Heartshadow Guide: Destiny 2 Exotic Sword from Duality

Alright, Guardian, you're looking to snag one of the slickest Void swords in Destiny 2, the Heartshadow, from the Duality dungeon? Fantastic choice! This guide is your straight shot to understanding how to dive into the mind of Calus, conquer his Nightmares, and walk away with that sweet, sweet blade. We'll skip the boring number crunching and get right to the exciting stuff – the mechanics, the pro tips, and how to boost your chances of getting Heartshadow right now. Let's do this!

What's the Big Deal with Heartshadow?

Heartshadow Exotic Sword — Heartshadow - The ultimate Void stealth sword

Heartshadow isn't just any sword; it's a Void powerhouse designed for Guardians who like to hit hard and then vanish. Its main trick, Exhumation, lets you turn invisible and fire off seeking, exploding Void projectiles with a heavy attack when your sword energy is full. But the real magic is in its Exotic Trait, Shot in the Dark: if you're invisible, Heartshadow does bonus damage for a bit, and hitting a baddie with those projectiles while Shot in the Dark is active weakens them, making them take even more damage from everything! It's perfect for aggressive, stealthy takedowns and setting up big damage on bosses.

Duality Dungeon Basics

Duality Dungeon takes you into the psycho-scape of Emperor Calus's mind. It's a place where reality is... flexible. You'll be jumping between two states:

Normal Realm (or "Reality"): This is the more, well, normal-looking version of the area.
Nightmare Realm (or "Mindscape"): This is a twisted, reddish, and often more dangerous version. You'll usually be on a timer here called "Nightmare Collapsing" – if it hits zero, you and your fireteam wipe!

How do you switch between them? Bells of Conquest! You'll see these big bells throughout the dungeon. Shoot a bell to warp yourself (and anyone nearby in the circle) into the other realm.

The Golden Rule: Bellkeepers First

Critical Rule

This is so important it gets its own section. Almost every time you want to use a bell, or when bells are part of a mechanic, you'll find Bellkeepers nearby. These are usually fiery Cabal Incendiors, and they prevent you from interacting with the bells until they're defeated.

Mantra Time: See a bell you need to use? Clear the Bellkeepers first! This applies to entering the Nightmare Realm, exiting it, and especially during boss damage phases. Making Bellkeeper takedowns a reflex will save you countless headaches and wipes. They aren't just another enemy; they are a fundamental part of nearly every major interaction in Duality.

Backpack Warning

Those Incendior Bellkeepers drop explosive backpacks when they die if you don't disintegrate them. Caiatl (and other bosses) can stomp these, and BOOM – you're dead. This is a super common way to unexpectedly wipe, especially when things get chaotic. Use Fusion Rifles or abilities that make enemies disintegrate (like some Void or Solar effects) to avoid this messy problem! Prioritizing their clean elimination is a key step to mastering the dungeon.

Getting to Caiatl

Okay, basics down? Let's breeze through the first two encounters. The goal here is to get to Caiatl, so we'll focus on the must-do steps. These early encounters are fantastic practice for the core mechanics you'll need for the final boss.

Nightmare of Gahlran – The Sorrow Bearer

Gahlran Boss Fight — Gahlran - Practice the bell mechanics here

First, enter the Nightmare realm by shooting the bell. Split the team: two players head into the side rooms guarded by War Beasts to kill the Psion Standard Bearers, each dropping a Standard Essence and extending the realm timer by ~15 seconds; the third player clears the Bellkeepers near the bell so you can return safely. Once both Standards are collected and Bellkeepers are down, regroup, shoot the bell to shift back to the normal realm, and deposit each Essence into its matching symbol plate to open two side doors.

