Unlocking the Secrets: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Vanguard Ciphers
Hey there, Guardian! Ever felt a bit lost when those elusive Vanguard Ciphers drop, wondering how to truly harness their power? You're not alone! Many players find themselves accumulating these valuable tokens without a clear understanding of their optimal use. But fear not, for by the end of this lengthy guide, you'll be a Vanguard Cipher connoisseur, maximizing your rewards and elevating your Destiny 2 experience!
Let's dive in and unlock the true potential of your Vanguard Ciphers. Are you ready to transform your gameplay and gear? Let's go!
Step 1: Understanding What Vanguard Ciphers Are
Before we can use them effectively, it's crucial to grasp what Vanguard Ciphers represent in the world of Destiny 2. These aren't just random bits of code; they are a specialized currency designed to enhance your arsenal, particularly with high-tier gear obtained from challenging activities.
What's the Big Deal About Them?
Vanguard Ciphers are primarily associated with the Nightfall activity, specifically the Adept and Grandmaster difficulties. They serve as a mechanism to help you acquire and refine Adept Nightfall Weapons, which are enhanced versions of regular Nightfall weapons, often boasting improved stats and unique mod slots. Think of them as your golden ticket to some of the most sought-after weapons in the game.
Why are Adept weapons so good? They come with an extra mod slot for Adept Mods, which can significantly boost their performance in various ways, from increasing damage to improving handling. Plus, they look pretty cool!
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| How To Use Vanguard Ciphers |
Step 2: Acquiring Your Vanguard Ciphers
You can't spend what you don't have, right? So, the next logical step is to understand how to get your hands on these precious ciphers.
QuickTip: Skim first, then reread for depth.
Sources of Vanguard Ciphers:
Nightfall Ordeals (Adept/Grandmaster): This is the primary and most consistent method.
Adept Nightfalls: Completing these lower-tier Nightfalls has a chance to drop Vanguard Ciphers. While not guaranteed every run, they are a good starting point for farming.
Grandmaster Nightfalls (GMs): This is where the real farming begins. GMs offer a much higher chance of dropping Vanguard Ciphers, often giving you two per successful completion. They are challenging, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
Xur's Xenology Quest: The mysterious Agent of the Nine, Xur, occasionally offers a weekly quest called "Xenology." Completing this quest typically rewards you with an Exotic Cipher. While not strictly "Vanguard Ciphers" in the context of Adept weapons, Exotic Ciphers are a similar currency used for other high-value items, mainly Exotic weapons from the Monument to Lost Lights kiosk. Keep an eye out for this quest every Friday!
Limited-Time Events/Seasonal Rewards: Occasionally, certain in-game events or the seasonal pass might offer Vanguard Ciphers as rewards. Always check your Season Pass for these bonuses!
Pro Tip: Farming Grandmaster Nightfalls is the most efficient way to stack up on Vanguard Ciphers. Look for weeks when the Nightfall is considered "easy" or when a weapon you desire is dropping.
Step 3: Spending Your Vanguard Ciphers – The Weapon Focusing Hub
Once you have a decent stash of Vanguard Ciphers, it's time to put them to good use. The main purpose of Vanguard Ciphers is to focus Adept Nightfall weapons. This process allows you to spend your Ciphers to obtain specific Adept weapons with random rolls, or to re-roll an existing Adept weapon in hopes of getting that perfect "God Roll."
Where to Go:
Head to Commander Zavala in the Tower. He is your go-to vendor for all things Vanguard and, crucially, for focusing Nightfall weapons.
The Focusing Process Explained:
Interact with Commander Zavala: Approach Zavala and open his vendor menu.
Navigate to the "Focusing" Tab: Within his inventory, you'll find various tabs. Look for the one explicitly labeled "Focusing" or "Nightfall Focusing."
Choose Your Desired Weapon: You will see a selection of Adept Nightfall weapons that are currently available for focusing. These typically rotate with the weekly Nightfall playlist.
Important Note: You must have previously acquired the Adept version of a weapon at least once to be able to focus for it. If you haven't, you'll need to run the Grandmaster Nightfall that drops that specific weapon first.
Review the Costs: Focusing an Adept Nightfall weapon comes with a cost. This usually includes:
Vanguard Ciphers: Typically, 10 Vanguard Ciphers are required per focus.
Legendary Shards: A substantial amount of Legendary Shards will also be consumed.
Glimmer: A significant amount of Glimmer is often part of the cost.
Nightfall Engrams: You will also need a Nightfall Engram. These drop from completing Nightfall activities.
Focus Away! Once you have the required materials and have selected your desired weapon, confirm the focus. You will receive a randomly rolled Adept version of that weapon.
QuickTip: Absorb ideas one at a time.
Sub-heading: Optimizing Your Focus
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Check the Weekly Nightfall Schedule: The available weapons for focusing are tied to the weekly Nightfall. Keep an eye on community resources or in-game announcements to see which weapon is dropping each week. If it's a weapon you really want, that's your prime focusing opportunity.
