Destiny 2 - Best Crucible PVP Class
Get the edge over the competition in Destiny 2 by using one of the best subclasses for PVP.
In Destiny 2, picking the right weapon is only half the battle, the other half is making sure you’re using the best subclass, especially in PVP. Though each Class in Destiny 2 has three subclasses, there is typically only one, maybe two, which are considered the best PVP subclasses. With the release of Forsaken, and subsequently the inclusion of nine new subclass perk clusters, there are now far more viable options for players looking to get an edge of the competition in Crucible.
Best Hunter PVP Subclass – Gunslinger
Destiny 2: Forsaken has introduced a lot of new Hunter subclasses for players to toy with, and although the Arc Staff and Spectral Blades feel powerful, it’s certainly difficult to trump a hit-scan one-hit kill weapon
Ideally, players who opt to use the Gunslinger should only consider using the middle or top perk cluster when playing Crucible. Though the Orb of Light generation of the bottom cluster is helpful, the top cluster makes it easier to land Golden Gun shots, making the hit-scan far more forgiving.
Though it’s probably too late for some, if players can avoid unlocking the final perk, Six Shooter, this ensures that Golden Gun remains as a three-shooter with plenty of time to reposition. The problem with unlocking the last perk is that it drastically reduces the amount of time Golden Gun is active, making it extremely difficult to capitalize on those six shots. In the event the skill is already unlocked, it’s no big deal, it just means players will need to act quickly.
As for the grenade, though none of the grenades can one-hit, the Swarm grenade offers excellent finishing potential given the homing nature of the particles. The Tripmine is viable if players run into it, though the good ol’ days of sticking people are long gone.
In terms of class ability, being able to instantly reload a weapon can help win a difficult duel or prepare the player for the next opponent around the corner. Unless you’ve got laser-like accuracy with throwing knives, having the melee refill isn’t important, especially given it only procs when activated close to an enemy.
Outside of the top tree, the middle tree is seeing a lot of use thanks to the throwing-knife super that replaces Golden Gun. This ability essentially acts as a “panic super” allowing a surprised Hunter to instantly kill the player who caught them unaware.
Best Titan PVP Subclass – Striker
By the close of the original Destiny, the Striker Titan was one of the most terrifying subclasses to face in the field of battle, and much remains the same in Destiny 2. While their Lightning Grenades might not hold the same power, their roaming Super is the bane of anyone’s existence.
However, what makes the Striker Titan such a monster is its ability to have two grenades at any given time thanks to the top perk cluster, Code of the Earthshaker. Due to how Destiny 2 treats grenades (they aren’t able to kill an enemy through their damage alone), having two grenades allows the Striker to effectively shutdown choke points and completely deny critical areas.
Due to how long it takes a Super to charge in PVP, the ability to increase your neutral game effectiveness cannot be overlooked. When playing Countdown in Trials of the Nine, a well-placed Pulse Grenade can prevent the enemy from defusing the bomb.
The melee modifier is Seismic Strike, which allows you to sprint at an enemy and shoulder-charge into them. This releases explosive damage and also procs the second perk, Aftershocks, which helps recharge your grenade. It’s a system that feeds into itself, allowing you to be a grenade-throwing fiend. It’s also worth noting that shoulder-charge now one-hit kills players, making the Striker a fearsome choice indeed.
As for the Fist of Havoc Super, the Terminal Velocity perk means that every slam leaves a damaging field on the ground, making it difficult for enemies to pursue you or escape from the epicentre of your attack. This is all ignoring the fact that Fist of Havoc has the fastest cast time out of all the other Supers, allowing you to “Fist of Panic” and slam any enemy that catches you off guard.
Best Warlock PVP Subclass – Dawnblade
The Warlock was particularly monstrous in the original Destiny, especially during the days of Thorn and high damage-over-time abilities with the Solar subclass. But in Destiny 2, the playing field is seemingly even among the Warlock classes with all of them being viable options.
For the Dawnblade, the lower cluster offers homing blades during the Super and kills while using Daybreak extends its duration. This allows the Warlock to stay in its Super – and get kills – for an incredible amount of time. To add to this sheer power, the Warlock can instantly heal itself by using Phoenix Dive. The Dawnblade also received a considerable mobility buff, meaning that when in the Super, jumping and using glide (especially Burst Glide), will send the Warlock rocketing forwards. This makes the Warlock extremely difficult to kill, allowing it to dominate a match.
For the class ability, nothing can really beat the Healing Rift. Standing in said rift means players can basically lock down an area thanks to its ability to heal up to a complete overshield. Empowering is nice, but the time-to-kill in Destiny 2 is so low now that it’s not really needed.
For the grenade, Firebolt is nice for hitting enemies out of reach, but the Solar grenade just cooks players alive and can result in Countdown points being completely locked down.
Other PVP Subclasses
Just because the previous three subclasses are considered the “best” doesn’t mean the others aren’t viable. Take for example the Warlock, just because the Dawnblade is great, doesn’t mean you should avoid using the Voidwalker and Stormcaller subclasses. The Voidwalker can absolutely destroy an opponent’s plans when using the Attunement of Hunger cluster to heal. The Stormcaller’s latest perk tree, Attunement of Control, blasts away enemies with ease.
As for the Hunter, both the new Spectral Blades in the Nightstalker and the Arcstrider can tear the battlefield apart. A Nightstalker can use Shadowshot to shutdown other Supers while the Spectral Blades allows a Hunter to see through walls. The Arcstrider can now deflect bullets, and is one of the most difficult supers to kill.
Even the Titan’s Sunbreaker and Sentinel are incredible. The Sunbreaker is just nigh unstoppable thanks to the homing hammers, and the Sentinel can lock down areas and control entire lanes with its Ward of Dawn or Sentinel Shield.
The thing to keep in mind is that, even though some subclasses are easier to use and can result in more kills, there can be just as viable options in other perk clusters. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference and what you’re most comfortable playing. If you’re totally crushing your enemies and claiming victory each match with a Arcstrider Hunter, a Sentinel Titan, or a Voidwalker Warlock, there’s really no need to change. However, if you’re struggling to use these subclasses effectively, perhaps it’s time to try out a subclass that is considered the best subclass for PVP.
Be sure to check out the Shacknews Destiny 2 Complete Strategy Guide for walkthroughs, weapon breakdowns, farming guides, and more!
