Here’s our comprehensive guide on how to unlock the Ice Breaker exotic catalyst in Destiny 2’s Vesper’s Host dungeon.
Ice Breaker has finally made its return in Destiny 2, bringing some changes along with it. In Destiny 1, this exotic sniper rifle was considered one of the best weapons in the game, thanks to its unique perk that allowed it to generate ammo from thin air.
In Destiny 2, Bungie has preserved Ice Breaker’s ammo regeneration ability but introduced some tweaks to keep it balanced. If you want to learn more about its updated perks and stats, check out our detailed guide here.
Now, let’s dive into how you can unlock the exotic catalyst for the Ice Breaker sniper rifle in Destiny 2.
How to get Ice Breaker Exotic Catalyst in Destiny 2
In order to get Ice Breaker’s exotic catalyst, you need to complete two prerequisite quests, as these will unlock some locked doors, and mechanics required to unlock the exotic catalyst.
Here’s a quick overview of every puzzle and quest you need to complete for Ice Breaker’s exotic catalyst:
- “Rogue Network” quest from Spider: Completing this quest will unlock a secret room that allows you to focus dungeon weapons and armor pieces–including class items–by entering the corresponding codes using the Operator Augment. Check out our step-by-step guide on how to complete the “Rogue Network” quest here.
- “Access Override” Triumph: After completing the above quest and all the related puzzles, you’ll need to solve a set of three puzzles. After completing all three, you need to claim the “Access Overrides” triumph that will unlock the “Sub-Director Level Access Token.” This will allow you to focus dungeon armor pieces in the secret room.
- “Director Access” Triumph: Getting the sub-director level access unlocks yet another puzzle that will complete the objective of Ice Breaker’s exotic catalyst. Completing this puzzle will also give you “Full Access” to the BrayTech storage module, allowing you to enter four numbers in the secret room, which are required for the exotic catalyst.
- Ice Breaker Catalyst puzzle: Finally, in order to unlock the catalyst, you need to complete the final puzzle that will drop the exotic catalyst from the secret chest in the secret room.
Now, that you have an idea of what you need to do, let’s get started with how you can unlock the “Access” Override” triumph.
Destiny 2 Vesper’s Host: “Access Override” Secret Triumph
After finishing the “Rogue Network” quest from Spider, return to the Heart room after completing the first Vesper’s Host dungeon encounter (here’s how to complete it). You’ll notice a change: alongside the usual red numbers on the panels, there are now two sets of oval panels with blue numbers. The left oval panel displays a random number, while the right one always shows “00.”
Understanding the Oval Panels:
- Left Oval Panel: This displays the target number you need to reach by shooting specific red panels.
- Right Oval Panel: These panels will show you the numbers (red panels) you shoot with the Operator Augment.
Solving the First Puzzle
At the top of the middle section with the red panels, you’ll see four small triangles, with the first one lit up. This represents the number of shots you have to achieve the number shown on the left oval panel.
- Equip the Operator Augment and shoot four red panels that add up to the target number on the left oval panel.
- Example: If the target number is 15, shoot the red panels numbered 8, 4, 2, and 1. (8 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 15)
- Once you’ve hit the correct combination, you’ll receive an Ascendant Alloy and a datapad will appear on the right box. Collect the datapad to continue progressing the triumph.
Solving the Second Puzzle
The second puzzle is located before the second encounter in the orange room. It’s impossible to miss as there’s an Operator Augment right in the middle. Similar to the first puzzle, you’ll see a bunch of numbers on the red panel, but this time there are three oval panels in each set.
Also, the locations of the oval panels are inverted. The right blue panels show the target number that you need to match on the left blue panels.
Unlike the previous puzzle where you added the numbers, this time you need to multiply the numbers you from the red panels. Keep in mind, that you still have four shots to reach the target number.
- Equip the Operator Augment and check the target number in the blue panel. Choose four numbers from the red panels that, when multiplied together, equal the target number displayed on the right blue panels.
- Example: If the target number is 36, shoot the panels numbered 6, 3, 2, and 1. (6 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 36)
- Once you hit the correct combination of numbers, you’ll earn another Ascendant Alloy, and a new datapad will appear below the right blue panels. Collect the datapad to progress further in the triumph.
Solving the Third Puzzle
The final puzzle is located in the yellow-bar Servitor room, after completing the main jumping puzzle following the second encounter. This puzzle is even more complex than the previous two, as it introduces two sets of three blue panels and two sets of two blue panels, along with the standard red number panels.
Understanding the Oval Panels:
- Three Blue Panels (Top and Bottom Sets): The bottom set displays the final target number you need to match. The top set shows the result after completing the steps.
- Two Blue Panels (Left and Right Sets): These show the numbers you need to create by shooting the red panels. Each set requires a separate calculation.
How to solve it:
For this puzzle, you need to perform two separate additions, followed by a multiplication. The goal is to shoot a total of eight red panels to create numbers for the left and right blue panels, then multiply these two results to match the target number shown on the bottom blue panels.
- Equip the Operator Augment and check the target number on the bottom set of three blue panels.
- Shoot red panels to reach the desired number on the left set of two blue panels. You have four shots for each set of panels.
- Shoot another four red panels to create a separate number for the right set of two blue panels.
- Example: If the target number is 180, you could aim to make 12 (6 + 3 + 2 + 1) on the left panel and 15 (8 + 4 + 2 + 1) on the right panel, since 12 × 15 = 180.
- Multiply the values from the left and right blue panels together. The result must match the target number displayed on the bottom set of blue panels.
Once you have successfully solved the puzzle, a final datapad will appear. Collect this datapad to complete the triumph.
