This far into Destiny 2’s life cycle, we find ourselves with a veritable cornucopia of Exotic armor pieces that can make almost any build viable, at least to some extent. In Destiny 2 Season of the Deep, we now have a full complement of 3.0 Subclasses with some great new perks and the newest subclass, Strand. As a result, it’s time to blow the dust off some of your lesser-used Exotics and bring out some new ones too. While listing all the top options would take days, we’ve collated a list of the best Destiny 2 armor pieces for each class.
The introduction of the Destiny 2 3.0 subclass reworks and Destiny 2 Strand subclasses has brought even more build diversity to the game, but nothing maximises the effectiveness of a playstyle like using the right Exotic at the right time. Bear in mind these armor pieces don’t necessarily need specific builds to work, though some are reliant on a certain subclass. You’ll also want to know all about the Destiny 2 Vex Incursion Zone and Destiny 2 Vex Strike Force event as many of the best armor pieces can be earned here.
Read on to see our picks for the best Destiny 2 armor pieces available for each class in Season of the Deep.
Best Destiny 2 Armor – Hunters
Here are our picks for the best Destiny 2 armor for Hunters in Season of the Deep:
- Assassin’s Cowl
- Renewal Grasps
- Shards of Galanor
- Star-Eater Scales
- Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk
- Frost-EE5
Assassin’s Cowl – Helm
Hunters have plenty of options when it comes to Exotic helmets, but one of the most versatile and outright useful is the Assassin’s Cowl. Thanks to the subclass reworks, powered melees are the order of the day, and this helm gives every subclass invisibility and a boost to health on a powered melee kill. Can’t do much about the glowing blue veil though, unfortunately.
- Source: World drop
Renewal Grasps – Arms
These Exotic Arms are must-have for Stasis Hunters. Not only do they make the blast radius of your Duskfield Grenade bigger, they also boost damage resistance for any Guardians within its bubble, while also reducing the damage that enemies dish out. The numbers are a little lower in PvP, though it can still mean the difference between life and death. Interestingly, you can stack the size effect with the Touch of Winter Aspect to increase the radius and size of the Duskfield crystal even further.
- Source: Complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
Shards of Galanor – Arms
This has been a go-to Exotic for Solar Hunters for a long time, even outperforming the mighty Celestial Nighthawk in the right hands. Your Blade Barrage hits or kills refund Super energy when wearing the Shards, and in the right situations can give back almost 50% of your Super charge each time you use it. It’s lethal in PvP, or for mob-clearing in PvE activities. Solar 3.0 Hunters with this Exotic are a force to be reckoned with.
- Source: World Drop
Star-Eater Scales – Legs
Mostly slept on until Season of the Haunted, the Star-Eater Scales boost Super damage when you collect Orbs of Power. The nerf to Orb drops make them less useful in solo play, but for group activities like Raids, Dungeons, and Nightfall Strikes, the abundance of Orbs make these an absolute menace to bosses. Focused Supers like Blade Barrage can do record damage when you need it most.
- Source: Complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk – Chest
Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk (that’s pronounced jur-falcon, by the way) is truly menacing for Void builds. Its unique perk was always going to be nerfed at some point, though, as increased damage after being invisible was just too strong. However, Bungie’s nerf doesn’t actually feel much weaker in Season of the Seraph or Season of Defiance. After a prolonged period of unavailability, Gyrfalcon’s Halberd returned with a retooled perk that grants you Volatile Rounds after being invisible. Pair this with a Void weapon of any kind, and you’ll be creating mini explosions everywhere.
- Source: Complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
Frost-EE5 – Legs
While you could argue as vehemently for Stomp-EE5 in this spot, the Frost-EE5 Exotic Legs are just that little bit more useful for a generalist playstyle. Sprinting in them speeds up Ability regen, and dodging mid-sprint increases your movement speed. They work with any subclass, but feel especially useful with Arc 3.0.
- Source: World drop
Best Destiny 2 Armor – Titans
Here’s our list of the best Destiny 2 armor for Titans in Season of the Deep are:
- Loreley Splendor Helm
- Synthoceps
- Heart of Inmost Light
- Cuirass of the Falling Star
- Dunemarchers
- Phoenix Cradle
- Abeyant Leap
Loreley Splendor Helm – Helm
Even after a nerf, the Loreley Splendor Helm is ridiculously useful for Solar Titans. This helm creates a Sunspot when your health is critically low (around 25%), or when you drop a barricade. The Restoration x2 effect works fast enough to counteract incoming damage, making you a walking – or standing – battle tank.
- Source: Complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
Synthoceps – Arms
Titans love to punch things, and these arms make punching things even more fun. The unique perk is Biotic Enhancements, which boost melee damage when surrounded. Regardless of subclass, they’ll turn your Titan into a pummeling powerhouse.
- Source: World drop
Heart of Inmost Light – Chest
This Titan armor piece is a fantastic addition to your loadout regardless of your Subclass. The unique perk, Overflowing Light, empowers all your abilities whenever you use one. Not only do they regenerate faster, but grenades and melee deal additional damage and your Barricades last longer. For a more generalist, ability-focused build, the Heart of Inmost Light is a must-have.
