Destiny 2 Expunge missions: Locations and how to start Expunge: Tartarus explained

Expunge mission locations: How to start the Expunge missions in Destiny 2

Each Expunge mission is part of the ongoing Path of the Splicer questline, which each week debuting a new mission.

The Expunge missions roll out as part of the following quest steps, and can be found at the respective destination screens:

• Path of the Splicer 3: Labyrinth (Tangled Shore)
• Path of the Splicer 4: Styx (Moon)
• Path of the Splicer 5: Tartarus (Tartarus)

Unlocking the missions works the same each time; after talking to the Splicer Servitor, you must complete the weekly Override mission (accessed from the H.E.L.M. destination tab).

Before jumping into matchmaking, make sure to have at least one Key Code crafted beforehand. Along with completing Override, you're tasked with opening a Conflux Chest at the end using said item.

When you open the Conflux Chest - it's located to the side of the regular boss chest (if another player has already 'opened' it, don't worry, interact with it all the same with the prompt on screen), either the next quest step, or the one after that, will unlock the Expunge mission.

You can then find each respective mission on the director screen when they unlock, as shown in the gallery below:

How the Expunge: Labyrinth quest works in Destiny 2

The Expunge: Labyrinth mission is closer to Beyond Light's Exo Challenges or the Interference missions from 2020's Season of Arrivals than recent Harbinger and Season of the Chosen's Presage quests, in that it's part of a wider questline and doesn't result in an Exotic at the end of the Vex tunnel.

The mission itself, however, does offer some similarities with those recent quests - in that you can expect some light puzzle solving, plenty of platforming and, of course, several combat encounters.

The first mission, Expunge: Labyrinth, has you exploring a different side of the Vex Network, presented as a rather maze-like set of corridors and floating platforms. Objectives vary from moving through the labyrinth, facing Barrier Champions, and depositing Data Spikes as you rush through the levels to get to the deposit stations.

We hope you have been practicing your acrobatic skills in past Override missions, as this one will certainly test them in new ways.

Expunge: Labyrinth is a short and straightforward enough mission that a walkthrough isn't required, but some tips from us include:

In terms of requirement, the mission has a 1290 power level recommendation. You can either group up or do it solo, as it won't present a massive challenge. We recommend doing a regular run exploring the labyrinth before attempting to do it on your own. If you're looking to add an extra difficulty layer, the seasonal challenge 'Expedited Expunge' tasks you with completing the mission in 10 minutes or less.

You can see how to do this as part of a significant (and tricky to pull off) shortcut from Esoterickk on YouTube, as well as the start and end of the mission performed solo:

How the Expunge: Styx quest works in Destiny 2

The Expunge: Styx mission is closer to Beyond Light's Exo Challenges or the Interference missions from 2020's Season of Arrivals than recent Harbinger and Season of the Chosen's Presage quests, in that it's part of a wider questline and doesn't result in an Exotic at the end of the Vex tunnel.

If you'd like a closer comparison, Expunge: Labyrinth serves as a good example. There are variations here and there, but it retains much of its familiarity. While the former had you traversing through a maze-like set of corridors and platforms, this one is all about powering and using a total of three keys.

For starters, the first part of the mission is identical to Labyrinth, in which you'll have to make your way through moving gaps in the level. From there, you'll recognize the long corridor with the moving lasers. Exit the area and you'll begin to see the new Styx side of Expunge.

It's rather straightforward from here. You'll have to damage a pair of floating fragments until they become a key. Then, you'll have to take that key with you towards a data terminal.

There are floating light blue cubes that act as checkpoints - you only need to move across them to activate them. If you die, the key will now respawn there, so you can pick right where you left off. You'll have to repeat this a total of three times to unlock the final encounter.

Expunge: Styx might be kinder than we were expecting, but some tips from us include:

• In a similar fashion our advice for Labyrinth, we recommend you to just make quick escapades instead of trying to take down all enemies to make a safe route to traverse with the key. Reinforcements will appear shortly either way, so it's best to just get to the nearest checkpoint instead.
• The key will expire after a few seconds, but passing through the floating orbs to create a checkpoint will reset that timer - we even managed to get one key from point A to B without dying, but don't worry if you are taken down as the checkpoints will help to shorten the distance.
• You can easily double jump to get past the laser walls, but if not possible, you'll see platforms around them every time, which are a good alternative.
• The final encounter might be tough, but it's possible to use a upper location that is just across the boss' location, which has a pillar on the left that can be used for cover in case you need a breather.
• Lastly, keep in mind that once the boss is at half health, you will have to power a fragment and create a key to deposit across the room. Lasers will appear, but if you follow our tips above, you'll be back into the fight in the blink of an eye.

