Among the many exotic weapons in Destiny 2, Black Talon stands out as one of the most unique and versatile swords available to Guardians. Its combination of melee power and ranged attack makes it a favorite for both PvE and PvP content. Unlike traditional swords in the game, Black Talon offers something extra with its special projectile attack, giving players flexibility during combat situations. Whether you’re diving into Nightfalls, Raids, or Crucible matches, this exotic weapon has the potential to change how you approach battles entirely. Understanding how to acquire, use, and master Black Talon in Destiny 2 is essential for players looking to optimize their arsenal.
What Is Black Talon?
Exotic Sword with Ranged Power
Black Talon is an exotic sword introduced in Destiny 2 that offers both close-range slashing and a powerful ranged attack. It is part of the Power weapon category and uses heavy ammo. What makes it exceptional is its unique perk,Crow’s Wings, which allows it to fire a projectile after a heavy attack. This feature sets it apart from most swords that rely solely on melee combat.
Weapon Stats Overview
Here is a basic breakdown of the Black Talon’s stats:
- Impact: Very High
- Swing Speed: Moderate
- Charge Rate: Medium
- Ammo Capacity: Varies with perks and mods
These stats make it an ideal option for Guardians who enjoy aggressive playstyles but also want the flexibility of a ranged option when needed.
How to Get Black Talon in Destiny 2
Random Exotic Engram Drops
One of the primary ways to acquire Black Talon is through random exotic engram drops. These can come from various activities, including:
- Nightfall: The Ordeal completions
- Legendary Lost Sectors (on days swords are in the loot pool)
- Seasonal activity engrams
- Exotic world drops
Xur’s Weekly Inventory
Players can also check with Xur, the mysterious vendor who appears every weekend at a random location. Black Talon may show up in his inventory. If you have enough Legendary Shards, you can purchase it directly from him when available.
Collections and Duplicate Protection
If you’ve previously acquired Black Talon, you can reacquire it from your Collections tab. Destiny 2 also offers some duplicate protection, so players who haven’t yet unlocked this exotic have a better chance of receiving it when opening exotic engrams.
Black Talon Perks and Traits
Main Exotic Perk: Crow’s Wings
Crow’s Wings is the signature trait of Black Talon. It allows the sword to fire a void projectile after performing a heavy attack. This attack deals high damage and can be especially effective against enemies at a distance or in situations where getting close isn’t safe.
Additional Traits
- Heavy Guard: Strong guard resistance and efficiency for blocking damage.
- Tireless Blade: Ammo is partially refunded on powered sword kills.
- Energy Transfer: Blocking damage grants class ability energy.
These traits help round out the weapon’s utility, making it not only offensive but also defensive when needed.
Best Ways to Use Black Talon
In PvE Content
Black Talon shines in PvE content where you face multiple enemies or high-value targets. Its ranged projectile is great for dealing damage without closing the gap. The heavy attack can easily wipe out clusters of weaker enemies, while still dealing significant damage to majors and bosses.
- Use it in Strikes to quickly clear adds.
- Deploy the projectile against dangerous champions from a safe distance.
- Pair it with Void subclasses for synergy with void-based effects like suppression or devour.
In PvP Modes
While swords are less commonly used in Crucible compared to shotguns or sniper rifles, Black Talon has a niche role. The void projectile can catch opponents off-guard, especially in tight corridors or control points. It’s ideal for Guardians who like mixing melee and ranged tactics in Gambit or small team-based PvP playlists.
Solo Play Advantages
In solo content, Black Talon is incredibly useful. Its projectile makes it easier to kite enemies while staying safe. You can eliminate targets from a distance and save your ammo by using the Tireless Blade perk efficiently. With practice, you can manage large groups without exposing yourself to unnecessary danger.
Armor and Mod Pairings
Synergistic Exotics
Black Talon pairs well with certain exotic armor pieces that enhance sword performance or ability regen. Here are some great options:
- Titan: Stronghold gauntlets (perfect for sword blocking)
- Hunter: Assassin’s Cowl (for invisibility on melee final blows)
- Warlock: Nezarec’s Sin (enhances void ability regeneration)
Recommended Mods
- Lucent Blade (Charged with Light mod): Boosts sword damage temporarily.
- Sword Scavenger: Increases heavy ammo pick-up capacity.
- Ammo Finder (Sword): Increases sword ammo drops on weapon kills.
With the right armor mods, Black Talon becomes even more potent in extended encounters or challenging endgame content.
Build Ideas Featuring Black Talon
Void 3.0 Synergy
With the Void 3.0 subclass updates, Black Talon fits naturally into void-based builds. For example:
- Warlock Devour Build: Use void kills to heal and extend ability uptime.
- Titan Overshield Build: Combine void melee and ranged attacks for tanky combat.
- Hunter Invisibility Build: Chain void kills and use finisher mods for cloak uptime.
Boss DPS Strategy
During boss phases, you can pair Black Talon with Well of Radiance or a bubble from Titan to safely charge heavy attacks and fire projectiles. This allows sustained damage output while staying protected by support abilities.
Is Black Talon Still Viable?
In the current Destiny 2 sandbox, Black Talon remains viable and enjoyable. While meta weapons change from season to season, Black Talon consistently offers unique utility not found in other swords. Its ranged attack is unmatched, and when paired with mods or subclass synergy, it holds its ground in endgame activities.
Reasons to Keep It in Your Loadout
- Great for flexible melee and ranged damage.
- Void synergy across all classes.
- Powerful against ads, majors, and even some bosses.
- Fun and satisfying to use.
Black Talon is more than just a sword it’s a versatile exotic weapon that adapts to many combat scenarios in Destiny 2. Whether you’re slicing through enemies up close or firing void projectiles from afar, this weapon offers a balanced and engaging playstyle. Its unique traits, strong synergy with Void subclasses, and compatibility with various armor builds make it a solid choice for any Guardian. If you’re looking to add a dependable and stylish exotic sword to your arsenal, Black Talon is definitely worth keeping on your radar.