Shotguns in Destiny 2 The Final Shape are highly sought after in both PvE and PvP due to their immense close-range stopping power and versatility.
In PvE, shotguns excel at quickly eliminating powerful enemies and dealing significant burst damage, making them invaluable during boss fights and encounters with high-priority targets. Their ability to clear groups of enemies with a single shot is unmatched, especially when paired with perks that boost reload speed or damage.
In PvP, shotguns dominate close-quarter engagements with their high damage per shot, often resulting in one-hit kills. This makes them incredibly effective for aggressive playstyles where closing the distance quickly is key. Their time-to-kill (TTK) is among the fastest when in close range, allowing for swift eliminations that can turn the tide in competitive matches. Although they have a limited range compared to other weapons, their effectiveness in tight spaces and during sudden fights keeps them at the top of the meta.
In this text, we’ll explore the best PvE and PvP shotguns currently available in Destiny 2 TFS, highlighting their top-tier perks, God rolls, and how to get them.
Best PvP Shotguns in Destiny 2 TFS
A good shotgun for PvP should have high impact and range to ensure one-hit kills at close range. Perks like Quickdraw and Snapshot Sights enhance speed and accuracy, making it easier to react quickly in the Crucible, where every second counts. High handling and stability are also important for quick follow-up shots. Perks like Opening Shot can increase accuracy and range on the first shot, making it more reliable in critical moments.
The Chaperone: Best Exotic Shotgun
| Weapon Name: | The Chaperone |
| Weapon Type: |  Shotgun |
| Tier Rank: |  A-Tier in PvE,  S-Tier in PvP |
| Slot: |  Kinetic |
| Ammo: |  Special |
| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Chaperone‘s unique Exotic trait, The Roadborn, makes it a meta weapon in PvE and PvP. This perk provides bonus handling, range, and precision damage after a precision kill, making it a formidable weapon in the hands of skilled Guardians. Its precision slug rounds offer high damage and accuracy at longer ranges compared to traditional shotguns, allowing for more versatile engagement options. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained by completing the exotic quest “The Chaperone” which involves various tasks and challenges. |
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Matador 64: Best Arc Shotgun
| Weapon Name: | Matador 64 |
| Weapon Type: | Shotgun |
| Tier Rank: | A-Tier in PvE, S-Tier in PvP |
| Slot: |  Energy |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Precision |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Matador 64 is a powerful shotgun in Destiny 2, particularly in the Crucible (PvP). It is an Arc Precision Frame Shotgun with a small but impressive perk package that makes it a desirable addition to any PvPer’s loadout. Its Precision Frame causes pellets to be fired in an oval shape, which is roughly the entire outline of a guardian at the right range, making it extremely effective in PvP. |
| How to Get it? | To get it, you need to venture into the Grasp of Avarice dungeon, which is available for those who purchased the 30th Anniversary Pack. |
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Someday: Best Kinetic Shotgun
| Weapon Name: | Someday |
| Weapon Type: | Shotgun |
| Tier Rank: | A-Tier in PvE, S-Tier in PvP |
| Slot: | Kinetic |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Precision |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Someday is a Kinetic Precision frame shotgun, which allows it to secure headshot kills from a greater distance than other shotgun archetypes. It also has Threat Remover in its perk pool, which increases reload speed, handling, and stability when dealing damage with all bullets in a spread. The Dealer’s Choice origin trait grants a small amount of Super energy for each kill, and with multiple Pale Heart weapons equipped, you can increase the potency of this effect. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained by completing Pale Heart objectives, decoding Pale Heart engrams at your Ghost, increasing reputation ranks with your Ghost, or finding drops as you progress through The Final Shape’s campaign. |
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Fractethyst: Great Stasis Shotgun
| Weapon Name: | Fractethyst |
| Weapon Type: | Shotgun |
| Tier Rank: | A-Tier in PvE, S-Tier in PvP |
| Slot: |  Kinetic |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Precision |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Fractethyst is a legendary kinetic shotgun in Destiny 2, known for its high damage output and versatility in various game modes. Its precision frame and rifled barrel make it accurate and reliable, while its high recoil pattern allows for easy control. With the right perks, Fractethyst can be a powerful addition to any Guardian’s arsenal, making it a popular choice among players. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained by purchasing the Season Pass. |
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Retold Tale: Enjoy The Precision Frame
| Weapon Name: | Retold Tale |
| Weapon Type: | Shotgun |
| Tier Rank: | A-Tier in PvE, S-Tier in PvP |
| Slot: |  Energy |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Precision |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Retold Tale is a highly regarded shotgun in Destiny 2, particularly for PvP play. It is a Void Precision Frame Shotgun that known for its excellent handling and consistency. One reason for its popularity is its tight projectile spread and minimal recoil, which make it easier to land shots and get follow-up kills. The weapon has a high base range, which can be further increased with a Range Masterwork or certain perks such as Rifled Barrel or Full Choke. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained by completing Dreaming City activities such as Blind Well, Shattered Throne dungeon, Ascendant Challenge chests, and Season of the Wish activities. |
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Best PvE Shotguns in Destiny 2 TFS
In PvE, a strong shotgun should have a large magazine size and high damage per shot to deal with powerful enemies and mobs. Perks like Auto-Loading Holster or Slideways can help keep the weapon ready and reduce downtime. Damage-boosting perks like Trench Barrel or One-Two Punch increase effectiveness against bosses and tougher enemies. Additionally, crowd control perks like Threat Detector can improve handling and reload speed when surrounded by enemies, making the weapon more versatile in various situations.