Next, have the two Standard runners enter the opened doors, while the third stays by the bell in the central arena. Shoot the bell to shift back into the Nightmare, and each runner will now face their room filled with Visions of Gahlran, while the bell-holder clears remaining Bellkeepers in the arena. Once all Visions are down, Gahlran becomes vulnerable - damage him until you’re close to the realm timer running out (~10–15 seconds), then ring the bell to escape back to the normal realm. Rinse and repeat until he’s defeated. Think of this as your Duality 101 class!

Gahlran's Stomp

Gahlran LOVES to stomp and lunge, which can send you flying into walls for a lot of physics-based damage. Stay mobile! If you're using a sword like The Lament (an excellent choice for this fight due to its damage and healing), be ready to block his attacks. High-resilience armor can help you survive, but avoiding the hit is always better.

Extended DPS (Optional Advanced)

For those feeling confident, there's a trick to get more DPS time. In the Nightmare Realm, kill both Psions but only pick up one Standard. Dunk it, clear its Visions. Before leaving that Vision room, go back and pick up the second Standard you left on the ground earlier (a new Psion will have spawned there; leave it alone for now). Dunk this second Standard, then go into its Vision room. The Psion you left earlier will be there; kill it during this Vision phase to extend your timer, which carries over to the main Gahlran DPS phase. This is a bit more complex, so master the basics first!

Learning the rhythm of bell-swapping, Standard collection, Bellkeeper management, and timed DPS here is crucial, as these mechanics are foundational for the entire dungeon.

Unlock the Vault – Symbol Overload

The goal here is to unlock three vault sections by collecting and depositing specific pairs of Standards, which will then allow you to defeat three mini-bosses one by one.

Start the encounter. Two symbols will illuminate above some of the six central deposit plates. These are the two types of Standards you need to collect first.
In the Normal Realm, defeat the Bellkeepers.
Shoot the active bell to enter the Nightmare Realm. Your timer starts!
In the Nightmare Realm, head to the corner areas of the arena that correspond to the two symbols currently lit up (you can check that in the Normal Realm before teleporting). Each correct corner will have enemies and then a powerful Standard Bearer (a Centurion or Colossus). Defeat them and grab their Standards. Killing the correct Standard Bearers extends your timer.
Once you have the Standards, find the exit bell and defeat its Nightmare Realm Bellkeepers.
Return to the Normal Realm by shooting the bell (remember to be WITHIN THE CIRCLE!).
Go to the central area and deposit your Standards at the plates that match the symbols you collected (the ones that were lit up).
Depositing both correct Standards will make the current mini-boss vulnerable. Take it down!
After the mini-boss is defeated, two new symbols will light up. Repeat this entire process (steps 2-8) two more times for the remaining mini-bosses.

Add Control is KING

This room is an absolute SWARM of Cabal, and the Phalanxes with their shields will try to boop you into oblivion or off ledges. Wave Frame or Area Denial grenade launchers are amazing here because their projectiles hit the ground behind the Phalanxes, bypassing their shields. Weapons that can pierce Phalanx shields (like the Skyburner's Oath exotic scout rifle, or any weapon when your character is Radiant from a Solar buff) are also your best friends. Aiming for their feet or using area-of-effect damage can also work.

Safe Spot (Normal Realm)

While you're in the Normal Realm figuring things out or clearing adds, the top landing of the large staircase that leads to the upper bell can offer some protection from Phalanx pushes. Stay aware of snipers, though!

This encounter heavily emphasizes your ability to quickly identify symbols, navigate the multi-level arena (especially in the Nightmare Realm under time pressure), and manage adds effectively. Mistakes in identifying symbols or inefficient pathing in the Nightmare Realm can be costly due to the timer. Always double-check which symbols you need before diving into the Nightmare.

Showdown with Caiatl: How to Beat the Big Boss & Get Your Sword

This is it, Guardian! The final boss, the Nightmare of Caiatl. Defeat her, and Heartshadow has a chance to drop! This challenging fight comes in two main phases: collecting four Standards, and then the damage (DPS) phase.

