Xur has returned again to Destiny 2, complete with new exotic and legendary gear for players to check out for a limited time. It's been a big week for Destiny 2 fans as the game received a double dose of content with the Lightfall expansion as well as the start of Season of Defiance. Needless to say, there's a whole swath of new content, quests, and loot to chase as well as working through the Season 20 battle pass.
With a new Destiny 2 expansion also comes new exotics. Season Pass owners get immediate access to a new Stasis powered bow called Verglas Curve, though Lightfall has also added plenty of gear to obtain as well. Deterministic Chaos is a machine gun that can debuff targets, Winterbite is a stasis infused glaive that fires off freezing orbs, and there are plenty of new armor pieces like Cyrtarachne's Facade, Swarmers, and more.
Speaking of loot, the exotic merchant Xur makes its first appearance inside the Lightfall version 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 March 3, 2023.
Where is Xur?
This weekend, players can track Xur back inside the European Dead Zone in his usual spot overlooking the Winding Cove.
Fast travel to the Winding Cove zone and immediately head towards the back where the Fallen typically patrol. Climb the cliffs back here to find Xur standing on a ledge not too far from a crashed ship.
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
Claws of Ahamkara - Warlock gauntlets
The subclass neutral claws are back on sale this weekend. Its exotic perk is known as The Whispers, which grants the player a second melee charge.
This isn't exactly a must-have exotic item for Warlocks as there are much better options available, but there are plenty of worse options as well. For a neutral exotic that can be used with any subclass, having a second melee attack at the ready certainly helps in most situations. The roll is also tied for the highest roll this week, though with an extra high strength stat, it's not exactly the greatest for Warlocks.
Stat Values (65 Total):
- Mobility +10
- Resilience +10
- Recovery +13
- Discipline +7
- Intellect +2
- Strength +23
Knucklehead Radar - Hunter helmet
Just seen a couple of weeks ago, the Knucklehead Radar is back in stock this weekend for Hunters. Still a solid item for PvP modes in the Crucible thanks to the perk Upgraded Sensor Pack which enhances the player’s radar when crouched and keeps it on the screen when aiming down the sights.
Useful is the best term to describe this exotic as it's not the best option out there for Hunters, but it can be valuable in the right situations. Knowing where enemies are coming from even when aiming down the sights can come in handy inside the Crucible, though there are better options overall. With a 65 stat roll total for this week, players get a boost to Mobility, Discipline, and Resilience.
Stat Values (65 Total):
- Mobility +17
- Resilience +13
- Recovery +2
- Discipline +19
- Intellect +6
- Strength +8
Synthoceps - Titan leg armor
The Synthoceps feature Biotic Enhancements, the item's intrinsic perk, which not only buffs melee range, but also damage when the player is surrounded by enemies. Similar to the Hunter's exotic gauntlets Liar's Handshake, this item can make Titan players very powerful.
While it may not be the best Titan exotic, it's no doubt a fun one to play around with especially in this current season. Similar to the Warlock's Felwinter's Helm exotic, many of the seasonal mods and Warmind Cells can result in room clearing damage when paired with this gear. Ultimately, it's not a required purchase by any means, though it may be worth it for those who want to mess around and have a bit of fun. The roll is solid this week, finally breaking the Mobility streak Titan exotics were unfortunately on with Xur. It's only a 62, so this item is by no means a must buy.
Stat Values (62 total):
- Mobility +2
- Resilience +17
- Recovery +14
- Discipline +17
- Intellect +2
- Strength +10
Exotic Weapon
This electrically-charged bow fires an arrow that splits into three parts thanks to its perk, Split Electron. When the player aims down the sights and draws the bow all the way back, the arrow spread decreases. However, scoring a headshot will charge the next fired arrow to chain electricity between enemies close to each other. It's generally a fun bow to use in any mode, though it really shines in PvE modes where the chain attacks have more opportunity to happen.
While it was initially deemed as underwhelming at first, this bow becomes an absolute monster once players unlock the catalyst for the weapon from finishing any core Crucible, Strike, or Gambit activity which makes any final blow trigger the Lightning Rod perk. Combined with all the arc 3.0 changes, this is a great pickup this week.
Additional perks:
- High Tension String
- Compact Arrow Shaft
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:
- Corkscrew Rifling
- Alloy Magazine
- Snapshot Sights
- Polymer Grip
Dead Man's Tale Rolls:
- Full Bore
- Light Mag
- Snapshot Sights
- Composite Stock
Here's the complete rundown of Xur's exotic stock in Destiny 2 for March 3, 2023:
- Claws of Ahamkara (Warlock gauntlets) – 23 Legendary Shards
- Knucklehead Radar (Hunter helmet) – 23 Legendary Shards
- Synthoceps (Titan leg armor) – 23 Legendary Shards
- Trinity Ghoul (Combat Bow) - 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
Legendary Gear
Xur's Set of Legendary Armor and Weapons. All gear costs 50 Legendary Shards and 1000 Glimmer.
- Disparity (Kinetic Pulse Rifle)
- Lonesome (Kinetic Sidearm)
- Extraordinary Rendition (Kinetic Submachine Gun)
- IKELOS HC v1.0.3 (Energy Hand Cannon)
- Iota Draconis (Energy Fusion Rifle)
- First In, Last Out (Energy Shotgun)
- Interference IV (Heavy Grenade Launcher)
- Simulator and Entanglement Armor Sets
Destiny 2 is now available PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.