xur worth buying exotics

Is That Worth Buying?

Analysis 41 comments
 Published on: Jan 30, 2015 @ 4:37

Xûr is in town offering new gear. What’s worth your hard-earned Strange Coins?

Remember to finish the Urn of Sacrifice quest before he leaves!

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Inventory

Another TDB-only inventory. These same items was actually sold a few weeks ago at the beginning of January.

Item Class Subclass Type Strange Coin
Dragon’s Breath Any Any Rocket Launcher 17
Mk. 44 Stand Asides Titan Striker Boots 13
Don’t Touch Me Hunter Any Gauntlets 13
Starfire Protocol Warlock Sunsinger Chest 13

You can also test your luck with an Exotic gauntlet Engram! We have reviews for each of the Exotic gauntlets.

[divider]Dragon’s Breathdragon's breath exotic

The blast radius on Dragon’s Breath is huge; tied with Truth with the highest blast radius among rocket launchers. Its rate of fire is also the highest out of the Exotic rocket launchers.

It shares the ability to have 3 rockets in the magazine with Truth, although Dragon’s Breath requires the Tripod perk.

Dragon’s Breath unique perk, Pyromancer, will leave a solar grenade effect in its wake for about 5 seconds.

We have a fully upgraded review for this weapon as well as an Exotic rocket launcher comparison!

Should I buy it?

Dragon’s Breath really feels like a middle ground between Truth and Dragon’s Breath isn’t a bad weapon by any stretch of the imagination, and for some people in some situations, it may even preform better than the other Exotic launchers.

The low velocity for this weapon is what really brings it down, with close to the lowest of all rocket launchers.

Having a 3 round magazine size standard and replacing the first perk with proximity detonation might be something Bungie should test, as it would make the weapon a little more versatile while bringing it up to the same level as the other rocket launchers.

Without the ability to track targets, this rocket launcher definitely isn’t for everyone, but it can be very useful in a few PvE situations.

Dragon’s Breath is very fun to use, but when it comes time to kill some Wizards or anything but trash-mobs, Gjallarhorn is probably a better choice.

It’s probably not worth buying unless you’re desperate for a new rocket launcher.

Alternatives

Stats Compared to Other Rocket Launchers

  • Above Average: Blast Radius, Stability
  • Below Average: Velocity, Reload Speed

Notable Talents

  • Tripod – This launcher’s tube can hold three shells.
  • Pyromancer – Rounds fired from this weapon leave a Solar Flare upon detonation.

[divider]Mk. 44 Stand Asides (Striker)mk 44 stand asides exotic

The first pair of Exotic Titan boots (introduced with The Dark Below) are on sale yet again! Peregrine Greaves are coming with the House of Wolves.

These boots have 134/144 Strength, more than the last time they were sold.

Talents

  • Heavy Weapon Ammo – Increases the amount of Heavy ammo you can carry.
  • Be Somewhere Else – Increases the duration Shoulder Charge remains active.

Should I buy it?

The Mk. 44 Stand Asides are a solid pair of boots for any PvP-focused Striker who enjoys getting up close and personal with the enemy.

Often you’ll find that the window for shoulder charge is too short, having to plan your movement around getting that shoulder charge kill. These boots will extend the time it’s available by about 3 seconds, increasing it to 8 seconds from 5.

These will enable you to run a bit longer, and the high Strength will ensure a followup Storm Fist for anyone who somehow lives through your Shoulder Charge.

Use the Transfusion talent to further aid you on the field with health regeneration.

If you’ve got spare Coins, and need a PvP-specific Exotic for your Striker, give these a shot. Keep in mind that if you’ve already got an armor piece that increases heavy weapon ammo, it’s not going to stack with these boots.

We recommend an Exotic helm, chest, or gauntlet instead of the boots. Test your luck with the Exotic gauntlet Engram, but know that both of those are better for PvE than PvP.

Alternatives

[divider]Starfire Protocol (Sunsinger)starfire protocol exotic review

Starfire Protocol was also introduced with The Dark Below expansion and was sold just last week.

This chest piece has 134/144 Intellect – slightly more than the last time it was sold.

Talents

  • Fusion Rifle Ammo – Increases the amount of Fusion Rifle ammunition you can carry.
  • Heavy Weapon Ammo – Increases the amount of Heavy Weapon ammunition you can carry.
  • Starfire Protocol – Gain an additional Fusion Grenade.

Should I buy it?

Starfire Protocol’s main perk will give you an additional fusion grenade, but this does not stack with the Gift of the Sun talent, so you can only hold 2 grenades.

While this does pigeonhole you into taking Fusion grenades, it does free up the Angel of Light or Touch of Flame talent.

Touch of Flame allows your Fusion grenades to always ignite enemies, and in PvP this will help finish off anyone who you failed to stick the grenade to. Double this with Viking Funeral for extra ignite damage.

This chest piece will also increase your fusion rifle ammo and heavy ammo reserves, similar to the Heart of the Praxic Fire.

Forgetting about the increased ammo you can carry, this chest piece is worth buying for the additional Fusion grenade alone, assuming you enjoy using that grenade. The Fusion grenade deals 100 damage in a small blast radius and an additional 65 bonus damage when stuck to a target.

The Intellect on this armor increase the charge rate of Radiance, getting your double Fusion grenades back quicker than they would normally.

For this chest, it comes down to how much you enjoy the Fusion grenades. If you prefer Solar or Firebolt, the Heart of the Praxic Fire or Sunbreakers might be a better Exotic option.

An Exotic gauntlet Engram could reward you with the Claws of Ahamkara as well.

Alternatives

[divider]Don’t Touch Medon't touch me exotic gauntlets

The Don’t Touch Me gauntlets were also introduced with The Dark Below and are extremely useful in PvE. Ikaheka’s Hooks are coming with the House of Wolves.

These gauntlets only have 76/82 Discipline, lower than the last time they were sold.

While these technically aren’t a Bladedancer-only item, Bladedancer’s will benefit more from Defensive Reflex using their Shadowjack talent.

Talents

  • Special Weapon Loader – Increases the reload speed of all Special Weapons.
  • Inverse Shadow – Increased Super energy gained from killing minions of the Darkness.
  • Defensive Reflex – Taking damage from a melee attack makes you briefly invisible.

Should I buy it?

These are definitely worth buying for PvE! The perks for these gauntlets are excellent, and you’re able to use them on both subclasses.

The Defensive Reflex perk allows you to quickly escape any enemy in PvE if they get too close for comfort. Using the Shadowjack talent will increase your invisibility after getting struck to 6 seconds (3 more seconds than normal)!

Don’t Touch Me will also increase your Super energy from kills in PvE, a great addition of course, but unfortunately not one you can use outside of PvE.

The perks on these gauntlets are very well rounded, and will be extremely helpful in situations where you’re getting swarmed, especially in Crota’s End.

While Defensive Reflex could be useful in PvP too, it’s unlikely that people will lose sight of you that easily for it to be effective. If you need some better PvE armor, pick these up.

Alternatives