As the echoes of The Final Shape's climax faded, Bungie ushered in a new era for Destiny 2 with its first Episode: Echoes. This Vex-themed saga, split into three distinct Acts, introduced a fresh arsenal of ten weapons, each pulsing with the strange energy of radiolaria. While only half were initially available from Failsafe and the seasonal activity, the complete set has now been unveiled, finalizing the arsenal for this groundbreaking seasonal format. The unifying thread? The Radiolarian Transposer Origin Trait, which makes final blows erupt into pools of Vex goo—a real game-changer for clearing out waves of enemies, let me tell you. As of 2026, with all Acts concluded and the meta settled, here's how the full roster of Echoes weapons stacks up, from the niche to the must-haves.
10. Ill Omen (Stasis Sword)
Anchoring the bottom of the list is the new Stasis sword, Ill Omen. It's a classic case of a cool weapon trapped in a tricky archetype. The melee playstyle in Destiny 2 is, let's be honest, a bit of a niche hobby. It shines in specific, controlled scenarios, but even then, only a handful of swords are truly worth the investment. Ill Omen, while serviceable, doesn't do enough to break the mold. Its saving grace might be the Surrounded perk, a legendary damage booster if you can get it to activate. But for most Guardians in 2026, crafting this one is likely low on the to-do list. It's the kind of weapon you get while chasing something else.
9. Faith-Keeper (Void Rocket Launcher)
Faith-Keeper arrived with a purpose: to fill the Void-shaped hole left by the elusive Royal Entry. But does a new option automatically mean a better one? Not quite. In the current landscape, workhorses like the Crux Termination with its Slideshot and Surrounded combo remain top-tier, even if they're a pain to farm. Faith-Keeper brings options like Auto-Loading Holster paired with Bipod or Explosive Light to the table. It's... fine. Solid, even. But when you've got other Void DPS monsters like Edge Transit vying for your heavy slot, Faith-Keeper often gets left in the vault. It's a decent tool, but not the standout it needed to be.
8. Sightline Survey (Arc Hand Cannon)
Oh, the 180 RPM hand cannon. This archetype has been begging for some developer love for years, and it's a real shame that the newest Arc offering, Sightline Survey, had to inherit its... particular rhythm. It comes packing Voltshot, one of the most exciting and powerful perks in the game! But that burst-fire cadence just isn't for everyone. It feels like putting a rocket engine in a golf cart—the potential is wild, but the frame holds it back. For Guardians still clinging to their old Nation of Beasts, the wait for a true successor continues. This one's for the dedicated fans of the archetype, and they're a patient bunch.
7. Timeworn Wayfarer (Scout Rifle)
If this scout rifle looks familiar, that's because it is. The design is a known quantity. Scout rifles themselves occupy a specific, sometimes lonely, niche in 2026—perfect for activities where you're forced to play keep-away from behind cover. Where Timeworn Wayfarer surprises is in its perk pool. It carries tools for the endgame connoisseur: Shoot to Loot for safely grabbing ammo and orbs from a distance, and Heal Clip for a touch of personal sustain. Then there's Incandescent, a no-brainer that adds much-needed area effect to this precision-based weapon. It's a thoughtful kit for a weapon type that often feels forgotten.
6. Veiled Threat (Stasis Auto Rifle)
Auto rifles in 2026 are living in the middle of the pack—their worth is almost entirely dictated by their perks. Veiled Threat, a Stasis auto rifle, lands squarely in "average" territory. It has interesting utility options like Strategist or Threat Detector in one column, and it can roll with the mighty Surrounded for a damage boost. But when you stack it up against legendary auto rifle kings like Rufus' Fury from the Root of Nightmares raid, it just doesn't have that spark. It's a reliable workhorse for Stasis builds, but it won't redefine the meta.
5. Corrasion (Arc Pulse Rifle)
The arrival of an Arc pulse rifle was a welcome sight, even if Corrasion landed as a heavy burst frame. Initially, it felt like a more accessible cousin to the raid weapon Insidious, though without that weapon's stellar perk pool and Origin Trait. But here's the thing: it has Voltshot. That single perk elevates it from "meh" to "maybe." A predicted god roll of Voltshot and Enlightened Action is strong, though some swear by Perpetual Motion. It's a weapon of compromise—you trade the perfect perk suite of harder-to-get options for the raw, jolting power of Voltshot on a relatively easy-to-earn frame. Not bad, not amazing.
4. Chronophage (Void Trace Rifle)
Talk about good timing. With the fantastic Hollow Denial becoming much harder to obtain, Chronophage waltzed into the scene at the perfect moment. Trace rifles are in a great spot post-Final Shape buffs, and this Void variant is a serious contender. For general use, an Auto-Loading Holster and Demolitionist combo is smooth and effective. But for Void devotees? That's where it gets fun. A roll with Repulsor Brace and Destabilizing Rounds turns you into a debuffing, overshield-granting machine. It's a wonderfully complementary tool for Void 3.0 builds and a top-tier option in the special weapon slot.
3. Speleologist (Solar Machine Gun)
This was the heavy weapon everyone was waiting for in Echoes—a direct challenger to the throne long held by Fixed Odds. And boy, does it deliver. Fixed Odds is a grind to farm and lacks crucial reload perks. Speleologist addresses that, albeit with options like Slideways or Envious Assassin that are good, not great. The real magic is in the second column: Incandescent and Killing Tally. Incandescent makes it a star in Scorch-focused Solar builds, while Killing Tally offers raw, stacking damage. It's a powerful, versatile Solar machine gun that has quickly become a staple.
2. Lost Signal (Stasis Grenade Launcher)
Echoes introduced a new grenade launcher frame, and Lost Signal immediately proved why new frames are exciting. It's been lovingly called a "budget Witherhoard," as it leaves a damaging pool of Stasis on the ground. For clearing ads, it's an absolute blast (pun intended). The perk advice is straightforward: Auto-Loading Holster is non-negotiable for quality-of-life. For damage, One For All is incredibly easy to trigger on this weapon and provides a hefty boost. It's a simple, effective, and incredibly fun weapon that excels at its one job: turning groups of enemies into frozen statues and then shattering them.
1. Aberrant Action (Solar Rocket Sidearm)
And here we are, at the top. The crown jewel of the Echoes arsenal. From the moment Bungie teased it with a Heal Clip/Incandescent roll, Guardians knew this rocket-assisted sidearm was special. It's not just good; it might be the best seasonal weapon introduced in years. The rocket sidearm archetype is inherently powerful and fun, and Aberrant Action perfects it. Its design is unique and exotic-feeling—it doesn't look or feel like a re-skin. In a Solar build, especially one utilizing Ember of Benevolence, it's a monster. Heal Clip procs the fragment, Incandescent spreads Scorch everywhere, and the weapon itself hits like a truck. In 2026, if you only craft one weapon from Echoes, make it this one. It's an absolute treasure.
So there you have it, the complete Vex arsenal from Destiny 2's first Episode, ranked for the modern Guardian. From the situational swords to the world-beating sidearm, Echoes offered a tool for every playstyle. The Radiolarian Transposer trait ties them together with a satisfying, gooey bow. As the game moves forward, weapons like Aberrant Action and Lost Signal will likely remain in rotation, while others... well, they had their moment in the radiolarian sun.