Guardians across the solar system are practically vibrating with electrifying anticipation, their hearts pounding like war drums as the enigmatic Xur undergoes a monumental transformation in The Final Shape expansion. No longer a fleeting shadow in remote corners of the galaxy, this cryptic merchant now anchors himself firmly in the Tower's Bazaar every weekend, peddling exotic treasures that shimmer with the promise of god-like power. Players are diving headfirst into a frenzy, chasing Strange Coinsâthose elusive fragments of cosmic fortuneâthat have replaced the archaic Legendary Shards. It's a seismic shift that feels like stumbling upon a hidden trove in a forgotten tomb, where every coin earned pulses with the thrill of discovery. The sheer audacity of this overhaul leaves Guardians wide-eyed and breathless, as if they've been handed the keys to a celestial vault. 
What Are Strange Coins?
Strange Coins are nothing short of stardust forged into currency, scattered across the ritual content of Destiny 2 like whispers from the void. Awarded exclusively from Vanguard Ops, Onslaught, Crucible, and Gambit matches, these tokens serve as the golden tickets to Xur's ever-rotating inventory. Picture them as shards of a fallen starârare, radiant, and pulsating with untapped potentialâthat players must hoard to unlock everything from Exotic weapons and catalysts to nostalgic seasonal gear and upgraded materials. Spending them at Xur's shop feels like trading with a phantom in the shadows of commerce, where each purchase is a gamble wrapped in mystery. Players can't help but shiver with delight as they amass these coins, their inventories glowing like a constellation come to life.
Where Is Xur?
Xur is now a permanent fixture in the Tower Bazaar, materializing like clockwork from Friday to Tuesday without fail. Gone are the days of wild goose chases across desolate planets; he stands as predictable as a sunrise, ready to unveil his wares to any Guardian bold enough to approach. Spotting him on the Tower map is an instant adrenaline rushâitâs as if the universe itself has paused to whisper secrets. Speak with him, and you're plunged into a labyrinth of possibilities, where Strange Coins transform into tangible power. Players often describe the encounter as stepping into a dream, where reality bends and the air hums with unseen energy.
How To Get Strange Coins
Earning Strange Coins is a quest that transforms routine activities into epic sagas. These tokens drop from all ritual activities, including Vanguard Ops, Nightfalls, Onslaught, Crucible, and Gambit. Even limited-time Crucible variants like Trials of Osiris and Iron Banner churn out coins, turning every match into a high-stakes lottery. The payout varies wildly, making each completion feel like unwrapping a gift box filled with surprises. Below is a breakdown of the coin rewardsâguardians will gape at the efficiency, especially when paired with the Favor of the Nine buff:
| Activity | Strange Coin Payout |
|---|---|
| Vanguard Ops | 2 |
| Onslaught | 2 per chest (scales with wave) |
| Crucible | 3 |
| Gambit | 4 |
| Nightfall | 5 |
| Grandmaster Nightfall | 9 |
Grinding for these coins is as rhythmic as a heartbeat, with every strike and skirmish adding to a growing hoard that glimmers like liquid moonlight. Players often lose themselves in the rhythm, their minds buzzing with the addictive rush of accumulation. đ
Season Pass and Favor of the Nine
Beyond the battlefield, the season pass offers a torrent of Strange Coinsânon-season owners can snag 104 coins, while pass holders double that to 208, turning the reward track into a veritable waterfall of wealth. But the real game-changer is Favor of the Nine, a buff that Xur bestows like a benevolent deity. Purchasing it for free from his "More Strange Offers" tab amplifies all coin drops by one, transforming a standard Vanguard Op from a trickle to a deluge. Once acquired, players must spend at least 46 coins to refresh it, creating a cycle that feels as intricate as a celestial dance. Guardians rave about this buff, claiming it makes coins rain down like confetti at a cosmic carnival. Itâs a masterstroke that leaves them grinning like mad scientists, their fortunes multiplying with every mission.
The Best Strange Coin Farms
When it comes to farming Strange Coins, two strategies reign supreme, each offering a unique blend of chaos and reward that players obsess over:
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Grandmaster Nightfalls: This high-octane farm is a symphony of chaos, where squads of three battle through 15-minute gauntlets for a whopping nine coins per run. With optimized builds and lightning-fast clears, it's possible to rake in 36 coins an hourâor more during double loot events. Guardians describe it as walking through a storm of fire and emerging unscathed, their loot bags bulging with cosmic bounty.
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The Devils' Lair Strike: Solo adventurers flock here for its simplicity, completing this Cosmodrome strike in just seven minutes for four coins. Speedrunners can slash that to six minutes, making it the ultimate refuge for those who shun endgame intensity. Farming here is as soothing as a lullaby, a solo player's paradise where coins flow like a gentle river.
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PvP Events (Iron Banner and Trials of Osiris): While less efficient, yielding 2-3 coins per eight-minute game, these events drown players in bonus rewards like Revenant's Tonics or Heresy's Tome of Want. Itâs a multitaskerâs dream, dipping into multiple sources simultaneouslyâGuardians emerge not just richer in coins, but draped in a cascade of unexpected treasures.
Players are spellbound by these farms, their sessions stretching into marathon hunts that blur day into night. But amidst this whirlwind of coin-collecting euphoria, one question lingers like an unsolved riddle: Will the allure of Strange Coins endure, or will they eventually fade into the annals of forgotten legends?