Destiny 2 – Monument to Lost Lights Guide

Guide to Monument to Lost Lights (+ Useful Tips)

By Scryllix!

Red War

MIDA Multi-Tool | Scout Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 2.2 / 5.8

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

While not particularly useful in PvE, it excels in PvP with its high airborne effectiveness, especially when paired with the Heat Rises ability. In long-range maps, it holds up well, allowing players to maneuver and approach enemies from various angles. However, if you’re looking for a solid choice for PvE, it’s better to opt for a legendary scout rifle instead.

Catalyst (if applicable):

Grants No Distractions. No Distractions provides a bit more ease of use in PvP, against oncoming fire.

Polaris Lance | Scout Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 4.8 / 6.3

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon is somewhat mediocre, but it can shine in Nightfall activities when you consider the Scorch ability, as the perfect fifth shot triggers ignitions, increasing its overall damage output. As for PvP, it boasts generous aim assist, making it a solid choice, particularly on long-range maps where it can excel.

Catalyst (if applicable):

Grants Dragonfly. This catalyst can be fun for low-to-mid tier PvE content to assist with clearing weaker enemies, but falls off as your approach high-end content. (Needs secondary opinion)

Outbreak Perfected | Pulse Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 8.1 / 6.7

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 150,000 Glimmer
  • 2 Ascendant Shards

This weapon stands out as the highest primary damage source, with its damage increasing the longer you sustain fire on a target. Additionally, the SIVA nanites it generates serve as excellent tools for clearing ads in PvE. It finds its primary use in high-end PvE content, such as Grandmaster Nightfalls and Contest Mode Raids. In PvP, it maintains solid performance but is often overshadowed by legendary weapons. However, the nanites can still be valuable assets, especially in 6v6 game modes.

Catalyst (if applicable):

Grants Disease Vector: Increases nanite damage. Enemies that die with nanites attached to them generate additional nanites. Disease Vector’s increased capacity to spread nanites further expands on Outbreak Perfected’s ad-clearing capacity, and the buff to nanite damage helps to ramp up damage – especially if multiple people are making use of Outbreak Perfected.

Sleeper Simulant | Linear Fusion Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 7.6 / 3.0

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon proves to be a dependable DPS option in PvE, particularly effective against bosses like Golgoroth and Kalli, where critical hits are crucial. While it offers substantial reserves, its ammo economy might not be the most efficient. However, it’s not a recommended choice for PvP, as it is not designed for eliminating guardians and can even lead to self-inflicted harm if fired at walls or protective barriers that cause the projectiles to bounce back.

Catalyst (if applicable):

Grants Accelerated Coils and Increased Reserves. Accelerated Coils helps to reduce the charge time required to fire Sleeper Simulant, and the increased reserves helps to beef up the total possible damage. However, it is not enough of a buff to push Sleeper Simulant into the spotlight.

Legend of Acrius | Shotgun

PvE / PvP Rating: 6.6 / 2.7

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 150,000 Glimmer
  • 240 Spoils of Conquest
  • 2 Ascendant Shards

In PvE, this weapon truly shines against close-range bosses like Ecthar in Ghosts of the Deep and Avarokk in Grasp of Avarice. When there’s a specific use case, it outperforms most other options. However, when it comes to PvP, it’s best to steer clear of using it in the Crucible, as it doesn’t fare well in that environment.

Catalyst (if applicable):

Grants Trench Barrel, Improved Reload and Deeper Pockets. Legend of Acrius receives a significant buff thanks to this powerhouse of a catalyst. Deeper Pockets bumps the magazine size to 6, and increases your reserves by a small amount – aided further by the reload buff. Trench Barrel is the icing on the top, which allows for combos with other melee orientated builds.

Whisper of the Worm | Sniper Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 6.5 / 3.1

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 150,000 Glimmer
  • 2 Ascendant Shards

This weapon proves to be quite effective in PvE, provided all critical shots are hit. It can deliver significant overall damage against bosses with longer phases, such as Oryx and Golgoroth, both featured in King’s Fall raid. However, in PvP, it falls short of expectations, and it’s more advisable to opt for a special ammo sniper instead.

