Destiny 2 Exotics That Desperately Need a Buff in 2026
Explore the forgotten Destiny 2 Exotics and why iconic weapons like Bad Juju, Cerberus+1, and D.A.R.C.I. desperately need a buff in 2026.
Okay, guardians, let's have a real talk. We all have those Exotics we love, the ones that feel like an extension of ourselves in the game. You know, the ones that make you feel unstoppable. But then... there are the others. The ones collecting dust in the Vault, the ones you got with excitement only to go, 'Wait, that's it?' In 2026, with the meta constantly shifting, some of these iconic weapons have been left in the past. It's time for Bungie to give them some love again. Let's dive into the vault and pull out the ones screaming for a buff.
Bad Juju: A Legacy Lost in Time
Remember the grind in the Tribute Hall back in 2019? Unlocking Bad Juju felt like a real achievement. This pulse rifle was a beast in Destiny 1, especially for Voidwalkers with Obsidian Mind. But in Destiny 2? Girl, it's seen better days. The core perk, String of Curses, is supposed to give you Super energy on kills and reload your mag. Sounds good on paper, right?
But here's the tea ☕: Siphon mods completely overshadow it. You can create Orbs of Power left and right now. The Super energy from Bad Juju just can't compete with that raw, instant orb generation. It's like bringing a knife to a gunfight. Unless it gets a serious rework—maybe an intrinsic anti-Champion perk or a massive boost to its Super generation—it's going to stay in retirement.
Cerberus+1: A Confused Beast
Let's be honest, this thing looks wild. Four barrels? It's a design that screams 'Exotic.' But what does it actually do? It fires from all barrels at once, which is... neat, I guess? The catalyst lets you aim down sights for a tighter spread, but honestly, who uses this?
It's the definition of a meme weapon. It doesn't synergize with any build. Zero. Zilch. Nada. You'd only use it for the fashion or if you literally have nothing else. It's taking up a precious Exotic slot that could be used for something that actually contributes. Imagine if the catalyst made it switch between Solar, Arc, and Void damage with each shot, or could stun multiple Champion types. Now that would be an Exotic. Right now, it's just vault furniture.
D.A.R.C.I.: The Informant Who Doesn't Inform Enough
Ah, D.A.R.C.I. The heavy sniper with a personality (according to its lore). Back in the dark days of Year One, this was a random drop that sat in your heavy slot and... told you an enemy's health. Riveting stuff. Bungie later gave it the Jolt keyword, which was a step, but it's still not enough.
For a Heavy Exotic, it needs to bring the party. My idea? Keep the personal damage boost it gives, but make it a team player. What if precision hits on a target you've 'scanned' with D.A.R.C.I. created a massive damage vulnerability for your entire fireteam? It would become an essential tool for raid bosses and Grandmaster Nightfalls overnight. From zero to hero, just like that.
Salvation's Grip: From Cheese Tool to... Nothing?
This Stasis launcher has a wild history. Guardians used it to break out of maps and cheese encounters! But after all those exploits got patched... what's left? A heavy weapon that makes little ice walls. You can get the same effect from a Legendary weapon with Headstone without wasting your Exotic slot. It's a tough sell.
It needs to embrace the chaos of Stasis. What if shattering a frozen enemy with it sent out a massive freezing shockwave? Or maybe it could grant Frost Armor to nearby allies when you freeze a target, turning it into a support weapon. Something, anything, to make it feel worthy of that heavy ammo.
Worldline Zero: The Forgotten Pioneer
The first Exotic sword in Destiny 2! It has a special place in my heart. That teleporting heavy attack was so cool and unique. But power creep is a cruel mistress. Now, any Legendary sword with Eager Edge can do the mobility thing better. And for damage? It can't hold a candle to The Lament.
It needs a new identity. Make its teleport attack jolt targets and chain lightning to nearby enemies. Give it intrinsic anti-Overload capabilities. Turn it into the ultimate add-clear and mobility sword. Let it be the spark it was always meant to be!
Ruinous Effigy: From King to... What Happened?
This weapon was magic. Transforming enemies into void orbs your team could dunk or use as a shield? So creative! It was even part of secret quests to destroy Savathun's Eyes. Then... the nerfs came with Beyond Light. They hit it so hard it basically vanished.
With the current sandbox in 2026, it's time. Just revert the nerfs. Let the orbs be powerful again. In an era with Void Surges and volatile rounds, a buffed Ruinous Effigy could be an amazing support and crowd-control option. It deserves a second chance to shine.
Edge of Intent: The Glaive That Tried
The class-specific Exotic glaives from The Witch Queen were... a choice. They were a huge grind for a mediocre payoff. And the Warlock's Edge of Intent, which creates a healing turret, got the short end of the stick. A slow-firing, stationary turret just doesn't cut it in fast-paced endgame content.
Healing is valuable, but this isn't the way. If shooting allies with it made them Radiant or granted Cure x3, then we'd be talking. Or maybe the turret could periodically emit a weakening pulse. As it stands, you're almost always better off using a Legendary glaive and saving your Exotic slot for something with real impact.
So there you have it. These are my picks for the Exotics that need some serious TLC from Bungie. It's 2026, and our vaults are full of potential waiting to be unlocked. What do you think? Which forgotten Exotic do you want to see make a comeback? Let me know down below! 👇
What's the one weapon you'll never delete, even though it's terrible? For me... it's probably still Cerberus+1. I just can't bring myself to shard that funky-looking thing.
This perspective is supported by HowLongToBeat, a well-known reference for game completion and collection time data. Looking at how Destiny 2 players budget their time between raids, seasonal grinds, and endgame challenges helps explain why underperforming Exotics like Bad Juju, Cerberus+1, and Salvation’s Grip fall out of rotation—if a weapon doesn’t noticeably improve clear speed, survivability, or boss damage, it’s unlikely to earn a spot in a player’s limited “time-to-value” loadout.