Are you looking for the best exotics catalyst for your weapon? Then you are in luck, as here we will go through everything that you need to know about the catalysts available in Destiny 2.
Destiny 2 is a popular looter-shooter video game created by Bungie, well known for its creation of the Halo franchise of video games. In this MMO RPG, you can select from three distinct classes and earn various gears and exotics to customize your Guardian’s appearance.
With each new update, Bungie adds new weapons to the game, and they also release some exotics catalysts for these weapons. Players can use these catalysts to further enhance their weapon stats and other factors.
Exotic Catalysts are highly sought-after classes in Destiny 2. They can drastically change a mediocre weapon into some of the best ones in the game. In addition, you can further enhance your weapon stats with exotic catalysts, which is impossible with legendary weapons.
All The Exotic Catalysts & How to Earn Them
As of Season of the Haunted, there are currently 67 catalysts available in the game. While some catalysts are not that appealing, others can be game-changing, capable of taking an Exotic to an entirely new level. Unfortunately, they are sometimes really hard to farm.
In this guide, we will talk about all the catalysts available in the game and their effects. We’ll also share how to obtain them along with the requirements. The ranking below focuses on the benefits of each Catalyst and their influence on the weapons.
Ace Of Spades
Catalyst Name
Ace Of Spades
Weapon Type
Hand Cannon
Catalyst Effects
Adds Funeral Pyre perk: Firefly does more damage while Memento Mori is active.
How To Obtain
Kills or completions in Nightfalls & Strikes
Source | DLC
Forsaken Pack
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
S
Ace Of Spades
Ager’s Scepter
Catalyst Name
Ager’s Scepter
Weapon Type
Trace Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds Will Given Form perk: Hold reload to drain Super energy, overflowing and empowering the beam with bonus damage and the ability to slow and freeze targets. It can only be activated when Super energy is full.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Beyond Light
How To Unlock
Get 1000 combatant kills
Tier List
S
Ager’s Scepter
Arbalest
Catalyst Name
Arbalest
Weapon Type
Linear Fusion Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds Genesis perk: Breaking a combatant’s shield with this weapon fills its magazine from reserves. Energy weapons regenerate ammo on hit when matching the damage type to the combatant’s shield.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
S
Arbalest
Bad Juju
Catalyst Name
Bad Juju
Weapon Type
Pulse Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds Unending Curse perk: Extends the duration of the perk String of Curses
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Forsaken Pack
How To Unlock
Get 700 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Bad Juju
Black Talon
Catalyst Name
Black Talon
Weapon Type
Sword
Catalyst Effects
Adds Reversal perk: Shots blocked immediately after guarding increase the damage of Crow’s Wings for a concise duration
How To Obtain
PvE Kills
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
B
Black Talon
Borealis
Catalyst Name
Borealis
Weapon Type
Sniper Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Increases reload speed by +18.
How To Obtain
PvE Kills
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 150 Solar Mode kills, 150 Void Mode kills, and 150 Arc Mode kills
Tier List
D
Borealis
Cerberus+1
Catalyst Name
Cerberus+1
Weapon Type
Auto Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds Focused Fire perk: You can Hold reload to swap to a tighter, close-ranged spread.
How To Obtain
PvE Kills
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
B
Cerberus+1
Coldheart
Catalyst Name
Coldheart
Weapon Type
Trace Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Increases stability by +18 and reload speed by +18.
How To Obtain
Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 300 combatant kills
Tier List
B
Coldheart
The Colony
Catalyst Name
The Colony
Weapon Type
Grenade Launcher
Catalyst Effects
Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +1 and expands ammo reserves.
How To Obtain
Kills or wins in the Crucible
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
C
The Colony
Crimson
Catalyst Name
Crimson
Weapon Type
Hand Cannon
Catalyst Effects
Increases range by +18.
How To Obtain
PvE Kills
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Crimson
Cryosthesia 77K
Catalyst Name
Cryosthesia 77K
Weapon Type
Sidearm
Catalyst Effects
Adds Cold Efficiency perk: Shattering a frozen target refills this weapon’s magazine from reserves.
How To Obtain
Banshee-44’s quest
Source | DLC
Beyond Light
How To Unlock
Get 700 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Cryosthesia 77K
D.A.R.C.I.
Catalyst Name
D.A.R.C.I.
Weapon Type
Sniper Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Increases stability by +18.
How To Obtain
PvE Kills
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 300 combatant kills
Tier List
B
D.A.R.C.I.
Dead Man’s Tale
Catalyst Name
Dead Man’s Tale
Weapon Type
Scout Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds Dark-Forged Trigger perk: Increased hip-fire rate of fire and removes hip-fire accuracy penalties.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Beyond Light
How To Unlock
Get 800 combatant kills or eight secret chests
Tier List
S
Dead Man’s Tale
Dead Messenger
Catalyst Name
Dead Messenger
Weapon Type
Grenade Launcher
Catalyst Effects
Missile explosions will blind combatants. Those defeated by missile impacts will explode.