Destiny 2 Vesper’s Host: “Director Access” Secret Triumph
To unlock the “Director Access” secret triumph in Destiny 2, you’ll need to first complete the “Access Override” secret triumph. This will grant you the “Sub-Director Level Access Token,” which opens a new secret room in the dungeon.
The room is located right after defeating the Machine Priest that appears following the Tripmine grenade-filled area. (Shoutout to Selveten who was the first to solve this puzzle)
How to Find the Secret Room
After clearing the room the purple barrier will disappear. Don’t proceed forward, instead, turn left and you’ll see a platform ahead. Jump onto the platform, where you’ll find a narrow passage leading to a secret room. Inside, you’ll encounter a Fallen enemy holding the Operator Augment. Defeat this enemy to obtain the Augment.
Understanding the Puzzle Layout
Inside the room, you’ll find four pillars, each with a terminal, a set of red number panels, with a locked chest in the middle. To make the instructions clear, we’ll label the pillars based on your entry point:
- Far Left
- Far Right
- Close Left
- Close Right
To solve the puzzle, you’ll need to activate the terminals in a specific order and shoot the numbers displayed on the red panels while you have the Operator Augment.
Step-by-Step Solution:
- Activate the Far Right terminal and shoot 1000 into the Far Left panel.
- Activate the Close Right terminal and shoot 41114 into the Far Right panel.
- Activate the Close Left terminal and shoot 0011 into the Close Right panel.
- Activate the Far Left terminal and shoot 1 into the Close Left panel.
- Activate the Close Right terminal and shoot 0100 into the Far Left panel.
- Activate the Close Left terminal and shoot 0010 into the Close Right panel.
- Activate the Close Right terminal and shoot 3 into the Close Left panel.
- Activate the Far Right terminal and shoot 3 into the Close Left panel.
- Activate the Far Left terminal and shoot 114 into the Far Right panel.
- Activate the Far Right terminal and shoot 0101 into the Far Left panel.
- Activate the Far Left terminal and shoot 12114 into the Far Right panel.
- Activate the Close Left terminal and shoot 0010 into the Far Left panel.
- Shoot 0111 into the Close Right panel to complete the puzzle.
Once all steps have been followed correctly, the puzzle will be solved, unlocking the chest in the middle. Looting the chest will complete the Ice Breaker exotic catalyst objective and unlock the secret “Director Access” secret triumph. Claim the triumph before getting to the next part of the guide.
This will also unlock the ability to enter all four numbers in the second-level secret chest room with the Operator Augment, allowing you to focus dungeon weapons, in addition to the armor.
Destiny 2 Ice Breaker Exotic Catalyst Puzzle Explained
Unlocking the Ice Breaker Exotic Catalyst requires you to complete a final puzzle after clearing all previous puzzles and quests in the Vesper’s Host dungeon. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to complete it. (Huge shoutout to Skarrow9 for figuring out the puzzle)
How the Puzzle Works
To unlock the Ice Breaker Exotic Catalyst, you’ll need to find and destroy four Stasis crystals located throughout the Vesper’s Host dungeon. Each crystal reveals a datapad with a number.
Once you collect all four numbers, enter them in sequence into the panels in the second-level secret room. If done correctly, the chest in the room will drop the Ice Breaker Exotic Catalyst.
Important
All Stasis crystals must be destroyed using the Ice Breaker exotic sniper rifle.
First Stasis Crystal Location
The first Stasis crystal is located right after the first encounter. Walk up the staircase, and you’ll find it in the top right corner above the doorway as you enter the next room.
Destroy it using the Ice Breaker, and a datapad will appear in the ceiling, revealing a number. Be sure to note this number down for later.
Second Stasis Crystal Location
The second Stasis crystal is found in the traversal section before the first boss fight, where you need to deposit multiple Nuclear Cores. After depositing the third core, head to the next room and open the door.
Instead of going left towards the blue energy barrier, take a right turn to find the crystal behind a box. Again, destroy it with the Ice Breaker, revealing a datapad in front of the door behind the glass. Write down this number as well.
Third Stasis Crystal Location
The third Stasis crystal is located after defeating the first boss, Raneiks Unified. Make your way to the main jumping puzzle. As you drop down, turn around to see the crystal far in the distance.
Shoot it with the Ice Breaker, and the third datapad with a number will appear. Note this number for use at the end.
Fourth Stasis Crystal Location
The fourth and final Stasis crystal is located in the Tripmine room, which is also the area where you access the second-level secret room. Make your way towards the end of the Tripmine room, turn around, and you’ll see the crystal on the right.
Destroy it using the Ice Breaker, and it will reveal the last datapad with a number on the left wall. Note down this number as well.
Entering the Codes and Unlocking the Catalyst
After you’ve collected all four numbers, return to the second-level secret room. Pick up the Operator Augment, then enter the numbers into the corresponding panels in the sequence you found them.
Activate the terminal to complete the process, then loot the chest behind you. If everything is done correctly, you’ll unlock the Ice Breaker Exotic Catalyst.
Destiny 2: Ice Breaker Exotic Catalyst Perk Detailed
Ice Breaker’s exotic catalyst adds a new perk to the game called “Icing Breaker”. Here’s what it does:
- Icing Breaker: Landing a hit on a slowed or frozen target has a chance to return the round to the magazine.
And, there you have it! A very lengthy guide on how to unlock the new Ice Breaker exotic catalyst in Destiny 2. While you’re here, do check out our loot table for the Vesper’s Host dungeon that features all the weapon and armor drops for each encounter as well as other cosmetics rewards.
What are your thoughts on this quest and the exotic catalyst for Ice Breaker? Let us know in the comments below!
