Destiny 2: The Final Shape is bringing back a lot of memories for veteran Guardians. Whether it’s the old destinations being remade in the Pale Heart or the callbacks to big moments in the lore, there’s plenty for older fans of the franchise to indulge in. Perhaps the most sentimental thing players can obtain in The Final Shape, though, is a reformed variation of the Khvostov 7G-02, the first weapon all Guardians got to wield back in Destiny 1.
However, the fun doesn’t stop there. Not only is the Khvostov back, but it’s back in both a Legendary and Exotic form, both of which are very different weapons. To unlock the Exotic Khvostov 7G-0X (which we’ve already covered in another guide if you’re curious), you will need to obtain the Legendary Khvosto 7G-02 which requires its own set of ordeals revolving around a strange Encryption Code within The Pale Heart.
Here’s how to unlock the Legendary Khvostov 7G-02 in Destiny 2: The Final Shape.
If you’re looking for more Destiny 2 content and articles, then you can find some here on KeenGamer:
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- Destiny 2 | All Warlord’s Ruin Secret Bonus Chest Locations
- Destiny 2 | All Bones of Hefnd Locations in Warord’s Ruin (Ahamkara Bones)
- Destiny 2 | How (and When) to Get All Wish-Keeper Catalysts
The Original
How to Unlock the Legendary Khvostov in Destiny 2: The Final Shape
Within the Pale Heart, if you return to where we found the original Khvostov all those years ago (in The Divide), you’ll find a familiar golden chest waiting for you. The easiest way to reach this location is to arrive at The Impasse and then make your way back into The Divide via the Old Russia Wall. This will take you through the opening area of the original Destiny until you arrive back at where you picked up the Khvostov for the first time.
However, unlike most regional chests, this one won’t open until you have the correct encryption key. The only way to obtain this key is to pick up all 15 Encryption Bits, small items found in various places across the Pale Heart. Nine of them can be found in Regional Chests while the final six need to be plucked from the depths of the Cysts, special mini-activities you’ll gain access to as part of Micah-10’s lost Ghost questline.
Once you’ve found all the Encryption Bits, they’ll combine in your inventory to become a special Encryption Key. This unlocks the special golden chest containing the Legendary Khvostov 7G-O2, the first weapons our Guardians received after being resurrected.
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- The Classic Model
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- Legendary Khvostov Location
All Encryption Bit Locations
Pale Heart Regional Chests
The first, and easiest, batch of Encryption Bits drops from the Regional Chests scattered around the Pale Heart. These chests worm exactly as they do in all other Destiny 2 locations: they’re special golden chests which are usually hidden in inconspicuous or hard-to-reach locations in a patrol space.
For the Pale Heart, there are a total of nine regional chests to locate, three in each of the destination’s major locales. These are The Landing, The Blooming, and The Impasse, the three locations where Guardians can partake in the new Overthrow activity. To find the regional chests, look on your map for a small white cross.
Unlocking all nine of the regional chests will net you the Gilded Treasure Triumph, as well as the first nine Encryption Bits you need to advance towards obtaining the Khvosotv. Now, you need to dive into the Cysts.
Pale Heart Regional Chest Markers
Sword Dance Cyst Encryption Bit Location
The first Cyst you’ll unlock access to is the Sword Dance Cyst, which is located in The Refraction area of the Pale Heart. Sword Dance has you don the blades of the Hive to cut through a cavern laden with their gunk and grime, something that only their tools of war will break.
To find the first Cyst Encryption Bit, proceed through the Cyst until you reach the room with three Void Crystals being guarded by a pack of Hive and an Ogre. Usually, you would kill all the Hive and break all of the Crystals to open the path forward, which is being blocked off by a wall of green Hive energy.
Instead, once you reach this room, go down below where the Ogre spawns. In the back of the room, underneath where the exit door is located, you should see a hallway packed with Hive muck that you should break down with your Sword. Doing so will clear the hall, revealing a broken set of scrap at the other end. Interacting with this pile of junk will get you your first Encryption Bit.
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- Smash Your Way to the Ogre Room
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- Sword Dance Bit Location
Moth Infested Cavern Cyst Encryption Bit Location
The second Cyst you’ll need to complete to unlock Khvostov is the Moth Infested Cavern Cyst. This is also located in The Refraction: in fact, it’s in the same location as the Sword Dance Cyst. To change the current Cyst from Sword Dance to the Moth Infsted Cavern, you need to interact with the Light Bird just before you enter The Refraction from The Landing. This option will only become available once you’ve rescued three of Micah-10’s Ghosts during the Lost in Darkness missions.
As for the Cyst itself, it’s one of the harder ones as you’ll be tasked with exploring a pitch-black cavern full of venomous Hive, all the while being hunted by ravenous packs of Lucent Moths.
To reach the Encryption Bit, proceed through the Cyst as normal until you reach the first Hive Plate you need to stand on. Instead of doing as you’re told, jump into the area underneath the plate and then look around for a small cave entrance. Inside, you’ll find your next pile of scrap and your next Encryption Bit.
