AsDestiny 2has grown, there have been more and more subclasses added, and with the release ofLightfall, the latest Strand subclasses were released. With 5 subclasses per class to choose from, it can be hard to know which one is the best, which is why this article will rank every single Hunter subclass and provide some tips on how to get the most out of your subclass pick.
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Destiny is heavily centered around exotics and, even more so, builds — especially with the changes Bungie has made to build crafting. Lightfall saw an overhaul of the mod system, and the placements of subclasses were shaken because of it. Simply put, the subclasses with the best exotic armor pieces and the greatest build potential are often the strongest.
Revenant isn’t necessarily a ‘bad’ subclass. It has just been power crept and outclassed as numerous subclass updates and the release of Strand, which has filled the crowd-control role that was previously unique to Stasis. Revenant, and Stasis as a whole, suffer from being very limited when it comes to ability choice. Revenant also has a pretty lacking Super, dealing very little damage and having some trouble tracking enemies that you may want it to.
Compared to other subclasses that have much more variety, it can be hard to justify picking Revenant over some of the more powerful options. This being said though,Revenant does have some powerful builds, and it is still a usable subclass that can be played with success anywhere in the game. Revenant isn’t too hot in PvP either; it is definitely viable, but there are better options for a Hunter looking tostep into the Crucible.
4Threadrunner
Threadrunner is the latest addition to the Subclass list with the release of the Lightfall expansion and comes stacked with powerful new tools to play with. The second Darkness-based subclass to release, Threadrunner falls short of the suspending power of Broodweaver (Warlock) and Berserker (Titan) and the raw damage of the Light subclasses.
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Despite this, Strand does have somemassively influential Fragment optionsand is still a decent subclass. Threadrunner also does havesome powerful builds, so it shouldn’t be counted out instantly — suspending targets forever is nothing to scoff at. PvE aside, Threadrunner finds some great success in PvP. With a remarkably high skill ceiling and powerful single-use abilities like the Suspending Dive, you can find real purchase out of Threadrunner in PvP.
3Gunslinger
Gunslinger has always been a powerful option. Ever since the launch of the game, many exotics have synergized excellently with Solar Hunter. The most notable example has beenCelestial Nighthawk. However, these days Celestial doesn’t hold a candle to the more prominent DPS options like Star-Eater Scales, which can be used on any subclass, taking away the main advantage that Gunslinger once had: burst damage.
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The weaker neutral game of Gunslinger compared to Nightstalker and Arcstrider lands it in third place but firmly above the two darkness subclasses due to its damage output and versatility.
However,Gunslinger in PvP is incredible. With powerful exotics like Young Ahamkara’s Spine and Athrys' Embrace, it can sometimes be hard to not find success with Solar Hunter.
2Arcstrider
Arcstrider is not something to ignore. With a powerful high-damage super, amazing builds that have good self-sustain, and excellent add clear, it’s hard to rank Arcstrider any lower than second place. Gathering Storm can rival the damage of Blade Barrage, and while it is slightly lower and technically not instant, it makes up for it through its incredible abilities and synergies. Exotics like Assassin’s Cowl and Liar’s Handshake work brilliantly with Arcstrider. With the right setup, you are practically immortal while generating Orbs of Power constantly.
Arcstrider can also take advantage of the incredibly fun Amplified effect, and its speed-boosting powers making it an easy second place. Arcstrider in PvP, however, is rather lacking. Without any truly potent abilities, it can be hard to justify using it in the Crucible. Thankfully, the PvE side more than makes up for the lacking PvP power.
1Nightstalker
Nightstalker has been the top dog for quite a while. With meta-defining exotics like Omnioculus and Gyrfalcon’s Hauberk, it’s easy to see why Void Hunter is simply a cut above the rest. Nightstalker also comes with one of the highest single debuffs in the game with Shadowshot. Having a Nightstalker in every fireteam is always a good idea. Team-wide invisibility, incredible add-clear, and powerful supers are never something to pass up on. There are plenty of builds possible with Nightstalker, and it should always be considered when considering fireteam composition.
Nightstalker in PvP has seen a bit of a decline, but it’s still a very solid pick. Invisibility is always powerful, and with shutdown Supers like Shadowshot, Nightstalker shouldn’t be passed up on so fast.
