History of Independent Study

Overview

Independent Study is the historical Exotic quest for Thorn, released in Season of the Drifter in March 2019. Bungie's Destiny Content Vault lists the Thorn quest under its in-game quest name, The Essence. The quest is no longer available: Bungie moved it and its associated seasonal content into the Destiny Content Vault when Year 4 and Destiny 2: Beyond Light launched on November 10, 2020. Thorn remains obtainable through the Monument to Lost Lights, so this page documents the retired route only.

Walkthrough

This is the historical quest sequence; its old objectives and destinations are not currently playable.

1. Find the ruined Thorn at a campsite near the Salt Mines in the European Dead Zone and take it to Banshee-44 in the Tower.
2. Gather 50 Hadronic Essence. The old quest allowed progress from Asher Mir bounties on Io, defeating Warlocks in Crucible, or completing Nightfall strikes.
3. Gather 50 Plasteel Plating from Sloane bounties on Titan, defeating Titans in Crucible, or Blind Well encounters.
4. Gather 50 Sapphire Wire from Ana Bray bounties on Mars, defeating Hunters in Crucible, or Escalation Protocol.
5. Complete the Crucible objective using Void damage or Hand Cannons; precision streaks with a Void Hand Cannon and some playlists granted bonus progress.
6. Visit Tyra Karn at The Farm to learn how to reconnect the weapon to the Light.
7. Complete The Chasm of Screams on Titan: defeat Arbiters Sardav and Telesh during the special Savathûn's Song strike variant, then defeat the strike boss.

These steps rely on destinations, activities, and materials that were vaulted or removed. They are historical instructions, not a current acquisition method.

Rewards

• Thorn Exotic Hand Cannon

Sources

• Destiny Content Vault — Bungie Help; identifies the Thorn quest as “The Essence” and dates Year 4's vaulting to November 10, 2020.
• Building a Viable Future in Destiny 2 — Bungie; confirms Io, Titan, Mercury, Mars and their PvE activities became inaccessible on November 10, 2020.
• Independent Study — Destinypedia; identifies Independent Study as the Season of the Drifter Exotic quest rewarding Thorn, and documents its seven historical steps and sunset status.
• Independent Study Destiny 2 Guide: Thorn Quest Walkthrough — Prima Games; independently confirms the quest name, Thorn reward, material steps, Tyra Karn step, and final strike.
• Destiny 2 Thorn Quest Guide: All The Steps To Quickly Get Your Weapon Of Sorrow — GameSpot; independently describes the historical EDZ start, materials, Crucible step, Farm visit, and final strike.
• Destiny 2 | HOW TO GET THORN - “Independent Study” EXOTIC Quest Guide Tips & Tricks! — TheBlackLink; creator walkthrough identified in search results, page itself could not be opened.