The Khvostov, a beloved auto rifle from the original Destiny, has made a triumphant return in Destiny 2‘s The Final Shape expansion. This iconic weapon, now sporting a refreshed design and exciting new features like ricocheting bullets, is quickly becoming a must-have for Guardians.
Unlocking both the Legendary and Exotic versions of the Khvostov involves a questline that might seem a bit intricate at first. This comprehensive Khvostov guide will walk you through each step, detailing the locations of all region chests and Lost Encryption Bits within the new Pale Heart of the Traveler destination. Follow this guide to add this powerful auto rifle to your Destiny 2 arsenal.
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining the Legendary and Exotic Khvostov in Destiny 2
Here’s a breakdown of the quest steps required to acquire the Khvostov in Destiny 2:
- Collect Lost Encryption Bits from Region Chests: Locate and open the nine region chests scattered throughout the Pale Heart of the Traveler to gather Lost Encryption Bits.
- Acquire Lost Encryption Bits from Cyst Missions: Complete the six Cyst Missions within the Pale Heart and find the hidden Lost Encryption Bits in each.
- Decipher the Code at the Original Khvostov Chest: Once you have all 15 Lost Encryption Bits, use the Lost Encryption Code to open the chest in the Impasse, reminiscent of the Cosmodrome location where you first found Khvostov in Destiny 1.
- Obtain the Mote of Primordial Light: Gather the necessary materials to craft the Mote of Primordial Light, essential for upgrading Khvostov.
- Return Visions of the Traveler to the Speaker’s Chamber: Collect all eight Visions of the Traveler hidden across the Pale Heart and place them in the Speaker’s Chamber.
Let’s delve into each of these steps with detailed instructions and locations to ensure you don’t miss a single item on your path to obtaining Khvostov.
Gathering Lost Encryption Bits from Pale Heart Region Chests
Your Khvostov journey begins by collecting Lost Encryption Bits. These are found within region chests and Cyst missions within the Pale Heart. A total of 15 Lost Encryption Bits are needed – nine from region chests and six from Cyst missions.
The nine golden region chests are distributed across three zones within the Pale Heart of the Traveler: The Landing, The Blooming, and The Impasse. Each zone contains three chests. Below are the exact locations for each chest.
The Landing Region Chest 1 Location
Alt text: Map showing location of the first region chest in The Landing area of Destiny 2’s Pale Heart for the Khvostov guide.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
The first region chest in The Landing is located south of the Transmat zone. Travel to The Landing and proceed down towards the building embedded in the rock face.
Alt text: First region chest inside a room accessible by jumping on rocks in The Landing, Destiny 2, part of the Khvostov weapon quest.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Use the rocks to jump up and enter the room as depicted in the image above. The chest is situated at the back of this room.
The Landing Region Chest 2 Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 map highlighting the tunnel entrance for the second region chest in The Landing, a step in the Khvostov Exotic quest.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
The second region chest is hidden within the tunnels on the right side of The Landing zone. Travel to the marked location on the map.
Alt text: Second region chest located on a platform after dropping into a hole within tunnels of The Landing in Destiny 2.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Enter the tunnels and drop down the large hole in the center. Land on the platform shown above; the chest will be there.
The Landing Region Chest 3 Location
Alt text: Map view showing the waterfall location for the third region chest in The Landing, Destiny 2 Khvostov guide.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
The final region chest in The Landing is located behind the waterfall beneath one of the large bridges. Navigate to the location highlighted on the map.
Alt text: Third region chest hidden behind a waterfall in The Landing area, Destiny 2, required for obtaining Khvostov.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Jump down behind the waterfall to discover the chest.
The Blooming Region Chest 1 Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 map showing the first Blooming region chest location, directly behind the transmat zone for Khvostov quest.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
The first Blooming region chest is directly behind the Transmat zone. To reach it, go to the area marked on the map and use the tunnel in the nearby rock wall.
Alt text: Fourth region chest on a ledge at the back of The Blooming area in Destiny 2, part of the Khvostov guide.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Walk to the back of the area. The chest is located up on the ledge as shown in the image.
The Blooming Region Chest 2 Location
Alt text: Map of Destiny 2 showing the location of the second region chest in The Blooming within a large tree, for Khvostov weapon.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
The second Blooming region chest is situated within the large tree on the north side of the zone.
Alt text: Fifth region chest at the top of a large tree in The Blooming, Destiny 2, needed for the Khvostov Exotic auto rifle.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Climb to the top of the large tree to claim this chest.
The Blooming Region Chest 3 Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 map pinpointing the location of the third Blooming region chest near a cliff edge, part of the Khvostov guide.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
The third Blooming region chest is located just west of the second chest.
Alt text: Sixth region chest along a cliff edge in The Blooming area, Destiny 2, required for Khvostov auto rifle quest.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Look west from the large tree, and you will spot the chest along the cliff edge.
The Impasse Region Chest 1 Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 map indicating the location of the first Impasse region chest in a large schism, part of the Khvostov Exotic quest.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
The first region chest in The Impasse is situated within the large schism on the north side of the area.
Alt text: Seventh region chest found by jumping down into a large schism in The Impasse, Destiny 2, for the Khvostov guide.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Head to the location shown on the map and jump down into the schism to find the chest.