The Setup: Collecting FOUR Standards

Clear the initial wave of enemies. Two symbols will light up above two of the four deposit plates at one end of the arena – these are your first targets.
In the Normal Realm, defeat the Bellkeepers guarding the three small bells positioned down the length of the arena.
Shoot one of these small bells to enter the Nightmare Realm. The timer begins!
In the Nightmare Realm, go to the corner platforms that match the two currently lit symbols. Defeat the Psion Standard Bearers you find there and grab their Standards. This will extend your timer.
Critical Step: You must now defeat ALL Nightmare Realm Bellkeepers. There will be two pairs guarding two small bell locations. All four must go down!
Once the Bellkeepers are clear, return to the Normal Realm using one of the small bells (stand in the circle!).
Deposit the two Standards at their matching plates.
Two NEW symbols will light up above the remaining two plates. You must repeat steps 3 through 7 to collect and deposit this second pair of Standards.

DPS Phase: Time to Ring Some Bells and Melt a Boss

Enter DPS Nightmare Realm: Once all four Standards are successfully deposited, the large chains hanging near the deposit plates will begin to glow. This is your cue! Reload, get your abilities ready. Shoot one of the glowing chains or the crystal attached to it. This will trigger the massive Bell of Conquest at the far end of the arena, teleporting your entire fireteam into the Nightmare Realm version of the arena for the DPS phase.

Speedy Entry Tip

Immediately after shooting the chain/crystal, you can shoot one of the small bells. This often bypasses a short delay and teleports you into the DPS realm faster, giving you precious extra seconds to deal with the Bellkeepers before Caiatl fully spawns or starts moving.
PRIORITY ONE: Bellkeepers AGAIN! This cannot be stressed enough. As SOON as you land in the DPS Nightmare Realm, SIX Bellkeepers will spawn – two at each of the three small bell locations. You MUST eliminate them with extreme prejudice and speed, especially the ones at the bell Caiatl moves to. If they are alive by the time she reaches the bell, you will be unable to ring that bell to stun her, effectively ending your damage opportunity and losing the ENTIRE DAMAGE PHASE.

Team Strategy

If you're in a team, assign one player to each bell (Left, Middle, Right) to instantly kill their two Bellkeepers. If you're solo, it's often recommended to kill the two Middle Bellkeepers first, as this gives you a central position to react to Caiatl's movement, then quickly deal with the keepers at the bell she targets.
Track Caiatl: The Nightmare of Caiatl will spawn at the far end of the hall (near the giant bell structure) and begin to slowly walk towards one of the three small bells. Quickly identify which bell (Left, Middle, or Right) she is targeting.
Intercept & Stun: Move rapidly to the bell Caiatl is approaching. You must get there before she does. Double-check that the two Bellkeepers guarding that specific bell are dead. Position yourself INSIDE THE GLOWING CIRCLE around the bell. When Caiatl gets very close to the bell (stepping inside or right at the edge of the circle), shoot the bell.
"Waking Resonance" Buff – THE KEY! If you are standing inside the bell's circle when it rings and successfully stuns Caiatl, you (and any teammates in the circle) will gain the crucial "Waking Resonance" buff for approximately 10-12 seconds. This buff is absolutely mandatory for dealing significant damage. Without it, your damage to Caiatl will be reduced by about 90% – a massive waste of ammo and Supers!
Damage Her! During the Waking Resonance buff window, unleash your highest DPS. Use your Super, heavy weapons (Grenade Launchers and Swords are popular), and your best special weapons.
Rotate & Repeat: As the Waking Resonance buff is about to expire (or even slightly before, to get a head start), Caiatl will recover from the stun and begin walking towards one of the remaining two small bells (her choice of which bell seems random). Quickly identify her next target bell, get there, ensure its keepers are dead, position yourself inside the circle, shoot the bell when she's close, get the Waking Resonance buff, and DPS again. You'll do this for all three small bells.
After the damage window at the third bell concludes, Caiatl will retreat towards the giant Bell of Conquest structure and teleport your fireteam back to the Normal Realm, ending the DPS phase.

