapon due to its powerful perks, such as Redemption and Inverse Relationship, which provide healing, increased reload speed, and damage boosts. Its catalyst further enhances its capabilities by adding Helping Hand, which creates a healing burst and restoration remnant upon getting final blows. These perks make it an excellent choice for both PvE and PvP activities. |
| How to Get it? | It is the season pass exotic for Episode: Echoes. You can claim it instantly from the season pass if you purchase Episode 1: Echoes, or once you reach level 40 on the pass if you’re a free-to-play Guardian. |
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Still Hunt (Sniper Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Still Hunt |
| Weapon Type: |  Sniper Rifle |
| Tier Rank: |  S+ (PvE), A (PvP) |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: |  Special |
| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Still Hunt is currently defining the PvE meta due to its unique exotic traits, which allow it to charge the player’s Super bar by picking up Orbs of Power or landing precision hits. Once the Super bar is full, holding reload allows the weapon to fire Golden Gun shots. Its passive bonuses to target acquisition, aim down sight speed, and flinch resistance make it an excellent choice for DPS phases. Additionally, its synergy with the Celestial Nighthawk helmet (though nerfed in Echoes Act 2) further enhances its DPS potential. |
| How to Get it? | To obtain Still Hunt, players must complete The Final Shape’s campaign, at least through the Iconoclasm mission. Upon doing so, they should have access to the Destined Heroes questline. Completing the first few steps of this quest will eventually lead players to Cayde, who will give them the Wild Card quest. Completing this quest rewards the Still Hunt Exotic. |
| PvE God Roll: |
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Sunshot (Hand Cannon)
| Weapon Name: | Sunshot |
| Weapon Type: |  Hand Cannon |
| Tier Rank: |  S (PvE), A (PvP) |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Sunshot is a powerful exotic hand cannon that packs a significant punch with explosions left and right, thanks to its Explosive Rounds perk. It highlights targets that take damage from Sunshot and causes targets killed with Sunshot to explode in Solar energy, triggering even more explosions and scorching any enemy that doesn’t die initially. Its perks make it a mainstay in PvE and PvP. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained as a random drop from Exotic Engrams, Activity Completions, or Xur’s Fated Engram. It may take months to get it from Xur, but buying the weapon or class-specific armor piece that Xur is selling will improve your odds. |
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Trinity Ghoul (Combat Bow)
| Weapon Name: | Trinity Ghoul |
| Weapon Type: |  Combat Bow |
| Tier Rank: | S (PvE) |
| Element: |  Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | It is an excellent weapon due to its Split Electron perk, which splits the arrow fired from the bow. Combined with the Lightning Rod perk, it grants chain-lightning arrow shots after a precision kill. The built-in catalyst enhances the weapon’s combat efficiency, making it one of the best exotic bows in Destiny 2. |
| How to Get it? | Trinity Ghoul can be obtained from exotic engrams. |
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Acasia’s Dejection (Trace Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Acasia’s Dejection |
| Weapon Type: |  Trace Rifle |
| Tier Rank: | S-tier for PvE,  C-tier for PvP |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: |  Heavy |
| Archetype: | Adaptive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Acasia’s Dejection boasts impressive stats, including a high rate of fire and excellent handling, making it a popular choice among players. The weapon can roll with various useful perks, such as Perpetual Motion and High-Impact Reserves in PvP, and Rewind Rounds and Incandescent in PvE.
Acasia’s Dejection is a valuable addition to any player’s arsenal, especially for those who have not been able to acquire a Retraced Path. It is a highly desirable weapon for its impressive stats, unique perks, and versatility, making it a must-have for serious players. |
| How to Get it? | To get Acasia’s Dejection, you can complete the Root of Nightmares raid and loot the chest at the end of the raid, or do the Deepsight chest puzzle found within the raid to get a random Deepsighted weapon drop at the end of the raid. |
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Brigand’s Law (Sidearm)
| Weapon Name: | Brigand’s Law |
| Weapon Type: |  Sidearm |
| Tier Rank: | S-Tier for PvE and PvP |
| Element: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Archetype: | Rapid-Fire |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Brigand’s Law is a good sidearm in Destiny 2 due to its high damage output, rapid-fire capability, and moderate stability. Its ability to deal Arc damage makes it effective against certain enemies, and its high rounds per minute (450) allows for quick and sustained fire.