Catalyst (if applicable):

Grants Whispered Breathing: Aiming down the scope for 1.2 seconds increases range and precision damage while the weapon scope remains zoomed. Effectively being a supercharged of Box Breathing, this catalyst helps cater to Whisper’s idea of bunkering down and laying down your rounds. The only possible negative is the fact that the effects of Whispered Breathing will deactivate when you exit zoom, and requries a brief period to reactivate it once you’re zoomed back in.

Rat King | Sidearm

PvE / PvP Rating: 4.9 / 6.2

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon is good at granting invisibility upon killing an enemy, making it a valuable asset for evading danger. Its potential shines when the entire team utilizes it, but achieving such cooperation can be challenging. However, in PvP, its performance improves, and players can leverage the invisibility effect effectively if they play strategically and skillfully.

Catalyst (if applicable):

Grants Infestation: Increases aim assist and recoil direction. Reloading within 6 seconds after a kill will trigger Health Regeneration. Infestation provides a decent buff to how Rat King feels – especially in PvP. The healing aspect of the catalyst is also useful for being able to chain from one duel to the next without needing to pull back to regen health.

Sturm | Hand Cannon

PvE / PvP Rating: 2.8 / 5.8

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon isn’t highly viable, unlike its counterpart, Drang (Baroque), which proves to be quite effective. Although it becomes more viable when used together with Drang, the double primary setup doesn’t excel in PvE content. In PvP, it offers a nice range and favorable stats, but, similar to PvE, the double primary loadout isn’t the most advantageous choice for Crucible matches.

Catalyst (if applicable):

Grants Increased Handling(+40) and Increased Range(+20). A fairly basic catalyst that improves Sturm’s performance in PvP.

Worldline Zero | Sword

PvE / PvP Rating: 3.0 / 3.3

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon was previously favored for speedrunning, but nowadays, it has been overshadowed by The Other Half and Half Truths. As for PvP, it lacks any meaningful impact and is not a recommended choice. If you’re interested in completing your collections, you may pick it up, but otherwise, it holds little practical value.

Catalyst (if applicable):

Grants Another Dimension: Reduces the activation time for the Tesseract perk.

Forsaken

Tarrabah | Submachine Gun

PvE / PvP Rating: 5.6 / 8.1

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 150,000 Glimmer
  • 240 Spoils of Conquest
  • 2 Ascendant Shards

This weapon excels in both PvE and PvP. In PvE, it has a high damage output as extended ravenous beast uptime is easy to achieve, even counting grenades thrown while holding it. In PvP, it’s one of the best SMGs, with a fast TTK when ravenous beast is charged, making it lethal against opponents.

Le Monarque | Combat Bow

PvE / PvP Rating: 8.5 / 8.9

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon shines in high-end PvE content thanks to its overload stunning capabilities and poison damage. It deals significant damage, along with area of effect damage. In PvP, it reigns as the best bow available, as the poison enables enemy tracking through walls and prevents them from healing temporarily.

Lumina | Hand Cannon

PvE / PvP Rating: 8.8 / 5.6

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon is an excellent choice for PvE, offering a substantial 35% buff, the highest available, when shooting teammates with noble rounds. It truly shines in raids and dungeons, particularly during speedruns and low-mans. In PvP, it excels at supporting teammates by providing damage buffs and healing from a considerable distance, enabling them to deal significantly more damage.

Ace of Spades | Hand Cannon

PvE / PvP Rating: 5.1 / 8.9

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, it may not stand out compared to other hand cannons like fatebringer and sunshot. This hand cannon excels in PvP, being one of the best in the game. Its impressive stats include high range and memento mori for extra damage. It also keeps your radar active while aiming for better awareness.

