This article is part of a directory: Destiny 2: Lightfall - Complete Guide
Table of contents

Quick Links

As a game, Destiny 2 will often throw challenges that players that require them to think. While simply shooting glowing objects or depositing an orb/mote into a bank Gambit style is often how players proceed, there are some puzzles that are more complex.

While nowhere near as complex as some of the puzzles that had to be solved during The Witch Queen campaign, players do encounter one puzzle during Lightfall that isn't particularly obvious in how it can be solved. As players progress through the mission Headlong, they will encounter barriers conjured by the Vex that have a series of diamonds above them. This guide will explain this tricky Vex puzzle in Destiny 2 and how it can be solved.

RELATED: Destiny 2: All Season of Defiance Weapons, Ranked

How Does the Vex Lock Puzzle Work?

destiny-2-how-to-solve-vex-puzzle-in-headlong2

During the first half of this particular campaign mission, Destiny 2 players will encounter areas that are blocked off by the Vex. Above the barricade is a series of diamonds. Some of the diamonds will be glowing while others will not be glowing.

destiny-2-how-to-solve-vex-puzzle-in-headlong4

Once Destiny 2 players approach the barricade, a large group of Vex Harpies will spawn. Among this group of Vex Harpies, players will see regular Harpies, Anion Harpies, and Cation Harpies. Anion Harpies look like normal Vex Harpies, while Cation Harpies glow with a white light similar to the glowing diamonds above the barrier that prevents players from going further.

Basically, this large group of Vex Harpies are tied to the barrier. In order to get past these barriers, players must destroy Harpies in the order that is shown from left to right. If a diamond is not glowing, players must destroy an Anion Harpy. If a diamond is glowing, then players must destroy a Cation Harpy. Once the order is correctly inputted, the barrier will disappear and players will be able to proceed.

When inputting the code as depicted by the diamonds, there are several things that Destiny 2 players should be mindful of at all times. Regardless of difficulty, there is no penalty for killing the wrong Harpy other than the puzzle resetting. Second, be mindful of which Harpy is being shot as the puzzle resets when killing a regular Harpy as opposed to either a Cation or Anion Harpy. The same can happen when killing a Cation Harpy when an Anion Harpy is needed, and vice versa.

Finally, be extremely careful when destroying Harpies. If players kill more than one Harpy at once, it can potentially reset the puzzle. So with that in mind, make sure to use a weapon that will not cause splash damage. In the images above, Dead Man's Tale was used for killing Harpies as it made it easier to do single target damage. Using a Glaive is viable as well.

Vex Puzzle Solutions

destiny-2-how-to-solve-vex-puzzle-in-headlong3

There are three of these Vex puzzles that players will have to deal with. The Harpies that players need to kill to get past the barriers are as follows. As mentioned above, avoid killing regular Harpies and focus on either Anion or Cation Harpies.

  • The First Puzzle: Cation Harpy, Anion Harpy, Cation Harpy
  • The Second Puzzle: Cation Harpy, Anion Harpy, Anion Harpy
  • The Third Puzzle: Cation Harpy, Anion Harpy, Anion Harpy, Anion Harpy, Cation Harpy

Destiny 2 is available now on Epic Games Store, PS4, PS5, Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.