Destiny 2 Onslaught Weapons Guide

Destiny 2’s Into the Light, launched on April 9th 2024, introduces Onslaught Horde Mode, a free-to-play, three-player, round-based wave defense activity. Inspired by both Bungie’s previous work and similar modes from other games, Onslaught takes place in the Last City, where Guardians must defend their home against waves of enemies. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know—from the story and mechanics to the rewards, with a special focus on Destiny 2 Onslaught weapons and their unique perks.

Onslaught Rewards

As with all Destiny 2 activities, the primary attraction is the loot. Onslaught weapons Destiny 2 are among the best rewards, along with powerful gear and cosmetics.

• Completing 10 waves in Normal mode grants a chest with standard rewards.
• Challenge mode has two difficulties:
  • Normal Challenge mode: Rewards a standard chest until the final wave, where you receive double rewards.
  • Legend mode: Grants a double-reward chest every 10 waves up to 50, with the final wave yielding even greater loot.

Among the notable drops are Hung Jury SR4 Legendary Scout Rifle and Midnight Coup Legendary Hand Cannon, both of which were previously available in the Leviathan Raid. Additional rewards include items obtained by completing secondary objectives, such as heavy ammo crates and Trophy of Bravery, which can be exchanged at Shaxx for further rewards.

Onslaught Weapons

One of the most exciting aspects of Onslaught Horde Mode is the return of 12 Legendary Weapons, featuring redesigned perks. These Destiny 2 Onslaught weapons include a mix of raid weapons, pinnacles, and world drops, offering Guardians a chance to obtain some of the game’s most beloved firearms without requiring DLC access.

Each weapon comes with the Indomitability Origin Trait, which grants grenade energy on a Light subclass and melee energy on a Darkness subclass when securing final blows. Additionally, The Mountaintop features a unique Intrinsic trait: Micro-Missile Frame.

Some of these Onslaught weapons Destiny 2 can also drop in a limited edition variant, featuring an enhanced aesthetic and four perks instead of two.

You can further optimize your loot drops using the attune system in the new Hall of Champions. However, note that these weapons are not craftable, though they can be enhanced using Bungie’s upgrade system.

Destiny 2 Onslaught Story

Before diving into the mechanics, let’s explore the narrative behind Onslaught Horde Mode. The Witness is making strategic moves against the Sol system, having gained entry into the Traveler. With Crow, Mara, and Osiris working to establish a bridge into the Traveler, Guardians must prepare for the upcoming Final Shape battles.

Shaxx plays a key role in equipping Guardians with the Brave Arsenal, which provides the necessary gear to counter the Witness's forces. This horde mode represents the Witness’s attempt to trap Guardians in the Last City, forcing them to sharpen their abilities, enhance their builds, and prepare for the coming confrontation.

Destiny 2 Onslaught Gameplay

Onslaught is a wave-based activity where players must defend and upgrade an Advanced Defense Unit (ADU), which is central to the mode’s progression.

• Enemy waves feature varied compositions, including Ogres, Curse Thralls, Champions, Fallen, and Hive.
• Some waves will introduce exploding Shanks, while later waves will pit Guardians against a Giant Tormentor.
• Enemies drop Scrap (a currency) and Repair Batteries, which are used to maintain the ADU.

Players can also complete secondary objectives like capturing points to deploy turrets, eliminating priority targets, and standing in wells to boost damage output against bosses.

Every sixth wave (waves 6, 16, 26, 36, 46), Guardians will be teleported to the Pyramid ship hallway, where they must defeat enemies and interact with the Rift mechanic—similar to Rift PvP mode.

Onslaught Map

Bungie has showcased Midtown, though additional maps will be available. These areas have been altered by the Pyramids, changing their layout to fit PvE encounters. While traditionally a PvP map, Midtown has been restructured to better accommodate wave defense mechanics.

How Revives Work in Onslaught

Revives function differently depending on difficulty:

• For the first 20 waves, Darkness is disabled, allowing for unlimited revives.
• After wave 20, Darkness is enabled, meaning teammates must manually revive each other.
• In Legend difficulty, the zone is restricted, and failure to revive results in the team being sent back to Orbit.

Since the mode gets significantly harder over time, optimizing your build is key. Stasis Turrets appear to be among the most effective strategies. For additional assistance, you can acquire sweeper bots from Shaxx, which act as decoys and defenses.

Scrap Currency

Scrap is the primary resource in Onslaught Horde Mode, used to deploy defenses.

Available Defenses:

• Trip Mines — 1,000 Scrap
• Turrets — 2,000 Scrap
• Decoys — 2,000 Scrap

Each defense can be upgraded up to three times, with improvements enhancing fire rate, durability, or damage output.

• Scrap is earned collectively, but each Guardian can choose how to spend their share.
• You can also upgrade a teammate’s defenses, enhancing turrets and trip mines placed by others.

Onslaught Versions

Onslaught features two difficulty settings:

• Normal Mode: Consists of 10 waves and one stationary ADU. Matchmaking is available.
• Legend Mode: Consists of 50 waves, with the ADU moving locations every 10 waves. This version does not support matchmaking, though players can use Fireteam Finder.

In Legend mode, the moving ADU presents an additional challenge, requiring players to constantly relocate defenses while ensuring their survival.

Onslaught Bosses

Every 10th wave, players are transported to the Pyramid ship for a boss encounter. To defeat the boss:

• Utilize Augments to boost damage.
• Stand in designated wells for increased damage output.
• Kill a Wizard to generate a Spark of Light, then dunk it into the Rift for a massive damage boost.

Upon defeating the boss, a chest with Onslaught weapons Destiny 2 will spawn.

Final Thoughts

Destiny 2’s Onslaught Horde Mode provides a thrilling wave-based experience, requiring strategic fortifications and coordinated defense. With powerful rewards, strategic combat mechanics, and an evolving difficulty, this mode is a great way to test builds, acquire new gear, and prepare for The Final Shape.

If you're looking to jump in with a powerful setup, check out a Destiny 2 account for sale to get a head start with top-tier gear and ready-to-go builds.

Thank you for reading, and we’ll see you in the next guide, Guardians!

Elsa