Luna’s Howl is a Solar precision hand cannon reintroduced in Destiny 2’s Into the Light update as part of the BRAVE Arsenal. Originally a pinnacle PvP weapon, it now returns with updated perks and renewed viability. It can be earned by completing the “Howl at the Moon” quest from Arcite-99 in the Hall of Champions and then farmed in the Onslaught activity, with focused rolls available using Trophies of Bravery.
This hand cannon suits players who value precision and dueling potential. It excels in PvP for its consistency and perk options like Eye of the Storm and Precision Instrument, which enhance dueling capabilities and damage output . In PvE, it serves as a solid Solar option with Heal Clip for survivability and Incandescent for add-clear, though it is outshone by top-tier alternatives like Zaouli’s Bane or Sunshot . It particularly benefits Solar builds and those who enjoy hand cannons in mid-level content.
From this guide, you will know:
- How good is the Luna’s Howl Hand Cannon
- How to get Luna’s Howl
- Stats and Perks of Luna’s Howl
- If Luna’s Howl craftable
If you appreciate reliable hand cannons with strong perk combinations for both PvP and PvE, Luna’s Howl is worth farming, especially for its legacy value and flexibility. However, if you already have superior Solar hand cannons or prefer less precision-dependent weapons, it may not be essential.
Is Luna’s Howl HC Good?
Short answer: Very good. Luna’s Howl is 
A-tier in PvP and 
B-tier in PvE with the right perks
Luna’s Howl Tier list:
- PvE: B-tier. A consistent and flinch-resistant dueling weapon with perks that reward precision and aggression.
- PvP: A-tier. A strong Solar primary with great synergy for builds, though outshined by some top-tier alternatives.
Why PvP A-tier:
Luna’s Howl is a top-tier dueling weapon in the Crucible. Its Precision Frame offers a vertical recoil pattern and high accuracy, making it easier to land consecutive crits. Its new perk pool provides powerful options that elevate its performance:
- Consistency Perks: Eye of the Storm drastically boosts accuracy and handling as your health gets low, helping you win those critical 1v1 engagements. Slideshot is a fantastic alternative for aggressive players, granting range and stability on slide.
- Damage & Range Perks: Precision Instrument grants stacking precision damage, extending your three-tap kill range and making the weapon more forgiving. While its original Magnificent Howl perk has been nerfed, it can still two-tap with a 50% damage buff if you can chain precision kills. Opening Shot is another superb choice for ensuring your first shot is incredibly accurate.
- Stat Package: With a base Aim Assistance of 79 and a Recoil Direction of 95 (nearly vertical), the weapon feels incredibly sticky and reliable.
Why PvE B+ tier:
Luna’s Howl is a great Solar primary for general content and Solar builds, but it faces stiff competition.
- Great Synergy: The standout combo is Heal Clip + Incandescent. Reloading after a kill grants Cure (healing) to you and nearby allies, fantastic for survivability. Incandescent causes targets to explode and spread Scorch, making it excellent for add clear and synergizing with Solar subclasses and fragments like Ember of Benevolence.
- Strong Alternatives: Desperate Measures offers a straightforward raw damage increase after a kill, while Magnificent Howl can be fun for stacking damage against tougher enemies, especially when paired with Lucky Pants on a Hunter.
- The Competition: It’s ultimately held back from the top tier because other weapons simply do its job better. Zaouli’s Bane from the King’s Fall raid can roll the superior Explosive Payload + Incandescent, and the exotic Sunshot offers explosive rounds and chain reactions intrinsically, both providing better add clear potential
How to Get Luna’s Howl in Destiny 2
Luna’s Howl is a Solar precision hand cannon reintroduced in Destiny 2’s Into the Light update as part of the BRAVE Arsenal . Unlike limited-time event weapons, it is permanently available through specific in-game activities, but farming it efficiently requires focused effort. Here’s how to obtain it and why it’s worth the grind:
Step 1: Complete the Quest “Howl at the Moon”
- Source: Pick up this quest from Arcite 99-40 in the Hall of Champions (accessible via the Tower) .
- Objective: Choose one of two paths:
- Defeat enemies with precision Hand Cannon kills (bonus progress in Onslaught), or
- Defeat 50 Guardians with Hand Cannons in PvP .
- Tip: PvE precision kills in Onslaught are faster for most players. Use a Hand Cannon with high aim assist (e.g., Sunshot or a legendary with targeting perks) to streamline progress.
