Table of Contents
Destiny 2 Arc Hunter PvE Build
This Destiny 2 Arc Hunter PvE Build is for those players who are ready to upgrade their beginner build and take it to the next level. This build can be used in all end-game PvE content and has a very similar playstyle to our beginner build, but with a few extra steps to make our damage get absolutely crazy.
Last Updated March 5, 2023, for Lightfall Expansion and Season 20, Season of Defiance. Destiny 2 has gone through a major change with their modding system. Making mods much easier and simpler to understand but taking some of the old metas and either eliminating them or making them relevantly the same. For instance, the “well” mods most players have been accustomed to have been completely eliminated and really the only system and combination are based of orbs of power. The mod loadout you see today will change over time as we become accustomed to new and shifting meta in Destiny 2 Lightfall. This loadout has been tested and works, so check back frequently as we will be updating these builds throughout the season and expansion.
Pros |
Cons |
| Great damage output on large targets | Requires a very aggressive playstyle |
| Can absolutely melt through trash mobs | Not as survivable as other builds |
| Can be used in almost all content | |
| Is a nice easy transition from the beginner build |
Playstyle
As with most hunter gameplay, our strength is our agility. The ability to move in and out of a fight dealing large amounts of damage and then getting to safety has always been our strong suit. This subclass gives us some strong up close and far away damage allowing us to flow seamlessly in and out of danger while dealing large amounts of damage.
If we see an orb of power, we want to pick it up. This will give us armor charge, with the new armor charge system this can boost our stats, give us ability energy, or give us some extra weapon damage.
Author’s Note: The Loadout and Mod system are very new. So it stands to reason, that there are combinations that haven’t been tested yet. These builds are very much a Work in Progress but have been tested and are effective. They will almost certainly be updated as time goes on. Additionally, the new Artifact system is currently not supported on our build templates so listed below are important Artifact mods to take until we are able to update our build template.
Abilities
Some abilities, aspects and fragments need to be unlocked before use. In order to do that, Destiny 2 players need to visit Ikora in the Tower and do the related quest or purchase them from her. Lastly, if you bought new aspects and fragments don’t forget to “meditate”. Simply click the “meditate” option on the table next to Ikora.
Arc Buffs & Debuffs
Lightfall Expansion saw a revamp of core buffs and debuff for each class.
- Spark of Instinct (New!)
- When critically wounded, taking damage from nearby enemies emits a burst of damaging Arc energy that Jolts targets.
- Spark of Haste (New!)
- You have greatly increased resilience, recovery, and mobility while sprinting.
Additionally, below we listed the important buffs and debuffs for the Arc build to help you better understand this playstyle.
- Blind (Debuff) – Disorients the combatants preventing them from firing their weapons. For players, it removes the hud and obscures their vision.
- Jolted (Debuff) – Charges the target with the Arc Light and takes additional damage, also chain lightning to nearby enemies.
- Amplified (Buff) – The buff is activated by defeating targets with Arc damage. This buff grants +50 Mobility, increases sprint speed, slide distance, jump height, and grants improved weapon handling for 15 seconds. The buff can also be activated upon landing four rapid Arc kills against red bar combatants, Stronger enemies like majors give more progress. When you are granted the Speed Boost buff so long as you keep sprinting you will not lose it even if Amplified is gone Speed Boost remains.
