The Definitive Guide to Acquiring the Sleeper Simulant in Destiny 2
The Sleeper Simulant is more than just a weapon; it’s a statement. This exotic linear fusion rifle, nestled within your heavy slot, is a symbol of dedication and a testament to your ability to overcome any challenge Destiny 2 throws your way. While the path to acquiring it is lengthy, the reward is well worth the effort. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to claim the Sleeper Simulant as your own.
Why Choose Sleeper Simulant?
Before embarking on this quest, it’s important to understand why the Sleeper Simulant stands out amongst other heavy hitters like Whisper of the Worm and 1000 Voices.
- Solo-Friendly: Unlike Whisper, which often demands a coordinated fireteam for its challenging hidden mission, or 1000 Voices, a random drop from the Last Wish raid, the Sleeper Simulant quest can be completed entirely solo.
- Forgiving Gameplay: While Whisper reigns supreme in DPS with its White Nail perk, it requires pinpoint accuracy and ideal conditions. Sleeper Simulant offers a more forgiving experience, allowing for consistent damage output even with less-than-perfect aim.
Embarking on the Quest: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
While a power level of 380 is recommended, reaching 400+ will ensure a smoother experience.
Step 1: Complete the Warmind Campaign
Your journey begins on Mars. Dive into the Warmind DLC and complete all five story missions. This unlocks the "Data Recovery" milestone, your gateway to the Sleeper Simulant.
Note: Players who used a character boost or started playing after Forsaken launched will already have this step completed.
Step 2: Speak with Ana Bray
Head to Ana Bray on Mars and accept the "Data Recovery" quest. This grants you the "Legacy Code" quest item.
Step 3: Complete "Legacy Code" and "A Piece of the Past"
These missions, marked on your map, are your next objective. "Legacy Code" is recommended at 340 light and takes approximately 15 minutes. Completing it rewards you with "A Piece of the Past," another mission that culminates in "giving Rasputin the Engram." This grants you the powerful Ikelos Handcannon (IKELOS_HC_V1.0.1).
Step 4: Complete "Violent Intel" (Hive & Cabal Kills)
Return to Ana Bray and accept "Violent Intel," which also grants you "Nascent Dawn 1/5" (crucial for a later step). This step requires 300 Hive kills and 300 Cabal precision kills on Mars, with the Ikelos Handcannon equipped.
Tips:
- Only Cabal kills require headshots.
- The Ikelos Handcannon only needs to be equipped, not used for the kills.
- Hive Farm: Escalation Protocol Level 1 offers a high concentration of Thrall and Acolytes.
- Cabal Farm: The "Incursion" Adventure near Glacial Drift features a section ("Ambush the Red Legion") ideal for racking up precision kills. Use the explosives, eliminate the Cabal, and die to reset the encounter.
Step 5: Complete "Rasputin’s Culling" (Powerful Enemy Kills)
This step requires defeating 50 powerful enemies (yellow health bars, mini-bosses, or bosses) on Mars with the Ikelos Handcannon equipped.
Tip:
- The entrance to the Leviathan raid on Nessus is teeming with yellow-bar Cabal. Use snipers and rocket launchers for efficient clears.
Step 6: Complete "Warmind’s Glory" (5 Strikes)
Simplicity itself. Complete any five strikes with the Ikelos Handcannon equipped. No need for Nightfalls.
Tip:
- "Lake of Shadows" is generally considered the fastest strike.
Step 7: Complete "Nodes and Protocols" (Escalation Protocol & Sleeper Nodes)
This step has two parts:
- Escalation Protocol: Complete three Escalation Protocol levels. Level 1 can be easily soloed.
- Sleeper Nodes: This is where "Nascent Dawn 1/5" comes into play. You’ll need to activate 15 Sleeper Nodes scattered across Mars.
Understanding Sleeper Nodes:
- Resonate Stems: These are required to craft Override Frequencies, which unlock Sleeper Nodes. You need 4 Resonate Stems per Override Frequency.
- Farming Resonate Stems: Focus on activities like Lost Sectors, Public Events, and Patrols on Mars.
- Recommended Farm: The "Core Terminus" Lost Sector offers a good balance of speed and efficiency.
- Override Frequency Locations: Once you have enough Resonate Stems, consult a resource like this website to pinpoint the location of each Sleeper Node.
Step 8: Complete "Protocol "Perfected Form"" (Will of the Thousands)
This step requires completing a special mission version of the "Will of the Thousands" strike with the Ikelos Handcannon equipped. At a power level of 400+, this should be manageable solo.
Step 9: Claim Your Reward
Return to Ana Bray, and the Sleeper Simulant is yours!
Conclusion
The path to the Sleeper Simulant is a grind, but the feeling of unleashing its raw power makes it all worthwhile. This guide has provided you with the knowledge and strategies needed to conquer this quest. Now, go forth and claim your prize, Guardian!
