Can You Get Exotic Guns From Nightfalls in Destiny 2? A Deep Dive

Yes, you absolutely can get Exotic weapons from Nightfalls in Destiny 2, although not directly as a Nightfall-specific reward. While Nightfalls themselves don’t drop Exotic weapons, they are a fantastic source for Exotic engrams, which can decrypt into Exotic guns. The higher the difficulty of the Nightfall, the greater your chances of obtaining these coveted engrams, making them a valuable part of any Exotic farming strategy.

Understanding Exotic Acquisition in Destiny 2

Destiny 2 offers several avenues for acquiring its highly sought-after Exotic weaponry. While some Exotics are tied to specific quests, activities, or vendors, a significant portion can be obtained through random drops, making activities like Nightfalls prime hunting grounds. Nightfalls, especially at higher difficulties, offer a heightened chance of dropping Exotic engrams upon completion. These engrams, when decrypted, provide a random Exotic item, potentially an Exotic weapon you’ve been chasing.

The Role of Nightfall Difficulty

The key to efficiently farming Exotics in Nightfalls lies in understanding the relationship between difficulty and drop rates. While lower-difficulty Nightfalls are more accessible and easier to complete, they offer a significantly lower chance of an Exotic engram drop. As you increase the difficulty, particularly to Master or Grandmaster levels, the odds of obtaining an Exotic engram increase dramatically.

Grandmaster Nightfalls represent the pinnacle of PvE difficulty in Destiny 2. Completing these activities with a Platinum clear (defeating all Champions) guarantees an Exotic armor piece. Although the guaranteed drop is armor, the high difficulty of GM Nightfalls means that you can frequently get Exotic Engrams as well, and these Engrams can provide you with the Exotic Weapon that you’re looking for! The challenge is significant, requiring a coordinated fireteam and optimized builds, but the potential rewards are substantial, making it a worthwhile investment for serious players.

Other Avenues for Exotic Weapon Acquisition

While Nightfalls are a reliable farming method, it’s important to explore all available avenues for acquiring Exotic weapons:

• Xur: This weekend vendor appears every Friday and sells a rotating selection of Exotic weapons and armor for Legendary Shards. He also sells an Exotic engram each week, guaranteeing an Exotic item you don’t already own (until you have them all).

• Exotic Quests: Many Exotic weapons are tied to specific quests, often involving unique gameplay challenges and story elements. These quests provide a guaranteed path to obtaining specific Exotics.

• Raids and Dungeons: Certain raids and dungeons have Exotic weapons that drop from their final encounters. These drops are often rare, but provide a strong incentive for repeatedly completing these challenging activities.

• Season Pass: The Season Pass often contains Exotic Engrams to acquire.

• Vanguard Strikes: Playing Vanguard Strikes will increase your Vanguard Rank, allowing you to acquire Exotic Engrams from Zavala after you’ve reached certain ranks.

• Fishing: Completing the Fishing Rally quest nets players one guaranteed Exotic weapon.

Tips for Efficient Exotic Farming

To maximize your chances of obtaining Exotic weapons, consider these tips:

• Focus on Higher Difficulties: Prioritize Master and Grandmaster Nightfalls when possible, as they offer significantly higher Exotic engram drop rates.
• Optimize Your Build: Create a build specifically tailored for Nightfall content, focusing on survivability, damage output, and Champion control.
• Teamwork is Key: Coordinate with your fireteam to ensure effective communication, synergy, and role assignments.
• Utilize Double Loot Weeks: Take advantage of weeks when Nightfalls offer double rewards, dramatically increasing your chances of obtaining Exotic engrams and other valuable materials.
• Manage Your Engram Inventory: Be mindful of your engram inventory to ensure you have space to collect potential Exotic drops.
• Visit Xur Weekly: Always check Xur’s inventory each week to see if he’s selling an Exotic weapon you need or an Exotic engram you can purchase.

