In Destiny 2, Xenophage is now an absolute top weapon. Read why even raid bosses fear the exotic and which other weapons are the best for the endgame.
This is the exotic in question: When the exotic machine gun Xenophage was introduced, guardians wondered: Is the weapon bugged or really that bad? For most, it was clear that the weapon was not worth the power or exotic slot.
But in the current Season 10, the once-ridiculed exotic is one of the strongest weapons in the entire game and can clear even raid bosses out of the way in a phase. We take a look at the reasons for the change and show you the other current top weapons for the endgame.
Those who have not yet been able to get their hands on Xenophage can find our comprehensive guide here:
Why is Xenophage now a boss killer? The rise of Xenophage in Season 10 is based on two pillars:
- Many other strong boss killers have been heavily nerfed
- Xenophage, on the other hand, was buffed some time ago, making it stronger
Both factors combined allow the exotic to ascend to the damage Olympus now.
The best part is that the weapon has not lost any of its original comfort features. It still deals maximum damage to the enemy, whether you land a critical hit or just graze them with your toe. Additionally, Xenophage is effective at all ranges, and even if you miss, it causes an explosion that damages enemies in the vicinity.
Exotic surprises in the raid: PvE expert Datto aptly titled his latest DPS test video “Xenophage Vs. Izanagi’s Burden.” He is known for his tests and damage analyses in Destiny and must admit with some surprise that Xenophage is now among the absolute best weapons for the endgame.
Especially in the fight against the final boss in the Garden of Salvation, the exotic plays an outstanding role. The gigantic Vex warrior often flails around during the damage phase, hiding its crit spot and hovering in mid-air. In these phases, Xenophage allows for constant and strong damage. Thanks to fully automatic fire, you only need to hold the trigger.
This is how you get the most out of Xenophage: The only weakness of Xenophage is its slow reload time. However, this problem can be well managed with a Well of Radiance using Lunafaction Boots, a Titan Barricade, or the Hunter’s dodge jump. According to Datto, even average fireteams can take down the boss easily in 2 phases.
Titans should definitely rely on the exotic chest armor Actium War Rig. This armor automatically reloads Xenophage, allowing you to keep firing at the raid boss non-stop. With 4 “Enhanced Relay Defender” mods, it is even possible for Titans to defeat the final boss of the Garden of Salvation in just one phase.
You can see what it looks like when the Consecrated Mind is taken down effortlessly by Xenophage in one phase here:
The best weapons for high damage in Season 10
Many of the well-known boss killers have been heavily impacted by nerfs but still remain some of the strongest weapons in Destiny 2.
Other top weapons for the endgame:
- Izanagi’s Burden – The exotic sniper in the special slot was long considered the undisputed DPS king, but those days are gone. Izanagi is still very strong when it comes to dealing a lot of damage in a short time. However, due to the now significantly longer reload animation and pause before the next shot, missed and follow-up shots are punished with considerable damage loss.
- Whisper of the Worm – The exotic fan-favorite is making a comeback and is now arguably the strongest sniper in the game. Especially in boss fights and with support from Devour, the Whisper is a top weapon.
- Legendary grenade launchers – These damage monsters have also been nerfed but seem to withstand the change surprisingly well. So if you swear by your Wendigo GL3, you are doing nothing wrong. The advantages are that they can be paired with other exotics and have a high DPS value.
- Thousand Voices – The notorious raid exotic, like Xenophage, does not require crits and deals massive area damage. Datto recommends the weapon in his latest video against raid bosses.
- The Fourth Horseman – The exotic shotgun is the DPS king of close combat in Season 10 and frees up the power slot for strong support.
Will you also take Xenophage into the raid now? Why I am particularly pleased with the role of the heavy MG as a boss killer, you can read in my love letter to the formerly ridiculed exotic.
