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

With the Vow of the Disciple Raid now out and Destiny 2 getting a number of new content updates like the remaining Void fragments and new Preservation mission, players are continuing to discover the secrets of the Witch Queen. In a recent blog post, Bungie even outlined more upcoming content, namely the new and returning weapons coming to high end PvP modes, Trials of Osiris and Iron Banner.

However, even with the influx of new content and continued Season of the Risen rollout each week, Bungie continues to work on the overall experience to ensure it remains smooth. One of the bigger problems as of late has been with Rahool and the Ascendant Alloy material. While it was supposed to unlock each week, a bug prevented players from buying it. Thankfully, a new update this week not only fixed the problem, but allows Destiny 2 players to unlock 2 Ascendant Alloys for the price of one.

As expected, the exotic merchant Xur has returned to Destiny 2 for the weekend. As always, 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 11, 2022.

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 clanmates 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

Aeon Soul - Warlock gauntlets

At one point, the Aeon Soul was regarded as one of the worst exotics in the game, along with the other Aeon Cult items for Hunters and Titans. Thankfully, buffs and a rework by Bungie has completely transformed how these exotic gauntlets and the Aeon set items work for the better. While they're still not top tier gear, they're infinitely more useful than they were, even being valuable on difficult activities like Nightfalls.

Instead of a unique perk, this armor now has specific Aeon mods that can be equipped. Sect of Force is for damage dealers, temporarily increasing player reload speed and weapon swap speed after rapid precision hits. Taking down a champion or boss also gives nearby fireteam members a burst of grenade and melee energy. Sect of Vigor gives the player class energy when teammates die, then gaining full class energy after reviving. When nearby players cast their super, allies gain a burst of healing. Finally, Sect of Insight has a chance to drop an orb of power after precision weapon takedowns. When using a finisher on an elite enemy, special ammo is dropped. Using a finisher on a boss or miniboss, heavy ammo drops instead.

Arc Enhanced. Stat Values:

Mobility +6
Resilience +8
Recovery +13
Discipline +6
Intellect +6
Strength +12

Graviton Forfeit - Hunter helmet

While this gear was last on sale last Fall, now might be the time to investigate Graviton Forfeit as the exotic helmet got a much needed rework at the start of Season 15. When equipped, its exotic perk Vanishing Shadow gives increased bonus duration of invisibility effects and increases melee recharge speed, recovery, and weapon reload time while invisible. The melee recharge speed increases based on the number of enemies nearby.

However, thanks to the overhaul to Void subclasses, this helmet's value has seemingly skyrocketed and may be worth picking up twith how well it synergizes with the Nightstalker Hunter abilities. The unfortunate element here is that the low stat roll issue is still ongoing, so players will have to decide if that's worth it or not.

Void Enhanced. Stat Values:

Mobility +17
Resilience +2
Recovery +7
Discipline +6
Intellect +6
Strength +10

Synthoceps - Titan gauntlets

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. Sadly, the low stat problem with Xur remains, which means the roll isn't good.

Solar Enhanced. Stat Values:

Mobility +10
Resilience +11
Recovery +3
Discipline +6
Intellect +6
Strength +12

Exotic Weapon

Back after a couple month absence is the grenade launcher, Fighting Lion. Its intrinsic perk is called Delayed Gratification, allowing players to hold the trigger and then release it to detonate the grenade. The grenades can also bounce off surfaces, allowing for some very tricky shots. Its trait is Thin the Herd which makes direct hits do more damage to shields, while rapid kills to grenade damaged enemies refill the magazine. Finally, kills with this weapon always drop primary ammo.

Destiny 2 Fighting Lion Iron Banner Ornament

The biggest thing this weapon has going for it is that it doesn't take up a heavy slot like most Grenade launchers. Instead, it sits in the energy slot, freeing up players to continue using a legendary heavy weapon of their choice. This is also a weapon that likely won't be for everyone as its delayed detonation requires a bit of skill to fully master. However, for those who can get the hang of it, the Fighting Lion can be very rewarding and fun to use.

Additional perks:

Countermass
Implosion Rounds
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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:

Extended Barrel
Alloy Magazine
Eye of the Storm
Polymer Grip

Dead Man's Tale

Chambered Compensator
Armor-Piercing Rounds
Fourth Time's The Charm
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Here's the complete rundown of Xur's exotic stock in Destiny 2 for March 11, 2022:

Aeon Soul (Warlock gauntlets) – 23 Legendary Shards
Graviton Forfeit (Hunter helmet) – 23 Legendary Shards
Synthoceps (Titan gauntlets) – 23 Legendary Shards
Fighting Lion (Grenade Launcher) - 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