Hidden beneath the Avalon node lies one of Destiny 2’s most secretive missions – The Variable. Finishing it isn’t just a challenge of skill but also the key to earning the Exotic Void glaive, Vexcalibur, a weapon pulsing with Vex technology and mystery.
Vexcalibur is a new craftable Exotic Void glaive, available to those who have the season, that provides over-shields to you and your allies when you block with the weapon. To unlock the quest that grants you the weapon, you’ll first need to complete a small puzzle in the Gulch area of the EDZ. Once you complete the puzzle you’ll unlock the new Avalon secret mission that grants you the new glaive.
In this Destiny 2 guide, we’ll go over how to unlock the Vexcalibur Void glaive and how to start and navigate “The Variable” quest.
How to get Vexcalibur in Destiny 2
Head to The Gulch in the EDZ public zone and interact with six glowing data nodes scattered across the area within a 30-second timer per sequence, repeating until all are activated to reveal a cave entrance in the southeast. Enter the cave, interact with the Harpy inside to launch the NODE.OVRD.AVALON secret mission, and complete its encounters: navigate the Vex trenches maze downward, input symbol codes from hidden keys at three confluxes while fighting enemies, collect and deposit data from Vex kills during the nullifier phase (repeating through portals until the miniboss falls), tackle platforming sections, and defeat the final boss. Finish the mission to claim Vexcalibur from the reward chest at the end, then take it to the Enclave for crafting and trait upgrades.
The steps to get Vexcalibur in Destiny 2 are as follows:
- Investigate the Gulch in the EDZ where Guardians have reported anomalous objects.
- Follow the digital traces.
- Explore the Vex network node in the EDZ and discover its secrets. (Play ‘Avalon’ mission //node.ovrd.AVALON//.)
- Bring the object from the Vex network to the War Table for analysis.
The mission at the end of this quest is 1800 Power level, other than that the quest is pretty straightforward to complete.
Once you have Vexcalibur, there are a few things to follow up on from week 2 onwards – including unlocking the Authorization Override mod, the M1R Distribution Matrix II intrinsic, and the Immovable Refit trait. But first, here is every quest step in further detail:
How to start ‘The Variable’ in Destiny 2
To begin The Variable quest, visit the EDZ and head to the location near the Gulch. Collect several Vex nodes scattered throughout the area, which will emit a distinct glow and pulse when approached. After gathering all of them, a hidden portal will appear, transporting you into a secret area. Complete the short mission that follows to advance the questline and progress toward obtaining the Vexcalibur Exotic glaive.
You start this quest by completing the code in the Gulch. This requires you to collect the six code fragments, we’ll go over each of the locations below.
Finding the nodes in the Gulch of the EDZ
There are six code fragments that you must collect. You have 30 seconds in between each pickup to get to the next one. The order we’ve placed them in below is the order we suggest you pick them up in.
1. You’ll first trace at the top of the hill next to the Cabal gear.
2. Turn around, you’ll find the second trace below the bridge.
3. The third trace is in the trees up on the hill opposite the first trace.
4. The fourth trace is in the dead center of the area amongst the group of trees.
5. From the fourth trace, look at the large Cabal door, the fifth trace is directly to the right in some trees.
6. Continue along the wall from the fifth trace, and you’ll eventually see the sixth and final trace above the roadsigns.
Follow the traces to the cave to unlock the ‘Avalon’ //node.ovrd.AVALON// mission
Head up to the area near the third trace. Follow the path and you’ll see the cave on the left-hand side. Enter the cave and reach the harpy to start the mission //node.ovrd.AVALON//. Once you start the mission in this way, it’ll be available on the EDZ in the director.
Completing the ‘Avalon’ //node.ovrd.AVALON// mission
In the Avalon node, complete the sequence of trials and defeat the node’s final boss to secure Vexcalibur, ensuring you’ve satisfied the mission’s objective and collected the required fragments for the weapon’s reveal.
Complete the mission. If you need help, the following video walkthrough from prominent community member Esoterickk can help:
Remember, after you get Vexcalibur, there are a few things to follow up on from week 2 onward – including unlocking the Authorization Override mod, the M1R Distribution Matrix II intrinsic, and Immovable Refit trait. Let’s go through these one-by-one now.
