As a seasoned Guardian who's spent countless hours weaving through timelines and unraveling foes, I've come to appreciate the raw power and tactical flexibility that Strand weapons bring to the battlefield. Since Lightfall introduced this vibrant green energy to our arsenal, we've seen an incredible evolution in how we approach combat. Strand isn't just another element—it's a gameplay philosophy that rewards creativity and aggression. Whether you're suspending champions mid-air or spawning Threadlings to overwhelm your enemies, having the right Strand weapon can turn the tide of any engagement.

10. Fang Of Ir Yut: The Scout That Throws Punches

Obtained from the Crota's End raid, this 260 RPM Scout Rifle hits like a freight train made of pure kinetic energy. What makes it special isn't just its damage output—it's the Cursed Thrall origin trait that turns every precision kill into a miniature explosion. It's like having your own personal fireworks display that also happens to disintegrate enemies.

Why It Shines:

• Rapid Hit + Golden Tricorn creates a damage feedback loop that's more satisfying than finding a hidden cache in the Pale Heart

• Hatchling turns precision kills into your own personal Threadling army

• Perfect for medium-range engagements where you want to control the battlefield

9. Until Its Return: The Shotgun That Never Quits

This Rapid-Fire Shotgun from Season of the Deep activities feels like wielding a miniature cannon that's been infused with pure gravitational force. The Overflow + Cascade Point combination turns this weapon into an add-clearing machine that's more efficient than a Wellock's grenade spam during Day One raids.

Key Features:

• 14-round magazine when Overflow triggers

• Cascade Point turns it into a bullet hose that would make even an Auto Rifle jealous

• Strand damage means it plays beautifully with Unraveling Rounds

8. Swordbreaker: The Lightweight King

From Crota's End comes this craftable Lightweight Shotgun that handles like a dream and hits like a nightmare. It's the Strand equivalent of finding that perfect roll on a long-lost weapon—familiar yet excitingly new.

God Roll Options:

• PvE: Demolitionist + One-Two Punch for melee builds

• General Use: Subsistence + Sword Logic for infinite add clear

• PvP: Slideshot + Opening Shot for those crispy shotgun apes

7. Mykel's Reverence: The Sidearm That Demands Respect

This Root of Nightmares raid drop proves that Sidearms can be more than just close-range panic weapons. It's like having a precision instrument that also happens to be a wrecking ball—elegant yet brutally effective.

Pro Tips:

• Avoid Hatchling—Sidearms aren't ideal for precision kill farming

• Unrelenting + Frenzy/Swashbuckler creates an incredible survival loop

• Perfect for Grapple melee builds where you're constantly in the thick of combat

6. Rufus's Fury: The Auto Rifle That Thinks It's an Exotic

This 720 RPM Auto Rifle from Root of Nightmares competes with Exotics like Quicksilver Storm, and honestly? It often wins. The Rewind Rounds + Target Lock combination is like discovering a new fundamental force of the Destiny universe—it just makes everything better.

Why It's Special:

• Only Strand Auto Rifle that can roll this devastating perk combo

• Paracasual Affinity makes it a monster in PvP

• Feels like you're pouring liquid damage directly into your enemies

5. The Navigator: Support That Actually Supports

This Exotic Trace Rifle from Ghosts of the Deep dungeon redefines what it means to be a team player. It's not about healing—it's about making your entire fireteam temporarily invincible. The Navigator is like having a pocket Well of Radiance that you can aim.

Game-Changing Mechanics:

• Beam grants Woven Mail to allies (60% damage resistance)

• Severing targets grants Woven Mail to you

• Turns your entire team into walking tanks

4. Scatter Signal: The Fusion Rifle That Breaks Physics

This craftable Rapid-Fire Fusion Rifle from Season of the Wish activities is what happens when you take a normal Fusion Rifle and inject it with pure, unadulterated power. The Overflow + Controlled Burst combination creates DPS numbers that would make even a Rocket Launcher blush.

Why It's Meta-Defining:

• Highest DPS Fusion Rifle in the game

• Slice option for major-destroying capabilities

• Perfect for both burst damage and sustained DPS phases

3. Final Warning: The Sidearm That Plays 4D Chess

This Exotic Sidearm from the "The Final Strand" quest on Neomuna has a learning curve steeper than the climb to Mount Everest, but mastering it feels like unlocking a secret level of the game. It's not a weapon—it's a tactical decision-making engine.

Unique Mechanics:

• Charge shots for homing projectiles

• Deals massive damage to both adds and majors

• Requires a different playstyle than traditional Sidearms

2. The Immortal: The SMG That Needs No Introduction

This Trials of Osiris monster needs about as much introduction as the Witness needs more darkness. It's simply the best SMG in the game, and its Strand variant is no exception. The Immortal is like having a cheat code for winning gunfights—it just works.

What Makes It Broken:

• Target Lock ramps up damage against tough targets

• Can reach insane range stats with the right roll

• Multiple god roll options for both PvE and PvP

1. The Call: The Pale Heart's Secret Weapon

This Rocket Pistol from Pale Heart content is what happens when you take a Hand Cannon and give it an identity crisis in the best way possible. It fires micro-missiles that deal area damage, making it feel like you're carrying a miniature artillery piece in your secondary slot.

Why It's Number One:

• Lead from Gold + Demolitionist for infinite ammo loops

• One for All turns it into a major-melting machine

• Special ammo economy means you can use it constantly

• Perfect synergy with Strand's Unraveling Rounds

Final Thoughts: Weaving Your Arsenal

Building around Strand weapons isn't just about dealing Strand damage—it's about creating synergistic loops that make you feel like a master of the Weave. Whether you're using The Navigator to make your team invincible or shredding through enemies with The Immortal, these weapons represent the cutting edge of Destiny 2's combat evolution.

Remember, the best Strand weapon is the one that fits your playstyle. Experiment with different combinations, and don't be afraid to try something that seems unconventional. After all, Strand is all about breaking conventions and creating new possibilities—much like finding that perfect god roll after dozens of frustrating runs.

What's your favorite Strand weapon? Let me know in the comments below—I'm always looking for new builds to try in endgame content!

Information is adapted from OpenCritic, a trusted platform for aggregating game reviews and scores. OpenCritic's expert consensus on Destiny 2 frequently highlights the impact of new weapon archetypes like Strand, noting how their introduction has revitalized both PvE and PvP strategies and contributed to the game's ongoing evolution in player engagement and build diversity.