How to Obtain the Elusive Touch of Malice in Destiny 2
The Touch of Malice, an iconic Exotic scout rifle from the original Destiny, has made its triumphant return in Destiny 2. Unlike its initial acquisition method which involved an elaborate scavenger hunt, obtaining this powerful weapon is now tied to the King’s Fall raid. If you’re aiming to add this unique and potent weapon to your arsenal, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to get the Touch of Malice.
Acquiring Touch of Malice: The Basics
The Touch of Malice is a random drop that can only be obtained by defeating Oryx, the final boss of the King’s Fall raid. This means that unlike some other Exotic weapons, there is no quest line or specific task required to get the weapon itself. Your path to acquiring this elusive rifle is through pure grit, teamwork, and perhaps a touch of luck.
Key Points to Remember:
- Raid Exclusive: The Touch of Malice is exclusive to the King’s Fall raid.
- Final Boss Drop: It drops only from the Oryx encounter.
- Random Chance: It is not a guaranteed drop, and the drop rate is quite low.
- Weekly Limit: You can only attempt to get the Touch of Malice once per character per week. This means if you have three characters, you can make three attempts each week.
- Difficulty Doesn’t Matter: The Touch of Malice has a chance to drop on both Normal and Master difficulty.
- No Quest Needed (For the Weapon): There is no quest required to obtain the weapon, just defeating Oryx.
Steps to Getting Touch of Malice
- Form a Fireteam: Assemble a reliable team of six guardians capable of conquering the King’s Fall raid. Good communication and coordination are crucial.
- Complete the King’s Fall Raid: Work your way through the encounters of the raid until you reach the Oryx encounter.
- Defeat Oryx: Fight and defeat Oryx, the final boss of the raid. This is the most challenging fight of the raid, requiring good execution of raid mechanics.
- Check for the Drop: Once Oryx is defeated, check the reward chest. There is a chance that the Touch of Malice will be among the loot.
- Repeat Weekly: If you don’t get the drop, try again next week. Remember, each of your characters can attempt once per week.
Understanding the Drop Rate
The Touch of Malice has a notoriously low drop rate, often estimated to be around 1%. This means that you may not get the weapon after just a few runs, and it’s not uncommon for players to have dozens of clears before seeing it drop. Be prepared for a potentially long grind and don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t drop quickly.
Why the Grind is Worth It
Despite the low drop rate, the Touch of Malice is a potent weapon worth pursuing. Its unique perk allows it to deal significant damage in its alternate firing mode, making it a solid choice for boss damage and some PvE content. While it may not always be the top option, its unique mechanics make it a fun and powerful addition to any guardian’s arsenal.
Touch of Malice Catalyst
Once you’ve acquired the Touch of Malice, a secret puzzle becomes available to unlock its Catalyst, which further enhances the weapon’s capabilities. This is separate from acquiring the weapon itself, and involves specific steps within the King’s Fall Raid. Keep an eye out for guides on how to complete this puzzle to elevate the Touch of Malice’s effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about obtaining the Touch of Malice, to give you an even better understanding:
1. Is the Touch of Malice farmable?
Yes, the Touch of Malice is farmable, but with a caveat. You can attempt the Oryx encounter multiple times on a week when it is the featured weekly raid, which allows you to farm the encounter. However, keep in mind that it’s still a low-drop-chance item, so multiple runs may be needed even during those weeks.
2. How many tries does it usually take to get the Touch of Malice?
There’s no guaranteed number of tries. Due to the low drop rate, some players get it on their first try, while others might take 50+ runs. There are reports of players going over 100 clears without obtaining it, so be prepared for the long haul.
3. Can you get the Touch of Malice just by doing the Oryx encounter?
Yes, you do not need to complete the entire raid if you have a checkpoint for the final encounter. The Touch of Malice drops specifically from defeating Oryx.
4. Do higher difficulties increase the drop rate for Touch of Malice?
No, the drop rate of the Touch of Malice is not affected by the difficulty. It has the same chance to drop on both Normal and Master difficulty.
5. How many kills do I need to get the Touch of Malice?
The number of kills has no effect on whether or not the Touch of Malice will drop. The drop is purely based on defeating Oryx, not the number of kills you obtain.
6. How do I start the Touch of Malice quest?
There is no quest to obtain the Touch of Malice itself in Destiny 2. However, there is a puzzle for the Touch of Malice Catalyst that is completed after obtaining the weapon. To begin the steps for the catalyst, you simply need to have the base Touch of Malice weapon.
7. Is the Touch of Malice good in Destiny 2?
Yes, the Touch of Malice is a valuable weapon, especially for boss DPS thanks to its unique mechanics. The alternate firing mode can deal substantial damage, making it a solid choice in certain PvE encounters.
8. How rare is the Touch of Malice?
The Touch of Malice is considered a rare item due to its low drop rate, generally around 1% after defeating Oryx.
9. Is the Touch of Malice in Destiny 2?
Yes, the Touch of Malice is available in Destiny 2. It was re-introduced with the King’s Fall raid.
10. What is the Touch of Malice Catalyst and how do I get it?
The Touch of Malice Catalyst is an upgrade for the weapon that enhances its stats and/or perks. It can be obtained through a secret puzzle within the King’s Fall Raid that is unlocked after obtaining the weapon.
11. What is the “secret puzzle” for the Touch of Malice Catalyst?
The puzzle involves specific actions during the King’s Fall Raid once you have the Touch of Malice in your inventory. It requires coordinating with your team to activate totems or perform specific tasks. Check online guides for the precise steps.
12. Can you get the Touch of Malice from the bonus chests after completing encounters?
No, the Touch of Malice can only drop from the final chest after defeating Oryx. Other encounter chests may drop raid loot, but not the exotic scout rifle.
13. Is the Touch of Malice a guaranteed drop?
No, the Touch of Malice is not a guaranteed drop. It has a low drop chance that requires luck and patience to obtain.
14. Is the Touch of Malice better than other raid exotics?
Whether the Touch of Malice is “better” depends on your playstyle and the encounter you’re facing. It is a unique weapon that can perform well in the right situation, but it isn’t a must-have in all scenarios.
15. Does farming the raid help with the drop rate of Touch of Malice?
Farming the raid only helps in so far as it gives you more attempts at defeating Oryx, thus giving you more opportunities to receive the weapon. The drop rate itself remains constant, but having more chances does increase your chances of finally getting the drop.
Conclusion
Obtaining the Touch of Malice in Destiny 2 requires patience, persistence, and a strong fireteam. While the low drop rate can be frustrating, the weapon’s unique power and its associated puzzle make the grind worthwhile. Gather your allies, prepare for a challenge, and may the RNG gods be in your favor as you strive to add this prestigious weapon to your collection.