Destiny 2: Guide to Unlocking the Ice Breaker Exotic Sniper Rifle

Key Takeaways:

1. The Ice Breaker sniper rifle is back in Destiny 2, but with new perks and mechanics that fit modern gameplay.
2. You can only earn the Ice Breaker through the Vesper’s Host dungeon, with specific methods to boost your chances of getting it.
3. This guide outlines the exact steps, tips, and strategies to increase your odds of unlocking Ice Breaker and explains its updated features.

The legendary Ice Breaker sniper rifle has made its long-awaited return in Destiny 2, much to the excitement of veteran players. Originally introduced in Destiny 1, this exotic weapon has been a fan favourite due to its unique ability to generate ammo over time. In Destiny 2, the Ice Breaker has been reimagined with updated perks and mechanics that make it a formidable addition to any Guardian’s arsenal. However, unlocking this weapon is no easy feat. It requires venturing into the Vesper’s Host dungeon and facing formidable challenges.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to obtain the Ice Breaker, increase your chances of it dropping, and explore what’s new with this iconic weapon. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just getting into the swing of things, this guide will give you all the details you need to secure Ice Breaker for your collection.

How to Unlock the Ice Breaker Exotic Sniper Rifle

If you’re looking to add Ice Breaker to your loadout, the first step is to take on the Vesper’s Host dungeon. Here’s how you can get started:

Step 1: Enter the Vesper’s Host Dungeon

To gain access to the Ice Breaker, you’ll need to complete the final encounter in the Vesper’s Host dungeon. This dungeon is part of Destiny 2’s The Final Shape expansion, and it offers a variety of challenging encounters, puzzles, and fierce enemies.

To access the dungeon, you will need a Dungeon Key, which can either be obtained by purchasing The Final Shape Deluxe Edition or bought separately in the Eververse store.

Once you have your key, you can start the quest by speaking with Spider in the Last City. Spider will direct you to the Vesper Station, a derelict Braytech facility orbiting Europa.

Step 2: Navigate the Dungeon and Defeat Atraks, The Corrupted Puppeteer

The Vesper’s Host dungeon is not for the faint of heart. Throughout the dungeon, you’ll face remnants of the Fallen House of Salvation, twisted enemies led by Atraks, The Corrupted Puppeteer. Atraks is your main target, and you’ll need to defeat them in the final encounter to have a chance at obtaining the Ice Breaker.

But here’s the catch: just because you defeat Atraks doesn’t mean Ice Breaker will automatically drop. The weapon has a random drop rate, so you may need to complete the dungeon multiple times to get your hands on this elusive sniper rifle.

Step 3: Maximize Your Chances of the Ice Breaker Dropping

While the Ice Breaker is a random drop from the dungeon’s final boss, there are several ways to increase your odds of getting it:

1. Repeated Dungeon Runs: The simplest method is to keep running the dungeon. Each time you defeat Atraks and the Ice Breaker doesn’t drop, your chances of obtaining it increase slightly, thanks to Destiny 2’s “pity” system. This system ensures that, after enough attempts, your odds of securing the weapon will significantly improve.
2. Run the Dungeon with Multiple Characters: You can increase your chances further by running the dungeon up to three times per week (once per character). This allows you to farm the dungeon more efficiently and increases the number of opportunities you have to obtain the Ice Breaker.

Triumphs That Boost Ice Breaker’s Drop Rate

In addition to rerunning the dungeon, completing specific triumphs in the Vesper’s Host dungeon can further improve your odds of the Ice Breaker dropping. Here are the key triumphs to aim for:

1. Alone in the Dark: Complete all encounters in Vesper’s Host solo, without leaving the activity. This triumph is challenging, but completing it gives you a significant boost in your chances of acquiring Ice Breaker.
2. Stationmaster: This triumph requires you to complete the dungeon on Master difficulty. Master difficulty amps up the challenge but also greatly increases your chances of getting Ice Breaker.
3. Buried Secrets: Scattered throughout the dungeon are collectibles tied to this triumph. Find all the hidden collectibles in Vesper’s Host to complete Buried Secrets and increase your drop rate for the Ice Breaker.

Completing these triumphs will take time and skill, but they offer substantial rewards for your efforts, giving you better odds of unlocking the Ice Breaker.

What’s New with Ice Breaker in Destiny 2?

The Ice Breaker has undergone some changes since its original introduction in Destiny 1. While it no longer generates infinite ammo as it once did, it has retained and added some impressive features that make it stand out in Destiny 2.

Perks and Traits of the New Ice Breaker

1. No Backpack: One of the key traits of the new Ice Breaker is the “No Backpack” perk. This perk allows final blows or assists with any other weapon or ability to generate ammo for the Ice Breaker. Additionally, defeating powerful combatants generates multiple rounds of ammo, ensuring you’re never completely without shots for long.
2. Ice Breaker Perk: The weapon’s signature perk causes defeated enemies to explode, a useful ability when dealing with groups of enemies. But that’s not all if you land a precision final blow or defeat a frozen target, the Ice Breaker causes an ignition, scorching nearby enemies. This synergy with Stasis and Solar subclasses makes the weapon incredibly versatile in various encounters.

How Does It Compare to the Original Ice Breaker?

While the new Ice Breaker doesn’t offer the luxury of infinite ammo, it still retains its role as a powerhouse weapon. Its ability to generate ammo and deal devastating AoE damage makes it a force to be reckoned with, especially in encounters where managing ammo is critical. The synergy between Stasis and Solar subclass abilities also makes it a more dynamic weapon in the modern Destiny 2 sandbox.

FAQ

1. How do I increase my chances of getting Ice Breaker in Destiny 2? Repeatedly running the Vesper’s Host dungeon and completing specific triumphs like Alone in the Dark, Stationmaster, and Buried Secrets will increase your chances of Ice Breaker dropping.

2. Can I farm the Ice Breaker multiple times per week? Yes, you can run the Vesper’s Host dungeon up to three times per week by using different characters, maximizing your chances of getting Ice Breaker.

3. What is the No Backpack perk? The No Backpack perk allows you to generate ammo for Ice Breaker by getting final blows or assists with other weapons or abilities. This perk ensures you’ll always have some ammo during extended fights.

4. Does Ice Breaker still have infinite ammo? No, the Ice Breaker no longer has infinite ammo, but the No Backpack perk allows you to generate ammo in different ways, making it a close approximation.

The return of the Ice Breaker in Destiny 2 brings a wave of nostalgia for longtime fans while introducing new mechanics that make it a formidable weapon in its own right. Although getting your hands on it requires dedication, skill, and some patience, the rewards are well worth the effort. By following the steps in this guide, running the Vesper’s Host dungeon, and completing the triumphs, you can increase your chances of adding this powerful exotic sniper rifle to your arsenal.