Step 2: Attune the Weapon
After completing the quest, attune Luna’s Howl at the Shaxx podium in the Hall of Champions. This increases its drop rate by 50-60% in Onslaught activities
Step 3: Farm Onslaught Activities
- Primary Source: Play the Onslaught wave-based activity (accessible via the Director) .
- Drops: Luna’s Howl can randomly drop after any wave completion. Guaranteed drops occur after 10 waves (normal) or 50 waves (legend) .
- Focusing: Use Trophies of Bravery (earned from Onslaught) to focus BRAVE Engrams at the chest near Shaxx for additional rolls
Step 4: Optimize Your Farm
- Attunement First: Always attune Luna’s Howl before farming to significantly boost drop rates.
- Legend Difficulty: Farm legend Onslaught (if power level allows) for higher drop chances and additional rewards.
- Fireteam: Use a coordinated team to efficiently clear waves faster, especially for 50-wave runs.
Fastest Way to Get Luna’s Howl:
- Complete the “Howl at the Moon” quest via Onslaught precision kills.
- Attune the weapon at the Shaxx podium.
- Spam Onslaught (10-wave runs for speed or 50-wave for guaranteed drops).
- Spend Trophies of Bravery to focus additional rolls.
Luna’s Howl Farming Tips:
- Prioritize Attunement: Without attunement, drops are purely RNG. Attunement makes farming predictable.
- Use Solar Subclasses: Pair with Solar subclasses (e.g., Solar Hunter with Lucky Pants) to synergize with its Solar damage and perks like Incandescent.
- PvP Shortcut: If skilled in PvP, the “50 Guardian kills” quest step can be faster than PvE grinding.
Quick Summary
- Availability: Permanent (via Into the Light content), but requires farming .
- Best Method: Attune + farm Onslaught (10-wave runs) + focus engrams.
- God Rolls to Target:
- PvE: Heal Clip + Incandescent (add clear and healing).
- PvP: Eye of the Storm/Slideshot + Precision Instrument/Magnificent Howl (dueling and damage).
Unlike limited-time event weapons, Luna’s Howl won’t vanish after an event ends, but farming it still requires dedication. Focus on attunement and efficient Onslaught runs to minimize grind time.
Perks of Luna’s Howl HC
Column 3 Perks
- Eye of the Storm: Accuracy and handling improve as your health gets low. Best for PvP. This is the #1 dueling perk for winning clutch fights.
- Slideshot: Sliding reloads a portion of the magazine and boosts range and stability. Excellent for PvP. Perfect for aggressive players who slide into engagements.
- Heal Clip: Reloading after a kill grants healing to you and nearby allies. Best for PvE. Top-tier survivability perk for harder content.
- Subsistence: Kills partially reload the magazine from reserves. Good for PvE. Helps with add-clear but can interfere with other reload-based perks like Heal Clip or Magnificent Howl.
- Loose Change: Final blows with this weapon have a chance to drop Special ammo. Situational. Can be useful in PvE or PvP if your team needs ammo.
Verdict: Eye of the Storm (PvP) or Heal Clip (PvE).
Column 4 Perks
- Precision Instrument: Dealing sustained precision damage increases crit damage. S-Tier for PvP. Makes the weapon more forgiving and extends its lethal range.
- Magnificent Howl: Precision hits increase damage for a short time. Stacks 3x. Great for PvP/PvE. The classic perk. Rewards precision chains and can enable two-taps in PvP.
- Incandescent: Defeats cause targets to ignite, spreading Scorch to nearby enemies. S-Tier for PvE. Fantastic add-clear and Solar synergy.
- Kill Clip: Reloading after a kill grants increased damage. Good for PvP. A reliable, easy-to-use damage perk for 6v6 modes.
- Desperate Measures: Kills provide a stacking damage bonus. Good for PvE. A solid damage option if you aren’t using Incandescent.
- Opening Shot: Improved accuracy and range on the opening shot of an attack. Great for PvP. Excellent for landing that first, crucial headshot.
Verdict: Precision Instrument/Magnificent Howl (PvP) or Incandescent (PvE).
Origin Trait: Indomitability
- What it does: Final blows with this weapon grant grenade energy when using a Light subclass or melee energy when using a Darkness subclass.
- Verdict: A fantastic, always-active trait that seamlessly feeds into ability-based builds for all content.
Quick Take
- PvP God Roll: Eye of the Storm + Precision Instrument
- Why: Maximum consistency. You win fights when you’re weak and kill in fewer shots.
- PvE God Roll: Heal Clip + Incandescent
- Why: You become a healing, add-clearing machine. The ultimate support weapon for Solar builds.
