When Destiny 2 was released back in 2017, there were only a certain number of exotic weapons that were considered useable. But, after the release of Destiny 2's first-ever expansion - Curse of Osiris, Bungie started adding more and more exotic weapons (and armor) into the loot pool, with some acquirable through the weapons' quests.
Fast-forwarding to the release of Shadowkeep, Bungie made Destiny 2 - the base game and two expansions - Free-to-Play for all players. Meaning you don't need to pay a single dime if you want to try out the game which comes with a LOT of content.
Since Destiny 2: New Light is a free-to-play game, we are looking into the top exotic weapons that you can get in Destiny 2 without spending any money on the expansions like Forsaken and Shadowkeep.
Updated October 28, 2021 by Jerrad Wyche: Since going independent as a developer and making Destiny 2 free-to-play, Bungie has seen continued success. It's unclear when or if they'll move on to a Destiny 3, but for the time being the game has a solid audience of hardcore gamers who come back often. For those players, it's good to know which exotic weapons are both obtainable and worthwhile in the free-to-play portions of Destiny 2.
12 Legend Of Acrius
Shotguns in Destiny 2 are a bit of an acquired taste and aren't for everybody, but Legend Of Acrius makes a case for them. Its unique weapon trait is called Shock Blast and has the weapon firing Arc energy that inflicts high-damage rates and penetrates the enemies' armor in a commanding way.
It also can be upgraded in some interesting ways, with the most notable being able to shoot accurately at longer ranges, or obtaining stability but trading that off for a heavier weapon overall.
11 Sturm
Sturm is a hand cannon that looks like it was lifted right out of a steampunk world. Outside of its very unique aesthetic, it also has an inscription on it that says "To Sigrun, from Victor", providing a bit of in-world lore.
It has an intrinsic perk called Accomplice which makes it so kills with the weapon will result in the magazine of Energy weapons in your reserves being filled. So, in addition to throttling threats, it will also help you stock up on ammo for your other guns.
10 Hard Light
In PvP, many great builds are based around this weapon in Beyond Light. That means that even in free-to-play New Light, Hard Light comes highly recommended. It's a random drop chance, but it's got an average drop rate and has been around since Destiny, so check and see if you have it already.
If you do, congratulations, you're got ahold of a damage-dispensing monster in PvP that has a chance to ricochet and remove damage drop-off. The icing on the cake is that the damage type can be changed to counter enemy defenses. It's an undisputed beast.
9 Monte Carlo
Destiny 2 has cut some wild pieces of content, but thankfully the automatic rifle with a gigantic bayonet on the end of it stuck around as a random drop. If you're a player that likes to get in a few melee hits in between rounds, look no further, you're home.
Melee attacks fully recharge the weapon. And using the weapon reduces the cooldown on melee attacks. As if that wasn't peanut butter and jelly enough, all kills with this weapon, melee and ranged, increase its damage. It's an end unto itself.
8 Riskrunner
Risk Runner follows the same steps of Zhalo Supercell from Destiny 1. It's a 900 RPM sub-machine gun that can very useful in clearing ads and low-health enemies. This is one of the first exotics you can get in Destiny 2 by completing the main story campaign and doing the "Pain and Gain" questline.
The main perk on this weapon is "Arc Conductor" which is, "When taking Arc Damage, this weapon becomes more powerful and resists incoming Arc Damage. Kills extend the time in this overcharged state." Risk Runner is a very under-rated exotic weapon. With the nerf of Recluse, this weapon will finally get more traction in the Destiny community.
7 Arbalest
Arbalest was added in the Season of the Drifter in the Year 2 of Destiny 2. This is a linear fusion rifle that is very good at taking the enemy's shields down. Pro players know a lot about the game, but even they often forget that this gun has been taken off of the Season Pass and can be bought by free-to-play gamers.
The main intrinsic perk of this weapon is "Compounding Force" which allows you to take down enemy shields very easily. Keep in mind, this weapon is not very useful when it comes to DPS the final boss in the raid or in strikes.
6 The Huckleberry
This submachine gun was also released in the Warmind expansion back in 2018. The Huckleberry is a kinetic SMG with the rounds per minute of 750. Players preparing for The Deep Stone Crypt raid will be revisiting areas New Light players have access to in order to nab this beauty.
The perk on this weapon is called "Ride the Bull" which states, "Increased rate of fire and recoil while you're holding down the trigger. Kills with this weapon reload a portion of the magazine." This weapon is mainly used in the Crucible and Competitive playlists.
5 Tractor Cannon
When it comes to booping the enemies off the edge of the map, Tractor Cannon is your best friend. This is honestly the most fun weapon you can use inside the Crucible of Destiny 2. But if we talk about PvE, this weapon is on a whole other level.
Tractor Cannon is a support weapon that can do wonders when used with a proper strategy. Its main perk is "Repulsor Force" which is, "This weapon emits a powerful impulse that pushes enemies away, suppresses their abilities, and makes them more vulnerable to all incoming damage."
4 Wardcliff Coil
A Rocket Launcher that was leaked back in the early days of Destiny. And with the release of Destiny 2, we finally get to use this unique looking rocket launcher. Wardcliff Coil one of the best rocket launchers in the game right now. It's very efficient in PvP as well as in PvE.
You can take down the whole enemy team with a single rocket if used timely. The exotic trait on this rocket launcher is "Mad Scientist" which states, "This weapon fires a volley of rockets." You can acquire this weapon randomly by doing pinnacle activities.
3 SUROS Regime
If you're a PvP nut, then you're already aware that the auto rifle is the almost undisputed choice for the top players who compete. So when you find out that the best of the bunch is available for free, it's worth a double-take.
Is letting free-to-play gamers have access to better weapons than the current expansion one of many things that don't make sense about Beyond Light? Well, paid players can get it too, so let's not lose our minds. Either way, a gun with lifesteal on it that will make you completely overpowered in PvP fights.
2 Bad Juju
Players are missing tons of things in Beyond Light, but maybe the biggest miss isn't in the new material at all, it's right in front of their noses next to Werner 99-40 on the Nessus Barge area.
After a string of exotic quests, the Bad Juju can be all yours. This gun has a buff called "String of Curses" that activates when killing an enemy. The benefits of which are everything but the kitchen sink: Magazine refill, increased damage, and super energy. Mobs of enemies have no greater fear than this piece of equipment.
1 Fighting Lion
You might be thinking, why is this weapon on the top spot? Well, there is a solid reason for that. Players who are giving advice for The Deep Stone Crypt raid are recommending players find this item that New Light players also have access to.
It can be used as a long-range killing machine in PvE (requires a precise aim). And you can demolish hoards of enemies with just a single grenade. The unique thing about this grenade launcher is its exotic perk "Delayed Gratification" which states "Grenade projectiles will bounce off surfaces. Hold to fire, and release to detonate."