How to get the Heartshadow Exotic catalyst – Destiny 2

The location of each nightmare in duality required to unlock the Heartshadow Exotic catalyst in Destiny 2.

Once Heartshadow falls from duality, the next task for Destiny 2 players is to unlock his Exotic Catalyst. Like some of the other exotic endgame weapons, the Heartshadow Exotic Catalyst must be unlocked by repeating the same activity the sword falls from, but this time with an additional task. Take the time to defeat three unique Nightmares and deposit the default essences, and the upgrade is yours.

Heartshadow Exotic Catalyst

To unlock the Heartshadow Exotic catalyst, players must find and defeat three Nightmares in the Duality dungeon. When they die, a default essence will spawn where they first spawned. Take this standard essence to a specific location in the dungeon and dunk it. A chest containing the Exotic Catalyst will appear near the last tile.

A few things to note before you begin: If you enter the Nightmare realm while holding a standard essence, the Nightmare Collapsing timer will appear. This timer resets when you return to normal range. If you die while holding the essence, the Nightmare boss will not respawn unless you delete it.

First Standard Essence – Nightmare of Na’nok, failed assassin

The image shows the location of the first Nightmare for Heartshadow Exotic catalyst
Look for the open door at the top of the room. The depot is behind the bell to the next area.

The first Nightmare is at the very top of the first room you enter in the Dungeon of Duality. Work your way up to where you are in the Nightmare realm and on the rafters. In the direction of travel, an open space will be created below the right edge rafter. Go inside, defeat the nightmare, grab the standard essence and jump back to the rafters.

The picture shows where the first standard can be deposited in the duality

For those who aren’t on a hunter or don’t have the vertical jump, you may have to drop back down and use the bells to get back up. The place to deposit this Nightmare Essence is behind the bell at the top of the room.

Second Standard Essence – Nightmare of Regor, failed assassin

The image shows the second failed assassin to defeat for the Heartshadow Exotic catalyst
Enter the mausoleum and look over the gap to see the nightmare.

The second nightmare is in the mausoleum area of ​​the dungeon. As you enter, look over the chasm to see the enemy standing on a platform. Go over, defeat it and take the standard essence. Work your way to the statue puzzle room.

The image shows where to deposit the second standard essence in duality for the Exotic Catalyst

To immerse this standard essence, go to the realm of nightmares in the statue room. The dive site is on one of the ledges overlooking the central bell.

Third Standard Essence – Nightmare of Hou’dal, failed assassin

The third and final Nightmare to drop a standard essence for the Heartshadow Exotic catalyst
Far above the block covered with a white sheet is the final nightmare.

The third and final nightmare is in the room where the large block is covered with a white sheet. In the Nightmare realm, work your way to the top of the room and look to the side of the rafters to spot the enemy (here’s one of Calus’ suppressed memories for the Mind Heist triumph). Jump down, defeat him, grab the essence and use the small platforms on the sides of the beams to get back onto the rafters.

The final dunk location for the Heartshadow Exotic catalyst, above the block covered with white cloth

Drive through this area until you can return to the normal area. The dive site is on a small platform between the rafters. If you put the last standard essence inside, a chest will appear on the wall and you will get the Heartshadow Exotic catalyst.

Heartshadow Exotic Catalyst Perk

The Heartshadow Exotic catalyst showing the new perk Wraithwalk

With the Exotic Catalyst unlocked, you now need to charge it up. Use the Shuro Chi Checkpoint to do this quickly and efficiently. Once it’s powered up, plug it into Heartshadow and enjoy its unique perk, Wraithwalk: Faster Movement While Invisible. Basically, when you turn invisible with the sword’s powered attack, you move a bit faster.


With the Heartshadow Exotic catalyst unlocked, you’ll have a slightly better Exotic Sword. Check out our guide to all exotic catalysts so you can grab them all and charge up your favorite exotic. Check out our Destiny 2 strategy guide for more exotic weapon guides.

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Hailing from Down Under, Sam Chandler brings a bit of southern flair to his work. After attending a few colleges, earning a bachelor’s degree, and entering the video game industry, he’s found his new family here at Shacknews as Guides Editor. He loves nothing more than creating a guide to help someone. If you need help with a guide or something isn’t quite right, you can tweet him: @SamuelChandler

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