How to get gjallarhorn

Overview

The Gjallarhorn is a legendary Exotic Rocket Launcher in the popular online-only multiplayer first-person shooter video game, Destiny 2. Renowned for its immense power and iconic status, the Gjallarhorn has been a highly sought-after weapon since its initial introduction. Its unique perk, "Wolfpack Rounds," causes cluster missiles to split off from the main rocket, significantly increasing its damage output.

Initially, the Gjallarhorn was re-introduced into Destiny 2 through a specific questline associated with the "The Witch Queen" expansion. This quest, titled "A Hunt," guided players through a series of objectives to earn this coveted weapon. However, with subsequent updates and the introduction of the Exotic Kiosk (also known as the Monument to Lost Lights), the method of acquiring the Gjallarhorn has become more accessible, though still requiring specific in-game currencies and resources.

Acquisition Methods

The Witch Queen Expansion Quest (Historical)

When "The Witch Queen" expansion launched in February 2022, the Gjallarhorn was reintroduced to Destiny 2. Players who owned the expansion could embark on a quest called "A Hunt." This quest involved several steps, including collecting specific materials, defeating certain enemies, and completing activities. The culmination of the quest was the acquisition of the Gjallarhorn itself. While this quest is no longer the primary method for obtaining the weapon, understanding its history highlights its significance and the initial effort required to obtain it.

Xur, Agent of the Nine

Currently, the most reliable way for players to acquire the Gjallarhorn is by purchasing it from Xur, the Agent of the Nine. Xur is a mysterious vendor who appears every weekend in Destiny 2, typically from Friday reset (10 AM Pacific/1 PM Eastern) until Monday reset (9 AM Pacific/12 PM Eastern). His location changes weekly, and he can be found in various sectors across the solar system, including the EDZ, Nessus, the Tower, or the European Dead Zone.

Xur sells a rotating selection of Exotic weapons and armor. The Gjallarhorn is often featured in his inventory. To purchase it, players will need the following in-game currencies:

• Legendary Shards: These are obtained by dismantling Legendary and Exotic gear.
• Exotic Shards: These are rare materials used for specific high-tier purchases, often acquired from dismantling duplicate Exotic items or through specific vendors.
• Glimmer: The most common in-game currency, earned by completing activities, defeating enemies, and opening chests.

It is crucial to check Xur's inventory each week, as the Gjallarhorn is not guaranteed to be available every single weekend. Players should save up their Legendary Shards and Exotic Shards in anticipation of its appearance.

Random Exotic Engram Drops

Like most Exotic weapons and armor in Destiny 2, the Gjallarhorn also has a chance to drop from Exotic Engrams. These are special engrams that contain random Exotic items. Exotic Engrams can be obtained through various means:

• Xur's Exotic Engram: Xur offers a special Exotic Engram each week that is guaranteed to be an item you don't already own (unless you own all available Exotics from that pool). This is a good way to target specific Exotics if you're missing many.
• Nightfall: The Ordeal (Legend/Master/Grandmaster): High-difficulty Nightfall strikes have a chance to reward Exotic Engrams upon completion, especially at higher tiers.
• Prime Engrams: These rare engrams drop randomly from powerful enemies and offer a chance at Exotic gear.
• Season Pass Exotics: Certain tiers of the Season Pass may offer Exotic Engrams.

While this method is entirely based on luck, it means that even without purchasing from Xur, the Gjallarhorn can eventually be acquired through dedicated gameplay.

Why is Gjallarhorn So Desired?

The Gjallarhorn's enduring popularity stems from its exceptional performance in both PvE (Player vs. Environment) and, historically, PvP (Player vs. Player) content. Its "Wolfpack Rounds" perk, combined with the "Hjallarhorn" intrinsic perk that grants tracking and increased rocket magazine size, makes it a premier choice for boss damage and clearing large groups of enemies. It significantly boosts the damage output of the entire fireteam when multiple players are using it, due to a specific perk that grants benefits to allies.

In Destiny 2's PvE activities, such as raids and strikes, the Gjallarhorn is invaluable for dealing massive damage to bosses and champions. Its ability to output sustained, high damage makes encounters significantly easier and faster. While its PvP effectiveness has been adjusted over time, its PvE dominance remains undisputed, making it a staple in many players' loadouts for challenging content.

Tips for Acquiring Gjallarhorn

• Save Your Resources: Prioritize collecting Legendary Shards and Exotic Shards. Dismantle unwanted Legendary and Exotic gear regularly.
• Check Xur Weekly: Make it a habit to visit Xur every weekend and check his inventory.
• Complete High-Level Activities: Engage in challenging activities like Grandmaster Nightfalls for a chance at high-quality Exotic Engrams.
• Consider the Exotic Engram from Xur: If you have many Exotics already, Xur's specific Exotic Engram can be a targeted way to get the Gjallarhorn if it's one of the few you're missing.

Acquiring the Gjallarhorn requires patience and a bit of luck, but its power and utility in Destiny 2 make the effort well worth it for any Guardian.