Exotic grenade launchers in Destiny 2 offer players some of the most unique and powerful gameplay experiences available in the weapon sandbox. These weapons are not just tools for dealing damage they often come with complex mechanics, utility effects, and game-changing perks that separate them from legendary counterparts. Whether you’re diving into PvE content like Nightfalls and Raids or battling other Guardians in the Crucible, choosing the right exotic grenade launcher can define your build and playstyle. With each expansion and seasonal update, the list of available exotics grows, giving players new opportunities to experiment and dominate across multiple game modes.
What Makes Exotic Grenade Launchers Unique
Gameplay Variety and Versatility
Exotic grenade launchers stand out due to their specialized effects and tailored perks. Unlike standard grenade launchers that focus primarily on splash damage, exotic variants often introduce status effects, healing, debuffs, or other utilities that transform them into flexible tools for team support or crowd control.
Exclusivity and Loadout Limitation
Because players can only equip one exotic weapon at a time, choosing to run an exotic grenade launcher means forgoing other powerful exotics like Gjallarhorn, Witherhoard, or Arbalest. This limitation forces thoughtful loadout decisions, especially in high-end content where synergy between weapons, subclasses, and mods becomes essential.
Top Exotic Grenade Launchers in Destiny 2
Witherhoard
Perhaps the most widely used exotic grenade launcher in Destiny 2, Witherhoard is a kinetic special weapon that shoots blight projectiles. When the blight lands, it creates a damaging pool that continues to hurt enemies over time. If it sticks directly to an enemy, the pool drops when the target dies. This makes it excellent for both single-target and area denial.
- Best for: Boss damage, ad clear, area control
- Synergy: Combines well with Void builds and seasonal artifact mods that focus on grenades or blinding effects
- Usage: PvE king for low-effort DPS and control
Dead Messenger
Dead Messenger is an energy wave-frame grenade launcher that deals damage in a horizontal arc upon impact. What sets it apart is its ability to rotate between three elements Solar, Arc, and Void making it ideal for breaking enemy shields in high-level activities with elemental modifiers.
- Best for: Shield-breaking, burst AoE damage
- Synergy: Works well with subclass builds focused on matching burn damage
- Usage: Excellent in seasonal content and high-tier Nightfalls
Salvager’s Salvo
While technically a ritual weapon from earlier seasons and not classified as an exotic, Salvager’s Salvo shares many characteristics with exotic launchers in terms of strength and perk synergy. However, it paved the way for exotics like Dead Messenger by introducing chain reaction perks that made ad clear far easier.
Fighting Lion
Fighting Lion is one of the few primary grenade launchers and operates in the energy slot. Its unique feature is that it uses primary ammo, allowing for infinite reloads when used carefully. It’s highly skill-based, rewarding players who learn its arcing projectile and time the explosions correctly. With catalyst enhancements, Fighting Lion becomes far more forgiving and useful.
- Best for: Ammo economy, shield-popping, PvP poke damage
- Synergy: Great in builds that require sustained damage with minimal reload downtime
- Usage: High skill ceiling, low ammo concern
Anarchy
At one point, Anarchy was the most dominant boss DPS weapon in Destiny 2. This exotic heavy grenade launcher fires arc energy grenades that stick to surfaces and chain electricity between them. Players would place Anarchy shots on enemies and let the damage-over-time effect work while they used other weapons to supplement DPS.
- Best for: Boss melting, passive damage, DPS uptime
- Synergy: Excellent when paired with linears, snipers, or fusion rifles
- Usage: Still strong, though outshined in current meta
Exotic Grenade Launchers in PvP
Meta Considerations
While grenade launchers aren’t as dominant in PvP as shotguns or hand cannons, certain exotics like Witherhoard and Fighting Lion have carved out niches in the Crucible. Witherhoard’s area denial can block key choke points or zone opponents, while Fighting Lion can chip damage from behind cover and finish weakened targets easily.
Tips for PvP Use
- Use grenade launchers to weaken targets before pushing aggressively.
- Control key lanes with blight zones (Witherhoard) to deny resurrections or power ammo grabs.
- Pair with radar-enhancing armor mods to stay aware while aiming down sights.
Optimizing Your Loadout with Exotic Grenade Launchers
Subclass Synergy
Choosing the right subclass to support your exotic grenade launcher is essential. For example:
- Void Hunters: Invisibility and trap synergy work well with Fighting Lion.
- Solar Warlocks: Combine Dead Messenger with scorches and ignitions for devastating AoE chains.
- Arc Titans: Use Anarchy with Thundercrash for burst and sustained damage phases.
Armor Mod Suggestions
Enhancing your grenade launcher use can be done through specific armor mods:
- Grenade Launcher Scavenger: More ammo per brick
- Grenade Launcher Loader: Faster reload speeds for DPS uptime
- Utility Kickstart: Recharges class ability faster, helping with survivability
- Volatile Flow (if active in seasonal mod pool): Adds explosive effects on Void damage sources
Acquiring Exotic Grenade Launchers
Sources and Availability
Most exotic grenade launchers can be earned through quests, random world drops, or from Xur on weekends. Others are tied to seasonal content or the Monument to Lost Light in the Tower. Be sure to have the required expansions and materials if aiming for vaulted weapons like Anarchy.
Upgrade Priorities
Focus on acquiring catalysts for weapons like Fighting Lion and Witherhoard, as they significantly improve usability. Masterworking these exotics not only boosts stats but can provide extra perks like auto-reloading or increased handling.
Choosing the Right Exotic for the Situation
PvE Endgame Activities
- Witherhoard: Safe DPS and add control in Grandmaster Nightfalls and Raids
- Anarchy: Passive damage for boss encounters
- Dead Messenger: Shield-breaking and add clear in Legend activities
Casual Play
- Fighting Lion: Fun and infinite primary ammo
- Witherhoard: One-shotting red bars for chill strikes
Crucible
- Witherhoard: Zone control and team denial
- Fighting Lion: Precision poke and mobility plays
Exotic grenade launchers in Destiny 2 offer a diverse set of tools for players who want to experiment with unorthodox builds, dominate bosses, or influence the battlefield with area control. While each weapon fits a particular niche, their power and flexibility make them essential components in many loadouts across PvE and PvP. Whether you’re melting bosses with Anarchy, locking down rooms with Witherhoard, or breaking elemental shields with Dead Messenger, there’s an exotic grenade launcher that fits every Guardian’s style. With careful loadout planning and subclass synergy, these exotics can elevate your gameplay to the next level.
#kebawah#