The Impasse Region Chest 2 Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 map showing the second region chest in The Impasse atop a large white structure for Khvostov unlock.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
The second chest is located on top of the large white structure on the east side of the map.
Alt text: Eighth region chest on top of a white structure in The Impasse, Destiny 2, a step towards obtaining the Exotic Khvostov.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Climb up the structure to claim the chest.
The Impasse Region Chest 3 Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 map indicating the location of the final Impasse region chest inside a cave near a lost sector for Khvostov.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
The final region chest in The Impasse is inside a small cave near the lost sector. Head to the location on the map and find the cave entrance.
Alt text: Ninth region chest located inside a small cave in The Impasse, Destiny 2, the last chest for Lost Encryption Bits for Khvostov.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
The last region chest is located just inside this cave.
Obtaining Lost Encryption Bits from Cyst Missions
The remaining six Lost Encryption Bits are obtained from Cyst Missions within the Pale Heart of the Traveler. These missions unlock after completing the “Alone in the Dark” mission from Micah-10. You can collect the Lost Encryption Bits during the initial mission run, or revisit them later as they remain marked on the map. Look for a pile of interactable technology within each mission.
Aerial Ace Lost Encryption Bit Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 map showing the scannable tech area in the Aerial Ace Cyst mission for the Khvostov questline.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
After completing the Aerial Ace mission, proceed across the lava as you would normally to exit.
Alt text: Scannable technology pile located in a cubby on the right after exiting lava area in Aerial Ace Cyst mission, Destiny 2.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Once you are off the lava, look to your right. A small cubby tucked away contains the pile of technology.
Smothering Darkness Lost Encryption Bit Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 screenshot of the mouth-like cave entrance in Smothering Darkness Cyst mission where scannable tech is located for Khvostov.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Upon mission completion, proceed through the mouth-like cave shown above. The pile of tech is inside to the right.
Moth-Infested Cavern Lost Encryption Bit Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 screenshot of the Ogre room in Moth-Infested Cavern Cyst mission, leading to scannable tech for Khvostov.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
As you enter the Moth-Infested Cavern mission, continue forward until you reach the room with the large Ogre (one of the initial rooms). Defeat the Ogre and jump down as far as you can. The pile of tech is located in one of the small rooms to the right.
Alt text: Scannable tech pile in a small room to the right after defeating Ogre and jumping down in Moth-Infested Cavern, Destiny 2.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Searing Light Lost Encryption Bit Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 screenshot of the purple glow room in Searing Light Cyst mission, location of scannable tech for Khvostov.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
After completing the Searing Light mission, look for the room with a purple glow. Enter it and go to the left. The technology pile will be behind the rock.
Slayer Lost Encryption Bit Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 screenshot of the tree root framed room above in Slayer Cyst mission, where scannable tech is located for Khvostov.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Once you complete the Slayer mission, look for the room above, framed by tree roots. Enter this room to find the pile of technology.
Sword Dance Lost Encryption Bit Location
Alt text: Destiny 2 screenshot of the Ogre room in Sword Dance Cyst mission, leading to the scannable tech location for Khvostov.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Continue through the Sword Dance mission until you reach the room pictured above. You’ll know you’re in the correct location because of the large Ogre you need to defeat. Jump down to the highlighted area, use the sword relic to destroy the debris blocking your path, and then scan the pile of technology.
Claiming the Legendary Khvostov-7G
Alt text: Destiny 2 map showing the Impasse location for the Khvostov chest, reminiscent of the Cosmodrome, for the Legendary version.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
After collecting all 15 Lost Encryption Bits, you will receive the Lost Encryption Code. Travel to the Impasse. Head west until you reach an area resembling the old Cosmodrome. Enter through the door and proceed to the location shown above.
Alt text: Khvostov chest in a Cosmodrome-themed area in Destiny 2’s Impasse, containing the Legendary Khvostov-7G auto rifle.
Credit: Bungie via Polygon
Use your Lost Encryption Code to open the chest and obtain the Legendary Khvostov-7G.
Upgrading to the Exotic Khvostov-7G-0X
Alt text: The Exotic Khvostov auto rifle in Destiny 2, showcasing its unique design and powerful capabilities.
Image: Bungie via Polygon
To upgrade your Legendary Khvostov to the Exotic version, you must first collect all eight Visions of the Traveler, which are scattered throughout the Pale Heart. Hints for their locations can be found in the Speaker’s Chambers in The Lost City. For precise locations, you can also consult a dedicated guide for Visions of the Traveler.
Additionally, you’ll need to acquire 17 Motes of Light. Eight Motes of Light are obtained from the Visions of the Traveler, and the remaining nine are earned by defeating bosses in Overthrow activities. Our guide on Motes of Light can provide further assistance. Once you possess all 17 Motes of Light, they will transform into the Mote of Primordial Light.
Take the Mote of Primordial Light and your eight Visions of the Traveler back to the Speaker’s Chamber. Place the Visions on their respective pedestals to spawn a chest in the water. Use your Mote of Primordial Light to open this chest and claim the Exotic Khvostov 7G-0X for your collection.
Congratulations! You have successfully obtained both the Legendary and Exotic versions of the Khvostov in Destiny 2. Now you can enjoy this classic weapon with its modern upgrades in your Guardian adventures.
If you’re interested in acquiring other The Final Shape Exotics, we also have guides on obtaining Microcosm, Euphony, Still Hunt, and Ergo Sum.
