Destiny 2: Renegades just dropped the most exciting weapon system in years—Heat Weapons. These Star Wars-inspired blasters completely reimagine how Guardians handle their arsenal. If you’ve ever wanted to wield a proper blaster in Destiny’s universe, your time has come. Let’s break down everything you need to master these futuristic powerhouses.
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What Makes Heat Weapons Different?
Heat weapons fire ammunition directly from reserves rather than using traditional magazine reloading. Instead of reloading bullets, you’ll manage heat buildup by venting your weapon to cool it down. Think of it like the iconic blasters from Star Wars—fire too much, and you’ll need to let them cool off.
Destiny 2 : Heat Weapon Stats Overview
| Stat | Function |
|---|---|
| Heat Generated | Amount of heat created per shot |
| Cooling Efficiency | How quickly weapon cools after firing |
| Vent Speed | Speed of manual heat dissipation |
| Archetype | Dynamic or Balanced |
| Primary Bonus | Extra damage vs. powerful enemies |
Two Archetypes: Choose Your Playstyle
Heat weapons come in two distinct flavors, each suited to different combat situations.
Dynamic Heat Weapons
These weapons offer higher base damage but generate high heat. Perfect for burst damage scenarios, Dynamic weapons cool down rapidly between shots, making them ideal for Guardians who swap weapons frequently during combat. They excel in high-stakes encounters where you need maximum impact in short windows.
Balanced Heat Weapons
Balanced archetypes generate very low heat, and manually venting at high heat greatly increases venting speed. These are your workhorses for sustained firefights. With proper build crafting, you can fire nearly 100 rounds from a Balanced Auto Rifle before overheating—perfect for wave-clearing activities.
Mastering the Venting Mechanic
The venting system replaces traditional reloading. You’ll notice a percentage meter showing heat buildup, with a sweet spot indicator for optimal venting timing. Overheating forces a sustained vent, so timing your manual vents strategically keeps you in the fight longer.
Star Wars Arsenal in Renegades
Heat weapons include several standout options inspired by iconic Star Wars blasters:
- Modified B-7 Pistol (Hand Cannon) – Stasis, Dynamic
- All or Nothing (Pulse Rifle) – Strand, Dynamic
- M-17 “Fast Talker” (SMG) – Stasis, Balanced
- Uncivil Discourse (Special Hand Cannon) – Arc, Dynamic
- Refurbished A499 (Heavy Sniper) – Kinetic, Disruption weapon
Looking for more weapon recommendations? Check out our best Destiny 2 loadouts guide for optimal build synergies.
Build Synergies and Perks
Heat weapons integrate beautifully with new perks and armor sets. The Thermal Atomization perk increases damage at high heat and causes defeated enemies to explode. Several armor sets boost heat weapon performance—the Shrew Survivor set grants handling and accuracy bonuses when swapping to heat weapons.
Primary ammo heat weapons receive intrinsic damage buffs against Champions, mini-bosses, and Elites, making them surprisingly viable for endgame content.
For comprehensive expansion coverage, visit our Destiny 2 Renegades launch guide.
For official details on the expansion, check Bungie’s Renegades page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do heat weapons run out of ammo?
Primary heat weapons have infinite reserves, but Special and Heavy heat weapons can run out of ammunition. You’ll still need to pick up ammo bricks for these weapon types, though the venting mechanic replaces magazine reloading.
Which heat weapon archetype is better for PvE?
Balanced archetypes dominate PvE activities due to sustained damage output and minimal heat generation. They’re perfect for longer encounters and add-clearing. Dynamic archetypes shine in PvP or burst-damage situations where quick cooldowns between engagements matter more than continuous fire.
