How to Farm Destiny 2 Strange Coins (July 2025) Best Methods
Strange Coins in Destiny 2 are the essential currency for purchasing exotic gear, catalysts, and the highly coveted Exotic Class Items from Xur. Since The Final Shape expansion overhauled Xur's inventory and removed Legendary Shards, I've noticed Strange Coins have become more valuable than ever. In this comprehensive guide, I'll show you exactly how to farm Strange Coins efficiently, maximize your drops with the Favor of the Nine buff, and share the fastest farming methods that top players are using in July 2025.
Table of Contents
Destiny 2: Strange Coins Farming Methods
| Farming Method | Coins Per Run | Time Per Run | Efficiency Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devil's Lair Strike | 4 (7 with buff) | 6-7 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Grandmaster Nightfalls | 10 (13 with buff) | 15-20 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Crucible (Win) | 3 (6 with buff) | 8-10 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Vanguard Ops | 4 (7 with buff) | 10-15 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Onslaught Full Clear | 20 (29 with buff) | 35-40 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
What Are Strange Coins in Destiny 2?
Strange Coins are legendary-tier currency items that drop from ritual activities throughout Destiny 2. These warm, vibrating coins serve as the primary currency for Xur, the Agent of the Nine, who appears in the Tower Bazaar every weekend from Friday reset until Tuesday reset.
Since The Final Shape expansion, Strange Coins have replaced Legendary Shards as Xur's accepted currency. I can't stress enough how important these coins have become - they're your ticket to exotic weapons, armor, catalysts, and those game-changing Exotic Class Items that can completely transform your build.
Where to Find Xur?
Unlike the old days when we had to hunt for Xur across different planets, he now has a permanent location:
- Location: Tower Bazaar (Hangar section)
- Schedule: Friday reset to Tuesday reset
- Map Indicator: Look for the IX symbol on your Tower map
How to Get Strange Coins in Destiny 2?
Strange Coins drop from virtually all ritual activities in Destiny 2. Here's what I've discovered through extensive farming:
Primary Sources:
- Vanguard Ops - 4 coins per completion
- Crucible Matches - 2 coins (loss) / 3 coins (win)
- Gambit Matches - 2 coins (loss) / 3 coins (win)
- Nightfall Strikes - 5-10 coins depending on difficulty
- Onslaught Mode - 2-6 coins per boss chest
- Iron Banner - 2-3 coins per match
- Trials of Osiris - 2-3 coins per match
- Season Pass - 104 coins (free) / 208 coins (paid)
Important: Strange Coin Cap
The maximum Strange Coins you can hold is 99. Once you hit this cap, you'll stop receiving coins from activities. I learned this the hard way - always spend some coins before farming if you're near the cap!
Best Strange Coin Farming Methods in Destiny 2
After testing every farming method extensively, here are my top recommendations:
1. The Devil's Lair Strike (Solo Farming Champion)
Why it's the best: This strike from the Cosmodrome is hands-down the fastest Strange Coin farm for solo players.
How to farm it:
- Open the Director and navigate to Cosmodrome
- Select The Devil's Lair strike directly (not from playlist)
- Speed-run through the strike in 6-7 minutes
- Collect 4 Strange Coins (7 with Favor buff)
- Repeat immediately
Pro tips for speed-running Devil's Lair:
- Skip all optional enemies
- Use builds with high mobility and damage
- Bring weapons optimized for boss DPS
- My fastest time: 5 minutes 47 seconds
2. Grandmaster Nightfalls (Team Farming King)
Best for: Experienced fireteams with optimized loadouts
Rewards: 10 coins base (13 with buff) + Nightfall weapons
Strategy:
- Wait for easier GMs like Fallen S.A.B.E.R or Exodus Crash
- Farm during Double Loot weeks for maximum efficiency
- Average completion: 15-20 minutes with a good team
3. The Disgraced Strike Alternative
Some players in my clan prefer The Disgraced strike. While testing, I averaged 5:30-6:00 per run with the Strange Favor buff active, netting 5 coins each time. It's slightly slower than Devil's Lair but offers variety.
