Destiny 2: Hand Cannons For PVP, Ranked

Hand cannons are the meta weapons in Destiny 2 Beyond Light. Players can glean that fact by playing any ranked PVP mode. Nearly every kill on the ticker will be with a hand cannon. The weapons have the benefit of being extremely accurate and having high headshot damage values.

Hand cannons are also great peek weapons, as guardians can seek cover between shots. There are a lot of good hand cannons to use in Destiny 2, but only a handful are elite. Below are the best hand cannons to use in Destiny 2's PVP ranked from worst to best.

Updated on March 5, 2022, by Anastasia Maillot: The Witch Queen expansion and the 30th Anniversary expansion have brought in some more competition to the PVP game. Though it's too early to condemn the state of PVP in season 16, it seems that hand cannons are still a viable option to a degree, but players now need to have even better perks and rolls to be able to handle their grounds against SMGs and scout rifles. One new weapon, the Eyasluna, was introduced in November 2021 and has made a significant impact on PVP meta, but the list also lacked a few other important hand cannons that can be surprisingly viable even in an era of Void reigning supreme.

13 Dire Promise

Dire Promise has been one of the best hand cannons for several seasons in Destiny 2. The weapon has a 140 rpm fire rate with 92 aim assist. On a controller, the hand cannon is incredibly easy to use and one of the best beginner guns in the game. Dire Promise also has a lightweight frame that helps with handling and makes weapon swap lightning fast.

Guardians should use the hand cannon on small maps where players can take advantage of its handling and aim assist. On bigger maps, 140 rpm hand cannons are not as useful because they have more visual recoil. At the range, gamers will have to wait for the reticle to re-center, which essentially makes the increased fire rate useless. The Dire Promise is a Dead Orbit Engram drop and can also be acquired as a Dead Orbit reward.

Impact: 88
Range: 41
Stability: 68
Handling: 75
Reload Speed: 54
RPM: 140
Magazine: 11
Aim Assist: 87

12 Crimil's Dagger

Crimil's Dagger is an A-tier 120 RPM hand cannon with an amazing weapon design. The small red dot and aesthetic of the weapon make hitting targets easier than some of the rectangular skins. It will down enemies with two headshots, and can even kill weakened opponents with one shot to the body and one shot to the head. The cannon is available through the Iron Banner rewards.

Impact: 92
Range: 71
Stability: 33
Handling: 33
Reload Speed: 32
RPM: 120
Magazine: 8
Aim Assist: 67

11 Bottom Dollar

Destiny 2 Bottom Dollar Hand Cannon God Roll

There are a total of 12 different perk options on the Bottom Dollar, giving it the potential to have several different God tier rolls. With a low drop chance, and its availability limited to the Gambit drops, it can be frustrating to find the perfect Bottom Dollar.

However, many of the perks on the weapon are viable, so the chances of finding a serviceable version are decent. The weapon has everything guardians will need to compete in Trials. It has high impact, good range, and a base 8 round magazine. While the Crimil's Dagger may have essentially the same stats, the potential for a perfect roll makes the Bottom Dollar just a little better.

Impact: 92
Range: 69
Stability: 40
Handling: 51
Reload Speed: 33
RPM: 120
Magazine: 8
Aim Assist: 66

10 Sturm

The Sturm hand cannon is one of the hardest-hitting hand cannons in the game with 90 damage to the chest and 108 damage to the head. Players can purchase this weapon from the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower. The weapon has a fire rate of 120 rpm, which is more than enough for a 92 impact gun. Guardians will have the most success when pairing the Sturm with its sister the Drang.

On larger maps, the weapon can be players' short to medium range option and on smaller maps, the hand cannon can be used as a medium to long-range option. Because the weapon is exotic, players will not be able to get favorable rolls for the gun. For that reason, the Sturm is not a top-five hand cannon in Destiny 2.

Impact: 92
Range: 73
Stability: 56
Handling: 37
Reload Speed: 37
RPM: 120
Magazine: 12
Aim Assist: 50

9 Steady Hand

The legendary hand cannon is a 120 RPM gun. After Bungie removed True Prophecy, Steady Hand was added to replace it. With range, impact, and aim assist all on the higher side, gamers of all skill levels will be able to use the weapon well.

However, its small magazine and subpar perks prevent the weapon from making the top spot on this list. It's currently (in season 16) unclear where the Steady Hand drops from, though it was previously an Iron Banner weapon from Iron Banner engrams.

Impact: 92
Range: 67
Stability: 40
Handling: 31
Reload Speed: 42
RPM: 120
Magazine: 8
Aim Assist: 65

8 Fatebringer

Destiny 2 Fatebringer Timelost Hand Cannon

The Fatebringer's usefulness in PVP has been much debated by the Destiny 2 community. However, where there is a will there is a way, and making this traditionally PVE hand cannon work in PVP is usually only a matter of getting the Timelost version of it with the right PVP perks, such as Explosive Payload, Kill Clip, and Eye of the Storm.

Fatebringer is a staple hand cannon in Destiny 2, and though some despise its recoil pattern, getting the hang of it can make it a deadly budget option for players who prefer an Exotic Heavy or Energy weapon. To get the Timelost version, players need to complete the Vault of Glass raid on Master difficulty during the week that the Timelost Fatebringer drops. Timelost weapons also take Adept mods, making them better than the usual VoG drops.