Nightfall Weapons vs. Exotic Weapons

It’s crucial to distinguish between Nightfall weapons and Exotic weapons. Nightfall weapons are a specific set of Legendary weapons that rotate weekly as rewards for completing Nightfalls. These weapons are distinct from Exotic weapons, which are generally rarer and possess unique perks and abilities. While Nightfalls can indirectly lead to obtaining Exotic weapons through engram drops, they directly reward Nightfall-specific Legendary weapons.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best Nightfall difficulty to farm for Exotics?

Grandmaster Nightfalls, when completed with a Platinum clear, offer the highest chance of obtaining Exotic engrams and guarantee an Exotic armor piece, making them the most efficient but most difficult option. Master Nightfalls also have good Exotic drop rates.

2. Are Exotic weapons guaranteed from Grandmaster Nightfalls?

No. Grandmaster Nightfalls guarantee an Exotic armor piece for a Platinum clear. However, the encounter will still have chances for Exotic Engram drops, which can be decrypted into weapons.

3. Can I solo farm Exotics from Nightfalls?

While you can attempt lower-difficulty Nightfalls solo, it’s generally not recommended for higher difficulties. Master and Grandmaster Nightfalls are designed for coordinated fireteams and are extremely challenging to complete solo.

4. Do Exotic engrams decrypt into duplicate Exotics?

Yes, Exotic engrams can decrypt into Exotics you already own. However, Xur’s Exotic engram offers duplicate protection until you’ve acquired all available Exotics for your class.

5. What are Champions and why are they important in Nightfalls?

Champions are powerful enemy types with specific abilities that require specific mods to counter. Defeating all Champions is crucial for achieving a Platinum clear, which maximizes your rewards in Nightfalls.

6. How do I get the mods needed to counter Champions?

Champion mods are typically unlocked through the seasonal artifact. These mods allow you to disrupt Champion abilities and deal increased damage to them.

7. What is a “burn” in Nightfalls?

A “burn” refers to a specific damage type that is boosted in a Nightfall. Utilizing weapons with the corresponding damage type can significantly increase your damage output.

8. Are there any Exotic weapons that are easier to obtain than others?

Yes. Xur sells Exotic weapons that you can buy. Exotic quests provide guaranteed paths to obtaining specific Exotics. Some are given as rewards in the Season Pass.

9. How often does Xur appear, and where can I find him?

Xur appears every Friday at 12 PM EST and departs on Tuesday at 12 PM EST. His location changes weekly and is typically found in one of the social spaces (Tower, EDZ, Nessus).

10. What are Legendary Shards, and how do I get them?

Legendary Shards are a currency used to purchase items from Xur and other vendors. They are primarily obtained by dismantling Legendary and Exotic gear.

11. Do Exotic catalysts drop from Nightfalls?

No, Exotic catalysts typically drop from specific activities or encounters related to the Exotic weapon itself. Some can drop from completing Strikes or Nightfalls, but not as a direct result of the nightfall itself.

12. What is the best way to prepare for Grandmaster Nightfalls?

The best preparation includes leveling up your character to the appropriate Power level, assembling a coordinated fireteam, optimizing your builds, and equipping the necessary Champion mods.

13. Does my Power level affect Exotic drop rates in Nightfalls?

No, your Power level primarily affects your ability to effectively engage with the content. It does not directly influence the Exotic drop rate.

14. Can I get older Exotic weapons from Nightfalls?

Yes, Exotic engrams can decrypt into any Exotic weapon available in the general loot pool, including older weapons.

15. Are there any activities better than Nightfalls for farming Exotics?

While Nightfalls are a reliable method, some players may prefer other activities depending on their preferences and available resources. Xur is another option, and some raid and dungeon activities have a higher likelihood of obtaining some Exotic weapons.

By understanding the mechanics of Exotic acquisition and utilizing efficient farming strategies, you can significantly increase your chances of obtaining the Exotic weapons you desire in Destiny 2. Good luck, Guardian!