Rocket launchers continue to be a solid choice for boss damage inDestiny 2, even with the prominence oflinear fusion rifles like Stormchaserand Cataclysmic. Not all bosses in the game are ideal for linear fusion damage, which is why every PVE player, in particular, should have a few good rocket launchers stored in their vault for a rainy day.
RELATED:Destiny: Every Final Raid Boss, Ranked By Difficulty
In PVP, rocket launchers can also be a solid choice, though keep in mind that Gjallarhorn was nerfed as of Solstice 2022, and its effectiveness has been somewhat reduced. This list will take into account primarily PVE scenarios, where rocket launchers continue to be a staple when it comes to dealing high burst damage. Without further ado, here are thebest rocket launchersDestiny 2has to offer.
Updated on June 05, 2025, by Anastasia Maillot:With the era of Witch Queen passing and the era ofLightfall beginning in 2023, Bungie has introduced major balance changes into the game. Linear fusion rifles received significant damage nerfs across the board, save for a few Exotic picks, which means that rocket launchers, both Legendary and Exotic, are back on the menu as main damage dealers in endgame PVE. However, even across the selection of rocket launchers in Destiny 2, there have been some minor changes and new entries that have significantly changed how boss DPS works on rocket launchers. Moreover, with reward focusing available for playlist activities, many ofDestiny 2’s best Legendary rocket launchersare more readily available to the larger player base. Here’s what thebest rocket launchers are in Destiny 2, post-Lightfall.
12Deathbringer
Deathbringer has its own quest in theShadowkeepDLC, which can be accessed once players have finished the expansion’s main campaign. It can be a bit of a tedious grind to get it, but it’s among the most interesting Exotic rocket launchers available that isn’t Gjallarhorn.
This Void rocket launcher fires multiple shots which can be fired and then released similarly to a grenade launcher. This means that players can time when these Void orbs detonate on combatants, making it particularly devastating for crafty PVP players.
11The Blowout
The Blowout is an Arc rocket launcher from the Crucible playlist that was introduced in season 19. This Suros rocket launcher is nothing to scoff at thanks to its deep perk pool, which can make it somewhat frustrating to farm. Luckily, with playlist reward focusing available withLightfall, getting the perfect Blowout eventually from Lord Shaxx is entirely possible provided the player has the engrams.
The Blowout doesn’t come with the desirable Auto-Loading Holster in its first column, but it does have Demolitionist for any grenade-centric builds, as well as Field Prep for additional ammo reserves. In the second column, Explosive Light is the most effective pick.
10Apex Predator
When it comes to Legendary rocket launchers inDestiny 2, there’s one perk that wins above everything else: Auto-Loading Holster. If this perk, or Clown Cartridge, is available, then the Legendary rocket launcher is worth a player’s time, and that’s exactly why Apex Predator deserves its spot on this list.
Apex Predator is a Solar rocket launcher that can be acquired from the Last Wish raid. In the first column, players should pick either Ambitious Assassin or Tracking Module. In the second column, Auto-Loading Holster is pretty much a must-have to avoid long reload times.
9Hezen Vengeance
For a relatively easy but still solid rocket launcher option, players can go for Hezen Vengeance, a legendary rocket launcher that dropsfrom the Vault of Glass raidchests. There’s also a Timelost version of the Hezen Vengeance with some interesting rolls, so those who are brave enough to challenge themselves with the Master version of the raid should give it a shot.
Hezen Vengeance is a Solar rocket launcher, and some of the perks to look out for are Auto-Loading Holster or Impulse Amplifier, as well as Vorpal Weapon and Lasting Impression. These will do the most amount of damage when dealing with tougher enemies.
8Roar Of The Bear
Another Solar rocket launcher, Roar of the Bear is available through the Iron Banner playlist and can now be focused as ofLightfall. Its perk pool is a bit weaker than some other picks on this list, but it’s the perfect pick-up for players who don’t have access to Exotics or more exclusive Legendary rocket options.
RELATED:Destiny 2: Root Of Nightmares - All Secret Chest Locations
Roar of the Bear’s first column has Demolitionist, Field Prep, or Ambitious Assassin as options, with the first two being most preferred. The second column has Auto-Loading for those not using Demolitionist to reload, Chain Reaction, and Cluster Bombs. For the spicier niche pick, players can even go for Incandescent for better ad-clear.
7Ascendancy
Ascendancy was the seasonal weapon during season 15. A Legendary Solar rocket launcher, its true potential wasn’t revealed until later one when Gjallarhorn was introduced into the game after the 30th Anniversary update. It’s an excellent rocket launcher, especially now that rockets are in a slightly better place and the meta isn’t as strictly defined in PVE.
Ascendancy’s perks are its biggest advantage. It comes with some of the best rocket launcher perksDestiny 2has to offer, including Impulse Amplifier and Explosive Light. These can also be switched around with Chain Reaction and Ambitious Assassin depending on what the player prefers. The great news is that Ascendancy is still available at the Monument to Lost Lights, so those who missed out on it can go buy it there.
6Eyes Of Tomorrow
On to some Exotic rocket launchers, there’s the Eyes of Tomorrow rocket launcher that has a chance to dropfrom the Deep Stone Crypt raid’sfinal chest. Initially, this rocket launcher didn’t inspire much among players. It was mostly seen as a gimmicky weapon that worked fantastically in Gambit, as it locks onto multiple targets with tracking rockets.
However, as of season 17, it can actually deal some serious damage. Some players likeDatto have experimented with the Eyes of Tomorrow in endgame PVEwith some nice results, which goes to show that it can even contend with other rocket launchers now. Granted, it feels slower and heavier than Gjallarhorn, but it has some potential.
5Palmyra-B
Introduced early inThe Witch Queenexpansion era,Palmyra-B is a Häkke rocket launcherthat can be crafted after all of its Patterns have been unlocked by the player. And it’s well worth crafting, too, because its Enhanced Perks turn it into quite the beastly Legendary rocket launcher, especially when paired with something like the Gjallarhorn.
When crafting, or even when relying on just world drops, look for perks like Auto-Loading Holster and Explosive Light. Ambitious Assassin is also an option, along with Impulse Amplifier. It doesn’t quite beat some of the better Legendary picks on this list but will do solid work when paired with a Kinetic like Witherhoard or Izanagi’s Burden for boss DPS.
4Two-Tailed Fox
Two-Tailed Fox has become absolutely incredible since the launch ofLightfall, thanks to the rework the weapon received. Each of its rocket types now applies the correct elemental debuff on targets, with Void rockets suppressing enemies, Solar rockets damaging them over time, and the Arc rocket which is accessed when the Catalyst is completed jolting enemies.
This is a dream come true for many PVE teams who want an all-in-one weapon dealing all the possible debuffs on a boss. The ideal combo is to have one person on Two-Tailed Fox, and one on Gjallarhorn to activate Wolfpack Rounds, while the rest of the team is on Legendary rockets.
3Bump In The Night
Bump In The Night is a Stasis rocket launcher introducedduring the Season of the Haunted inDestiny 2. The main advantage of this rocket launcher is that it can be crafted once players have acquired enough patterns to unlock it at the Enclave, and consequently, it can be given Enhanced perks after leveling it up.
Bump In The Night became wildly powerful and popular in season 20 when it was discovered that Chill Clip gives it incredible additional Stasis shatter damage when paired with a Gjallarhorn. The ideal roll as ofLightfall’srelease is Demolitionist and Chill Clip, and it’s best paired with the classic Starfire Warlock build.