How To Obtain
Vox Obscura quest on Hard mode
Source | DLC
Deluxe Edition
How To Unlock
Defeat 200 combatants with each element (Arc, Solar, and Void)
Tier List
A
Dead Messenger
Deathbringer
Catalyst Name
Deathbringer
Weapon Type
Rocket Launcher
Catalyst Effects
Adds Dead Weight perk: Increases how quickly Dark Descent reaches its full potential.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Shadowkeep
How To Unlock
Get 400 combatant kills
Tier List
B
Deathbringer
Duality
Catalyst Name
Duality
Weapon Type
Shotgun
Catalyst Effects
Increases weapon range by +20 and expands the magazine size by +2.
How To Obtain
Banshee-44’s quest
Source | DLC
Beyond Light
How To Unlock
Get 400 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Duality
Eriana’s Vow
Catalyst Name
Eriana’s Vow
Weapon Type
Hand Cannon
Catalyst Effects
Adds More to Give perk: Increases magazine size by +3 and adds the perk, Auto-Loading Holster.
How To Obtain
Banshee-44’s quest
Source | DLC
Shadowkeep
How To Unlock
Get 700 combatant kills
Tier List
S
Eriana’s Vow
Fighting Lion
Catalyst Name
Fighting Lion
Weapon Type
Grenade Launcher
Catalyst Effects
Adds Chimera perk: When Fighting Lion is fired, equipped Kinetic and Power weapon gain increased handling and accuracy for a brief period of time. Increases reload speed by +27.
How To Obtain
PvE Kills
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 1000 kills and Complete 167 bounties
Tier List
B
Fighting Lion
Forerunner
Catalyst Name
Forerunner
Weapon Type
Sidearm
Catalyst Effects
Adds The Rock perk: For several seconds after a final blow, you can consume part of your ammo reserves, converting your next grenade into a fragmentation grenade.
How To Obtain
Reach Rank 16 with Xur
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 700 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Forerunner
The Fourth Horseman
Catalyst Name
The Fourth Horseman
Weapon Type
Shotgun
Catalyst Effects
Adds And its name was Death perk: It adds an additional round to the magazine and increases reload speed by +40.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Shadowkeep
How To Unlock
Get 400 combatant kills
Tier List
A
The Fourth Horseman
Gjallarhorn
Catalyst Name
Gjallarhorn
Weapon Type
Rocket Launcher
Catalyst Effects
Adds More Wolves perk: Increases magazine size. Final blows with Wolfpack Rounds spawn a faster, more powerful missile at the target’s location.
How To Obtain
Grasp of Avarice Dungeon (x3 chests)
Source | DLC
30th Anniversary
How To Unlock
Get 400 combatant kills
Tier List
S
Gjallarhorn
Grand Overture
Catalyst Name
Grand Overture
Weapon Type
Machine Gun
Catalyst Effects
Adds Turnabout perk: Using this weapon to break the shield of a combatant or a Guardian using their Super will grant you an overshield.
How To Obtain
Banshee-44’s quest
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 200 Solar kills, 200 Void kills, 200 Arc kills
Tier List
B
Grand Overture
Graviton Lance
Catalyst Name
Graviton Lance
Weapon Type
Pulse Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds Hidden Hand perk: Increases the aim assist and targeting acquisition stats and also Increases the range by +18.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills and Get 1000 Cosmology kills
Tier List
B
Graviton Lance
Hard Light
Catalyst Name
Hard Light
Weapon Type
Auto Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Increases stability by +18.
How To Obtain
Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 1000 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Hard Light
Hawkmoon
Catalyst Name
Hawkmoon
Weapon Type
Hand Cannon
Catalyst Effects
Adds the Hunter’s Trance perk: Increases magazine size to 9. Also increases handling, reload speed, and range based on the number of Paracausal Charge stacks.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Beyond Light
How To Unlock
Get 700 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Hawkmoon
Heartshadow
Catalyst Name
Heartshadow
Weapon Type
Sword
Catalyst Effects
Adds Wraithwalk perk: Faster movement while invisible. Increases Ammo Capacity by +50.
How To Obtain
Duality Dungeon (x3 banners)
Source | DLC
Deluxe Edition
How To Unlock
Get 400 combatant kills
Tier List
Ongoing
Heartshadow
Heir Apparent
Catalyst Name
Heir Apparent
Weapon Type
Machine Gun
Catalyst Effects
Adds Legion’s Bullwark perk: Increases the Arc Shield’s durability and partially reloads the magazine if it is destroyed.
How To Obtain
Guardian Games event
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 700 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Heir Apparent
The Huckleberry
Catalyst Name
Huckleberry
Weapon Type
Submachine Gun
Catalyst Effects
Adds Bull Rider perk: Kills with this weapon now reload the entire magazine.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
S
Huckleberry
Izanagi’s Burden
Catalyst Name
Izanagi’s Burden
Weapon Type
Sniper Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds Peerless Edge perk: Increases the damage bonus of Honed Edge when all four bullets are consumed.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Forsaken Pack
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
S
Izanagi’s Burden
The Jade Rabbit
Catalyst Name
Jade Rabbit
Weapon Type
Scout Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Increases stability by +27.
