Where to Find the Zero Hour Mission in Destiny 2
You can access Zero Hour from a hidden mission node in the Tower, but first you need to unlock it through a questline.
How to Unlock It (For New Players):
- Visit Ada-1 in the Tower — She’ll offer you the "Outbreak Refined" quest if it's your first time.
- Complete the Quest Steps:
• Run several objectives across Europa and old mission areas
• Defeat enemies, scan locations, and complete challenges - Once you finish the final step, the Zero Hour Exotic Mission will become available from a special node in the Tower map. If you've already completed the mission, it will appear within the 'Legends' tab in your Director.
This mission can then be launched on Normal or Legend difficulty, and is replayable weekly.
If You’ve Already Completed the Quest:
- Open your Director, go to the 'Legends' tab and look for the Zero Hour node near the right-hand side of the map.
- If the node doesn’t appear, make sure your character has completed Outbreak Refined and has space for new quests.
Tip: You can run the mission weekly for Catalyst progress, Triumphs, or puzzle completions.
Recommended Builds & Weapons for Zero Hour
Zero Hour is a timed mission filled with complex platforming, tight corridors, and high-level enemies. You’ll need damage, survivability, and mobility to succeed.
Top Weapons:
- Outbreak Perfected — Shreds grouped enemies and bosses
- Witherhoard — Great for area denial and DOT
- Gjallarhorn / Rockets — For burst DPS during boss phase
- Arbalest / Wish-Ender — Useful against shields in Legend mode
Recommended Subclasses:
- Hunter: Strand or Void with invis for mobility and survival
- Warlock: Solar (Well) or Void for survivability and support
- Titan: Arc (for movement speed) or Void (for overshields)
Mobility > 80 is highly recommended. Sword skating or Eager Edge weapons help in speedruns.
Zero Hour Walkthrough — Key Steps and Puzzle Solutions
Phase 1: Opening and Parkour
- Start with heavy combat and clearing adds
- Follow the vent system and platforming sections
- Watch out for lasers and moving fans
Mid-Mission Puzzle Section:
- You’ll encounter a binary puzzle that changes weekly (in Legend mode)
- Use the colors (Red/Blue/Green) or symbols to match the weekly terminal code
- Solving it correctly unlocks Catalyst progress and Triumphs
If playing on Normal, puzzle steps are minimal or optional. For full rewards, play on Legend.
Final Boss: Siriks, Loyal to Eramis
- Prepare to fight a heavy-hitting Fallen Captain with shanks and Servitor support
- Clear adds first, then burst Siriks during damage phases
- Use cover and coordinate Supers to manage the clock
- On Legend, be ready for Champions and tight timer windows
How to Get the Outbreak Perfected Catalyst
Requirements:
- Complete Zero Hour on Legend
- Solve the weekly rotating puzzles in the mission
- Collect Security Drones and enter secret rooms
Once you've cleared all weekly puzzles (typically 3–4 weeks), the Catalyst becomes available. It grants enhanced Nanite generation and damage.
How to Unlock the Exotic Ship “Radiant Accipiter”
Steps:
- Complete Zero Hour (Legend) multiple times
- Solve all hidden puzzles
- Collect all hidden chests and Security Drones
Once all objectives are completed, visit the Tower hangar and the ship is awarded via Triumphs or an interaction terminal.
For a complete visual guide showing every single step, we recommend you this video: Zero Hour COMPLETE Guide (Intrinsic & Catalyst Puzzles)
Bonus Triumphs and Challenges
Zero Hour offers several Triumphs tied to:
- Timed completions (under 17 minutes on Legend)
- No-death runs
- Puzzle completions
- Hidden collectibles (Data pads, Security Drones, etc.)
These Triumphs may contribute to Seal progress tied to the current Season or Dungeon/Exotic Seal.
Final Thoughts
Zero Hour remains one of the best-designed missions in Destiny 2 — blending movement skill, puzzle-solving, and mechanical combat. With the return of Outbreak Perfected and brand-new rewards like the exotic ship and Catalyst, it’s absolutely worth your time in 2025.