Hand cannons are the meta weapons in Destiny two Beyond Light. Players tin can glean that fact by playing any ranked PVP style. Nearly every kill on the ticker will be with a paw cannon. The weapons take the benefit of being extremely authentic and having high headshot damage values.

Hand cannons are also peachy peek weapons, as guardians tin seek cover betwixt shots. There are a lot of good hand cannons to use in Destiny 2, but only a handful are elite. Below are the all-time hand cannons to employ in Destiny 2's PVP ranked from worst to best.

Updated on March 5, 2022, by Anastasia Maillot: The Witch Queen expansion and the 30th Ceremony expansion have brought in some more competition to the PVP game. Though it's too early to condemn the state of PVP in season 16, it seems that hand cannons are withal a viable option to a caste, but players now need to accept even better perks and rolls to be able to handle their grounds against SMGs and spotter rifles. One new weapon, the Eyasluna, was introduced in Nov 2021 and has made a meaning touch on PVP meta, but the list also lacked a few other important hand cannons that tin can be surprisingly viable even in an era of Void reigning supreme.

xiii Dire Hope

Destiny 2 Dire Promise Hand Cannon

Dire Promise has been one of the best hand cannons for several seasons in Destiny two. The weapon has a 140 rpm fire rate with 92 aim assist. On a controller, the manus cannon is incredibly easy to use and 1 of the best beginner guns in the game. Dire Promise as well has a lightweight frame that helps with handling and makes weapon swap lightning fast.

Guardians should use the manus cannon on small maps where players can take advantage of its handling and aim assist. On bigger maps, 140 rpm hand cannons are not as useful because they have more visual recoil. At the range, gamers volition have to wait for the reticle to re-center, which essentially makes the increased burn down rate useless. The Dire Hope is a Expressionless Orbit Engram drop and can besides be acquired every bit a Expressionless Orbit reward.

  • Impact: 88
  • Range: 41
  • Stability: 68
  • Handling: 75
  • Reload Speed: 54
  • RPM: 140
  • Mag: eleven
  • Aim Assistance: 87

12 Crimil's Dagger

Destiny 2 Crimils Dagger Hand Cannon

Crimil'southward Dagger is an A-tier 120 RPM paw cannon with an astonishing weapon design. The small red dot and aesthetic of the weapon make striking targets easier than some of the rectangular skins. It will downwardly enemies with two headshots, and can fifty-fifty impale weakened opponents with ane shot to the body and i shot to the head. The cannon is available through the Fe Imprint rewards.

  • Touch on: 92
  • Range: 71
  • Stability: 33
  • Handling: 33
  • Reload Speed: 32
  • RPM: 120
  • Mag: 8
  • Aim Aid: 67

11 Bottom Dollar

Destiny 2 Bottom Dollar Hand Cannon God Roll

At that place are a total of 12 dissimilar perk options on the Lesser Dollar, giving it the potential to have several different God tier rolls. With a low drop chance, and its availability limited to the Gambit drops, information technology can be frustrating to find the perfect Lesser Dollar.

However, many of the perks on the weapon are feasible, so the chances of finding a serviceable version are decent. The weapon has everything guardians will need to compete in Trials. Information technology has high impact, practiced range, and a base of operations 8 round magazine. While the Crimil'due south Dagger may take essentially the same stats, the potential for a perfect scroll makes the Lesser Dollar but a little improve.

  • Impact: 92
  • Range: 69
  • Stability: 40
  • Treatment: 51
  • Reload Speed: 33
  • RPM: 120
  • Magazine: eight
  • Aim Aid: 66

10 Sturm

Sturm Exotic Hand Cannon from Destiny 2

The Sturm hand cannon is 1 of the hardest-hitting mitt cannons in the game with 90 damage to the chest and 108 damage to the head. Players can purchase this weapon from the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower. The weapon has a burn rate of 120 rpm, which is more plenty for a 92 touch gun. Guardians volition have the virtually success when pairing the Sturm with its sister the Drang.

