Arguably the most popular class in Destiny 2 is the Hunter class, as many players just starting out wish to try out the more agile character. Because of that, Gunslinger has become one of the most popular subclasses in Destiny 2.
The Gunslinger subclass is an easy subclass to build, so it is a great fit for beginners who are learning how to build their character and how Aspects and Fragments work. There are plenty of ways to make Gunslinger extremely efficient, and below represents some of the best alterations one can make for their Hunter Gunslinger subclass, whether gearing up for PvE or PVP in the Crucible.
Best Hunter Gunslinger Supers
There are three different supers for Hunter Gunslingers to choose from:
- Golden Gun – Deadshot: This super summons a flaming revolver that deals incredible damage with Solar. Ignitions refund a bullet to the weapon.
- Golden Gun – Marksman: This super also summons a flaming revolver but deals increased precision damage, as well as creating Orbs of Power on precision hits. This gun also shoots through targets, meaning it can hit multiple people if they’re lined up just right.
- Blade Barrage: This super allows the Hunter to launch into the air and then unleash an onslaught of Solar blades that explode wherever the player is targeting.
The best Gunslinger super falls into two different contexts: roaming and non-roaming. Golden Gun – Marksman is the best roaming Gunslinger super that allows players to run around and defeat the targets they choose, making it a great choice for PvP. Blade Barrage on the other hand, is a non-roaming Gunslinger super that throws out explosive knives once. This super does massive damage, but it only allows players to target one or two areas at once. Because of this, Blade Barrage is a beast against bosses in PVE.
Best Hunter Gunslinger Abilities
Each Hunter subclass has access to the same general class abilities, though depending on the subclass of choice, certain abilities will benefit Gunslinger greatly.
Best Hunter Gunslinger Class Abilities
The Hunter class ability is a simple dodge with varying boosts.
- Marksman’s Dodge: Dodging reloads the equipped weapon.
- Gambler’s Dodge: Dodging near an enemy recharges the melee ability.
- Acrobat’s Dodge: Dodges, and landing makes nearby teammates and the player Radiant.
There is no ‘best’ class ability for the Gunslinger, as it is up to the player’s preference, but the Acrobats’ Dodge can surely be of great use since Radiant allows the player to deal increased damage with their weapon, as well as working hand-in-hand with some great fragments.
Best Hunter Gunslinger Movement Abilities
- Triple Jump: Allows the Hunter to jump three times.
- Strafe Jump: Allows the Hunter to jump a second time with stronger directional control.
- High Jump: Allows the Hunter to jump a second time with a greater vertical.
The movement ability is all up to the player’s choice, as there isn’t a ‘best’ once to choose from — it comes down to which one the player is most comfortable with.
Best Hunter Gunslinger Melee Abilities
- Knife Trick: Throws a set of flaming knives that scorch opponents.
- Proximity Explosive Knife: Throws a single knife that sticks to a surface, and explodes when an enemy comes near.
- Lightweight Knife: A quick-throwing knife that deals “moderate” damage and makes the Hunter Radiant with precision hits.
- Weighted Throwing Knife: Throw a knife that deals great damage, with extra precision damage, and ignites scorched targets. Precision final blows recharge the Hunter’s class ability.
The best Gunslinger melee abilities are Weighted Throwing Knife, especially in PvP, and Knife Trick that can take out more than one weak opponent, which is great for PvE.
Best Hunter Gunslinger Grenade Abilities
- Swarm Grenade: A grenade that breaks on impact into smaller grenades and track a target. Each piece slightly scorches an enemy.
- Fusion Grenade: Attaches to targets, and explodes while also scorching them.
- Healing Grenade: Grenade cures allies on impact, and also creates an Orb of Solar Light that grants restoration to allies when they pick it up.
- Solar Grenade: This grenade creates a flare of Solar that continuously deals damage, and scorches targets who are trapped with the grenade.
- Incendiary Grenade: This grenade explodes in a burst of Solar and scorches nearby opponents.
- Thermite Grenade: Grenade sends a line of Solar fire that deals damage and scorches enemies in its path.
- Tripmine Grenade: An explosive that sticks to a surface and explodes when shot or when an enemy walks through its laser trigger. This also scorches enemies.
