BungieHeavy Grenade Launchers have been the top dog power weapon of choice for single-target damage in Destiny 2 since The Final Shape launched, usurping Linear Fusions from previous seasons.
Swords have found a niche as utility tools thanks to Keen Edge, and Machine Guns are often considered the king of add-clear. That said, GLs outpace even Rocket Launchers thanks to excellent perk options granting deeper ammo reserves and versatility in all areas of the sandbox.
In tiering Destiny 2’s current best Grenade Launchers, we’ve weighed up the flexibility of their perk pools, how well they perform in PvE and PvP, and their general ease of use. See below for the full tier list, and then continue for a more in-depth breakdown of the cream of the crop.
Heavy Grenade Launcher tier list
| TIER | Weapon Name |
|---|---|
| S | Edge Transit, Wendigo GL3, Memory Interdict, Cataphract GL3, Typhon GL5 |
| A | Parasite, Marsilion-C, Regnant, Interference VI |
| B | Berenger’s Memory, Canis Major, Crowd Pleaser, Dimensional Hypotrochoid, Hullabaloo, Koraxis’s Distress, Outrageous Fortune, |
| C | Blast Battue, Cry Mutiny, Love and Death, Tarnation |
Our tiers explained
- S: The best
- A: Very good
- B: There might be situations where these can perform well
- C: Best to avoid unless you find yourself drawn to them
Meta Analysis
Heavy Grenade Launchers are already extremely potent in Destiny 2’s sandbox. With the launch of Episode Revenant on October 8, they’re guaranteed to be locked in as must-haves, thanks to Revenant’s seasonal artifact featuring several mods intended to bolster their efficiency even further.
We’ll update this list as and when Bungie adds more Grenade Launchers, so expect to see reshuffles following major updates.
S-Tier
Edge Transit
Dexerto- Archetype: Adaptive
- Element: Void
- Source: Onslaught (Into the Light)
- Best Use: PvE
| Best PvE Roll | Best PvP Roll |
|---|---|
| Barrel: Quick Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Envious Assassin or Cascade Point Perk 2: Bait and Switch Masterwork: Velocity or Blast Radius | Barrel: Quick Launch Magazine: High-Explosive Ordnance Perk 1: Impulse Amplifier Perk 2: Explosive Light or Destabilizing Rounds Masterwork: Handling |
As will swiftly become evident throughout this list, Spike Grenades is a best-in-slot in most cases for PvE, with Quick or Volatile Launch the desired barrel. The core perk combo you’re looking for is Bait and Switch with Envious Assassin or Cascade Point.
Bait and Switch provides a 35% damage boost for 10 seconds after dealing damage with all three of your weapons in a short window. Cascade Point and Envious Assassin synergize extremely well, granting increased fire rate or deeper ammo reserves, respectively, for enemy kills before drawing Edge Transit.
Wendigo GL3
Bungie- Archetype: Adaptive
- Element: Arc
- Source: Nightfall
- Best Use: PvE & PvP
| Best PvE Roll | Best PvP Roll |
|---|---|
| Barrel: Volatile Launch or Quick Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: Explosive Light Masterwork: Blast Radius | Barrel: Quick Launch Magazine: Perk 1: Impulse Amplifier Perk 2: Rangefinder Masterwork: Blast Radius |
Wendigo GL3 doesn’t quite compare to Edge Transit in PvE but it doesn’t lag far behind and, unlike its superior, can roll with top-tier PvP perks. As a guaranteed drop during weeks where it’s the dedicated Nightfall reward, it’s also easier to farm.
Related
For PvE, you’ll want to hunt for Auto-Loading Holster and Explosive Light. The former will automatically reload the magazine when not in use, while the latter grants a 52% damage increase for a single shot after picking up an Orb of Light (stacks six times).
For PvP, Impulse Amplifier and Rangefinder stack will boost Wendigo’s Velocity to astronomical levels. Perfect for sniping opposing Guardians from afar without giving them time to dodge.
Memory Interdict
- Archetype: Adaptive
- Element: Void
- Source: Potential Xur stock
- Best Use: PvP
| Best PvE Roll | Best PvP Roll |
|---|---|
| Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Impulse Amplifier Perk 2: Chain Reaction Masterwork: Handling | Barrel: Quick Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Impulse Amplifier or Quickdraw Perk 2: Danger Zone Masterwork: Handling |
Memory Interdict can work in PvE with the right rolls but it’s not advised, as it’s outperformed by its competitors. Instead, be on the lookout for one with Impulse Amplifier or Quickdraw paired with Danger Zone whenever Xur’s in the Tower.
