Heavy weapons

Heavy weapons, also called power weapons, are the heavy slot weapons, consuming heavy ammo that drops less often. In Destiny 2 the heavy slot became the power slot. Weapon types include grenade launchers, linear fusion rifles, machine guns, rocket launchers (see Rocket Launcher), swords, combat bows and sniper rifles.

Roles

Heavy weapons are the most powerful weapons a Guardian can carry, and they fill three roles: add clear (handling groups of enemies), single high-priority targets, and burst damage. Their heavy ammo is the rarest ammo to find, so reserves are limited and players often save heavies for harder encounters. Switching weapons mid-fight loses the heavy ammo for the weapons being swapped.

Destiny 1 and 2

In Destiny the heavy slot held the Machine Gun, Rocket Launcher and Sword. Power weapons in Destiny 2 can use any damage type, and later reworks moved some weapon types between slots.