If you are new to Codename Frontiers and your inventory is filling up with strange glowing engrams you cannot open, this guide will get you sorted. Below is everything you need to know about decrypting Anomalous Engrams, where to find the right vendor, what it costs, and the best places to farm them across the Destiny 2 experience.
Note: This guide covers mechanics as of July 2026. Bungie may update systems with future patches — always check the latest official notes for any changes.
What Are Anomalous Engrams?
Anomalous Engrams are a new engram type introduced in the Codename Frontiers expansion. They differ from standard engrams and from older variants like Umbral Engrams in several key ways:
| Feature | Anomalous Engram | Standard Engram | Umbral Engram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source loot pool | Extra-solar / new campaign content | Routine playlist & activity drops | Postmaster exchange |
| Decrypt location | Vendor-exclusive (not Master Rahool) | Master Rahool (Tower) | Master Rahool (Tower) |
| Upgrade path | None — single decrypt cycle | None — single decrypt cycle | Spark upgrade for higher rarity |
| Typical reward tier | Expansive/epic tier | Common to rare | Rare to epic |
| Decryption currency | Glimmer + Starlight Remnants | Glimmer only | Glimmer |
The most important thing to understand is that you cannot take Anomalous Engrams to Master Rahool in the Tower. Doing so will simply return the engram to your inventory. You must use the dedicated expansion vendor instead.
Step 1: Unlock the Bleak Expanse
Before you can decrypt Anomalous Engrams, you need access to the expansion’s patrol zone, The Bleak Expanse. Here is the typical progression path:
- Complete the main story introduction mission (commonly titled “Into the Unknown” in expansion materials).
- Speak with the quest-giving NPC attached to the campaign to receive the unlock prompt.
- Travel to The Bleak Expanse and complete the initial zone-clearing objectives.
Once you are standing in The Bleak Expanse, proceed to the main forward operating base known as Forward Camp Alpha. This is your hub for expansion-related vendors, bounties, and engram decryption.
Time estimate: Two to four hours of campaign play from a fresh account, depending on your prior Destiny 2 experience level.
Step 2: Find Fenris, The Heralded
At Forward Camp Alpha you will find the expansion-exclusive vendor, Fenris, The Heralded. He stands near the primary landing zone, close to a large humming device called The Sub-Light Loom.
Key Details
- Vendor name: Fenris, The Heralded
- Location: Forward Camp Alpha, The Bleak Expanse
- Required step: Complete the associated campaign quest step (often the third step in the main questline)
- Device: The Sub-Light Loom — used exclusively for Anomalous Engram decryption
Fenris also offers other services beyond engram decryption, including expansion bounties, cosmetic unlocks, and occasionally event offerings. Stop by even when you do not need to decrypt engrams — the daily bounties are a reliable source of progression materials.
Step 3: Decrypt Your Anomalous Engrams
Approach The Sub-Light Loom next to Fenris. The interaction prompt will appear automatically. Select it to open the decryption menu.
Standard Decryption Cost
| Resource | Amount |
|---|---|
| Glimmer | 500 |
| Starlight Remnants | 10 |
Glimmer is the universal Destiny 2 currency earned from every activity. It is trivial to accumulate.
Starlight Remnants are the new planetary crafting material tied to Codename Frontiers. They drop from:
- Void Storm public events in The Bleak Expanse
- Resource nodes scattered across the zone
- Vendor purchases from Fenris (limited daily quantity)
- Daily/login rewards during the expansion season
If you run short on Starlight Remnants, focus on the public events — they are the most consistent source and often give bonus drops on completion.
How to Focus Engrams
Later in the season pass you will unlock Focusing, which lets you target a specific weapon or armor piece from the Anomalous Engram pool. Focusing requires:
- A significantly higher quantity of Starlight Remnants (exact cost scales with item rarity)
- The desired weapon or armor piece to already be unlocked in your Collections inventory
Focusing is essential if you are chasing a specific exotic or legendary for a build. Without it, you will receive random rolls.
Where to Farm Anomalous Engrams
You will want a steady supply of Anomalous Engrams. Here are the most efficient farming methods, ranked by reliability.
1. Deep Space Dungeons — Derelict Fleet
The Derelict Fleet activity is a deep-space instanced dungeon tied to the expansion. The final chest in this activity has a high drop rate for Anomalous Engrams. Run it repeatedly with a fireteam for the fastest farm.
Estimated engrams per run: 1–2, depending on luck and activity modifiers.
2. Anomaly Containment — Heroic Public Event
Completing the Anomaly Containment public event on Heroic difficulty guarantees one Anomalous Engram per day per character. This is the most predictable daily source and should be checked off every day.
Tip: Join a world state or use LFG to find players before the event starts — Heroic public events are much faster with a team.
3. Core Playlists (Conditional Drop)
Strikes, Crucible, and Gambit have a low chance to drop Anomalous Engrams, but only if you have the “Frontier Ghost Shell” equipped. This cosmetic ghost shell acts as a modifier that enables the drop table inclusion.
Estimated engrams per run: 0–1, heavily RNG-dependent.
Quick Reference Table
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Decrypt vendor | Fenris, The Heralded |
| Decrypt location | Forward Camp Alpha, The Bleak Expanse |
| Decryption device | The Sub-Light Loom |
| Standard cost | 500 Glimmer + 10 Starlight Remnants |
| Focus unlock | Mid-to-late season rank pass |
| Best farm source | Derelict Fleet deep-space dungeon |
| Daily guaranteed source | Anomaly Containment (Heroic public event) |
| Cannot decrypt at | Master Rahool (Tower) |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Taking them to Rahool. This is the #1 mistake. Master Rahool will not accept Anomalous Engrams. You must go to Fenris in The Bleak Expanse.
Hoarding them. There is no reason to keep Anomalous Engrams in your vault. They do not store value — decrypt them as soon as you can afford the cost.
Ignoring the Focus feature. If you know exactly what gear you want, wait until you unlock Focusing. Random decrypts will waste your Starlight Remnants on gear you do not need.
Running out of Starlight Remnants. Stockpile them during events rather than spending them all at once. The focusing costs scale up and can add up quickly.
Why This Matters
Anomalous Engrams contain some of the strongest new weapons and armor from the Codename Frontiers expansion, including the new Void Trace Rifle archetype. These items can completely change how you approach endgame encounters — and they will clutter your vault if you do not decrypt them promptly.
Unlock Fenris early, stockpile Starlight Remnants, and start clearing your inventory. Your Ghost will thank you.
FAQ
Q: Can I decrypt Anomalous Engrams at Master Rahool in the Tower?
A: No. Anomalous Engrams cannot be decrypted by Master Rahool. You must visit Fenris, The Heralded at Forward Camp Alpha in The Bleak Expanse and use The Sub-Light Loom instead.
Q: What does it cost to decrypt an Anomalous Engram?
A: A standard Anomalous Engram costs 500 Glimmer and 10 Starlight Remnants to decrypt at The Sub-Light Loom. Focused decrypts cost significantly more Starlight Remnants and require the target item to be unlocked in your Collections first.
Q: How do I get Starlight Remnants?
A: Starlight Remnants are earned primarily by completing Void Storm public events in The Bleak Expanse and gathering resource nodes throughout the zone. They can also be obtained from limited daily purchases from Fenris and from seasonal login rewards.
Q: What is the best place to farm Anomalous Engrams?
A: The most efficient farm is the Derelict Fleet deep-space dungeon, where the final chest has a high drop chance. For guaranteed daily engrams, complete the Anomaly Containment public event on Heroic difficulty — it awards one per character per day.
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