9 best Strand builds in Destiny 2 for Warlock, Hunter and Titan

The Prismatic subclass may be the new hotness in The Final Shape, but only a fool would overlook Strand. If you’re all about relentless offense and survivability, here are the 9 best Strand builds in Destiny 2 for Warlock, Hunter, and Titan.

The best Strand Builds in Destiny 2 The Final Shape

As long as you have the best Echoes God Roll weapons, you’ll find a build to suit every occasion in this guide, but here’s a quick summary of what to expect and a table of contents to make accessing the section you want easy:

Warlock

• Mataiodoxia Build
• Swarmers Build
• Necrotic Grip DoT Build

Titan

• Wishful Ignorance Build
• Banner of War Synthoceps Build
• Abeyant Leap Suspend Build

Hunter

• Whirling Maelstrom Build
• Quicksilver Suspend Build
• ST0MP-EE5 PvP Build

3 Best Strand Warlock Builds in Destiny 2

The space wizards of Destiny 2 can wield Strand to output ridiculous damage numbers while staying safe and tanky. Here are a few builds that utilize the subclass the best. What better way to start than with one of the shiny new Final Shape exotics?

Mataiodoxia Suspend Build

The Mataiodoxia has a shopping list of effects that make it seem far more complicated to use than it actually is. In reality, we use this Exotic chest piece to suspend everything that moves, and it synergizes with our Arcane Needle melee ability.

To make the build work, you only need to throw your Arcane needles at targets and shoot them to create suspending detonations. When you kill suspended targets, you gain melee energy so you can repeat the process. You can also use your Mindspun Invocation Aspect to consume your grenades and generate even more suspending detonations.

It sounds complicated, but the build is far easier to use in practice.

Aspects and Fragments

Aspects

• Mindspun Invocation – Your Grapple, Shackle, and Threadling Grenades have enhanced functionality. Consume the Shackle Grenade to activate Weaver’s Trance. While Weaver’s Trance is active, Final Blows create a suspending detonation.
• The Wanderer – Thrown tangles create a suspending detonation when stuck to a target. Destroying tangles creates suspending detonations after a short delay.

Fragments

• Thread of Fury
• Thread of Mind
• Thread of Continuity
• Thread of Warding

Abilities

• Super – Needlestorm
• Class Ability – Healing Rift
• Movement Ability – Balanced Glide
• Melee Ability – Arcane Needle
• Grenade – Shackle Grenade

Exotic armor and suggested weapons

Armor

• Mataiodoxia Exotic Chest Armor – Targets damaged by Arcane Needle emit a suspending detonation when defeated. Landing multiple Arcane Needles on the same target triggers a larger, more powerful detonation. Defeating suspended targets grants melee energy. Arcane Needles stun Barrier Champions.

Weapons

• The Call Strand Sidearm
• No Hesitation Solar Auto Rifle
• Apex Predator Solar Rocket Launcher

Swarmers Build

The Mataiodoxia is arguably the Exotic of choice for Strand Warlocks, as suspending targets is such a powerful ability. That said, if you’d rather lean into Threadling spam, the Swarmers build is for you. While Threadlings seem less useful on paper, they can unravel opponents, so they take more damage.

The gameplay loop is extremely simple. Unravel everything with your Threadlings, and pick up Orbs of Power to boost survivability with Woven Mail. You can spawn Threadlings with your Threadling Grenades, Class Ability, and Tangles.

Aspects and Fragments

Aspects

• The Wanderer – Thrown tangles create a suspending detonation when stuck to a target. Destroying tangles creates suspending detonations after a short delay.
• Weaver’s Call – Activate your Class Ability to weave three Threadlings and deploy the Threadlings you have perched. Targets defeated by Strand damage have a chance to generate a Perched Threadling.

Fragments

• Thread of Evolution
• Thread of Rebirth
• Thread of Propagation
• Thread of Warding

Abilities

• Super – Needlestorm
• Class Ability – Healing Rift
• Movement Ability – Balanced Glide
• Melee Ability – Arcane Needle
• Grenade – Threadling Grenade

Exotic armor and suggested weapons

Armor

• Swarmers Exotic Leg Armor – Destroying a Tangle spawns a Threadling. Your Threadlings unravel targets that they damage.

