Destiny 2 Captive Cord: How to find the Lunar Battlegrounds and finish the Essence of Failure

(Image credit: Bungie)

You're going to need the Destiny 2 Captive Cord to farm for the Arc Logic auto rifle, which was reissued at current Power levels in Season 14 after being sunset at the start of Year 4. It's nice to see this gun back, especially with its updated perk pool, though its Essence quest can still be a pain to complete the first time around. That's why we've whipped up a short guide to help you collect the Captive Cord quickly and painlessly.  

How to find the Lunar Battlegrounds 

Unlike most other Essence components, the location of the Captive Cord isn't in the Hellmouth. Instead, head to the Sorrow's Harbor landing zone in the northeast, and head southeast on your sparrow. Hug the right wall until you come to a scarlet bridge, then keep going straight. 

You'll soon come to an open area covered in Hive totems. Keep moving toward the back of the room, hopping off your sparrow if you need to. Take the thin path straight back until you come to the battlefield from the opening of the campaign. You'll find the Captive Cord on top of a tall building off to the right, around the back corner of the satellite fixture. 

There you have it. Once you obtain the Captive Cord, you won't need to pick it up again, so your future Essences of Failure will go by much quicker. Good thing too, because the Arc Logic auto rifle which comes from this Essence could well be a contender with the right roll. It sounds amazing, that's for sure. 

Destiny 2 Necromantic Strand | Destiny 2 Fangs of Shun'gath | Destiny 2 Horned Wreath | Destiny 2 Ehrath'Ur's Horned Wreath | Destiny 2 Withered Plumes | Destiny 2 Bound Manacle | Destiny 2 Ethereal Charms | Destiny 2 Ralnik's Hatchet | Destiny 2 Tips | Destiny 2 Crucible tips | Destiny 2 Class guide | Destiny 2 Heroic Public Events | Destiny 2 Aspect of Destruction | Born in Darkness Destiny 2 Beyond Light guide | Destiny 2: Beyond Light Entropic Shard guide  

Austin Wood
Senior writer

Austin has been a game journalist for 12 years, having freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree. He's been with GamesRadar+ since 2019. They've yet to realize his position is a cover for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a lot of news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.

Read more
Destiny 2 Prismatic Fragments subclass screen Warlock
How to get all Destiny 2 Prismatic Fragments
Destiny 2 Star Wars armor sets
"Oryx is back": Destiny 2's final Episode takes the MMO to the site of the iconic Taken King expansion for a Coil-inspired roguelite mode, and also Star Wars armor
Destiny 2 Kell's Fall art
"If your cake is trash, nobody wants to eat it": At a tough time for Destiny 2, Bungie drops an Exotic mission promising vampire vibes, a cool shotgun, and a finale with bite
Destiny 2 Kell's Fall art
The Destiny 2 dev behind Titan's game-changing Banner of War was also on its new Exotic shotgun Slayer's Fang: "I gotta live up to this, especially as my first gun"
Destiny 2 guardian in scorn armor
How to get Destiny 2 Twitch Drops and link your accounts
Destiny 2 Episode 3 Heresy screenshot of Eris Morn
Destiny 2's new Episode suggested the upcoming Apollo expansion will launch on July 15, but that date has mysteriously been scrubbed from the game
Latest in RPG
A Dragon Age character stares out against a blue background.
BioWare makes a return to Dragon Age: The Veilguard with a surprise PC update, months after layoffs and a seemingly final patch
Baldur's Gate 3 the vampire Astarion covered in blood
Baldur’s Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon warns games industry that "AI will have deep ramifications" if not properly regulated: "I believe in experiencing life and art through human expression, not software"
Yasuke riding through a village looking for Knowledge in Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows' prologue is the most gripping in franchise history, but I'm fixated on the tiny details
Naoe perched in front of a castle in Assassin's Creed Shadows
I've spent 20 hours in Assassin's Creed Shadows chasing drip and decor, and it's proving to be my biggest source of motivation in the RPG
Cabernet screenshot showing vampire protagonist Liza sucking someone's blood
Cabernet is the kind of vampire RPG I've been looking for since Masquerade Bloodlines, and I'm already plotting my next run 6 hours in
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
While Bethesda celebrates The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion's 19th birthday with a "Happy Anniversary" post, fans of the RPG had more in mind: "It would be perfect to... announce something"
Latest in Guides
FC 25
FC 25 Dreamchasers tracker and full UEFA promo guide
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe "justice must be served" or "killing them isn't justice" Yaya and Mistumune choice
Should you side with Mitsumune or Yaya in Assassin's Creed Shadows?
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shiny Cards
How to get Shiny Pokemon in Pokemon TCG Pocket
Assassin's Creed Shadows money naoe and merchant
How to get money in Assassin’s Creed Shadows
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry
Pokemon TCG Pocket Shining Revelry release date and details
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe in outfit
Best Assassin’s Creed Shadows armor for Naoe and Yasuke