Additionally, its moderate recoil and decent handling make it manageable for players of various skill levels. |
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| PvE God Roll: |
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CALUS Mini-Tool (SMG)
| Weapon Name: | Calus Mini-Tool |
| Weapon Type: |  Submachine Gun |
| Tier Rank: | S-tier for PvE,  B-tier for PvP |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Archetype: | MIDA Synergy |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Calus Mini-Tool in Destiny 2 is a highly regarded Solar damage Submachine Gun that utilizes Primary Ammo. It boasts impressive Stability and Handling stats, making it a reliable and efficient weapon in various combat situations.
The weapon’s appeal lies in its unique perks, such as Incandescent, which synergizes well with Solar 3.0 rework. It has a PvE-focused god roll with the Incandescent perk, which causes enemies to explode when defeated, igniting them and nearby targets. The PvP god roll features Moving Target and Tap the Trigger perks, enhancing target acquisition and stability while firing from the hip. |
| How to Get it? | To get the CALUS Mini-Tool, you can farm the Presage Exotic mission on any difficulty setting, which is part of the Exotic Mission Rotator. It is craftable after finding 5 red border versions. Farming this weapon requires ownership of either the Beyond Light DLC or Season of the Chosen. |
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Chronophage (Trace Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Chronophage |
| Weapon Type: | Trace Rifle |
| Tier Rank: | A-tier for PvE, C-tier for PvP |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Heavy |
| Archetype: | Adaptive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Chronophage is a versatile and reliable void trace rifle in Destiny 2, making it a good choice for players who prefer a general utility weapon in PvE activities.
It excels at providing a replacement for typical primary weapons and offers a solid sweep of increased stats with its optimal perks. While it may not be meta-defining, it is a well-rounded option for players who want a dependable and effective void trace rifle. Its ability to roll with various perks, including Shoot to Loot and One for All, makes it a great fit for different playstyles and builds. |
| How to Get it? | To get Chronophage, you will need to complete the seasonal activity, Breach Executable on Nessus, decode Echoes engrams at the H.E.L.M., increase your reputation with Failsafe, or find drops as you progress through The Final Shape’s campaign. |
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Harsh Language (Grenade Launcher)
| Weapon Name: | Harsh Language |
| Weapon Type: |  Grenade Launcher |
| Tier Rank: | A-tier for PvE and PvP |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Wave Frame |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Harsh Language grenade launcher is a strong weapon in Destiny 2 The Final Shape (especially for PvE). It’s a Void wave frame grenade launcher, meaning it sends out a wave of energy that damages enemies in a line. This makes it excellent for clearing groups of enemies quickly.
The weapon’s best PvE perks include Envious Assassin and Destabilizing Rounds.
Combined, these perks make Harsh Language a powerful tool for taking down large groups of enemies. In PvP, Harsh Language is less effective but still useful. Disruption Break in the final perk slot can break an enemy’s shield and make them more vulnerable to follow-up attacks. However, wave frame grenade launchers generally require more skill in PvP and aren’t as consistent in one-shotting opponents. |
| How to Get it? | To obtain the Harsh Language, players can open Legendary engrams or earn faction rank-up packages. |
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The Best PvP Energy Weapons (D2 TFS)
In PvP, an Energy weapon becomes meta when it has the right balance of damage, accuracy, and ease of use, making it reliable in fast-paced combat. The weapon should have perks that enhance its performance in situations where quick reflexes and precision matter.
High-impact weapons with good handling or weapons with fast time-to-kill (TTK) rates often dominate. For example, shotguns with quick draw or fusion rifles that can eliminate opponents with one shot are often favored. Additionally, the ability to deal elemental damage, particularly against shielded enemies, gives Energy weapons an edge in PvP.
While making our top, we considered the factors mentioned above which at first may seem simple and clear, but considering the variety of Energy weapons in D2 TFS, sometimes it may be hard to keep them all in mind while choosing the best gun to play with.
Ammit AR2 (Auto Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Ammit Ar2 |
| Weapon Type: |  Auto Rifle |
| Tier Rank: | S-tier (PvP), A-tier (PvE) |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Archetype: | Precision |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Ammit AR2 excels in both PvE and PvP due to its versatile perks and high damage output.
