How to get the Khvostov Exotic and all Lost Encryption locations in Destiny 2 (2024)

Khvostov, the fan-favorite auto rifle from the original Destiny, makes its exciting return in Destiny 2’s The Final Shape expansion. Sporting a new look and some fancy new tricks like ricocheting bullets, Khvostov is sure to see a lot of use.

The process for unlocking the Legendary variant of Khvostov and its Exotic counterpart can be a little confusing, so we’ll break it down below, including where to find all of the region chests and Lost Encryption Bits for the new Pale Heart of the Traveler location.

How to get the Legendary and Exotic Khvostov in Destiny 2

The steps to get the Khvostov in Destiny 2 are as follows:

1. Retrieve the Lost Encryption Bits from the nine region chests on the Pale Heart of the Traveler.
2. Retrieve the Lost Encryption Bits from the six Cysts Missions.
3. With all 15 Lost Encryption Bits, take the Code to the chest where you first received Khvostov all the way back in Destiny 1.
4. Collect the Mote of Primordial Light
5. Return all eight Visions of the Traveler to the Speaker’s Chamber

Here is every quest step in further detail:

How to get all Lost Encryption Bits from region chests

You start the Khvostov quest by collecting the Lost Encryption Bits from the Region Chests and scans from the Cyst missions — making 15 in total.

Nine golden region chests are scattered throughout three of the Pale Heart of the Travelers load zones. The Landing, the Blooming, and The Impasse each hold three chests. We’ll go over each location below.

The Landing region chest location 1

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The first region chest is found just south of The Landing Transmat location. Travel to The Landing and head down to the building embedded in the rock wall.

Credit: Bungie via Polygon

Use the rocks to jump into the room, as shown in the image above. The chest is located at the back of that room.

The Landing region chest location 2

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The second region chest is located in the tunnels near the right side of The Landing zone. Travel to the location highlighted on the map.

Credit: Bungie via Polygon

Enter the tunnels and jump down the large hole in the center. Land on the platform shown above, where you’ll find the chest.

The Landing region chest location 3

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The third and final region chest for The Landing area is in the waterfall below one of the large bridges. Travel to the location highlighted on the map above.

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Jump down behind the waterfall to find the chest.

The Blooming region chest location 1

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The first Blooming region chest is directly behind the Transmat zone for the area. To reach it, travel to the area on the map and use the tunnel in the nearby rock wall.

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Walk to the back of the area. The chest is up on the ledge shown in the above image.

The Blooming region chest location 2

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The second Blooming region chest is in the large tree on the north side of the load zone.

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Climb to the top to claim the chest.

The Blooming region chest location 3

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The third and final Blooming region chest is just to the west of the second chest.

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Look to the west from the tree, and you will see the chest along the cliff edge.

The Impasse region chest location 1

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The first region chest in The Impasse region is in the large schism on the north side of the area.

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Head to the location shown on the map and jump down to claim the chest.

The Impasse region chest location 2

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The second chest is on top of the large white structure on the east side of the map.

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Climb up to claim the chest.

The Impasse region chest location 3

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The third and final region chest is in a small cave near the lost sector. Head to the location on the map and find the cave shown above.

Credit: Bungie via Polygon

Right inside, you’ll find the last region chest.

How to get the Lost Encryption Bits from Cyst Missions

There are six Cyst Missions spread throughout the Pale Heart of the Traveler. You first unlock these by completing the “Alone in the Dark” mission for Micah-10. You can collect the Lost Encryption Bits from these first versions of the missions, but if you miss them, you can see them on the map and complete them again. You’ll be looking for a pile of random technology that allows you to interact with it.

Aerial Ace Lost Encryption Bit location

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After you complete the mission, go over the lava as you normally would to exit.

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Once you get off of the lava, look to your right. There is a small cubby tucked away where you’ll find the pile of technology.

Pervading Darkness Lost Encryption Bit location

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Once you complete the mission, go through the mouth-like cave shown above. You’ll find the pile of tech inside to the right.

Moth-Infested Cavern

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Once you enter the mission, go forward until you reach the room with the large Orge. (It’s one of the first rooms.) Kill the Orge and jump down as far as you can. The pile of tech is found in one of the small rooms on the right.

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Searing Light Lost Encryption Bit location

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Once you complete the mission, look for the room with the purple glow. Enter it and go to the left. You’ll find the pile of technology behind the rock.

Slayer Lost Encryption Bit location

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Once you complete the mission, look for the room above, framed by tree roots. Walk into the room to find the pile of technology.

Sword Dance Lost Encryption Bit location

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Go through the mission until you reach the above room. You’ll know you're in the right place because there will be a large Ogre you must kill. Jump down to the area highlighted above, use the sword relic to destroy the debris blocking the way, and scan the pile.

Retrieving the Legendary Khvostov-7G Lost Encryption Bit location

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Once you collect all 15 Lost Encryption Bits, you’ll be granted the Lost Encryption Code. Travel to the Impasse. Make your way West until you reach the old Cosmodrome-looking area. Enter through the door and make your way to the location above.

Credit: Bungie via Polygon

Use your Lost Encryption Code to open the chest and obtain the Legendary Khvostov-7G.

How to upgrade your Khvostov to the Exotic version

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To upgrade the Legendary Khvostov into an Exotic, you first need to collect all eight Visions of the Traveler, which are scattered around The Pale Heart. You can find hints for all of them in the Speaker’s Chambers in The Lost City, or follow our guide on where to find all Visions of the Traveler for exact locations.

You’ll also need to get all 17 Motes of Light. Eight Motes of Light come from Visions of the Traveler, while nine more come from killing bosses in Overthrow. Our guide on how to get Motes of Light can help you track them down. Once you have all 17 Motes of Light, they’ll transform into the Mote of Primordial Light.

Take the Mote of Primordial Light and your eight Visions of the Traveler to the Speaker’s Chamber. Place the Visions on their pedestals to spawn a chest in the water. Use your Mote of Primordial Light to open the chest and claim the Exotic Khvostov 7G-0X for yourself.

All done? If you’re after other The Final Shape Exotics, then we have explainers on how to get Microcosm, Euphony. Still Hunt, and Ergo Sum.