If Caiatl is not defeated after this full sequence, you must repeat the entire encounter cycle, starting again from "The Setup: Collecting FOUR Standards" all the way through the DPS Phase. The fight is a true test of coordination and execution, especially regarding those Bellkeepers during DPS. Their quick elimination is often the single biggest factor determining a successful damage phase.

Pro Tips for Caiatl: Making the Fight Smoother

✓ Recommended Loadouts

Lament is Your Friend (Still!): The Lament exotic sword is fantastic for this encounter. It provides excellent damage, its healing on hit can counteract the damage from Psion snipers, and its block can save you in a pinch.
Grenade Launchers for Add Clear: Adds are a very sore topic in this fight, so fast add-clearing weapons, especially Wave or Area Denial Frame Grenade Launchers, or a god roll Primary, are very good in this encounter, allowing you to clear the arena from a safer position.
Protective Supers: A Well of Radiance (Warlock) or Ward of Dawn (Titan) can be incredibly helpful for survivability and providing damage buffs during the DPS windows at one bell.

⚠ Watch Out For

Psion Snipers are EVIL: During the DPS phase, numerous Psion snipers will spawn on high ledges and take constant potshots at you. These can be incredibly dangerous. Use the bell structures themselves as cover between damage bursts.
Backpack Patrol (Final Warning!): Remember those Incendior Bellkeeper backpacks? Caiatl's stomp WILL detonate any nearby, and it's almost always a lethal explosion. Be vigilant about clearing any stray backpacks.
Stomp Danger: Caiatl's stomp attack can launch you into the abyss for instant death. Stay mobile and use cover between damage phases.

Stomp Baiting (Advanced Tactic)

If you need a few extra seconds for your team to kill Bellkeepers or get into position, one player can run very close to Caiatl as she's walking towards a bell. This will often bait her into performing a stomp animation, briefly pausing her advance and buying your team precious time. This is risky, as her stomp is dangerous, but it can save a damage phase if used strategically.

Boost Your Luck: Getting Heartshadow Faster

Okay, so you've beaten Caiatl – congratulations! Now, about getting that Heartshadow. It's a random drop directly from her. Sometimes the Destiny gods smile upon you, and sometimes... well, they like to watch you grind. But don't despair! You can absolutely tip the scales in your favor.

The Weekly Lockout & The Featured Dungeon Exception

Important Drop Information

Generally, for exotic drops from dungeon final bosses like Heartshadow, you have one chance per character class per week. This means if you have a Titan, a Hunter, and a Warlock, you can run Duality and defeat Caiatl on each of them once per week for three shots at the sword.

Featured Dungeon Week

BUT! There's a hugely important exception: if Duality is the weekly featured dungeon in the Director (you'll see it marked in the "Legends" section or on the main Director map), you can farm the Caiatl encounter repeatedly on the same character and still have a chance at Heartshadow on each completion! This is, by far, the best time to dedicate to farming if the sword is eluding you.

Triumph Power-Ups: Your Secret Weapon

This is where you can actively work to increase your odds. Completing certain in-game achievements called "Triumphs" specifically for the Duality dungeon will permanently increase your Heartshadow drop chance until you finally get it. Think of it as earning good karma with the loot gods.

MUST-DO: Mind Heist (Collecting Repressed Memories)

Most Accessible Boost

This Triumph requires you to find all 12 of Calus's Repressed Memories hidden throughout the Duality dungeon. For most players, this is the most accessible Triumph that provides a good, noticeable boost to your Heartshadow drop rate.

