Destiny 2: Xur Exotic Armor, Weapon, and Recommendations…

Summary

Xur has returned to Destiny 2 with new exotic and legendary gear for a limited time.
Warlocks get Starfire Protocol, Titans Synthoceps, and Hunters Graviton Forfeit with Crimson hand cannon also available.
Xur also has a new randomized selection of weapons and the Hawkmoon hand cannon exotic.

Xur has returned again to Destiny 2, complete with new exotic and legendary gear for players to check out for a limited time. As expected, fans got plenty of answers for the age-old question of "What's Next" for Destiny 2. The Bungie showcase revealed a ton of new details for The FInal Shape including its story, new destination inside the Traveler, as well as a surprising three new Light-based supers coming to Destiny 2 instead of what many people expected would be a third Darkness class.

Alongside The FInal Shape, Bungie also detailed Season 22 which involved Eris Morn essentially becoming a Hive God and using players to empower her. Many Deswtiny 2 players are expecting a supercharged Eris Morn to go head-to-head with Xivu Arath in some sort of epic Kaiju style battle for the Season of the Witch finale. In the meantime, players are making a deal with Savathun to not only revive her, but to gain access to the Traveler after dealing with the last remaining Hive god in Xivu Arath. Plus, Bungie implemented a unique card and deckbuilding system inside of Season 22, a first for the FPS.

Alongside season 22, Xur is making its first appearance inside Destiny 2 this season. Follow this guide for his most current weekend location, news on his exotic cipher quest, as well as a review of all the exotic and legendary gear he's brought for the weekend of August 25, 2023.

Where is Xur?

Destiny 2 players should head to the Tower Hanger to find Xur this weekend.

A Guardian Using The Selfie Emote With Xur

From the Director, head to Nessus and load into Watcher's Grave. Run towards the back of the zone where a massive tree is found. Jump up until players find the huge branch where the merchant is hanging out.

Class Armor and Exotic Cipher

Xur's role continues to offer the usual weekly quests, exotics, and legendary gear. Not only are these quests required to purchase a second fated engram, but they're necessary to acquire legacy exotic gear from the Tower kiosk. Players can earn a new cipher by completing strikes and winning crucible or gambit matches. Gain bonus points for playing with clan mates or finishing more challenging activities.

Xur continues to sell even more gear outside his usual content. In addition to his normal exotic gear, Xur now has Legendary Weapons and Armor for sale in exchange for Legendary Shards and Glimmer.

Exotic Armor

Destiny 2 Starfire Protocol — D2-Starfire-Protocol

Starfire Protocol - Warlock chest armor

Exotic Perk:

Fusion Harness - Fusion Grenades have an additional charge and recharge from empowered weapon damage, with empowered weapon final blows granting more energy. Defeating targets with Fusion Grenades grant Rift energy.

This is a hard exotic to recommend because it's very specific to Fusion Grenade users only and has zero impact on everything else. There are much better options out there.

Stat Values (66 Total):

Mobility +14
Resilience +3
Recovery +19
Discipline +13
Intellect +9
Strength +8

Graviton Forfeit - Hunter helmet

Exotic Perk:

Vanishing Shadow - Increases the duration of any invisibility effects. While you are invisible, your melee recharges faster, your weapons reload faster, and your Recovery is greatly increased.

Nightstalker Hunters may want to take a look at this exotic as it empowers players who go invisible. In addition, the stats on this armor are fantastic with a high overall total as well as individual values like Resilience and Discipline.

Stat Values (67 Total):

Mobility +11
Resilience +22
Recovery +3
Discipline +18
Intellect +6
Strength +7

Synthoceps - Titan gauntlets

Exotic Perk:

Biotic Enhancements - Increased melee lunge range. Improved melee and Super damage when you're surrounded.

Another high stat roll, but it unfortunately comes with a very high mobility, which isn't ideal for titans. While a solid exotic for melee attacks, this is hard to recommend due to the less than idea stat range.

Stat Values (67 total):

Mobility +24
Resilience +8
Recovery +3
Discipline +2
Intellect +15
Strength +15

Exotic Weapon

The Crimson hand cannon is unique compared to other weapons in this class thanks to its intrinsic perk known as Banned Weapon as it gives the gun a three round burst. It's unique perk, Cruel Remedy, heals the player after killing an enemy while a precision kill also refills the magazine.

This continues to be worth picking up thanks in large part to its healing effects. It works wonders in activities with lots of enemies to target and can even be a lifesaver in Crucible game modes as well. Not only that, the weapon only gets better with the catalyst equipped, so spend the shards on it this week!

Weapon perks:

Smallbore
Accurized Rounds
Heavy Grip

Hawkmoon Rolls

For now, Xur is only selling Hawkmoon with randomized rolls, but its time is limited once Harbinger is ultimately added to the Exotic Mission Rotator and makes the hand cannon craftable. Either way, here is the roll Xur has this weekend:

Hawkmoon Rolls:

Smallbore
Alloy Magazine
Killing Wind
Smooth Grip

Here's the complete rundown of Xur's exotic stock in Destiny 2 for August 25, 2023:

Starfire Protocol (Warlock chest armor) – 23 Legendary Shards
Graviton Forfeit (Hunter helmet) – 23 Legendary Shards
Synthoceps (Titan gauntlets) – 23 Legendary Shards
Crimson (Hand Cannon) - 29 Legendary Shards
Hawkmoon (Hand Cannon) - 125,000 Glimmer, 200 Legendary Shards, 1 Exotic Cipher, 1 Ascendant Shard
Exotic Engram - 97 Legendary Shards/1 Exotic Cipher
A Question - Exotic Cipher Quest