Destiny 2 Season of Defiance's Best Craftable Weapons Still Worth Chasing in 2026
Season of Defiance weapons remain top craftable options in Destiny 2’s 2026 sandbox, with standout picks for both PvE and PvP.
It’s 2026, and Destiny 2’s sandbox has evolved through multiple expansions since Lightfall first dropped. Yet, seasoned Guardians still look back at the first season of the Lightfall era—Season of Defiance—with a mix of nostalgia and respect. Mara Sov returned to the frontlines, and with her came a suite of Awoken-themed weapons that players could craft at the Enclave after hunting down red borders. Even with newer arsenal arriving with The Final Shape and beyond, some of these craftable weapons remain rock-solid contenders in both PvE and PvP. So, whether you’re a new light catching up on past content or a veteran dusting off old patterns, here’s the lowdown on the best Season of Defiance weapons worth crafting in 2026.
To get your hands on these beauties, you’ll need to have access to Season 20 through the H.E.L.M. Head to the War Table in the Wing of the Defiant and pick up the Legacy: Ascendant Scepter quest. This heirloom unlocks Defiant Keys and Defiant Engrams, which drop from strikes, Crucible, Gambit, or any other playlist activity. You can decode engrams at the War Table for a random roll, or use the focusing tab to chase a specific weapon. The real prize, however, is collecting five red-border Deepsight versions of any weapon—once you’ve done that, you can head to the Enclave on Mars and craft your own god roll with enhanced perks. It’s a grind, sure, but for the weapons below, it’s absolutely worth the effort.
6. Caretaker (Solar Sword)
Kicking off the list is the Caretaker—a Solar sword that looks absolutely gorgeous, almost a dead ringer for the Hero of Ages. Unfortunately, its good looks don’t save it from being the runt of the litter. Swords in Destiny 2 have always been a bit of a niche pick for high-end PvE, and the Caretaker doesn’t do much to shake that reputation. Even when swords were featured as anti-Overload weapons back in Season 20, most players gave it a hard pass.
That said, it’s not a total write-off. The Caretaker can roll with Incandescent, which spreads scorch on kills and synergizes nicely with any Solar 3.0 build. If you’re just messing around in lower-tier content and want to light the world on fire, it can be a fun toy. But when it comes to heavy slot efficiency, this sword just doesn’t cut the mustard compared to other legendary heavies. It’s more of a collection piece than a workhorse.
5. Royal Executioner (Solar Fusion Rifle)
Next up is the Royal Executioner, a Solar fusion rifle that falls into the same camp as the Caretaker—an archetype that struggles to find its footing in PvE. Fusions can be clunky in add-dense encounters, and the Royal Executioner doesn’t bring enough to the table to change that. It can roll with Incandescent as well, which gives it a slight edge for Solar builds, but it still feels like bringing a knife to a gunfight when you could be using a grenade launcher or trace rifle.
In the Crucible, it’s a different story. Fusion rifle aficionados might appreciate perks like Swashbuckler, Pugilist, and Threat Detector, which make the weapon snappier in close quarters. Yet even there, it’s not going to dethrone meta picks like Main Ingredient or Glacioclasm. If you’re a collector or a fusion fanatic, grab the pattern. Otherwise, your time is better spent elsewhere.
4. Raconteur (Stasis Bow)
Bows can be a real mixed bag, but the Raconteur manages to rise above mediocrity thanks to its Stasis element and solid perk pool. In PvE, it pairs beautifully with Stasis builds, especially those that lean into Headstone for crystal generation. Archer’s Tempo and Wellspring make for a deadly combo in the first perk column, keeping your abilities flowing while you land headshots.
For the second column, Explosive Head adds some splash damage for crowd control, while Successful Warm-Up ramps up draw time after kills, making it feel snappy even against swarming adds. The Raconteur won’t break any DPS records, but as a reliable kinetic-slot Stasis bow for champion stunning (back when bows were anti-Overload) or general play, it’s a dark horse that still holds its own in 2026. Definitely worth crafting if you’re missing a Stasis primary.
3. Perpetualis (Strand Auto Rifle)
Now we’re getting into the real meat and potatoes. The Perpetualis is a Strand auto rifle that caught the eye of many Guardians when Strand first dropped. Auto rifles aren’t always the belle of the ball, but this one packs the new Hatchling perk, which spawns Threadlings on precision kills—a perfect pairing for any Threadrunner or Broodweaver build. It’s like having a mini army of screebs at your command, and who doesn’t love that?
In the first column, the options are a tad underwhelming. Zen Moment and Killing Wind are serviceable, but Envious Assassin stands out as an odd yet intriguing choice—overflowing the mag after kills with other weapons. In the second column, Golden Tricorn or Demolitionist are the go-to picks for grenade spam and damage boosts. Overall, the Perpetualis isn’t the flashiest gun, but its Strand synergy and solid auto rifle feel make it a dependable workhorse. It’s still a top pick for anyone dabbling in Strand builds in 2026.
2. Prodigal Return (Arc Grenade Launcher)
Grenade launchers have long been a favorite for add-clearing and major deletion, and the Prodigal Return struts in as a strong Arc special GL. What makes this launcher truly crack open icy hearts is the Voltshot perk—getting a kill followed by a reload makes the next shot jolt targets, chaining lightning and clearing rooms in a flash. Paired with Demolitionist or Adrenaline Junkie in the same column, it becomes a monster for any Arc grenade build.
The first column offers the new (at the time) Envious Assassin, which overflows the magazine based on kills with other weapons. It’s basically a souped-up Clown Cartridge, letting you dump a fat magazine of grenades into a boss or champion. Field Prep and Lead From Gold are also handy for ammo economy. If you’re running Arc 3.0 and need a special weapon that deletes packs of ads without breaking a sweat, the Prodigal Return is the real deal.
1. Regnant (Void Heavy Grenade Launcher)
Sitting pretty at the top of the heap is the Regnant, a Void heavy GL that had the Tower buzzing louder than a Hive ritual. When this weapon first dropped, it was so popular (and bugged) that players were pulling it from Collections for free Enhancement Cores—a glitch that got patched faster than you can say “Telesto.” Even without the cheese, the Regnant absolutely slaps.
For boss DPS, you’ll want Envious Assassin or Auto-Loading Holster in the first column to bypass the painfully slow reload. Pair that with Explosive Light or Cascade Point in the second column, and you’ve got a heavy weapon that can lay down ridiculous damage in raid encounters. But the real magic is Destabilizing Rounds—getting a kill gives nearby enemies Volatile, causing chain explosions that synergize flawlessly with Void 3.0 builds. It’s an ad-clear machine and a boss melter rolled into one. Even with power creep setting in by 2026, a crafted Regnant with enhanced perks still competes with newer heavies. If you only craft one weapon from Season of Defiance, make it this one.
Season of Defiance may be old news, but its craftable arsenal has aged like fine wine. Whether you’re chasing a Hatchling auto rifle for Strand shenanigans or a Voltshot GL to jolt enemies into next week, these weapons are still worth the grind. Just remember: you’ll need to own the season pass or the Lightfall expansion to access the activities, so plan accordingly. Happy hunting, Guardians.