Destiny 2 Sleeper Simulant quest: How to use the IKELOS to complete the Violent Intel and other Sleeper Simulant quest steps
How to start and complete the many steps in Destiny 2's Sleeper Simulant quest.
Destiny 2's Sleeper Simulant sees a fan-favourite Linear Fusion Rifle from the original Destiny return for the sequel as part of the Warmind DLC.
Though the Exotic weapon itself is much the same as the first Destiny, the way you collect it is different to how it debuted first time round.
Though it still involves a quest revolving around the Violent Intel and IKELOS weapon, the steps required are thankfully a little simpler.
How to get the Destiny 2 Sleeper Simulant
Unlocking the Sleeper Simulant requires a number of specific steps. In brief, they are:
- Complete the main story in Warmind and subsequent missions Legacy Code and A Piece of the Past
- Receive the IKELOS Hand Cannon as quest reward, then visit Ana Bray and pick up the Violent Intel quest item
- Defeat Hive and Cabal with an IKELOS weapon equipped
- Defeat yellow bar enemies with an IKELOS weapon equipped
- Complete 5 Vanguard Strikes with an IKELOS weapon equipped
- Complete 3 Escalation Protocol levels and find 15 Sleeper Nodes with an IKELOS weapon equipped
- Complete the 'Will of the Thousands' mission with an IKELOS weapon equipped
Thanks to xHOUNDISHx and Ehroar for filling in the gaps of the above steps.
Getting the Destiny 2 Sleeper Simulant step-by-step
To start with, complete the Warmind story, which culminates in the mission 'Will of the Thousands'. Though the main threat is vanquished, there are a couple more missions to go as part of the follow-up 'Data Recovery' milestone.
After finishing two more missions - Legacy Code and A Piece of the Past, which both require 340 Power to complete - you'll receive the IKELOS_HC_V1.0.1 Hand Cannon. This is a key part of the quest, so make sure you hang onto it.
Head to Ana Bray and you'll receive several new quest items, including one involving the Violent Intel. It's this you'll be following until completion to get the Sleeper Simulant.
First, you must defeat Hive and Cabal with an IKELOS weapon equipped. Both of these factions are in Hellas Basin, so use the opportunity to complete some Adventures, Public Events and other activities on the new Mars planet to tick this off the list. Just remember to use that Hand Cannon.
Next, you'll be tasked with killing yellow bar enemies with an IKELOS weapon equipped. Again, Public Events are great here, and it'll work on any planet you choose, so feel free to branch out and complete the current week's milestones to give you some bonus loot while you're there.
The following step is five Strikes from the Vanguard playlist with the IKELOS weapon equipped. These can be pretty tough, so try and level up as much as you can before tackling them, and having a few friends on voice chat to help make the ride a little smoother.
The penultimate step is three Escalation Protocol levels and 15 Sleeper Nodes with the IKELOS weapon equipped. Escalation Protocol is the unique Public Event-style activity in Hellas Basin, activated by interacting with the glowing plates on the ground once the main story is complete.
The Season of the Deep is here alongside the Into the Depths quest. You can know go fishing too! Don't forget to keep an eye on the Lost Sector and King's Fall challenge rotation schedule!
This event comes in waves, and completing three of these waves - on any difficulty - is all you need to do. It's very tough - the Power level recommendation is 380 - so you might have to level up and come back later if you're struggling.
The other part of this step, finding 15 Sleeper Nodes, refers to Override Frequencies. You'll start this at the same as picking up the Violent Intel, and our Override Frequency locations page explains the process of unlocking and finding these Sleeper Nodes in more detail.
Finally, you'll have to replay the Will of the Thousands mission, again, with the IKELOS weapon equipped. This is the final story mission in Warmind, which you've done already, so you should know what to expect.
With all that done, the Sleeper Simulant is yours - you can see the moment is unlocks in the above video by Ehroar. Like the original Destiny, it's a unique and powerful rifle that looks unlike anything else in the game. Enjoy using it!