How to Find the Captive Cord in Destiny 2's Lunar Battlegrounds

Locate the Captive Cord and complete the Essence of Failure quest

By Robert Earl Wells III
Updated on February 15, 2021
Reviewed by
Michael Barton Heine Jr
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Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr
Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.
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What to Know

  • The Captive Cord is atop a tower of satellite dishes in the Lunar Battlegrounds on the Moon.
  • To complete the Essence of Failure quest, complete patrols, public events, or Lost Sectors on the moon, and score 50 auto rifle kills.
  • You must have the Shadowkeep DLC expansion pack to access the Captive Cord's location in the Lunar Battlegrounds.

This article explains how to find the Captive Cord in Destiny 2 as part of the Essence of Failure quest, which is a prerequisite for obtaining the Arc Logic auto rifle.

How to Get the Captive Cord in the Lunar Battlegrounds

The Captive Cord can be found in the Lunar Battlegrounds on the Moon.

  1. Choose Sorrow's Harbor as your landing point.

    Choose Sorrow's Harbor as your landing point.

  2. Head toward the southeast exit and cross the red bridge.

    Head toward the southeast exit and cross the red bridge.

  3. Keep going straight ahead through the tunnels to reach the Lunar Battlegrounds.

    Keep going straight ahead through the tunnels to reach the Lunar Battlegrounds.

  4. Once out in the open, turn right and follow the path.

    Once out in the open, turn right and follow the path.

  5. Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, head toward the right where there is a gap.

    Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, head toward the right where there is a gap.

  6. Jump across the gap.

    Jump across the gap.

  7. Head up the slope.

    Head up the slope.

  8. Walk through the narrow path at the top of the hill.

    Walk through the narrow path at the top of the hill.

  9. Head straight until you see a dome next to a building with antennae and satellite dishes protruding. Once you're in close range, an objective marker will lead you to the right spot.

    Head straight until you see a dome next to a building with antennae and satellite dishes protruding.

  10. Scale the building with satellites on it to find the Captive Cord on the third floor.

    Scale the building with satellites on it to find the Captive Cord on the third floor.

More About Finding the Lunar Battlegrounds

The Captive Cord is located in the Lunar Battlegrounds on the Moon. The Lunar Battlegrounds is actually the first area of the Destiny 2: Shadowkeep campaign, but it doesn't appear on the map. The entrance is just to the southeast of the Sparrow's Harbor landing site.

The entrance to the Lunar Battlegrounds is just to the southeast of the Sparrow's Harbor landing site.

Essence of Failure Quest Steps

The Captive Cord will not appear until you begin the Essence of Failure quest. This quest will unlock after you kill enough powerful enemies on the Moon. It should become available as you complete campaign quests.

Here's what is needed to complete the Essence of Failure quest:

  • Find the Captive Cord.
  • Complete patrols, public events, or Lost Sectors on the moon.
  • Get 50 auto rifle kills.

When you finish these steps, fast travel to the Sanctuary on the Moon. Approach the Lectern of Enchantment near Eris and interact with it to get the Arc Logic auto rifle.

You can repeat this quest to get another Arc Logic Rifle using one Phantasmal Core. You don't have to track down the Captive Cord again.

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