It’s raining hand cannons in Destiny 2 thanks to the new Arms Week event, focusing on one of the game’s most beloved and iconic weapon archetypes. For the festivities, Bungie is adding the new Phoneutria Fera and a selection of some of the best hand cannons in the game.
The limited-time event is bringing back some popular hand cannons, providing players with a good way to grab some old favorites that were thrown into the Void with The Edge of Fate. Of course, the newcomer Phoneutria Fera is the star of the show, but this star-studded ensemble can be impressive.
Since there are several hand cannon-related objectives in the event, you can use the new and deadly Graviton Spike Exotic, though a well-rolled Better Devils from Lord Shaxx is also an excellent choice if you want a free Exotic slot—and that’s not counting the ones on the list.
Here are the best hand cannons to go for during Destiny 2‘s Arms Week event (and the ones you should avoid).
Best Hand Cannons to get in Destiny 2’s Arms Week Event
We split the nine hand cannons on tap into two groups: the ones you should go for and the ones you should probably save for last, if you grab them at all. Warden’s Law can be good enough to make the cut if you don’t have a better option, so it gets an honorable mention depending on your preferences and needs, but here are our reasons for each choice.
Phonetria Fera
Of course, the event headliner gets top billing in our list. Phoneutria Fera is the first of the Spread Shot archetype, which fires multiple pellets in a tight spread like a shotgun. This makes it quite unique, belonging to one category while feeling closer to another (Vex Mythoclast, for instance, is closer to an auto rifle than a fusion rifle).
While the jury is still out on this new hand cannon, it’s worth grabbing some copies of it if you like how it behaves. It’s also likely one of the only opportunities you’ll have to grab a Holofoil version of it, so put those Engrams to good use.
Exalted Truth
Alternative: Ancient Gospel (Garden of Salvation)
This Trials of Osiris hand cannon is fresh off the presses, having received a powerful loot pool with its reissue in Heresy. It has access to Void keywords through Withering Gaze and Destabilizing Rounds on column three, plus Repulsor Brace and Demoralize on the fourth. And if you’re looking for PvP rolls, take your pick: its Trials roots bring plenty of Crucible-friendly options to the table.
Luna’s Howl
Alternatives: Zaouli’s Bane (King’s Fall), Agape (Kepler)
Luna’s Howl is one of the game’s most storied (and historic) hand cannons. It was hand-picked for a reissue in Into the Light due to it being so memorable, and it’s a powerhouse for Solar builds. It can roll Heal Clip with Incandescent if you’re looking for that extra synergy, but you can also rely on Magnificent Howl, Kill Clip, and Desperate Measures for extra damage.
Its recoil is one of its defining features, making it closer to a 180rpm than a regular 140. This hand cannon was tied to the Crucible upon release, and Bungie kept that influence with a few PvP-oriented perks.
If you’re strapped on event Engrams and like burst-fire hand cannons, Kepler’s Agape can also roll a series of good perks, including the new Burning Ambition perk. Other than that, Zaouli’s Bane (King’s Fall) is also a top-tier pick.
The Palindrome
Alternative: Nation of Beasts (Last Wish), Waking Vigil (Dreaming City)
The once-Void monster returned to the game in Arc flavor during Heresy, making it perfect for lightning-aligned builds. Try to score a roll with Explosive Payload paired with either Master of Arms for damage or Rolling Storm for extra Bolt Charge, though you can find other great combinations in the two Awoken-related hand cannons from Forsaken.
How to get Hand Cannons in Destiny 2’s Arms Week event
Destiny 2‘s new Arms Week uses the new Event Hub, which can be convoluted for new and veteran players alike. You’ll receive an overview from Ada-1, who will also give you a short quest and a basic roll of Phoneutria Fera.
After completing her objectives, you can use Combat Telemetry (awarded by completing activities with a hand cannon during the event) to grab and focus new Engrams, which can contain either Phoneutria Fera or the Ribbontail trace rifle.
The rewards will go to your inventory, like a regular Exotic Engram, and you can either open it with Ada-1 or decode it into a specific drop, though that consumes more Combat Telemetry. You can also open them for free with the Tower’s Master Rahool, though that may not be intended.
The rest of the hand cannons on Ada-1’s menu are mostly good (not you, Kept Confidence), but they didn’t make the cut on our list for a myriad of reasons.
- Warden’s Law: The best among the options we didn’t mention, but still outclassed by other Kinetics. you stocked on the Kinetic hand cannon department.
- Kept Confidence: Has an abysmal perk pool for PvE, and you’re better off focusing Better Devils from Lord Shaxx.
- Austringer: A stylish choice that has fallen behind since its reissue in 2022.
- Sightline Survey: Go for it if you like its archetype, but the Palindrome is still a good choice if you don’t.
- Exuviae: Can be outclassed by Prophecy’s Judgment, with a more favorable archetype. If you participated in the Rite of the Nine event, odds are you have a roll of Judgment lying around.
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