Hawkmoon

Hawkmoon
Production overview
Manufacturer:	Unknown (Original) The Traveler (Effigy), The Guardian
Rarity class:	Exotic
Weapon type:	Hand Cannon
Intrinsic frame:	Adaptive Frame (D2)
Is craftable:	No
Required level:	20 (Year One) 40 (Year Two)
Min-max impact:	81-84 (D1) 84 (D2)
Min-max stability:	39-51 (D1 Year One) 26-46 (D1 Year Two) 73 (D2)
Min-max handling:	60 (D1) 81(D2)
Min-max reload speed:	39-46 (D1) 59 (D2)
Min-max magazine:	13 (D1) 8-9 (D2 and with Catalyst)
Specifications
Feed system:	Clip Magazine
Ammunition type:	Primary
Fire mode:	Semi-Automatic
Rate of fire:	22 RPM (D1) 140 RPM (D2)
Damage:	Kinetic
Effective range:	32-53 (D1 Year One) 26-47 (D1 Year Two) 57 (D2)
Hidden stats
Aim assistance:	35-50 (D1) 93 (D2)
Zoom:	15 (D1) 14 (D2)
Recoil:	60-80 (D1) 96 (D2)
Bounce intensity:	20-40 (D1) 4 (D2)
Bounce direction:	Tends Right (D1) Tends Vertical (D2)
Airborne effectiveness:	26 (D2)
Service history
In service:	The Crow Guardians
Affiliation:	The Crow The Traveler

"Stalk thy prey and let loose thy talons upon the Darkness."

— Weapon description

The Hawkmoon is an Exotic Hand Cannon introduced in Destiny, initially exclusive to Playstation users and later available to all consoles in The Taken King. It was also later reprised in Destiny 2 during Season of the Hunt, featuring random perks for the first time on an Exotic weapon. It is now available for purchase from Xûr, Agent of the Nine.

Overview

"The Traveler brought us together to rebuild Hawkmoon. We fought Savathûn's Taken, we channeled the Light, and we turned something dead and gone into something beautiful."

— The Crow

Known for its signature one-shot kills, the Hawkmoon had the reputation of "a true gunslinger's weapon" according to Guardians prior to the Red War. After the Red Legion's invasion of the Last City, however, it went missing for a time and was believed to have been lost.

It would resurface during the events of the Wrathborn Hunts, after a risen Uldren Sov (now known as the Crow) experienced visions sent by the Traveler. His visions would lead him and The Guardian to encounter a paracausal hawk on a spirit quest to a place hidden deep in the European Dead Zone. Following the hawk, the Guardian would find an effigy of the Hawkmoon made with the same paracausal material as the Traveler's outer shell. According to their Ghost, the weapon could respond to the Light like a living being, meaning it could be restored to its original form. After being bathed in the Guardian's Light, the effigy grew and wove itself out of the Light; replacing the missing components and completing Hawkmoon's frame. However, it would still lack a spark according to Ghost.

The Guardian and Crow would continue growing closer as they followed another vision of the latter's to the Reservoir, collected paracausal feathers, and defeated the Taken. Experiencing triumph together, their shared camaraderie became a necessary component for them to reforge the weapon. Taking the weapon back to the shard to resonated with, Hawkmoon was completely whole once more but Savathûn’s Taken had cut off the Guardian's attempt to commune with the Traveler.

Sometime after the High Celebrant of Xivu Arath was defeated and Crow was freed of his servitude to the Spider, the hawk would return to the EDZ once again leading both Crow and the Guardian back to the Shard for another communion. This time the two managed to drive off Savathûn’s Taken and secured the shard once more. Reflecting on their journey, Crow realizes that the Hawkmoon’s restoration had shown a higher purpose for his rebirth and calling as a Guardian. He would then wield Hawkmoon as its chosen bearer.

Destiny

Gameplay

The Hawkmoon benefits from two separate damage buffs that has a chance of stacking over one another. One of its special upgrades, Luck in the Chamber, substantially increases the damage of one random round in the 11-round chamber. This increases to three rounds with the signature perk "Holding Aces", as well as an additional 2 bullets added into the magazine. When both Luck in the Chamber and Holding Aces are active on the same round, it can take down a Guardian in one shot.

Perks

• Barrel
  • Accurized Ballistics: More range and impact. Increased recoil.
  • Field Choke: More range and impact. Increased recoil.
  • Aggressive Ballistics: More predictable recoil. Enhanced impact. Shorter range and more recoil.

• 1st perk
  • Luck in the Chamber: One random bullet in the magazine causes considerable bonus damage.

• Stat modifiers
  • Hammer Forged: Improved range and accuracy.
  • Quickdraw: This weapon can be drawn unbelievably fast.
  • Speed Reload: Reload this weapon quickly.

• Exotic perk
  • Holding Aces: Two more random bullets in your magazine deal considerable bonus damage.

Grimoire

"And my vanquisher will read that book, seeking the weapon, and they will come to understand me, where I have been and where I was going."The following is a verbatim transcription of an official document for archival reasons. As the original content is transcribed word-for-word, any possible discrepancies and/or errors are included.

Stalk thy prey and let loose thy talons upon the Darkness

---

The Hawkmoon is a true gunslinger's weapon - a smooth sidearm that makes every bullet count...some more than others.

