In Destiny 2, one of the most mysterious and memorable quests from the Shadowkeep expansion is the Essence of Despair. This quest draws players back to the haunting surface of the Moon, where echoes of trauma and darkness from the Hive’s influence still linger. The Essence of Despair represents more than just another mission it symbolizes a Guardian’s confrontation with inner conflict, fear, and corruption while pursuing power. Understanding how to complete this quest efficiently while exploring its lore significance helps both new and returning players progress smoothly through the Shadowkeep storyline.
What Is the Essence of Despair in Destiny 2?
The Essence of Despair is one of several Essence quests introduced in the Shadowkeep expansion. Each essence represents a corrupted fragment that players must cleanse to obtain a powerful piece of Dreambane armor. These armor pieces are essential for exploring the Nightmare Hunts and advancing through the Moon campaign.
Specifically, the Essence of Despair quest rewards players with the Dreambane Greaves for Titans, Dreambane Boots for Warlocks, or Dreambane Strides for Hunters. The theme of despair reflects the emotional burden left by the Nightmares manifestations of past trauma that haunt Guardians on the Moon. Completing this quest serves both a practical and symbolic purpose, blending gameplay with storytelling in a uniquely Destiny way.
How to Start the Essence of Despair Quest
Players receive the Essence of Despair quest early in the Shadowkeep campaign after completing the opening mission on the Moon. It is part of Eris Morn’s efforts to cleanse corrupted essences collected from Nightmare enemies. Once the Essence of Despair is obtained, it appears in the player’s quest inventory, with objectives that must be fulfilled before purification can occur at the Lectern of Enchantment near Eris’s location.
Essence of Despair Quest Objectives
The quest usually contains two main objectives
- Complete activities to cleanse the Essence of Despair (typically by earning 500 points).
- Obtain a specific item called the Horned Wreath, which is required for purification.
The 500-point requirement can be completed through almost any activity on the Moon or within the general Destiny 2 world. Points are earned by completing bounties, patrols, Lost Sectors, public events, and killing enemies. The process is flexible, allowing players to progress naturally as they play other missions.
Step 1 Complete Activities
The fastest way to earn activity points for the Essence of Despair is to combine different Moon-based objectives. Completing public events, Lost Sectors, and daily bounties from Eris Morn quickly builds progress. For example, participating in the Altars of Sorrow event provides both experience and essence progress simultaneously.
Players should focus on efficiency by stacking multiple tasks at once collecting resources, completing patrols, and fighting Nightmares all contribute to the cleansing process. Fireteams can also speed up progress since shared kills and event completions count for everyone involved.
Step 2 Find the Horned Wreath
The Horned Wreath is the specific item required to complete the cleansing ritual. It can be found inside the Chamber of Night, a location deep within the Hellmouth on the Moon. To reach it, players must start from the Anchor of Light or Sanctuary and make their way into the Hellmouth through its winding tunnels.
Inside the Chamber of Night, players will encounter numerous Hive enemies. The Horned Wreath is located in a room toward the end of the area, sitting inside a dark alcove on the right-hand side. Once picked up, the item automatically registers in your quest inventory, signaling that the cleansing step can now be completed.
Purifying the Essence of Despair
After meeting both objectives earning 500 activity points and acquiring the Horned Wreath players must return to the Lectern of Enchantment near Eris Morn’s location. Interacting with the lectern allows you to cleanse the Essence of Despair, finalizing the quest. Upon completion, you receive your Dreambane armor piece and gain the ability to pursue additional Essence quests for the rest of the Dreambane set.
The Symbolic Meaning of Despair in Destiny 2
Beyond gameplay, the Essence of Despair holds narrative depth within Destiny 2’s broader lore. Despair reflects the darkness and guilt that haunt Eris Morn and the Guardians who face the Nightmares on the Moon. It is an emotion tied to failure, loss, and the never-ending cycle of war against the Hive. The Moon itself serves as a reminder of past mistakes the site of the Great Disaster, where countless Guardians fell trying to defeat Crota.
By purifying the Essence of Despair, players metaphorically face this darkness and reclaim their strength. The cleansing ritual represents transformation turning pain into power. Each essence, including Despair, plays a part in this process of spiritual cleansing and personal growth, which aligns closely with the game’s central themes of light and darkness.
Tips for Completing the Essence of Despair Efficiently
1. Focus on Moon Activities
Although you can earn progress in other areas, Moon activities are the fastest way to complete the 500-point requirement. Lost Sectors like K1 Communion or K1 Revelation are ideal spots for quick kills and loot farming. Public events near the Anchor of Light also contribute significantly.
2. Combine Bounties and Essence Progress
Eris Morn offers daily and weekly bounties that reward XP, glimmer, and activity progress. Completing these while working on the Essence of Despair saves time and maximizes rewards. Some bounties even overlap directly with your quest goals, such as defeating Hive or using specific weapon types.
3. Use a Fireteam
Joining a fireteam makes the process faster and more enjoyable. Teaming up allows you to complete events and kill enemies more efficiently. Shared participation in events like the Altars of Sorrow helps everyone progress simultaneously.
4. Manage Your Inventory
Before heading into the Chamber of Night, make sure you have enough space in your inventory for quest items. While Destiny 2 usually handles quest objects automatically, keeping your inventory organized helps avoid confusion when managing multiple Essence quests.
5. Don’t Forget the Lectern
After collecting the Horned Wreath and completing your points, remember to return to the Lectern of Enchantment. Many players forget this final step and wonder why their quest doesn’t update. The purification can only occur at the lectern near Eris, not from your inventory screen.
Other Essence Quests Related to Despair
The Essence of Despair is only one of several essence quests in Destiny 2 Shadowkeep. Other examples include the Essence of Isolation, Essence of Pride, and Essence of Fear. Each corresponds to a different emotional state and piece of Dreambane armor. Completing all of them is required for the full set, which is necessary for entering Nightmare Hunts and progressing through Eris Morn’s story missions.
These quests not only provide strong armor but also deepen the connection between gameplay and storytelling. Every essence purified represents a step toward understanding and mastering the psychological weight of the Guardian’s journey through the darkness.
The Essence of Despair in Destiny 2 captures the perfect balance between narrative symbolism and player engagement. It is both a test of patience and perseverance, challenging Guardians to overcome internal and external struggles alike. By cleansing despair, players demonstrate resilience a quality essential to every Guardian’s survival against the Hive and the forces of darkness. Whether you’re a new player exploring the Moon for the first time or a returning veteran seeking to complete your Dreambane armor, understanding the essence’s meaning and process will make your journey smoother and more meaningful. In Destiny 2, despair is not the end it’s the beginning of renewed strength and clarity for every Guardian who faces the shadows.