On larger maps, the weapon tin can be players' short to medium range option and on smaller maps, the hand cannon tin be used as a medium to long-range option. Because the weapon is exotic, players will not be able to get favorable rolls for the gun. For that reason, the Sturm is not a superlative-five hand cannon in Destiny ii.

  • Impact: 92
  • Range: 73
  • Stability: 56
  • Treatment: 37
  • Reload Speed: 37
  • RPM: 120
  • Magazine: 12
  • Aim Assist: 50

nine Steady Hand

Destiny 2 The Stead Hand Hand Cannon

The legendary hand cannon is a 120 RPM gun. After Bungie removed True Prophecy, Steady Hand was added to replace it. With range, touch, and aim assistance all on the higher side, gamers of all skill levels will exist able to use the weapon well.

However, its small mag and subpar perks prevent the weapon from making the peak spot on this list. Information technology'southward currently (in season 16) unclear where the Steady Hand drops from, though it was previously an Fe Banner weapon from Atomic number 26 Banner engrams.

  • Bear upon: 92
  • Range: 67
  • Stability: 40
  • Handling: 31
  • Reload Speed: 42
  • RPM: 120
  • Magazine: 8
  • Aim Assist: 65

eight Fatebringer

Destiny 2 Fatebringer Timelost Hand Cannon

The Fatebringer's usefulness in PVP has been much debated by the Destiny ii community. Still, where there is a will at that place is a mode, and making this traditionally PVE hand cannon piece of work in PVP is usually only a affair of getting the Timelost version of it with the right PVP perks, such as Explosive Payload, Kill Clip, and Center of the Storm.

Fatebringer is a staple hand cannon in Destiny two, and though some despise its recoil pattern, getting the hang of it can make information technology a deadly budget choice for players who prefer an Exotic Heavy or Free energy weapon. To go the Timelost version, players need to complete the Vault of Glass raid on Master difficulty during the week that the Timelost Fatebringer drops. Timelost weapons also have Good mods, making them ameliorate than the usual VoG drops.

  • Touch: 84
  • Range: 67
  • Stability: 68
  • Handling: sixty
  • Reload Speed: 51
  • RPM: 140
  • Magazine: 11
  • Aim Assist: 84

seven The Last Word

Destiny 2 The Last Word Exotic Hand Cannon

Guardians that like to play at a fast pace in PVP volition honey using the Terminal Word. Gamers will feel like a cowboy with a 6-shooter using the gun, which is merely effective at close range. If players hit their shots, they tin can downward opponents in half a 2d.

The gun is unique simply just useful at point-blank range. At that place is no aiming down sights while using the gun, and learning to hip burn down information technology tin take a few matches. Despite its niche role, The Last Discussion is a good gun to use in certain situations. The Last Word can be purchased from the Monument to Lost Lights at the Tower.

  • Impact : 78
  • Range : 42
  • Stability : 46
  • Handling : 46
  • Reload Speed : 82
  • RPM : 225
  • Magazine : 8
  • Aim Help : xl

vi Ancient Gospel

Ancient Gospel Hand Cannon in Destiny 2

The Ancient Gospel has risen in popularity since the 120 nerf. As a 140 RPM hand cannon, the Ancient Gospel tin struggle at longer ranges with a base range of 47. The weapon has a number of amazing perks to choose from and is at least an A-tier choice.

Players will want to amend the gun'southward range if possible, and at that place is plenty of potential to boost the other stats. With the right rolls, players tin can get up to 14 rounds, which is plenty of ammunition for 6v6. The Ancient Gospel drops from the Garden of Salvation raid.

  • Bear on : 84
  • Range : 47
  • Stability : 62
  • Handling : 51
  • Reload Speed : 49
  • RPM : 140
  • Magazine : 11
  • Aim Assist : 74

5 Thorn

Destiny 2 Thorn Exotic Hand Cannon

Thorn has been a favorite in high-end PVP content for a while at present, even rearing its head in Trials of Osiris. Every bit an Exotic hand cannon, information technology does deliver some interesting perks and intrinsic traits that make it a abominable threat in PVP. Thorn'southward bullets deal damage over time on enemies.