Repressed Memory — Calus's Repressed Memories - hidden throughout the dungeon

Quick Memory Guide (General Locations)

Memory 1 & 2 (Entrance Area): In the very first large room with the bell (before Gahlran), look for open doors in side hallways. One memory is in a hallway in the Normal Realm, and the other is in a similar hallway but in the Nightmare Realm version of that same area.
Memory 3 (Descent After Entrance): After a large drop down some broken pathways, when you enter the Nightmare Realm, look for a balcony area. The memory is tucked behind a pillar there.
Memory 4 (Before First Encounter - Gahlran): Right before you drop down into the arena where you fight Gahlran, look above the hole. There's a half-circle structure up there; the memory is in the center of it.
Memory 5 (Gahlran's Arena / After Gahlran): This memory is found in the side room associated with the "War Beast" (or "Dog") symbol from the Gahlran encounter. You can grab it after the fight by going into that room, or even during the fight if the War Beast symbol is one of the ones you need to activate.
Memory 6 & 7 (First Jumping Puzzle - "Navigate the Crypt"): During the jumping puzzle section after Gahlran, you'll pull some levers. For Memory 6, after one of the lever pulls allows you to hop across platforms, head left instead of right (where the puzzle normally continues). Reach the top, jump around a protruding wall to another platform; the memory is in an opening there. For Memory 7, continue until you reach a narrow tunnel with a bright light at the end. Instead of jumping to the beam in the center, look down. There's another tunnel directly underneath the entrance to the bright one; the memory is inside.
Memory 8 (Statue Room - "Circle Room With 4 Statues"): This one is in the room with four large Cabal statues that you might need to rotate for a puzzle, typically found between the first and second encounters.
Memory 9 (Vault Encounter - Second Encounter): During the Vault encounter, find the side area that shows the "Dog" (War Beast) symbol. You'll need to climb up a wall in this section to find the memory.
Memory 10 (Post-Vault Treasure Room - "Navigate the Vault"): After you complete the Vault encounter, you'll enter a large treasure room. There's a giant box covered with a cloth in the middle. Go underneath this box; the memory is in a tiny crawlspace against one of the walls.
Memory 11 (Path to Caiatl - "Navigate the Vault"): As you're making your way to the final boss (Caiatl), you'll encounter some thin beams high up in the Nightmare Realm that you need to cross. When you first enter this area with the beams, look immediately to your right; the memory is hidden there.
Memory 12 (Immediately Before Caiatl): Right before you drop down the slope into Caiatl's boss room, look to your right. There should be a small, somewhat hidden platform. Use this to jump up above the doorway that leads into the boss room. The final memory is hidden up there.

Finding these memories often involves looking in out-of-the-way places – high ledges, hidden alcoves, or paths that aren't on the main route. Keep an eye out!

For the Dedicated: Bigger Boosts, Bigger Challenges

These Triumphs offer even more significant increases to your Heartshadow drop rate, but they demand more skill and effort.

Solo Thoughtstealer: Complete the entire Duality dungeon solo, from start to finish, without anyone else in your fireteam. This is a true test of skill and patience, but the drop rate boost is substantial!
Master Thoughtstealer: Complete the Duality dungeon on Master difficulty. Master Duality is a significant step up in challenge. Enemies hit harder, are tougher, and you'll face Champions (Barrier and Unstoppable types). Match Game is also active, meaning you must match your energy weapon damage type to enemy shield types to break them efficiently. For Duality, Bellkeepers often have Void shields, so a good Void weapon is essential. The recommended Power Level for Master Duality varies depending on the current season caps, but it's always good to be as high as possible.
Other Triumphs (Briefly): There are even more challenging Triumphs, like completing the dungeon flawlessly (no deaths for anyone in the fireteam) or, the ultimate challenge, solo flawless (beating it alone without dying). These also boost the drop rate and are for true Duality masters!

Triumph Name	How to Get It (Super Simplified)
Mind Heist	Find all 12 Repressed Memories.
Solo Thoughtstealer	Beat Duality all by your lonesome.
Master Thoughtstealer	Conquer Duality on super-hard Master mode.
Flawless (Team/Solo)	Beat Duality without anyone (or yourself) dying.

