How Many Exotic Ciphers Can You Have? A Destiny 2 Guide
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Currently, in Destiny 2, you can hold a maximum of five Exotic Ciphers at a time. This increased limit was implemented to compensate for the cipher’s expanding utility in acquiring valuable Exotic gear. Let’s dive into the details and explore everything you need to know about maximizing your Exotic Cipher collection.
Understanding Exotic Ciphers
Exotic Ciphers are a crucial currency in Destiny 2, acting as a key to unlocking powerful Exotic weapons and armor that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. They provide a pathway to acquire legacy Exotics from previous expansions and seasons, especially for players who may have missed them or are returning to the game. This makes understanding how to acquire, manage, and spend your Exotic Ciphers paramount to maximizing your Guardian’s potential.
Acquiring Exotic Ciphers
There are a few primary sources for acquiring these valuable items:
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Xur’s Xenology Quest: This is arguably the most consistent and reliable method. Each week, Xur offers the “Xenology” quest, tasking players with completing 21 ritual activities (Strikes, Crucible matches, or Gambit matches). Completing this quest rewards you with one Exotic Cipher.
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Season Pass: The Season Pass often contains Exotic Ciphers as rewards within its progression track. The amount of ciphers from the season pass varies per season.
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Special Bundles/Quests: Occasionally, Exotic Ciphers are offered as part of special bundles or quests, typically tied to expansion releases or promotional events.
Spending Your Exotic Ciphers
The main purpose of Exotic Ciphers is to purchase Exotic gear from the Monument to Lost Lights, located in the Tower near the Vault kiosks. This archive contains a vast collection of Exotics from previous expansions, including those that might have been missed.
Additionally, Xur himself can use an Exotic Cipher as currency. He offers a second Exotic Engram that costs one Exotic Cipher, Ascendant Shards, and Glimmer.
Managing Your Exotic Ciphers
With a maximum cap of five, it’s essential to manage your Exotic Ciphers effectively. Try to use them before hitting the cap to avoid wasting potential earnings from the Xenology quest or the Season Pass. Decide what Exotic you want most and make a plan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to Exotic Ciphers in Destiny 2:
1. Can I hold more than five Exotic Ciphers?
No. The current maximum limit for Exotic Ciphers is five. Any attempts to acquire additional Ciphers beyond this limit will result in the loss of that Cipher.
2. What happens if I try to claim an Exotic Cipher when I already have five?
The game will typically not allow you to claim the Cipher if you are at the maximum capacity. If, for some reason, you bypass this restriction (due to a bug or exploit), the extra Cipher will be lost.
3. How often can I complete Xur’s Xenology quest?
You can complete Xur’s Xenology quest once per week. It resets with the weekly reset on Tuesday.
4. Can I complete the Xenology quest on multiple characters to get multiple Exotic Ciphers per week?
No. The Xenology quest is account-wide, meaning completing it on one character prevents you from completing it on others during the same week.
5. What activities count toward the Xenology quest progress?
Any Strike, Crucible, or Gambit activity counts toward the Xenology quest progress. Nightfalls and Trials matches offer faster progress.
6. Where do I spend my Exotic Ciphers?
You can spend your Exotic Ciphers at the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower to purchase Exotic weapons and armor from past expansions. You can also spend one on a second Exotic Engram from Xur.
7. What other materials are required to purchase Exotics from the Monument to Lost Lights?
In addition to an Exotic Cipher, you’ll typically need Glimmer, Legendary Shards, and sometimes Ascendant Shards.
8. What are the best weapons to buy with an Exotic Cipher?
This depends on your playstyle and current meta, but popular choices include Witherhoard, Eriana’s Vow, Ace of Spades, and older raid exotics such as Anarchy (if you do not own the required expansions).
9. Do Exotic Ciphers expire?
No. Exotic Ciphers do not expire. You can hold onto them indefinitely until you’re ready to spend them.
10. Can I get Exotic Ciphers from Lost Sectors?
No. Lost Sectors do not directly reward Exotic Ciphers. They reward Exotic armor pieces.
11. Can I get Exotic Ciphers from dismantling Exotics?
Dismantling a Masterworked Exotic Armor gives you back Ascendant Shard, not Exotic Cipher.
12. Does Ada-1 sell Exotic Ciphers?
No. Ada-1 does not sell Exotic Ciphers. She sells armor and weapon mods. Banshee-44 can sell Ascendant Shards, as can Rahool.
13. Are there any Triumphs that reward Exotic Ciphers?
Yes, some Triumphs, like the Exotic Archivist triumph (collecting a number of Exotics), may reward Exotic Ciphers. Be sure to check your Triumph progress regularly.
14. Can Xur sell duplicate Exotics?
Xur’s Fated Engram is supposed to prioritize Exotics you don’t already have. However, if you own all the Exotics that Xur can drop from engrams, he will provide duplicates. It will not give you exotics from content you do not own.
15. Can I get Forsaken Ciphers anymore?
Forsaken Ciphers were specifically tied to the Forsaken Pack and allowed players to claim Forsaken Exotics from the Monument to Lost Lights. As of right now, you do not get Forsaken Ciphers anymore.
Maximizing Your Exotic Cipher Potential
To truly optimize your Exotic Cipher usage, follow these tips:
- Prioritize Xur’s Xenology Quest: Make it a weekly ritual to complete this quest and secure your guaranteed Cipher.
- Plan Your Purchases: Before spending your Ciphers, research the Exotic weapons and armor available at the Monument to Lost Lights to determine which items best suit your playstyle and needs.
- Manage Your Inventory: Keep a close eye on your Cipher count and spend them before reaching the cap to avoid wasting potential earnings.
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with Destiny 2 news and updates, as new sources of Exotic Ciphers may be introduced in future seasons or events.
By understanding how to acquire, manage, and spend your Exotic Ciphers effectively, you can unlock some of the most powerful and sought-after gear in Destiny 2, further enhancing your Guardian’s capabilities and overall gaming experience.
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