Heat Weapons were introduced in the Destiny 2: Renegades update, which feature a unique system when it comes to firing and reloading weapons.
This mainly involves the weapon firing straight from its reserves rather than a clip that is capped by its capacity before the weapon needs to cool down.
With these types of weapons, combat can sometimes be more efficient, especially when you can maintain the weapon’s heat levels during fights.
What Are Heat Weapons?
Heat Weapons in Destiny 2 are designed to function like sci-fi blasters, clearly inspired by the energy-based firearms commonly seen throughout the Star Wars films and expanded universe.
Rather than relying on traditional ammunition, these weapons use a regenerating energy system that allows continuous firing until the weapon reaches an overheating threshold.
When a Heat Weapon overheats, it becomes temporarily unusable, forcing the player to either wait for the weapon to cool down naturally or manually vent heat to regain functionality faster.
How Do Heat Weapons Work?
Heat Weapons do not use a traditional magazine system, instead allowing continuous firing while a heat percentage meter steadily increases with every shot fired.
Once that heat meter reaches 100 percent, the weapon is forced to fully cool down to zero, temporarily preventing firing until the cooldown process completes.
Players can manually trigger this cooldown early by pressing the reload key, which vents accumulated heat before an overheat occurs and restores usability faster.
When not being fired, Heat Weapons naturally cool over time, meaning effective use often comes down to timing shots carefully, manually venting heat, or risking a full overheat.
List of Renegades Heat Weapons
Weapon | Slot | Element | Type |
Modified B-7 Pistol | Kinetic | Stasis | Hand Cannon |
| All or Nothing | Kinetic | Strand | Pulse Rifle |
| Kinetic | Stasis | Sniper Rifle | |
| M-17 “Fast Talker” | Kinetic | Stasis | Submachine Gun |
| Energy | Solar | Auto Rifle | |
| Uncivil Discourse | Energy | Void | Hand Cannon |
| Energy | Arc | Scout Rifle | |
| Compact Defender | Energy | Void | Sidearm |
| Power | Arc | Machine Gun |
Verdict
Heat Weapons introduce a refreshing alternative to traditional reload-based gunplay in Destiny 2, rewarding players who manage heat levels effectively during sustained combat.
Their ability to fire continuously from reserves allows smoother damage output, especially in prolonged fights where forced reloads would normally interrupt pressure.
While overheating can be punishing if mismanaged, mastering shot timing and manual heat venting makes Heat Weapons efficient and satisfying to use