Bonus Round: Secret Chests & The "Cheese" Question

A couple of extra things an excited friend might want to know!

Hidden Goodies: Secret Chest Locations

Duality has two secret chests hidden within it! Now, these chests will not drop Heartshadow. They only drop Legendary weapons or armor pieces from the Duality loot pool that you've already obtained from the main encounters in that specific run or previous runs. Still, free loot is free loot, and it's a chance for better rolls on guns you like!

Secret Chest 1 (Rotating Statues Puzzle): In the large room with the rotating Cabal statues puzzle, explore the upper areas and balconies. One of the upper sections will have an open doorway. Head through it and down the hallway to find the first secret chest.
Secret Chest 2 (Treasure Room / After Vault Encounter): After you complete the second main encounter (Unlock the Vault), you'll enter a large treasure room. In the center, there's a giant box or crate covered by a cloth. Go underneath that large, cloth-covered box. Against one of the walls beneath it, you'll find a tiny crawlspace. The second secret chest is hidden in there.

While not directly helping with Heartshadow, these are fun to find and can give you some extra rewards for your trouble.

The Deal on "Boss Cheese": Any Magic Shortcuts for Caiatl?

Okay, let's talk "cheese" – those clever, sometimes glitchy, ways players discover to defeat bosses or bypass mechanics easily. Everyone loves a good shortcut, right?

The Truth About Cheese

When it comes to Caiatl and getting Heartshadow, the honest truth is: currently, there are no widely known, reliable cheese strategies that let you easily bypass the core fight mechanics to get Heartshadow. While minor glitches or specific tricks for add control might surface from time to time, these generally don't trivialize the Caiatl fight in a way that guarantees an easy exotic drop. The encounter is designed to be done through its mechanics.

Your best and most reliable bet for getting Heartshadow "fast" is to learn the fight properly using the tips we've covered, master the Bellkeeper and Waking Resonance mechanics, and definitely complete those drop-rate-boosting Triumphs, especially the "Mind Heist" memory collection.

Sometimes you might see videos or hear players talking about "one-phasing" Caiatl. That's not a cheese! That's the result of a highly skilled and coordinated fireteam using optimal strategies, buffs, debuffs, and top-tier damage weapons to defeat her in a single DPS phase. It's impressive, but it's all legitimate gameplay.

Focus on solid execution and boosting your drop rates through Triumphs – that's the most dependable path to Heartshadow.

What About the Heartshadow Catalyst?

Once you FINALLY get that glorious Heartshadow sword (and you will, with persistence!), you'll discover it has a Catalyst that can be unlocked to make it even better. The Heartshadow Catalyst grants increased ammo capacity and an additional perk called Wraithwalk, which gives you faster movement while you're invisible!

To get the Catalyst, you'll need to head back into the Duality dungeon with Heartshadow equipped. Special, powerful Nightmare mini-bosses will appear in the Nightmare Realm in three specific, hidden spots throughout the dungeon. You need to defeat each of these mini-bosses, pick up the standard (just like in the encounters), and then plant that standard in a nearby designated spot. After you've successfully done this for all three special mini-bosses, a chest will appear containing the Heartshadow Catalyst.

But hey, one epic quest at a time! Let's focus on getting that sword into your hands first!

Go Get That Sword, Guardian!

You're all set, Guardian! Duality might seem like a complex dive into Calus's chaotic mind, but with these tips and a bit of practice, you now hold the keys to navigating its challenges. Remember the golden rule: Bellkeepers FIRST! Master their takedown, especially those pesky backpacks. Learn Caiatl's deadly dance, always be in that circle for Waking Resonance, and complete those Triumphs to sweeten your odds.

That Heartshadow is an amazing weapon, and the satisfaction of earning it from a tough dungeon is even better. Now go forth, delve into the Duality, and make Emperor Calus regret ever hoarding such cool loot! Good luck, have an absolute blast, and may your Heartshadow drop soon!