How To Get Exotic Ciphers

Introduced in Seasons of Arrivals, Exotic Ciphers are a rare currency type that allows players to buy Exotics from previous years in Destiny 2'south lifespan. They can also be used to purchase an additional Fated Engram from Xur every calendar week.

Calling Exotic Ciphers important would exist an understatement. Newer Guardians will spend these Ciphers as often equally possible to stock up on Exotic weapons. Unfortunately, you can only carry ane at a fourth dimension, and so be sure to spend these Ciphers when you obtain one. Allow's become over every way that you lot can earn Exotic Ciphers in Destiny 2: The Witch Queen.

Updated May 24th, 2022, by Charles Burgar: Exotic Ciphers haven't seen many changes since they were first introduced, notwithstanding new Exotics get added to the Exotic Kiosk each season. Forsaken Ciphers were also introduced about the end of Year 4, giving players another method of earning Forsaken Exotics. We've updated this guide to include information on how Forsaken Ciphers piece of work, and we've refreshed our Exotic recommendations.

How To Obtain Exotic Ciphers

In that location are currently three methods for earning Exotic Ciphers: reach level 55 in the Season Laissez passer, consummate a quest from Xur, or purchase the Forsaken Pack DLC. The Forsaken Pack grants a unique type of Exotic Nothing we'll talk almost in a minute. The other ii sources grant standard Exotic Ciphers.

Flavour Pass

Destiny 2 Year 5 Season Pass Exotic Cipher Reward

Reaching rank 55 in the free track of the Season Pass will grant 1 Exotic Cipher. Players practise not need to purchase the current season to obtain this Exotic Cipher; reaching level 55 is the only requirement.

Since this is the but Exotic Zero in the Season Pass, it is best to save this until you need it. You lot can but hold i Exotic Cipher at a time, just leaving this in your Season Pass finer gives a second Exotic Null that tin be claimed at any time. Claiming it while you lot take an Exotic Cipher in your inventory will waste the Season Pass reward, voiding all progress fabricated.

To level apace, focus on completing bounties and weekly challenges on the Manager. Equip a Ghost Shell with an XP boost mod to speed up the process.

Xur

Xur will take i quest every week named "Xenology." This quest tasks yous with playing ritual activities in Destiny two—Vanguard Ops, Crucible, and Gambit. Complete the quest to earn one Exotic Cipher. You may only complete this quest once per week.

Forsaken Ciphers

Purchasing the Forsaken Pack DLC for Destiny ii will grant three Forsaken Ciphers. These Ciphers differ in that you can only utilize them on Exotics from the Forsaken expansion (labeled as "Year 2" in the Exotic Kiosk). Raid Exotics from that expansion will still crave Spoils of Conquest. Once purchased, head to the Exotic Kiosk at the Tower to merits your Ciphers.

Should y'all own all Exotics from Forsaken, you tin also convert these three Ciphers into Ascendant Shards at the Exotic Kiosk. You can purchase the post-obit Exotics with this special Cipher type:

Chaos, Tarrabah, and Always on Fourth dimension require 240 Spoils of Conquest to purchase, even if you own a Forsaken Cipher.

Ace of Spades
The Last Word
Le Monarque
Jotunn
Izanagi'due south Burden
Thorn
Lumina
Truth
Bad Juju
Anarchy
Tarrabah
Always on Time

Xenology Quest

Xur'southward Exotic Cipher quest, Xenology, only has ane objective y'all need to complete:

A Question: Complete strikes or win matches in Crucible or Gambit. Extra progress is awarded for more challenging activities and for succeeding with clanmates.

A Question

Destiny-2-Proving-Grounds-Strike-VIP-Cabal

This objective requires 21 strike completions, Crucible wins, or Gambit wins. Playing with clanmates or completing tougher activities (Trials of Osiris or Nightfalls) will grant additional progress.

Completing 21 games is quite the chore, so hither are a few tips to get this washed speedily:

Join a clan: Playing with clanmates will significantly speed upwardly this quest. If you aren't already part of a clan, consider joining one.
Play rotating PvP playlists: Rotating PvP playlists include Mayhem, Squad Scorched, and Momentum Control. These matches become by quickly and are low-stakes, perfect for this quest.
Take breaks: You don't have to become this quest done in a solar day like normal bounties. You have until Tuesday reset to terminate the quest, so feel free to have breaks and continue the subcontract on another day.

An Answer

When you've completed the quest objective, speak to Xur to obtain your Exotic Nothing. Be sure you don't have an Exotic Cipher in your inventory. If you do, the quest won't grant an Exotic Cipher. Once you plow in the quest, swing by the Exotic Kiosk in the Tower to grab an Exotic y'all don't currently own.

What To Spend Exotic Ciphers On

Exotic Ciphers are difficult to earn and can't be held in vast quantities. As a result, you'll want to spend them carefully whenever you become your hands on one. There are two means to spend your Ciphers:

Exotics from the Exotic Kiosk.
Fated Engrams from Xur.

Yous can purchase one Fated Engram from Xur for some Legendary Shards, but you'll need an Exotic Aught to purchase a 2d one. You can simply do this once per calendar week.

As for the Kiosk, there are quite a few Exotics to choose from. We'll give our recommendations for which Exotics are worth getting immediately:

Arbalest: Mandatory if yous're jumping into Destiny 2'south endgame. Breaks Barrier Champion shields and all elemental shield types.
Ace of Spades: Arguably the all-time Exotic Hand Cannon in Destiny 2. Excellent in PvE and PvP.
Witherhoard: Works equally good area-deprival in PvP and passive DPS in PvE.
Leviathan's Breath: Counters Unstoppable Champions and deals excellent impairment against Champions.
The Chaperone: A must for PvP. Features splendid range and is easy to employ.