With said roll, Impulse Amplifier will boost Velocity – integral for PvP – while Danger Zone naturally increases Blast Radius whenever you’re surrounded by enemies. If you’re confident in your ability to land direct hits on opposing Guardians, Quickdraw is the preferred choice.
Cataphract GL3
Dexerto- Archetype: Adaptive
- Element: Strand
- Source: Trials of Osiris
- Best Use: PvP
| Best PvE Roll | Best PvP Roll |
|---|---|
| Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Envious Assassin Perk 2: Bait and Switch Masterwork: Velocity or Handling | Barrel: Quick Launch Magazine: High-Velocity Rounds Perk 1: Impulse Amplifier Perk 2: Explosive Light or Vorpal Weapon Masterwork: Velocity |
While it’s primarily a PvP GL, it’s worth noting that Cataphract is the only Strand weapon of its type on this list. If you’re looking to build a subclass around the Darkness element, Envious Assassin with Bait and Switch is still a solid combo.
For PvP, where the Trials reward truly shines, Impulse Amplifier with Vorpal Weapon is the top roll. There’s an argument to be made for Explosive Light to replace the latter, but the superior damage boost it provides will almost always be overkill in Crucible. Vorpal Weapon, on the other hand, is a flat 10% damage increase requiring zero setup.
Typhon GL5
- Archetype: Adaptive
- Element: Stasis
- Source: Potential Gunsmith stock
- Best Use: PvE
| Best PvE Roll | Best PvP Roll |
|---|---|
| Barrel: Hard Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Demolitionist or Impulse Amplifier Perk 2: Explosive Light or Chill Clip Masterwork: Velocity | Barrel: Volatile Launch or Confined Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Demolitionist or Impulse Amplifier Perk 2: Adrenaline Junkie Masterwork: Velocity |
Typhon’s strengths lie in its versatility. For PvE, it can serve as a no-nonsense boss and Major killer with Impulse Amplifier and Explosive Light, or be repurposed into a top-tier crowd control tool with Demolitionist and Chill Clip.
For PvP, you’ll want to swap out Hard Launch for Volatile or Confined for superior Veolicity and prioritize Adrenaline Junkie for the second perk for the boos to Handling on kills. Even then, though, it’s not a particularly great choice for the competitive meta, with better options out there.
A-Tier
Parasite
- Element: Solar
- Source: Witch Queen Exotic quest
- Best Use: PvE
| Fixed Roll Perks |
|---|
| Intrinsic: Worm’s Hunger Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: High-Explosive Ordnance Exotic Trait: Worm Byproduct Stock: Composite Stock |
The only weapon on this list you should, bar no exception, never use in PvP, Parasite can outdo almost every other heavy weapon in the game in terms of raw damage, but it does require setup and a risky playstyle.
Firing live worms instead of standard ammunition, each bug gets a stacking buff to explosive range and damage depending on the number of enemies killed immediately beforehand from your other weapons. Combine full stacks of Worm’s Hunger with Worm Byproduct, which empowers the weapon further from self-damage, and you’ll be able to make short work of any boss.
For Warlocks, which have access to plentiful self-healing, Parasite is especially useful, but Titans and Hunters can also make it work with Healing Grenades.
Marsilion-C
- Archetype: Rapid-Fire
- Element: Solar
- Source: Lost Sectors
- Best Use: PvE
| Best PvE Roll | Best PvP Roll |
|---|---|
| Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Envious Assassin Perk 2: Incandescent or Explosive Light Masterwork: Blast Radius | Barrel: Hard Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Snapshot Sights Perk 2: Impulse Amplifier Masterwork: Handling or Velocity |
The only Rapid-Fire archetype on this list, Marsilion-C, along with Cry Mutiny, is the only heavy GL able to roll Incandescent and, unlike the latter, isn’t locked to a specific perk setup.
Paired with Envious Assassin, Marsilion can wipe entire rooms with indiscriminate Solar explosions with little downtime. For more widespread appeal, Incandescent can be swapped out for Explosive Light.
The downside? It’s currently only available as a random drop from Lost Sectors, so farming the perfect roll will take some time.