Weapons

• Old Sterling Strand Auto Rifle
• The Call Strand Sidearm
• Quicksilver Storm Exotic Auto Rifle

Necrotic Grip DoT Build

We’ve covered some iconic Strand playstyles for the Warlock, but the subclass also works with poison builds. It can be hard to quantify how much damage poison does as it slowly eats away at your opponents, but it quickly adds up to impressive amounts.

The best thing about the Necrotic Grips we’re using is that their poison damage spreads to nearby enemies. You can wipe out swathes of targets with a couple of well-placed shots, and poison works exceptionally well in busy content.

To get the most out of the build we rely on Weaver’s Trance for suspending detonations like we did with our Mataiodoxia loadout. Combine Weaver’s Trance with Arcane needle and start shooting with your Exotic Primary. When you defeat targets, they explode in a shower of debuffs that spread across the battlefield.

Aspects and Fragments

Aspects

• Mindspun Invocation – Your Grapple, Shackle, and Threadling Grenades have enhanced functionality. Consume the Shackle Grenade to activate Weaver’s Trance. While Weaver’s Trance is active, Final Blows create a suspending detonation.
• The Wanderer – Thrown tangles create a suspending detonation when stuck to a target. Destroying tangles creates suspending detonations after a short delay.

Fragments

• Thread of Generation
• Thread of Continuity
• Thread of Transmutation
• Thread of Warding

Abilities

• Super – Needlestorm
• Class Ability – Healing Rift
• Movement Ability – Balanced Glide
• Melee Ability – Arcane Needle
• Grenade – Shackle Grenade

Exotic armor and suggested weapons

Armor

• Necrotic Grip Exotic Gauntlets – Damaging a target with a melee attack poisons them, dealing increasing damage over time. Defeating the poisoned target spreads the condition.

Weapons

• Osteo Striga Exotic SMG
• The Thorn Exotic Hand Cannon

These Exotic weapons have a poison effect that synergizes nicely with the build. While you can’t use both at the same time, it’s mandatory to use one of them.

3 Best Strand Hunter Builds in Destiny 2

Unsurprisingly, Strand Hunters are lethal in Destiny 2, and the ever-popular Woven Mail makes the class exceptionally hard to kill. Hunters have access to some of the highest damaging Strand Aspects in the game, and we use them to full effect in the builds below:

Whirling Maelstrom build

I love this build, as it’s easy to use and does great damage. Our Aspects, Fragments, and Abilities synergize so well that they function independently of your armor choice. You need a Strand weapon to start the party, but you have free reign with this fantastic setup.

We want to open every engagement by suspending our opponents, and we have several ways to do it, including our Shackle Grenade. You’ll create tangles by defeating suspended targets and spawn a deadly homing Strand Maelstrom when you destroy that tangle.

Your game plan revolves around creating these Maelstroms from tangles as much as possible.

Aspects and Fragments

Aspects

• Whirling Maelstrom – Destroying a tangle will create a violent mass of Strand fibers. The Strand mass seeks out and damages targets, emitting unraveling projectiles when it defeats them.
• Ensnaring Slam – Activate your air move to consume class ability energy and slam into the ground. Enemies caught in the blast are suspended.

Fragments

• Thread of Continuity
• Thread of Warding
• Thread of Transmutation
• Thread of Isolation

Abilities

• Super – Silkstrike
• Class Ability – Marksman’s Dodge
• Movement Ability – Triple Jump
• Melee Ability – Threaded Spike
• Grenade – Shackle Grenade

Exotic armor and suggested weapons

Armor

• Sixth Coyote Exotic Chest Armor – Gain a second dodge charge. Shortly after dodging, your next weapon’s final blow spawns an Orb of Power.

Weapons

• Old Sterling Strand Auto Rifle
• Rufus’s Fury Strand Auto Rifle
• Quicksilver Storm Exotic Strand Auto Rifle

Quicksilver Storm Suspend build

The Quicksilver Storm Auto Rifle was put on the naughty step just before the Final Shape was released. The weapon restores grenades at a reduced rate, but it’s still a monster that feels incredible to use. We use the Quicksilver Storm as the primary damage dealer and buff it with our Foetracer Exotic helmet.

