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A massive weapon refresh launched withDestiny 2’sSeason of the Seraph. New activity weapons are up for grabs, some of which are reprised versions of fan-favorites like Wendigo GL3 and Gunnora’s Axe. Even if you ignore this season’s new offerings, there are a ton of new guns to chase this season, most of which you won’t want to miss.
Related:Destiny 2: How To Earn The Seraph Title
Iron Banner, Trials of Osiris, and Nightfalls got two new guns each. Core playlists received a new weapon, and the world pool saw four new weapons enter the rotation. Today, we’ll be going over all world drop and playlist weapons introduced this season, showcasing the best rolls on offer for both PvE and PvP.
Opening Shot
Handling
If you’re willing to play Gambit this season, Albruna-D is a solid Hakke Sniper Rifle for PvP and deals solid damage in PvE.This weapon can roll with Explosive Payload and Vorpal Weapon. Double damage perks are uncommon in Destiny 2, let alone on a playlist weapon like this. If you want to quickly chunk down a Champion’s health bar, that perk combo is your best bet. Triple Tap is an option in the first perk column, although you’ll only be getting an extra bullet per reload since Aggressive Frames have small magazines by default.
PvP is where this gun shines.Elemental Capacitor can be paired with Opening Shot or Snapshot Sightsfor a highly responsive Special weapon. With an Arc subclass and the right perks, you can reach 100 handling on this gun, a rarity for Aggressive Frame Sniper Rifles. That high handling gives you room to drop Snapshot Sights for Opening Shot if you want more consistent shots. It’s an excellent PvP Sniper Rifle if you can get the right roll and enjoy 45 zoom scopes.
Elemental Capacitor
Range
If you thought Riptide didn’t pack enough firepower with each burst, you’ll want to get your hands on Aurvandil. This High-Impact Frame Fusion Rifle fires slowly but hits incredibly hard. Thanks to its perk pool, it’s also a great crowd control weapon, capable of rolling withReconstruction and Chill Clipto lockdown entire waves of adds in just a few shots. Nearly every shot from this Fusion Rifle will freeze targets in place or outright shatter them.
For PvP, you have a few options here. You can run the Chill Clip roll if you can get enough ammo, or you can useFirmly Planted and Elemental Capacitorfor an incredibly accurate mid-range Special weapon. Aurvandil’s slow charge time prevents this gun from being a proper counter to Shotguns, but the weapon is so accurate that it becomes a pocket Sniper Rifle of sorts with some practice.
Vorpal Weapon
Blast Radius
Blowout is a mediocre Rocket Launcher that drops from Crucible matches. The fact it’s missing Clown Cartridge makes Blowout a subpar optionwhen compared to most meta Rocket Launchers, but that doesn’t mean Blowout is awful.Demolitionist and Explosive Lightis a solid combo for burst DPS setups. You can also make do withAmbitious Assassin and Explosive Lightif you don’t mind killing a few enemies with your Rocket Launcher before reloading. And if you plan to use this weapon alongside Gjallahorn for boss DPS, replace Explosive Light withLasting Impression; Gjallarhorn’s Wolfpack Rounds don’t benefit from Explosive Light’s damage bonus.
Don’t bother using this Rocket Launcher in PvP.It lacks tracking unless you dedicate a perk slot to Tracking Module, and its stat package lacks high blast radius and velocity stats. You can do much better.
Rangefinder
Dark Decider is a solid add-clearing tool in PvE and nothing else.Voltshotis the star of the show here, infusing your next shot with Jolt upon reloading after a kill. The bad news is this gun doesn’t have any reloading perks, so you’ll need tospec for reload speedfor a smooth experience.Subsistenceworks best in the first perk column, allowing you to lay into the Jolted target to release chain lightning between targets.
Don’t use this weapon in PvP.Almost every other Auto Rifle has more range than this thing. You can get a reasonable range stat with a perfect roll, but even then it’s going to fall behind other Auto Rifles that can afford to use damage perks.
Eye of the Storm
Exalted Truth is Palindrome’s bigger brother, featuring better origin traits and comparable base stats. If you never got your hands on a good Palindrome when it was in the Nightfall pool,Exalted Truth isthe best Energy 140 Hand Cannon you can get for PvP.If you just want a good Hand Cannon for PvE content, you’ll be disappointed.
This weapon’s base stats are absurd and exceed most meta Hand Cannons currently. Once you start accounting for perks, this weapon can start rivaling Pulse Rifles.Rangefinder and Eye of the Stormis an excellent pairing on this gun, allowing you to reach 36+ meters of range with a perfect roll. Eye of the Storm makes landing headshots a breeze in a duel. you’re able to also opt for a stability roll over range, minimizing flinch during gunfights to ensure you land your shots. And if you main a Void Hunter, you might want to useRepulsor Bracewith Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk for constant overshields after each kill. No matter what roll you get, this Hand Cannon is nothing short of S-tier for PvP.
