Many Exotic armor effects are so potent you can craft an entire build around them. However, Exotic Perks aren’t created equally in Destiny 2, so let me show you the top 15 Armors for the Hunter, Titan, and Warlock for PvE and PvP.
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Best Exotic Armor pieces in Destiny 2 for every class
In this guide, I’ll showcasefive Exotic Armor pieces eachfor the Titan, Warlock, and Hunter. Each class has armor that shines specifically in PvE or PvP, so we havethree PvE-centric pieces and two for PvP. With this in mind, here’s what to expect:
How to acquire Exotic Armor in Destiny 2
One of the best features introduced with The Final Shape expansion is how easy it’s made the Exotic grind.There are a few ways to get your mitts on Exotic Armor, but the easiest is to reset your rank with the Cryptarch.
Once you’vehit level 16 with Master Rahool, you can use hisFocused Decoding serviceto choose any Exotic Armor you like.Each Armor piece costs one Exotic Engram and one Exotic Cypher. The latter can be grabbed from Xur during his weekly visits or from Rahool himself in his ranked rewards.
If you’d prefer to let lady luck decide what Exotics you get, you canearn three Exotic Engrams weekly by completing Vanguard Strikes. You can decode them with the Cryptarch or use them as currency for target farming.
Best Exotic Titan Armor in Destiny 2
Titans have some incredible Exotics, giving the class lethality at any range. If you’re intomelee builds, you’re spoiled for choice, as the Titan has several dangerous options for smashing enemies into a pulp.
Precious Scars (PvE)
I feel gross recommending this helmet, as it’s got to be one of the ugliest pieces of armor in the entire game. What the Precious Scars lack in aesthetics, they make up for in function, andthis helmet can grant the Titan an incredible amount of sustain.
The Helmet’s Exotic perk is a little wordy but meansyou gain Cure and Restoration buffswhenever you score a kill with a weapon that matches your Super type.I typically use this with a Solar build, as the Sunshot is such a dangerous weapon. I’ve also seen other Titans rock the Precious Scars with Stasis and Strand builds to great effect since those subclasses lack the survivability of Void and Solar.
Many Titan builds rely on you getting close to start the party. Precious Scars isone of the few viable Exotics that gives you bonuses at range. If you’re smart with your weapon choices, this ugly duckling will keep you alive when the going gets tough.
And no.The Ornament doesn’t make it look any better(Pictured above).
An Insurmountable Skull Fort (PvE)
An Insurmountable Skull Fort locks you into using Arc abilities, but it alsoworks incredibly well withthe Prismatic subclass, hence the recommendation. Thankfully, this Exotic Helmet is prettier than the Precious Scars and offers a ton of survivability.
Combined withThunderclap and the Knockout Aspect, you may use An Insurmountable Skull Fort to unleash incredibly powerful charged punches.You’re almost unbeatable while charging the Punch, and your melee energy is refunded if you score a kill.
If you don’t mind the subclass restriction, this is easilyone of the Titan’s most formidable Exotic armor pieces.
Synthoceps (PvE)
Titans are known for their trademark “punch things until they die” play style. Getting close to your enemies can be risky, but the Synthoceps make it a place where Titans can truly shine.
Synthoceps give the Titans a healthymelee damage boost when surrounded by enemies. “Surrounded” simply means in close proximity to three enemies. The damage increase is so substantial that you may rock just about any Melee build you like.
As a Titan main,my money is always on a Strand build, asGrapple Grenades + Frenzied Bladesare a potent combo. If the Melee damage isn’t enough to tempt you into a pair of Synthoceps, your Super damage is also boosted for good measure.
One-Eyed Mask (PvP)
Exotic abilities can be misleading for the Crucible as many effects you know and love for PvE function differently. That’s not the case with the One-Eyed Mask, whichgives valuable intelto turn the tide of battle.
The One-Eyed Mask highlights targets that damage you, essentially giving you wall-hacks in a 1v1. You can use this to your advantage in a gunfight and relentlessly pursue targets who try to disengage. I love this helmet, asit doesn’t tie you into any specific weaponsor subclasses. You can bring your best PvP godrolls to the Crucible, knowing your helmet will only add to the carnage.
