Hand cannons are a staple in Destiny 2. They come in a variety of flavors, but whatever your preference, they're pretty adept at taking out enemies and rogue Guardians. Since the rework at the end of Season 12, the meta has changed in both PvE and PvP in terms of what's best. Much of this is determined by the Seasonal Artifact, but some weapons shine no matter what. For our ranking, we referred to Light.GG user ratings in addition to our own experiences.
What are the best hand cannons in Destiny 2?
16. DFA
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,4
- PvP rating: 4.1
It was difficult to place DFA on our list as it has had a tumultuous history. It was swept away in the Sunset Slaughter before returning as a Nightfall reward in a later season. Everyone was hot to trot him, but he finally fell off the radar in no time.
15. Something New
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,4
- PvP rating: 3,5
Introduced during Solstice 2022, Something New is truly remarkable only for its elegant design. With scrolls being harder to acquire than they should be, Something New went DFA's path and disappeared shortly after the seasonal event.
14. Eyasluna
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,4
- PvP rating: 4,8
Introduced with the 30th anniversary, Eyasluna is like Hawkmoon Jr. and has better ratings than his older brother in both PvE and PvP. It's a versatile, no-frills weapon.
13. The Palindrome (Adept)
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,3
- PvP rating: 4,6
Introduced in Season 13, the Palindrome quickly became a Guardian favorite thanks to its perk rolls. It works admirably in both PvE and PvP and is definitely worth farming for Nightfalls.
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12. Reverse Crisis
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 3,8
- PvP rating: 4,4
Introduced alongside Cantata-57 during The Witch Queen, Crisis Inverted quickly made waves in Crucible. This Omolon hand cannon might be best known for looking like a caulking gun, but don't confuse that with its harmlessness.
11. Sing-57
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 3,5
- PvP Rating: 5
Cantata-57 is a weapon designed to dominate in Crucible. If "nasty" was a gun, this would be it.
10. Destiny Bearer (Timelost)
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,9
- PvP rating: 4,6
There's not much anyone can say against having Fatebringer in your arsenal. It's a solid, well-balanced gun that can clean up in any activity. Plus, it has one of the most iconic looks for a hand cannon.
9. The plague of Zaouli
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,8
- PvP Rating: 4
The recaptured King's Fall raid has no shortage of well-designed weapons. But there's something incredibly macabre about Zaouli's Bane that makes it one of our macabre favourites.
8. IKELOS_HC_v1.0.2
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 3,4
- PvP rating: 3,2
This will be a controversial placement, but since its inception, the IKELOS Hand Cannon has been one of our favorites. It has an incredibly unique design and such a robust rate of fire that it's a sleeper shot in Crucible.
7. Sunburn
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,8
- PvP Rating: 4
Big scary explosions. Sunshot is one of Destiny 2's original Exotics and has never really let up the gas since its inception. It's hard to compete when you have the power of the sun in your hands.
6. The Last Word
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 3
- PvP rating: 4,4
The Last Word was and still is a threat in PvP. While it's been toned down a bit since release, Guardians will be hard-pressed to find anything better to live out the cowboy fantasy and drop enemies with hip fire.
5. Eriana's Wish
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,6
- PvP rating: 4.1
You either love or hate this weapon. But when we step back, it's not the weapon that angers as much as the quest for the catalyst. However, once acquired, this hand cannon becomes an absolute beast for bringing down champions.
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4. Light
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,1
- PvP rating: 3,5
The antithesis of Thorn, Lumina was one of the first support weapons to come to Destiny 2. This beautifully crafted weapon could heal Guardians with its shots.
3. Thorn
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,4
- PvP rating: 4,6
They say you can hear certain images. Thorn is one of the few weapons in Destiny history to have such an iconic gunshot sound. Those who hear it are most often dead before they realize what hit them.
2. Fire hammer
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 3,8
- PvP rating: 4,6
If you've played any type of PvP since Season 17, chances are you've encountered an Igneous Hammer user. As annoying and deadly as a mosquito infested with malaria, this hand cannon has a bad habit of killing.
1. Ace of Spades
Screenshot by allgamestips
- PvE Rating: 4,8
- PvP rating: 4,9
As if there could be any other weapon at the top of this list. Remembrance of Cayde-6 at the Guardian is an equal threat in PvP and PvE. It comes with the unique Firefly perk and a sleek reload animation. Add that distinct metallic "chink" sound to every shot fired and Ace of Spades is a favorite among many keepers.
For more Destiny 2 goodies, check out Who is the Drifter in Destiny 2? Lore, voice actor and more! on allgamestips.