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- Go Under the Hive Plate
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- Moth Infested Cavern Bit Location
Searing Light Cyst Encryption Bit Location
Searing Light is up next and it’s the first Cyst in The Seclusion, the area of the Pale Heart with Zavala’s old home. The objective of Searing Light is to shut down a flaming Hive totem in the middle of the room by destroying a series of Void Crystals. Then, you must defeat a powerful Hive Knight while still trying to stave off the flames.
The best way to get this Encryption Bit is to wait until you’ve finished the Cyst and exercised both the Knight and the totem. Then, look around for a room bathed in purple light and walk into it. In a dark corner of this room, your next pile of junk, and Encryption Bit, awaits.
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- Searing Light Bit Location
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- Searing Light Bit Map Location
Slayer Cyst Encryption Bit Location
The alternative to the Searing Light Cyst is the Slayer Cyst. Like before, to change the current Cyst, you must visit the Light Bird in The Blooming, who awaits you right before you cross the threshold into The Seclusion. Additionally, you need to have completed four of the Lost in Darkness missions for Micah-10.
Like with Searing Light, we recommend completing the Slayer Cyst before searching for the Encryption Bit. This time, you must strip a giant Hive Ogre of its shield by defeating Hive Lightbearers and turning their Light against it.
As for the rubbish pile, you’ll find it near the Cyst’s exit (which is actually the entrance from Searing Light. Behind a dead tree on your way out of the Cyst will be the fourth Encryption Bit.
Slayer Bit Location
Aerial Ace Cyst Encryption Bit Location
Aerial Ace is the second-to-last Cyst you’ll need to complete to obtain the Khvostov 7G-02. It’s located within the barren land of The Transgression, the area closest to The Witness’ monolith and infested with Dread. The objective of this Cyst is rather simple: clear out all of the Taken Blights while avoiding the lava on the floor.
The path to the Aerial Ace Encryption Bit is blocked off until you cleanse the Cyst of infection. After clearing it, head towards te Cyst’s exit, a small cave lit up by a bright pink crystal.
Upon crossing the lava and arriving safely on the other side, keep an eye out on the right side of the path because, shortly after reaching land, a hidden passageway will become available to you. Inside that passage will be the fifth Encryption Bit.
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- Skate Across the Lava
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- Aerial Ace Bit Location
Smothering Darkness Cyst Encryption Bit Location
Finally, the last Cyst you need to pilage is the Smothering Darkness Cyst, the mirror to Aerial Ace. To activate it, you must first rescue five Ghosts as part of Micah-10’s Lost in Darkness quests. Then, head to The Impasse and interact with the Light Bird before you enter The Transgression.
Now, a layer of unfathomable Darkness covers the whole Cyst. This will slow you to crawl and prevent you from double jumping. Instead, you’ll need to use the Taken to push you to new areas so that you can cleanse the area of Blights.
Finish the Cyst as normal and then make your way to the exit, which, once again, is actually the entrance from Aerial Ace. After passing into a craggy cavern highlighted by a large pink crystal, jump down into the large fissures on the floor instead of safely making your way out of the Cyst. In a corner to the right of the area will be the last pile of scrap, securing your fifteenth Encryption Bit. Now, all you need to do is return to that chest in The Divide and the Khvostov is yours.
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- Enter the Cave
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- Smothering Darkness Bit Location
Khvostov 7G-02 Gun Overview
The Legendary version of the Khvostov 7G-02 is noticeably different from its shiny new Exotic variant, the Khvostov 7G-0X. Firstly, while the weapons share a frame and firing cadence, the 7G-02 takes much more after the Exotic variant of the weapon introduced in Rise of Iron, which allowed you to completely alter the weapon’s barrels, scopes, and even RPM. While the Destiny 2 version isn’t as extensive, you can choose between three kinds of barrels – Hammer-Forged, Full Bore, or Polygonal Rifling – as well as three kinds of magazines – Alloy, Steady Rounds, or Extended Mag – to suit the Khvostov to your needs.
Additionally, Khvostov has three perks in the first column and two perks in the second, with access to the Dealer’s Choice Origin Trait that all Pale Heart weapons receive. Khvostov’s first column has three perks revolving around your core abilities: Strategist improves the synergy between your weapon and your class ability, whereas Swashbuckler and Demolistionst do the same for your melee and grenade, respectively. Meanwhile, in column two, you get to choose between Multikill Clip for additional damage or Attrition Orbs for more consistent orb generation.
Amazingly, you can also Enhance the weapon as if it’s an Adept, causing a big bump in its stat total and causing all of its perks to become Enhanced. This is a great option for those who want to take the Khvostov into endgame content.
The Khvostov 7G-02
Overall, the Khvostov 7G-02 feels like the ultimate version of the gun we picked up all those years ago. While the Exotic variant obviously packs more firepower, the 7G-02 has all the charms of the original but honed to a fine edge. It feels incredible to fire and the customisation allows you to really change it to suit your needs, no matter what kind of Guardian you are.
That was how to unlock the Legendary Khvostov 7G-02 in Destiny 2: The Final Shape. If you want to know how to unlock the Exotic Khvostov 7G-02, you can find our guide on it here.