How to get Authorization Override for Vexcalibur
After you claim Vexcalibur from “The Variable,” the post-mission quest “Vexcalibur: Authorization Override” appears at the H.E.L.M.’s war table. Equip the glaive and defeat Vex anywhere in the system until the quest updates, then inspect Vexcalibur to slot the new Authorization Override mod. Once installed, this mod lets your glaive’s shield let you pass through Vex barriers inside //NODE.OVRD.AVALON//, granting access to extra switches, chests, and intrinsic upgrades tied to the Exotic mission.
Once you acquire Vexcalibur, you’ll get the quest “Vexcalibur: Authorization Override.” This is a short quest that involves killing Vex with the glaive. Upon completion, you’ll be granted the Authorization Override mod that you can slot into Vexcalibur. This will allow you to pass through barriers.
How to get M1R Distribution Matrix II for Vexcalibur
Equip Vexcalibur with the Authorization Override mod, then load back into the //NODE.OVRD.AVALON// mission and progress to the opening arena. From the first main platform, use the glaive’s barrier-breaking ability to pass through the Vex wall near the green node and follow the hidden path to a secret chest. Looting this chest completes the Data Retrieval: Substrate Triumph and awards the M1R Distribution Matrix II intrinsic, which you can then slot at the Mars Relic while reshaping Vexcalibur.
Similar to Revision Zero, an Exotic pulse rifle introduced in Season of the Seraph, this glaive will update its intrinsic week to week, allowing you to craft it more and more to your liking. To unlock this first upgraded intrinsic, you’ll first need to slot in the Authorization Override mod discussed above. Once you have that on your glaive, enter the Avalon mission on normal or Legendary.
Once you slide down the ramp, jump down, and turn around, you’ll see a green button that you’ll need to jump to and activate. Once activated, continue on until you reach the other side of the loop, you’ll know you’re in the right spot when you look up and see the barrier.
Sheild with Vexcalibur to pass through the barrier and open the chest. This will unlock the first upgraded intrinsic which can be inserted at the Enclave.
Getting the Immovable Refit for Vexcalibur
To earn the Immovable Refit for Vexcalibur, complete the mission again after acquiring the glaive and locate the hidden chests scattered throughout the area. Each chest grants data fragments that you can exchange at the HELM to upgrade your weapon. The Immovable Refit enhances Vexcalibur’s defensive traits, improving its shield duration and resilience during combat. Completing these runs not only strengthens your glaive but also lets you fine-tune its performance to match your preferred playstyle.
Once you complete the Avalon mission and acquire Vexcalibur, you’ll unlock the Legendary version of the mission. Complete this Legendary mission to unlock the Immovable Refit.
Vexcalibur best perks and god roll
Vexcalibur is all about maximizing shield uptime and using its Exotic overshield loop, so the “god roll” focuses on shield duration, handling, and free reloads in PvE, with a slightly rangier setup in PvP.
PvE god roll
For general and endgame PvE, prioritize shield duration and quality-of-life:
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Haft: Auxiliary Reserves – massively increases shield duration so you can block longer and keep Void overshields rolling.
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Magazine: Light Mag (or Swap Mag) – Light Mag offsets the reload penalty from Auxiliary Reserves and adds some range; Swap Mag is an alternative for snappier swaps.
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Stock: Short-Action Stock – boosts handling so drawing, blocking, and swapping feels much faster.
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Catalyst trait: Robber Retrofit/Refit – melee final blows or charged melee damage reload the magazine from reserves, letting you keep shooting and blocking without manual reloads.
This setup leans into what Vexcalibur does best: long, safe blocks that constantly give you and your team Overshields, with reloads handled passively by your melee loop.
PvP god roll
In Crucible, you still care about shield duration and handling, but range matters more:
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Haft: Auxiliary Reserves – still preferred for strong shield uptime in duels.
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Magazine: Accurized Rounds – extra range to help your projectiles connect at safer distances.
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Stock: Short-Action Stock – faster handling for quick draws, peeks, and shield raises.
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Catalyst trait: Feedback Retrofit/Refit – blocking damage partially reloads from reserves, letting you play tight angles and reload simply by tanking shots with your shield.