Kills scored with information technology get out backside Remnants that the histrion tin pick up to further strengthen this intrinsic trait. Its main reward comes from the fact that information technology prevents players from regenerating health if they get shot once and have over, giving the player ample fourth dimension to push in with a shotgun and end them off. Thorn tin be purchased from the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower.

  • Affect : 84
  • Range : 54
  • Stability : lx
  • Handling : 86
  • Reload Speed : 46
  • RPM : 140
  • Magazine : 9
  • Aim Aid : 85

4 Palindrome (Adept)

The Palindrome Hand Cannon in Destiny 2

The Flavour of The Chosen update introduced the Palindrome to Destiny 2. It is 1 of the Adept 140 RPM cannons that ranks high in the course. The Palindrome is indisputably one of the best 140s in the game right now. It has top stats on paper and there are a number of good rolls for the weapon.

To get the Adept version, players will demand to complete Grandmaster Nightfalls. With several different S-tier perk routes, nearly every Palindrome will be effective. Thank you to its straightforward recoil patterns, it feels like one of the more stable manus cannons. The only downside is that it falls into the Energy weapon category.

  • Impact : 84
  • Range : 55
  • Stability : 62
  • Handling : 55
  • Reload Speed : 48
  • RPM : 140
  • Mag : eleven
  • Aim Assist : 79

iii Hawkmoon

Destiny 2 Hawkmoon Exotic Hand Cannon

Hawkmoon is a 140 RPM mitt cannon that was reintroduced in Destiny 2. It no longer has the intrinsic trait from the original game, but now that the 140s compete with the 120s, it has a place in loftier-level PVP. A expert scroll with increased range will stack upward against the best guns in the game.

It all the same will not take the range of guns like the Ace of Spades or Igneous Hammer. Regardless, it is a acme-tier hand cannon and can exist used as a primary trials weapon. The only downside to using the gun is the modest eight-9 circular magazine, which tin can let players down in certain situations. Players can buy the Hawkmoon every Friday from Xur in season 16 and beyond.

  • Impact : 78
  • Range : 57
  • Stability : 65
  • Handling : 74
  • Reload Speed : 63
  • RPM : 140
  • Magazine : 8
  • Aim Assist : 93

2 Ace Of Spades

Destiny 2 Ace of Spades Exotic Hand Cannon

The former reliable manus cannon used to exist a two-tap annihilator in PVP. It was so dominant that Bungie nerfed the weapon twice. Yet, now that the 120s are no longer as dominant at the range, the Ace of Spades tin can return to prominence. The manus cannon essentially matches the 120s in terms of damage merely fires faster. Because the Ace of Spades has smashing range, information technology can melt enemies from anywhere on the map.

Getting kills with Ace of Spades increases weapon harm with each kill players get without dying. Its Memento Mori intrinsic trait gives it a prissy damage boost when reloading afterwards kills. Ace of Spades can exist purchased from the Monument to Lost Lights at the Tower.

  • Impact : 84
  • Range : 78
  • Stability : 55
  • Treatment : 55
  • Reload Speed : 48
  • RPM : 140
  • Magazine : xiii
  • Aim Aid : lxx

1 Eyasluna

Destiny 2 Eyasluna Hand Cannon

Reintroduced into Destiny ii in the 30th Anniversary expansion pack, the Eyasluna is one of the weapons that drop from the Grasp of Avarice dungeon found in the Cosmodrome. It'south a fan-favorite from Destiny ane, and quickly became ane of the near well-loved paw cannons in PVP.

Why does it rank above sure Exotics? Because of how accessible it is, and how incredibly well information technology duels against even Exotic mitt cannons cheers to its superior aim aid, leaving space in the player'southward inventory for an Exotic Heavy weapon or even an Exotic Energy weapon. Players should attempt to get the Outlaw and Headstone perk combination with a range masterwork for the maximum amount of harm and devastation.

  • Bear on : 84
  • Range : 56
  • Stability : 77
  • Treatment : 64
  • Reload Speed : 32
  • RPM : 140
  • Magazine : fourteen
  • Aim Assist : 85

Destiny two: The Witch Queen is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation five, and Xbox Serial X/S.

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