Mastering Exotic Armor Acquisition in Destiny 2: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you want to deck out your Guardian in some sweet, sweet Exotic armor in Destiny 2? You’ve come to the right place. Getting your hands on these powerful pieces of gear involves a few different methods, each with its own quirks and advantages. Let’s dive in!
How do you get exotic armor in D2? Exotic armor in Destiny 2 can be acquired through various means, including solo Legend/Master Lost Sectors, Nightfall strikes, purchasing from Xûr, completing the Legendary Lightfall campaign, Exotic engrams, and through specific questlines tied to certain expansions. Each method offers varying drop rates and difficulty levels, allowing players to choose their preferred path to obtaining these powerful armor pieces.
Diving Deep: Exotic Armor Acquisition Methods
Here’s a breakdown of the main ways to bolster your Exotic armor collection in Destiny 2:
1. Solo Lost Sectors: The Targeted Farming Approach
This is arguably the most reliable method for targeting specific armor slots. Legend and Master Lost Sectors rotate daily, and each day, a different armor slot (helmet, gauntlets, chest armor, legs) is featured. Clear these Lost Sectors solo, and you’ll have a reasonable chance of an Exotic armor piece dropping for the specific slot that is featured for that day.
- Legend Lost Sectors: Offer a slightly lower drop rate than Master Lost Sectors, but are generally easier to complete.
- Master Lost Sectors: Higher difficulty, higher reward. Expect tougher enemies, more Champions, and a better chance at snagging that Exotic.
- Important Note: You must complete the Lost Sector solo. Bringing a fireteam will completely negate the Exotic drop chance. Also, you need to own the expansion that the Lost Sector is a part of.
2. Nightfall Strikes: The Team-Based Approach
Nightfall strikes, especially when a Double Nightfall Rewards week is active, are another solid option for farming Exotic armor. The higher the difficulty you choose (Hero, Legend, Master, Grandmaster), the greater the chance of an Exotic dropping.
- Grandmaster Nightfalls: While the most challenging, Grandmaster Nightfalls offer the best Exotic drop rates. These are best tackled with a well-coordinated team.
- Benefits: Nightfalls also provide valuable Masterwork materials alongside potential Exotics.
3. Xûr, Agent of the Nine: The Weekend Warrior’s Route
Xûr appears every weekend (from Friday reset to Tuesday reset) in a random location on the map, selling a selection of Exotic weapons and armor. He also offers a weekly Exotic Engram that guarantees an Exotic you don’t already own, provided you’re not missing any quest-related exotics.
- Location: Xûr’s location changes weekly. Check community resources and websites to find his current spot.
- What he sells: He usually carries one Exotic weapon, one Exotic engram, and one piece of Exotic armor for each class (Titan, Hunter, Warlock).
- Importance: He is the easiest and most patient way to get exotics in Destiny 2.
4. Legendary Lightfall Campaign: The Guaranteed Choice
Completing the Legendary campaign for the Lightfall expansion guarantees one new piece of Exotic armor per class. This is a great way to get a specific new Exotic from that expansion.
- Difficulty: The Legendary campaign presents a significant challenge, requiring skilled gameplay and strategic planning.
- Reward: You will get to choose between 2 different armor pieces upon completion.
5. Exotic Engrams: The Random Gamble
Exotic Engrams can drop randomly from various activities throughout the game, such as completing strikes, Crucible matches, and Gambit matches.
- Rarity: Exotic Engrams are relatively rare.
- Contents: They contain a random Exotic weapon or armor piece.
- Focusing: You can focus exotic engrams at Rahool in the tower with the season pass to try to get what you are looking for.
6. Expansion-Specific Quests: The Story-Driven Path
Certain expansions feature quests that reward specific Exotic armor pieces upon completion. These quests often involve a series of challenging tasks and encounters.
- Example: Some Exotic weapons have tied in missions to obtain them.
- Requirement: You’ll usually need to own the corresponding expansion to access these quests.
