The heavy weapon sandbox just got a massive shake-up, and if you’re still using the same old rocket launcher, you’re leaving damage on the table. Recent balance patches have tuned everything from grenade launchers to swords, and the meta looks very different from last season. Whether you’re grinding Grandmaster Nightfalls or sweating in Trials, picking the right heavy can make or break your loadout.
This guide breaks down the absolute best heavy weapons after the update. We’ll cover PvE and PvP, highlight perk combinations, and explain exactly why these guns are dominating right now. No filler, no outdated picks, just the weapons you need to chase.
Understanding the Heavy Slot in the Current Season
Before diving into the tier list, it’s important to understand how the update changed the heavy ecology. Damage values, reserve sizes, and perk interactions have all been adjusted. Linear fusion rifles and machine guns received significant buffs, while certain explosive options saw slight nerfs to reign in their burst potential. The result is a healthier meta where multiple archetypes are viable, but a few stand out as clear winners.
In PvE, sustained damage is king for boss encounters, while add-clear efficiency still matters in high-level content. In PvP, you want a heavy that can secure multiple kills with minimal risk. The picks below reflect this balance and have been tested extensively since the patch.
Top Heavy Weapons for PvE
Cold Comfort (Rocket Launcher)
If you’re doing any kind of boss DPS, Cold Comfort is the rocket launcher to beat. Its intrinsic trait allows for a free reload after a finisher, and when combined with Envious Assassin and Bait and Switch, you can dump all nine rockets in a single damage phase without reloading. The update didn’t touch its core loop, so it remains a top-tier choice for raids and dungeons.
Apex Predator (Rocket Launcher)
Apex Predator got a slight bump to impact damage this patch, pushing it back into the conversation. Reconstruction and Bait and Switch is still the god roll, letting you fire two rockets back-to-back, swap for damage buffs, and then repeat. It’s more forgiving than Cold Comfort for players who don’t want to micromanage finishers, and it synergizes perfectly with Solar builds.
Cataphract GL3 (Grenade Launcher)
Heavy grenade launchers were already strong, but the update made Spike Grenades even more consistent on direct hits. Cataphract GL3 with Envious Assassin and Bait and Switch or Cascade Point now competes with rocket launchers for pure DPS. It also benefits from fast reload perks and is easier to use against mobile bosses. If you haven’t tried a heavy GL since the patch, you’re missing out.
Briar’s Contempt (Linear Fusion Rifle)
The linear fusion rifle buff was substantial, and Briar’s Contempt sits at the top of the archetype. With Reconstruction and Focused Fury, it reaches peak damage after landing half the magazine as precision hits, and then it melts. It’s ideal for encounters like Oryx or Caretaker where sustained precision damage over a long phase is required. The update also improved its aim assist, making those crits easier to land under pressure.
Thunderlord (Machine Gun)
Machine guns are no longer just for add clear. Thunderlord’s lightning strikes now scale with the number of hits, building up to a shocking finale that stuns even Unstoppable Champions. The catalyst and the Season of the Deep buff turned it into a hybrid workhorse for GMs. Pair it with Arc surges and you have a primary-like heavy that never runs out of ammo if you pace your shots.
Top Heavy Weapons for PvP
Wardcliff Coil (Exotic Rocket Launcher)
Wardcliff Coil remains the undisputed king of Crucible heavies. The volley of rockets tracks aggressively, negates sprint penalties, and the blast radius can wipe an entire team capping a zone. The update didn’t touch its damage or mechanics, so it’s as reliable as ever. Just beware of tight corridors where the rockets might clip terrain.
Edge of Action (Sword)
The Titan-exclusive glaive sword hybrid gets a special mention because its bubble now lasts longer and provides a overshield outside the bubble too. In competitive modes, you can secure heavy, pop the bubble, and control an area completely. The sword itself can block incoming fire, and a well-timed heavy attack can one-shot roaming supers. It’s a niche pick, but in the right hands, it dominates Trials.
