How to Get the Sleeper Simulant in Destiny 2
A step-by-step guide on how to get Sleeper Simulant in Destiny 2 so you can start melting bosses with bouncing lasers
The Sleeper Simulant has arrived in Destiny 2. This is an Exotic Linear Fusion Rifle that was a complete beast in the original Destiny and remains so in the sequel. Unlocking Sleeper Simulant requires completing a reasonably long quest that begins with Legacy Code and A Piece of the Past. We all know nothing gets a Guardian's blood pumping quite like an Exotic quest, so let's dive in!
Last updated on May 11, 2020.
How to Get the Sleeper Simulant in Destiny 2
Players will need to finish the main Warmind campaign in Destiny 2 as the first pre-requisite to beginning their quest toward unlocking the Sleeper Simulant. Upon completion, a world quest called Data Recovery will become available, with its two missions, Legacy Code and A Piece of the Past, needing completion. Finishing these two missions will get players the IKELOS_HC_V.1.0.1 Legendary Hand Cannon.
Ana Bray will then provide Guardians with the first of a series of quest steps that will lead to the Sleeper Simulant. The road doesn’t seem long at first glance, but the difficulty will be ramped up considerably in comparison to other Exotic quests from the past.
Be sure to read the instructions of each quest step carefully. Having an IKELOS weapon equipped is not the same as using one. Equip the weapon, but then complete the steps below using any weapon that meets the remaining criteria.
Step 2: Violent Intel Quest
- Hive Defeated with IKELOS weapon equipped
- Cabal Defeated with IKELOS weapon equipped
The first quest step isn’t as tough as it sounds. First, Hellas Basin covers a gigantic area on Mars. Both fast travel points are in the Hellas Basin, so really this is just about doing patrols, public events, and lost sectors. Just make sure when loading into a new area it indicates it’s within Hellas Basin. As for the enemy killing, the Cabal must be precision shots. I loaded into the Ma’Adim Subterrane Lost Sector to do this. Three runs should be enough. For the Hive, a single Escalation Protocol run could do, and the kills do not have to be precision to count. Remember, an IKELOS weapon must be equipped, but that doesn’t mean it has to be the weapon to do the killing. Check out our guide on the Escalation Protocol schedule if you also want to farm the weapons.
Step 3: Rasputin’s Culling Quest
- Powerful Enemies Defeated
This quest step is far easier than the previous step. It can be done in any location, so feel free to leave Mars to get it done. I went to Earth and ran through a few Glimmer Extraction Heroic Public Events, using Curtain Call Rocket Launcher to blast yellow-bar Fallen to bits. Three Glimmer Extraction Heroic Public Events should be more than enough to finish this step.
Step 4: Warmind’s Glory Quest
- Five Heroic Strikes Completed
This is a straightforward step but it’s not going to be terribly fun. Heroic Strikes are currently set at 350 Power, but probably won’t drop gear at or above that level, so this is a grind. Bring up the in-game Director and choose the Heroic Strike playlist, then get to work finishing five of them. Again, an IKELOS weapon must be equipped into one of the three weapon slots, but it doesn’t have to be used. It would also probably work to play through a Heroic Strike with any weapons, equipping an IKELOS weapon just before killing the boss and completing the strike, although I’m speculating, and that trick could potentially backfire.
Step 5: Nodes and Protocols Quest
- Three Escalation Protocol Levels
- 15 Sleeper Nodes Accessed
This will be the hardest and longest quest step of them all by miles. Escalation Protocol is the hardest activity in the game right now. Personally, I’ve cleared the first wave one time, came nowhere near clearing the second, and this step will require three to be finished. Complete the weekly milestones to get more Power. The Sleeper Nodes aren’t as tough, but they will require that 60 Resonate Stem consumables be acquired, then the Sleeper Nodes themselves must be located and looted. Both steps will require an IKELOS weapon to be equipped, although that doesn’t mean it must be used. Check out our guide on all Sleeper Node locations so you can find them quickly and easily.
Step 6: Perfect Form Quest
- Complete the Will of the Thousands Mission
The final step in the quest will be to complete the last mission of the Warmind DLC, Will of the Thousands, while having an IKELOS weapon equipped. This mission will require 360 Power, which is 10 points higher than a Heroic Strike. In other words, it will be quite difficult for Guardians that aren’t at or near 360 Power, so consider gaining some additional levels before attempting. Once it’s complete, though, the Sleeper Simulant will be awarded at a higher Power level, helping Guardians move up in the world.
Now that Guardians know how to get the Sleeper Simulant in Destiny 2, be sure to check out our Destiny 2 complete strategy guide for more help with everything from tracking down Exotics to class creation, completing raids, understanding error codes, and more.
