Are you a Destiny player tired of scouring the solar system each weekend to find Xur?
As a long-time fan, I know the frustration of spending precious gaming time trying to track down the elusive vendor.
Where is Xur this week? What’s he selling? Will I make it to him in time?
Xur is the mysterious vendor who appears randomly within Destiny’s universe every Friday at reset time.
He offers a selection of Exotic items, Legendary armor, and other curiosities. For many players, finding him is a weekly ritual. But due to his ever-changing position, it can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a cosmic haystack.
Fortunately, after many weekends spent seeking out our tentacled friend, I’ve picked some handy tips and tricks to help locate Xur faster.
In this guide, I’ll share my top methods for tracking down Xur’s location quickly and efficiently each week so you can spend less time searching and more time shopping for those precious Exotics.
Whether you’re a new Light or a veteran Guardian, these hints will help you get ahead of Xur.
Understanding Xur’s Schedule
One of the keys to finding Xur quickly is understanding his schedule.
After years of tracking him down every weekend, I’ve got his timing down to a science. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Xur’s Arrival
- Xur appears in the Destiny universe every Friday at the daily reset time
- For most regions, this is 10 AM PST / 1 PM EST
- He remains in his location until the weekly reset on Tuesday
2. Time is of the Essence
- To get the first pick of Xur’s wares, it’s crucial to begin your search as soon as he arrives.
- The longer you wait, the more likely items will be sold out, especially if he’s offering a particularly coveted Exotic.
3. Search Window
- From Friday’s reset until Monday’s reset, you have to find Xur and make your purchases.
- If you miss him, you’ll have to wait until the following weekend for another chance.
Keeping Xur’s schedule in mind is half the battle. Knowing when to start searching will put you ahead of the curve and give you the best chance to capture those elusive Exotics.
The next section will cover Xur’s favorite hangout spots to narrow your search area.
Popular Xur Locations
Now that you know when to look for Xur, let’s talk about where. While his exact position changes each week, there are certain locations he tends to favor. Here are some of the most common places I’ve found Xur over my many weekends of searching:
1. The Tower
- Xur frequently appears in the social space of the Tower
- Check near the Hangar, the back of the Bazaar, and by the big tree in the Courtyard
- Listen for the excited chatter of other players who have spotted him
2. Nessus
- The centaur planetoid Nessus is another of Xur’s preferred haunts
- Look for him in the Watcher’s Grave area, particularly on the giant tree stump
- He can also appear in the Exodus Black zone, so be sure to check there as well
3. European Dead Zone (EDZ)
- Earth’s EDZ is a vast area, but Xur has a few favorite spots
- The Winding Cove and Sunken Isles regions are good places to start your search
- He’s also been known to hang out in the Gulch, so don’t forget to look there
4. Other Locations
- While less common, Xur can sometimes be found on Titan, Io, or the Tangled Shore.
- On very rare occasions, he’s even been spotted in the Lighthouse on Mercury.
- It never hurts to quickly check these areas if you’re having trouble finding him elsewhere.
Knowing Xur’s go-to locations can significantly cut down your search time. I recommend picking a couple to patrol first, then widening your search if needed.
Tips for Quick Location
Over my years of Xur hunting, I’ve developed strategies to streamline the search process. Here are my top tips for finding Xur as quickly as possible:
1. Utilize Community Resources
- Websites like whereisxur.com and the Xur Megathread on r/DestinyTheGame are great resources.
- These sites are updated weekly with Xur’s current location, inventory, and directions.
- Checking them can save you a lot of time searching in-game.
2. Know the Spawn Points
- Within each location are specific spots where Xur is known to appear.
- For example, check behind the Dead Orbit area in the Tower Hangar area and up on the catwalk.
- On Nessus, he often spawns on a large tree stump or near the crashed ship
- Familiarizing yourself with these spawn points can help you find him faster
3. Lookout for Visual Clues
- Xur’s presence usually leaves some telltale signs
- Look for a crowd of players gathered in an otherwise unremarkable spot
- Keep an eye out for his signature tentacle-faced visage and hooded robe
- If you see coins scattered on the ground, you’re likely close to his location
4. Optimize Your Search Route
- Plan out your search pattern based on Xur’s most likely locations for the week
- Start with high-probability areas like the Tower and Nessus before expanding your search
- Use fast travel points to move between locations quickly
By leveraging online resources, knowing Xur’s usual haunts, and watching for visual indicators, you can significantly reduce the time it takes to find him each weekend.
