The Ultimate Destiny 2 Hand Cannon Tier List for 2026

As a passionate Destiny 2 player and hand cannon aficionado, I live for those crispy three-taps with my favorite cannon. The feeling of landing precision shots with a well-rolled HC is simply exhilarating.

In this extensive guide, I‘ll be breaking down the definitive hand cannon tier list for 2024, analyzing all exceptional 140 RPM and 120 RPM legendary and exotic hand cannons currently viable.

Tier List Methodology

I‘ve played over 500 hours with hand cannons in both PvE and PvP, acquiring extensive experience on what makes an HC top-tier. My rankings consider various factors:

• Stats (range, stability, aim assist, mag size, recoil direction, etc.)
• Perk synergy and viability
• Ease of use
• Consistency
• Sweaty potential in high skill playlists like Trials

With those criteria in mind, I‘ve categorized the best hand cannons into four tiers ranging from S-Tier to D-Tier. S-Tier contains the cream of the crop — the most lethal hand cannons currently in Destiny 2.

So without further ado, let‘s analyze the finest hand cannons and where they rank!

S-Tier

The S-Tier contains the most powerful, versatile hand cannons in Destiny 2 currently. They offer excellent range, consistency, ease of use, and deadly perk synergies for swift kills.

Bottom Dollar

As a 120 RPM hand cannon, Bottom Dollar boasts impressive range paired with excellent stability and 12 potential perk rolls for PvE and PvP viability. Fantastic combinations include:

• Rapid Hit + Multikill Clip
• Slideshot + Rampage
• Slideshot + High Impact Reserves
• Rangefinder + Explosive Payload

With perks active, god rolls reach a 0.5s optimal TTK, enabling lethal 2-taps. The excellent handling also benefits aggressive play. Overall, Bottom Dollar earns its S-Tier spot for deadliness and flexibility.

Igneous Hammer

The pinnacle 120 RPM hand cannon for Trials of Osiris, Igneous Hammer combines incredible stats across the board with deadly perks like Rampage for swift 2-tap kills.

Skilled players can push its range limits and minimize damage drop off thanks to high base range and stability. Once Rampage activates after a kill, the rapid 0.5s optimal TTK enables crushing team wipes.

For competitive 3v3 playlists, Igneous Hammer‘s dominance and consistency cement its S-Tier position.

Sturm

An exotic 120 RPM hand cannon, Sturm may seem average on the surface, but offers secret potential for 1-tap kills. Paired with its companion sidearm, Drang, each Drang kill overcharges Sturm‘s rounds significantly.

Combined with various damage buffs like Weapons of Light or Whisper of Hedrons, overcharged Sturm rounds enable easy 1-taps – a rarity for hand cannons.

With its intrinsic perks and Drang synergy, Sturm earns a secure S-Tier spot for surprise 1-shots.

Crimil‘s Dagger

Despite its downside of only 7 rounds, Crimil‘s Dagger is a lethal Iron Banner 120 RPM cannon with deadly roll potential for Rangefinder and Kill Clip. This combo pushes range limits while enabling 2-taps against low resilience guardians.

While the mag size necessitates frequent reloads, Crimil‘s Dagger makes up for it with excellent base range, stability, and versatility. The high skill ceiling even enables team wipes once perks activate, cementing its S-Tier position.

True Prophecy

As a high-stability 120 RPM kinetic option, True Prophecy touts PvP-oriented perks including Rampage for damage boosts and Rangefinder to push engagement distances. The recoil direction and generous 9 round mag help secure headshots.

An interesting combo is Overflow + Rampage, effectively netting a large 18+ round magazine when picking up special/heavy ammo. This enables extended damage boost uptime.

With stellar versatility for multiple effective rolls, True Prophecy earns its spot among the cream of the crop S-Tier legendary hand cannons.

A-Tier

While slightly less consistent than S-Tier picks, A-Tier hand cannons still offer high potency and deadliness once mastered. Their flexibility across PvP and PvE make them popular choices with well-versed cannon connoisseurs.

