This week’s latest blog post from Bungie detailed a number of weapon changes coming in a mid-season update including a variety of buffs to underperforming weapon classes. The new modifier known as Airborne Effectiveness is getting buffed while precision based hand cannons, auto rifles, and scout rifles are all getting enhancements as well. Bungie is also bringing a few nerfs to highly popular exotic weapons as well including the Gjallarhorn rocket launcher, Lorentz Driver linear fusion rifle, and Last Word hand cannon,

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Speaking of exotics, the weekend merchant Xur is back again in 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 1, 2022.

Where is Xur?

This weekend, players should head to Nessus where Xur is hanging out on his massive tree in Watcher’s Grave.

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 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

Crown of Tempests - Warlock helmet

For Warlocks that like to get their Emperor Palpatine on, the Crown of Tempests remains one of the best exotics for Stormtrance. It remains a top option thanks to the exotic perk Conduction Tines. With this item, any arc ability kills increases the recharge rate of Arc abilities and extends the duration of Stormtrance.

This is an item that all Warlocks should have as it’s one of best exotics to use with Stormcaller as it can quickly regenerate abilities for Warlocks. While Arc subclasses feel a little lacking at the moment and even though it has the worst overall roll this week, the helmet may be worth picking up in advance of the upcoming season, which will introduce Arc 3.0.

Arc Enhanced. Stat Values:

Mobility +7 Resilience +9 Recovery +13 Discipline +16 Intellect +13 Strength +2

Celestial Nighthawk - Hunter helmet

On sale again in relatively short amount of time is the powerful Celestial Nighthawk for Golden Gun Hunters. Its intrinsic perk is Hawkeye Hack which modifies the Golden Gun to fire a single, high damage shot. Enemies killed by the shot explode, and the player gets a moderate portion of super energy returned.

For those who care about dealing huge amounts of damage, the Nighthawk remains a top tier exotic. While not great at crowd clearing or taking out multiple players in the crucible, this exotic remains a must-have for some of the more difficult activities like Nightfalls and Raids. Hunter players will be doling out massive damage to bosses, which also makes this a great item to take on the Grandmaster Nightfall activities. Plus, the roll this week is pretty intriguing at a very high 66 overall with huge resilience and discipline.

Solar Enhanced. Stat Values:

Mobility +3 Resilience +27 Recovery +2 Discipline +16 Intellect +16 Strength +2

An Insurmountable Skullfort - Titan helmet

Almost half a year later and the An Insurmountable Skullfort is back again. As usual, it’s a perfect compliment to players who favor close quarters. Transfusion Matrix is its intrinsic perk which triggers health regeneration and restores melee energy after getting a kill with an arc melee ability.

As previously mentioned, arc subclasses are in a rough state at the moment, but this remains a wonderful PvE item and equally as strong in PvP for Earthshaker or Missile Striker Titans. The stat roll this week is another solid one at a 66 overall with extremely high strength and above average Resilience. With the upcoming Arc 3.0 revision, this exotic may be worth picking up to see if it gets any buffs next season.

Arc Enhanced. Stat Values:

Mobility +8 Resilience +17 Recovery +9 Discipline +2 Intellect +2 Strength +28

Exotic Weapon

At one point, the Lord of Wolves shotgun was one of the most used weapons in the game thanks to a bug that caused the weapon to basically just melt enemies. While Bungie let the gun run wild in Crucible a little longer than it would have liked, the gun is nowhere near as fearsome as it once was. Even still, it remains a strong close quarters weapon and is worth a look for those who don’t yet have it.

Its Intrinsic perk is called Shrapnel Launcher which causes the gun to fire a powerful short-range burst of solar damage. However, its trait called Release the Wolves is what really enhances this weapon’s potency. Players that hold the reload button can swap to a longer, more powerful burst.

Additional perks:

Chambered Compensator Extended Mag Composite Stock

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:

Polygonal Rifling Alloy Magazine Opening Shot Polymer Grip

Dead Man’s Tale

Smallbore High-Calibur Rounds Snapshot Sights Hand-Laid Stock

Here’s the complete rundown of Xur’s exotic stock in Destiny 2 for July 1, 2022:

Crown of Tempests (Warlock helmet) – 23 Legendary Shards Celestial Nighthawk (Hunter helmet) – 23 Legendary Shards An Insurmountable Skullfort (Titan helmet) – 23 Legendary Shards Merciless (Fusion Rifle) - 29 Legendary Shards Lord of Wolves (Shotgun) - 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

As previously mentioned, Xur now sells Legendary Armor and Weapons. All gear costs 50 Legendary Shards and 1000 Glimmer.

Enigma’s Draw (Kinetic Sidearm) The Third Axiom (Kinectic Pulse Rifle) Cold Denial (Kinetic Pulse Rifle) Farewell (Kinetic Sidearm) Seventh Seraph CQC-12 (Energy Shotgun) Deafening Whisper (Energy Grenade Launcher) Falling Guillotine (Heavy Sword) Braytech Armor Set

Destiny 2 is now available PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

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