Izanagi’s Burden | Sniper Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 9.4 / 5.1

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 150,000 Glimmer
  • 2 Ascendant Shards

This weapon is amazing in PvE, delivering exceptional damage output with Honed Edge x4, which is further enhanced by the catalyst. It proves highly effective in boss damage rotations and efficiently takes down high-health targets such as champions and minibosses. In PvP, it functions as a regular sniper, but with Honed Edge x4, it becomes capable of one-shotting guardians with body shots, making it a potent force in player versus player encounters.

Jötunn | Fusion Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 4.6 / 6.5

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this fusion rifle is relatively niche, with other rapid-fire fusions generally outperforming it. However, the scorch it applies can be a useful feature to have. In PvP, it can be quite frustrating for opponents when used effectively, as it has the ability to one-shot guardians and comes with intrinsic tracking. Nevertheless, against skilled opponents who know how to counter it, its effectiveness diminishes.

The Last Word | Hand Cannon

PvE / PvP Rating: 2.9 / 6.2

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon is not well-suited as it is primarily designed for PvP usage. While it can do decent damage when paired with Lucky Pants, Malfeasance remains a superior option. In PvP, it requires exceptional aim, focusing on landing headshots, otherwise, it may be more effective in the hands of controller players.

Bad Juju | Pulse Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 4.4 / 5.9

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon performs adequately in both PvE and PvP. Its damage output increases with each kill, but its primary use is for generating supers faster. However, some players have found success with it in PvP, so it’s worth giving it a try to see if it suits your playstyle.

Anarchy | Grenade Launcher

PvE / PvP Rating: 6.2 / 3.3

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 150,000 Glimmer
  • 240 Spoils of Conquest
  • 2 Ascendant Shards

In PvE, this weapon is quite reliable and functions similarly to Witherhoard, delivering substantial passive damage. It pairs well with double slug shotguns for damage output and is used to clear ads upon their spawning. It sees frequent use in trapping and farming Kalli in the Last Wish raid. While not extensively used in PvP, it can still offer some enjoyment by trapping opponents, making for a fun experience in that mode.

Thorn | Hand Cannon

PvE / PvP Rating: 4.1 / 7.3

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shards

This weapon is passable in PvE, but as a hand cannon, it falls short of being a highly viable option, with Osteo Striga easily outclassing it. However, in PvP, it performs well, especially when paired with Necrotic Grips to deal decent poison damage. While its range isn’t the highest, it compensates with high stability, making it a solid choice for engaging opponents in PvP battles.

Truth | Rocket Launcher

PvE / PvP Rating: 2.3 / 4.4

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shards

This weapon currently lacks significant utility in both PvE and PvP. Although it possesses some tracking capabilities, opting for Gjallarhorn would be a more practical choice. It is overshadowed by various legendary rocket launchers, making it less effective in combat scenarios. Unless you’re looking to complete your collections, there is no reason to purchase this rocket launcher.

Always on Time | Vehicle

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 150,000 Glimmer
  • 240 Spoils of Conquest
  • 2 Ascendant Shards

Currently, this exotic sparrow stands as the best sparrow choice available. It garners less attention from enemies while passing by, making it a safer option. Its unmatched speed surpasses all other sparrows; and when it comes to sparrow flying and swiftly reaching destinations ahead of the pack, it undoubtedly reigns as the preferred choice.

Shadowkeep

Witherhoard | Grenade Launcher

PvE / PvP Rating: 10.0 / 8.4

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon is exceptionally powerful and highly recommended as one of the first items to purchase from the Monument. In PvE, it proves to be incredibly versatile, serving both strategic ad clearing and dealing passive chip damage to high health targets. The catalyst that grants auto-loading holster enhances its functionality, making it even more effective when used alongside other weapons with auto-loading holster or those with bait and switch mechanics. In PvP, it remains an outstanding choice, capable of cutting off enemies and scoring kills with direct impacts unless the enemy heals themselves. It excels at shutting down supers and taking control of key locations on any map.

