There’s often no greater feeling whilst playing Destiny 2 than to stumble across an exotic engram. From the sound effect of picking one up to the surprise of what awaits the player inside. Exotics are much desired by the Guardians of Destiny, and players are always searching for the best of the best.
With the three classes, Hunter, Warlock, and Titan, each class has its unique exotics in Destiny 2. Whether they are used for fashion, PvP, or PvE, each one has usefulness. However, only some exotics can be the very best exotic armor, and only one piece can be equipped at a time.
Updated October 20, 2022 by Jake Fillery: There’s a lot of desire for style and fashion in Destiny 2, and the best pieces of fashion are often reserved for the exotic armor found in one of the three classes. Hunters are a fan favorite for their style and abilities, and Destiny 2 certainly doesn’t skimp out on the exotic armor that Hunters can enjoy, especially in an ever-changing meta, with new exotics every season.
Whether it’s in PvP or PvE, Guardians and enemies of the Light will be intimidated by these exotic armor pieces. The best Hunter exotics come from the many expansions of Destiny 2. Each exotic represents the best hunter gear for Destiny 2, with many exciting hunter exotic armor pieces.
15 Star-Eater Scales
The Star-Eater Scales truly excel in PvE and don’t rely on a subclass to be excellent. The exotic perk for this best Destiny 2 exotic allows Guardians to gain additional Super energy from the Orbs of Power that they pick up from the floor. Not only do they gain additional Super energy, but if their Super ability is full, they gain a burst of healing.
Players can also achieve a maximum overcharge, meaning an overshield. They’re a great piece of exotic legs armor and focus entirely on Super abilities. Thanks to these leg pieces, Hunters will experience the best DPS levels in the game for their unique Super abilities.
14 Assassin’s Cowl
As a neutral subclass helm, Assassin’s Cowl grants great powers to those that enjoy a melee strike. Using a melee final blow allows for the player to become invisible, and restores a portion of their health and shield. If these finishers were used against powerful targets, the duration of invisibility and healing is increased.
It’s a great Hunter exotic for those that enjoy playing as a lone wolf. With the correct setup, players will be able to stay invisible for basically forever and ensure that they can sneak and stealth their way through strikes and raids like they’re a ghost in the darkness.
13 Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk
The Void subclass is the best subclass for the Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk. The exotic chest piece excels in both PvE and PvP, as weapons are given a damage bonus once players emerge from invisibility. Hunters love going invisible, so a damage bonus, once they have revealed themselves, means that death is ensured for those facing down the barrel of the Hunter.
If players want to remain invisible, then they can defeat someone using a finisher in stealth, to give themselves and the allies near them an overshield. It’s a great Destiny 2 Hunter exotic, which grants a 15% damage buff in PvP and 35% in PvE.
12 Renewal Grasps
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Stasis is greatly rewarded with the Renewal Grasps, an exotic piece of arms that looks as stylish as they are powerful. These exotics rely on the Duskfield grenades and grant the player a larger effect radius for their devastating blast. Allies that are inside the Duskfield take reduced damage, whilst enemies deal reduced damage.
These exotics in Destiny 2 were intensely overpowered pieces of armor, that received a nerf in PvP. The damage resistance was reduced, as was the cooldown. However, the PvE damage resistance is still great and makes them great for defensive play.
11 Caliban’s Hand
Solar is a popular subclass in Destiny 2, everyone loves the power of fire in video games, and Caliban’s Hand bolsters its strength from Solar. It’s a pretty cool-looking piece of gear thanks to the flaming knives on the arms. It also allows for the Proximity Knife to scorch targets that are damaged, igniting them on a direct hit.
Players also receive an increase in melee regeneration until said knife explodes, making Hunter’s knife a great asset of war against Guardians in the Crucible, and enemies of the Guardians. Getting a kill with the explosive knife causes ignition, meaning chaos reigns for the Hunter.
10 Omnioculus
The Omnioculus is a chest piece that gives players access to a second smoke bomb charge. Whilst using the smoke bomb charge, players have damage resistance and can become invisible. They can also make allies invisible and will gain melee energy for the duration of their invisibility.
If the player is skilled enough, they can be invisible forever. This is due to the melee charge being used for the smoke bomb. The increased resistance and ability to stealth around are useful for both PvE and PvP. The only drawback is that this exotic is only useful as a Void subclass.
9 The Sixth Coyote
As a neutral exotic, this chest piece does not require other subclasses like Void. What makes the Sixth Coyote useful, is the ability to gain a second dodge charge. Dodging can be a Hunter’s best friend and can get them out of sticky situations. Whether that is dodging an explosion or a well-timed sniper shot.