This roll makes Vexcalibur a tanky lane-holder that can block to reload, then punish with follow-up shots or melee while your Overshield keeps you alive.
Quick perk priority summary
If you’re just crafting and don’t want to overthink it:
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Always try to get Auxiliary Reserves on the haft.
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Pick Light Mag/Swap Mag for PvE, Accurized Rounds for PvP.
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Take Short-Action Stock whenever possible.
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Use Robber Retrofit for PvE melee-reload uptime, Feedback Retrofit if you like reloading via blocking and playing defensively (good in both PvE and PvP).
Tell me if you mainly run Void Titan, Warlock, or Hunter and I can pair this roll with a specific fragment/mod setup to keep your Overshield nearly permanent.
Best Vexcalibur build for Void Titan
Here’s a strong, simple Void Titan setup that makes Vexcalibur feel unkillable while you feed off Overshields and melee damage.
Subclass setup (Void Titan)
Prioritize constant Void Overshields and Volatile for Vexcalibur.
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Super: Ward of Dawn (for boss damage + team overshields) or Sentinel Shield if you prefer roaming.
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Class ability: Towering Barricade for safer lanes and objective holds.
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Melee: Shield Throw for ranged overshields and orb generation.
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Grenade: Vortex or Suppressor; Vortex for add clear, Suppressor for champions/majors.
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Aspects:
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Bastion (barricade grants Overshields to you and allies, synergizes with Vexcalibur’s overshield loop).
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Offensive Bulwark (bonus grenade regen and melee damage while you have an Overshield, which Vexcalibur keeps up easily).
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Fragments (prioritize these four):
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Echo of Persistence (longer Overshields and Devour/Invisibility if active).
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Echo of Exchange (melee kills feed grenade energy; Vexcalibur melee will constantly proc this).
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Echo of Starvation (Orbs of Power/void breaches grant Devour, adding huge sustain).
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Echo of Undermining (grenades weaken targets, helping your glaive and team damage).
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Armor exotics
Two top choices depending on how aggressive you want to be:
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Synthoceps: Massive melee damage bonus while surrounded, which stacks beautifully with Vexcalibur’s overshield-based melee buff.
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Precious Scars: Gives extra survivability and team utility through overshields tied to revives and kills with matching energy type, layering more protection on top of Vexcalibur’s own overshields.
If you want pure damage, go Synthoceps. If you want near-immortal, team-support play in endgame, Precious Scars is excellent.
Armor mods and stats
Focus on being in the fight non-stop.
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Stat priorities:
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Resilience to 100 (max damage reduction, faster barricade).
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Discipline next (more weaken grenades and Volatile uptime via fragments).
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Then Recovery/Strength as available.
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Key mod ideas (adjust to current system names):
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Orbs of Power generation on helmet and weapon slots to keep Armor Charges/Devour up.
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Melee and grenade cooldown mods on arms and class item to keep abilities flowing.
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Void weapon surge/damage-boosting mods for Vexcalibur.
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Mods that give class ability energy when dealing grenade/melee damage, since barricade = Bastion overshield.
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Playstyle: make orbs, pick them up for Devour and charges, drop barricade on cooldown for Overshields, then sit on the front line with Vexcalibur out and blocking constantly.
Weapons and Vexcalibur roll
Vexcalibur is your centerpiece; run it as your main damage + defense tool.
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Vexcalibur traits (PvE focus):
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Haft: Auxiliary Reserves (maximum shield duration).
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Magazine: Light Mag or Swap Mag for reload/feel.
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Stock: Short-Action Stock for faster ready/block.
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Catalyst perk: Robber Retrofit (melee refreshes magazine) for pure PvE; Feedback Retrofit if you like reloading by blocking.
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Kinetic/energy partners:
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A primary that can stun the champion type you’re missing (auto, SMG, bow, or scout).
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A Void heavy (rocket, LFR, or machine gun) to benefit from Void surge mods and your debuffs.
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Use Vexcalibur’s projectiles to build shield energy, block to get a big Overshield, then wade in and melee chains of enemies; each kill refreshes your shield, your grenades stay up via Echo of Exchange, and Devour + Bastion keep you topped off.
