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In PVP, rocket launchers can also be a solid choice, though keep in mind that Gjallarhorn was nerfed as of Solstice 2022, and its effectiveness has been somewhat reduced. This list will take into account primarily PVE scenarios, where rocket launchers continue to be a staple when it comes to dealing high burst damage. Without further ado, here are the best rocket launchers Destiny 2 has to offer.

Updated on November 10, 2022, by Anastasia Maillot: Rocket launchers remain somewhere beneath linear fusion rifles when it comes to dealing damage in Destiny 2’s current meta. Though they might make an occasional appearance here and there in PVP and PVE, it’s clear that they are far from being the top tier of weapons in the game as of season 18. They can be incredibly powerful through most of the game’s content, but endgame PVE and PVP will not often see rocket launchers in use, save for a few exceptions like Gjallarhorn and The Hothead. That said, the future might hold some promise for rocket launchers, which is why this list has been updated with even more great Exotic and legendary rocket launchers from Destiny 2.

11 Deathbringer

How To Get: Complete the Shadowkeep campaign and the Memory of Sai Mota, as well as subsequent quests from Eris

Deathbringer has its own quest in the Shadowkeep DLC, which can be accessed once players have finished the expansion’s main campaign. It can be a bit of a tedious grind to get it, but it’s among the most interesting Exotic rocket launchers available that isn’t Gjallarhorn.

This Void rocket launcher fires multiple shots which can be fired and then released similarly to a grenade launcher. This means that players can time when these Void orbs detonate on combatants, making it particularly devastating for crafty PVP players.

10 The Wardcliff Coil

How To Get: Exotic world drop and Exotic engrams, Xur’s inventory on some Fridays

This peculiar-looking rocket launcher has immense damage potential. The Wardcliff Coil is an Arc heavy weapon that fires multiple shots at once that track to the target. It definitely appears different from most rocket launchers when fired and handled, but that shouldn’t turn people away from this weapon.

The Wardcliff Coil also reloads automatically when players pick up heavy ammo, which makes it a bit more manageable to deal with compared to some of the other Exotic rocket launchers on this list. Thanks to its immense damage, it can be a niche, funny pick in PVE.

9 Apex Predator

How To Get: The Last Wish raid

When it comes to Legendary rocket launchers in Destiny 2, there’s one perk that wins above everything else: Auto-Loading Holster. If this perk, or Clown Cartridge, is available, then the Legendary rocket launcher is worth a player’s time, and that’s exactly why Apex Predator deserves its spot on this list.

Apex Predator is a Solar rocket launcher that can be acquired from the Last Wish raid. In the first column, players should pick either Ambitious Assassin or Tracking Module. In the second column, Auto-Loading Holster is pretty much a must-have to avoid long reload times.

8 Bump In The Night

How To Get: Season of the Haunted activities, Crown of Sorrow rewards

Bump In The Night is a Stasis rocket launcher introduced during the Season of the Haunted in Destiny 2. The main advantage of this rocket launcher is that it can be crafted once players have acquired enough patterns to unlock it at the Enclave, and consequently, it can be given Enhanced perks after leveling it up.

Bump In The Night might not be the best rocket launcher in the game, but it is Stasis, which means it’s unique in that regard. Plus, Enhanced perks can make it quite a desirable option. In the first column, it can receive Auto-Loading Holster, which is a must-pick for rocket launchers most of the time, and in the second column, it can receive Chill Clip and Chain Reaction, which can both be interesting due to its Stasis element. Vorpal Weapon is also a decent choice, though not quite as good as some other damage-enhancing perks out there.

7 Hezen Vengeance

How To Get: Vault of Glass raid, Master version for the Timelost one

For a relatively easy but still solid rocket launcher option, players can go for Hezen Vengeance, a legendary rocket launcher that drops from the Vault of Glass raid chests. There’s also a Timelost version of the Hezen Vengeance with some interesting rolls, so those who are brave enough to challenge themselves with the Master version of the raid should give it a shot.

Hezen Vengeance is a Solar rocket launcher, and some of the perks to look out for are Auto-Loading Holster or Impulse Amplifier, as well as Vorpal Weapon and Lasting Impression. These will do the most amount of damage when dealing with tougher enemies.

