The Destiny 2 Rat King has garnered a reputation of being among the most highly-sought weapons in Bungie’s shared-world shooter, so chances are you’ll want to get your hands on it as soon as possible.
The weapon takes the form of a kinetic, exotic-flavored sidearm, adorned with an intricate design that depicts three rats. Its name is derived from the legend of a Pied Piper-like figure who is said to have perished multiple times over, but each time was brought back to start anew.
As you’d expect from something called the Rat King, the weapon really comes into its own when multiple users are wielding the sidearm, with the Rat Pack upgrade increasing its power when another Guardian is using the weapon.
You’ll know that another user is nearby when the weapon starts glowing, so with that in mind, it’s a fantastic piece of kit to have when tackling something like a Strike or the Leviathan Raid. Just make sure you are part of a fireteam with at least one other Guardian who is in possession of the gun.
Destiny 2 – How to unlock The Rat King sidearm
Step 1
First and foremost, you’ll need to complete the main campaign and reach level 20. Once this is done, head to the planet Titan and accept the first blue quest you see on screen, and complete the required missions in order. This will take a couple of hours, after which the Rat King’s Crew will appear at the climax of the final mission.
Step 2
You’ll now have to solve a series of riddles. The first reads:
“The Rat King’s Crew / Runs to and fro / Good girls and boys / Know where to go / Pick up your toys and darn your socks / on errands of woe, on errands we walk” – Old Children’s Rhyme
This is easier than it seems. Essentially, you need to hop into a Fireteam with at least one other Guardian, and it doesn’t have to be a random; you can do it with friends too. Next, complete three patrol missions with the Rat King’s Crew in your inventory. Any patrol will do, and it doesn’t matter where you take them on either.
The next riddle is as follows:
“The Rat Kind’s Crew / Goes Arm in arm / To fight as one / To do no harm / So have your fun and run outside / Rally the flag and we’ll never die” – Old Children’s Rhyme
This one is even easier. Simply finish two patrol missions with at least one other Guardian in a Fireteam.
Riddle number three:
“The Rat King’s Crew / Goes four and four / With good good fights / They learn to score /Then three as one they stand upright / Return from past the wall and wanting more” – Old Children’s Rhyme
Next up, head to the Crucible and complete two matches in a Fireteam of at least one Guardian. You don’t have to win either, just make sure you see two matches through to their conclusion.
The final riddle reads:
“The Rat King’s Crew / Stands three as one / They see Night’s fall / And fear it none / But watch the clock as you scale the wall / Lest five remain hope comes for none” – Old Children’s Rhyme
The final step is understandably the trickiest. Here, you’ll need to complete the Nightfall Strike, so you’ll need to increase your power level to at least 240, preferably 260. However, you also need to finish the mission with five minutes left on the clock.
Given that the Nightfall refreshes every week, it pays to study what mission is available when you attempt this run, as well as the modifiers in place. May even have a practice run first with your Fireteam – it’s recommended you have three members – to nail down a solid strategy.
Step 3
Congratulations, you’ll now receive the Rat King exotic sidearm!