History of Arbalest

Arbalest is an Exotic Kinetic Linear Fusion Rifle and the first kinetic-slot linear fusion in Destiny 2.

Overview

• Archetype: Linear Fusion Rifle in the Kinetic slot.
• Intrinsic perk, Compounding Force: fires slugs that deal massive damage to combatant shields of any element, and has built-in anti-Barrier capability against Barrier Champions.
• Trait, Disruption Break: breaking a shield makes the enemy take extra Kinetic damage for a short time.
• Balance history: anti-Barrier was added in 3.4.0; aim assist and body-shot damage were reduced in 6.2.5.3.

Acquisition

Availability has changed over time:

• Another Last City: the Lightfall quest line from Shaw Han in the Cosmodrome (7 quests) awards Arbalest. See Another Last City.
• Exotic engrams: it drops as a world exotic; Xûr's engrams prioritize gear you don't own.
• Xûr: some listings show it sold for 29 Legendary Shards; requires the Forsaken pack.
• Historical: originally given by Eva Levante after the "Party Hard" triumph during The Revelry event, after which it moved to engrams.

Catalyst

The catalyst drops randomly from playlist activities (Strikes, Crucible, Gambit). It improves handling, adds one round to the magazine, and grants Genesis: breaking a shield with the weapon refills the magazine from reserves, and energy weapons matching shield types regenerate ammo.