Eriana’s Vow | Hand Cannon

PvE / PvP Rating: 5.5 / 6.1

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon is overshadowed by Arbalest and Wish Ender, but it still serves decently well for breaking shields. It finds a slightly better place in PvP, where it can be paired with a bow for quick access sling. Certain builds leverage its high damage potential to one-shot guardians when set up correctly, making it a viable option in player versus player engagements.

Traveler’s Chosen | Sidearm

PvE / PvP Rating: 6.5 / 6.5

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon stands as a valuable choice for ability regeneration in both PvE and PvP, making it a worthwhile option. The catalyst enhances its performance by adding surplus and osmosis perks, which complement its core functionality and open up opportunities for powerful combinations with other exotics. If you’re comfortable using a sidearm, this weapon proves to be a decent option for various encounters.

Leviathan’s Breath | Combat Bow

PvE / PvP Rating: 7.7 / 3.9

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon shines in PvE as a powerful option, especially for solo players. The catalyst significantly improves it by increasing quiver size and reducing draw time with precision hits, making the grind for approximately 1,300 kills worthwhile. However, in PvP, its very long draw time hampers its viability in regular Crucible matches. Nonetheless, it remains effective in Gambit, where the longer draw time is less of an issue and its high damage potential proves useful.

Devil’s Ruin | Sidearm

PvE / PvP Rating: 3.9 / 7.4

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon might not be overly useful overall, but its intrinsic unstoppable perk does provide some utility against unstoppable champions. In PvP, it can become a formidable threat when mastered, especially due to its laser. Skilled players can easily catch opponents by surprise, particularly if they are caught in unfavorable positions, turning the weapon into a potent tool for success.

Ruinous Effigy | Trace Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 6.4 / 5.3

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon is best suited for a fun and enjoyable experience rather than being a top meta choice. In PvE, it can pair well with Nezarec’s Sin, and its heavy attack with the orb can deal decent damage. However, overall, its performance remains quite mediocre. In PvP, it lacks viability, as the orbs can one-shot guardians, but pulling off such shots can be quite challenging and unreliable.

Bastion | Fusion Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 5.6 / 4.8

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon is a very decent choice for stunning champions in PvE, making it highly effective in lost sectors. It also shines against high-health enemies with no critical spots, like the crypt security in Deep Stone Crypt and Golgoroth orbs in King’s Fall. In the Crucible, it remains a decent option, particularly for shutting down enemy supers.

Tommy’s Matchbook | Auto Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 4.1 / 4.6

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon presents some risk in both PvE and PvP due to its self-damage effect. In PvE, there are limited uses for it, although it could be potentially paired with a devour build to mitigate the self-damage. However, in PvP, it proves to be a decent option, boasting high hipfire accuracy and a quick 0.5-second time to kill when fully utilized. Careful handling and precision can make it an effective choice for engaging opponents in the crucible.

The Fourth Horseman | Shotgun

PvE / PvP Rating: 7.5 / 3.4

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE it is quite useful as a burst dps option, it takes down high health enemies like champions and minibosses with ease and can be used to great effect in speedrunning. Not the best choice in PvP as it doesn’t really have much use against other guardians due to its extremely short range and there not being enough ammo for it.

Symmetry | Scout Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 4.3 / 5.8

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon may have some usability, but it can easily be replaced with a legendary option, which might be more efficient for various activities. However, in PvP, it stands out as a decent choice. By stacking up Dynamic Charge, you can two-tap guardians, giving it a notable advantage in engagements. Additionally, scouts perform well on long-range maps, further solidifying its effectiveness in player versus player scenarios.

Beyond Light

Duality | Shotgun

PvE / PvP Rating: 3.7 / 8.7

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this slug shotgun holds its own, being a decent option, but it can be outperformed by legendary alternatives like First In, Last Out. However, in PvP, this exotic shotgun shines as the best choice available. Its versatility and well-rounded performance make it a formidable weapon in player versus player engagements.

Ager’s Scepter | Trace Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 9.1 / 5.1

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 125,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This exotic weapon proves to be incredible in PvE, offering the ability to effortlessly clear out rooms and keep enemies frozen for an extended period. It becomes an excellent option for players going for a double special loadout. In PvP, it performs decently among trace rifles, making it a viable choice for engagements in the crucible.