Consider Your Needs: Do you need a PVE workhorse or a PVP monster? Research the "God Rolls" for the weapons you're focusing on so you know what perks to look for. Websites like light.gg are excellent for this!
Inventory Management: Make sure you have enough inventory space for the new weapon! You don't want to lose a potentially perfect roll because your weapon slots are full.
Step 4: Beyond the Basics – Strategic Cipher Use
While focusing Adept weapons is the primary use, there are nuances to consider for strategic cipher usage.
Sub-heading: The "Re-Roll" Mechanic
If you already have an Adept Nightfall weapon but aren't happy with its perk rolls, you can use Vanguard Ciphers to re-roll it. The process is the same as focusing for a new weapon, but instead of receiving a completely new drop, you're essentially applying a new set of random perks to your existing Adept weapon.
When to Re-Roll: This is ideal when you have a weapon with great base stats but suboptimal perks. It's often more efficient than trying to get an entirely new drop.
Sub-heading: Understanding Caps and Limitations
There's a limit to how many Vanguard Ciphers you can carry at any given time. This cap is typically 10 Vanguard Ciphers. This means you need to be mindful of when you're nearing the cap and plan to spend them before you hit it, as any Ciphers earned beyond the cap will be lost.
Don't hoard them! While it might be tempting to save them for a "better" weapon rotation, remember the cap. It's often better to spend them on a decent roll of a useful weapon than to lose them entirely.
Step 5: Advanced Tips for Vanguard Cipher Mastery
Tip: Break down complex paragraphs step by step.
To truly master the use of Vanguard Ciphers, consider these advanced strategies:
Sub-heading: Team Up for Efficiency
Grandmaster Nightfalls are significantly easier and faster with a coordinated fireteam. Using a Looking for Group (LFG) tool or playing with clanmates can drastically increase your cipher acquisition rate. Communication and clear roles are key to success in GMs.
Sub-heading: Seasonal Artefact & Mod Synergies
Keep an eye on the seasonal artifact. Often, there are mods that synergize exceptionally well with specific weapon types, or even Nightfall activities themselves. Using these mods can make your GM runs smoother and more rewarding, indirectly helping you earn Ciphers faster.
Sub-heading: Don't Forget the Exotic Ciphers!
While distinct from Vanguard Ciphers, Exotic Ciphers are also a valuable currency for high-tier gear. They are primarily used at the Monument to Lost Lights kiosk in the Tower to acquire Exotic weapons and armor from past seasons or expansions. Xur's Xenology quest is the most reliable source for these. Remember, you can only hold one Exotic Cipher at a time from Xur's quest, so spend it before you complete the quest again!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Vanguard Ciphers
Tip: Use this post as a starting point for exploration.
Here are 10 common questions related to Vanguard Ciphers, with quick answers to help you on your journey:
How to get Vanguard Ciphers quickly? The fastest way is by repeatedly completing Grandmaster Nightfall Ordeals, as they offer the highest chance of dropping two ciphers per run.
How to use Vanguard Ciphers for weapons? Visit Commander Zavala in the Tower, navigate to his "Focusing" tab, and select the Adept Nightfall weapon you wish to obtain or re-roll.
How many Vanguard Ciphers can I hold? You can hold a maximum of 10 Vanguard Ciphers at any given time.
How to unlock Adept weapon focusing? You must have acquired the specific Adept Nightfall weapon at least once from a Grandmaster Nightfall before you can focus for it at Zavala.
How to get Nightfall Engrams for focusing? Nightfall Engrams drop from completing any Nightfall activity, regardless of difficulty. The higher the difficulty, the more likely you are to receive them.
How do Vanguard Ciphers differ from Exotic Ciphers? Vanguard Ciphers are used for obtaining or re-rolling Adept Nightfall weapons, while Exotic Ciphers are used for purchasing Exotic weapons and armor from the Monument to Lost Lights kiosk (or a second Fated Engram from Xur).
How often do available Nightfall weapons rotate for focusing? The available Adept Nightfall weapons for focusing rotate weekly, aligning with the current Grandmaster Nightfall weapon drop.
How much do Vanguard Ciphers cost to use? Focusing an Adept weapon typically costs 10 Vanguard Ciphers, along with a significant amount of Legendary Shards, Glimmer, and a Nightfall Engram.
How to increase my chances of a "God Roll" when using Ciphers? Focusing offers random rolls. While you can't guarantee a "God Roll," you can continue to focus the same weapon repeatedly (as long as you have the Ciphers and other materials) until you get the desired perk combination.
How to maximize my overall efficiency with Ciphers? Prioritize running Grandmaster Nightfalls with a coordinated team, spend your Ciphers before hitting the cap, and research desired weapon rolls to make informed focusing decisions.
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