How To Get Malfeasance Destiny 2 And Complete The Exotic Quest
7 September 2026 | 6
Acquiring the Malfeasance Exotic Hand Cannon in Destiny 2 remains one of the most rewarding pursuits for players looking to dominate against Taken foes and rival Guardians. This iconic weapon combines high stability with a unique explosive perk that detonates after landing five shots on a single target. Starting this journey requires navigating through a dedicated questline tied closely to the Drifter and the competitive Gambit arena.
Starting the Darkness in the Light Quest
To begin the path toward earning Malfeasance, Guardians must acquire the Darkness in the Light questline. Players can pick up this quest from the Drifter in the Tower Annex or locate it in the Quest Archive if it has been previously abandoned. Winning a match in Gambit or defeating a Primeval boss serves as the initial trigger to kickstart your progression.
Once the quest is active, your first major objective takes you straight to the Dreaming City to eliminate Taken threats. You must defeat 25 Taken bosses or minibosses scattered across the region. Participating in Tier 2 or higher runs in the Blind Well or clearing out local Lost Sectors like Aphelion's Rest are the fastest ways to complete this requirement.
Navigating the Corrupted Strike Variant
After defeating the required Taken enemies, the quest leads into a specialized version of The Corrupted strike. This unique mission features a higher difficulty level and leads Guardians to the grave of Callum Sol deep within the Dreaming City. Completing this mission requires careful play, as enemy combatants deal heavy damage and spawn in dense waves.
It is highly recommended to enter this special strike with a full fireteam to handle the intense combat encounters efficiently. Fireteam coordination makes controlling spawn points and taking down the final Taken boss far more manageable. Once victorious, return to the Drifter in the Tower Annex to unlock the next phase of the quest.
Banking Motes and Dominating Gambit
The next stage, titled Business as Usual, requires players to dive back into the Gambit arena to bank Motes of Dark and win matches. You must bank a total of 400 Motes, but caution is vital because losing Motes upon death penalizes your progress. Additionally, you will need to secure 10 Gambit match victories to satisfy the full requirements of this step.
Playing conservatively with smaller Mote deposits helps minimize risk and prevents set backs from sudden invader attacks. Coordinating with teammates ensures your team can clear blockers quickly and maintain control over the bank. Consistency in banking and team communication will help you finish this task without losing valuable progress.
Mastering Invasions and Claiming the Weapon
The final obstacle in the questline, known as Lights Out, focuses heavily on player-versus-player performance during Gambit invasions. You must defeat 25 opposing Guardians in Gambit, which can be accomplished either as an invader or by eliminating enemy invaders. In addition, you must achieve a full team wipe by defeating all four enemy Guardians in a single invasion, or rely on a teammate to do it three separate times.
Equipping high-damage heavy weapons or roaming Supers can greatly improve your chances of clearing the entire enemy team in one push. Once both conditions are fulfilled, head back to the Tower Annex to speak with the Drifter and collect your new Exotic Hand Cannon. With the quest complete, you can also farm core playlist activities to unlock its catalyst for extra range and damage potential.