H1 Darkness in the Light: A Comprehensive Guide to Destiny 2’s Malfeasance Quest
The Malfeasance, a hand cannon dripping with Taken energy, stands as a testament to Destiny 2’s rich lore and rewarding questlines. Obtaining this exotic weapon is no walk in the park; it requires dedication, teamwork, and a solid understanding of the activities involved. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the “Darkness in the Light” quest, ensuring you’re well-equipped to claim this powerful hand cannon for yourself.
**Why Pursue Malfeasance?**
Before diving into the specifics, let’s understand why Malfeasance is worth the effort. This hand cannon possesses a unique perk called “Explosive Shadow,” which causes slugs to burrow into enemies. Stacking enough slugs will trigger a powerful explosion, dealing significant damage, especially against Taken enemies and Guardians in Gambit. Furthermore, Malfeasance is highly effective against Unstoppable Champions, making it a valuable asset in various PvE activities.
**Quest Prerequisites**
* **Forsaken Expansion:** You must own the Forsaken expansion to access the Dreaming City, where the quest originates.
* **Gambit Access:** You need access to Gambit to complete several quest steps.
* **Sufficient Power Level:** A decent Power level (1750+) is recommended to tackle some of the challenges.
**Starting the Quest: The Drifter’s Call**
The “Darkness in the Light” questline begins with a simple invitation from the Drifter, Destiny 2’s enigmatic Gambit vendor. After reaching the Dreaming City for the first time (upon completing the Forsaken campaign’s initial missions), return to the Tower and speak to the Drifter. He’ll offer you the initial quest step, “City of Secrets.”
**Step 1: City of Secrets**
* **Objective:** Complete the “City of Secrets” mission on the Dreaming City.
* **Details:**
* Head to the Dreaming City destination. The “City of Secrets” mission is a special adventure icon on the map. If the icon is not visible, make sure you have progressed the Forsaken campaign enough.
* This mission involves navigating through the Dreaming City, facing Taken enemies, and solving light environmental puzzles. The puzzles often involve shooting specific objects or using abilities in certain locations.
* Pay attention to the mission dialogue, as it provides hints to the puzzle solutions.
* The final encounter involves defeating a challenging Taken boss. Focus on ad clear first and then concentrate fire on the boss during damage phases. Utilize your Super and heavy weapons to expedite the process.
* **Tips:**
* Bring a fireteam if you find the mission challenging.
* Use weapons effective against Taken enemies, such as the Wish-Ender bow.
* Communicate with your team to coordinate strategies and puzzle solutions.
**Step 2: The Corrupted**
* **Objective:** Complete the “The Corrupted” Strike.
* **Details:**
* The Corrupted Strike is a unique strike that takes place in the Dreaming City and involves Taken and Hive enemies.
* The strike is accessible from the Dreaming City destination map.
* This strike contains complex mechanics involving orbs of light and darkness. Players need to pick up orbs of corresponding light and darkness and throw them at each other to charge them. A charged orb can then be thrown at shields to break them.
* Coordinate with your fireteam to effectively manage the orbs and break enemy shields.
* The final boss fight is a multi-stage encounter requiring precise timing and teamwork.
* **Tips:**
* Communicate clearly with your fireteam about orb management.
* Prioritize eliminating Taken Hobgoblins, as their snipers can be deadly.
* Use Well of Radiance or Ward of Dawn for survivability during boss damage phases.
**Step 3: Gambit: Primeval Hunting**
* **Objective:** Win Gambit matches and defeat Taken enemies in Gambit.
* **Specifics:**
* Defeat 25 Taken enemies in Gambit.
* Win 5 Gambit matches.
* **Details:**
* This step requires a considerable time investment, as it involves both winning matches and actively hunting Taken enemies.
* Focus on completing bounties and seasonal challenges to maximize your Gambit rewards while progressing this step.
* Prioritize clearing waves of enemies quickly to spawn Taken blockers.
