Xur's Weekend Offerings: Enhance Your Arsenal for The Final Shape Expansion

The world of Destiny 2 is ever-evolving, and with the launch of The Final Shape expansion rapidly approaching, players are eager to enhance their arsenals and fine-tune their gear. One key figure in this ongoing quest for improvement is Xur, the enigmatic merchant who appears every weekend to offer players a chance to acquire unique Exotic weapons and armor. For the week of May 17-21, Xur can be discovered in a familiar location, bringing with him a collection of notable items for Guardians looking to bolster their strength in the fight ahead. In this guide, we'll explore Xur's whereabouts, the Exotic gear available, and tips for maximizing your purchases.

Xur's Location: Finding the Merchant

This weekend, Xur has set up shop on Nessus, specifically in The Watcher's Grave. To reach him, players should utilize the Watcher's Grave transmat zone. Upon arrival, hop on your sparrow and venture north towards the area’s exit. Keep an eye out for an impressive tree adorned with pink moss on its right side. Ascend to one of its broad branches, which serves as Xur's discreet hiding spot.

The Exotic Weapons on Offer

At the forefront of Xur's offerings this week is Arbalest, a distinguished linear fusion rifle known for its dual capabilities. The first, Disruption Break, grants players the ability to weaken enemies' defenses after breaking their shields. This synergizes beautifully with kinetic weapons, paving the way for devastating attacks. The second ability, Compounding Force, is particularly effective against Barrier Champions, facilitating an enhanced combat strategy. For Guardians looking to improve their offensive prowess, Arbalest is a must-purchase.

Exotic Armor Selections

This week, Xur offers a selection of unique Exotic armor tailored to each Guardian class, enhancing their capabilities in distinctive ways.

Raiju's Harness: Suitable for Hunters

For Hunters eager to amplify their Arc Super's effectiveness, Raiju's Harness is a valuable addition to your gear. This Exotic armor piece allows players to deactivate their Super prematurely, triggering a powerful blinding explosion that grants a brief increase in Arc damage. Additionally, while not actively attacking, the Arc staff consumes less energy, maximizing its usability. The stats are fairly balanced here, with mobility being a strong point, although resilience lags behind. Players are advised to focus on modding both resilience and intellect statistics to optimize performance.

Aeon Safe: Ideal for Titans

Titans can enhance their team-oriented builds with Aeon Safe gauntlets. Like other pieces in the Aeon line, Aeon Safe features three distinct Armor Mods designed to elevate the team's capabilities. The Sect of Insight mod proves especially useful for empowering allies. The stat distribution on this piece is commendable, showcasing solid resilience and impressive intellect, which leads to quicker Super ability cooldowns. However, players should note the low discipline and higher-than-necessary mobility stats when planning their loadout strategy.

The Stag: A Classic for Warlocks

The Stag helmet presents a striking appearance reminiscent of horror games, yet it remains a classic staple in Destiny 2. This Exotic enhances Warlock Rifts by diminishing damage to allies, and upon defeat, it leaves behind a healing rift for teammates. This particular roll emphasizes recovery, making it an excellent choice for players aiming to take on the medic role within their fireteam. Although resilience ratings are not optimal, the almost-maxed recovery stat offers valuable support in team play scenarios.

Legendary Weapons and the Recurring Hawkmoon

Alongside the Exotic offerings, Xur often has a selection of Legendary weapons available. Among them is the Hawkmoon hand cannon, which features a Quickdraw perk for the second consecutive week. Players should evaluate their inventory to determine whether this weapon suitably complements their arsenal; otherwise, it can be worth skipping this time around.

The Mystery of Xur's Frequent Appearances

Xur makes an appearance every weekend in Destiny 2, beginning with the daily reset at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET each Friday. His precise location is often shrouded in mystery until he arrives, as he does not appear on the map. New players may find it challenging to locate him initially, but a set number of locations frequently serve as his temporary residences. Aside from Nessus, you may also find him in the Tower Hangar or the Winding Cove area of the European Dead Zone (EDZ).

Conclusion: The Weekend with Xur

As the countdown to The Final Shape expansion continues, this weekend presents an excellent opportunity for players to enhance their combat capabilities by engaging with Xur. Acquiring unique Exotics such as Arbalest, Raiju's Harness, Aeon Safe, and The Stag can provide useful advantages in upcoming encounters. Whether you're looking to support your fireteam or dominate the battlefield, make sure to drop by and take advantage of what Xur has to offer. Step forward, Guardians, and prepare for the trials ahead!