Hunters have a number of interesting perk choices when it comes to their Exotic class item in Destiny 2, and some of them have excellent synergies that players can take advantage of in both PvE and PvP.
Getting an Exotic class item by completing Destiny 2's Dual Destiny quest is no easy task, but it'll be well worth it for those who want to explore a new dimension of buildcrafting. Here's some strong perk combinations for the Hunter Exotic class item Essentialism that players should keep their eyes on.
Destiny 2: Salvation's Edge - Verity Guide
The fourth encounter of Salvation's Edge in Destiny 2 is a long and complex encounter that will push a raid team to their limits.
Updated September 16, 2024 by Marc Santos: We've updated this list to include an additional entry for a perk combo that focuses on general ability-based builds for a variety of possible Prismatic Hunter subclass builds in Destiny 2. The perk combos originally included in this list for the Hunter's exotic class item have remained viable and reliable ever since the release of this new armor category, and they are expected to remain so unless Bungie makes adjustments specifically targeting class items.
6 Spirit of the Assassin + Spirit of the Gyrfalcon
Explosions, Invisibility, Versatility
-
Spirit Of The Assassin
: Defeating targets with finishers or melee attacks grant you invisibility.
-
Spirit Of The Gyrfalcon
: Void weapons gain Volatile Rounds after emerging from invisibility.
This Exotic class item combo may seem like it leads to a watered down Destiny 2 Void Hunter build using 
Gyrfalcon's Hauberk, but it's much more than that. Essentialism with these two perks allows players to enjoy unlimited invisibility and Volatile Rounds without having to use 
Stylish Executioner, opening up an Aspect slot for something like 
Gunpowder Gamble or Ascension. This isn't the strongest combo on this list, but it has incredible buildcrafting potential for PvE and PvP.
All this combo asks is that players use either a Void Primary or Heavy weapon like Ros Arago and Commemoration. Hunters also don't need to worry much about staying in melee range as Spirit of the Assassin triggers off abilities like 
Knife Trick, 
Withering Blade, and 
Threaded Spike.
5 Spirit of the Dragon + Spirit of the Wormhusk
Excellent Combo For Crucible Gladiators
-
Spirit Of The Dragon
: Reload all weapons and gain increased weapon handling for a short duration after using your Dodge ability.
-
Spirit Of The Wormhusk
: Regain a small amount of health and shields after using your Dodge ability.
Unlike the rest of the combos in this list, this one leans heavily toward PvP. The Hunter's Dodge ability makes them very slippery when fighting other Guardians in the Crucible, and if players tack on Spirit of the Dragon's handling buff and Spirit of the Wormhusk's heal, Hunters can bounce back from a bad engagement with snappier guns and more health than their enemies expect.
Those who prefer a stronger neutral game should try getting a class item with 
Spirit Of The Ophidian instead of Spirit Of The Dragon. It will passively boost the swap speeds of weapons, giving players that extra edge for when the situation calls for a Special weapon. Players who are not particularly interested in Wormhusk's heal can opt for 
Spirit Of The Coyote instead, which is a great alternative for that extra Dodge charge.
Destiny 2: Salvation's Edge - How to Beat the Witness
The Witness is the final encounter of the Salvation's Edge raid in Destiny 2, and here is how you can defeat it.
4 Spirit of Renewal + Spirit of the Cyrtarachne
Stacks Upon Stacks Of Damage Resistance
.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=500&dpr=2)
-
Spirit Of Renewal
: Allies inside Duskfield grenades take less damage, and enemies inside deal reduced damage.
-
Spirit Of The Cyrtarachne
: Throwing a grenade grants Woven Mail.
If Hunters are looking for a tanky and support-oriented Hunter setup, then this combo should give them a glimpse of what Renewal Grasps was like before it got nerfed. Throw a grenade to get Woven Mail and create a Duskfield that either boosts ally damage resistance even more or reduces the damage output of enemies inside the field. Pair this Exotic perk combo with Facets of Protection and Purpose to gain even more survivability when surrounded by enemies and picking up Orbs of Power.