Xur’s Exotic Inventory
Now that you know where and when to find Xur, let’s delve into the exciting part – what he’s got for sale. Xur is known for his selection of Exotic weapons and armor, which can give your Guardian a serious power boost. Here’s what you need to know about his inventory:
1. Exotic Weapons
- Each week, Xur offers one Exotic weapon for sale
- This could be anything from a hard-hitting hand cannon to a devastating grenade launcher
- The weapon is random and changes every week, so check back regularly
2. Exotic Armor
- Xur sells one piece of Exotic armor for each class (Hunter, Titan, Warlock)
- These armor pieces come with unique perks that can significantly alter your playstyle
- Like the weapon, the specific pieces change weekly and are random
3. Fated Engram
- In addition to the specific weapon and armor pieces, Xur sells a Fated Engram.
- This engram is guaranteed to decrypt into an Exotic you don’t already own
- If you’re missing a particular Exotic, buying a Fated Engram is a surefire way to get it
4. Exotic Ciphers
- Xur is one of the main sources for obtaining Exotic Ciphers
- These ciphers can be used to purchase older Exotics from the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower
- Ciphers can be earned by completing the Xenology quest, which I’ll cover in more detail later
5. Legendary Armor and Weapons
- Alongside his Exotic wares, Xur sometimes sells Legendary armor and weapons.
- While not as powerful as Exotics, these can still be worth picking up if the roll is good.
- Keep an eye out for high-stat armor pieces and weapons with desirable perks.
Xur’s inventory is always an exciting mystery until he arrives. While you can’t predict exactly what he’ll have, knowing the types of items he sells can help you plan your purchase strategy.
Utilizing the Xenology Quest
If you want to expand your Exotic collection, the Xenology quest is a must-do. This quest, offered by Xur, rewards you with an Exotic Cipher upon completion. Here’s how it works:
1. Obtaining the Quest
- Each weekend, speak to Xur and pick up the Xenology quest
- The quest is free to acquire, but can only be picked up once per week
2. Quest Requirements
- To complete the Xenology quest, you’ll need to rack up 21 points
- Points are earned by completing playlist activities:
- Strikes, Crucible, and Gambit matches award 1 point each
- Nightfall Strikes award 2 points
- Trials of Osiris matches award 3 points for a win, 1 for a loss
- The activities can be completed on any difficulty, so feel free to mix it up
3. Claiming Your Reward
- Once you’ve earned 21 points, return to Xur before the weekly reset
- Turn in the completed quest to receive your Exotic Cipher
- If you forget to claim your reward, don’t worry – completed quests can be held until the next time Xur appears
The Xenology quest is a straightforward way to earn Exotic Ciphers, which can be used to acquire Exotics from the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower.
Making the Most of Your Visit
You’ve found Xur and browsed his wares; now it’s time to make some decisions. With a limited number of Legendary Shards and a potentially tight shopping window, it’s important to prioritize your purchases.
Here are my tips for making the most of your visit to everyone’s favorite tentacled merchant.
1. Prioritize Missing Exotics
- If Xur is selling an Exotic you don’t have yet, that should be your top priority.
- Exotic weapons and armor can significantly change your playstyle and open up new build possibilities.
- Even if it’s not a “meta” item, it’s better to have it in your collection for future use.
2. Consider the Stats and Perks
- When evaluating armor pieces, pay close attention to the stat distribution
- High stats in desirable categories like Recovery or Intellect can make an armor piece worth buying
- For weapons, take a look at the perks – certain combinations can elevate a gun to must-have status
3. Grab the Fated Engram
- If you have the shards to spare, always buy the Fated Engram
- Since it’s guaranteed to give you an Exotic you don’t have, it’s a low-risk way to expand your arsenal
- This is especially useful when you’re getting close to completing your Exotic collection
4. Don’t Sleep on Legendaries
- While Exotics are the main draw, don’t ignore Xur’s Legendary offerings
- A well-rolled armor piece can be a significant upgrade, especially if it has high stats or synergistic perks
- Legendary weapons with top-tier perk combinations are always worth considering
By prioritizing your purchases based on what you’re missing and what has the most potential impact, you can ensure that every visit to Xur is productive.
Conclusion
Finding Xur each weekend is more than just a necessary task for Destiny players – it’s an exciting ritual filled with mystery and anticipation.
The elusive merchant’s ever-changing location keeps us on our toes, while his selection of Exotic gear has the potential to transform our Guardian’s loadout in thrilling ways.
Understanding Xur’s schedule, focusing your search on his favorite haunts, and utilizing community resources can streamline tracking him down each weekend.
Armed with this knowledge, you’ll spend less time scouring the solar system and more time perusing his tantalizing inventory.
The thrill of finally spotting Xur, whether tucked away in a Tower corner or perched atop a Nessian tree, never gets old. And the feeling of adding a shiny new Exotic weapon or armor piece to your collection?
Pure bliss.