If the player pairs this exotic with the Nightstalker subclass, and Gambler’s Dodge, then the Sixth Coyote will further strengthen their dodge. The player will be able to dodge twice, as well as use an additional melee charge, to make them invisible for a short duration of time.
8 Mask Of Bakris
One of the newer subclasses to Destiny 2 was that of Stasis. With the Mask of Bakris equipped, this helmet allowed players to replace their dodge ability with a quick shift, that partially cloaks them. After shifting, the player has increased Arc weapons damage and increased damage to those enemies that are slowed or frozen.
Essentially, this mask allows players to teleport short distances, but at the cost of an extended cooldown. By using the Mask of Bakris, players will have an increased damage boost to Arc weapons, which can be useful against both PvE enemies and PvP zones.
7 Ophidia Spathe
This exotic chest piece allows for players to use two knives per melee charge. It’s only available with the Solar subclass, and best paired with the Middle Tree for the Gunslinger. This is due to the higher uptime of both Playing With Fire and The Burning Edge, both increase melee and dodge energy regeneration.
It may not be the best exotic of the bunch, but in PvP, it can be useful to rapidly throw two knives at an enemy when the player needs to reload. It could very well be the exotic that saves the players’ life. It’s also a rather satisfying way to get a kill.
6 Aeon Swift
Part of Aeon Swift’s charm comes from the ability to have an additional mod socket used for Aeon Cult mods. Players won't need legendary shards for these mods. These gauntlets can be used for any subclass, but are best paired as a Support style class, more specifically, Void or Stasis.
Since this exotic is more supportive than most, it is best used in a fire team for PvE. Such bonuses can potentially grant near infinite ammo for the team during Nightfalls. It can also be utilized in PvP, almost like a lone-wolf, with one ability granting a 20/25% increase to class ability upon ally deaths.
5 Orpheus Rig
To maximize the potential of the Orpheus Rig, players must use these boots in the Void subclass. It is best used in a PvE setting and can act as a great support mechanic for the entire team. Whether that be in casual strikes, GM Nightfalls, or intense Raids.
The player is provided ability energy for each enemy that has been tethered by Deadfall anchors. Moebius Quiver has more shots. While using Moebius Quiver, plays can fire another volley during their super to allow for more damage on bosses, and greater add control from shooting more tethers.
4 Wormhusk Crown
Another great helmet exotic that is used for both PvE and PvP, the Wormhusk Crown pairs greatly with Vanishing Step Aspect from the Nightstalker subclass. Upon dodging, the Wormhusk Crown will heal the player. An incredible feat, but not the only one.
If the player uses this while paired with invisibility on a dodge, the player can be provided with a burst of healing, and then receive a safety net to further heal, or recover, thanks to an invisibility ability. It can be great when outnumbered by both AI enemies, and competing Guardians in the Crucible and all the maps.
3 The Dragon’s Shadow
Everyone has experienced death in a video game. More often than not, the player would have stumbled into a room, and fired their shot, only to enter a reload animation. Everyone has been there. The beauty of this chest exotic, The Dragon’s Shadow, is that the player can use their dodge to reload.
After dodging, the player will find that all their weapons have been reloaded, and their movement speed, and weapon handling speed, are increased for a short time. It’s a great exotic for ensuring ammo is constantly in the gun and does not want to be placed manually in the gun.
2 Celestial Nighthawk
Each class in Destiny 2 bolsters its strength. Yet, there seems to be a true champion amongst players in the Gunslinger Solar subclass for Hunters. The Celestial Nighthawk, a helmet exotic, shows the enemies of the Light true power. It modifies Golden Gun to fire a single shot, one with immense power and precision.
The Bottom Tree Gunslinger is best for the Celestial Nighthawk, and will provide them with instant, high damage upon the single shot used. It’s great for clearing out rooms of adds, and unstoppable against certain bosses, making it a must-have in PvE.
1 St0mp-EE5
With an increase in sprint speed, slide distance, and jumps, the St0mp-EE5 is a must-have. Paired with the Strafe Jump, the St0mp-EE5 grants generous and incredible movement during jumps. The ability to move at extraordinary speeds, and jump higher, allows for a quicker flow of combat, and one that will always have the player outmaneuvering their enemies in the Crucible.
PvP is often about quick movement and action. The St0mp-EE5 exotic leg pieces drastically improve the player’s agility and grants them the best movement a Guardian could have from all classes. Although it’s PvP heavy, the ability for greater jumps in PvE jumping puzzles also makes it a must-have.
Destiny 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Stadia.