* Invade frequently and eliminate opponents to disrupt their Primeval damage.
* **Tips:**
* Use weapons effective against Taken, such as the Wish-Ender bow or Malfeasance (if you have it).
* Coordinate with your team to invade effectively and disrupt the opposing team.
* Focus on banking motes quickly to summon blockers and pressure the enemy team.
**Step 4: Gambit: Motes of Darkness**
* **Objective:** Deposit motes and deny motes to the opposing team.
* **Specifics:**
* Deposit 400 Motes.
* Lose 100 Motes.
* **Details:**
* Depositing motes is straightforward – simply collect motes and deposit them at the bank. Play cautiously and avoid dying with a large number of motes.
* Losing motes can be frustrating, but it’s a necessary step. Avoid banking too often so you have a chance to lose motes by dying.
* It is important to actively try to lose motes, instead of passively waiting for it to happen. Play aggressively, take risks while carrying motes and invade as much as possible.
* **Tips:**
* Play carefully when carrying a large number of motes.
* Prioritize surviving engagements, especially when close to banking.
* Invade enemy side when having a high number of motes to try to lose them.
**Step 5: The Meatball: Primeval Servitor**
* **Objective:** Defeat the Ascendant Primeval Servitor in Gambit.
* **Details:**
* The Ascendant Primeval Servitor, often referred to as the “Meatball,” is a rare Primeval that can spawn in Gambit matches.
* Its appearance is random, so you’ll need to play multiple Gambit matches to encounter it.
* When the Meatball spawns, it will have a strong shield that needs to be taken down quickly. The shield will recharge quickly if damage is not sustained.
* The Meatball also spawns Taken Knights that apply stacks of a debuff to players. At 10 stacks, the player will be suppressed.
* Focus all your team’s firepower on the Meatball when it spawns.
* Communicate with your team to coordinate damage phases and ability usage.
* **Tips:**
* Use weapons with high burst damage, such as sniper rifles and grenade launchers.
* Save your Super for the Meatball encounter.
* Coordinate with your team to apply debuffs and maximize damage output.
* If you are struggling to find the Meatball, play Gambit during weeks with increased Gambit rewards, as this usually coincides with an increased Meatball spawn rate.
**Step 6: Darkness in the Light (Mission)**
* **Objective:** Complete the “Darkness in the Light” mission on the Tangled Shore.
* **Details:**
* This mission takes place on the Tangled Shore and involves investigating a Hive infestation.
* You will be guided through the mission via the mission marker and voice prompts from Drifter.
* The mission involves fighting through waves of Hive enemies and solving environmental puzzles.
* The final encounter is a challenging boss fight against a powerful Hive Knight named Navôta, Eir Spawn. Navota has an immunity shield that will be active periodically and must be broken with the orbs that spawn in the arena.
* Focus on ad clear during the boss fight and coordinate with your team to break the boss’s shield and deal damage.
* **Tips:**
* Bring weapons effective against Hive enemies, such as auto rifles and pulse rifles.
* Use Well of Radiance or Ward of Dawn for survivability during the boss fight.
* Prioritize eliminating Hive Knights and Wizards, as they can pose a significant threat.
**Step 7: Speak to the Drifter**
* **Objective:** Return to the Drifter in the Tower.
* **Details:**
* Speak to the Drifter in the Tower. He will congratulate you on your efforts and award you with the Malfeasance.
**Tips for Success**
* **Teamwork is Key:** Many of these steps are significantly easier with a coordinated fireteam. Communicate effectively and strategize together.
* **Weapon Loadout:** Adapt your weapon loadout to the specific challenges of each step. Consider using weapons effective against Taken, Hive, or specific enemy types.
* **Power Level:** Ensure you are at a sufficient Power level to effectively engage with the enemies in each activity.
* **Patience is a Virtue:** The “Darkness in the Light” quest can be time-consuming, especially the Gambit-related steps. Don’t get discouraged; persevere, and you’ll eventually claim your Malfeasance.