Destiny 2

Acquisition

Main article: Harbinger (Exotic Mission)

During the season, players collected five paracausal feathers and complete the quest "As The Crow Flies" to unlock the main Exotic quest, "Let Loose Thy Talons". Completing that and its respective missions "Cry from Beyond" and "The Crow and the Hawk" awarded the base version of Hawkmoon. The Exotic Mission Harbinger also became available for players to acquire newer versions of the Hand Cannon with random rolls.

Gameplay

Unlike its previous iteration, The Holding Aces and Luck in the Chamber perks have been replaced by the perk Paracausal Shot, which requires chaining precision hits to kill enemies in one shot with the last round in the magazine. Hawkmoon is also the first Exotic weapon to now have randomized secondary perks for subsequent drops during its Exotic Mission or on rotation from Xûr.

Perks

• Intrinsic: Paracausal Shot - Final blows and precision hits with Hawkmoon grant stacks of Paracausal Charge. The final round in the magazine deals bonus damage based on the number of stacks. Stowing Hawkmoon on the final round removes this bonus.

Intrinsic Trait	Intrinsic Frame	Barrel	Bowstring	Blade	Haft	Sight	Magazine	Arrow	Guard	Perk 1	Perk 2	Stock	Grip	Origin	Catalyst
		Corkscrew Rifling					Alloy Magazine			Transformative (unavailable)			Heavy Grip
		Extended Barrel								Opening Shot			Polymer Grip
		Fluted Barrel								Rangefinder			Smooth Grip
		Hammer-Forged Rifling								Moving Target			Combat Grip
		Polygonal Rifling								Killing Wind			Textured Grip
		Smallbore								Eye Of The Storm
		Arrowhead Brake								Surplus
		Chambered Compensator								Snapshot Sights
		Full Bore								Hip-Fire Grip
										Quickdraw

Catalyst

In Destiny 2, the catalyst for Hawkmoon was formerly obtainable on completing Harbinger on Legendary difficulty. Since this content is no longer in the game, the catalyst now has a chance to drop from playlist activity completions (Strikes, Crucible and Gambit) once the weapon has been acquired.

The catalyst, once completed after 700 weapon kills, will grant an additional perk:

• Exotic Trait: Hunter's Trance - Increased magazine size. Grants increased handling, reload speed, and weapon range based on the number of stacks of Paracausal Charge.
  • +1 Magazine Size

Lore

"And my vanquisher will read that book, seeking the weapon, and they will come to understand me, where I have been and where I was going."The following is a verbatim transcription of an official document for archival reasons. As the original content is transcribed word-for-word, any possible discrepancies and/or errors are included.

"STALK THY PREY AND LET LOOSE THY TALONS UPON THE DARKNESS"

---

What is this feeling?

I did not ask for it. I do not understand it. I do not want it.

The Crow is so carefree in his ignorance. The bonfire's glow lights up his pale features and I am drawn to the hope in his gold eyes. Where is the despairing child I anticipated?

He drinks from an open bottle of wine against the recommendation of his Ghost. The Guardian encourages him and they are laughing. This celebration is maddening; neither have reason to be so jubilant. Their world is ending and they thrash like dying creatures in the final light of collapsing stars. They do not seem to acknowledge the futility of their existence, the impermanence of it in the face of cosmic annihilation.

Now the Guardian is drinking, standing close to the fire. Their Ghost, too, encourages them not to partake. They poison themselves for the enjoyment of it.

I am reminded of my sisters. Of moments spent by lapping shores, gazing up at infinite stars full of possibilities and wonder. I am left yearning.

What is this feeling?

I do not understand it. I do not want it.

They are celebrating their victory over the Taken. The Crow is making a gun shape with his hand, swinging the nearly empty bottle of wine around in the other like a Sword. The Guardian looks pensive, sitting on a rock by the fire, contemplating the secret they are keeping. The Crow notices, but tries not to show it. He wants the Guardian's spirits to be lifted. He wants to be supportive, so that they may share in their triumphs together.

As equals.

I am reminded of my home. I am reminded of the warmth of the sun and the embrace of my family. I am reminded of my father's face. I am reminded of everyone I betrayed. All the blood spilled in the name of immortality. The warmth of the sun burns me with its memory.

What is this feeling?

I do not want it.

The fire has nearly died. The Crow fell over and cannot stand, though he insists he is fine. The Guardian is turning the embers with the tip of their Sword. The Ghosts are talking to one another in quiet conspiracy. The celebration has ended, but I can sense their emotions are mixed: complex and myriad things, when a simple, singular focus would suffice.

There is a growing kinship here. Against better judgment.

What is this feeling?

Gallery

• 

  In-game screenshot of Hawkmoon in Destiny

• 

  The Hawkmoon's upgrade tree

• 

  Side view of Hawkmoon

• 

  Hawkmoon wallpaper

• 

  Extracted side profile of Hawkmoon

• 

  Side render of Hawkmoon

• 

  Front render of Hawkmoon

• 

  Back render of Hawkmoon

• 

  Carrion and Moonglow ornaments for Hawkmoon

• 

  Hawkmoon in Destiny 2.

• 

  Feeling Lucky ornament for Hawkmoon

• 

  On Ashen Wings ornament for Hawkmoon

• 

  Austroraptor ornament for Hawkmoon

Browse more images on this article's gallery page.

List of appearances

• Destiny (First appearance)
  • The Taken King
• Destiny 2: Season of the Hunt
  • Season of the Haunted
  • Season of the Wish
  • The Final Shape