6 Royal Entry

How To Get: Reward for Vanguard strikes and rank ups

For a Void rocket launcher, the Royal Entry is a pretty accessible option. Playing Vanguard strikes and earning rank-ups from Zavala will allow players to get their hands on this Legendary rocket launcher. It has also occasionally appeared in Xur’s inventory, so keep an eye out for his stock when he comes around on Fridays.

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Royal Entry is a bit different in terms of perk selection compared to some other, more classic rocket launchers. Look for perks like Field Prep and Clown Cartridge to really get the most out of this weapon when dishing out big damage.

5 The Hothead

How To Get: Grandmaster Nightfalls for Adept, lower difficulty Nightfalls for regular

The Hothead is one of the Nightfall weapons available on a weekly rotation, so check Today In Destiny to see which weapon is on each week. The Hothead is a bit of a weird one, largely dependent on the meta, as it has been known to be absolutely useless and absolutely fantastic. For any endgame PVE with Arc burn, it’s a brilliant choice, and with Arc 3.0 just around the corner, The Hothead is looking like a fantastic rocket launcher to add to any arsenal.

In terms of perks, look for Field Prep or Tracking Module, paired with Vorpal Weapon or Explosive Light for that maximum damage boost. Explosive Light is especially ideal for players going for Charged with Light builds that require them to pick up Orbs of Power.

4 Ascendancy

How To Get: Bought from the Legacy gear tab at the Monument to Lost Lights

Ascendancy was the seasonal weapon during season 15. A Legendary Solar rocket launcher, its true potential wasn’t revealed until later one when Gjallarhorn was introduced into the game after the 30th Anniversary update. It’s an excellent rocket launcher, especially now that rockets are in a slightly better place and the meta isn’t as strictly defined in PVE.

Ascendancy’s perks are its biggest advantage. It comes with some of the best rocket launcher perks Destiny 2 has to offer, including Impulse Amplifier and Explosive Light. These can also be switched around with Chain Reaction and Ambitious Assassin depending on what the player prefers. The great news is that Ascendancy is still available at the Monument to Lost Lights, so those who missed out on it can go buy it there.

3 Eyes Of Tomorrow

How To Get: Deep Stone Crypt raid

On to some Exotic rocket launchers, there’s the Eyes of Tomorrow rocket launcher that has a chance to drop from the Deep Stone Crypt raid’s final chest. Initially, this rocket launcher didn’t inspire much among players. It was mostly seen as a gimmicky weapon that worked fantastically in Gambit, as iontoks on to multiple targets with tracking rockets.

However, as of season 17, it can actually deal some serious damage. Some players like Datto have experimented with the Eyes of Tomorrow in endgame PVE with some nice results, which goes to show that it can even contend with other rocket launchers now. Granted, it feels slower and heavier than Gjallarhorn, but it has some potential. Plus, it’s a Solar heavy weapon, so it can work well with some unique Solar builds.

2 Gjallarhorn

How To Get: Grasp of Avarice dungeon

No rocket launcher list would be complete without the mention of the finest rocket launcher in Destiny history, Gjallarhorn. Unfortunately, since its introduction in the 30th Anniversary, Gjally has taken a few hits from the nerf hammer and isn’t quite as powerful as it was when it was first dropped into Destiny 2.

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That said, Gjallarhorn is still a must-have for fireteams that rely on rocket launchers for PVE activities. Only one player needs to have it equipped to provide everyone with the Pack Hunter perk, which turns the rounds of nearby Legendary rocket launchers into Wolfpack rounds, which split into small explosions upon impact.

1 Palmyra-B

How To Get: Legendary Engrams, craftable, can sometimes be purchased from Banshee-44

Introduced in The Witch Queen expansion era, Palmyra-B is a Häkke rocket launcher that can be crafted after all of its Patterns have been unlocked by the player. And it’s well worth crafting, too, because its Enhanced Perks turn it into quite the beastly Legendary rocket launcher, especially when paired with something like the Gjallarhorn.

When crafting, or even when relying on just world drops, look for perks like Auto-Loading Holster and Explosive Light. Ambitious Assassin is also an option, along with Impulse Amplifier.

Destiny 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia.

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