Conditional Finality: The Best Shotgun in D2
| Weapon Name: | Conditional Finality |
| Weapon Type: | Shotgun |
| Tier Rank: | S (PvE,PvP) |
| Slot: | Kinetic |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Conditional Finality is a versatile Exotic shotgun that can deal both Stasis and Solar damage. Its unique perks, Paracausal Pellets and Split Decision, allow it to freeze or ignite targets, making it a great choice for both PvE and PvP.
In PvE, it has Champion-stunning capabilities and high potential damage, while in PvP, it has great handling, a solid one-hit kill range, and can take down supers with its Freeze-Ignite effect. |
| How to Get it? | It can only drop from the final boss of the Root of Nightmare raid. It is estimated to have a base drop rate of around 5%, but completing Triumphs can increase the drop rate. |
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Heritage: Best Craftable Shotgun
| Weapon Name: | Heritage |
| Weapon Type: | Shotgun |
| Tier Rank: | S (PvE,PvP) |
| Slot: | Kinetic |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Pinpoint Slug |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Heritage is a highly sought-after Slug Shotgun in Destiny 2, particularly due to its versatility and exceptional performance in both PvE and PvP. As a Kinetic Special weapon, it deals more damage than its elemental counterparts, allowing players to use an energy primary weapon like Sunshot.
In PvE, the Heritage’s burst damage potential, combined with perks like Recombination, makes it a formidable weapon for taking down targets. In PvP, it is a decent alternative to The Chaperone, with perks like Threat Detector and Moving Target providing an edge in competitive play. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained by completing the Deep Stone Crypt Raid or by using Spoils of Conquest to purchase it from the cache at the end of the raid. It can also be farmed by defeating Atraks-1 in the new Pantheon activity. |
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Tractor Cannon: Must-Have Void Shotgun
| Weapon Name: | Tractor Cannon |
| Weapon Type: | Shotgun |
| Tier Rank: | S-Tier in PvE, A-Tier in PvP |
| Slot: | Power |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Rarity: | Exotic |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Tractor Cannon Exotic Shotgun in Destiny 2 is a valuable weapon due to its unique abilities that make it a versatile choice for both solo players and teams in endgame activities. Unlike other Heavy options the Tractor Cannon functions as a support weapon, providing a temporary damage buff to the user and debuffing enemies. Its Exotic perks, The Scientific Method, and Repulsor Force, allow it to increase the speed, handling, and vulnerability of enemies, making them more susceptible to damage. This debuff effect is particularly useful for underleveled players or those struggling with tough enemies in raids and other endgame content. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained from Exotic engrams, which are extremely rare world drops. |
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Dead Weight: Best Legendary Shotgun
| Weapon Name: | Dead Weight |
| Weapon Type: | Shotgun |
| Tier Rank: | S-Tier in PvE, A-Tier in PvP |
| Slot: | Energy |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Rapid-Fire |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | The Dead Weight Shotgun in Destiny 2 is a Rapid-Fire Frame Shotgun with an amazing perk pool for multiple rolls. Although it’s not optimal for PvP activities due to its terrible range, it has potential for PvE rolls. The Dead Weight Shotgun has various possible rolls, and its stats. The weapon’s performance can be improved with the right perks and rolls, making it a viable option for players in PvE activities. The Dead Weight Shotgun offers a lot of flexibility and potential for players to create a powerful build. |
| How to Get it? | It can drop from Gambit and can be focused from Gambit Engrams at the Drifter. |
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Until Its Return: Top-Tier D2 Shotgun
| Weapon Name: | Until Its Return |
| Weapon Type: | Shotgun |
| Tier Rank: | S-Tier in PvE, A-Tier in PvP |
| Slot: |  Kinetic |
| Ammo: | Special |
| Archetype: | Rapid-Fire |
| Rarity: | Legendary |
| What Makes it a Meta Weapon? | Until Its Return is a meta weapon due to its unique Rapid-Fire Frame, which allows it to fire full auto with deeper ammo reserves and faster reload when empty. The weapon also has a high Rounds Per Minute of 140, making it effective in both PvE and PvP. The popular perk combinations, such as Overflow and Cascade Point, further enhance its burst damage potential, making it a strong choice for champion and boss melting. |
| How to Get it? | It can be obtained from Season of the Deep activities. |
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