Destiny 2: Hunter Onslaught builds

The new Onslaught horde mode is now available via the Into the Light update for Destiny 2. While Warlock builds may rely on healing, and Titan builds on overwhelming power, Hunters rely on a bit of guile. With a well-timed ability, they can create disorder among enemy ranks, and all it takes is some build planning. Here is a place to start with Hunter builds that can take on Onslaught.

Onslaught is a new activity that arrived with Into the Light. It features a fearsome climb through 50 rounds of foes and boss fights along the way. While traditional long-range builds don’t really work in Onslaught, Hunters have a vast array of tools they can use to turn the tide. With the proper setup, Hunters can control the battlefield, raining damage and debuffs on enemies.

Deadfall Nightstalker

A Void Hunter’s Shadowshot: Deadfall Super is one of the most powerful tools in its arsenal. Weighing enemies down with Weaken and Suppression, Deadfall pulls and locks foes to one place, making them easy to clean up. But what if Hunters could get that Super every 60 to 90 seconds?

Abilities:

• Class ability: Gambler’s Dodge
• Jump ability: Any
• Melee ability: Snare Bomb
• Grenade ability: Vortex Grenade or Suppression Grenade
• Super ability: Shadowshot: Deadfall

Aspects:

• Stylish Executioner
• Vanishing Step

Fragments:

• Echo of Instability
• Echo of Starvation
• Echo of Reprisal
• Echo of Harvest

This build focuses on getting Hunters their Shadowshot: Deadfall Super back as fast as possible, adding Devour and Volatile Rounds into the mix for good measure. Echo of Reprisal ensures Super gains from kills while surrounded, which will be most of the time in Onslaught. Snare Bomb Weakens foes and can be refunded with Gambler’s Dodge, with Echo of Harvest producing an Orb of Power and a Void Breach whenever Weakened enemies go down. In addition to providing more Super energy, Orbs of Power (and Void Breach) pickups trigger Echo of Starvation, which grants Devour for healing.

Gear

This Void Hunter build starts with a great baseline, but certain Exotic Void weapons help make it even better. If players are lucky enough to own the Buried Bloodline Exotic sidearm from the Warlord’s Ruin Dungeon, it’s one of the safest options. Buried Bloodline is not only a reasonably potent weapon but also acts as another source of Devour. If Hunters have also completed its Catalyst, it’ll weaken shot enemies. If Buried Bloodline isn’t an option, Fighting Lion, Graviton Lance, or Wavesplitter can work as an Exotic Void powerhouse.

The magic that makes this whole build come together is thanks to a specific Exotic armor piece: Orpheus Rig. While this may mean there aren’t opportunities to custom-tune Exotic armor effects, it’s hard to argue with the results. When using the Shadowshot: Deadfall Super on a large group of enemies, Orpheus Rig can refund up to 50% of Super energy back and restore ability energy based on the number of foes affected by the Super. Between the Orpheus Rig effects, Echo of Reprisal, and all the Orbs of Power generated, Nightstalkers will have their Super back in no time. 

Mods and stat priority

Mods have some flexibility, but the ones listed below help abilities come back faster and ensure Orbs of Power are being generated.

Head:

• Harmonic Siphon
• Dynamo
• Special Ammo Finder

Arms:

• Firepower
• Bolstering Detonation

Chest:

• Damage Resistance
• Harmonic Reserves

Feet:

• Recuperation
• Orbs of Restoration
• Void Weapon Surge

Class Item:

• Bomber
• Reaper

A Hunter’s first priority should be reaching 100 Resilience. This provides a 30% damage reduction and is considered mandatory when pushing into more challenging content. After Resilience, Mobility and Discipline can be equally important. Mobility makes Hunters faster and reduces the cooldown for Gambler’s Dodge, while Discipline reduces grenade cooldown.

Whirling Maelstrom Threadrunner

The Strand Subclass has many tricks up its sleeves, including buffs, debuffs, and the infamous Grapple. However, what it does best is decimate swathes of enemies in a snap. This Threadrunner build leans into chaos, creating homing death traps out of Tangles and Suspending priority targets.

Abilities:

• Class ability: Gambler’s Dodge
• Jump ability: Any
• Melee ability: Threaded Spike
• Grenade ability: Shackle Grenade
• Super ability: Silkstrike

Aspects:

• Whirling Maelstrom
• Threaded Specter

Fragments:

• Thread of Generation
• Thread of Rebirth
• Thread of Evolution
• Thread of Warding

This Hunter build dabbles in much of Strand’s offerings, with access to Woven Mail, ample Threadling supply, and a buff to those Threadlings through Fragments. The Threaded Specter Aspect ensures Gambler’s Dodge is even more valuable, not only refunding Threaded Spike but also deploying a Threadling-spitting decoy. Finally, the main course is the Whirling Maelstrom Aspect, which turns Tangles into dangerous homing cyclones of death whenever the Threadrunner shoots or throws one.

Gear

The greatest gear challenge for this build can be finding a Strand weapon that fits the bill. In that spirit, Quicksilver Storm is still a viable option despite recent nerfs. The Exotic auto rifle becomes Strand-type after finishing the Catalyst, so it may not be an option for everyone. Alternatively, players could succeed with The Navigator Exotic trace rifle, the Final Warning sidearm, or any formidable Legendary Strand weapon. If going the Legendary route, consider a powerful crowd-clearing heavy or special weapon to ensure more powerful foes don’t pose an issue.

Hunters could consider a few Exotic armor options for this build. An easy choice is the Foetracer exotic helm, as it passively grants a weapon damage bonus after harming combatants with an ability. If players want an Exotic that’s a little more active, The Sixth Coyote or Radiant Dance Machines both open up opportunities for more Gambler’s Dodges, which allows for more Threaded Spikes, creating more Tangles that become Whirling Maelstroms.

Mods and stat priority

This build is already pretty tight, and Mods only sweeten the deal. These are some suggestions for helpful picks, but players may opt for alternatives based on their playstyle and final build.

Head:

• Hands-On
• Harmonic Siphon or Solar/Strand Dual Siphon

Arms:

• Heavy Handed
• Impact Induction
• Bolstering Strike

Chest:

• Damage Resistance

Feet:

• Recuperation
• Invigoration
• Strand Weapon Surge

Class Item:

• Outreach
• Bomber
• Reaper

For stats, Threadrunners first need to worry about hitting 100 Resilience for the 30% damage reduction. From there, Discipline should be the next focus, with Mobility as a third priority. Thankfully, Mobility shouldn’t be as much of a worry between Mods and an Exotic like The Sixth Coyote or Radiant Dance Machines.