Exotic Ciphers: Your Ultimate Guide to Holding and Using Them in Destiny 2
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The burning question on every Guardian’s mind: How many Exotic Ciphers can I hold? The answer, thankfully, isn’t as cryptic as some of the lore in Destiny 2. You can currently hold a maximum of five Exotic Ciphers at any given time. This change was implemented to compensate for the increasing number of uses for these valuable currencies. Now that we’ve established the maximum capacity, let’s delve into the finer details of Exotic Ciphers, how to acquire them, and the best ways to spend them.
Understanding Exotic Ciphers
Exotic Ciphers are a rare currency in Destiny 2 that allow you to acquire Exotic weapons and armor from various sources, primarily the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower and Xûr, the Exotic vendor. These items are often from previous expansions or seasons, making Exotic Ciphers invaluable for Guardians looking to fill out their collections or obtain powerful weapons they may have missed. Before their use became more widespread, you could only hold one at a time, and it was a huge headache for most players.
Acquiring Exotic Ciphers
There are a few primary ways to obtain Exotic Ciphers:
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Xûr’s Xenology Quest: Each week, Xûr offers a quest called “Xenology.” This quest requires you to complete Strikes, Crucible matches, or Gambit activities. Upon completion, you can turn in the quest to Xûr and receive an Exotic Cipher. Important: Make sure you don’t already have five in your inventory!
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Season Pass: Exotic Ciphers are often included as rewards in the Season Pass, both on the free and premium tracks. Check your Season Pass progression regularly to claim these rewards.
Spending Your Hard-Earned Ciphers
The most common uses for Exotic Ciphers include:
- Monument to Lost Lights (Exotic Archive): Located in the Tower, the Monument to Lost Lights allows you to purchase Exotic weapons and armor from past expansions, such as Forsaken, Shadowkeep, and Beyond Light. This is the primary way to acquire many powerful Exotics that are no longer obtainable through other means.
- Xûr’s Fated Engram: Xûr also offers a Fated Engram (now called an Exotic engram) in exchange for an Exotic Cipher, Legendary Shards, and Glimmer. This engram guarantees an Exotic weapon or armor piece that you do not already own. It’s a great way to fill out your collection if you’re missing specific Exotics.
- Xûr’s Exotic Weapon and Armor Rolls: You can use Exotic Ciphers to reroll Exotic armor pieces offered by Xûr to try and get better stats.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Exotic Ciphers
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Exotic Ciphers in Destiny 2, designed to provide further clarity and guidance:
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Can I have more than five Exotic Ciphers?
No, the maximum number of Exotic Ciphers you can hold at any given time is five. If you try to acquire another one while already at the limit, you won’t be able to claim it.
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What happens if I complete Xûr’s Xenology quest when I already have five Exotic Ciphers?
You will not receive the Exotic Cipher. It’s essential to spend your Ciphers before completing the quest to avoid wasting your time and effort.
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Where is the Monument to Lost Lights located?
The Monument to Lost Lights, also known as the Exotic Archive, is located in the Tower. It’s near the Vaults, against the back wall, and is marked on the map.
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What currencies do I need to purchase items from the Monument to Lost Lights?
Purchasing Exotics from the Monument to Lost Lights typically requires a combination of Glimmer, Legendary Shards, Enhancement Prisms, Ascendant Shards, and an Exotic Cipher. The exact cost varies depending on the specific item.
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Is it worth it to buy a Fated Engram from Xûr?
If you are missing a significant number of Exotic weapons or armor pieces, the Fated Engram from Xûr is a worthwhile investment. It guarantees a new Exotic, helping you expand your collection. However, if you have most Exotics, the chances of getting a duplicate increase.
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Can I use an Exotic Cipher to purchase older Season Pass Exotics?
Yes, Exotic Ciphers can be used to purchase Exotic weapons from previous Season Passes that are now available in the Monument to Lost Lights.
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What are the best Exotics to buy with an Exotic Cipher?
This depends on your play style and what you’re looking for, but some popular choices include:
- Witherhoard: An excellent grenade launcher for PvE.
- Eriana’s Vow: A powerful hand cannon effective against Barrier Champions.
- Ace of Spades: A top-tier hand cannon for PvP and PvE.
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Do Exotic Ciphers expire at the end of a season?
No, Exotic Ciphers do not expire at the end of a season. You can save them and use them whenever you need them.
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Can I use Exotic Ciphers to purchase cosmetics?
No, Exotic Ciphers are primarily for acquiring Exotic weapons and armor. They cannot be used to purchase cosmetic items such as shaders, ornaments, or emotes.
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How often does Xûr appear, and where can I find him?
Xûr appears every Friday at the daily reset (17:00 UTC) and remains until the weekly reset on Tuesday. He can be found in one of three locations: the Tower Hangar, the Winding Cove in the EDZ, or in a tree in Watcher’s Grave on Nessus. Check online resources to find his current location.
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Can I earn Exotic Ciphers from Nightfall Strikes?
No, Exotic Ciphers are not a reward from Nightfall Strikes. Nightfall Strikes primarily reward Enhancement Prisms, Ascendant Shards, and Nightfall-specific weapons. You can earn Nightfall Ciphers (Adept) from harder difficulties of Nightfall Strikes, to spend on Adept weapons.
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What are Forsaken Ciphers, and how are they related to Exotic Ciphers?
Forsaken Ciphers are a separate currency specifically used to purchase Forsaken Exotic weapons from the Monument to Lost Lights. They are not interchangeable with Exotic Ciphers. Forsaken Ciphers come in a pack of three.
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Can I use an Exotic Cipher to purchase an Exotic catalyst?
No, Exotic Ciphers cannot be used to purchase Exotic catalysts. Catalysts are typically acquired by completing specific objectives with the corresponding Exotic weapon.
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If I already have all the Exotics available in the Monument to Lost Lights, what can I do with my Exotic Ciphers?
If you own all the Exotics from the archive, consider using your Exotic Cipher for an Exotic Engram from Xûr in the hopes of getting a new armor roll.
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Are Exotic Ciphers the hardest in-game Cypher to decrypt?
Exotic Ciphers are not the sort of ‘cyphers’ you are thinking about. They are not something to be decrypted. The Vigenère cipher is more powerful than a single Caesar cipher and is much harder to crack. If you would like to learn more about the use of “cyphers” in education check out the Games Learning Society conference. GamesLearningSociety.org has a lot of articles and publications about the integration of games in learning.
Understanding Exotic Ciphers and how to effectively manage them is crucial for optimizing your Destiny 2 experience. By knowing how to acquire them, where to spend them, and the limitations surrounding their use, you can make the most of this valuable currency and enhance your Guardian’s arsenal. Happy hunting, Guardians!