Swords in Destiny 2 have always occupied a weird space in my head. It’s a futuristic looter shooter with a heavy emphasis on “shooter.” As such, melee weapons seem out of place. Don’t get me wrong, they’re super fun to play with, I just find them peculiar. Bungie seems to have sensed this and has furthered my feelings with Ergo Sum, an Exotic sword that is a Special weapon and can roll with random Exotic perks. Jump down the rabbit hole with me to get it.
A non-heavy sword with random Exotic perks? Yes, please!
Obtaining Ergo Sum is an involved process. After completing The Final Shape campaign, you can grab the Destined Heroes quest chain. Once Destined Heroes is in the rearview mirror, you can farm additional Ergo Sum rolls by completing Overflow or Pathfinder paths in The Pale Heart.
Ergo Sum rolls with random everything, from perks to elements, so there’s a sword for everyone. I’m particularly fond of the Void Caster Frame/Wolfpack Rounds version that gives me and my fireteam a sword Gjallarhorn. Despite the random nature of the weapon, one constant is the Transcendent Duelist Perk.
Transcendent Duelist: Ergo Sum collects less ammo. Final blows with Ergo Sum accelerate Light and Darkness mastery. Ergo Sum deals increased damage while Transcendent, and defeating targets while Transcendent lengthens the duration.
Potential Exotic Perks
- Gathering Light
- Final blows with Ergo Sum grant stacks of Gathering Light which improve guard stats and lunge range. Stowing Ergo Sum consumes all stacks, granting melee, grenade, and class ability energy.
- Wolfpack Rounds
- Powered heavy attacks cause nearby sword-wielders to emit tracking missiles with every attack.
- Sacred Flame
- Hitting a foe with a powered heavy attack marks all nearby targets, causing them to explode upon death. Hitting a foe with a light attack detonates them.
- The Perfect Fifth
- Every fifth hit attaches a delayed Solar explosive which scorches the target.
- Arc Conductor
- Powered heavy attacks charge the wielder, enabling them to resist Arc damage and chain lightning to nearby enemies.
- Stormbringer
- Rapid final blows create a lightning storm at the target’s location.
- Unplanned Reprieve
- Powered heavy attacks emit projectiles that detonate with a delayed Void blast.
- Insectoid Robot Grenades
- Final blows deploy homing robots that chase and explode in close proximity to a target.
Potential Frames
- Aggressive Frame
- Heavy attacks slam the sword.
- Lightweight Frame
- Heavy attacks dash forward.
- Wave Sword Frame
- Heavy attacks are a shockwave uppercut, launching the wielder into the air. Following up launches an aggressive homing strike.
- Caster Frame
- Heavy attacks launch a projectile.
- Vortex Frame
- Heavy attacks are a flashy spin.
Potential Blades
- Hungry Edge
- Increased sword ammo.
- Enduring Blade
- Greatly increased sword ammo at the cost of damage.
- Honed Edge
- Increased sword damage.
- Jagged Edge
- Increased damage at the cost of ammo.
- Tempered Edge
- Increased damage and ammo.
Potential Guards
- Balanced Guard
- Balanced overall defenses.
- Burst Guard
- Has high resistance, but low endurance.
- Enduring Guard
- High endurance, but low resistance.
- Heavy Guard
- High overall defenses, but lowered charge rate.
- Swordmaster’s Guard
- Low overall defenses, but increased charge rate.