* **Focus on Bounties:** While completing the quest steps, focus on completing relevant Gambit and Dreaming City bounties to maximize your rewards and progress.
* **Utilize Destiny 2 Resources:** Utilize Destiny 2 resources like websites, apps, and online communities to find fireteams, guides, and tips.
**Detailed Breakdown of Gambit Steps**
The Gambit steps are often the most challenging and time-consuming part of the quest. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you optimize your approach:
* **Gambit Wins:**
* Focus on playing strategically and coordinating with your team.
* Prioritize banking motes quickly to summon blockers and pressure the enemy team.
* Invade effectively to disrupt the enemy team’s progress.
* Communicate with your team about enemy positions and invade timings.
* **Taken Kills:**
* Taken enemies spawn more frequently when you summon blockers.
* Prioritize clearing waves of enemies quickly to spawn Taken blockers.
* Use weapons effective against Taken, such as the Wish-Ender bow or Malfeasance (if you have it).
* Pay attention to the audio cues indicating Taken enemies are spawning.
* **Mote Deposits:**
* Play cautiously when carrying a large number of motes.
* Prioritize surviving engagements, especially when close to banking.
* Deposit motes frequently to avoid losing them.
* Coordinate with your team to bank motes simultaneously to summon larger blockers.
* **Mote Losses:**
* Actively try to lose motes by taking risks and invading frequently.
* Don’t be afraid to die with a large number of motes.
* Use suboptimal weapons to put yourself at a disadvantage.
* Focus on completing this step quickly so that you can focus on winning matches.
* **Ascendant Primeval Servitor (Meatball) Strategy:**
* The key to defeating the Meatball is sustained damage output.
* Coordinate with your team to apply debuffs and maximize damage output.
* Focus on ad clear during damage phases to avoid being overwhelmed.
* Use Well of Radiance or Ward of Dawn for survivability.
* If you are struggling to find the Meatball, play Gambit during weeks with increased Gambit rewards, as this usually coincides with an increased Meatball spawn rate.
**Alternative Strategies and Tips**
* **Fireteam Finder:** Utilize Destiny 2’s Fireteam Finder to find dedicated groups focused on completing the Malfeasance quest.
* **Cheese Tactics (Use at Your Own Risk):** While not recommended, some players attempt to cheese certain steps, particularly the Meatball encounter. However, these methods are often unreliable and may be patched out by Bungie.
* **Seasonal Mods:** Take advantage of seasonal artifact mods that enhance specific weapon types or abilities. These mods can significantly improve your effectiveness in Gambit and other activities.
* **Experiment with Builds:** Experiment with different class builds and weapon loadouts to find what works best for you.
**Post-Quest: Mastering Malfeasance**
Once you’ve obtained Malfeasance, take the time to master its unique perks and playstyle. Here are some tips for maximizing its effectiveness:
* **Gambit Domination:** Malfeasance excels in Gambit. Use it to quickly dispatch blockers, invade effectively, and deal significant damage to the Primeval.
* **Taken-Heavy Activities:** Malfeasance is a valuable asset in activities with a high concentration of Taken enemies, such as the Shattered Throne dungeon and certain Nightfall strikes.
* **Unstoppable Champions:** Malfeasance can be used to stun Unstoppable Champions, making it a viable option in Nightfalls and other challenging activities.
* **PvP Potential:** While not a meta weapon, Malfeasance can be effective in PvP, particularly in close-quarters engagements. The explosive slugs can deal significant damage and disrupt enemy formations.
**Conclusion**
The “Darkness in the Light” quest is a challenging but ultimately rewarding endeavor. By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the quest steps, overcome the obstacles, and claim the Malfeasance for yourself. With dedication, teamwork, and a solid understanding of the activities involved, you’ll be wielding this powerful hand cannon in no time. Good luck, Guardian, and may your journey be filled with legendary loot!