Summary

  • Xur has returned to Destiny 2 with new exotic and legendary gear for a limited time during the holiday event called The Dawning.
  • Xur can be found at Watcher's Grave on Nessus and has a new selection of legendary gear and the Skyburner's Oath scout rifle.
  • Warlocks have access to Contraverse Hold, Hunters get Orpheus Rig, and Titan's can pick up the Hallowfire Heart.

Xur has returned again to Destiny 2, complete with new exotic and legendary gear for players to check out for a limited time. Just a few days remain in Destiny 2's holiday event known as The Dawning, giving fans limited time to finish up any outstanding challenges, quests, and to find those perfect weapon rolls.

With the new year rapidly approaching, many fans have begun to look ahead to 2024, which is quickly shaping up to be a big year for Destiny 2. Outside of an unfortunately delay to The Final Shape expansion and forcing Season of the Wish to be longer than originally intended, fans still have a lot to look forward to in 2024 for Destiny 2, including a conclusion to the Light and Dark story line, the introduction of episodic content, as well as the return of some events like Moments of Triumph and a unique update called Into The Light.

destiny 2 steam top seller 2023
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For now though, Xur is back again with a whole selection of exotics and legendaries for Destiny 2 players over the next few days. Follow this guide for his 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 December 29, 2023.

Where is Xur?

Overt he next few days, Xur can be found in his tree at Watcher's Grave on Nessus.

destiny 2 xur nessus tree
Destiny 2 xur nessus tree

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 contraverse hold exotic nerf
destiny 2 contraverse hold exotic

Contraverse Hold - Warlock gauntlets

Exotic Perk:

Chaotic Exchanger - Resist incoming damage while charging a Void grenade. Charged Void grenades return grenade energy on a hit.

The stat roll this week is the lowest of the three, though the distribution itself is solid, at the very least. It's a good exotic, though not a necessary purchase.

Stat Values (62 Total):

  • Mobility +7
  • Resilience +23
  • Recovery +4
  • Discipline +14
  • Intellect +6
  • Strength +8
destiny 2 orpheus rig exotics-1

Orpheus Rig - Hunter leg armor

Exotic Perk:

Uncanny Arrows - Provides ability energy for each target tethered by Deadfall anchors. Moebius Quiver has an additional shot.

An already solid exotic weapon for Nightstalker Hunters, this one is particularly worth picking up solely for its high stat roll, which includes high marks for Recovery and Intelligence.

Stat Values (69 Total):

  • Mobility +8
  • Resilience +2
  • Recovery +26
  • Discipline +9
  • Intellect +22
  • Strength +2
destiny 2 hallowfire heart chest exotic

Hallowfire Heart - Titan chest armor

Exotic Perk:

Sunfire Furnace - Solar takedowns while standing in a Sunspot create a Sunspot. Greatly improves recharge rate of Solar abilities while Super is charged. Provides a small benefit to the airborne effectiveness stat of all weapons.

12s and 10s are wild in this high stat roll armor, with everything either set to a 12 or 10. As such, this is a really solid roll without many peaks and valleys and is worth adding simply because of the fact that it's better than usual collection rolls.

Stat Values (68 total):

  • Mobility +12
  • Resilience +12
  • Recovery +10
  • Discipline +12
  • Intellect +10
  • Strength +12

Exotic Weapon

Skyburner's Oath is a classic Destiny 2 exotic, something introduced at launch with the base game and is based off of a Cabal's weapon. The defining feature of this weapon comes from its perk Slug Rifle which alters the firing rate of the weapon. Skyburner's Oath lobs explosive rounds that get stronger and faster when aiming down the sights. Instead of lobbing shots that track when hip firing, aiming down the sights actually turns the fired rounds into a faster, straighter, and more damaging explosive bullet. It also does more damage to Cabal enemies and rips through Phalanx Shields.

Destiny 2 Skyburner's Oath Scout Rifle
Destiny 2 Skyburner’s Oath Scout Rifle

While it's an interesting exotic, the solar scout rifle king this season remains Polaris Lance, and it's unlikely that this one will be unseating that anytime soon. Ultimately, it can be a fun weapon to mess around with when fighting Cabal enemies, but it's not a weapon that is anywhere near the top of the meta and can be safely avoided.

Weapon perks:

  • Extended Barrel
  • Extended Mag
  • Short Action Stock

Hawkmoon Rolls

At this point, 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:

Destiny 2 Hawkmoon Exotic Hand Cannon

Hawkmoon Rolls:

  • Smallbore
  • Alloy Magazine
  • Killing Wind
  • Textured Grip

Here's the complete rundown of Xur's exotic stock in Destiny 2 for December 29, 2023:

  • Contraverse Hold (Warlock gauntlets) – 23 Legendary Shards
  • Orpheus Rig (Hunter leg armor) – 23 Legendary Shards
  • Hallowfire Heart (Titan chest armor) – 23 Legendary Shards
  • Skyburner's Oath (Scout Rifle) - 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
Xur with his treasure hoard from Destiny 2.
Xur with his treasure hoard from Destiny 2.

Legendary Gear

Xur's Set of Legendary Armor and Weapons. All gear costs 50 Legendary Shards and 1000 Glimmer.

  • Ignition Code (Kinetic Grenade Launcher)
  • Friction Fire (Kinetic Submachine Gun)
  • Thoughtless (Kinetic Sniper Rifle)
  • No Reprieve (Kinetic Shotgun)
  • Path of Least Resistance (Energy Trace Rifle)
  • Honor's Edge (Heavy Sword)
  • Memory Interdict (Heavy Grenade Launcher)
  • Lightkin Armor Set
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Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
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Released
August 28, 2017
ESRB
T For TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence
Developer(s)
Bungie
Publisher(s)
Bungie
Engine
Tiger Engine
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian's look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.

An Immersive Story
You are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.

Guardian Classes
Choose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.

Expansions
Destiny 2: Forsaken, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep, Destiny 2: Beyond Light, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen, Destiny 2: Lightfall
Number of Players
1-6 (Co-Op)
Genre(s)
FPS
How Long To Beat
100+
Metascore
85
Platforms That Support Crossplay
PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
PS Plus Availability
Essential, Extra, & Premium (The Witch Queen)