This is a DPS-focused build, and we use Whirling Maelstroms and unraveling Threadlings to delete waves of enemies. Damage any opponent with a Strand ability to activate Foetracer and mow down the field with your rifle.

Aspects and Fragments

Aspects

• Whirling Maelstrom – Destroying a tangle will create a violent mass of Strand fibers. The Strand mass seeks out and damages targets, emitting unraveling projectiles when it defeats them.
• Widow’s Silk – You have an additional grenade charge. Your grappling hook creates a grapple tangle.

Fragments

• Thread of Generation
• Thread of Warding
• Thread of Rebirth
• Thread of Transmutation

Abilities

• Super – Silkstrike
• Class Ability – Gambler’s Dodge
• Movement Ability – Triple Jump
• Melee Ability – Threaded Spike
• Grenade – Shackle Grenade

Exotic armor and suggested weapons

Armor

• Foetracer Exotic Helmet – Damaging a powerful combatant or Guardian with an ability temporarily increases damage weapon damage of the same type. Defeating that marked target with damage that matches the element creates an elemental pickup (tangle).

Weapons

• Quicksilver Storm Exotic Strand Auto Rifle
• Wish-Keeper Exotic Bow

I find the Wish-Keeper a little unwieldy, but it’s a great choice if you want another avenue to suspend your foes.

ST0MP-EE5 PvP Build

At the time of writing, the ST0MP-EE5 Hunter boots are among the most used armor in Crucible across all classes. With this in mind, I couldn’t ignore them, and they are a perfect fit for the Strand subclass.

Any decent PvP player in any shooter will tell you that movement wins gunfights. As it turns out, the Strand subclass has a few fantastic mobility options, and we lean heavily into those for this build.

Your game plan is to get close to your opponents and overwhelm them with superior movement options like dodges, grapples, and slams. Use any weapon you like, but I’ll recommend a few Handcannons to embody that Iconic Hunter playstyle.

Aspects and Fragments

Aspects

• Widow’s Silk – You have an additional grenade charge. Your grappling hook creates a grapple tangle.
• Ensnaring Slam – Activate your air move to consume class ability energy and slam into the ground. Enemies caught in the blast are suspended.

Fragments

• Thread of Continuity
• Thread of Generation
• Thread of Ascent
• Thread of Wisdom

Abilities

• Super – Silkstrike
• Class Ability – Marksman’s Dodge
• Movement Ability – Triple Jump
• Melee Ability – Threaded Spike
• Grenade – Grapple Grenade

Exotic armor and suggested weapons

Armor

• ST0MP-EE5 Exotic Boots – Increases sprint speed and slide distance and improves all jumps besides Blink. Take less damage from opponents while airborne.

Weapons

• Ace of Spades Exotic Kinetic Hand Cannon
• Hawkmoon Exotic Kinetic Hand Cannon
• Igneous Hammer Solar Hand Cannon

3 Best Strand Titan Builds in Destiny 2

As a crayon eater main, I’ve dabbled with the Strand Titan for hundreds of hours. Even though the Subclass has been hit with multiple nerfs since its inception, Strand remains a solid choice and offers an attractive blend of damage and resilience. Let me run you through a few personal favorites of mine:

Wishful Ignorance Build

Besides the incredible Warlock Speaker’s Sight, the Wishful Ignorance is among the most desirable Final Shape Exotics. I’m still not sure why this thing exists, as Bungie seems intent on nerfing Strand builds yet gives Titan an incredible way to utilize the Subclass.

If you enjoy cutting enemies into ribbons with Frenzied Blade, this build is arguably the best way to utilize it. This Exotic also benefits your team as you feed your squad melee energy. As for gameplay, you want to rely heavily on your Powered Melee attacks. Wishful Ignorance gives you an additional Frenzied Blade charge, and you can get an extra Powered Melee by punching it at the end of a Grapple Grenade launch.

As we’re so reliant on punching our problems into oblivion, you can play fast and loose with your Weapon choices. Anything will work, so take what’s appropriate for the content you’re facing.

Aspects and Fragments

Aspects

• Into the Fray – Throwing a Tangle or casting your Super grants you and nearby allies Woven Mail. While you have Woven Mail, your melee regeneration rate is increased.
• Banner of War – Defeat a target with a melee attack, sword, or finisher to raise a Banner of War. The Banner pulses with healing energy for you and nearby allies and increases melee and sword damage. Targets defeated by you and nearby allies extend the duration and potency of Banner of War.

