Destiny 2 Heirloom Guide — How to Unlock the Exotic Solar Crossbow

Heirloom is one of the most anticipated Exotic weapons introduced with the Renegades expansion in Destiny 2. Inspired by the iconic Wookiee bowcaster from Star Wars, this Solar Exotic crossbow launches explosive bolts, features a heat-based firing cycle, and delivers exceptional burst damage through a unique charge mechanic. Unlike most other Exotics of its archetype, Heirloom uses special ammo, giving it incredible flexibility for high-end PvE activities.

This expanded guide will walk you through everything currently known about Heirloom: how to unlock it, how its perks function, how the heat system works, what its Catalyst does, how it performs in endgame PvE, and why it is considered one of the strongest Solar secondaries of the Renegades year.

What Is Heirloom in Destiny 2?

Heirloom is a Solar Exotic crossbow that rewards careful heat management and precision firing. It fills a hybrid role between a burst-DPS secondary and a crowd-control tool, thanks to explosive bolts and innate Champion utility. Because it uses special ammo instead of heavy, Heirloom can be taken into almost any activity without sacrificing boss DPS options.

The weapon is thematically tied to the Renegades expansion, which incorporates visual and mechanical inspirations from Star Wars–style tech. Heirloom joins other themed weapons such as the Praxic Blade "Lightsaber" and the new starfighter-inspired ship introduced this year.

How to Get Heirloom in Destiny 2

Heirloom drops from the Equilibrium dungeon — a post-campaign endgame activity unlocked after completing the Renegades storyline.

Current information:

• Heirloom is a dungeon Exotic

• It is obtained EXCLUSIVELY from Equilibrium

• Bungie has not confirmed whether it is a guaranteed quest reward or a low-chance Exotic drop

• If it follows the traditional dungeon Exotic model, drop chances may increase with:

  • repeated completions

  • weekly character clears

  • contest completions

  • Triumph progress

Because Equilibrium is a mechanically complex dungeon with multi-stage puzzles and lethal combat sections, obtaining Heirloom may require coordinated fireteam play. Solo farming it will be extremely difficult for most players.

Once the community confirms the exact conditions for unlocking Heirloom — whether it's RNG-based, tied to a quest, or linked to hidden objectives — this guide will be updated.

Why Heirloom Is Considered a Top-Tier Exotic

Even before its official release, Heirloom generated significant hype among the community because of its unique mechanics. Unlike traditional crossbows, Heirloom behaves more like a Solar hybrid weapon combining precision, explosives, and heat-based rhythm.

The weapon excels in:

• Nightfalls with Unstoppable Champions

• High-end boss encounters requiring burst damage

• Activities with dense elite mobs

• Solar builds that trigger Scorch or Ignite

• Loadouts needing a strong special-ammo DPS option

It fills a niche similar to Divinity + Tractor Cannon support, but in a much more flexible format.

Heirloom Exotic Perks — Complete Breakdown

Heirloom’s two Exotic traits define its entire playstyle:

Bolt Thrower

“Launch powerful explosive bolts that stun Unstoppable Champions.”

This perk allows Heirloom to fill multiple tactical roles:

• Explosive bolts apply AoE pressure, instantly clearing clustered enemies

• Stuns Unstoppable Champions almost immediately

• Scales well with Solar buffs and debuffs

• More reliable hit detection than typical crossbows

Because the projectile contains a small explosion radius, it benefits heavily from precision angles and Solar synergies (e.g., Ember of Eruption, Ember of Ashes).

Big Game Hunter

“Hold to charge a high-damage bolt. Charged bolts generate significant heat.”

This perk defines Heirloom’s burst-DPS identity:

• Tapping fire = consistent medium damage

• Holding fire = enormous Solar burst damage

• Fully charged shots generate ~52% heat

• Overheating requires manual venting (reload)

This creates a “damage rhythm cycle” similar to weapons like:

• Sunshot (Solar explosions)

• Vex Mythoclast’s overcharge cycle

• Jötunn’s heat buildup

Mastering this rhythm allows Heirloom to outperform many Legendary special-ammo weapons in boss fights and dungeon encounters.

Heat, Venting, and Shot Cycle — Advanced Explanation

Heirloom uses a unique heat-based system instead of traditional reload mechanics:

Heirloom’s optimal cycle:

1. Quick shots to soften mobs / build scorch

2. Save heat window for bosses

3. Charge → fire → vent → repeat

This creates a high-tempo damage loop similar to fusion rifles but with more control.

Heirloom Catalyst — What We Know So Far

The Catalyst’s exact acquisition method is not confirmed, but the effect is known:

• Direct hits with charged shots apply Scorch

• Scorched enemies take increased damage from Heirloom

• Scorch DoT increases with charge duration

• Applies even if Scorch came from subclass abilities

Practical outcome:

• Guaranteed Ignite setups in Solar builds

• Massive damage multiplier on charged bolts

• Stronger DPS uptime in endgame content

This turns Heirloom into a Solar “ignition engine,” comparable to how Thorn catalyst or Polaris Lance function in their respective archetypes.

Full Heirloom Weapon Stats (Extended Analysis)

Heirloom sits between a precision bow, a single-shot DPS weapon, and a Solar ignition tool.

Best Builds and Synergies for Heirloom

Heirloom thrives in Solar 3.0 setups.

Recommended Subclass Elements:

• Ember of Ashes (more Scorch stacks)

• Ember of Eruption (larger Ignites)

• Ember of Torches (Charged with Light uptime in melee builds)

• Ember of Solace (extended Radiant buffs)

Pairing Heirloom with Solar melee builds or super-regeneration builds drastically increases overall damage output.

Where Heirloom Performs Best

Excellent In:

• Grandmaster Nightfalls

• Dungeon boss phases

• Legend Lost Sectors

• Seasonal activities with high elite density

• Anything involving Unstoppable Champions

Mediocre In:

• PvP — projectile speed and heat cycle make it unreliable

• Airborne combat — low AE rating

Conclusion

Heirloom feels like a new class of Exotic—half explosive bow, half Solar ignition engine, wrapped in a unique heat-management system. It rewards precision, rhythm, and smart ammo usage. Once the Equilibrium dungeon launches, expect this weapon to become a staple in many Solar builds.

This guide will be updated with exact acquisition steps as soon as the dungeon goes live.

FAQ

How do you get Heirloom?
By completing the Equilibrium dungeon (exact method TBD).

Is Heirloom guaranteed or RNG?
Not confirmed, but most dungeon Exotics have low drop-rates.

Does Heirloom work in PvP?
It’s usable, but not optimal — heat cycle and projectile speed limit consistency.

Is the Catalyst worth it?
Absolutely — Scorch + bonus damage transforms its DPS potential.

Can Heirloom be solo-farmed?
Equilibrium is expected to be extremely difficult solo; fireteam recommended.