Between when the originalDestinylaunched in 2014 to the current state ofDestiny 2in 2025, the franchise has changed in incredible ways over the years. With everynew DLC and Seasonal release forDestiny 2, the franchise’s signature power fantasy continues to evolve via new varieties of buildcrafting tools. Among some of these powerful buildcrafting tools players can wield inDestiny 2, there are a few nostalgic gems that are returning Exotic weapons from the originalDestiny, albeit with a few not-so-subtle changes to make them better fit into the modern sandbox ofDestiny 2.
As ofThe Final ShapeDLC era ofDestiny 2, there are a great many Exotic weapons from the originalDestinythat have made a return appearance, though there’s still a sizable number of weapons that haven’t made the jump yet. Even if these weapons might need to undergo some massive changes to stand out in the current meta forDestiny 2and live up to their namesakes’ as Exotics, like other returning Exotics have experienced, it might still be worth bringing these missing weapons back, or otherwise creating spiritual successors for them to carry on their legacy.
Every Destiny 1 Exotic Weapon Missing from Destiny 2 in 2025
Destiny 1’s Exotic Weapons May Not Be a Good Fit for Destiny 2’s Current Meta
Unfortunately, for some of these belovedExotic weapons from the originalDestiny, there are already buildcrafting tools inDestiny 2that can replicate what made certain past Exotics so powerful, which doesn’t bode well for the odds of these weapons returning. For instance, the Plan C Exotic fusion rifle from the originalDestinywas special at the time for having an extremely short charge time immediately after switching to the weapon, whereas this feature has since become a perk for legendary fusion rifles inDestiny 2. Ultimately, Plan C is just one of many Exotic weapons from the originalDestinythat have had their signature Exotic perks adapted into legendary perks or some other kind of common buildcrafting tools.
There are alsoExotic armor pieces from the originalDestinythat have yet to return toDestiny 2. However, most of these Exotics are arguably in the same boat as the missing Exotic weapons, in that they already have an existing counterpart inDestiny 2.
Between all the new legendary weapon perks, primary weapons that are capable of having Elemental damage types, and being able to equip primary and energy weapons in either weapon slot,Destiny 2’s sandbox has changed significantly since the originalDestinywas released over ten years ago. Hence, several of the missing Exotics from the originalDestinywould presumably need to undergo a major rework and/or receive a significant buff to be able to stand out among the current meta inDestiny 2if they were to ever return.
Destiny 1’s Missing Returning Exotics Still Deserve Spiritual Successors in Destiny 2
Regardless of presumably needing a rework or buff, though, some of these fan-favorite Exotic weapons shouldn’t be left in the past, as reintroducing them infuture updates forDestiny 2could be a sweet treat for longtime fans of the franchise. Otherwise, there are still a few of these Exotic weapons that don’t have a counterpart inDestiny 2yet. So, if not a full return, these missing Exotic weapons from the originalDestinyarguably deserve spiritual successors either as legendary weapons, perks, or some other form of buildcrafting tools to live on in the franchise once again.