Damage resistance is great, but it's even better when combined with Aspects or Fragments that can heal. Players can use Golden Gun or Deadfall with the Facet of Purpose Fragment to gain either Restoration or Overshields when picking up an Orb of Power. For those who prefer using Stasis or Strand Supers, don't forget to at least get the Recuperation mod for Leg armor.
3 Spirit of Inmost Light + Spirit of the Coyote
Dodge Spamming With A Sprinkle Of Stronger Abilities
-
Spirit Of Inmost Light
: Using an ability empowers the other abilities and improves energy regeneration
-
Spirit Of The Coyote
: Gain an additional class energy charge
Spirit of Inmost Light is generally useful for its empowering effect on abilities. Pair this with Spirit of the Coyote, and you'll end up with a Dodge that has two charges and faster regeneration, perfect for ability-focused builds. This combo works well with almost every Prismatic Hunter Aspect except for Gunpowder Gamble, which activates off of kills and is better off used by dedicated Solar Hunters in Destiny 2.
Winter's Shroud and Stylish Executioner is a good Aspect combo for gaining Invisibility and debuffing enemies, while 
Threaded Specter and Ascension can provide players with extra utility and damage while fighting enemies at close range. Coyote and Inmost Light will provide Hunters with the energy regeneration they need to keep their abilities going.
2 Spirit of Galanor + Spirit of the Star-Eater
For Overcharged Super Spammers
-
Spirit Of Galanor
: Once your Super ends, regenerate Super energy based on the number of Super hits or final blows.
-
Spirit Of The Star-Eater
: While your Super energy is full, picking up Orbs of Power grants you bonus Super damage.
Spamming Supers is fun, but using it over and over again while having the bonus damage from Star-Eater Scales is even better. This Exotic perk combo is for Hunters who want to constantly fire Golden Gun shots, place Deadfall anchors, throw Stasis tornadoes, or zip around the map using Storm's Edge or 
Silkstrike. There isn't much else to say here except that this combo is particularly great for high-density combat scenarios and boss fights.
Keep in mind that Galanor's energy regeneration only kicks in after the Super ends, which means players won't be able to extend the duration of Silkstrike as they run around and lash enemies.
Destiny 2: Overthrow Activity Guide
Here's a short guide covering the quickest ways to complete Overthrow, a new activity set in Destiny 2's Pale Heart destination.
1 Spirit of Caliban + Spirit of the Liar
Best Perk Combo For Melee Fans
-
Spirit Of Caliban
: Powered melee final blows trigger Solar Ignitions.
-
Spirit Of The Liar
: Getting hit by a melee attack or dealing powered melee damage allows you to follow up with an extremely powerful melee counter-punch.
This combination exists for fans of Destiny 2 Arc Hunter builds using 
Combination Blow and 
Liar's Handshake. Using an Exotic class item with Spirit Of Caliban and the Liar is basically the same as using a Combination Blow/Handshake build, but the heal-on-kill effect is replaced with Solar Ignitions. Every other melee attack Hunters perform will deal significantly more damage than usual, and if the target dies, it's going to take a lot of nearby weaker enemies down with it.
Since Spirit of the Liar doesn't come with the healing effect, players will need to find other ways to survive in melee. The Facets of Protection and Purpose are excellent Fragments for survivability; the former grants damage resistance while the latter gives a bonus based on the equipped Super. Meanwhile, Stylish Executioner can be a great get-out-of-jail-free card if players can inflict elemental debuffs before delivering their counter-punch.
Destiny 2
- Released
- August 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence
- Developer(s)
- Bungie
- Publisher(s)
- Bungie
- Engine
- Tiger Engine
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- Cross Save
- yes
- Expansions
- Destiny 2: Forsaken, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep, Destiny 2: Beyond Light, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, Destiny 2: Lightfall
- Franchise
- Destiny
- Number of Players
- 1-6 (Co-Op)
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- no
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia
- How Long To Beat
- 100+
- X|S Optimized
- YES
- PS Plus Availability
- Essential, Extra, & Premium (The Witch Queen)