Destiny 2: Exotic Armor – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I farm Lost Sectors endlessly for Exotics?
Yes, you can farm Legend and Master Lost Sectors as many times as you want, provided you have the required Power Level and skills. However, the drop rate for Exotics is not guaranteed, so be prepared for some potentially long grinds.
2. Does difficulty affect Exotic drop rates in Nightfalls?
Yes, the higher the Nightfall difficulty, the better the chance of an Exotic armor piece dropping. Grandmaster Nightfalls offer the highest drop rates.
3. How often does Xûr appear, and where can I find him?
Xûr appears every weekend, starting with the Friday reset (9 AM UTC) and remaining until the Tuesday reset (9 AM UTC). His location changes weekly, so check online resources like Destiny news sites and community forums to find him.
4. Can I equip more than one Exotic armor piece at a time?
No, you can only equip one Exotic armor piece and one Exotic weapon at a time.
5. Are all Exotics available from all sources?
No, some Exotic armor pieces are tied to specific expansions or quests and cannot be obtained from random drops or Xûr.
6. Does my Power Level affect Exotic drop rates?
While your Power Level doesn’t directly affect the chance of an Exotic dropping, it’s crucial for being able to complete the activities that reward them. You need to be at or near the recommended Power Level for Lost Sectors and Nightfalls to survive and efficiently farm them.
7. What are Champions, and why are they important in Lost Sectors and Nightfalls?
Champions are powerful enemies that require specific mods to defeat. Anti-Barrier, Overload, and Unstoppable Champions appear in Legend/Master Lost Sectors and Nightfalls. You need to equip appropriate weapon mods or abilities to counter them.
8. Can I target farm a specific Exotic armor piece?
Not directly. You can target farm specific armor slots (helmet, gauntlets, etc.) by focusing on Lost Sectors that drop that type of armor on a given day. However, the specific Exotic armor you receive is still random.
9. What’s the best way to prepare for farming Lost Sectors and Nightfalls?
- Raise your Power Level: Be at or near the recommended Power Level for the activity.
- Equip Champion mods: Have the necessary weapon mods to counter Champions.
- Optimize your build: Choose a subclass and gear that synergize well and provide survivability.
- Learn the encounters: Familiarize yourself with the Lost Sector or Nightfall layout and enemy spawns.
10. Do I need to own the latest expansion to get Exotics?
Not necessarily for all Exotics. However, many Exotic armor pieces are tied to specific expansions and are unobtainable without owning them. For example, new exotic armor that appears during the release of the Lightfall expansion would be unobtainable.
11. What is the difference between an Exotic Engram and a Legendary Engram?
Exotic Engrams contain guaranteed Exotic items, while Legendary Engrams contain Legendary (purple) items.
12. How do I increase my chances of getting Exotic Engrams to drop?
There’s no guaranteed way to increase the drop rate of Exotic Engrams. However, playing higher-difficulty activities and participating in events like Iron Banner might improve your chances.
13. What are some of the best Exotic armor pieces for each class?
The “best” Exotic armor depends on your playstyle and subclass. Some popular choices include:
- Titan: Heart of Inmost Light, Loreley Splendor Helm, Abeyant Leap
- Hunter: Orpheus Rig, Star-Eater Scales, Omnioculus
- Warlock: Osmiomancy Gloves, Phoenix Protocol, Crown of Tempests
14. What is the power level cap?
The Powerful cap for Destiny 2 is 1800, meaning that between 1750 and 1800, the only way to increase your Power level is to get a reward from activities which grant Powerful or Pinnacle gear.
15. What is the Games Learning Society?
The Games Learning Society is a professional and academic society dedicated to advancing knowledge around how people learn through play and games. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more!
Conclusion: Gear Up and Get Grinding!
Acquiring Exotic armor in Destiny 2 requires patience, strategy, and a willingness to grind. By understanding the different methods available and optimizing your approach, you can significantly increase your chances of obtaining the powerful gear you desire. Good luck, Guardian!