A smart Destiny 2 player decided to run a number of tests that revealed a few key points about how the game handles Kinetic and Energy weapons, in both PvE and PvP.

Seeing as Destiny 2 is the first game in the series to upend the old weapon categories system, we needed more information about how the new Kinetic and Energy categories work, beyond what the game could provide.

Reddit user Kitsunekinder tested the damage done in PvE across the two categories, and the different weapon types: auto rifles, scout rifles, submachine guns etc, while taking into account whether the enemy was shielded or not. Of course, it’s common knowledge that you need to use an Energy weapon to take down enemy shields, but do you actually lose anything by treating Energy weapons as primaries?

Hand cannons seem to be a tad less effective in Destiny 2, but the good ones are brilliant for PvE.One of the best examples is Sunshot, which hits hard and hits over a wide area, thanks to the Sun. Destiny 2: PVP Loadouts. In Destiny 2’s Crucible, you’ll be vying against other Guardians to come out on top and earn those unique rewards. While much of your success is determined by skill, you can swing matches in your favour a great deal by equipping the very best gear for the job. Finally Destiny 2 arrives to the PC. And before I start it up I need to ask the people which class in general is the best for PvE? I wanna get the most kills possible and look the coolest while doing it. In Destiny 1 I played hunter which was fun. But I have no clue about which changes has been made to the classes for this game.

According to his findings, Energy weapons do 10% less damage than Kinetic to a non-shielded enemy. If the enemy has a shield, however, an Energy weapon will do around three times more damage, regardless of where you hit or even if you’re using the correct element. The comparison here is apples to apples, so a scout rifle is being compared to another scout rifle and so on.

Best Type Of Dmg Fo Pvp Destiny 2 Pc

Like we mentioned in our Destiny 2 guide, you should always switch to an Energy weapon whenever you see a shielded enemy, even if it has the wrong element.

Energy weapons are also the only category capable of the shield burst effect, of course, but only if the elements match. A shield burst does great damage to the target and the enemies around them when it happens – not to mention look cool.

Some of his other interesting findings cover how the different enemy ranks take different amounts of damage for the same shot. Elites (enemies with yellow health bars) will take the same body shot damage as a regular enemy, but about 50% less damage from crit shots.

As for PvP, both Energy and Kinetic weapons do the same amount of damage to players in standard firefights. However, if a player is in the process of using his Super, your Energy weapon will do 10% more damage to them, regardless of whether or not you’re matching the element. This is particularly helpful when dealing with roaming Supers like a the Striker Titan, the Stormcaller Warlock etc.

You can follow the original link to see the entire methodology, and the rest of the numbers breakdown. It’s really fascinating stuff.

What are the best Destiny 2 PvP weapons? After some smart changes from the game’s Crucible team, PvP in Destiny 2 is in a better spot now. A more balanced weapon meta, nerfed abilities across the board, and subtle extensions to times-to-kill have helped turn Destiny 2 into a more robust experience for PC multiplayer shooter fans.

Recent changes also mean the Crucible feels more lethal, and the weapons are a crucial part of that. Despite the emphasis on balance, some guns still stand out from the pack. Here are the weapons you’ll want to track down to shine when once Trials of Osiris has resumed.

Our lineup of essential Crucible PvP weapons includes something for everyone, from precise exotics that will eliminate a Warlock mid-super at 500 yards, to SMGs that’ll melt anyone who gets close enough. Whether you prefer sniping, shotguns, or the humble hand cannon, here are the best Destiny 2 PvP weapons for you to seek out.

Destiny 2 best weapons

The best Destiny 2 PvP guns are:

spare rations

Weapon type: Hand cannon
Rarity: Legendary
Source: The Reckoning

Hand cannons are in a pretty good spot in the meta right now, as they usually are, and this is a handy legendary one you can use to free up an exotic spot. The Spare Rations is pleasingly swift, and downs guardians with two shots to the head, and one to the body. Keep an eye out for one with the kill clip perk, as it’ll boost your damage if you reload after a precision kill.

thorn

Weapon type: Hand Cannon
Rarity: Exotic
Source: Complete the Thorn exotic quest

If you’ve got space for an Exotic, then Thorn is a deadly option. Not only can you down a foe in three headshots – two headshots and one body shot if you’d like – but you can also infect them with poison. Not only does this stop them from healing, but it also gives you some more visual information as you’ll see the numbers float above their head, even if they’re behind a wall.

mindbender’s ambition

Weapon type: Shotgun
Rarity: Legendary
Source: Hollowed Lair Nightfall Strike

Shotguns have had a mixed time in Destiny 2, going from entirely useless to overly dominant. Shotties are in an okay spot right now, but it depends on which one you use. If you’re a fan of them and the aggressive playstyle that comes with it, we would recommend this one. You’ll have to wait until the Hollowed Lair comes into the Nightfall Strike rotation, but once it does, you can keep chipping away until you get a roll you like.

Beloved

Weapon type: Sniper
Rarity: Legendary
Source: The Menagerie

Sniper rifles in Destiny 2 have been making a steady comeback over the past year, and they’ve received another boost thanks to the Beloved. Essentially, the scope has a low zoom factor that makes it akin to a lot of snipers used in Destiny 2. Perks are to the user’s preference but can include additions to make the ADS much faster, or others that make flinch less severe.

Thunderlord

Weapon type: LMG
Rarity: Exotic
Source: Engram

We’ve gone over a few primary and secondary options, but you may be on the lookout for something for your heavy slot. LMGs are in a great spot as heavy ammo in the Crucible is still pretty plentiful, meaning that you can rack up some kills.

Best Type Of Dmg Fo Pvp Destiny 2 Mods

More Destiny 2 guides:
Destiny 2 Rose guide
Destiny 2 Crown of Sorrow guide
Destiny 2 Shadowkeep guide

Best Type Of Dmg For Pvp Destiny 2 Broken

And there you go, the best Destiny 2 PvP weapons to take into the Crucible. The meta is a fickle thing, and you never know when an update will shake everything up. Don’t worry though, as we’ll keep this guide up to date with all the comings and goings of the PvP Crucible meta.