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Rocket launchers continue to be a solid choice for boss damage in Destiny 2, even with the prominence of linear fusion rifles like Stormchaser and Cataclysmic. Not all bosses in the game are ideal for linear fusion damage, which is why every PVE player, in particular, should have a few good rocket launchers stored in their vault for a rainy day.
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 March 16, 2023, by Anastasia Maillot: With the era of Witch Queen passing and the era of Lightfall beginning in 2023, Bungie has introduced major balance changes into the game. Linear fusion rifles received significant damage nerfs across the board, save for a few Exotic picks, which means that rocket launchers, both Legendary and Exotic, are back on the menu as main damage dealers in endgame PVE. However, even across the selection of rocket launchers in Destiny 2, there have been some minor changes and new entries that have significantly changed how boss DPS works on rocket launchers. Moreover, with reward focusing available for playlist activities, many of Destiny 2's best Legendary rocket launchers are more readily available to the larger player base. Here's what the best rocket launchers are in Destiny 2, post-Lightfall.
12 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.
11 The Blowout
- How To Get: Crucible rewards, or focus at Lord Shaxx using Crucible engrams.
The Blowout is an Arc rocket launcher from the Crucible playlist that was introduced in season 19. This Suros rocket launcher is nothing to scoff at thanks to its deep perk pool, which can make it somewhat frustrating to farm. Luckily, with playlist reward focusing available with Lightfall, getting the perfect Blowout eventually from Lord Shaxx is entirely possible provided the player has the engrams.
The Blowout doesn't come with the desirable Auto-Loading Holster in its first column, but it does have Demolitionist for any grenade-centric builds, as well as Field Prep for additional ammo reserves. In the second column, Explosive Light is the most effective pick.
10 Apex Predator
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- 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.
9 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.
8 Roar Of The Bear
- How To Get: Iron Banner rewards and focusing at Lord Saladin
Another Solar rocket launcher, Roar of the Bear is available through the Iron Banner playlist and can now be focused as of Lightfall. Its perk pool is a bit weaker than some other picks on this list, but it's the perfect pick-up for players who don't have access to Exotics or more exclusive Legendary rocket options.
Roar of the Bear's first column has Demolitionist, Field Prep, or Ambitious Assassin as options, with the first two being most preferred. The second column has Auto-Loading for those not using Demolitionist to reload, Chain Reaction, and Cluster Bombs. For the spicier niche pick, players can even go for Incandescent for better ad-clear.
7 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.
6 Eyes Of Tomorrow
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- 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 it locks onto 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.
5 Palmyra-B
- How To Get: Legendary Engrams, craftable, can sometimes be purchased from Banshee-44
Introduced early 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. It doesn't quite beat some of the better Legendary picks on this list but will do solid work when paired with a Kinetic like Witherhoard or Izanagi's Burden for boss DPS.
4 Two-Tailed Fox
- How To Get: Xur and various Exotic engrams
Two-Tailed Fox has become absolutely incredible since the launch of Lightfall, thanks to the rework the weapon received. Each of its rocket types now applies the correct elemental debuff on targets, with Void rockets suppressing enemies, Solar rockets damaging them over time, and the Arc rocket which is accessed when the Catalyst is completed jolting enemies.
This is a dream come true for many PVE teams who want an all-in-one weapon dealing all the possible debuffs on a boss. The ideal combo is to have one person on Two-Tailed Fox, and one on Gjallarhorn to activate Wolfpack Rounds, while the rest of the team is on Legendary rockets.
3 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 became wildly powerful and popular in season 20 when it was discovered that Chill Clip gives it incredible additional Stasis shatter damage when paired with a Gjallarhorn. The ideal roll as of Lightfall's release is Demolitionist and Chill Clip, and it's best paired with the classic Starfire Warlock build.
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.
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. As of Lightfall, Gjallarhorn is still a must-have for many fireteams, especially with how powerful rocket launchers have become following the nerf to linear fusion rifles.
1 The Hothead
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- How To Get: Grandmaster Nightfalls for Adept, lower difficulty Nightfalls for regular
The Hothead has risen to be the peak of rocket launcher DPS as of Lightfall's release. For those who failed to get the perfect Adept roll for this Arc rocket launcher back in Season of the Haunted, not to worry, because Zavala now offers focusing at the Tower, making The Hothead attainable for more players provided they have the engrams for it.
The Hothead comes in two ideal variations. For players not using fusion grenades, Auto-Loading Holster and Explosive Light are the two must-have perks, with Impact Casing. Starfire Warlocks, however, can also greatly benefit from a Demolitionist perk instead of Auto-Loading Holster, allowing them to deal additional grenade damage in-between rocket shots.
Destiny 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.