In PvE, the presence of Incandescent makes it a solid and reliable choice for Solar builds. In PvP, its stat-boosting perks make it a go-to for casual and competitive players alike. |
| How to Get it? | To obtain the Ammit AR2, players can complete The Enclave’s tutorial quest, “Foundry Resonance,” which is available after starting The Witch Queen campaign. The quest is accessible to free-to-play players. |
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Beloved (Sniper Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Beloved |
| Weapon Type: | Sniper Rifle |
| Tier Rank: | S-Tier (PvP), B-Tier (PvE) |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Adaptive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Beloved Sniper Rifle in Destiny 2 is an excellent choice for both PvP and PvE content.
In PvP, it shines due to its exceptional handling and speed.
In PvE, Beloved is just as strong.
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| How to Get it? | It can be obtained from Season of the Haunted activities, including red bordered drops that can be used to craft it. You can also focus Umbral Engrams into drops of Beloved and the other Derelict Leviathan weapons at the Crown of Sorrow in the H.E.L.M. |
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Albedo Wing (Glaive)
| Weapon Name: | Albedo Wing |
| Weapon Type: |  Glaive |
| Tier Rank: | S-Tier (PvE), A-Tier (PvP) |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Aggressive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Albedo Wing stands out due to its unique perk, Beacon Rounds, which allows its projectiles to track. This feature makes it a potent option in both PvE and PvP.
Additionally, its aggressive frame offers increased impact and range compared to other glaives. |
| How to Get it? | It is a holiday weapon that drops during The Dawning event. It can be obtained from Dawning Event Challenges, weapon focusing available via Eva Levante, and Festive Engrams. |
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Bxr-55 Battler (Pulse Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Bxr-55 Battler |
| Weapon Type: | Pulse Rifle |
| Tier Rank: | A-tier for PvE and PvP |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Archetype: | Legacy PR-55 |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | It is a highly versatile and unique weapon in Destiny 2. It is an Energy Pulse Rifle that deals Solar damage and is popular for its stability, accuracy, and overall performance in both PvE and PvP. It has a unique 450 RPM frame, which significantly increases its accuracy, stability, and hip-firing capabilities. |
| How to Get it? | To obtain the BxR-55 Battler, you need to open the treasure chest in front of Xur in his new Treasure Hoard location, which can be reached by visiting Eternity. It is a guaranteed drop from the Legend Dares pinnacle rewards in Dares of Eternity. |
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Elsie’s Rifle (Pulse Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Elsie’s Rifle |
| Weapon Type: | Pulse Rifle |
| Tier Rank: | A-tier for PvE and PvP |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Archetype: | High-Impact |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | In PvP, Elsie’s Rifle has slightly less range than The Messenger but makes up for it with 10 more recoil direction, making it very stable with the right mods. It also has access to stat-boosting perks, making it a strong energy slot contender in 3v3 modes.
In PvE, while high-impact pulses are less common and can be clunky, Elsie’s Rifle can still be enjoyable for add clear and short work of most enemies. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained as a reward from the Onslaught activity in Destiny 2. Players can also increase their chances of getting it by completing the associated weapon quest from Arcite-44. |
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Heliocentric QSc (Sidearm)
| Weapon Name: | Heliocentric QSC |
| Weapon Type: | Sidearm |
| Tier Rank: | S-Tier for PvE and PvP |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Archetype: | Lightweight |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Heliocentric QSc is a powerful Solar sidearm in Destiny 2, offering strong options for PvE and PvP.
In PvE, the weapon shines with perks like Demolitionist and Incandescent.
In PvP, Heliocentric QSc stands out for its consistency.
Though sidearms are not always the most popular choice, Heliocentric QSc offers versatility and power. Whether you’re clearing waves of enemies in PvE or competing in The Crucible, this sidearm provides reliable performance and strong perk combinations. |
| How to Get it? | It can be found through random legendary and prime engram drops from any activity. The only guaranteed way to obtain this weapon directly is to hope that Banshee-44 sells it on a day that you’re logged in. |
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Nullify (Pulse Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Nullify |
| Weapon Type: | Pulse Rifle |
| Tier Rank: | S-tier (PvE), A-tier (PvP) |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Archetype: | Heavy Burst |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | It is a Solar, Legendary Pulse Rifle with the unique perk “Chaos Reshaped,” which provides bonus damage and healing when used in combat for an extended period. Additionally, Nullify has a two-round burst that reduces flinching from incoming fire, making it effective in both PvE and PvP.
