The Dead Messenger is a brand new Exotic Special Grenade Launcher that can change damage types in Destiny 2 between Void, Solar, and Arc energy.
The Dead Messenger is one of the most unique weapons that players can get in Destiny 2, and it's a new Special Exotic Grenade Launcher introduced in The Witch Queen expansion. Dead Messenger is an energy weapon with incredible grenade velocity and reload speed, but what makes the weapon unique are its intrinsic and exotic traits. Although the grenade launcher is listed as a Void weapon, it can actually function as a Solar or Arc exotic as well.
Dead Messenger's exotic trait is called The Fundamentals, which allows players to change the grenade launcher's energy damage type by reloading. This isn't the first weapon that benefits from the Alternate Firing Action in The Witch Queen expansion, as the Grand Overture Exotic machine gun allows players to have an additional firing method through the same means. However, what separates this weapon, in particular, from other weapons with a similar alternate-firing action is its Trinary Vision intrinsic trait. When Dead Messenger's projectiles meet contact with the ground, Trinary Vision allows the grenades to release a fan of three energy waves that match the current energy type of damage.
Dead Messenger is obtained through the Vox Obscura Exotic mission, but before players can access it they need to complete the first week of Operation Elbrius. This quest is the weekly reset quest that players have access to throughout Season of the Risen, and once the first week is completed players can speak with Empress Caiatl at the War Table in the H.E.L.M. Although the Vox Obscura quest recommends that players be at Power Level 1550 to complete, a well-coordinated fireteam can complete the mission if they've beaten the Legendary difficulty for The Witch Queen campaign and reached 1520 in Destiny 2.
How To Unlock Dead Messenger & Catalyst In Destiny 2
The Vox Obscura mission will put the fireteam through multiple sets of timed objectives, and it'll provide players with the Drake tank to complete certain parts as well. Additionally, players will need to use the Drake tank and Cabal vehicles to open a couple of doors by smashing or blasting through them. Not even Destiny 2's Gjallarhorn Rocket Launcher can break the doors down, so be sure to find and grab any of the surrounding vehicles to crash into the structures. At the final terminal, players have to continue down the hallway to the room on the right to open a chest where the Dead Messenger is located.
For now, Dead Messenger's catalyst is unavailable, but fortunately, it'll be available through the same Vox Obscura mission once the Master difficulty is released. While Dead Messenger is obtained through an Exotic quest much like Dead Man's Tale and Hawkmoon were in Year 4, the grenade launcher does not have any randomized rolls. Players can complete this quest and grab the new weapon any time throughout Season of the Risen in Destiny 2.
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Destiny 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Google Stadia platforms.