Abeyant Leap (PvP)
I have aton of success with the Abeyant Leap in PvE, so it’s also worth using there. I’ve put the Abeyant Leap in the PvP section because it’s so obnoxious to deal with.
The Abeyant Leap Boots launchthree suspending Threadlingswhenever you deploy your Barricade. With practice, you’re able to lock down Control points and suspend any Guardians who get in the way.
Crowd Control abilities are a death sentence in PvP, and I’ve killed countless players while they are immobilized. Even if you’re able to’t score the kill, there’s a good chance a teammate will seize the opportunity.
TheTowering Barricade is a decent Class Abilityin PvP by default. The Abeyant Leap boots make it even better, making it a solid choice for an objective-focused Titan.
Best Exotic Warlock Armor in Destiny 2
As a Titan main, I’m in awe of the build diversity for Warlocks. The space wizards are eating well in The Final Shape, andyou’ve got Exotic Armor pieces to suit every situation. Whether you want to play a support role or incinerate your foes with a never-ending inferno, there’s something in the Warlock wardrobe for you.
Speaker’s Sight (PvE)
I’m thrilled to be able to recommend such a unique Exotic armor piece on this list. The Speaker’s Sight isarguably the coolest Final Shape Exotic armor pieceand fills a niche you can’t find elsewhere.
The Speaker’s Sightaugments Warlock Healing Grenades so they spawn Healing turrets. If you’ve ever been interested in assuming a support role for your Fireteam, nothing will enable the play style quite like this.
As a Warlock, you’re able to evengo full healerand rock theNo Hesitation Auto Rifleor the Lumina Handcannon. If you’re with newcomers or just need to keep the squad alive at all costs, the Speaker’s Sight is in a league of its own.
Getaway Artist (PvE)
The Getaway Artist has never been a bad Exotic choice, but it’sutterly busted with the Prismatic subclass. Warlocks can create turrets with the Bleak Watcher Stasis Aspect. You can also do the same with the Getaway Artist and Storm Grenades. The latter makes you Amplified and converts the Storm Grenade into another turret.
We don’t have pet builds in Destiny 2, but the Getaway Artistalmostlets the Warlock fill this niche. This Exotic effect is more than just a gimmick, too, as Amplified is a superb buff. you’re able to alsocombine Bleak Watcher with the Feed the Void aspectto add Devour into an already potent build.
Sunbracers (PvE)
Solar buildsaren’t as powerful as during Season of the Wish, but they are still potent. If you want to see the Subclass at full power, check out the Sunbracers. These Exotic Gauntletsincrease the Duration of Solar Grenades and let you spam them like crazy.
If you score a Solar Melee kill,you may throw unlimited Solar Grenades for a short while. Incinerator Snap is a decent melee ability, so this will often happen. The Warlock Solar Subclass has many great build options, including the Touch of Flame Aspect, making our Solar Grenades even better.
You must use a Solar weapon to make any Sunbracers build pop off. My recommendation is the Sunshot or Polaris Lance. The incredible No Hesitation Auto Rifle is another superb choice, as you can heal your Fireteam with it.
Ophidian Aspect (PvP)
Nothing is more frustrating in PvP than dying becauseyour Guardian wouldn’t raise their weapon fast enough. If you’re no stranger to this scenario, the Ophidian Aspect gauntlets are for you.
you’re able to raise your weapon blindingly fast with this Exotic armor, which makes sprinting around much safer. The perk may not sound like much, but if you can ADS and start landing critical shots faster than your opponent,you will almost always win the fight.
If you don’t like jumping around in PvP, the Ophidian Aspects offer a way around that while staying competitive.
Transversive Steps (PvP)
Warlocks aren’t known for their speed, but the Transversive Steps give them enough to keep up in PvP. These Exotic bootsincrease your Sprint speedand automatically reload your weapon after a short run.
The additional speed has offensive and defensive applications. You can also cycle through your weapons, so you rarely have to manually reload. The Transversive Steps are another superb PvP Exotic you can run with any gun or Subclass.Many hard-hitting weapons are balanced by a harsh recoil time, and the Transversive Steps mean you never have to deal with it.