Aside from some lasers and the odd platform here and there, you shouldn't have any problem doing this either with a group or solo, even if you're below the 1290 Power Level requirement. Sadly, there is no Expedited challenge this time around, where you would previously be tasked with completing the Expunge in 10 minutes or less.

How the Expunge: Tartarus quest works in Destiny 2

Tartarus is similar to previous Expunge missions; there are variations here and there, but it retains much of its familiarity. In fact, this one is even more straightforward, leading you to shoot at objects in the levels to unlock firewalls.

The first part of the mission is identical to both Labyrinth and Styx, in which you'll have to make your way through moving gaps in the level. If you were already getting used to dodging the laser wall and carefully planning your jumps, then it should be easy enough. After you exit the area, you'll begin to see the new Tartarus section of Expunge.

The main element here involved hacking spots and floating objects that you'll have to destroy in order to unlock firewalls to proceed. In simpler words, all you have to do is approach the big white structures of Vex code, hack them, and the spot will now be lightened. Stay there for a couple seconds and you'll gain the Stability Security Access status.

Once in this state, look for the white squares that are floating around the area. Stability Security Access allows you to do damage to them for a limited time. After you shoot all of them down (the number is indicated on the firewall by orbs that lighten up once destroyed), the defense wall will disappear and you can proceed.

Expunge: Tartarus might sound simple enough, but there are some tips to keep in mind:

• To make things more interesting, Expunge: Tartarus will chase you with laser walls coming rapidly at your way as you're searching for the white squares. Take your time and look at their routes, as there is always a blind spot where you'll be safe from impact. Then, wait until the right window and make haste.
• Some of the white squares are easy to spot, while others are a bit more tricky. When in doubt, look for lines of green dots in the level, which will lead you to them. As a rule of thumb, some of them are found on the opposite side of the firewall, or just around pillars.
• You will reach the boss in no time, but bear in mind that the fight will stop and you'll have to repeat the puzzle. Don't fret though as the arena isn't big, which means that you will find the floating objects in no time.

Aside from the often annoying lasers, you shouldn't have any problem doing this either with a group or solo, even if you're below the 1290 Power Level requirement. This time around there is an Expedited challenge to complete, but unlike Expunge: Labyrinth, you will have the task to complete Tartarus in 6 minutes or less, instead of 10. Considering the steps to get to the boss are fairly easy, the time decrease makes for an interesting but doable challenge with a full squad.

Season of the Splicer has arrived! Each week offers a new step in the Path of the Splicer quest and a new Expunge mission to complete. Elsewhere, we've seen new Nightfall weapons such as the Uzume RR4 and Plug One.1, the return of Vault of Glass, which offers both the Vex Mythoclast and Fatebringer. Other recent new features include transmog and materials Synthstrand, Synthcord and Synthweave, the Splicer Gauntlet and Decrypted Data used to upgrade it, the Aspect of Interference quest, and several new Exotics and a new max level cap. As well as XP farm and Glimmer farm suggestions.

Expunge rewards and what we know of future Expunge missions in Destiny 2

Neither Expunge: Labyrinth, Expunge: Styx nor Expunge: Tartarus result in an Exotic, nor, unfortunately, does it provide a Pinnacle gear, despite how it was previous advertised - at least, not until a weekly challenge will be introduced from June 15th. Instead, you will get a high stat armour piece in a different slot across the next four weeks:

For the next 4 weeks the weekly Expunge mission will give you a high-stat armor piece in a different slot each week. Sorry for any confusion, we'll give more info on what other rewards you can expect from the Expunge mission in this week's TWAB. https://t.co/X8OaaSZAQ7

— Cozmo (@Cozmo23) May 26, 2021

There is the tease of "other rewards" however - and with a total of six updates mentioned on the Season of the Splicer roadmap, including datamines hinting at a special 'Delphi' mission which has an optional flawless challenge (thanks T_Gamer-mp4 on reddit). Between that and the speedrunning Triumph mentioned above, there looks to be many reasons to pursue these missions beyond the seasonal story.

See you next week!