Is Hawkmoon a Good Gun? A Comprehensive Destiny 2 Guide

Is Hawkmoon a good gun? Absolutely. It’s not just good; it’s a top-tier exotic hand cannon that holds its own even in a landscape dominated by pulse rifles. Hawkmoon blends a unique blend of power, feel, and potential for game-changing moments that makes it a favorite amongst Destiny 2 players. Its strengths lie in its Paracausal Shot mechanic, rewarding precision and skill with devastating bursts of damage, making it potent in both PvE and PvP environments. Whether you’re a Crucible veteran or tackling endgame content, Hawkmoon offers a rewarding experience and remains a formidable weapon.

The Allure of Hawkmoon: What Makes It Special?

Hawkmoon isn’t just another hand cannon; it’s an exotic. This means it comes with a unique perk that significantly alters its performance and playstyle. The core of Hawkmoon’s identity is its Paracausal Shot. Land precision hits, and you accumulate stacks of Paracausal Charge. Each stack increases the damage of the final bullet in your magazine, the Paracausal Round.

This creates a high-risk, high-reward loop. The more accurate you are, the more devastating your final shot becomes. Skilled players can leverage this to one-shot opponents in the Crucible or deal significant burst damage to bosses and challenging enemies in PvE. The weapon demands accuracy and rewards players who can consistently land headshots. This is a quality that resonates with players looking to improve their skills and truly master a weapon.

The intrinsic perk makes Hawkmoon a satisfying weapon to use. It provides a palpable sense of progression as you stack damage, culminating in a powerful, impactful final shot. It’s this gameplay loop that separates Hawkmoon from many other hand cannons, fostering a more involved and engaging experience.

Hawkmoon in PvE: A Precision Powerhouse

While often associated with PvP, Hawkmoon certainly holds its own in PvE. The Paracausal Shot allows for focused burst damage on high-priority targets. While it may not compete with dedicated DPS weapons in raids, it shines in activities where accuracy and target prioritization are key. Think Nightfalls, Legend and Master Lost Sectors, and other challenging content.

The ability to significantly damage Champions with a well-placed Paracausal Round provides valuable utility. It makes Hawkmoon a suitable choice for players who enjoy hand cannons and want to use them in a wider range of content. Certain perk combinations can further enhance its PvE viability.

Recommended PvE Perks

• Barrel: Hammer-Forged Rifling (for range) or Smallbore (for stability and range).
• Trait: Surplus (for increased handling, reload speed, and stability when your abilities are charged) or Killing Wind (for increased mobility, weapon range, and handling after a kill).
• Grip: Smooth Grip (for increased stability and handling) or Heavy Grip (for increased stability).

Hawkmoon in PvP: Dominate the Crucible

In the Crucible, Hawkmoon transforms into a deadly weapon in the hands of a skilled player. The potential to two-tap or even one-tap opponents with a fully stacked Paracausal Round is what draws many players to this exotic hand cannon.

Its accuracy, combined with the damage potential of Paracausal Shot, makes it a formidable weapon in duels. Hawkmoon rewards precise aiming and punishes careless aggression. Players who excel at landing headshots will find themselves dominating engagements and controlling lanes with ease.

Recommended PvP Perks

• Trait: Rangefinder (for increased zoom, range, and aim assist at longer ranges), Opening Shot (for increased accuracy and range on the first shot), or Eye of the Storm (for increased accuracy and handling as your health decreases).

Obtaining Hawkmoon and Farming Rolls

Initially acquired through a questline, Hawkmoon is now available for purchase from Xur. Xur sells Hawkmoon with a random roll each week. This feature allows players to chase their desired perk combinations without relying solely on random drops.

Farming for the perfect Hawkmoon roll involves checking Xur’s inventory weekly and purchasing the weapon if the perks align with your playstyle. Xur sells the Hawkmoon for 125,000 Glimmer, 200 Legendary Shards, an Ascendant Shard, and an Exotic Cipher.

Previously, you could also target-farm Hawkmoon through the “Harbinger” mission. This mission is no longer available since the Tangled Shore has been vaulted, making Xur the only way to get the weapon.

Hawkmoon’s Place in the Meta

Even in a meta that often favors pulse rifles and other weapon types, Hawkmoon maintains its relevance. Its unique damage potential, rewarding gameplay loop, and satisfying feel contribute to its continued popularity. While it may require a higher skill ceiling to master compared to some other weapons, the rewards are well worth the effort.

The Exotic status and special perks of Hawkmoon make it a top-tier choice, and will remain so throughout Destiny 2.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hawkmoon

1. How many kills do you need for the Hawkmoon catalyst?

To unlock Hawkmoon’s catalyst, you’ll need 700 kills with the weapon.

2. What does the Hawkmoon catalyst do?

The Hawkmoon catalyst gives the hand cannon the full auto feature and provides a stat boost to its reload speed when active.

3. What is the best Hawkmoon roll for PvE?

A solid PvE roll includes: Hammer-Forged Rifling or Smallbore for the barrel, Surplus or Killing Wind for the trait, and Smooth Grip or Heavy Grip for the grip.

4. What is the best Hawkmoon roll for PvP?

A strong PvP roll includes: Rangefinder, Opening Shot, or Eye of the Storm for the trait.

5. Is Hawkmoon better than Dead Man’s Tale?

Both are excellent weapons, but it depends on your playstyle. Hawkmoon rewards precision with burst damage, while Dead Man’s Tale offers consistent sustained damage and better handling.

6. Can you still farm Hawkmoon?

No. Hawkmoon is no longer target farmable through the “Harbinger” mission. The only way to obtain it is through Xur.

7. What does Paracausal Shot do?

Paracausal Shot is Hawkmoon’s unique perk. Landing precision hits grants stacks of Paracausal Charge, increasing the damage of the final bullet in your magazine, the Paracausal Round.

8. How many Paracausal Shot stacks can you get?

You can get up to 6 stacks of Paracausal Shot.

9. Is Hawkmoon good for beginners?

While it requires accuracy, Hawkmoon is relatively easy to use and understand, making it a good choice for players looking to improve their hand cannon skills.

10. Does Hawkmoon benefit from hand cannon mods?

Yes, Hawkmoon benefits from hand cannon mods like Targeting Adjuster, Backup Mag, and Icarus Grip.

11. How much does Xur sell Hawkmoon for?

Xur sells Hawkmoon for 125,000 Glimmer, 200 Legendary Shards, an Ascendant Shard, and an Exotic Cipher.

12. Is Hawkmoon a top-tier hand cannon?

Yes, Hawkmoon remains a top-tier exotic hand cannon in Destiny 2.

13. Can you get Cayde-6’s hand cannon in Destiny 2?

Yes, you can get Cayde-6’s hand cannon, the Ace of Spades, in Destiny 2.

14. What is the best hand cannon in Destiny 2 overall?

The “best” hand cannon depends on your playstyle, but contenders include Timelost Fatebringer, Hawkmoon, Ace of Spades, and Igneous Hammer.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and the impact of game mechanics on learning?

You can explore the fascinating intersection of game design and learning at the GamesLearningSociety.org website. The Games Learning Society fosters research and discussion on the educational potential of games. Understanding how game mechanics impact player behavior can improve both gameplay and learning outcomes.