How to complete the Destiny 2 Encoded Log quest in the Well of Echoes

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The clandestine Encoded Log quest in Destiny 2 unlocks the Enigma Protocol activity

Destiny 2 Echoes Encoded Log Enigma Protocol flag
(Image credit: Bungie)

The short Destiny 2 Encoded Log quest is very simple but only if you know where the Well of Echoes is on Nessus and how to get there, as the path isn’t clear on the map. Although, once you've made it there, you've just got to complete some simple objectives to unlock a secret Destiny 2 area where you unlock the Enigma Protocol activity, taking you into the VexNet to disrupt their operations against the clock. Below, I've explained exactly how to get to the Well of Echoes in Destiny 2 and complete the Encoded Log quest quickly.

Destiny 2 Encoded Log quest walkthrough

Destiny 2 Echoes Encoded Log mission from Failsafe

(Image credit: Bungie)

The Encoded Log quest from HELM Failsafe tasks you with investigating the Well of Echoes area on Nessus for a possible source of VexNet integration. That means your first job is to get to the Well of Echoes, then you need to kill a Minotaur boss to uncover a new area that allows you to breach the VexNet. Firstly, head to the Tangle region on Nessus (the closest fast travel landing zone is in Artifact's Edge) then here's what to do after that:

  1. Head to the southwest corner of the Tangle and look for the cylindrical tower with a triangle doorway.

Destiny 2 Echoes Encoded Log well of echoes location tower and marked on Nessus map

(Image credit: Bungie)
  1. Go through the doorway bearing right, then jump down the hole in the ground and carry on down a triangular corridor.
  2. Pass through the Vex portal at the end of this corridor, to officially reach the Well of Echoes, then follow the stone path until you reach a massive circular hall. There's a shielded Minotaur – Argus, Firewall Guardian – in the middle and some Cyclopes on the upper ledges around the room.

Destiny 2 Echoes Encoded Log Minotaur boss Argus

(Image credit: Bungie)
  1. Destroy four Vex cubes to bring down the Minotaur's shield, then kill it. There's one cube directly above Argus, one above one of the ground-level Vex portals, and the final two are on upper levels around the edge of the room.
  2. Follow the waypoint to the nearby chasm and jump in. It looks dangerous but I promise it's not. This takes you to a new area called A Hole in the Well where you'll find a flag that lets you begin the Enigma Protocol mission.
  3. Start Enigma Protocol via the flag and complete the mission. You'll be matchmade with two other Guardians for this high-level activity and must complete it against the clock. Speed is key!

That's all you've got to do for the Encoded Log quest in Destiny 2, and now you'll have the Destiny 2 Enigma Protocol activity permanently unlocked as an activity via the HELM. While the quest itself doesn't offer any rewards, Enigma Protocol is a generous activity with two loot chests to plunder that award lots of reprised Season of Dawn weapons, such as the Destiny 2 Perfect Paradox Shotgun.

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Will Sawyer
Will Sawyer
Guides Editor, GamesRadar+

Will Sawyer is a Guides Editor at GamesRadar+ with over five years of experience in writing online guides, news, and features, and has a BA (Hons) in Journalism. Starting as a freelancer, Will contributed to startmenu and Game Rant before joining the GamesRadar+ team in August 2021. Since then, he has written hundreds of guides about a huge range of games, with shooters and action games being his areas of expertise. Outside of writing about games, Will hops between multiplayer shooters with friends, such as Darktide and Helldivers 2, and delves into whatever has been on his backlog for far too long. He also tries to get through his never-ending Warhammer pile of shame of grey Tyranids, Aeldari, and Chaos Space Marines.