Destiny 2 Wicked Implement Quest: Fishing and Deep Dive Steps

Unlock the Wicked Implement Exotic Scout Rifle in Destiny 2's Season of the Deep by fishing for the Vexing Placoderm and completing the Deep Dive.

The hunt for the Wicked Implement Exotic Scout Rifle in Destiny 2 has become a storied journey that tests every Guardian's mettle, blending the calm of coastal fishing with the suffocating pressure of the deep. As of 2026, the quest line remains a beacon for those seeking to unravel the tangled web of Hive corruption and Taken influence in Season of the Deep. Following the initial Broken Blade of Strife missions, a fresh set of objectives surfaced, propelling players from sunlit Nessus down into lightless abyssal chambers. This guide illuminates the critical fishing and Deep Dive segments, ensuring that no ambition is left unfulfilled.

The Nessus Fishing Rally: Where Patience Meets Probability

When the sixth week of the seasonal cycle arrived, so did a new Fishing Rally on Nessus. Although the rally itself isn't mandatory for the Wicked Implement quest, it acts as a natural beacon, drawing crowds to the glowing fishing ponds and boosting the communal Focused Fishing meter. The true quarry, however, is an Exotic fish known as the Vexing Placoderm – a creature whose scales seem to shimmer with encrypted Vex signatures. Catching it is less a test of skill and more a dance with randomness, akin to a gambler placing all hopes on a single roulette spin while the wheel slowly decelerates. Some Guardians report reeling it in within a handful of casts; others spend hours staring at the same digital ripples. In one documented attempt, at a modest 25% Focused Fishing rate, the Placoderm surrendered on the fourth try – a flicker of luck in a sea of probability. The experience serves as a reminder that even in an age of precise loadouts and optimized DPS, Destiny 2 still cherishes moments of pure, unscripted chance.

The fish itself feels like a paradoxical trophy. It is both fragile and laden with purpose, a living cipher that demands to be returned to the depths – but not before a detour to the H.E.L.M.

From Scales to Steel: Transmuting the Catch at the Sonar Station

With the Vexing Placoderm in hand, the journey continues at the H.E.L.M., that familiar orbital command hub. At the Sonar Station, nestled among coral-like machinery, a specialized container awaits. Placing the fish inside triggers a transformation as eerie as it is efficient. The container hums, light bends, and in exchange for this exotic offering, the Guardian receives the Broken Blade of Ambition. The transaction feels almost ritualistic – like feeding a shard of a forgotten dream into a machine that whispers back a promise of violence. The blade itself is a jagged relic, cold to the touch yet pulsing with a life of its own, hinting at the dark baptism that lies ahead.

This item is not a weapon to wield in traditional combat. Instead, it is a key, forged from the bones of Hive ambition, destined to unlock the next chapter deep beneath the methane seas.

Descent into Darkness: The Deep Dive Offering

The final step in this segment demands a full Deep Dive activity. Launch into the abyss, descending through pressurized layers and bioluminescent threats until the first major encounter chamber materializes. Which challenge spawns is a matter of fate – it could be a gauntlet of Taken or a puzzle steeped in Hive magic. After clearing the room, a brief window of opportunity opens: on the left side, a previously sealed hatch groans apart, revealing a hidden passage. Hesitation is a luxury not afforded here. In the time it takes for a fireteam member to salvage an engram, the door can slam shut or the pull of the forward section will yank stragglers into the next phase, a mechanic as unforgiving as a tide erasing footprints in the sand.

Once inside the clandestine chamber, the atmosphere shifts. The space is cramped, lit by faint, eerie glows, and dominated by a statue carved from ancient sorrow. This is the altar of ambition. Approaching it, the Guardian extends the Broken Blade of Ambition. As the offering is accepted, the statue erupts in binding flames, and the air fills with the guttural voice of Xivu Arath herself. Her recording crawls through the chamber, a monologue of conquest and hunger that sends chills even through the warmest Solar subclass. The moment marks a turning point: the blade is no longer broken in purpose, but sharpened in the lore of the Hive pantheon.

The Unfolding Path: After the Flame

With the statue activated and the recording echoing into silence, this branch of the quest concludes, but the overall journey for Wicked Implement is far from over. The narrative immediately gestures toward the Broken Blade of Cunning line, where another exotic fish, more treacherous encounters, and the final forging of the scout rifle await. Guardians will need to revisit other corners of the system, leveraging the same blend of patience and rapid execution. The seasonal activities of 2026 have intertwined these quests into a cohesive narrative tapestry, rewarding those who linger long enough to hear the deep's darkest secrets.

Ultimately, what makes this quest chain so memorable is its capacity to shift genres within a single loot chase: from serene fishing to claustrophobic ritual. It forces a rhythm that breaks the monotony of combat, reminding us that Destiny 2's heart lies as much in its quiet, mysterious corners as in its thunderous raids. The Wicked Implement, when finally grasped, feels less like a reward and more like a scar – a testament to the lengths one will go to plumb the depths of the Deep.