Regnant
- Archetype: Adaptive
- Element: Void
- Source: Avalon Exotic Mission
- Best Use: PvE
| Best PvE Roll | Best PvP Roll |
|---|---|
| Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster or Envious Assassin Perk 2: Explosive Light or Destabilizing Rounds Masterwork: Velocity | Barrel: Quick Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Rangefinder Perk 2: Pugilist Masterwork: Velocity |
While it’s essentially the Void counterpart to Wendigo, Regnant, unlike its sibling – which can’t role Arc’s Voltshot – gets access to Destabilizing Rounds.
Paired with Auto-Loading Holster or Envious Assassin, this boomer will become an add-clear machine. Alternatively, you can use Envious Assassin and Explosive Light for the tried and true single-target option.
Interference VI
- Archetype: Adaptive
- Element: Arc
- Source: World drop
- Best Use: PvE
| Best PvE Roll | Best PvP Roll |
|---|---|
| Barrel: Hard Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Clown Cartridge Perk 2: Full Court Masterwork: Velocity | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: Demolitionist Masterwork: Blast Radius |
Farming specific world drops is a frustrating experience in Destiny 2, but if you have the patience, Interference VI is an excellent PvE Grenade Launcher.
If you’re lucky enough to find one with Clown Cartridge – a chance to reload the magazine beyond normal capacity – and Full Court, you’ll be machine-gunning bosses down from across the map thanks to the latter’s damage boost (up to 25%) based on each grenade’s travel distance.
B-Tier
| Weapon | Source | Best Roll (PvE) | Best Roll (PvP) |
|---|---|---|---|
 Berenger’s Memory | World drop | Barrel: Hard Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Clown Cartridge Perk 2: Auto-Loading Holster Masterwork: Blast Radius | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: Demolitionist Masterwork: Handling |
 Canis Major | Potential Xur stock | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Clown Cartridge Perk 2: Chain Reaction Masterwork: Blast Radius | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Impulse Amplifier Perk 2: Vorpal Weapon Masterwork: Handling |
 Crowd Pleaser | Gambit | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Ambitious Assassin Perk 2: Chain Reaction Masterwork: Blast Radius | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades or Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Killing Wind Perk 2: Demolitionist Masterwork: Velocity |
 Dimensional Hypotrochoid | Neomuna activities | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: High-Velocity Rounds Perk 1: Envious Assassin Perk 2: Chain Reaction Masterwork: Handling | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: High-Velocity Rounds Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: Chain Reaction Masterwork: Handling |
 Hullabaloo | Guardian Games | Barrel: Linear Compensator Magazine: High-Velocity Rounds Perk 1: Voltshot Perk 2: Chain Reaction Masterwork: Handling | Barrel: Linear Compensator Magazine: High-Velocity Rounds Perk 1: Impulse Amplifier Perk 2: Chain Reaction Masterwork: Handling |
 Koraxis’s Distress | Root of Nightmares | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Reconstruction Perk 2: Hatchling Masterwork: Blast Radius | Barrel: Quick Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Impulse Amplifier Perk 2: Surrounded Masterwork: Blast Radius |
 Outrageous Fortune | World drop | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: Rampage Masterwork: Blast Radius | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Remote Detonation or Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: Quickdraw Masterwork: Handling |
C-Tier
| Weapon | Source | Best Roll (PvE) | Best Roll (PvP) |
|---|---|---|---|
 Blast Battue | Lost Sectors | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Clown Cartridge Perk 2: Chain Reaction or Auto-Loading Holster Masterwork: Blast Radius | Barrel: Volatile Launch or Confined Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Threat Detector Perk 2: Disruption Break or Wellspring Masterwork: Handling |
 Cry Mutiny | Monument to Lost Lights | Fixed roll | Fixed Roll |
 Love and Death | Moon activities | Barrel: Quick Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Field Prep Perk 2: Full Court Masterwork: Velocity | Barrel: Confined Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Auto-Loading Holster Perk 2: Swashbuckler Masterwork: Blast Radius or Reload Speed |
 Tarnation | The Wellspring | Barrel: Volatile Launch Magazine: Spike Grenades Perk 1: Clown Cartridge Perk 2: Danger Zone Masterwork: Blast Radius | Barrel: Confined Launch Magazine: Proximity Grenades Perk 1: Killing Wind Perk 2: Chain Reaction Masterwork: Blast Radius |
That’s a wrap on our tier list for Heavy Grenade Launchers, but be sure to check out our rundown of the best Exotic weapons and builds for all three of Destiny 2’s classes to help you put together the best build for your Guardian.