Destiny 2 Echoes Act 3: Release date, new weapons, Artifact mods, more

Destiny 2 Echoes Act 3 will go live soon across all platforms, bringing with it new weapons, Artifact perks, and much more for Guardians to get stuck into.

The rollout of The Final Shape saw Bungie adjust Destiny 2’s content release model, doing away with the usual seasonal format to favor the launch of three episodes every year, each split into three acts. Episode 1 began in June 2024, followed by its second act in July.

With Echoes Act 3 fast approaching, its imminent debut will deliver the addition of a few new weapons and Artifact mods, as well as an exciting new Exotic Mission and a conclusion to The Final Shape’s first seasonal story.

Here’s what players can expect from Echoes Act 3 and when you’ll be able to start playing it.

Destiny 2 Echoes Act 3 release date

The third act of Episode: Echoes will officially kick off on Tuesday, August 27. The new act will begin after the Weekly Reset, so players can get started at 5 PM GMT/10 AM PT/1 PM ET, assuming there are no delays for maintenance.

New seasonal weapons

Thus far, every act has brought additional weapons into the arsenal. Act 1 added nine to the mix, while Echoes Act 2 introduced another trio of guns.

Echoes Act 3 will unleash three more weapons: Speleologist, Chronophage, and the Martyr’s Retribution grenade launcher.

Speleologist

Bungie

A Rapid-Fire Solar Machine Gun, the Speleologist will use a more than sizable magazine to fuel combos such as Deconstruct + Killing Tally or Stats for All + Incandescent.

• Third Column: Heal Clip, Enlightened Action, Stats for All, Deconstruct, Firmly Planted, Slideways, Envious Assassin
• Fourth Column: Strategist, Adagio, One for All, Target Lock, Surrounded, Incandescent, Killing Tally

Chronophage

Bungie

This Adaptive Void Trace Rifle is the second Legendary of its kind and Bungie insists it is a “strong one,” which looks likely given its impressive perk pool.

• Third Column: Strategist, Elemental Capacitor, Shoot to Loot, Pugilist, Auto Loading Holster, Feeding Frenzy, Repulsor Brace
• Fourth Column: One for All, High Ground, Fragile Focus, Target Lock, Demolitionist, Desperate Measures, Destabilizing Rounds

Martyr’s Retribution

Bungie

Having originally debuted during Season of Dawn, this fan-favorite Solar Grenade Launcher is back with some of its classic perks. It also includes a few new buildcrafting options, as expected of a reprised weapon.

• Third Column: Field Prep, Demolitionist, Threat Detector, Heal Clip, Auto-Loading Holster, Envious Assassin
• Fourth Column: Kill Clip, Strategist, Adrenaline Junkie, Desperate Measures, Incandescent, Vorpal Weapon

New Artifact perks

Echoes Act 3 will shake up existing builds by introducing a handful of Artifact perks to the Hunter’s Journal. The Shock and Awe perk, for example, should boost the destructive power of Arc builds.

Here’s every new Artifact mod in Echoes Act 3:

• Overload Auto Rifle: Uninterrupted fire from your equipped Auto Rifles grants bullets that stun combatants, delaying ability energy regeneration and lowering combatant damage output. Strong against Overload Champions. Additionally, Auto Rifles are always overcharged when this modifier is active.
• Authorized Mod: Charged Up: The energy cost of the Charged Up mod is significantly discounted.
• Sustained Fire: Continuously damaging combatants with an Auto Rifle grants you damage resistance.
• Targeting Autoloader: While you have an Auto Rifle equipped, defeating combatants reloads your equipped weapon and temporarily increases weapon damage. Awards bonus progress when dealing final blows while surrounded.
• Shock and Awe: When you have an Arc or Prismatic subclass equipped, Arc final blows while you are amplified summon a burst of lightning that damages and jolts targets.

New Exotic mission & weapon

The addition of a new Exotic mission in Echoes Act 3 was teased back in June. Although specific details remain sparse, Bungie’s Robbie Stevens described it as “one of the biggest we’ve ever built,” suggesting an epic quest is on the way.

What we do know is that the reward is likely to be Choir of One, a classified Exotic Auto Rifle that was datamined back in June. Both a craftable Void AR and an Exotic Energy Catalyst were spotted in the database, and these remain the only known Exotics not available in the live game.

Choir of One will feature Exotic Perks that deal increased precision damage when aiming down sights and cause rapid final blows to trigger an explosion of radiolarian fluid. As for its catalysts, you’ll get to choose between Destabilizing Rounds, Onslaught, and Subsistence, which will all be separate unlocks.

Echoes seasonal story conclusion

Echoes Act 3 will round off the ongoing narrative surrounding the Vex, The Conductor, and Saint-14. It will pick up directly where Act 2 ended, revealing The Conductor’s true identity, Maya Sundaresh.

She explained that she used the Echo of Command to take control of the Vex while attempting to awaken Nessus. Her end goal is to spread radiolaria across the system to create a Golden Age. Naturally, it’s up to you to stop her, which will be the focus of Echoes Act 3.