With the Forsaken expansion, the mod system of Destiny 2 has been revamped. We show you all the new weapon mods and explain in detail what they do.
Since the release of Forsaken, Guardians can choose from numerous mods for their weapons. But which mods are available? What can they do? And what else should you keep in mind? The following information should help you find the right modifications for your weapons.
The new weapon mods in Destiny 2 – What you need to know
Why mods are worth it: With mods, you can give your arsenal an additional personal touch. The modifications improve certain aspects of your weapons – from magazine size to recoil behavior and extra damage against certain enemy groups, there’s quite a bit involved.
What is important for choosing mods: The choice of the right weapon mods depends, just like the choice of weapons or armor perks, mainly on your individual preferences. Do you play more PvP or PvE? Do you use the weapon primarily against strong single enemies or groups of weak enemies?
With this information, it should be easier for you to find the right mods for your needs.
How to get weapon mods in Destiny 2
These two options are available: Since their overhaul, mods have become rarer. In Year 2, they are only available from dismantling corresponding weapons that already contain mods or in exchange for mod components from the gunsmith.
However, you need a lot of mod components for that at the gunsmith – 10 per mod. This is how you effectively obtain the components.
By the way: This is how you get the new weapon mods from the Black Armory and what they can do.
These weapons can be equipped with mods
Weapons from Year 1 are not compatible with new mods: All Year 2 legendary weapons have a mod slot. Your Year 1 weapons, on the other hand, are unable to use the new Year 2 weapon mods in Destiny 2. They must cope completely without them. Exotic weapons also do not have mod slots.
Popular Year 1 weapons have been adjusted: However, you do not have to completely give up your Year 1 weapons. Because some popular Year 1 weapons have returned in new form – with random rolls and the ability to carry Year 2 weapon mods.
These weapon mods are available in Destiny 2
Currently, there are a total of 9 weapon mods in Destiny 2. They can be roughly divided into three categories:
Stat mods:
- Backup Magazine (Backup Mag)
- Freehand Grip (Freehand Grip)
- Icarus Grip (Icarus Grip)
- Counterbalance Stock (Counterbalance Stock)
Damage mods:
- Minor Spec (Minor Spec)
- Major Spec (Major Spec)
- Boss Spec (Boss Spec)
Targeting mods
- Targeting Adjuster (Targeting Adjuster)
- Radar Tuner (Radar Tuner)
What the stat mods can do
Backup Magazine: This mod increases your weapon’s magazine size. Depending on the weapon type, the effect varies. Players on Reddit report a 15 – 30 percent increase. But beware: At the same time, this perk can also reduce the ammo reserves of some weapons!
Freehand Grip: This mod increases accuracy and weapon readiness speed when shooting from the hip.
The speed boost when readying the weapon is rather small, as can be seen in the following video.
However, especially for bow lovers and shotgun players, this mod can be worthwhile. Numerous fans report that bows play significantly more accurately when not using the scope. Shotguns also shoot noticeably more accurately from the hip – especially in PvP, a worthwhile advantage.
Icarus Grip: In Destiny 2, weapons lose significant precision while in the air. This mod compensates for that and improves weapon precision while jumping. The effect is noticeable. Especially hand cannons and shotguns are significantly easier to use in the air.
Especially in the Crucible, this perk is very popular and used by many players.
Counterbalance Stock: This mod reduces weapon recoil. A must for anyone who values good weapon control. Especially in the Crucible. The mod nearly eliminates the lateral drifting of the weapon and makes the recoil more predictable and easier to counter.
You can see how strongly the effect impacts weapon handling in this video from Mungow:
What the damage mods can do
Minor Spec: This mod increases the damage of the weapon against all enemies with red health bars. The damage bonus is 7.8%.
This mod makes the most sense on your primary weapon, as you typically use it against smaller enemies.
Major Spec: This mod makes your weapon stronger against all enemies with orange health bars (excluding bosses). The damage bonus is also 7.8%.
The Major mod works well on energy weapons like shotguns and on power weapons, as you mainly use them for fights against majors.
Boss Spec: This mod grants your weapon bonus damage against all bosses (in strikes, raids, and public events) as well as enemy vehicles. Here too, the damage bonus is 7.8%.
The Boss Spec mod works best on energy weapons and power weapons like rocket launchers, as you rarely engage bosses with primary weapons.
You can find a detailed analysis of the damage mods in this video from Ehroar:
What the targeting mods can do
Targeting Adjuster: This mod provides the weapon with better target acquisition or aiming assistance. Specifically, this means that the perk enhances the “stickiness” of the reticle to the target once you aim at it.
Especially on consoles, this allows you to further enhance weapons that already have strong aim assist, making the gun almost stick to the opponent. This modification can lead to getting a few more kills in the Crucible. However, in PvE and on PC, the mod is virtually useless.
Radar Tuner: With most weapons, the radar view typically disappears when you use the weapon’s aiming device. Once you exit the scope view, it takes a few seconds for the radar to activate again.
With the Radar Tuner mod, the wait time for radar activation is eliminated. It activates immediately upon exiting the scope view.
A selection of the best Forsaken weapons and their perks can be found here:
