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

Summary

Xur has returned to Destiny 2 with new exotic and legendary gear, including the game's first Strand-based rocket launcher called The Crowning Duologue.
Some players are disappointed with the return of the Solstice event due to its lack of changes, causing high-profile members like Datto to encourage taking a break from the game.
The new exotic armor being sold by Xur this week, includes Warlock gauntlets, Titan gauntlets, Hunter leg armor, and the Black Talon heavy sword.

Xur has returned again to Destiny 2, complete with new exotic and legendary gear for players to check out for a limited time. The annual summer event Solstice kicked off with the reset this week, bringing back the European Aerial Zone and Bonfire Bash activity. While the core gameplay loop remains largely the same as what longtime players expect, the event brings with it new armor, Event Card, and the game's first Strand-based rocket launcher called The Crowning Duologue.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a groundswell of disappointment by many in the community over the return of Solstice largely due to the familiarity of the event. As not much has changed, many are struggling to find reasons to log in, prompting high profile members like Datto to release videos telling people it's okay to take a break. Either way, it seems many may log in to grab the new content, but since much of the rocket launcher perks don't seem to synergize all that well, there doesn't seem to be a strong reason to grind it out for very long.

In the meantime, the weekend merchant Xur has made a return to the world of Destiny 2. 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 July 21, 2023.

Where is Xur?

This weekend, players should visit the Hangar inside of the Tower to find Xur.

A Guardian Using The Selfie Emote With Xur

As usual, fast travel to the main Tower location and head left into the Hangar. Once there, take another left and move past the Dead Orbit section to find a metal staircase. Move up the stairs to find Xur on a platform overlooking the mountain range off in the distance.

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

Getaway Artist - Warlock gauntlets

Exotic Perk:

Dynamic Duo - Convert the Arc grenade into a Arc Soul and become amplified. The Arc Soul functions as an autonomous turret.

Out of all the stat rolls this week, Warlocks may just have the best in terms of balance and what the class requires to be effective. Still, these exotics are okay at best, fun to mess around with but unlikely to replace anything currently at the top of the Destiny 2 meta.

Stat Values (64 Total):

Mobility +6
Resilience +21
Recovery +8
Discipline +15
Intellect +12
Strength +2

Lucky Pants - Hunter leg armor

Exotic Perk:

Illegally Modded Holster - When players ready a fully loaded Hand Cannon that deals Kinetic damage or a damage type that matches the subclass energy type, each hit from that Hand Cannon increases the damage of the next shot for a short time against a combatant. Hand Cannons ready faster and are more accurate immediately after swapping to them. Provides a small benefit to the airborne effectiveness stat of Hand Cannons while the buff is active.

Naturally, these are hand cannon dependent, so for Hunters that don't use them, these are a very easy pass. The other unfortunate element on these is the roll which isn't terrible at a 63, but the roll has been higher recently. Combined with the fact that these aren't top tier exotics, they can be safely skipped.

Stat Values (63 Total):

Mobility +11
Resilience +3
Recovery +18
Discipline +11
Intellect +10
Strength +10

Synthoceps - Titan gauntlets

Exotic Perk:

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

While the roll is an eye watering 70, it unfortunately is Mobility heavy which isn't great for Titans. It's certainly a better roll than most collection ones, these are not a required pickup.

Stat Values (70 total):

Mobility +22
Resilience +11
Recovery +3
Discipline +12
Intellect +2
Strength +20

Exotic Weapon

Last seen in April, the Black Talon heavy sword is back with Xur and it remains a solid pickup. The reason is the Black Talon's unique ability to fire projectiles as well as slash enemies up close. The Crow's Wing perk which lets the user swing to fire off a cross combo projectile while its secondary perk, Tireless Blade, gives ammo for every other powered sword kill.

Destiny 2 Black Talon With Paladin Ornament

This projectile gives the Black Talon an advantage over other swords as it lets the player stay at a distance instead of getting up close and personal to get a kill. Titan players may even want to break out the Stronghold exotic which pairs very well with it.

Weapon perks:

Tempered Edge
Heavy Guard

Hawkmoon and Dead Man's Tale Rolls

Since Season 16 removed the Presage and Harbinger exotic missions, Xur is also selling both Hawkmoon and Dead Man's Tale with randomized rolls. Players should visit him each weekend as he'll be carrying different rolls.

Hawkmoon Rolls:

Chambered Compensator
Alloy Magazine
Moving Target
Textured Grip

The Dead Man's Tale exotic scout rifle from Destiny 2.

Dead Man's Tale Rolls:

Extended Barrel
Flared Magwell
Snapshot Sights
Short-Action Stock

Here's the complete rundown of Xur's exotic stock in Destiny 2 for July 21, 2023:

Getaway Artist (Warlock gauntlets) – 23 Legendary Shards
Lucky Pants (Hunter leg armor) – 23 Legendary Shards
Synthoceps (Titan gauntlets) – 23 Legendary Shards
Black Talon (Heavy Sword) - 29 Legendary Shards
Hawkmoon (Hand Cannon) - 125,000 Glimmer, 200 Legendary Shards, 1 Exotic Cipher, 1 Ascendant Shard
Dead Man's Tale (Scout Rifle) - 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