Strange as it is, Destiny 2's massive final update is here, marking the end of an era. But Bungie's gone out with a bang here, not least because it's added 26 new catalysts and updated nine old ones. No Exotic weapons have been left behind, and that's a fitting way to leave things.
Below, I'll outline all the new catalysts and how to get them, as well as what's been changed on existing catalyst-havers. I'll warn you now, it's a bit of a grind, but it's not like there's anything else on the horizon anyhow.
All 26 new catalysts in Destiny 2
There are 26 new catalysts added to Exotic weapons that didn't already have one, meaning every golden-tier gun now has an upgrade. While the catalysts for raid and dungeon-exclusive Exotics remain in their respective activities, so far it seems as though any Exotics available from random drops, quests, or the Exotic Archive have their catalysts in the general loot pool. In other words, you can grind ritual activities and complete Exotic Orders in the hopes that you get what you want.
Most of these new and updated catalysts are pretty strong upgrades, though I've certainly got my favourites. I think Riskrunner is one of the biggest winners here, now having Chain Reaction explosions added to its catalyst on top of already incredible add-clearing potential. I'm also partial to the Last Word, and its new catalyst makes it a gunslinger's dream in both PvE and PvP.
Here's what each new catalyst provides and where you can get it:
Exotic Weapon | Catalyst Location | Catalyst Perk |
|---|---|---|
Anarchy | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Jolting Feedback: Dealing repeated damage with this weapon inflicts Jolt. While amplified, Jolt is applied faster. |
Bastion | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Cast No Shadows: Dealing melee damage increases this weapon's handling and loads a small amount of ammo from reserves. |
Collective Obligation | Random drop from the final boss of the Vow of the Disciple raid | Repulsor Brace: Defeating a Void-debuffed target grants an overshield. |
Conditional Finality | Random drop from the final boss of the Root of Nightmares raid | Heal Clip: Reloading shortly after dealing a final blow grants Cure to you and your nearby allies. Rimestealer: Destroying a Stasis crystal or defeating a frozen target with this weapon grants you Frost Armor. |
Deterministic Chaos | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Target Lock: Damage increases the longer this weapon remains on a target. |
Devil’s Ruin | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Collective Action: Collecting an Elemental pickup or destroying a Tangle grants this weapon a stacking period of increased damage. Throwing a Tangle provides additional time. |
Divinity | Random drop from the final boss of the Garden of Salvation raid | Jolting Feedback: Dealing repeated damage with this weapon inflicts Jolt. While amplified, Jolt is applied faster. Focused Fury: Dealing a portion of the magazine as precision damage grants this weapon bonus damage. The shot count is reset whenever the weapon is reloaded or stowed. |
Edge of Action | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Repulsor Brace: Defeating a Void-debuffed target grants an overshield. |
Edge of Concurrence | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Eddy Current: Temporarily increases reload speed and handling after sprinting or while amplified. This effect is improved when you are amplified. |
Edge of Intent | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Heal Clip: Reloading shortly after dealing a final blow grants Cure to you and your nearby allies. |
Euphony | Random drop from the final boss of the Salvation's Edge raid | Enlightened Action: Dealing damage improves reload speed and handling. |
Eyes of Tomorrow | Random drop from the final boss of the Deep Stone Crypt raid | Demolitionist: Kills with this weapon generate grenade energy. Activating your grenade ability reloads this weapon from reserves. Blast Distributor: Dealing splash damage grants a bonus to your Grenade stat. |
Khvostov | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Attrition Orbs: Dealing sustained damage creates an Orb of Power. |
Last Word | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Killing Wind: Final blows grant increased mobility, weapon range, and handling for a short duration. Envious Assassin: Defeating targets with other weapons before drawing this one transfers ammo to the magazine from reserves. This effect can overflow the magazine based on the number of targets defeated. |