- Source: World drop
Cuirass of the Falling Star – Chest
Ever wanted to just destroy something, to become a ball of white-hot destructive energy and completely atomise your enemies? Yeah, us neither. But if you do find yourself itching to obliterate a small island nation on your own, this Exotic will get it done. It turns Titans into literal Arc missiles, granting an overshield during Thundercrash and increasing the damage of the eventual explosion.
- Source: Complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
Dunemarchers – Legs
Introduced back in the early days of Destiny 2, there’s a reason these Exotic Legs are still so popular. They not only increase Mobility innately, but allow your Titan to build up a static charge while sprinting that you can then release for devastating close-range damage. In PvE or PvP, they’re a great choice for sudden, unexpected destruction.
- Source: World drop
Phoenix Cradle – Legs
Built for Solar 3.0, the Phoenix Cradle legs are incredible with the Sol Invictus Aspect equipped. They make the effects of Sol Invictus last longer, but also make your Sunspots apply the same effect to allies – along with Restoration. Solar 3.0 is very much about survivability and the healing power of the sun, and the Phoenix Cradle legs embody that.
- Source: Complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
Abeyant Leap – Legs
The Abeyant Leap Exotic legs are tailor-made for Strand builds, causing your class ability to create more Drengr’s Lash Strand projectiles and increase the tracking intensity. With this, you’ll be able to Suspend large groups of enemies on demand, including Champions, and make them unable to fight back.
- Source: Lightfall Legendary campaign reward or complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
Best Destiny 2 Armor – Warlocks
And finally, here are our picks for the best Destiny 2 armor for Warlocks in Season of the Deep:
- Osmiomancy Gloves
- Boots of the Assembler
- Karnstein Armlets
- Ophidian Aspect
- Crown of Tempests
- Fallen Sunstar
- Sunbracers
- Swarmers
Osmiomancy Gloves – Arms
If you’re running a Stasis Warlock you simply can’t get better than these Exotic arms. They add an extra Coldsnap grenade charge while also allowing the frost tendrils to travel 35% further. Not only that, but they return grenade energy when they kill or freeze a target. When used effectively, you can chain grenades endlessly while also looking pretty damn cool.
- Source: Complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
Boots of the Assembler – Legs
This Exotic is a beast for group PvE activities. The unique perk creates Seekers that either heal or buff allies depending on the Rift you summon, and each ally affected extends the period of the Rift. Not only can you keep the fireteam alive for longer, you can also maximise everyone’s damage on a boss or tough enemy.
- Source: Complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
Karnstein Armlets – Arms
Arguably better suited to a Titan, these Exotic arms grant a burst of health plus health regen at a rate of 30HP per second for eight seconds after a melee kill. They may not be as flashy as some Warlock Exotics, but for those of you who like to get up close and personal with the enemy, they’re a great tool to keep you alive for longer.
- Source: World Drop
Ophidian Aspect – Arms
These Exotic arms arguably suit the Hunter better, depicting coiled snakes and granting a passive buff to reload speed, handling and melee range. But the buff to airborne effectiveness makes them massively useful to Solar 3.0 sky-snipers and Warlocks who like to stay above the battlefield.
- Source: World drop
Crown of Tempests – Helm
A perfect fit for an Arc 3.0 build, Crown of Tempests can also roll with increased mobility if you’re lucky. The intrinsic Perk is Conduction Tines, which boosts the regeneration rate of Arc abilities on Arc or Jolt kills. It also increases the duration of your Stormtrance Super.
- Source: World drop
Fallen Sunstar – Helm
This is another Exotic that’s almost crying out for Bungie to nerf it. Brand new in the Season of Plunder, this helm causes your Arc Ionic Traces to move faster and recharge your abilities quicker. Not only that, but it will also apply the same regen to your allies. Combine it with the Delicate Tomb Fusion Rifle, and it’s an Ionic Trace bounty. Just a shame it looks so silly.
- Source: Complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
Sunbracers – Arms
The Sunbracers are an incredibly fun option for Solar Warlocks, causing Solar melee kills to grant unlimited Solar Grenade energy for a brief time. While allowing you to throw infinite grenades once the buff in triggered, Sunbracers also increase the duration of Solar Grenades. With the Sunbracers, you’ll be raining fire down on your enemies in spectacular fashion, and that’s before considering the powerful Solar build options.
- Source: World drop
Swarmers – Legs
The Swarmers are perfect for a Warlock Strand build, further improving the lethality of Tangles and Threadlings. The Swarmers will create Threadlings when you destroy Tangles, and any enemy damaged by these Threadlings will be unravelled. If you’re enjoying Strand Warlock, then the Swarmers will amp up the fun.
- Source: Lightfall Legendary campaign reward or complete Legend or Master Lost Sectors, solo
So there you go: the very best Destiny 2 armor pieces for all three classes to help you maximise your effectiveness while mowing through the enemies of humanity. If you’re looking for some new tools for said mowing, check out out best Destiny 2 weapons guide.