Offhand Strike
Fioritura is quite a unique Sidearm due to its perk pool. This is the only Primary as of Season of the Seraph that can roll withHip-Fire Grip and Offhand Strike.Offhand Strike is effectively Heating Up for hip-fire enthusiasts, buffing weapon stats while hip-firing after a weapon kill. Paired with Hip-Fire Grip, you have a devastating Sidearm that is easier to use in hip-fire than while aiming. There are plenty of good Sidearms with short TTK values, but if you’re chasing Fioritura for a unique experience, that’s the roll to aim for.
For PvE, it’s a Void SUROS Sidearm that can roll withThreat Detector and Repulsor Brace,perfect for Gyrfalcon Huntersor any Void build that can inflict Volatile Rounds. If you’re looking for more damage, replace Repulsor Brace withGolden Tricornfor a massive 50% damage buff at max stacks. This gun is a fantastic Primary if you get the right roll; keep your eyes peeled for this gun.
Iron ReachorOpening Shot
Gunnora’s Axe has been brought back this season, making this the third iteration of this gun. The good news is this weapon’s perk pool is the best it’s ever been.This slug Shotgun is perfect for add clear,PvE DPS, and even PvP.Fans of Shotguns will want to grab a copy of this gun at some point before it leaves the Iron Banner loot pool.
For PvE, you have quite a few perk options.Auto-Loading Holster and Vorpal Weaponis a great setup for backup DPS when your Heavy runs out of ammo. It’s the same roll that made First In, Last Out so popular, yet this weapon has far more range and generally better base stats. If you care more about killing adds, you’ll wantThreat Detectorand Voltshot.Get a kill, reload, and your next slug will Jolt the target for massive damage. It’s an S-tier combination that will demolish adds and majors with ease.
Crucible mains will also want a copy of this gun.Threat Detector and Iron Reachis your best bet for general consistency, allowing this weapon to reach a whopping 100 range. Only Exotic Shotguns can compete at those distances. You should also consider a roll withHip-Fire Grip and Opening Shot.Both perks synergize nicely to make your first hip-fire slug snap to the target’s head if your reticle is anywhere near the target’s skull. It’s a cheesy setup that’s highly effective.
Box Breathing
Stability
Hung Jury is back in the Nightfall loot pool this season. It has a new perk pool that’s more of a sidegrade, replacing One for All with Gutshot Straight and other subpar options. The good news is thatRapid Hit and Explosive Payloadis still a perk combination, making this the ultimate anti-Champion whenever Scout Rifles have Champion mods in the Artifact. Since that’s been every season in Year 5, it’s safe to say this weapon will see frequent use in endgame activities.For better add-clearing potential, you’re able to replace Explosive Payload with Firefly.
Crucible players should keep an eye out forBox Breathing. While it got a slight nerf this season, it should still allow Hung Jury to three-tap Guardians if your first shot has the perk active. You can pair this withRapid Hit or Surplusfor added consistency. Spec for stability to minimize incoming flinch, and you’ll have an excellent Primary weapon for most PvP playlists.
Kill Clip
Veist weapons never disappoint, and Jararaca-3SR is no exception. This Scout Rifle fires quickly, has virtually no recoil, and is effective at all distances. Typical perk combinations likeRapid Hit and Kill Clipare amazing for the Crucible, but don’t sleep onHeadstoneandGolden Tricornin the second column. Headstone has great synergy with Stasis builds, and Golden Tricorn is fantastic if you can get a direct kill with a Stasis ability (shatters don’t count).
There’s not much to say about this Scout Rifle other than its reliability. It feels great to shoot, has good perks, and doesn’t have any noticeable downsides. If you’re looking for a reliable Primary weapon, get your hands on a Jararaca.
Cascade PointorKill Clip
Lodbrok-C is a hard-hitting Auto Rifle with a great suite of perks.Fourth Time’s the Charm and Target Lockstands out as a great PvE roll. Auto Rifles are great for killing weak fodder units but can struggle fighting tougher red bars like Knights. Target Lock fixes that issue by ramping up your damage with sustained fire against a single target. Paired with Fourth Time’s the Charm, you’re looking at a solid weapon for killing adds and even Champions. If you prefer ability-centric builds, considerDemolitionist or Osmosis alongside Adrenaline Junkie.
Auto Rifles are seldom used in the Crucible but can excel with the right playstyle. Your classic combo ofPerpetual Motion and Kill Clipis present here, lowering the weapon’s TTK while Kill Clip is active, but there’s a perk on this gun you need to try:Cascade Point.For whatever reason,Titan Barricades count as headshots for triggering Cascade Point.Swap to a Sidearm or Trace Rifle, lay into a Barricade, then melt enemies in half a second with your newly-buffed Lodbrok-C. It’s an incredible perk for 6v6 modes and is even viable in more competitive settings.
