Mastering the arcane arts, Warlocks in Destiny 2 harness the power of light and combine it with modern weaponry. These mystical guardians strike the perfect balance between supporting their allies and dominating the battlefield with their unique abilities. Whether it’s playing the role of a tank, a healer, or a DPS, Warlocks have the versatility to excel in any situation. The key to unlocking their full potential lies in the choice of Exotic gear. In this article, we’ll explore the top five Warlock Exotics that have shaped the meta and five that have fallen into obscurity.
Disclaimer: Please note that this article is subjective and reflects the writer’s personal opinion.
The Powerhouses: Five Most Useful Warlock Exotics in Destiny 2 (2022)
1) Ophidian Aspect
The Ophidian Aspect is a game-changer, granting the “Quickdraw” perk to all weapons. Additionally, it enhances the lunge of any melee ability, whether Void, Solar, or Arc. This Exotic enables Warlocks to swiftly switch between weapons during close-range Shotgun encounters. Picture a Shotgun with Slideshot, Opening Shot, and Quickdraw – a deadly combination made possible with the Ophidian Aspect.
2) Nezarec’s Sin
Nezarec’s Sin has stood the test of time since day one, offering health regeneration upon Void kills. While its popularity dipped after The Recluse was vaulted, the introduction of Void 3.0 and the Funnelweb SMG has reignited interest in this Exotic. Players can now rapidly replenish their abilities with multi-kills using the Funnelweb.
3) Contraverse Hold
Contraverse Hold revolutionized Warlock grenade builds. By damaging or defeating enemies with Void Grenades while holding, players can efficiently refund grenade energy. With the introduction of Void 3.0 and Chaos Accelerant, this Exotic has become even more formidable. Its popularity soars in Grandmaster activities, allowing Warlocks to spam any Void Grenade at will.
4) Geomag Stabilizers
Warlocks wielding the Arc subclass can unleash devastating damage with the Chaos Reach ability. However, its short duration of four seconds limits its effectiveness. Geomag Stabilizers come to the rescue, extending the duration of Chaos Reach by a precious extra three seconds. This Exotic is a game-changer in Raids, Dungeons, and Grandmaster activities, providing sustained damage output against powerful bosses. The catch is that players must continuously damage enemies with the super to fully benefit from this Exotic.
5) Osmiomancy Gloves
Introduced with The Witch Queen expansion, Osmiomancy Gloves allow players to summon two Stasis turrets. These turrets freeze entire rooms while simultaneously granting the wearer Grenade ability energy. Moreover, the Stasis projectiles from the turret travel at significantly higher speeds. This Exotic is a must-have for challenging activities, and players can acquire it by completing high-difficulty Lost Sectors solo.
The Forgotten: Five Useless Warlock Exotics in Destiny 2 (2022)
1) Vesper of Radius
The Vesper of Radius, an Exotic chest piece, grants rift energy upon enemies surrounding the player. It also releases an Arc shockwave after casting a rift. While it may provide additional rift energy, it has been overshadowed by other Exotics like Nezarec’s Sin, which boasts the ability to regenerate health with Void kills. The Eye of Another World is another Exotic that grants energy to Grenades, melee, and rifts – a far more valuable choice than the Vesper of Radius.
2) Felwinter’s Helm
Combining Felwinter’s Helm with Osmiomancy Gloves and Contraverse Hold lacks synergy. Felwinter’s Helm weakens enemies from a distance, requiring a finisher or final blow to unleash a burst of energy. While it may find some utility in high-tier activities, there are other Exotics that offer far greater value. These alternatives grant players a 30% damage increase against enemies without the positional requirement.
3) Karnstein Armlets
In a game filled with shortcuts and cheese, the Karnstein Armlets offer little incentive to take the longer route. These Exotic gauntlets restore the wearer’s health following a melee kill. However, Warlocks excel in either skill-based or weapon-based builds, making the Karnstein Armlets mismatched for their playstyle. As a result, their usage in Destiny 2 is minimal.
4) Winter’s Guile
Warlocks are not known for their prowess in melee combat, and Winter’s Guile doesn’t change that narrative. This Exotic grants a melee damage buff to the wearer for a mere five seconds following a melee kill. Even with the celestial fire ability, regaining the melee energy within this short timeframe proves nearly impossible. While Winter’s Guile can be useful in low-tier content like Strikes or Gambit, other Exotics outshine it in terms of performance and versatility.
5) Skull of Dire Ahamkara
Time has not been kind to the Skull of Dire Ahamkara, as Bungie has introduced numerous super-regeneration perks that outclass this old-school helmet. Nezarec’s Sin provides a steady flow of super energy, while the Void fragment, Echo of Reprisal, grants super energy when surrounded by targets. Additionally, any weapon with the Thresh perk grants 1% super energy on top of the player’s Intellect stat. Hence, opting for any one of these alternatives is a more sensible choice than relying on the Skull of Dire Ahamkara.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Exotic gear is crucial for unlocking the full potential of a Warlock in Destiny 2. From the game-changing Ophidian Aspect to the underwhelming Skull of Dire Ahamkara, the selection of Exotics can make or break a Guardian’s performance. By considering the principles of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) and YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) in content creation, we can provide valuable insights that enable players to make informed decisions. Remember, the meta is constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest Exotics is essential for Warlocks seeking to dominate the battlefield.