Fragments

• Thread of Fury
• Thread of Warding
• Thread of Transmutation
• Thread of Warding

Abilities

• Super – Blade Fury
• Class Ability – Towering Barricade
• Movement Ability – Strafe Lift
• Melee Ability – Frenzied Blade
• Grenade – Grapple Grenade

Exotic armor and suggested weapons

Armor

• Wishful Ignorance Exotic Gauntlets – Gain an additional Frenzied Blade charge. Banner of War grants melee energy.

Weapons

• The Call Strand Sidearm
• Graviton Lance Exotic Void Pulse Rifle

Banner of War Synthoceps Build

I’ve probably used this build more than any other in Destiny 2. The Banner of War Synthoceps build absolutely slaps and is viable for most content in the game. Our gameplay loop is simple. We want Banner of War active as it keeps us alive with healing pulses. Trigger Banner of War with a powered melee attack and kill everything that moves to extend the Aspect’s uptime.

As an additional layer of protection, we gain Woven Mail whenever we throw a tangle, so be sure to grab those when you see them. This build is incredible, as it doesn’t require any special weapons. You have unrivaled freedom with your arsenal and a ridiculous amount of survivability, so go out there and have some fun!

Aspects and Fragments

Aspects

• Banner of War – Defeat a target with a melee attack, sword, or finisher to raise a Banner of War. The Banner pulses with healing energy for you and nearby allies and increases melee and sword damage. Targets defeated by you and nearby allies extend the duration and potency of Banner of War.
• Into the Fray – Throwing a Tangle or casting your Super grants you and nearby allies Woven Mail. While you have Woven Mail, your melee regeneration rate is increased.

Fragments

• Thread of Fury
• Thread of Transmutation
• Thread of Finality
• Thread of Warding

Abilities

• Super – Blade Fury
• Class Ability – Towering Barricade
• Movement Ability – Strafe Lift
• Melee Ability – Frenzied Blade
• Grenade – Grapple Grenade

Exotic armor and suggested weapons

Armor

• Synthoceps Exotic Gauntlets – Being surrounded buffs damage and weapon handling.

Weapons

• The Call Strand Sidearm
• Wish Keeper Exotic Strand Bow
• No Hesitation Solar Auto Rifle
• Thunderlord Arc Machine Gun

Abeyant Leap Suspend Build

I wasn’t sold on suspend builds until I tried one myself, and oh boy, I was missing out. If you’re on the fence like I was, I urge you to try this loadout, as you can immobilize tough enemies, and your team will love you for it.

Your game plan is simple, and your priority is to keep as many enemies suspended as possible. With this build, you can suspend multiple groups of enemies and take them out with any weapons you like. You’re also pretty tanky, thanks to Woven Mail. As with every other Titan build in this guide, you can use whatever weapons you want.

I’m not a fan of the Wish Keeper Bow, but it would be a decent choice for more suspending shenanigans.

Aspects and Fragments

• Into the Fray – Throwing a Tangle or casting your Super grants you and nearby allies Woven Mail. While you have Woven Mail, your melee regeneration rate is increased.
• Drengr’s Lash – Activate your Barricade to create a ripple in reality that travels forward along the ground and suspends any target it hits.

Fragments

• Thread of Continuity
• Thread of Transmutation
• Thread of Generation
• Thread of Warding

Abilities

• Super – Blade Fury
• Movement Ability – Strafe Lift
• Class Ability – Rally Barricade (has a shorter cooldown than Towering Barricade)
• Melee Ability – Frenzied Blade
• Grenade – Grapple Grenade

Exotic armor and suggested weapons

Armor

• Abeyant Leap Exotic Leg Armor – Improved Drengr’s Lash. Gain Woven Mail while Suspending targets.

Weapons

• Wish Keeper Exotic Strand Bow
• The Call Strand Sidearm

The builds in this guide encompass a broad range of playstyles and show off the best that the Strand subclass has to offer. Strand has been popular since its inception in the Lightfall expansion, but don’t sleep on classic Solar builds. With shiny new Solar weapons like the No Hesitation, the subclass is better than ever.