Best Shotguns in Destiny 2: PvP & PvE ranked list

Lucas Simons
Legend Of Acrius Destiny 2 best shotguns

Shotguns in Destiny 2 are some of the most versatile close-range weapons, and be it for PvP or PvE, they always excel at doing heavy damage. Here are the best Shotguns in Destiny 2 ranked.

In Destiny 2, there are plenty of Bosses to hunt and PvP ranks to climb, and if you’re looking to do some serious damage, Shotguns are the tool for the job.

These short-range versatile weapons belong to the Special category, and they have several perks that make them useful in PvE activities, The Crucible, Iron Banner, and, of course, Trials of Osiris.

Here’s a list of the best Shotguns in Destiny 2 ranked.

Best Shotguns for Destiny 2 PvP

Here are the best Shotguns for Destiny 2 PvP, which include The Chaperone, Duality, Fractethyst, Rose Compass, Retold Tale, and Matador 64.

NameArchetype/Ammo typeSlotTierDrops fromGod Roll Perks

The Chaperone
Exotic/Kinetic
Special Ammo
Precision
PrimarySSExotic QuestExotic Perk: Fires a single-slug precision round. Precision kills briefly grant bonus handling, range, and precision damage with this weapon.

Duality
Exotic/Solar
Special Ammo
Precision/Spread
EnergySSExotic Vendor Monument of Lost LightExotic Perk: Fires a pellet spread in hip-fire or a single high-damage slug while aiming. Pellet final blows grant a stacking precision damage and reload speed buff. Precision hits with slugs extend the duration.

Fractethyst
Stasis
Special Ammo
Precision
PrimarySVendor XûrQuickdraw + Slideshot

Compass Rose
Solar
Special Ammo
Precision
EnergySSolstice EventQuickdraw + Snapshot Sights or Vorpal Weapon

Retold Tale
Void
Special Ammo
Precision
EnergySShattered Throne DungeonQuickdraw + Snapshot Sights

Matador 64
Arc
Special Ammo
Precision
EnergyAGrasp of Avarice DungeonPerpetual Motion + Killing Wind

The Chaperon is arguably the best PvP Shotgun in the game, and after the heavy nerf that Fellwinter’s Lie suffered, this Exotic has quickly climbed the ranks of the most used weapons in the various PvP-related activities.

Best Shotguns for Destiny 2 PvE

Here’s a list of the best Shotguns for PvE activities in Destiny 2, which include Tractor Cannon, Legend Of Acrius, IKELOS_SG_v1.0.3, Dead Weight, and Supercluster.

NameArchetype/Ammo typeSlotTierDrops fromGod Roll Perks

Tractor Cannon
Exotic/Void
Heavy Ammo
Area debuff
PowerSSExotic EngramsExotic Perk: This weapon emits a powerful impulse that pushes enemies away, suppresses their abilities, and makes them more vulnerable to all incoming damage.

Legend Of Acrius
Exotic/Arc
Heavy Ammo
Cone Spread
PowerSSExotic Vendor Monument of Lost LightExotic Perk: This weapon fires blasts of high-damage Arc energy that over penetrates enemies. Its radar detects enemies from farther away.

IKELOS_SG_v1.0.3
Solar
Special Ammo
Rapid Fire
EnergySOperation: Seraph’s Shield
Deepsight available
Threat Detector + Surrounded

Until Its Return
Strand
Special Ammo
Rapid Fire
PrimarySSeasonal Reward (S21) Deepsight availableAuto Loading Holster + Cascade Point

Dead Weight
Arc
Special Ammo
Rapid Fire
EnergySPlaylist Reward: GambitSubsistence + Frenzy

Supercluster
Strand
Special Ammo
Precision
PrimaryASeasonal Reward (S23) Deepsight availableReconstruction + Surrounded

In the particular case of PvE Shotguns, we have two top picks, one of them being the Exotic Tractor Cannon, which is a must-have for ramping up the Squad damage during Boss encounters.

In the case of consistent damage, you should rely on the IKELOS_SG_v1.0.3, as it is a craftable weapon that can acquire Enhanced Perks using Ascendant Alloys. So, consider including this in your build when tackling close encounter Bosses.

And that’s all you need to know about Shotguns in Destiny 2. For more information and guides on Bungie’s scfi-fi shooter, you can check these links:

Destiny 2 Wish-Keeper: All Catalysts & how to get them | Destiny 2 stat tracker: How to check your stats | Destiny 2 codes for free Emblems and Shaders | Destiny 2 Season of the Wish: All Starcat locations | Destiny 2 Season of the Wish: Artifact Perks & Best Build | How to get Monte Carlo Catalyst in Destiny 2 | Best Destiny 2 PVP weapons | Destiny 2: How to get Dragon’s Breath Catalyst