My Top 10 Destiny 2 Sidearms: A Guardian's Journey in 2026

From Rat King to Final Warning, my top 10 Destiny 2 sidearms for 2026 deliver unmatched close-range power.

I've always been a fan of sidearms in Destiny 2. While my clanmates obsess over sniper rifles and rocket launchers, I find a unique thrill in the fast-paced, up-close gunplay that only a trusty pistol can provide. Over the years—through endless Nightfalls, countless Crucible matches, and the evolving sandbox of 2026—I've curated a collection of the best sidearms that have ever graced my Guardian's hands. From the sneaky Rat King to the powerhouse Peacebond, these ten hand cannons' smaller cousins have saved my Ghost more times than I can count. Let me walk you through my personal arsenal and the stories behind how each earned its spot.

10. Rat King 🐀

I remember the first time my fireteam and I decided to all equip Rat King for a laugh during a Vanguard playlist. This exotic pistol seems underwhelming alone, but when multiple teammates use it, each additional Rat King grants a stacking rate-of-fire buff. The real magic, though, is its ability to grant invisibility upon reloading right after a kill. As a Hunter main, that stealth triggered countless smooth revives and flanking maneuvers. Even in 2026, I find Rat King a hilarious yet effective choice for casual PvE content and the occasional Crucible surprise. It might not top the charts, but the sheer teamwork-fueled chaos keeps it in my loadout rotation.

9. Final Warning 🌿

Final Warning entered my collection after completing the Final Strand quest—a journey that required buying all Strand grenades and aspects first. This kinetic exotic operates unlike any other sidearm: hold the trigger to paint multiple targets with Strand-infused energy, then release to fire a volley of high-stability bullets. In 2026, when Strand builds still dominate, Final Warning offers a unique tool for locking down groups of adds. I love pairing it with a grapple-heavy Hunter build; marking enemies mid-air then unleashing a devastating burst feels like wielding the fabric of the universe itself. It’s a niche pick, but once mastered, it becomes a poetic dance of death.

8. Liminal Vigil ❄️

Liminal Vigil is a Stasis sidearm that rarely sees Crucible action, and for good reason—it lacks a Headstone perk to truly synergize with Stasis fragmentation. But in PvE, where I run Desperado and Rangefinder, it transforms into a harrowing machine for crowd control. I recall a particularly rough run of the Grasp of Avarice dungeon; Liminal Vigil’s freezing bursts combined with a Well of Radiance created a fortress in the final encounter. Some Guardians experiment with Threat Detector and Perpetual Motion for a snappier feel. While not meta-defining, this sidearm remains a dependable tool for those who want to lean into the chilling power of Europa.

7. Mykel's Reverence 🌸

Earning Mykel's Reverence from the Root of Nightmares raid felt like a badge of honor. Its Rapid-Fire Frame gives deeper ammo reserves and a noticeably swift reload, which I fell in love with during a solo Legendary campaign run. Slap on Paracausal Affinity and you get a massive damage bump after scoring a kill with any other Light or Dark element—perfect for weaving abilities between shots. I also tinkered with Unrelenting for clutch heals and Swashbuckler for a melee-centric Titan build. Even in 2026, when raid weapons often outshine world drops, this stylish sidearm remains a staple whenever I need raw damage output without sacrificing mobility.

6. Devil's Ruin 🔥

I bought Devil's Ruin from the Exotic Kiosk in the Tower after hearing about its Unstoppable Champion-slaying potential. This dual-pistol monstrosity doesn't just fire when you pull the trigger; you hold the button to charge a devastating laser blast, then release to unleash hell. My first experience in a Master Lost Sector was an eye-opener—timing the charge perfectly staggered an Unstoppable Ogre mid-lunge, saving my flawless run. While the trigger discipline takes practice, the sheer satisfaction of melting a major with a concentrated beam never gets old. In 2026, with more champions roaming the system, Devil's Ruin remains a trusty sidekick for any Guardian who respects timing and firepower.

5. Drang 🪲

Ah, Drang—the legendary sidearm that once dictated the meta alongside Sturm. Sadly, it’s no longer obtainable, but my vault still houses this golden, bug-like relic. Drang's adaptive grip and rangefinder roll made it a dueling monster, and its built-in synergy with Sturm reloaded the exotic hand cannon while overflowing bonus damage. I used to run double sidearm builds just for nostalgia. Even though it can’t be chased in 2026, I occasionally bust out Drang in Momentum Control for a hit of pure, nostalgic gunplay. If you lucked into one during Season of the Haunted, cherish it—every precision kill sings a hymn of a bygone era.

4. Trespasser ⚡

Trespasser entered my loadout during a period when I was grinding for Unbroken title. This burst-fire arc sidearm rewards aggressive play: score a kill, reload, and your next burst becomes a supercharged salvo capable of downing a Guardian in an instant. Its exotic perk \u201cUnrepentant\u201d also reloads the weapon and extends the effect duration, allowing for terrifying kill chains. I once held a zone alone in Iron Banner, chaining bursts and dodges like a lightning-wielding acrobat. In PvE, it still shreds shields and minors. As of 2026, Trespasser remains a top contender for Guardians who crave that dopamine hit of a perfectly timed burst.

3. Traveler's Chosen ✨

If there's one sidearm that feels like a true extension of the Light, it's Traveler's Chosen. I unlocked it from the Tower kiosk and immediately appreciated its Gathering Light perk—stacks from final blows fuel melee, grenade, and class ability energy. With Gift of the Traveler boosting reload, handling, and aim assist based on stacks, this kinetic workhorse turns any subclass into a ability-spamming powerhouse. In 2026, with ability uptime being a key stat in high-end content, I still slot Traveler's Chosen for activities where I need constant Duskfield grenades or Healing Rifts. It’s the thinking Guardian’s sidearm, rewarding precision and ability cycling in equal measure.

2. Forerunner 🏛️

Obtained from the Magnum Opus quest on Eternity, Forerunner feels more like a miniature sniper than a sidearm. Its exotic perk "Full Stop" reduces recoil and dramatically improves accuracy, making it lethal at ranges reserved for scout rifles. I discovered its true potential in Gambit, where it ripped through invaders from across the map. While it can't dominate the current 2026 meta the way it once did, Forerunner still offers a unique blend of heavy-hitting kinetic damage and satisfying handling. I love pairing it with a crafted special grenade launcher for a dual blunt-force setup. For Guardians who enjoy making things explode from a safe distance, Forerunner never disappoints.

1. Peacebond 💎

My absolute favorite sidearm, Peacebond, sits at the top. This Stasis burst pistol took weeks to master because of its vertical recoil, but once I meshed Headstone with a Behemoth Titan build, the synergy blew my mind. Every precision kill spawns a Stasis crystal, creating instant cover, freezing nearby enemies, or setting up shatter combos. In 2026, with more Stasis-focused artifact mods and fragments, Peacebond still dominates both PvE and PvP. I also rolled one with Rangefinder and Iron Reach, turning it into a mini-SMG at medium distances. Add Demolitionist and Warlock Verity’s Brow, and you have a grenade factory. No matter the season, Peacebond remains my sidearm of choice—a true guardian angel at my hip.