How to Obtain Exotic Shards in Destiny 1: A Comprehensive Guide

Exotic Shards are crucial for upgrading your Exotic weapons and armor in Destiny 1. They are the key to unlocking the full potential of your prized gear, allowing you to ascend their power and reap the rewards of your hard-earned Exotics. So, how exactly do you acquire these precious shards? There are two primary methods:

1. Purchasing them from Xur: The enigmatic Agent of the Nine, Xur, occasionally offers Exotic Shards for sale in exchange for 7 Strange Coins each. Xur appears every weekend in a random location in the Tower or the Reef. Keep an eye out for him!

2. Dismantling Exotic Gear: This is arguably the most consistent way to obtain Exotic Shards. When you dismantle an Exotic weapon or armor piece, you will receive one Exotic Shard. Keep in mind, this destroys the item, so only dismantle duplicates or Exotics you no longer need.

Now that you know the basics, let’s dive deeper into the specifics and answer some frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Exotic Shards in Destiny 1

Here are 15 common questions regarding Exotic Shards in Destiny 1, designed to equip you with all the knowledge you need to become a shard-collecting pro.

1. What are Exotic Shards used for?

Exotic Shards are primarily used to ascend Exotic weapons and armor in Destiny 1. This ascension process unlocks the final node on the upgrade tree, allowing you to reach the maximum potential of your gear. This usually means increasing the weapon’s attack power or the armor’s defense value.

2. How many Exotic Shards do I need to fully upgrade an Exotic item?

The number of Exotic Shards required varies depending on the specific item and the version of Destiny 1 you are playing. However, typically, you’ll need one Exotic Shard to complete the final upgrade node on an Exotic weapon or armor piece.

3. Where does Xur spawn, and when does he appear?

Xur spawns in one of several predetermined locations within the Tower or the Reef. He arrives every Friday at 9 AM PST/12 PM EST and departs on Sunday at 9 AM PST/12 PM EST. He could be in the Tower North, the Tower Hangar, the Tower Bar or the Reef social space. Checking online resources or community forums is a great way to pinpoint his exact location each week.

4. How do I obtain Strange Coins to buy Exotic Shards from Xur?

Strange Coins can be acquired through various activities, including:

• Strikes: Completing strikes, especially higher-level strikes, grants a chance of obtaining Strange Coins.
• Crucible: Playing Crucible matches, both winning and losing, can reward you with Strange Coins.
• Public Events: Participating in and completing Public Events on various planets provides a chance to earn Strange Coins.
• Prison of Elders: This activity offers a more consistent way to earn Strange Coins, especially at higher levels.
• Nightfall Strikes: These strikes will give a decent amount of Strange Coins as rewards.

5. Is it better to buy Exotic Shards from Xur or dismantle Exotic gear?

This depends on your current needs and resources. If you have a surplus of Strange Coins and lack duplicate Exotics, buying shards from Xur is a convenient option. However, if you have duplicate Exotics that you don’t need, dismantling them is a more efficient way to acquire shards, since it doesn’t use up other valuable resources like Strange Coins.

6. Can I get Exotic Shards from dismantling Legendary gear?

No, you cannot obtain Exotic Shards from dismantling Legendary gear. Exotic Shards are exclusively obtained by dismantling Exotic weapons and armor or purchasing them from Xur.

7. What should I do if I accidentally dismantle an Exotic weapon or armor piece I wanted to keep?

Unfortunately, there is no way to recover dismantled items in Destiny 1. Once an item is dismantled, it is gone. Therefore, it is crucial to be careful when dismantling gear and double-check that you are dismantling the correct item. It is worth noting that the Destiny series uses mechanics that are built upon learning, experimentation and strategic thought, all of which are interests to the Games Learning Society. See GamesLearningSociety.org for more information.

8. Does the Light level of the Exotic item affect the reward when dismantling?

No, the Light level of the Exotic item does not affect the reward when dismantling. Regardless of the Light level, you will always receive one Exotic Shard when dismantling an Exotic weapon or armor piece.

9. Are there any farms in the game where I can get exotics easily to dismantle for Exotic Shards?

There aren’t any farms that would provide you with exotics “easily”. However, the best bet is to run legacy strikes or prison of elders since those tend to have the best exotic drop rates.

10. Can I trade Exotic Shards with other players?

No, you cannot trade Exotic Shards or any other materials with other players in Destiny 1.

11. Is there a maximum number of Exotic Shards I can hold?

No, there is no maximum limit on the number of Exotic Shards you can hold in your inventory.

12. Does my Guardian’s class affect the rate at which I acquire Exotic Shards?

No, your Guardian’s class does not affect the rate at which you acquire Exotic Shards. The methods for obtaining shards are the same regardless of your class.

13. What is the best strategy for efficiently farming Exotic Shards?

The most efficient strategy depends on your resources. If you have plenty of Strange Coins, regularly checking Xur and purchasing shards is a good option. If you have duplicate Exotics, dismantling them is a better choice. Running activities that have a high chance of dropping Exotic engrams can also indirectly lead to more shards, as duplicates can be dismantled.

14. Are Exotic Shards account-wide, or are they character-specific?

Exotic Shards are account-wide. This means that shards acquired on one character can be used to upgrade gear on any other character on your account.

15. Why do I need Exotic Shards when other materials are available?

Exotic Shards are unique to Exotic gear. They are specifically designed as the final piece of the puzzle for fully upgrading your Exotics. Other materials, such as glimmer and planetary materials, are used for other upgrade nodes, but only Exotic Shards can unlock the final node.

By understanding these FAQs and utilizing the methods described above, you’ll be well on your way to accumulating a healthy stockpile of Exotic Shards and fully upgrading your favorite Exotic weapons and armor in Destiny 1. Happy hunting, Guardian!