Xûr is in town offering new gear. What’s worth your hard-earned Strange Coins? DestinyDB.com gives us some insight into these items, and alternatives to his current inventory. [divider]
Inventory
| Item | Class | Subclass | Type | Strange Coin |
| Red Death | Any | Any | Pulse Rifle | 23 |
| Helm of Saint-14 | Titan | Defender | Helm | 13 |
| Achlyophage Symbiote | Hunter | Gunslinger | Helm | 13 |
| Sunbreakers | Warlock | Sunsinger | Gauntlets | 13 |
Tip: Plan on buying a Helm and a Helm Engram? Buy & decrypt the Engram first to avoid potential duplicates![divider]
Weapon
Red Death (Pulse Rifle)
If you’re low on Recovery (Hunters), Red Death’s main feature is an absolute savior. Watch how quickly your health regenerates after kills. Combined with a faster reload, Red Death is all about keeping you in the fight to chase new blood. High Impact, low ROF. 9-shot clip, possible 2-shots in PVP.
Should I buy it?
Yes, but only if you can spare the coins, prefer Pulse Rifles, and play aggressively. We believe it has definite utility, but a fair number of owners seem to dislike it. RD is very different from the much-maligned Bad Juju (getting a buff soon) which has great ROF but low impact.
- Alternative Buy(s) – Vanguard Marks: Super Pox VLO
- Alternative Buy(s) – Crucible Marks: Fair and Square, Tango Da Nada, Three Little Words
Stats Compared to Other Pulse Rifles
- Above Average: Impact, Equip Speed, Reload
- Below Average: Range, Stability, Rate of Fire
Talents (see Red Death for full tree)
- Aggressive Ballistics – +Impact, +Stability, -Range. Good choice for medium-range PVP.
- Unflinching – Better aim under fire. Underrated for winning fights through more precision shots – the extra 50% damage could make the difference.
- High Caliber Rounds – While Unflinching keeps your aim cool, they’ll be fighting to keep their aim steady. A great pairing to further push engagements in your favor.
- Red Death – Namesake main feature. Each kill heals you and speeds up reloads. It’s doesn’t help you mid-fight, but it’ll help you get to the next one ASAP without waiting behind cover.
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Armor
Helm of Saint-14 – Titan Helm (Defender)
Since The Glasshouse is not yet in-game (see: expansion content), Helm of Saint-14 is the only Exotic Helm specific to Defenders. It’s main feature: People who enter your Ward of Dawn are blinded. Phenomenally-enticing.
- Rain Blows – Faster melees are great, since fights inside Ward of Dawn often turn into fisticuffs.
- Inverse Shadow – A talent thrown in for PVE: more Super energy from minion kills. Always a help.
- Starless Night – Blind enemies inside Ward of Dawn. Extremely strong talent.
Should I buy it?
Currently a must-own for Defender mains.
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Achlyophage Symbiote – Hunter Helm (Gunslinger)
Similar to Helm of Saint-14, the Achlyophage Symbiote is the only Gunslinger-specific helm out there. Mask of the Third Man is for Bladedancers, and Knucklehead Radar – sold last week – is a general helm. Main feature is an extra shot for your Golden Gun, upped from 3 to 4.
- Fastball – Can’t throw ‘nades where you want them? Throw them further! Especially practical in PVE.
- Ashes to Asset – Grenade kills replenish Super energy. Anything for more Golden Guns!
- Last Man Standing – Golden Gun gains an additional shot. Score.
Should I buy it?
Yes, although it certainly depends on how much you value the Golden Gun. An extra shot means an extra kill and Orbs of Light. It takes two shots to destroy a Defender’s shield, so the two remaining shots could vaporize multiple exposed Guardians. If you’re a Gunslinger without Exotic armor, this is definitely a good one to grab.
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Sunbreakers – Warlock Gauntlets (Sunsinger)
A frequent product from Xûr! Already its third time on-sale. They’re the only Warlock gauntlets thus far (more coming in the expansion), and focus on the use of grenades – specifically Solar Grenades.
- Special Weapon Loader – Reload Special weapons faster. Nice overall perk. Invective, anyone?
- Serpent’s Tail – Causing melee damage reduces grenade cooldown. More grenades!
- Helium Cycle – Increases the duration of Solar Grenades. Great area-denial.
Should I buy it?
If you’re a Sunsinger, chances are you probably already own them – for good reason. It’s one of only two Exotics specifically tailored for Sunsingers, the other being Heart of the Praxic Fire (which has much different talents). Ultimately, it comes down to this: do you like Solar Grenades? Do you need a Warlock Exotic to raise your Light level? Here’s your chance. Again. Thanks, Xûr.