4. Crucible Mayhem Mode
Why Mayhem? Matches end in 5-6 minutes due to supercharged abilities
Efficiency: 2-3 coins per match, but you'll also progress catalysts and seasonal challenges
5. Onslaught Marathon Sessions
While not the fastest per-coin method, a full 50-wave Onslaught clear rewards:
- Wave 10: 2 coins
- Wave 20: 3 coins
- Wave 30: 4 coins
- Wave 40: 5 coins
- Wave 50: 6 coins
- Total: 20 coins (29 with max buff)
Favor of the Nine Buff - Essential for Efficient Farming
The Favor of the Nine (Strange Favor) buff is absolutely crucial for maximizing your Strange Coin gains. Here's everything you need to know:
How to Get Favor of the Nine:
- Spend 47 Strange Coins at Xur
- Navigate to "More Strange Offers" tab
- Claim your free Favor of the Nine buff
- Buff lasts 11 days
- Can stack up to 3 times
Optimal Farming Loop:
My proven strategy for maximum efficiency:
- Thursday: Farm 47+ coins without buff
- Friday: Buy items from Xur to unlock Favor buff
- Friday-Monday: Farm with active buff
- Tuesday-Thursday: Continue farming for next week
- Repeat: Maintain buff uptime constantly
Destiny 2: Complete Strange Coins Drop Rate List
Based on extensive community testing and my personal data:
| Activity | Base Drop | With Favor x3 | Time Investment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strikes & Vanguard | |||
| Destination Strikes | 4 | 7 | 7-10 min |
| Vanguard Ops Playlist | 4 | 7 | 10-15 min |
| Nightfalls | |||
| Advanced | 5 | 8 | 15-20 min |
| Expert | 8 | 11 | 20-25 min |
| Master | 9 | 12 | 25-30 min |
| Grandmaster | 10 | 13 | 15-30 min |
| PvP Activities | |||
| Crucible Win | 3 | 6 | 8-10 min |
| Crucible Loss | 2* | 2 | 8-10 min |
| Iron Banner Win | 3 | 6 | 8-10 min |
| Iron Banner Loss | 2* | 2 | 8-10 min |
| Trials Win | 3 | 6 | 8-12 min |
| Trials Loss | 2* | 2 | 8-12 min |
| Gambit | |||
| Win | 3 | 6 | 10-15 min |
| Loss | 2* | 2 | 10-15 min |
*Note: Activities marked with asterisk don't benefit from Favor buff
Where to Spend Strange Coins in Destiny 2?
Now that you're swimming in Strange Coins, here's what to buy:
Xur's Inventory Breakdown:
- Exotic Class Items: 41 coins (RNG rolls)
- Exotic Weapons: 23 coins
- Exotic Armor: 23 coins
- Exotic Catalysts: 74 coins
- Exotic Engrams: 41 coins
- Legendary Weapons: 17 coins
- Upgrade Materials: Various prices
Priority Purchase Guide:
- First: Exotic Class Items (game-changing builds)
- Second: Missing exotic catalysts
- Third: High-stat exotic armor rolls
- Fourth: Exotic weapons you're missing
- Last: Legendary gear and materials
Pro Tips for Maximum Efficiency
After farming thousands of Strange Coins, here are my best tips:
1. Timing is Everything
- Start farming Thursday to have coins ready for Xur
- Always maintain Favor of the Nine buff
- Farm during double loot Nightfall weeks
2. Optimize Your Loadout
For strike farming, I recommend:
- High-damage supers for boss melting
- Movement exotics for speed
- Weapons with champion mods when needed
3. Passive Farming Strategy
While actively farming strikes, you can passively earn coins by:
- Completing seasonal challenges
- Ranking up vendor reputations
- Opening prime engrams
- Finishing bounties
4. Avoid These Common Mistakes
- Don't hit the 99 coin cap without spending
- Don't farm without Favor buff active
- Don't ignore double loot events
- Don't waste coins on items you already own
Platform-Specific Considerations
PC Players:
- Faster load times mean more runs per hour
- SSD highly recommended for strike farming
Console Players:
- Consider Crucible farming if load times are slow
- Next-gen consoles match PC efficiency
Build Recommendations for Farming
For those interested in optimizing their builds, check out our Destiny 2 Exotic Weapons Tier List for the best farming loadouts.
