Destiny: The Taken King - How to Get the Ace of Spades Exotic

This guide will explain how you can get the Ace of Spades Exotic Hand Cannon in Destiny. This weapon is specific to the Hunter class, and is not earned through a drop. You must complete two separate quests for Banshee-44, the Gunsmith.

When we say that this weapon is specific to Hunters, we mean in how you earn it, as well as restrictions on using it. Not only is playing as the Hunter the only way you can unlock it, it’s also the only class that can equip and use the weapon. It’s worth noting, however, that both the Warlock and Titan have their own Exotic weapons that only they can unlock and use.

Gunsmith Rank 3

Players will need to level their Gunsmith to Rank 3 in order to unlock the Back in the Saddle quest that gives them the Ace of Spades exotic Hand Cannon. To do this, be sure to visit with Banshee-44 each Armsday, field testing all of the weapons that he brings with him. This is the primary way that you can increase your Gunsmith reputation to the appropriate levels. When you’re done field testing the weapon, you can simply dismantle it. Since these guns only have a 200 attack value, they will massively drop your Light level to unacceptable levels in most activities.

Kill 100 Enemies

Once you hit Rank 3, Banshee will have quest available for you, and it’s actually pretty simple. While you’re speaking with him, snag a Primary Weapon Telemetry, and then grab a Hand Cannon. If he’s asking you to test one that week, that weapon will work.

Move to Orbit and choose the Patrol option on Earth. You’ll spawn in at the Steppes, and your first order of business should be to equip a Hand Cannon and activate your Primary Weapon Telemetry from your Inventory. Once you do, start working your way around the Steppes in a clockwise direction. There are four pockets of enemies that will spawn in, and you can just continue moving in a circle and killing them. Expect to get about 15-20 enemies per lap, spending no more than about 15 minutes completing this portion of the quest. Your Telemetry should last 30 minutes, so you have more than enough time.

When you have your 100 kills, head back to the Tower and speak with Banshee-44 again. He will then ask you to dismantle 10 Hand Cannons before he’ll give you the Ace of Spades. This isn’t as bad as it seems, since Legendary Hand Cannons are worth 5, and Rare Hand Cannons are worth 2. You can even dismantle Year 1 Legendary Hand Cannons, which is what allowed us to complete this quest instantly.

If you don’t have the required materials to dismantle, you’ll have to play the waiting game until you do. You could buy them with Legendary Marks, which now that we say it seems to be the most useful thing you could possibly do with those. They’re certainly not useful for raising your Light level past about 280.

If you’re looking for more Exotic weapons to add to your collection, try our Destiny: The Taken King Walkthrough and Guide.