- Firebolt Grenade: A grenade that explodes in a circle of Solar Light, damaging and scorching enemies.
The best Gunslinger grenades are the Fusion Grenade in PvP, the Healing Grenade, the Thermite Grenade, and the Firebolt Grenade.
Best Hunter Gunslinger Aspects
There are currently three different Gunslinger aspects for a Hunter to use:
- Gunpowder Gamble: After defeating enemies with Solar and abilities, the Gunpowder Gamble explosive will be charged; it is essentially a stick of dynamite that does incredible damage, and it can be detonated by shooting the explosive. Also sticks to enemies.
- Knock ‘Em Down: Solar Supers are enhanced. Blade Barrage launches more blades, Golden Gun – Marksman is active longer, and Golden Gun – Deadshot has damage resistance.
- On Your Mark: Precision final blows will grant the Hunter and nearby teammates increased weapon handling and reload speed. This can stack three times. This stacks three times immediately upon class ability use.
Gunpowder Gamble is easily the best aspect for Gunslingers, and Knock ‘Em Down is a close second, especially with Blade Barrage.
Best Hunter Gunslinger Fragments
There are 16 different fragments for the Hunter Gunslinger to make use of:
- Ember of Mercy: Reviving an ally grants restoration to the Hunter and nearby players. Picking up Firesprites grant restoration. Adds 10 Resilience.
- Ember of Resolve: Solar grenade kills cure the Hunter.
- Ember of Singeing: Class ability recharges faster when scorching opponents.
- Ember of Benevolence: Applying restoration, cure, or Radiant to allies increase regeneration for grenades, melee, and class abilities. Takes off 10 Discipline.
- Ember of Beams: Solar super projectiles have better target acquisition. Adds 10 Intellect.
- Ember of Empyrean: Solar weapon or ability kills extend restoration and Radiant effects. Takes off 10 Resilience.
- Ember of Eruption: Solar ignitions have increased AOE. Adds 10 Strength.
- Ember of Solace: Radiant and restoration effects on the Hunter last longer.
- Ember of Blistering: Kills with ignitions grant grenade charge.
- Ember of Tempering: Solar weapon kills grant the Hunter and teammates increased Recovery, and can stack three times. While active, grants increased airborne effectiveness with weapons. Solar weapon kills create a Firesprite. Takes off 10 Recovery.
- Ember of Char: Solar ignitions spread scorch to affected enemies. Adds 10 Discipline.
- Ember of Torches: Powered melee attacks make the Hunter and nearby teammates Radiant. Takes off 10 Discipline.
- Ember of Combustion: Kills with a Solar super make the targets ignite and creates a Firesprite. Adds 10 Strength.
- Ember of Ashes: Adds more scorch stacks to affected enemies.
- Ember of Wonder: Successive kills with ignitions create an Orb of Power. Adds 10 Resilience.
- Ember of Searing: Killing scorched enemies grants melee energy and creates a Firesprite. Adds 10 Recovery.
Players can only equip three fragments, so they must choose wisely. For PP, the best fragments are Ember of Tempering, Ember of Ashes, and Ember of Combustion. The best PVE Gunslinger fragments are Ember of Mercy, Ember of Wonder, Ember of Benevolence, and Ember of Tempering.
Hunter Gunslinger Primary Stats
Player using the Gunslinger subclass for their Hunters can vary with their stats, but there should be a focus on the stats states below. That is because Hunters are very different from Warlocks and Titans, meaning they must prioritize stats that the other classes wouldn’t.
- Movement
- Recovery
- Strength/Discipline
Best Hunter Gunslinger Weapons & Armor
Weapons and armor aren’t entirely important for Gunslinger builds, but they can prove the builds to be more efficient, especially when working with fragments that require Solar weapons.
Some great weapons that work with Gunslinger build are as follows:
- Zaouli’s Bane
- Beloved Sniper Rifle
- Lord of Wolves
- Lament Sword
- Gjallahorn Rocket Launcher
As far as armor goes, the best ones to equip for a Solar Hunter are pretty niche:
- Young Ahamkara’s Spine
- Assassin’s Cowl
- Celestial Nighthawk
- Athryn’s Embrace
- Shards of Galanor