Memory Interdict (Grenade Launcher)
For a legendary option, Memory Interdict offers proximity grenades and a blast radius that punishes players behind cover. With Impulse Amplifier and Chain Reaction, it becomes a multi-kill machine at heavy spawn. You can bank shots around corners and clean up survivors with a primary. Since the update, grenade launchers have felt more consistent with explosion registration, making this a go-to for anyone who prefers a non-rocket heavy.
God Rolls and Perk Priorities
The right perks elevate a good heavy into a great one. Here’s a quick cheat sheet for the must-have combinations after the update:
- Rockets: Envious Assassin, Reconstruction, or Auto-Loading Holster in the first column. Bait and Switch, Explosive Light, or Lasting Impression in the second.
- Grenade Launchers: Spike Grenades is non-negotiable for PvE. Then look for Envious Assassin, Auto-Loading Holster, or Clown Cartridge paired with Bait and Switch, Cascade Point, or Chain Reaction for add clear.
- Linear Fusion Rifles: Triple Tap or Fourth Time’s the Charm combined with Focused Fury or Firing Line. Reconstruction also works if you can swap weapons.
- Machine Guns: Fourth Time’s the Charm, Subsistence, or Field Prep for ammo economy. Damage perks like Target Lock, One for All, or Voltshot (on Arc guns) are top picks.
- PvP Heavies: Prioritize perks that boost blast radius or velocity on rockets and grenade launchers. Impulse Amplifier and Chain Reaction are excellent on GLs. For swords, look for Tireless Blade and Assassin’s Blade to chain kills.
How to Acquire These Weapons
Most of these weapons come from endgame activities, so be prepared to farm:
- Cold Comfort: Ghosts of the Deep dungeon (first encounter and final boss).
- Apex Predator: Last Wish raid (any encounter, but focusing at Hawthorne helps).
- Cataphract GL3: Trials of Osiris (seasonal drop, not always available).
- Briar’s Contempt: Root of Nightmares raid (second and third encounters).
- Thunderlord: Exotic engram drop or Xûr.
- Wardcliff Coil: Exotic engram drop.
- Edge of Action: Exotic quest kiosk (requires Beyond Light campaign completion).
- Memory Interdict: World drop (check Banshee-44 and Xûr for rolls).
For raid weapons, remember that you can now buy red border versions weekly once you’ve unlocked the pattern, so prioritize those if you plan to craft a god roll. Dungeon weapons are not craftable, so you’ll need to farm for the perfect drop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are grenade launchers good now?
The update fixed an issue where Spike Grenades weren’t always applying their bonus on direct hits. Now they’re consistent, and heavy GLs benefit from damage perks that snapshot the spike multiplier, leading to huge burst damage.
Are swords still viable in PvE?
Swords took a hit with the Lament nerf a few seasons ago, but they still shine in close-quarters encounters where you can safely spam light attacks. The update didn’t change them directly, so legendary swords like Falling Guillotine with Whirlwind Blade remain solid for dungeons like Prophecy.
What heavy weapons should I avoid?
Avoid rocket launchers without a damage perk or reload bypass in the kinetic slot (like legendary ones from world drops). Also, linear fusions without precision-oriented perks are underwhelming. In general, if a heavy doesn’t have a way to boost damage or circumvent reloads, it’s not meta.
Does the update affect exotic heavies?
Yes. Some exotics like Two-Tailed Fox and Deathbringer saw indirect tweaks through global damage adjustments. Two-Tailed Fox now applies scorch, making it a strong Solar synergy pick. Deathbringer’s orbs track better, so it’s more reliable in PvP. Always read patch notes for exotic-specific changes.
Can I use machine guns for boss damage?
With the right build, yes. Thunderlord and Retrofit Escapade (with Target Lock and Fourth Time’s the Charm) can hold their own in longer damage phases where total damage matters more than burst. They’re not optimal for speedruns but are incredibly forgiving and ammo-efficient.
The heavy weapon meta has never been more diverse. Experiment with the picks above, chase those god rolls, and you’ll be prepared for anything the update throws at you. See you in the field, Guardian.
