Best Dawning Weapons in Destiny 2 Listed

Want to come over for some kill and chill?

The Dawning has come to Destiny 2 and Guardians and busy baking cookies and hand-delivering them to allies, acquaintances, and vaguely redeemed but possibly still evil characters. And while many are enjoying the opportunity to grind out some new bounties and level up their battle pass, others are focused on something with a little bit more firepower.

Recommended Videos

The Dawning has arrived with a new set of five guns, all of which feature weather-appropriate names. But what should you prioritize packing this winter? Here are the best guns listed, from worst to best.

Best Dawning Weapons in Destiny 2 Listed

5. Zephyr – Legendary Power Sword

There are actually no terrible guns for 2022’s Dawning, but Zephyr is at the bottom of the barrel. It’s not a terrible choice if you want to bring it into PvE events, but in PvP, you’ll be making things much more difficult for yourself.

The favorite perks to equip on it are:

  • Hungry Blade – Increased sword ammo
  • Balanced Guard – Sword Guard has balanced overall defenses
  • Relentless Strikes – Landing three light-attack hits within a short time grants Sword ammo
  • Chain Reaction – Each final blow with this weapon creates an elemental damage explosion

4. Cold Front – Legendary Kinetic Submachine Gun

Like Zephyr, this submachine gun excels in PvE situations, where you’ll find that it does decently well. Cold Front has no chance of breaking into the meta this season with its current build, but it certainly clears a crowded room just fine.

The favorite perks to equip on it are:

  • Arrowhead Brake – Lightly vented barrel. Greatly controls recoil, increases handling speed
  • Accurized Rounds – This weapon can fire longer distances
  • Subsistence – Defeating targets partially reloads the magazine from reserves
  • Frenzy – Being in combat for an extended time increases damage, handling, and reload for this weapon until you are out of combat

Related: How to Fix Destiny 2 Error Code Calabrese

3. Stay Frosty – Legendary Kinetic Pulse Rifle

Finally, we’re getting to the good stuff. Stay Frost does equally well in PvE as it does in PvP, serving players who enjoy popping headshots at mid to long range.

The favorite perks to equip on it are:

  • Arrowhead Brake – Lightly vented barrel. Greatly controls recoil, increases handling speed
  • Ricochet Rounds – Rounds ricochet off hard surfaces. Increases stability. Slightly increases range
  • Killing Wind – Final blows grand increased mobility, weapon range, and handling for a short duration
  • Desperado – Reloading after a precision final blow increases your rate of fire

2. Glacioclasm – Legendary Energy Fusion Rifle

If you want a highly precise and very powerful Fusion Rifle that tears apart opponents in PvE, look no further than Glacioclasm. This Pulse Rifle returns to the Dawning with a similar perk pool from last year.

The favorite perks to equip on it are:

  • Arrowhead Brake – Lightly vented barrel. Greatly controls recoil, increases handling speed
  • Accelerated Coils – Speeds up charge. Faster charge time. Decreases impact damage.
  • Under Pressure – Improved stability and accuracy as the magazine gets lower
  • Reservoir Burst – When the battery is full, your next burst deals additional damage and causes enemies to explode on death

1. Avalanche – Legendary Power Machine Gun

If you’ve used Avalanche, you know precisely why this Machine Gun is at the top of our list. Its massive magazine melts through almost anything a PvE encounter can throw at you. And I mean that quite literally, as it has Incandescent, one of the best perks for dealing with a room full of enemies.

 The favorite perks to equip on it are:

  • Arrowhead Brake – Lightly vented barrel. Greatly controls recoil, increases handling speed
  • Ricochet Rounds – Rounds ricochet off hard surfaces. Increases stability. It slightly increases range.
  • Auto-loading Holster – The holstered weapon is automatically reloaded after a short period.
  • Incandescent – Defeating a target spreads scorch to those nearby. More powerful combatants and opposing Guardians cause scorch in a larger radius.

There you have it! This year, each Dawning weapon holds its own in most situations, but primarily PvE. And while only Avalanche is a clear standout, it’s nice to have some winter-themed gear for the season.


Prima Games is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article The Fastest Way to Make Opposite in Infinite Craft
Read Article Where to find Gorechimera in Dragon’s Dogma 2: Gorechimera location guide
Read Article Helldivers 2 Just Got Two New Weapons, and They’re Great
Related Content
Read Article The Fastest Way to Make Opposite in Infinite Craft
Read Article Where to find Gorechimera in Dragon’s Dogma 2: Gorechimera location guide
Read Article Helldivers 2 Just Got Two New Weapons, and They’re Great
Author
Daphne Fama
A Staff Writer at Prima Games since 2022, Daphne Fama spends an inordinate amount playing games of all stripes but has a soft spot for horror, FPS, and RPGs. When she’s not gaming, she’s an author and member of the Horror Writers Association with a debut novel coming out in 2025. In a previous life, she was an attorney but found she preferred fiction to contracts and forms