Destiny 2's Heresy Act III: A Deep Dive into New Modes & Storylines

The final chapter of Episode: Heresy has arrived, bringing a mix of nostalgia and fresh challenges to Guardians. Here’s everything you need to know about Act III’s new content, live as of April 1, 2025.

Revamped Sunless Cell Strike

The fan-favorite Sunless Cell Strike from Destiny: The Taken King returns with a major overhaul. The reworked version features a new final boss (replacing Aluk-Hul) and storyline updates to align with Destiny 2’s current narrative. Expect revamped mechanics and dialogue tying into Eris Morn’s ongoing struggle against the Hive Pantheon.

Rite of the Nine Dungeon Event

This limited-time PvE event challenges Guardians with enhanced versions of three dungeons:

• Prophecy
• Spire of the Watcher
• Ghosts of the Deep

Completing these dungeons rewards updated weapons with new perk pools and visual designs. The event rotates weekly, offering a mix of mechanics and enemy density tweaks for veteran players.

Guardians can look forward to a total of 12 new weapons coming to the loot pool as well, with Adept versions up for grabs for completing the dungeons on higher difficulties:

• Prosecutor Auto Rifle
• Relentless Pulse Rifle
• Judgment Hand Cannon
• A Sudden Death Shotgun
• Wilderflight Grenade Launcher
• Long Arm Scout Rifle
• Liminal Vigil Sidearm
• Terminus Horizon Machine Gun
• New Pacific Epitaph Grenade Launcher
• No Survivors Submachine Gun
• Greasy Luck Glaive
• Cold Comfort Rocket Launcher

Heavy Metal PvP Mode

Destiny 2 introduces a chaotic new Crucible mode called Heavy Metal, which shifts the focus to vehicle-based combat. Players can commandeer Fallen Brigs and Drake Tanks, engaging in team-based destruction with arcade-style mechanics that prioritize fast-paced action.

Unlike the competitive precision of Trials of Osiris, Heavy Metal is all about high-energy gameplay. Completing matches in this mode rewards players with unique emblems and weapon ornaments, adding a touch of flair to their Guardian's appearance.

Barrow-Dyad Exotic SMG Catalysts

The Strand-based Barrow Dyad Exotic SMG receives its final two catalysts and an intrinsic perk, unlocking:

• Target Lock Catalyst: Dominate with precision – this refit turns the SMG into a boss-shredding monster, unlocked via the secret "Silken Path" quest in the Nether’s Hull Breach.
• One For All Catalyst: Amplify your fireteam’s power – complete the "Hundredfold Path" quest by hunting Tithing Wormspawn across the Dreadnaught’s darkest corners.
• Dyadic Perfection: Unlock the SMG’s ultimate potential – swap between Resolution (precision buffs) and Ambition (aggressive playstyles) after collecting Taken Osseous Fragments in the Sunless Cell Strike.

Quest Breakdown

• A Hundredfold Path:
  • Complete the Sunless Cell Strike with Barrow Dyad equipped to obtain the Trembling Osseous Spine.
  • Hunt Tithing Wormspawn in the Nether’s Court of Souls, Trenchway, and Mausoleum.
• A Silken Path:
  • Collect Coalescence of the Knife from Ravenous Wormspawn in Hull Breach, Fonts, and Mausoleum zones.
  • Survive a brutal hidden encounter in the Nether’s deepest trenches.
• Dyadic Perfection:
  • Scour the Sunless Cell Strike for 6 Taken Osseous Fragments hidden in Hive ritual sites.
  • Finalize the SMG’s evolution at Eris Morn’s shaping slab to unlock dual intrinsic perks.

Story Progression & Seasonal Quest

The Crossed Blades Act III questline begins in Eris Morn’s Throne World, featuring:

• Key narrative moments: Tense interactions between Eris and Oryx
• New mission types: Hive rift incursions with puzzle mechanics
• Rewards: High-stat armor and weapon patterns69

Destiny 2: Crossed Blades Act III Story & Quest Breakdown
The Crossed Blades Act III questline serves as the narrative backbone of Heresy Act III, advancing Eris Morn’s confrontation with Oryx’s echo and setting up the final clash with Xivu Arath’s forces. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

Quest Structure & Key Steps

1. Throne World Introduction
   • Starting Point: Teleport to Eris’ flat in the Last City, then enter the Hive rift to her Throne World.
   • Critical Dialogue: Witness a tense exchange between Eris and Oryx’s echo, revealing her use of Savathûn’s throne world remnants to contain him.
2. Sunless Cell Strike
   • Objective: Complete the revamped Sunless Cell strike, witnessing new dialogue referencing Eris’ growing power.
   • Mechanics: Hive rift incursions and puzzle-based encounters tied to Eris’ ritual sites.
3. Vengeance Side Quests
   • Requirements: Complete four of six available side quests from the Shaping Slab, including:
     • Glaive/Sword Kills: Defeat enemies in the Nether or Court of Blades.
     • Rune Submissions: Collect and deposit runes during Court of Blades encounters.
   • Efficiency Tip: Equip a Glaive to simultaneously progress multiple objectives in Court of Blades.

Rewards & Progression

• Weapons: Heresy-themed weapons with origin traits tied to Hive magic (e.g., Gravity Well for ammo efficiency).
• Armor: High-stat gear with Eris’ ritualistic aesthetic, obtainable via weekly challenges.
• Triumphs: Chosen Path Triumph requires completing the Derealize mission by May 6, 2025.

Why It Matters

Crossed Blades Act III bridges Heresy’s story to The Final Shape, with Eris’ morally ambiguous tactics foreshadowing potential alliances (or betrayals) in the coming expansion.

The quest reveals Eris is using Oryx’s echo to bait Xivu Arath into a trap, leveraging both Hive and Taken energy to destabilize her sister’s forces. The Guardian will also act as Eris' "truest knife," drisrupting Hive incursions while she consolidates power.

Activity Updates & Rewards

• Expert Nether/Court of Blades: Improved Adept weapon drop rates based on performance tiers
• New Artifact Mods: Focused on underused subclasses and weapon types (exact details remain undisclosed)
• Iron Banner Returns: Coinciding with Act III’s launch, offering updated armor sets and weapons. Iron Banner will run for 2 weeks in April:
  • April 1st to April 8th
  • April 29th to May 6th