No weapon category is more popular inDestiny 2than Hand Cannons.
Their versatility and great damage make them a fan-favorite among most of the community.
Even after blanket range and perk nerfs, these weapons are still the preferred Primary among many Crucible veterans.
We weigh the pros and cons of the best.
Like with every other weapon category, there are many choices of Hand Cannon that suit different playstyles.
Exotics further increase the number of choices, some favoring utility while others are more akin to Sniper Rifles.
From hard-hitting 120 Hand Cannons to rapid-firing 180s, there is a Hand Cannon to suit anyone’s needs.
Here are the ten best Hand Cannons you should use in PvP in Destiny 2.
10Luna’s Howl
How to obtain:Onslaught activities and Brave Engrams.
Most Crucible veterans remember Not Forgotten dominating the Forsaken meta, but many players forgot about Luna’s Howl.
you’re free to then pair this withHeal Clipfor free healing orSlideshotfor a massive range boost.
And if Magnificent Howl isn’t your thing,Precision Instrumentmakes this an S-tier dueling weapon.
Recommended Traits
9Kept Confidence
How to obtain:Season of the Witch activities and Engrams.
Kept Confidence might be one of the best feeling Hand Cannons in Destiny 2.
Eye of the Storm will then boost your accuracy during the second half of a duel.
making this gun a dream to use.
8Fatebringer
How to obtain:Vault of Glass raid.
The king of Hand Cannons is back and better than ever.
you’re free to pair this withEye of the Stormto create a devastating dueling weapon.
And if you want a way to counter DR sources, runPrecision Instrumentin place of Eye of the Storm.
It’s not practical for 3v3 playlists, but it can be a fun option for 6v6 modes.
7Austringer
How to obtain:Presage; craftable at The Enclave.
This weapon was originally meant to be an homage to the original Destiny’s Eyasluna.
Yet when Eyasluna returned, many veteran players thought it didn’t live up to its name.
Forge your own god rolls with Destiny 2’s weapon crafting system.
6Ace Of Spades
How to obtain:Purchased from the Exotic Kiosk in the Tower.
So long as Hand Cannons exist in Destiny 2, Ace of Spades will be a great pick.
That is thanks to its Exotic perks.
Throw on Radiant, and nowMemento Moricantwo-tap Guardiansup to T9 Resilience.
It’s a devastating weapon in the hands of a good player.
5Hawkmoon
How to obtain:Sold by Xur.
One of Destiny 1’s most coveted Hand Cannons,Hawkmoon, has returned in Destiny 2.
Its random nature was shifted from its Exotic perk to its acquisition method.
Now,players can earn random rolls on Hawkmoon, allowing a degree of personalization.
The gun itself is fantastic, bundled with an incredible stat package and a strong Exotic perk.
Hawkmoon does come with a large cost: it’s an Exotic weapon.
If you’re trying to get accustomed to Hand Cannons, Hawkmoon is a fantastic weapon to start with.
Recommended Trait
4Crimil’s Dagger
How to obtain:Iron Bannermatches and Engrams.
If you prefer to slay out,Kill Clipallows this weapon to two tap Guardians up to T8 Resilience.
3Igneous Hammer
How to obtain:Trials of Osiris matches and Engrams.
Igneous Hammer has returned in Season of the Witch, complete with a perk pool refresh and origin traits.
No other 120 can achieve that without the help of perks.
Hand Cannons tend to excel in the mid-range so this is trivial to active.
Keep your eyes peeled for these Trials of Osiris weapon rolls.
While both perks are active, your bullets cannot miss.
Every shot will land on target, usually curving to their head.
2Exalted Truth
How to obtain:Trials of Osiris Legacy Focusing.
The second column has some amazing picks likeEye of the Storm Frenzy, Opening Shot, and Precision Instrument.
Origin Traits
SUROS Synergy, Alacrity, and One Quiet Moment roll on every copy of this gun.
SUROS Synergy is our recommendation here, granting a massive boost to your handling and flinch resistance after reloading.
But if you’re a solo player who wants to slay, use Alacrity.
If you’re skilled enough to play Trials, Exalted Truth is definitely worth the grind.
1Rose
How to obtain:Competitive Engram Focusing.
Dominate the Crucible with these top-tier Fusion Rifles.
