by Ah, shotguns in Destiny 2. Everyone loves them in PvE, but they’ve always been high on the list of frustrating ways to die in PvP. They’re popular for a reason: they’re really good. So let’s go over those Best shotguns in Destiny 2 in 2023 for PvE, PvP and Gambit from Lightfall.
Best Shotguns in Destiny 2 (2023)
Best for PvE & Gambit
- blasphemers (Kinetic) – Possible drop from Pit of Heresy.
- Conditional finality (Exotic, Stasis) – Possible drop from defeating Nezarec in the Root of Nightmares raid.
- verdict found (Energy, Arc) – Possible drop from the Raid, Vault of Glass.
- Without regrets (Energy, Solar) – Obtained from the Season of Haunted Activities.
- heritage (Kinetic) – Possible drop when completing encounters in the Deep Stone Crypt Raid.
- Legend of Acrius (Power, Arc, Exotic) – Purchased from Exotic Kiosk.
- Ikelos_SG (Energy, Solar) – Can be obtained from Season of the Seraph activities.
- prophet of doom (Energy, Arc) – Possible drop from completing encounters in the Raid Garden of Salvation.
- Seventh Seraph CQC-12 (Energy, Arc) – Random world drop.
- The Fourth Horseman (Energy, Arc, Exotic) – Purchased from the Exotic kiosk.
- tractor gun (Power, Void, Exotic) – Rare drop from Exotic worlds.
Shotguns in PvE have had a pretty rough year. Aside from a few select slug shotguns like the Heritage, which are used for DPS purposes, it’s not as efficient to use one in PvE activities. That doesn’t mean it’s not fun, of course, as new additions like No Regrets gaining access to Light Bulb mean you can mow down enemies in fiery glory with ease.
The exotic shotguns remain alert, including the tractor cannon, one of the oldest weapons in the game. It still serves as a great weapon to debuff bosses and is used in most “Melt” builds.
However, a new exotic shotgun, Conditional Finality, could be the saving grace that shotguns needed. For the first time, this weapon can fire both Stasis and Solar pellets, allowing you to both Freeze and Sear your enemies with two shots. This is a great weapon to use with Solar Titan builds.
Otherwise, shotguns in PvE, while fun in run and gun playstyles, leave a lot to be desired for endgame content and are in dire need of improvement of some form.
Best Shotguns for PvP in Destiny 2 (2023)
- Conditional finality (Exotic, Stasis) – Possible drop from defeating Nezarec in the Root of Nightmares raid.
- Gunnora’s Axe (Energy, Arc) – Possible reward from the Iron Banner playlist
- duality (Energy, Solar, Exotic) – Purchased from Exotic Kiosk.
- Felwinter’s lie (Energy, Solar) – Purchased from the Exotic Kiosk.
- Raginhild (Kinetic) – World Loot Drop, can be obtained anywhere in the game.
- verdict found (Energy, Arc) – Possible drop from Vault of Glass Raid
- matador 64 (Energy, Arc) – Possible drop from dungeon encounters, Greed’s Grasp.
- The Inquisitor (Energy, Arc) – Complete Trials of Osiris matches when a weapon is in use.
- The companion (Kinetic, Exotic) – Purchased from the Exotic Kiosk
- wastelanders (Kinetic) – Possible drop from Dares of Eternity activity
- retold story (Energy, Void) – Possible drop from the Shattered Throne dungeon
Shotguns remain dominant in PvP, and the latest additions over the past year have only proven that. New additions include Gunnora’s Axe, Raginhild, The Inquisitor, and Conditional Finality, all very powerful shotguns in their own right.
Recurring favorites include Found Verdict, Matador, and Felwinter’s Lie, with Found Verdict currently the most used legendary shotgun in the game. Felwinter’s usage has definitely declined over the past year, but it can still do plenty of work when needed.
In conclusion, Exotic shotguns have remained more or less the same for PvP, with Chaperone being the most dominant of them all. However, duality is a great secondary choice for those who can’t headshot enemies efficiently.
Conditional Finality is also a great option as it deals enough damage even to enemy Guardians with one shot in its Super.
That’s all for ours Best Shotguns in Destiny 2 for PvE, PvP and Gambit from Lightfall onwards.
