Best Weapons From Desert Perpetual In Destiny 2

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Summary

  • Desert Perpetual raid in Destiny 2 comes with one of the best Origin Traits seen so far.
  • Some weapons, like the Stasis auto rifle and the Solar fusion rifle, are dupes for older weapons.
  • Whirling Ovation and Opaque Hourglass are the most interesting weapons of the raid.

For the past fortnight, Destiny 2’s latest and upcoming Edge of Fate raid, dubbed Desert Perpetual, has been captivating players. This Vex-themed adventure introduces a fresh Exotic weapon for enthusiasts to pursue, alongside an array of Legendary weapons. As usual, some of these weapons seem destined to be popular, while others appear to fall short in terms of appeal.

The Origin Trait of the raid is nothing to underestimate. This trait enhances a weapon’s damage, reload, and range when players deal the final blow. Remarkably, this enhancement persists even if the weapon is put away, making it even more formidable. The enhancement can be boosted up to five times, with a 7% increase in weapon damage. Although specific figures for other statistics are yet to be revealed, the damage boost alone has made it one of the most sought-after Origin Traits in the game. For those eager to acquire the raid’s gear, I recommend checking out the loot table and this early ranking of all the weapons, including the Exotic rocket launcher.

Intercalary

Stasis Auto Rifle

  • God Roll: Headstone & Rimestealer

Currently, automatic rifles are holding their ground well, but it’s challenging to prioritize them as a main weapon given the enhanced effectiveness of dual-special loadouts thanks to the new ammo system, despite its issues. The Intercalary, positioned in the Kinetic slot, stands out slightly from other auto rifles and complements any Stasis-based builds particularly well. This is due to the combined effects of Headstone and Rimestealer, two perks that work together to grant players with Frost Armor.

Although Intercalary may face stiff competition from more advanced weapons and superior primary options, it consistently ranks lowest. Players would be wise to prioritize other rewards from the raid over Intercalary.

Finite Maybe

Solar Fusion Rifle

  • God Roll: Reconstruction & Controlled Burst

As a fan who missed out on the Solar fusion rifle during Season of the Witch, I can say that the one from Desert Perpetual, known as Finite Maybe, is a decent alternative. While both fusions have Controlled Burst as their shared perk, Eremite previously thrived with Envious Assassin, but Finite Maybe benefits from Reconstruction. This perk eliminates the need for reloading or using other weapons to activate a reloading-related perk.

As a gamer, I’ve found that Fusion Rifles are sort of an odd fit when it comes to PVE play. They do have their moments, no doubt, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say they’re in line with the current meta. Moving forward, it might be wise to hunt down the perfect build for Finite Maybe, but even then, it tends to lag behind other weapons that are more effective in various situations.

The When And Where

Stasis Rocket Launcher

  • God Roll: Reconstruction & Bait and Switch

Despite not being frequently used in Desert Perpetual’s Contest Mode, rocket launchers remain a formidable choice, particularly the Legendary one named Hezen Vengeance. Its position as a top dog isn’t likely to be challenged by The When and Where anytime soon. The combined abilities of Envious Arsenal and Bait and Switch on Hezen are simply too potent compared to the Reconstruction and Bait and Switch roll that The When and Where possesses.

In summary, if players lack access to farming the Rite of the Nine and acquiring Cold Comfort, this Stasis rocket launcher could serve as a viable alternative when paired with Liturgy. However, it falls short compared to Cold Comfort, particularly since Cold Comfort can have Envious Arsenal like Hezen. Additionally, the Origin Trait doesn’t enhance its performance, potentially making it more suitable for area-of-effect clearance rather than a primary weapon. At that point, a machine gun would be a superior choice.

Opaque Hourglass

Arc Heavy Combat Bow

  • God Roll: Firefly & Dragonfly

Among all the weapons used in the raid, the heavy combat bow, with its distinctive crossbow-like design, stands out as truly exceptional because it presents players with a fresh archetype. The Opaque Hourglass functions similarly to a crossbow, allowing players to reclaim their bolt after firing it. In PvP, this unique feature has been creatively utilized for strategies like using the bolts as makeshift platforms to attack and eliminate enemies from above. However, due to its specialized nature, it’s generally considered a niche or novelty weapon.

Despite the fierce competition against bows in such a hostile game environment, the union of Firefly and Dragonfly creates an intriguing and potent bow. Players should seize the chance to explore this fresh archetype immediately, even if it doesn’t ultimately carve out a strong niche in PVE gameplay.

Antedate

Arc SMG

  • God Roll: Rolling Storm & Jolting Feedback

In simpler terms, among various weapon types, Assault Rifles with Arc element, often referred to as Arc SMGs, face a bit of rivalry, especially when compared to the Ikelos SMG. The challenge lies in matching up against it. However, there’s another option, Subjunctive, although its abilities are quite distinct from the Ikelos. Now, let’s talk about a newcomer, Antedate, which is an Arc SMG and enjoys some of the most advantageous Arc perks in its collection.

Combine this with Rolling Storm and Shocking Retort, and you have a modest powerhouse suitable for any Arc builds that thrive on Bolt Charge, Amplified, and Jolt. It’s certainly competitive, although SMGs are currently slightly less dominant in the meta compared to hand cannons and dual-special configurations.

Lance Ephemeral

Strand Sniper Rifle

  • God Roll: Fourth Time’s the Charm/Envious Arsenal & Bait and Switch

In Destiny 2, there are numerous top-notch sniper rifles, such as The Supremacy, Praedyth’s Revenge, and even Succession. Among them, the latest addition Lance Ephemeral (Strand arrival in this category) is facing stiff competition, but it’s already demonstrating potential thanks to its impressive perk selection.

The initial advantage can be described as follows: It could be either “Fourth Time’s the Charm” or “Envy Arsenal”, depending on whether players are switching weapons or emptying their magazines completely. In any case, “Bait and Switch” is always a part of it, as it is one of the best damage-per-second (DPS) perks in the game. For those who haven’t managed to get a good sniper rifle from other raids, “Lance Ephemeral” should be their top choice from this raid.

Whirling Ovation

Exotic Strand Rocket Launcher

  • Coronal Culmination: Hold to charge a shot. Charged shots detonate a Solar explosion.

Is the Whirling Ovation, an exotic weapon used in raids, as effective as expected? It shows promise, but it’s also up against some tough competition. Initial tests suggest that it could find a place in PVE gameplay. To maximize its potential, players should aim to fully charge their shots to launch a Strand projectile and a delayed Solar payload.

This weapon boasts good destructive power, capable of eliminating champions and mini-bosses effectively, even in challenging situations. However, against large bosses, it might not be the most effective choice compared to others. The charging time can be inconvenient, especially considering that many critical battles have a time limit. In such high-pressure scenarios, other options offering better convenience and ammo efficiency tend to prevail.

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2025-08-06 12:18