TheHawkmoonis a strong hand cannon inDestiny 2that only gets better with its Catalyst. On its own, this weapon can go toe-to-toe with just about any otherhand cannonin PVP or PVE. It’s not the best, but it is far from being the worst.
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Anyone considering using this weapon for any length of time should seriously consider going through the effort of unlocking the Catalyst. To help players decide whether or not it’s worth it, here’s a guide describingwhat theHawkmoonCatalyst does and where you can find it inDestiny 2.
Updated on June 25, 2025, by Anastasia Maillot:With the upcoming Witch Queen DLC,Hawkmoonand a few other weapons from previous Exotic missions will lose their respective quests. However, that doesn’t mean that players won’t be getting their hands on them, at all. The week prior to the Witch Queen is still the last chance for players to experience the Harbinger mission for the last time and grindfor theHawkmoon, before the way it can be gained and how its catalyst drops will be permanently changed. Here’s what players can also expect in terms of gameplay utility from theHawkmoongoing forward tothe Season of the Risen.
What TheHawkmoonCatalyst Does
The Hakwmoon Catalyst gives the weapon the Hunter’s Trance perk. Hunter’s Trance grants four different benefits:
The last three are impacted in their effectiveness by how many times the player has stacked Paracausal Charge. For players wanting the greatest impact it’s best to stack it a maximum seven times for best results. Note that if the weapon is holstered, the Paracausal Charge stack will disappear. This is key, especially for players planning to make theHawkmoontheir main weapon in crucible.
How To Get TheHawkmoonCatalyst
Prior to theWitch Queen, players had to complete the Harbinger mission once more to get the catalyst. The good news is, starting from February 22nd, this will no longer be the case since theHarbinger Exotic questfound on the EDZ will be permanently vaulted as theDestiny 2story moves onwards.
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Those who now want to get their hands on theHawkmooncatalyst need to complete activities repeatedly in the following playlists: strikes, crucible, or gambit. So far, the catalyst drop is totally random, so it can take quite a bit of time or no time at all for players to get their hands on it.
After receiving it, players will simply need to get kills with the weapon to add it to theHawkmoon. The best way to do this is to just hit the crucible and test out the hand cannon’s offensive capabilities against other players. Or, players can just head to the Altar of Sorrows on the Moon, which is also fantastic for catalyst grinding.
Is TheHawkmoonCatalyst Worth It?
In Season 15, theHawkmoonhand cannon was considered a very solid choice in PVP. Though it still struggles to match the ferocity of some legendary hand cannons like the Eyasluna and Palindrome, as well as the strength of some of the fiercer Exotic hand cannons likeThornandAce of Spades, it encourages a different kind of playstyle that some players might enjoy.
In Season 16, it’s unclear how good hand cannons will be in PVP. Throughout the years, generally speaking,hand cannons have been a staple inDestiny 2, and this is very unlikely to change, even if the top-tier meta will still be something a bit more niche. That said, players will still most likely be able to use this hand cannon in crucible in particular and get a lot of work done.
Given also how much the catalyst improves the hand cannon, there’s no reason not to get it, though it will be more difficult considering the drop is randomized. However, at least this means players will not need to grind the tedious Harbinger mission.
Destiny 2: The Witch Queenwill release on July 02, 2025, and is available on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
