Introduction
As the Season of the Witch closes upon us in Destiny 2, Guardians are presented with an array of potent weaponry to face the challenges that await. Among these, hand cannons stand as a testament to precision and power due to their limited magazines.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top 7 hand cannons that are dominating the Seasons, along with how to obtain them and their recommended perks & traits.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Here are the key takeaways from this article:
- The weapon’s Archetype, Rolls, Traits, and perks are crucial factors when choosing the best Hand Cannon in Destiny 2.
- The Best Hand Cannons include Fatebringer, Sunshot, Thorn, Epochal Integrations, Zaouli’s Bane, Eriana’s Vow, and Malfeasance.
- To master the Hand Cannons, you should focus on positioning, maintaining range, landing crit spots constantly, and pairing the right exotics with your weapon’s perks for maximum potential.
In this article, we explore the challenges and intense events you might face in Destiny 2. To strengthen your Guardian’s powers, consider KBoosting for Destiny 2 carry services, and God Roll farming is an excellent choice for any player looking to enhance their gameplay.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR WEAPONS
When selecting the perfect weapon in Destiny 2, it’s essential to consider several factors that can impact your weapon’s performance. Here are the key aspects to keep in mind:
Archetype and Stats: Different Hand Cannons belong to various archetypes, which affect their rate of fire, impact, range, and stability. Consider your playstyle and the type of engagement you typically find yourself in. For example, high-impact Hand Cannons deliver harder hits but may have slower fire rates. Balanced stats that align with your preferences will be crucial in an activity.
Perks and Synergies: The right combination of perks can drastically enhance a Hand Cannon’s performance. For PvE activities, look for perks that boost reload speed, increase damage, or provide crowd-control capabilities. Consider synergies with other weapons, exotics, armor mods, or subclass abilities. For instance, combining a Hand Cannon with a subclass that enhances precision damage can be a powerful combination.
Recoil and Stability: Controlling recoil and maintaining stability are vital for landing consistent shots, especially in high-stress situations. Pay attention to a Hand Cannon’s inherent stability and consider perks like Zen Moment or Stability Masterwork to further improve this aspect. A Hand Cannon that feels comfortable and controllable in your hands will be more effective in the heat of the battle.
Range and Engagement Distance: Understanding the effective engagement distance of a Hand Cannon is crucial. Some HCs excel at close-quarters combat, while others are better suited for mid-range engagements. Consider the activities you primarily participate in. If you’re frequently engaging enemies from a distance, prioritize Hand Cannons with higher-range stats.
The “best” Hand Cannon ultimately depends on your personal playstyle, preferred activities, and the specific perks and rolls available to you. Experimenting with different Hand Cannons and observing how they perform in different situations will help you find the one that suits you best in Destiny 2.
7 Hand Cannons Weapons in SotW
Below, we present the most popular Hand Cannons used in Destiny 2, our recommended perks and load-outs, and how to maximize their DPS potential in PvE environments.
No. 7: Fatebringer
Fatebringer has proven itself since its first appearance in Destiny 1 with almost one of the best perk pools out of all Hand Cannons, great stats, and also an Adept variant of its own. This fan-favorite weapon specializes in explosions, making it a deadly choice in any situation.
Consider using perks like “Osmosis” or “Frenzy” for a slight damage increase and turn the weapon into a devastating arsenal on its own with Solar 3.0 through restoration and radiant buffs.
Recommended God Roll:
Fatebringer is a unique weapon with the capability to be paired with almost any subclass currently available. Any roll of this gun will make you feel unstoppable, but we recommend using the “Explosive Payload” or “Osmosis” with “Firefly” or “Frenzy.”
No. 6: Sunshot
In the hands of a skilled Guardian, Sunshot is more than just a hand cannon; it’s a symphony of precision and destruction. Its signature perk, “Sunburn,” ensures that precision kills go out with a beautiful solar explosion. Additionally, the Sunshot’s rounds highlight targets for you and your allies. You can obtain this powerful weapon by opening Exotic Engrams found through Xur or very rare world drops.
Thanks to the damage buff received in the Season of the Witch (by 75%), the Sunshot can obliterate hordes of adds in any desired activity if you chain the explosions.
No. 5: Thorn
Thorn is a name that sends shivers down the spines of both Guardians and their enemies. This exotic hand cannon has a notorious reputation for its dark power. With the unique perk “Mark of the Devourer,” Thorn not only deals devastating damage on impact but also inflicts a damage-over-time effect.
To optimize Thorn’s performance, consider pairing it with class-specific exotics like Warlock’s “Necrotic’s Grips” for maximum devastation capabilities.
No. 4: Epochal Integration
Epochal Integration is a Legendary Hand cannon that has an impressive visual effect & incredible capabilities in PvE content because of its traits, perks & rolls.
You can acquire this weapon by completing the Lightfall Expansion quest lines and get all the benefits of a legendary weapon that has impressive Solar 3.0 build capabilities.
No. 3: Zaouli’s Bane
For Guardians who relish in the art of raiding and facing off against challenging PvE content, Zaouli’s Bane is an essential hand cannon. Acquired from King’s Fall raid, this weapon has impressive range and stability, making it effective against both close and distant foes.
Consider using perks like “Pugilist” or “Firefly” to buff the hand cannon’s damage output and make it viable for more content modes.
Recommended God Roll:
Zaouli’s Bane is a unique weapon with the capability to be paired with Solar 3.0 and turn the weapon into an ignition starter. We recommend using the “Explosive Payload” or “Pugilist” with “Incandescent” or “Firefly.”
No. 2: Eriana’s Vow
Eriana’s Vow from Shadowkeep Expansion is an exotic hand cannon that has intrinsic Anti-Barrier rounds built into it. The slow firing and the special ammo turn the weapon into a Mini Sniper Rifle that can be brought into any kind of activity and succeed like no other.
The weapon has fallen since the Arbalest received a buff in Year 4, but Eriana’s Vow can be paired with Solar 3.0 to receive the hardest-hitting special Hand Cannon in Destiny 2 with the right investment.
No. 1: Malfeasance
Malfeasance is the most sought-after hand cannon that gained a lot of popularity, with its potential to deal significant damage in both PvE scenarios (adds or Boss Damage). It’s an excellent choice for Guardians who prefer a slower, hard-hitting playstyle.
The exotic also counters Unstoppable Champions, has Vorpal Weapon through its catalyst to further improve the DPS output, and has a lot of synergies with Hunter’s Exotic – Lucky Pants.
By pairing the Malfeasance with a teammate that uses Witherhoard, you can also get another damage buff thanks to the Taken Predator perk that acts like turning the target into a taken enemy.
Remember! The effectiveness of a hand cannon often depends on personal playstyle and preference. It’s crucial to experiment and find the one that suits your gameplay style the best. Additionally, consider synergizing your hand cannon with other weapons and armor mods to create a well-rounded loadout for PvE activities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Destiny 2 offers a diverse array of hand cannons to suit various playstyles. Whether you’re a precision-focused duelist or a fan of high-impact slugs, there’s a hand cannon for you. Experiment with different options, and find the one that feels right for your loadout.
Happy hunting, Guardians!
About The Author