Final Word: Luna’s Howl is a premier dueling hand cannon in PvP and a strong utility pick in PvE. Farm for the rolls above to get the most out of it.
Luna’s Howl God Roll
Luna’s Howl stands out as a precision Solar hand cannon that excels in both PvE and PvP due to its unique perk combinations and stat profile. Here’s why it’s worth farming and how to maximize its potential:
Luna’s Howl PvE God Roll
In PvE, Luna’s Howl focuses on survivability, add clear, and synergy with Solar builds:
- Heal Clip: Reloading after a kill grants 120 HP healing to you and nearby allies, significantly boosting survivability in high-density activities.
- Incandescent: Kills spread Scorch to nearby enemies, enabling add clear and synergizing with Solar fragments like Ember of Benevolence for ability regeneration.
- Desperate Measures: Provides a raw damage boost after kills, ideal for burning down majors or champions.
- Magnificent Howl: While niche, it stacks damage on precision hits, pairing well with Lucky Pants for burst damage against bosses.
Key Combinations:
- Heal Clip + Incandescent: The top choice for general content, offering both sustainability and add clear.
- Heal Clip/Slideshot + Magnificent Howl: A fun alternative for stacking damage while maintaining survivability (avoid Subsistence, as it interferes with manual reloads).
Stat Priorities:
- Barrel: Fluted Barrel (handling) or Corkscrew Rifling (balanced stats).
- Magazine: Flared Magwell (reload) or Appended Mag (ammo capacity).
- Masterwork: Reload Speed
Luna’s Howl PvP God Roll
In PvP, Luna’s Howl is a dueling powerhouse with perks that enhance consistency and lethality:
- Eye of the Storm: Boosts accuracy and handling as health drops, winning clutch 1v1 engagements.
- Slideshot: Grants range and stability on slide, ideal for aggressive peek-shooting.
- Precision Instrument: Extends three-tap kill range and counters high-resilience targets.
- Magnificent Howl: Offers a 50% damage buff after precision kills, enabling two-taps (though it requires skill to activate consistently).
- Kill Clip: A more forgiving damage perk for 6v6 modes, allowing two-headshot-one-bodyshot kills.
Key Combinations:
- Eye of the Storm + Precision Instrument: The most consistent dueling roll for 3v3 modes (Trials, Competitive).
- Slideshot + Magnificent Howl: For aggressive players who can chain precision kills.
- Heal Clip + Kill Clip: A utility option for 6v6, providing healing and damage without demanding perfect accuracy.
Stat Priorities:
- Barrel: Hammer-Forged Rifling or Smallbore (range).
- Magazine: Ricochet Rounds (range + stability) or High-Caliber Rounds (flinch).
- Masterwork: Range
Can you craft Luna’s Howl?
Luna’s Howl cannot be crafted. It does not have a craftable pattern, meaning it cannot be enhanced or personalized at the Enclave.
Luna’s Howl is permanently available through the following methods:
- Onslaught Activity:
- Primary source. Drops randomly after wave completions.
- Guaranteed drop after clearing 10 waves (normal) or 50 waves (Legend difficulty) .
- Attunement System:
- Visit the Attunement terminal near Shaxx in the Hall of Champions.
- Attuning to Luna’s Howl increases its drop chance by 50-60% in Onslaught .
- Focusing Rolls:
- Use Trophies of Bravery (earned from Onslaught) to focus BRAVE Engrams at the chest near Shaxx for additional rolls
Conclusion
Luna’s Howl is one of the most iconic and versatile hand cannons to return in Destiny 2’s Into the Light update. It successfully bridges the gap between PvE utility and PvP dominance with a powerful and unique perk pool. In PvE, it offers fantastic survivability with Heal Clip and excellent add-clear with Incandescent, making it a strong choice for Solar builds. In PvP, it returns as a dueling menace, with perks like Eye of the Storm and Precision Instrument that reward accuracy and grant incredible consistency in 1v1 fights.
While it isn’t craftable, it is permanently available to farm through the Onslaught activity and BRAVE engram focusing, so there’s no time pressure to get it. Players who enjoy precision-based hand cannons, want a reliable weapon for both PvE and PvP, or are fans of its legendary status should definitely farm for a good roll. However, if you already have a god-roll Zaouli’s Bane for PvE or an Exalted Truth for PvP, it might not feel essential. For most guardians, Luna’s Howl is a flexible and powerful weapon that’s absolutely worth the grind.