- Ionic Trace (Buff) – Sends the bolt of Arc energy on the ground, which if picked up grants you energy. Traces only spawn for their creator and aggressively track to their location
 Gathering Storm | |||
 Gambler's Dodge |  Triple Jump |  Skip Grenade |  Combination Blow |
Aspects
 Flow State |  Lethal Current |
Fragments
 Spark of Resistance |  Spark of Shock |  Spark of Ions |  Spark of Amplitude |
Gear
Kinetic Weapons
| Recommended Kinetic Weapons | Suggested Perk 1 | Suggested Perk 2 |
|---|---|---|
 Witherhoard |  Primeval's Torment |  Break the Bank |
 Riptide |  Auto-Loading Holster |  Chill Clip |
 Submission |  Overflow |  Frenzy |
Energy Weapons
| Recommended Energy Weapons | Suggested Perk 1 | Suggested Perk 2 |
|---|---|---|
 IKELOS_SMG_v1.0.3 |  Feeding Frenzy |  Voltshot |
 Forbearance |  Ambitious Assassin |  Chain Reaction |
 Funnelweb |  Subsistence | Frenzy |
Heavy Weapons
| Recommended Heavy Weapons | Suggested Perk 1 | Suggested Perk 2 |
|---|---|---|
 Wendigo GL3 |  Clown Cartridge |  Explosive Light |
 Palmyra-B | Auto-Loading Holster | Explosive Light |
 Thunderlord |  Reign Havoc | Feeding Frenzy |
Exotic Armor
| Exotic Armor | Exotic Perk |
|---|---|
 Shinobu's Vow |  New Tricks |
 Star-Eater Scales |  Feast of Light |
 Liar's Handshake |  Cross Counter |
Armor Stats
Stat distribution number goals- Mobility – 80-100
- Resilience – 80
- Recovery – 30-50
- Discipline – 80-100
- Intellect – 30-50
- Strength – 30-50
Resilience Tier 8 Lightfall Destiny 2[/caption]
Resilience Changes: The resilience stat was heavily nerfed in Lightfall expanse and now only receives 30% damage reduction at 100 stat. Outside of Titan builds, your goal is tier 8 (80 stats) to get good damage reduction without wasted stats.Important Mods
Armor Modification Change: these mods will seem foreign to returning players with Lightfall changing the entire system. The system you build around now is only orbs of power. You also see an armor charge mechanic and some of the previous mechanics for generating orbs of power and previously used mods. This system is evolving, and we will continue to make changes as we gain a better understanding of the new mod system. Here’s a list of all the current armor mods.
Artifice Armor Change: provides an extra +3 to whatever stat you want this should help you reach these stat goals.
Artifact Change: The artifact no longer provides mods instead it reduces the costs of some of the mods and provides passives as you level up and unlock them. Season 20 Artifact.
If you do not have the energy for the suggested mods, adjust and prioritize your main stat-boosting mod and anything that generates orbs, followed by something that consumes orbs of power and generates armor stacks.
| Head |  Mobility Mod |
| Head |  Ashes to Assets Gain bonus Super energy on grenade kills. |
| Head | Ashes to Assets Gain bonus Super energy on grenade kills. |
| Head |  Harmonic Siphon |
| Arms | Mobility Mod |
| Arms |  Firepower Your grenade final blows create Orbs of Power. |
| Arms |  Grenade Kickstart Collecting an Orb of Power causes you to gain 1 temporary Armor Charge.\nWhen your grenade energy is fully expended, you gain grenade energy. Additionally, your Armor Charge is consumed and you gain additional grenade energy for each stack. |
| Arms | Grenade Kickstart Collecting an Orb of Power causes you to gain 1 temporary Armor Charge.\nWhen your grenade energy is fully expended, you gain grenade energy. Additionally, your Armor Charge is consumed and you gain additional grenade energy for each stack. |
| Chest | Mobility Mod |
| Chest |  Charged Up Increases the maximum number of stacks of Armor Charge you can carry by 1. |
| Chest | Charged Up Increases the maximum number of stacks of Armor Charge you can carry by 1. |
| Chest |  Emergency Reinforcement When your shields become broken, you gain temporary damage reduction. Consumes 3 or more stacks of Armor Charge, granting a longer duration to the damage reduction for each charge consumed. |
| Legs | Mobility Mod |
| Legs |  Recuperation Replenishes health each time you pick up an Orb of Power. |
| Legs |  Innervation Reduces grenade cooldown each time you pick up an Orb of Power. |
| Legs |  Stacks on Stacks Picking up an Orb of Power grants you 1 additional stack of Armor Charge. |
| Class | Mobility Mod |
| Class |  Bomber Reduces grenade cooldown when using your class ability. |
| Class | Bomber Reduces grenade cooldown when using your class ability. |
| Class | Bomber Reduces grenade cooldown when using your class ability. |
Thanks for reading our Destiny 2 Arc Hunter PvE Build.
Make sure to check the links below for more content! If you want to see more of Destiny 2 this week’s action, consider watching me live at twitch.tv/deltiasgaming and checking out the website for more guides (click), Beginner Builds and End-game PvE Builds.
- Destiny 2 God Roll Weapons Guides
- Destiny 2 Comprehensive Beginner Guide
- Destiny 2 Builds
- All Destiny 2 Lightfall Weapons
- Destiny 2: How to Unlock Strand Subclass
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