Welcome back to The Vainguard, a column where you dress up your Destiny 2 characters in fun outfits because you can only kill the Undying Mind so many times before you need a break. This week, I asked you to put together looks using one of the Exotics Xur had on offer this weekend: Ophidia Spathe, Skull of Dire Ahamkara, and the Mask of the Quiet One. Here’s what you came up with — no love for Ophidia Spathe, unfortunately.
Huy Badman (@huy_badman)
The challenge of building a look around a piece of Exotic gear is letting it stand out while still seeming to be a natural part of the outfit as a whole. Here we’ve got a look that incorporates the Skull of Dire Ahamkara’s ornament, which gives it a sleeker profile and a darker tone. That pairs well with the long jacket, accentuating the sloping lines of the helm and pulling the entire thing into a coherent color palette. I get the feeling of a sly insectoid Guardian, mandibles chittering as he pulls his coat around himself to protect his body from the harsh Titan rain.
Another look by the same designer, I love this Titan’s two-tone color scheme. Does the white make his head a more distinct target? Maybe, but he’s a Titan. This one, too, has an insect-like silhouette, with the Mask of the Quiet One’s ornament giving the appearance of antenna in the dark. Or perhaps they are eyestalks? Andalite chic.
Stephen Mattes (@craneflight)
A look from the heyday of the Skull of Dire Ahamkara, when the Exotic was so powerful that it was more or less a compulsory piece of Warlock headgear. This Guardian’s simple attire, as well as the strong value contrast, allows the Skull to stand out. An air of mystery surrounds this Warlock, prompting many questions, such as: What is the true nature of Ahamkara? Where does the spirit travel to after death? And, how do Warlocks actually see out of this helmet?
Me
Skull of Dire Ahamkara has some of my favorite lore in all of Destiny. It’s about this helmet made out of the bones of a dead space dragon talking to you — you as in the player, not your character. There’s a running bit in Destiny that the Ahamkara know they’re in a video game, and they want you to make them real. It’s all very fun! Which makes it kind of a bummer to me that the helmet itself isn’t particularly pleasing to my eye, nor does it have a very exciting in-game effect.
So, uh, I just did Skeletor from Masters of the Universe.
I’ll be back next Monday, so keep an eye out on Twitter between now and then for another call for submissions. And remember: saving the universe is no excuse for looking sloppy.
While you’re here, check out the rest of our Destiny 2 coverage, including guides, features, tips, and more. Want to find Exotics? We’ve got your Exotics! Want to know what’s up with the world of Destiny 2 before you jump in? Take a look at our Lore Primer. Don’t know where to start? Check out our guide on Getting Started in Destiny 2 Shadowkeep. Good hunting, Guardian.
