The Wicked Implement, a Stasis exotic scout rifle, is one of the standout weapons introduced in Destiny 2’s Season of the Deep. Unlocking this powerful weapon involves a multi-step quest that blends fishing, combat challenges, and exploration. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you obtain the Wicked Implement.
Step 1: Catch the Exotic Fish
The journey to acquiring the Wicked Implement begins with fishing. You need to catch three specific Exotic fish located in different regions:
- Whispering Mothcarp: Found in Savathûn’s Throne World.
- Vexing Placoderm: Located on Nessus.
- Aeonian Alpha-Betta: Available in the European Dead Zone (EDZ).
Fishing was introduced alongside the Season of the Deep, making this activity a core part of the quest. Once you’ve caught these fish, head to the H.E.L.M. and deposit them in the aquarium tank. This will reward you with three items known as Broken Blades, each representing different attributes: Strife, Ambition, and Cunning.
Step 2: Activate the Hive Statues in Deep Dives
With the Broken Blades in hand, your next task is to use them at three Hive statues during the Deep Dive activity. These statues are hidden in different locations, often requiring players to complete certain encounters before they become accessible. Specifically, you’ll find these statues in the underwater tunnels and cave sections throughout the Deep Dive activity. Activating all three statues will unlock the Whetstone encounter, which is crucial for progressing further.
Step 3: Complete the Whetstone Encounter
The Whetstone encounter is a challenging battle that requires a coordinated fireteam. The fight centers around defeating Khul, Executioner Knight, and then Omen, Blade of the Black Terrace. These bosses appear in separate phases, with each phase requiring players to manage the “Deadly Sharp” buff. This buff is obtained by killing Honed Minotaurs and is needed to damage the bosses effectively.
In the first phase, players need to locate and shoot darkness nodes to lower barriers that protect Honed Minotaurs. Once three stacks of the Deadly Sharp buff are achieved, the fireteam can deal damage to the boss. The second phase involves navigating a maze-like arena while being pursued by Omen. Players must again kill the minotaurs to acquire the buff before dealing damage to the boss. Successful completion of this encounter grants access to the Wicked Implement rifle.
Step 4: Unlock the Wicked Implement Catalyst
For players looking to enhance the Wicked Implement’s capabilities, unlocking its Catalyst is the next step. The Catalyst grants an Overflow perk, where collecting Stasis Shards gradually refills the weapon’s magazine. To get the Catalyst, players need to complete a Tier 7 Deep Dive event. This requires interacting with Taken orbs in each arena and completing the Pressure Trials to initiate the event. While the Catalyst is most likely to drop at Tier 7, it can also drop at lower tiers, albeit with reduced chances.
Tips for Completing the Quest
- Team Coordination: While the Deep Dive can be attempted solo, it’s highly recommended to join a fireteam for the Whetstone encounter and the Tier 7 Deep Dive. Using tools like the official Destiny 2 LFG can help you find teammates.
- Recommended Loadout: For the Whetstone encounter, a combination of Divinity for precision damage, a Well of Radiance for healing, and a high-DPS weapon like a linear fusion rifle can make the boss fight significantly easier.
- Persistence in Fishing: Exotic fish are rare catches, so be prepared for multiple fishing attempts before acquiring all three. Remember, only one member in your fireteam needs to catch the fish to progress.
The Wicked Implement is not just a weapon; it’s a testament to the game’s immersive blend of activities. From fishing to combat, this quest showcases the diverse gameplay elements Destiny 2 offers. Unlocking this rifle adds a potent Stasis scout weapon to your arsenal, perfect for Guardians who enjoy precision shooting and control-oriented gameplay.