Ticuu’s Divination | Combat Bow

PvE / PvP Rating: 8.0 / 4.9

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This bow stands as a great choice for high-end content, such as Master mode activities and Grandmaster Nightfalls, due to its high damage output and the ability to create explosions without requiring kills. In PvP, it can be quite oppressive if used strategically. However, in both PvE and PvP, its effectiveness is further enhanced when utilized by two people, making it a potent option for cooperative play.

Lorentz Driver | Linear Fusion Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 5.0 / 6.6

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon serves decently well for ad clearing, creating a black hole after each kill. While there are better options available, it still offers workable boss damage. In PvP, it shines as an energy slot equivalent to Arbalest, making it a viable and satisfying choice for engaging opponents.

Cryosthesia 77K | Sidearm

PvE / PvP Rating: 4.3 / 6.3

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon can find some utility in activating specific shatter damage effects and freezing enemies like Praetorians in Vault of Glass. However, there are limited use cases for it, as stasis abilities can often serve as effective replacements for its functions. On the flip side, in PvP it is a versatile option, offering the ability to freeze any opponent after a kill, which leads to an easy kill.

Witch Queen

Grand Overture | Machine Gun

PvE / PvP Rating: 7.0 / 2.8

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon offers a fun and enjoyable experience, providing decent burst damage potential and effective ad clearing capabilities. However, it lacks usefulness in PvP and is generally not recommended.

Trespasser | Sidearm

PvE / PvP Rating: 5.8 / 7.8

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon performs passably, offering decent ad clear capabilities for lower-end content. However, it’s not recommended for more challenging encounters. On the other hand, in PvP, it proves to be quite effective, excelling at eliminating enemies from mid to close range and boasting the lowest time-to-kill if all shots hit accurately.

Delicate Tomb | Fusion Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 6.0 / 2.4

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

In PvE, this weapon stands as a solid choice for arc builds, particularly when paired with an arc warlock using Fallen Sunstar. However, there are better alternatives available, such as Forbearance. On the other hand, in PvP, it is not recommended, as its horizontal bursts are relatively ineffective, making it less useful for engaging opponents in player versus player encounters.

The Manticore | Submachine Gun

PvE / PvP Rating: 2.1 / 4.0

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This weapon is somewhat lackluster in both PvE and PvP. In PvE, the hovering feature can be a disadvantage, allowing enemies to easily shoot you. Additionally, it can be outperformed by other legendary options in PvP. However, with sufficient practice and skill, it may still be serviceable in PvP for those who learn how to effectively use the weapon.

Lightfall

Verglas Curve | Combat Bow

PvE / PvP Rating: 7.6 / 2.0

  • 1 Exotic Cipher
  • 100,000 Glimmer
  • 1 Ascendant Shard

This bow synergizes with the Stasis Subclass, granting a glacier grenade-like ability after eliminations. Enhance shard capabilities with fragments and aspects for more effective freezing and slowing. Great for Hunters with Shatterdive and Titans with Cryoclasm, it allows smooth execution of chain kills and crystal utilization.

Centrifuse | Auto Rifle

PvE / PvP Rating: 5.5 / 5.8

Although it might not quite match up to the Trinity Ghoul, this weapon shines in PvE. Its zapping capabilities effectively deal with enemies, featuring a satisfying blind effect that aligns well with its arc energy theme. In PvP, it has moments of greatness, particularly in 6v6 matches, but it may struggle outside of that content and in more challenging PvE modes.

I sincerely hope this was helpful. Good luck to you!

Volodymyr Azimoff
About Volodymyr Azimoff 8045 Articles
I love games and I live games. Video games are my passion, my hobby and my job. My experience with games started back in 1994 with the Metal Mutant game on ZX Spectrum computer. And since then, I’ve been playing on anything from consoles, to mobile devices. My first official job in the game industry started back in 2005, and I'm still doing what I love to do.

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