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How to obtain the Sunshot catalyst in Destiny 2 and its effects.

The Sunshot Exotic Hand Cannon, a staple since Destiny 2’s early days, has seen various upgrades. Among these is its catalyst, enhancing its core attributes. Discover how to obtain it and its effects.

Acquiring the Sunshot catalyst

The Sunshot with its catalyst equipped in Destiny 2

This catalyst primarily drops from Portal encounters at any challenge tier. The rarity matches its Exotic status, though persistence pays off. Once obtained, progression tracking begins immediately across your account.

The vendor Xur occasionally exchanges this catalyst for Strange Coins during weekly rotations.

A Guardian holding a Sunshot Hand Cannon at the Cosmodrome in Destiny 2

Owning Sunshot itself is prerequisite. Acquisition methods include decrypting Exotic engrams or purchasing from Xur. Direct farming routes currently remain unavailable.

Catalyst activation requires:

  • 500 Sunshot eliminations
  • 1,000 Sun Blast detonation kills

Sun Blast triggers on enemy defeats, requiring chain explosions for credit. These differ from Solar ignitions, necessitating alternative build strategies.

Effective farming locations include:

The Caldera Solo Ops Portal activity in Destiny 2
  • Initial Grasp of Avarice encounter (infinite Thrall/Acolyte spawns)
  • Dreaming City’s Blind Well (focus on mob clearance)
  • Caldera Solo Ops (dense enemy clusters)

Sunshot catalyst benefits

Rather than introducing mechanics, this catalyst improves performance metrics:

  • +30 Range enhancement
  • +20 Stability improvement

While subtle, these upgrades complement Sunshot’s explosive capabilities and Solar synergy. The weapon remains versatile across various combat scenarios despite lacking flashier modifications.

For additional insights into Destiny 2’s current expansion and mechanics, explore our comprehensive resources.