How To Obtain
Kills or wins in the Crucible
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 250 PVP kills
Tier List
A
Jade Rabbit
Jotunn
Catalyst Name
Jotunn
Weapon Type
Fusion Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds Cornered & Incandescent perks: Faster charge time or drawing time when surrounded by combatants. Defeating a target spreads scorch to those nearby. More powerful combatants and opposing Guardians cause scorch in a larger radius.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Forsaken Pack
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
S
Jotunn
Legend Of Acrius
Catalyst Name
Legend Of Acrius
Weapon Type
Shotgun
Catalyst Effects
Adds Deeper Pockets perk: Increases the magazine size by +2 and expands the ammo reserves. Increases reload speed by +36.
How To Obtain
Nightfall Ordeals completions
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Legend Of Acrius
Le Monarque
Catalyst Name
Le Monarque
Weapon Type
Combat Bow
Catalyst Effects
Adds Unrelenting perk: Rapidly defeating targets triggers health regeneration. Guardians and powerful combatants count as more than one Kill.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Forsaken Pack
How To Unlock
Get 700 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Le Monarque
Leviathan’s Breath
Catalyst Name
Leviathan’s Breath
Weapon Type
Combat Bow
Catalyst Effects
Adds Colossal Quiver perk: Expands the ammo reserves by +5.
How To Obtain
PvE Kills
Source | DLC
Shadowkeep
How To Unlock
Obtain 1500 points, and each Kill gives 1 point
Tier List
B
Leviathan’s Breath
Lord of Wolves
Catalyst Name
Lord of Wolves
Weapon Type
Shotgun
Catalyst Effects
Adds Fang and Claw perk: Increases reload speed while Release the Wolves is active and increases stability when it’s not.
How To Obtain
Any activity
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
C
Lord Of Wolves
Lorentz Driver
Catalyst Name
Lorentz Driver
Weapon Type
Linear Fusion Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds Jump Driver perk: Lorentz Driver gains an enhanced radar. Additionally, while this weapon has three telemetry patterns, E.M. Anomaly detonations no longer require a precision-final blow.
How To Obtain
Banshee-44’s quest
Source | DLC
Beyond Light
How To Unlock
Get 400 combatant kills
Tier List
A
Lorentz Driver
Lumina
Catalyst Name
Lumina
Weapon Type
Hand Cannon
Catalyst Effects
Adds Resonant Vitrue perk: Gain two Remnants per final blow instead of one.
How To Obtain
Any activity
Source | DLC
Forsaken Pack
How To Unlock
Get 250 Noble Round heals
Tier List
A
Lumina
Merciless
Catalyst Name
Merciless
Weapon Type
Fusion Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Increases stability by +36 and range by +36.
How To Obtain
Kills or completions in Strikes & Nightfalls
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 500 combatant kills
Tier List
B
Merciless
M.I.D.A. Multi-Tool
Catalyst Name
M.I.D.A. Multi-Tool
Weapon Type
Scout Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds No Distractions perk: Aiming this weapon for a short period reduces flinch.
How To Obtain
Legend Glory rank
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 250 precision kills in PVP
Tier List
A
MIDA Multi-Tool
No Time To Explain
Catalyst Name
No Time To Explain
Weapon Type
Pulse Rifle
Catalyst Effects
Adds Blast from the Side perk: Projectiles from the time portal shoot more frequently.
Adds Whispered Breathing perk: Aiming down the scope for 3 seconds increases range and precision damage while the weapon scope remains zoomed.
How To Obtain
Playlist Activity like Strikes, Crucible, Gambit completions
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Obtain 100 Blighted Essence from Heroic The Whisper
Tier List
A
Whisper Of The Worm
Witherhoard
Catalyst Name
Witherhoard
Weapon Type
Grenade Launcher
Catalyst Effects
Adds Silent Alarm perk: Maximizes handling; holstering this weapon automatically reloads it after a short period of time.
How To Obtain
Banshee-44’s quest
Source | DLC
Shadowkeep
How To Unlock
Get 400 combatant kills
Tier List
S
Witherhoard
Worldline Zero
Catalyst Name
Worldline Zero
Weapon Type
Sword
Catalyst Effects
Adds Another Dimension perk: Reduces the activation time for the perk Tesseract.
How To Obtain
PvE Kills
Source | DLC
Free-to-Play
How To Unlock
Get 300 combatant kills
Tier List
D
Worldline Zero
These are all the exotic catalysts currently available right now in Destiny 2.
Hopefully, this guide was helpful, and you have learned something new. You can also check out our other guides that will also help you to take your Destiny journey to the next level. Good luck out there, Guardians.