Best Exotic Hunter Armor in Destiny 2
It’s no secret that Hunters arein a class of their own in PvP, but they are equally as strong in PvE. Hunters have a stylish wardrobe with enough fancy options to make Titans and Warlocks jealous. Here’s some of the best Exotic Armor available for our cape-wearing Guardians.
Liar’s Handshake (PvE)
The Liar’s Handshake Gauntlets make Hunters sodangerous up closethat they almost make Titan melee obsolete. If you don’t mind running the Arc Melee ability, the Liar’s Handshake is a phenomenal Exotic for the Hunter.
You can output an absurd amount of damage withLiar’s Handshake and Combination Blow. Your DPS numbers are ridiculous, but you also gain healing and Class Ability regeneration when you score a melee kill.
If you take Liar’s Handshake for a spin,I recommend using Gambler’s Dodge, as it recharges your Combination Blow instantly. Punch everything you see into submission and attempt to spot your Titan teammates crying in the corner.
Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk (PvE)
I find this Exotic fascinating because it looks like multiple people brainstormed perks for it, and instead of keeping just one,they added them all. I’ve paraphrased this armor’s effects above, but in short,the Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk does it all.
Invisibility builds are always popular for Hunters, and this armor adds Volatile Rounds to those. If you’re wondering what to trigger those with,the Graviton Lance remains one of the best guns in the gameto do so. Invisible Finishers grant bonus weapon damage and even give you and your friends Void Overshields.
The Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk boasts unrivaled utility because it does so many different things. If you don’t mind using a Void weapon, this is an Exotic armor piece you simply have to try.
Celestial Nighthawk (PvE)
TheCelestial Nighthawkis one of the most recognizable and iconic armor pieces in Destiny 2. It’s fitting that it absolutely slaps and isthe centerpiece of some of the highest DPS buildsin the game.
This Exotic Helmet augments the Hunter’s Golden Gun to fire one supercharged shot instead of three weaker ones. The result isa Superattack that can punch holes in anythingregardless of level deficit or content.
I love this Exotic as it’s simple to use and build around. It’s a solid choice for any PvE activity, although it’s useless in PvP. I recommend pairing it withStill Huntfor mega damage.
Regular Golden Gun shots are strong enough to kill Guardiansin the Crucible. With this in mind, save your PvP Exotic choices for the next piece of armor in this guide.
The Knucklehead Radar is a Hunter PvP Exotic that’s survived the test of time. The intel the Helmet provides is powerful, and it’s remained a top-tier Crucible Exotic for many years.
As I mentioned with the Titan’s One-Eyed Mask,Exotic abilities are often muted in PvP. That’s not the case with the Knucklehead Radar, as it marks targets so you can track them more easily.You also gain 100% radar uptime, so you’ll always know if someone is behind you. Finally, you have a slight increase in airborne effectiveness, which is great when you’re bouncing around the map.
The Knucklehead Radar is a top-tier PvP Exotic and a solid choice regardless of your weapon and subclass.
St0mp-EE5 (PvP)
Any competitive shooter player will tell you that mobility wins games. If you can make your opponent miss, you’ll win gunfights. Knowing this, it’s easy to see why the St0mp-EE5 are so deadly in PvP.These Exotic boots grant mobility upgrades across the board, and you will take less damage while airborne.
You can run faster, slide further, and jump higher than any other Guardian in The Crucible (unless they are also St0mp-EE5 enjoyers). If you’re not usually a PvP player,a little extra agility may not sound like much. All I can say is, don’t take my word for it. Give the St0mp-EE5 a try, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
There areplenty of other viable Exotic Armor pieces, and many fit nicely intodeadly Prismatic builds. Many of the armor pieces above are parts of the strongest meta-builds, but don’t let that dissuade you from rocking quirky loadouts. If you’re running something likeDungeons for the first time, you’re able to use anything if you have a keen eye and a solid trigger finger.
Anthony Yates
Anthony is a freelance writer for PC Invasion and has worked in the industry for four years. He’s furiously competitive and is always looking for the next big multiplayer hit. Anthony thrives in high-stakes games like Escape From Tarkov and Sea of Thieves. He is also passionate about speedrunning and always looks forward to the next GDQ and ESA events. When he’s not grinding leaderboards, Anthony enjoys visiting Arcades, retro gaming, and horror movies.
