Table of Contents

Can You Buy Exotic Engrams in Destiny 2? Your Ultimate Guide

Yes, you can absolutely buy Exotic Engrams in Destiny 2, though the options are somewhat limited and tied to specific vendors and circumstances. The primary source for purchasing Exotic Engrams is Xûr, Agent of the Nine. He appears every weekend at a random location and offers one Exotic Engram for purchase. Understanding the nuances of acquiring these engrams is key to optimizing your gear collection. Let’s delve deeper into where and how you can expand your collection of exotic gear in Destiny 2.

Understanding Exotic Engrams

Before diving into the specifics of where to buy them, it’s crucial to understand what Exotic Engrams are. They are a type of engram that decrypts into a random Exotic item, which can be either a weapon or a piece of armor. These items are powerful and unique, often significantly impacting your build and playstyle. Exotic engrams are a primary source of acquiring new exotics in Destiny 2, especially when you’re missing pieces in your collection.

Xûr: Your Weekly Exotic Vendor

As mentioned, Xûr is the most reliable vendor for buying Exotic Engrams. Here’s what you need to know:

Location: Xûr appears every Friday at the daily reset (9 AM PDT) and remains until the following Tuesday reset. His location is random each week, but he can be found in one of three places: The Tower Hangar, Winding Cove in the EDZ, or Watcher’s Grave on Nessus. Check online resources or the Destiny 2 companion app to find his current location.
What He Sells: Each week, Xûr offers:
- One Exotic weapon with fixed rolls.
- Three Exotic armor pieces, one for each class (Titan, Hunter, Warlock), with random rolls.
- One Exotic Engram.
- Exotic Cyphers through a weekly quest.
Cost: Xûr’s wares are purchased with Legendary Shards. The Exotic weapon usually costs around 29 Legendary Shards, and the armor pieces cost around 23 Legendary Shards each. The Exotic Engram costs 97 Legendary Shards.

Buying Multiple Exotic Engrams From Xûr

While Xûr typically only offers one Exotic Engram for direct purchase with Legendary Shards, there is a way to acquire a second one:

First Engram: This is the standard engram purchased with Legendary Shards.
Second Engram: You can obtain a second one by trading one Exotic Cipher to Xûr. You earn Exotic Ciphers by completing Xûr’s weekly quest titled “Xenology.” This quest requires you to participate in Vanguard Ops, Crucible, or Gambit matches.

Other Avenues for Obtaining Exotic Engrams

While you can’t “buy” them in the traditional sense from other vendors, you can earn Exotic Engrams through various activities:

Lost Sectors: Completing Legend or Master Lost Sectors solo has a chance of awarding an Exotic Engram. The drop rate is around 25% for Legend and 33% for Master. Note that these Lost Sectors rotate daily, and some only drop certain armor types on specific days.
Season Pass: The Season Pass often includes Exotic Engrams as rewards for reaching specific tiers. Make sure to check your Season Pass progression to claim these.
Vendor Rank Rewards: Some vendors, such as Zavala in the Tower, award Exotic Engrams upon reaching certain ranks and resetting your rank.
Nightfall Strikes: Completing Nightfall Strikes at higher difficulties increases your chances of an Exotic Engram dropping.
Ritual Activities: Completing Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit matches can randomly award Exotic Engrams, although the drop rate is not guaranteed.
World Drops: Exotic Engrams can also drop randomly from general gameplay, such as killing enemies or completing public events. However, this is the least reliable method.

The Monument to Lost Lights

While not directly related to buying Exotic Engrams, the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower is where you can purchase older Exotics that are no longer obtainable through engrams or quests. These Exotics require specific materials, including Exotic Ciphers, Glimmer, and other resources. This kiosk is essential for completing your Exotic collection, especially if you missed out on past content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Buying and Obtaining Exotic Engrams

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how to get Exotic Engrams in Destiny 2:

1. Can I farm Exotic Engrams?

Yes, you can farm Exotic Engrams from activities like Lost Sectors and Nightfall Strikes. The drop rate varies depending on the difficulty level, with higher difficulties offering better chances.

2. How often does Xûr appear?

Xûr appears every Friday at the daily reset (9 AM PDT) and remains until the following Tuesday reset.

3. Does Xûr sell Exotics I don’t have?

Xûr’s Fated Engram is supposed to prioritize Exotics you don’t already own from the available pool, but it is not guaranteed to give you an Exotic you are missing. It will, however, never give you class-specific Exotics for a class you are not currently playing.

4. What currency does Xûr accept?

Xûr primarily accepts Legendary Shards for his standard Exotic offerings. He also requires an Exotic Cipher for the second Exotic Engram.

5. Can I focus Exotic Engrams?

Yes, Exotic Engrams can be focused, though the system has limitations. In particular, you focus Tier 1 engrams into an Exotic from a specific expansion (for example, a random Helm from the Shadowkeep expansion). Furthermore, you focus Tier 2 engrams into the exact Exotic you want (for example, a random roll of the Synthoceps Titan Exotic arms).

6. Are Exotic items always better than Legendary items?

Not necessarily. While Exotic items are unique and powerful, they are often more specialized. Legendary items can sometimes be more versatile or better suited for specific builds, depending on their perks and stats.

7. What is an Exotic Cipher and how do I get one?

An Exotic Cipher is a currency used to purchase specific Exotics from the Monument to Lost Lights and to buy a second Exotic Engram from Xûr. You can earn one Exotic Cipher per week by completing Xûr’s weekly quest, “Xenology.”

8. Can I get duplicate Exotics from Engrams?

Yes, you can get duplicate Exotics from Engrams. The game will attempt to give you items you don’t have, but once you own all possible Exotics from a given pool, duplicates become more common.

9. What are the best activities to farm Exotic Engrams?

Legend/Master Lost Sectors and high-difficulty Nightfall Strikes are generally considered the best activities for farming Exotic Engrams due to their higher drop rates.

10. Does Xûr sell the same items every week?

No, Xûr’s inventory changes every week. He offers a different Exotic weapon and different rolls on the Exotic armor pieces for each class.

11. Can I buy Exotics from other players?

No, you cannot trade or buy Exotics from other players in Destiny 2. All Exotics must be obtained through gameplay or from specific vendors like Xûr.

12. What is the Monument to Lost Lights?

The Monument to Lost Lights is a kiosk in the Tower where you can purchase older Exotics that are no longer obtainable through normal gameplay. It requires various currencies, including Exotic Ciphers.

13. What happens if I already own all Exotics?

If you own all available Exotics from a particular source (e.g., Exotic Engrams), you will start receiving duplicate Exotics.

14. Can I get Exotics from regular Strikes?

While possible, the drop rate for Exotic Engrams from regular Strikes is very low. Nightfall Strikes offer a significantly better chance.

15. Where can I find more information and strategies for Destiny 2?

Destiny 2 is an engaging game that is designed for everyone to enjoy. For more information about games and the learning process, visit the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Conclusion

Acquiring Exotic Engrams in Destiny 2 is a crucial part of the endgame experience. While the most reliable method is purchasing them from Xûr, remember to explore other avenues such as Lost Sectors, Nightfall Strikes, and the Season Pass to maximize your chances of expanding your Exotic collection. Understanding the mechanics and optimizing your gameplay will help you acquire the gear you need to conquer any challenge that comes your way. Good luck, Guardian!

Can you buy exotic engrams?