The Lightfall DLC has finally arrived in Destiny 2, and with it comes the highly anticipated Darkness Subclass, Strand. This new subclass has exceeded expectations and has proven itself to be a powerful addition to the game. Alongside the introduction of Strand, the Light Subclasses have also received significant revamps over the past year, providing players with a plethora of exciting new builds. With all these changes in mind, let’s explore the top-ranked Destiny 2 PvE Subclasses for 2023.
15. Stasis Hunter
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While Stasis Hunters may rank as the weakest subclass on our list, it doesn’t mean they’re ineffective in PvE. Each subclass, when built correctly, can be a valuable asset in the endgame activities. However, Stasis Hunters have often taken a backseat in PvE due to their more PvP-focused nature. Nevertheless, Stasis remains a powerful option for PvE, although Titans and Warlocks tend to excel more in this field.
14. Stasis Titan
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Similar to Stasis Hunters, Stasis Titans lean towards a PvP playstyle. However, Titans have access to abilities and builds that can also shine in PvE. Take, for instance, Diamond Lance, which enables Titans to create and hurl lances at enemies effortlessly. Additionally, the Hoarfrost-Z Exotic chest piece allows Titans to generate Stasis crystals on demand, further enhancing their potency. Still, Titans could benefit from some buffs to compete in future endgame content.
13. Solar Hunter
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Solar Hunters may not have received as many buffs for PvE activities compared to Titans and Warlocks, but they remain a force to be reckoned with in PvP scenarios. However, the introduction of the Star-Eater Scales Exotic leg piece has significantly increased the damage output of their Blade Barrage Super. In fact, the damage from a Blade Barrage can even surpass that of a Thundercrash Titan wearing the Cuirass of the Falling Star. Solar Hunters are a true force that should not be underestimated.
12. Arc Warlock
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Unlike Titans and Hunters, Arc Warlocks didn’t receive substantial improvements with the Arc 3.0 revamp. Nonetheless, they still possess a set of powerful abilities and Exotics that make them formidable in high-end PvE content. The Getaway Artist Exotic arm piece, for example, allows Warlocks to consume their grenade and create a supercharged Arc Soul. This Arc Soul will then attack enemies and recharge the Warlock’s abilities upon defeating them. Arc Warlocks remain a strong choice, although they could have benefited from more updates.
11. Strand Hunter
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Strand Hunters have quickly gained recognition for their effectiveness in PvE encounters. Equipped with Silkstrike, Strand Hunters can unleash devastating rope dart attacks against enemies. Their Light Attack swings the dart forward, dealing damage and causing defeated targets to explode. The Heavy Attack delivers a circular motion that inflicts heavy damage on surrounding enemies.
Additionally, the Threaded Spike Melee ability allows the dart to bounce between targets, damaging and incapacitating them. Catching the dart at the right moment enhances the energy returned, making this skill essential to master. With Aspects like Widow’s Silk and Ensnaring Slam, which grant additional grenade charges and enhanced mobility, Strand Hunters prove to be versatile and powerful in PvE scenarios.
10. Stasis Warlock
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Stasis Warlocks stand out as one of the most capable subclasses in PvE activities, thanks to their abundant abilities and builds centered around freezing enemies. Their Bleak Watcher aspect turns grenades into automatic turrets that slow and freeze enemies. This aspect becomes extremely valuable in high-end content, where enemies deal significant damage. Having an automatic turret freeze enemies in Grandmaster Nightfalls or Day-One Raids can be a game-changer.
9. Void Titan
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When it comes to ability spam, Void Titans take it to another level. The Heart of Inmost Light Exotic chest piece allows them to chain one ability after another, resulting in numerous Void explosions. Additionally, the new Bastion aspect provides them with an overshield when using their barricade, offering both offense and defense capabilities. Void Titans are a force to be reckoned with in PvE encounters.
8. Strand Warlock
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The Broodweaver Warlocks, a new Strand subclass, have gained attention for their exceptional performance in PvE content. Their ability to cover the battlefield in Strand Threadlings, explosive beings that seek out foes, grants them a unique advantage. The Needlestorm Super unleashes a hail of woven needles that transform into Threadlings, providing additional damage output. The Broodweaver Warlocks’ versatile abilities make them a formidable force in Destiny 2’s PvE content.
7. Void Warlock
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Void Warlocks were already strong before the 3.0 changes, but the Witch Queen DLC took them to a whole new level. Their Devour ability, combined with the Child of the Old Gods aspect and the Contraverse Hold Exotic arm piece, allows them to continuously restore health, deal massive damage, and generate Super energy. Void Warlocks will undoubtedly remain a dominant force in PvE encounters.
6. Arc Titan
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Arc Titans have unexpectedly risen from being one of the weakest classes in PvE to becoming one of the strongest. The Touch of Thunder aspect enhances their Arc grenades, including the new Strom grenade, which tracks enemies even after the initial explosion. Thunderclap and Thruster provide Titans with devastating melee attacks and increased mobility, respectively. Arc Titans are now a force to be reckoned with.
5. Arc Hunter
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Arc Hunters have undergone significant changes in the Arc 3.0 update, transforming them from one of the weakest subclasses to one of the strongest in the endgame. Their charged Melee ability now restores health, grants invisibility, and more. When combined with the Assassin’s Cowl Exotic helmet, which buffs charged Melee final blows, Arc Hunters become an incredibly powerful and resilient class. Unless Bungie makes further adjustments, the Arc subclass will continue to dominate for Hunters.
4. Solar Titan
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With the right build, Solar Titans can become virtually unkillable. They have access to an abundance of Exotic armor pieces tailored specifically for “Solar” Titans, such as the Loreley Splendor Exotic helmet. When a Titan’s health reaches critical levels, a Sunspot is created, granting health regeneration and ability recharge when standing in it. This combination allows Solar Titans to create constant Sunspots, making them “unkillable” in constant waves of battle.
3. Void Hunter
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Void Hunters may not have received the same level of upgrades as Titans and Warlocks, but they still have valuable contributions to make in PvE. Their ability to go invisible makes them invaluable for supporting teams by reviving allies or taking out priority targets. The Graviton Forfeit Exotic helmet allows Hunters to go invisible almost indefinitely, providing excellent utility and versatility in difficult encounters.
2. Strand Titan
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Taking the second spot on our list is the Titan subclass, Berserker. These Titans excel in PvE combat, thanks to their unique crowd control skills. Their Barricade ability suspends enemies caught within its range, rendering them temporarily immobile and vulnerable. This crowd control capability proves invaluable for disrupting enemy formations and coordinating attacks with teammates. Paired with the Abeyant Leap Exotic leg armor, the Berserker can assert control over the battlefield and dictate the flow of combat.
1. Solar Warlock
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It should come as no surprise that Solar Warlocks reign supreme as the best PvE subclass in Destiny 2. Their Well of Radiance Super has been the go-to choice for PvE since its release in the Forsaken DLC. With the Solar 3.0 changes, Solar Warlocks have become even more powerful. They can deal significant boss damage with Fusion Grenades, thanks to the Starfire Protocol Exotic chest piece. Alternatively, they can provide unrivaled support with healing grenades and the Well of Radiance, which grants instant healing, damage reduction, and a damage boost to all weapons. Unless Well of Radiance receives adjustments, Solar Warlocks will continue to dominate the top spot.
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