Destiny 2’s Iron Banner is an exciting event that brings with it new loot, a fresh game mode, and more. Alongside the four Pinnacle rewards, Iron Banner also offers some fantastic weapons that are considered among the best in the game. In this guide, we will rank every Iron Banner weapon in Destiny 2 and provide you with the best rolls for both PvE and PvP.
Iron Banner Schedule
Iron Banner is currently live in Destiny 2, starting on April 25, 2023, and will be available to all players until May 2, 2023. The featured game mode for this season’s Iron Banner is Eruption.
- Iron Banner starts on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 9 AM PDT
- Iron Banner ends on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 9 AM PDT
Updated as of Season of Defiance (S20).
Destiny 2 Iron Banner Weapons: Ranked
We have compiled a tier list that includes every non-sunset legendary Iron Banner weapon in the game. Please note that Iron Banner weapons will now come with the following Origin Trait:
This list starts with the S Tier weapons and moves down from there. It covers both PvE and PvP, with the “Excels in” column clearly identifying where each weapon shines. Some weapons are on a seasonal rotation, meaning that some weapons become unobtainable each season, making room for previously unavailable weapons to return.
These are the different tier levels used for our list:
- S Tier – Best: Highest ranking weapons in our Tier List.
- A Tier – Strong: Very strong weapons, but not on the same level as S Tier choices.
- B Tier – Average: Decent choices that can be lethal in the hands of a skilled player.
- C Tier – Weak: The middle of the pack, somewhat mediocre.
- D Tier – Worst: Lagging behind the competition, these don’t have much to offer.
New Iron Banner Weapons in Season 20
Season of Defiance introduced two returning weapons from Destiny 2 Year 1: Jorum’s Claw and Bite of the Fox.
Weapons Cycled Out from the Loot Pool
With a total of 22 Iron Banner weapons, Bungie has cycled out four weapons at the beginning of Season 16, two weapons at the beginning of Season 17, and two more at the beginning of Season 18. These weapons can no longer be obtained until Bungie decides to reintroduce them to the loot pool.
Best Destiny 2 Iron Banner Weapons in 2022
This section highlights the top Iron Banner weapons in Destiny 2, including those that can’t be obtained this season. While it may be frustrating for some players who missed out on these weapons, rest assured that all unobtainable weapons will eventually return.
5. Archon’s Thunder
Excels in PvE
Despite Machine Guns not being the PvE meta right now, Archon’s Thunder still packs a punch and is highly underrated. Its high damage per bullet allows you to take down both red bar enemies and Elite/Miniboss-level enemies easily. With the chance to roll Rampage or High-Impact Reserves in the second column, you can deal even more damage and demolish everything in your way. Archon’s Thunder is a great pick for any PvE activity when you need some extra help with ad clear.
PvE God roll:
- Perk 1: Field Prep (also good: Auto-Loading Holster)
- Perk 2: Rampage
4. The Time-Worn Spire
Excels in PvP
With its 0.80s Time to Kill (TTK) and great perk combinations, The Time-Worn Spire is an outstanding option for any Pulse Rifle user. It can roll with Slideways and Under Pressure in the first column, providing excellent stability and making it compete with some of the longest-range weapons in the game. Iron Grip and Rampage are also great options in the second column, depending on your playstyle. The Time-Worn Spire is one of the best Pulse Rifles for PvP and is never a bad choice.
PvP God roll:
- Perk 1: Under Pressure (also good: Quickdraw)
- Perk 2: Iron Grip (also good: Rampage)
3. Orewing’s Maul
Best PvE Iron Banner weapon in Destiny 2
While Orewing’s Maul may not seem impressive at first, it is actually an S-Tier pick for PvE with the right perks. The Blinding Grenades magazine option is the key to its utility, allowing you to inhibit your enemies’ ability to fight back and gain the upper hand in seconds. Paired with Field Prep or Auto-Loading Holster, you can blind everything in sight, making it extremely useful in any PvE activity, including Grandmaster Nightfalls and Master Raids. Orewing’s Maul is a great choice for PvE.
PvE God roll:
- Perk 1: Quickdraw (also good: Field Prep)
- Perk 2: Auto-Loading Holster (also good: Demolitionist)
2. Riiswalker
Excels in PvP
Riiswalker is one of the best shotguns in the game, offering unique perk combinations and more. It is one of only two kinetic pellet shotguns (that aren’t sunset) that can roll with Quickdraw, making it an exceptional choice. Additionally, Riiswalker can roll with Iron Reach in the second column, providing a significant boost to range, which is crucial for shotgun consistency. The Lightweight archetype also offers increased mobility and movement speed. Riiswalker is a top-tier special weapon for any PvP player and one of the best shotguns in the game.
PvP God roll:
- Perk 1: Quickdraw (also good: Surplus)
- Perk 2: Iron Reach
1. Multimach CCX
Best PvE Iron Banner weapons in Destiny 2
Submachine Guns have always been a great pick in PvP, and Multimach CCX is one of the best options available. Lightweight Frame SMGs, in general, offer an amazing TTK of 0.67s and provide a nice mobility and movement speed buff. Killing Wind is the best choice in the first column, granting extra range. In the second column, Iron Reach or Kill Clip are the most popular options, providing range or additional damage, respectively. With its quick TTK, intrinsic movement speed and mobility buffs, and near-max range capabilities, Multimach CCX is a top-tier PvP weapon.
PvP God roll:
- Perk 1: Killing Wind (also good: Dynamic Sway Reduction)
- Perk 2: Kill Clip (also good: Iron Reach)
Your Turn
Now that you know everything about weapons from Iron Banner in Destiny 2 for both PvE and PvP content, which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