Speed-Running Builds:
Hunter: Stompees + High Mobility Titan: Lion Rampant + Catapult Lift
Warlock: Transversive Steps + Burst Glide
Boss-Melting Builds:
Hunter: Celestial Nighthawk + Marksman's Dodge Titan: Cuirass of the Falling Star + Thundercrash Warlock: Geomag Stabilizers + Chaos Reach
Seasonal Considerations
Each season brings changes that affect Strange Coin farming:
Current Season (July 2025):
- Seasonal activities may drop bonus coins
- Watch for limited-time events with increased drops
- New exotic catalysts increase coin spending needs
Future Updates:
Bungie occasionally adjusts drop rates and farming methods. I'll update this guide as changes occur.
Community Farming Strategies
The Destiny 2 community has developed several interesting strategies:
The "Weekend Warrior" Method:
- Save all ritual activities for weekends
- Stack bounties across three characters
- Marathon farm sessions with clan mates
The "Efficiency Expert" Approach:
- Only farm during optimal conditions
- Track coins per hour meticulously
- Focus exclusively on fastest methods
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Strange Coins can I hold at once?
The maximum cap is 99 Strange Coins. Any coins earned beyond this limit are lost, so make sure to spend some before hitting the cap.
What's the fastest way to farm Strange Coins solo?
The Devil's Lair strike from the Cosmodrome Director is the fastest solo method, averaging 4 coins every 6-7 minutes.
Does the Favor of the Nine buff stack?
Yes, it stacks up to 3 times and lasts for 11 days. Each stack increases your Strange Coin drops.
Where is Xur located now?
Xur is permanently located in the Tower Bazaar from Friday reset until Tuesday reset. Look for the IX symbol on your map.
Can Strange Coins drop from Dares of Eternity?
No, Strange Coins no longer drop from Dares of Eternity since The Final Shape expansion.
What should I buy first with Strange Coins?
Prioritize Exotic Class Items (41 coins) as they offer unique perk combinations that can transform your builds.
Do I need to own the season pass for Strange Coins?
No, but the paid season pass doubles your Strange Coin rewards from 104 to 208 coins.
Can I farm Strange Coins in private matches?
No, Strange Coins only drop from public playlist activities and matchmade content.
What happens if I'm at 96 coins and complete a 4-coin activity?
The game won't award partial coins. You need exact space for the full reward or you get nothing.
Are Double Nightfall rewards worth waiting for?
Absolutely! Double loot weeks are the most efficient time to farm Grandmaster Nightfalls for Strange Coins.
Conclusion
Farming Strange Coins in Destiny 2 has become essential for any Guardian looking to expand their exotic collection and optimize their builds. Whether you prefer the solo efficiency of Devil's Lair strikes or the team-based rewards of Grandmaster Nightfalls, there's a farming method that suits your playstyle.
Remember to always maintain your Favor of the Nine buff, avoid hitting the 99-coin cap, and prioritize purchasing Exotic Class Items from Xur. With the strategies I've shared in this guide, you'll never run short of Strange Coins again.
Happy farming, Guardian! May your vaults overflow with exotic treasures, and may RNG bless your Exotic Class Item rolls. See you in the Tower!
Last updated: July 2025 - Strange Coin drop rates and farming methods verified as current.