Microcosm | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Thresh: Killing combatants with this weapon generates a small amount of Super energy. Stopping Power: This weapon's Kinetic ordinance can more easily stagger combatants, and grant increased target acquisition and damage against low-health targets. |
One Thousand Voices | Random drop from the final boss of the Last Wish raid | Fall from Grace: The weapon has become partially Taken. Detonations produce Taken energy that aggressively seeks out nearby targets and Blights them. |
Parasite | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Envious Arsenal: Dealing damage with both other weapons before readying this weapon refills it from reserves. |
Still Hunt | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Lucky Shot: Reloading after a precision final blow causes precision hits to refill a round from reserves. |
Tarrabah | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Ambitious Assassin: Overflows the magazine based on the number of rapid kills before reloading. |
The Chaperone | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Triple Tap: Rapidly landing precision hits will return one round to the magazine. |
The Lament | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Burning Ambition: Dealing sustained damage scorches the target. Dealing damage to a scorched target inflicts scorch. |
Truth | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Reaper's Tithe: Multiple simultaneous final blows queue up a stacking damage buff. The timer starts on the next weapon fire; final blows extend this timer. |
Wavesplitter | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Detonator Beam: Dealing sustained damage creates an explosion around the target. Attrition Orbs: Dealing sustained damage creates an Orb of Power. |
Winterbite | Likely from any ritual activity (Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit), or Exotic Order payouts in the Seasonal Hub | Rimestealer: Destroying a Stasis crystal or defeating a frozen target with this weapon grants you Frost Armor. |
Wish-Ender | Random drop from the Shattered Throne dungeon | One for All: Hitting three separate targets increases damage for a moderate duration. |
Xenophage | Random drop from the Pit of Heresy dungeon | Chain Reaction: Each final blow with this weapon creates an elemental damage explosion. Rampage: Kills with this weapon temporarily grant increased damage, stacking up to three times. |
Updated catalysts
Bungie has also expanded a number of Exotic weapons' catalysts so they're a little more interesting—these upgrades were previously just stat bonuses, now they've got a perk, too—and buffed some others.
Crimson
Now has To the Pain as a catalyst perk, perfectly synergising with this weapon's playstyle: While this weapon is equipped, taking damage increases handling and aim assist until the weapon is stowed.
Coldheart
This catalyst now comes with Supercharged Magazine, which is handy: While amplified, ammo is gradually transferred from reserves to the magazine. Running while amplified regenerates ammo faster and overflows the magazine.
Merciless
You now gain the benefits of Heal Clip, which isn't actually all that exciting here: Reloading shortly after dealing a final blow grants Cure to you and your nearby allies.
Sunshot
Now has the Loose Change perk, which basically just makes it feel nicer to use: Applying an elemental debuff to a target increases this weapon's reload speed, aim assist, and movement while aiming down sights for a short duration.
Skyburner's Oath
Get access to Incandescent and Burning Ambition, a massive upgrade: Defeating a target spreads scorch to those nearby, and dealing sustained damage scorches the target.
Riskrunner
This AoE beast is somehow even stronger now that it has Chain Reaction: Each final blow with this weapon creates an elemental damage explosion.
The Prospector
It now gets Danger Zone as a perk, though it's still not going to be very popular: The blast radius of this weapon increases when surrounded by combatants. While active, this weapon deals significantly less damage to the wielder.
Hard Light
Now has the new Light Touch perk for some added usability: This weapon gains reload speed, handling, and aim down sights speed when you are Amplified, Radiant, or have Devour.
Touch of Malice
Rapid Hit has been replaced by Precision Instrument, which will increase its overall damage: Dealing sustained damage increases precision damage.
Jade Rabbit
Its special reload now consumes Fate of All Fools to grant a single micro missile round, dealing bonus damage based on the number of stacks consumed.
Vex Mythoclast
Its catalyst can now be activated by dealing sustained damage, in addition to kills.
Heirloom
Incandescent has been added to its catalyst, which you can never go wrong with: Defeating a target spreads scorch to those nearby.
