The Optimal PvP Hunter Exotics
General Exotics
Fr0st-EE5
- Armor Class: Legs
- Type: Hunter
- Requirements: Free-to-Play
- Source: Exotic Engrams
- Released: Season 3
- Requires Exotic Perk
Exotic Perk: “Enhances the regeneration of grenades, melee attacks, and dodges while sprinting. Dodging also increases sprint speed.”
Wormhusk Crown
- Armor Class: Helm
- Type: Hunter
- Requirements: Free-to-Play
- Source: Exotic Engrams
- Released: Season 3
- Requires Exotic Perk
Exotic Perk: “We strive to comprehend infinity, refining our minds through the impossible.”
St0mp-EE5
- Armor Class: Legs
- Type: Hunter
- Requirements: Free-to-Play
- Source: Exotic Engrams
- Released: Season 1
- Requires Exotic Perk
Exotic Perk: “Increases sprint speed and slide distance. Enhances High Jump, Strafe Jump, and Triple Jump.”
In PvP, neutral and passive Exotics are favored, as they require fewer prerequisites. Consequently, St0mp-EE5, Wormhusk Crown, and Fr0st-EE5 are always relevant for Hunters. These Exotics offer various benefits without demanding much in return.
St0mp-EE5 remains one of the most enjoyable Hunter Exotics for PvP. Though its viability has been affected by nerfs, it remains my top choice due to the sheer fun it brings to the gameplay.
Wormhusk Crown has been a staple in the meta since the release of the Warmind DLC. This Exotic provides unmatched instant value by restoring a significant portion of your health simply by dodging. With Wormhusk Crown, you can engage in riskier encounters and easily escape. Dodging already acts as a “get out of jail free card,” and Wormhusk Crown amplifies its effectiveness.
Frostees are perfect for players seeking high ability uptime without committing to a dedicated build. By sprinting alone, you can double your ability recharge rate and increase your sprint speed by 6.25% through dodging. Frostees always come in handy when you want to switch things up from St0mp-EE5 while maintaining movement speed and maximizing ability uptime.
Subclass-specific Exotics
Cyrtarachne’s Facade
- Armor Class: Helm
- Type: Hunter
- Requirements: Lightfall
- Source: Lost Sectors
- Released: Season 20
Exotic Perk: “Gain Woven Mail upon activating your grapple. Experience increased resistance to flinching while Woven Mail is active.”
Mask of Bakris
- Armor Class: Helm
- Type: Hunter
- Requirements: Beyond Light
- Source: Lost Sectors
- Released: Season 12
Exotic Perk: “Replaces your Stasis subclass Dodge ability with a longer-range, faster-moving Shift that partially cloaks you during use. After shifting, your Arc weapons deal increased damage to combatants for a short time, and you deal increased damage to all slowed or frozen combatants.”
Subclass-specific Exotics generally see less overall usage due to the additional requirements needed to unlock their full potential. Nevertheless, their raw power often compensates for these demands.
Cyrtarachne’s Facade is a formidable choice for Threadrunners. Woven Mail grants substantial damage resistance. Mastering the Threadrunner playstyle with Cyrtarachne’s Facade enables you to become highly mobile and resilient.
Mask of Bakris might be one of the most enjoyable Exotics in the game. It replaces your Dodge ability with an extended “Shift,” allowing you to catch opponents off guard and outmaneuver them effortlessly. Mastering this Exotic can lead to incredible success as you effortlessly navigate dangerous situations.
Young Ahamkara’s Spine may appear simple on paper, but this simplicity should not be mistaken for weakness. Ahamkara’s Spine significantly boosts Tripmine Grenade damage, leaving opponents on the brink of death, requiring only a single shot from any weapon to finish them off. Additionally, Ahamkara’s Spine grants Tripmine energy on Ability damage, allowing you to further exploit your explosive power.
There are plenty of other Exotics that can achieve success, such as Athrys’s Embrace or Gemini Jester. I recommend experimenting to find the build that best suits your playstyle.
Before you go…
The new Hunter Exotic is definitely worth pursuing this season. Learn how to obtain Mothkeeper’s Wraps in Destiny 2 by checking out our comprehensive guide here.