Ace of Spades

As an exotic 140 RPM hand cannon, Ace of Spades touts excellent stats across the board, including high aim assist and a generous 13 round magazine. Once Memento Mori activates, it fires highly damaging explosive rounds.

The main drawback is the lack of range boosting perks like Rangefinder. Overall though, Ace continues to prove itself as one of the most consistent, flexible 140 RPM picks.

Hawkmoon

This exotic 140 RPM hand cannon possesses a unique "Paracausal Shot" perk that can randomly roll various stat improvements. Once stacks build from repeated headshots, it can one-shot lower resilience guardians.

While the extravisual effects of Paracausal Shot can obstruct targets initially, skilled wielders can leverage Hawkmoon‘s excellent range, stability, and lethality for success. It‘s a top-tier pick for those who enjoy randomness and potency.

Ancient Gospel

Hailing from the Garden of Salvation raid, Ancient Gospel is a customizable 140 RPM hand cannon sporting clean sights and a smooth recoil direction. Strong perks include:

• Rapid Hit + Kill Clip
• Slideshot + Rangefinder

The high aim assist combined with damage and reload perks enable excellent uptime for lethal 3-taps in PvP – landing Ancient Gospel in A-Tier.

The Palindrome

Reintroduced from Destiny 1, adept versions of this Nightfall-exclusive 140 RPM energy hand cannon boast some of the highest aim assist and range in archetype, up to 38m.

Its potential to roll Killing Wind and Rangefinder offers bonus range/handling after a kill, while Quickdraw enhances weapon readiness. The Palindrome continues to dominate with these combos.

Dire Promise

As a legendary kinetic 140 RPM option, Dire Promise possesses extremely high base aim assist, facilitating consistent head shots. When paired with Rangefinder and Opening Shot, it can contest even 120 RPM range.

Alternatively, Swashbuckler combos enable surprise 2-tap kills. With fantastic consistency and carry potential, Dire Promise earns its A-Tier spot.

The Steady Hand

Introduced in Season 13, The Steady Hand offers Iron Banner-themed legendary 120 RPM potency and flexibility. Though limited to 8 rounds, perks like Swashbuckler and Iron Grip make up for it – the latter providing a substantial stability boost for accurate shots.

For those who prefer higher stability 120s, The Steady Hand is a compelling A-Tier choice.

While I‘d love to analyze more A-Tier cannons, let‘s overview the B-Tier through D-Tier picks below.

B-Tier

The B-Tier contains additional legendaries and exotics that, while deadly once mastered, have some drawbacks like smaller magazines, trickier recoil, or more niche perks that require specific playstyle synergies to truly shine. They can still compete when expertly wielded but aren‘t as flexibly lethal as S-Tier and A-Tier options.

Standouts here include:

• Sunshot
• Thorn
• Nation of Beasts
• Waking Vigil

C-Tier

C-Tier hand cannons start to show more significant shortcomings in their stats, perks, or weapon frames that hold back their viability. While some redeeming qualities exist like high aim assist or unique exotic traits, C-Tier picks lack the consistency or potency of higher tiers.

Top options here include:

• Ikelos_HC_V1.0.2
• Lumina
• The Last Word

D-Tier

Hand cannons in the D-Tier unfortunately possess lackluster stats across the board, surplus visual recoil/muzzle flash, limited mag sizes, and exotic traits that rarely sync well with HC playstyles. They can still be fun in casual play but fare poorly in high stakes modes like Trials of Osiris.

Notorious options include:

• Crimson
• Posterity
• Malfeasance
• Nature of the Beast

While these could someday improve with buffs, currently they rank at the bottom of the pack.

Closing Thoughts

I hope this extensive Destiny 2 HC tier list for 2024 helps hand cannon aficionados determine which ones best suit their needs and playstyles. The S-Tier and A-Tier selections comprise some of the most lethal weapons currently available. Highly recommend utilizing them for end-game PvE content and competitive Crucible modes!

Let me know your thoughts and favorite cannons @mygamertag. I‘m always seeking more god rolls to test out! Maybe you‘ll suggest a new contender for S-Tier status once Lightfall releases.