Overall, Nullify is praised for its high damage potential, healing capabilities, and synergy with other perks such as Incandescent and Firefly. |
| How to Get it? | Nullify can be obtained from the Salvation’s Edge Raid. It can be found as a reward in 3 encounters: Substratum, Repository, and The Witness. It can also be purchased from the Raid cache upon completing the Raid, or crafted after obtaining the Deepsighted version. |
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Unexpected Resurgence (Glaive)
| Weapon Name: | Unexpected Resurgence |
| Weapon Type: | Glaive |
| Tier Rank: | S (PvE,PvP) |
| Element: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Adaptive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Unexpected Resurgence Glaive is a strong weapon in Destiny 2, especially for PvE activities.
Its main perk combination, Impulse Amplifier and Voltshot makes it a solid choice for players using Arc builds. Impulse Amplifier greatly increases the speed of your shots and reloads. Voltshot, which activates after reloading following a kill, adds extra damage by jolting enemies, making it effective for clearing groups of enemies. Glaives aren’t always the top choice in Destiny 2’s meta, but this weapon stands out due to its ability to combine speed and crowd control. The weapon’s versatility also makes it a valuable addition to your arsenal if you’re looking to enhance your Arc build or need a reliable Glaive for PvE. Its availability through the Trials of Osiris also makes it a rewarding weapon to chase for those who like the Crucible. |
| How to Get it? | To get the Unexpected Resurgence Glaive in Destiny 2, you need to play the Trials of Osiris.
Participate in matches, and as you complete them, you will earn Trials of Osiris reputation. This reputation helps you rank up with Saint-14, who will reward you with Trials of Osiris Engrams. Once you get an Engram, you can decrypt it for a chance to get the Glaive. If you earn the Glaive once, you can then focus your Engrams specifically to obtain more copies. Additionally, if you win seven matches in a row, you can earn an Adept version of the Glaive. After going flawless, you can also purchase an Adept version directly from Saint-14 using Trials Engrams. |
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Techeun Force (Fusion Rifle)
| Weapon Name: | Techeun Force |
| Weapon Type: |  Fusion Rifle |
| Tier Rank: | S (PvE,PvP) |
| Element: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Adaptive |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Techeun Force is a fusion rifle that excels in both PvE and PvP. Its unique basic origin trait, Explosive Pact, gains bonus stability and reload speed when the player activates their grenade ability. This makes it a versatile and powerful weapon.
In PvE, Techeun Force is particularly effective due to its ability to gain bonus stability and reload speed, allowing for increased damage output. Its Adaptive frame and 660 Charge Time make it a reliable choice for high-level content. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained through various activities in Destiny 2, including strikes, Crucible matches, and Gambit. However, the easiest way to acquire this weapon is by crafting it using the recipe found in the Season 21 update. |
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Shayura’s Wrath (SMG)
| Weapon Name: | Shayura’s Wrath |
| Weapon Type: | Submachine Gun |
| Tier Rank: | S (PvE,PvP) |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Primary |
| Archetype: | Precision |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Shayura’s Wrath is a highly regarded SMG in Destiny 2. As a Legendary weapon, it boasts a Void damage type and a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute. The weapon’s handling and reload speed are also respectable, at 34 and 32 respectively, allowing for quick weapon swaps and efficient reloading.
One of the standout features of Shayura’s Wrath is its hidden stats, which include an aim assistance of 60 and an inventory size of 24. These attributes make it easier to land critical hits and provide ample space for additional weapons and equipment. The weapon’s zoom of 17 further enhances its effectiveness in combat. |
| How to Get it? | To get Shayura’s Wrath, you can obtain it from any Trials of Osiris Reward source, including the Weekly challenges for winning 7 matches and winning rounds, or from Trials engrams. The Adept version can only be earned by completing a flawless Trials of Osiris Passage by winning 7 matches without losing or by getting through a Passage of Persistence. |
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