Impact: 84
Range: 67
Stability: 68
Handling: 60
Reload Speed: 51
RPM: 140
Magazine: 11
Aim Assist: 84

7 The Last Word

Destiny 2 The Last Word Exotic Hand Cannon

Guardians that like to play at a fast pace in PVP will love using the Last Word. Gamers will feel like a cowboy with a six-shooter using the gun, which is only effective at close range. If players hit their shots, they can down opponents in half a second.

The gun is unique but only useful at point-blank range. There is no aiming down sights while using the gun, and learning to hip fire it can take a few matches. Despite its niche role, The Last Word is a good gun to use in certain situations. The Last Word can be purchased from the Monument to Lost Lights at the Tower.

Impact: 78
Range: 42
Stability: 46
Handling: 46
Reload Speed: 82
RPM: 225
Magazine: 8
Aim Assist: 40

6 Ancient Gospel

The Ancient Gospel has risen in popularity since the 120 nerf. As a 140 RPM hand cannon, the Ancient Gospel can struggle at longer ranges with a base range of 47. The weapon has a number of amazing perks to choose from and is at least an A-tier option.

Players will want to improve the gun's range if possible, and there is plenty of potential to boost the other stats. With the right rolls, players can get up to 14 rounds, which is plenty of ammunition for 6v6. The Ancient Gospel drops from the Garden of Salvation raid.

Impact: 84
Range: 47
Stability: 62
Handling: 51
Reload Speed: 49
RPM: 140
Magazine: 11
Aim Assist: 74

5 Thorn

Thorn has been a favorite in high-end PVP content for a while now, even rearing its head in Trials of Osiris. As an Exotic hand cannon, it does deliver some interesting perks and intrinsic traits that make it a beastly threat in PVP. Thorn's bullets deal damage over time on enemies.

Kills scored with it leave behind Remnants that the player can pick up to further strengthen this intrinsic trait. Its main advantage comes from the fact that it prevents players from regenerating health if they get shot once and take over, giving the player ample time to push in with a shotgun and finish them off. Thorn can be purchased from the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower.

Impact: 84
Range: 54
Stability: 60
Handling: 86
Reload Speed: 46
RPM: 140
Magazine: 9
Aim Assist: 85

4 Palindrome (Adept)

The Season of The Chosen update introduced the Palindrome to Destiny 2. It is one of the Adept 140 RPM cannons that ranks high in the class. The Palindrome is indisputably one of the best 140s in the game right now. It has top stats on paper and there are a number of good rolls for the weapon.

To get the Adept version, players will need to complete Grandmaster Nightfalls. With several different S-tier perk routes, nearly every Palindrome will be effective. Thanks to its straightforward recoil patterns, it feels like one of the more stable hand cannons. The only downside is that it falls into the Energy weapon category.

Impact: 84
Range: 55
Stability: 62
Handling: 55
Reload Speed: 48
RPM: 140
Magazine: 11
Aim Assist: 79

3 Hawkmoon

Hawkmoon is a 140 RPM hand cannon that was reintroduced in Destiny 2. It no longer has the intrinsic trait from the original game, but now that the 140s compete with the 120s, it has a place in high-level PVP. A good roll with increased range will stack up against the best guns in the game.

It still will not have the range of guns like the Ace of Spades or Igneous Hammer. Regardless, it is a top-tier hand cannon and can be used as a primary trials weapon. The only downside to using the gun is the small 8-9 round magazine, which can let players down in certain situations. Players can purchase the Hawkmoon every Friday from Xur in season 16 and beyond.

Impact: 78
Range: 57
Stability: 65
Handling: 74
Reload Speed: 63
RPM: 140
Magazine: 8
Aim Assist: 93

2 Ace Of Spades

The old reliable hand cannon used to be a two-tap annihilator in PVP. It was so dominant that Bungie nerfed the weapon twice. However, now that the 120s are no longer as dominant at the range, the Ace of Spades can return to prominence. The hand cannon essentially matches the 120s in terms of damage but fires faster. Because the Ace of Spades has great range, it can melt enemies from anywhere on the map.

Getting kills with Ace of Spades increases weapon damage with each kill players get without dying. Its Memento Mori intrinsic trait gives it a nice damage boost when reloading after kills. Ace of Spades can be purchased from the Monument to Lost Lights at the Tower.

Impact: 84
Range: 78
Stability: 55
Handling: 55
Reload Speed: 48
RPM: 140
Magazine: 13
Aim Assist: 70

1 Eyasluna

Reintroduced into Destiny 2 in the 30th Anniversary expansion pack, the Eyasluna is one of the weapons that drop from the Grasp of Avarice dungeon found in the Cosmodrome. It's a fan-favorite from Destiny 1, and quickly became one of the most well-loved hand cannons in PVP.

Why does it rank above certain Exotics? Because of how accessible it is, and how incredibly well it duels against even Exotic hand cannons thanks to its superior aim assist, leaving space in the player's inventory for an Exotic Heavy weapon or even an Exotic Energy weapon. Players should try to get the Outlaw and Headstone perk combination with a range masterwork for the maximum amount of damage and destruction.

Impact: 84
Range: 56
Stability: 77
Handling: 64
Reload Speed: 32
RPM: 140
Magazine: 14
Aim Assist: 85