Destiny 2: Joker’s Wild – The Allegiance Quest, Vanguard Versus Drifter

One of the newest additions in Destiny 2: Joker’s Wild — aka. Season of the Drifter — is the Allegiance Quest. This questline will lock your progression based on the decision you make, whether you side with the Vanguard or the Drifter. The good thing is that the lock is character-based so you can make a different choice with your other characters. You just head on over to the Annex and speak to the Drifter to make your decision.

What exactly does the Allegiance Quest entail? Well, let’s find out in this guide.

Siding With The Drifter

For my first character, I chose to side with the Drifter. The enigmatic rebel has an air of mystery surrounding him, but I’ve always considered him a decent and excitable chap.

The first task he has for you is to buy a quest item from Spider’s black market. Long-time Destiny fans might giggle at the prices for certain goods, including a replica Gjallarhorn. You’ll need 50,000 glimmer to buy this component so make sure you have more than enough.

From there, you’ll have to do a reprised version of the Thief of Thieves adventure. As far as I could tell, there’s an extra modifier, Blackout, which means you won’t have radar and enemy melee hits are brutal. You also get a powerful drop from this.

When you’re done, you’ll need to complete the following requirements in order:

• Defeat 25 Guardians in the Crucible (provides a powerful drop).
• Bank 50 motes in Gambit or Gambit Prime (provides a powerful drop).
• Collect components from two Cabal strikes and two Vex strikes; the components are obtained from the final chest.

These are the Cabal strikes in the game:

• Arms Dealer
• Tree of Probabilities
• Insight Terminus

These are the Vex strikes in the game:

• Inverted Spire
• Pyramidion
• Tree of Probabilities

The Seven Tapes

When you’ve collected these items, you’ll be asked to head to the Derelict (the Drifter’s ship) which you can access via the Gambit section of the menu. You’ll find a tape in his living quarters.

Bungie likes using the number seven in Destiny it seems, and that’s why you’ll now need to find the Drifter’s seven tapes in the EDZ. Credit goes to Reddit user MrBusinessCat who first listed their locations.

You can pick up these recordings in any order and they’ll still have the same voice-overs. Make sure to listen to each of them as they’ll flesh out Destiny 2’s lore especially the Drifter’s backstory. Also, try not to exit each area or fast travel since that will cut the voice-over.

Trostland

The recording can be found in a computer terminal in a building on the western side of Trostland. It’s the building that leads to the Widow’s Walk lost sector.

Scavenger’s Den

Sparrow your way to the Outskirts zone nearby. The lost sector to the west has the next recording. It’s in a Fallen terminal in a large antechamber with numerous shields blocking pathways.

Sojourner’s Camp

Exit the lost sector and make your way to Sojourner’s Camp to the south where you’d normally head over to for Bergusia Forge runs. The tape can be found inside a tent to your right side just as you enter the camp.

Winding Cove

Fast travel to Winding Cove and look to your right. There’s a terminal just above a rock formation.

Firebase Hades

Get on your sparrow and head to Firebase Hades. The lost sector, Excavation Site XII, is the second one to your right. Access the recording from a terminal behind the chest.

Skydock IV

Fast travel to the Sunken Isles and head below the large Cabal battleship to find the Skydock IV lost sector. The tape can be obtained from the terminal in the boss’ room.

Flooded Chasm

Fast travel to The Gulch and drop down the ruined bridge. To your right is the Flooded Chasm lost sector. The final recording can be found from the Fallen terminal near the chest.

Now that you’ve obtained everything, you’ll know a little bit more about the Drifter’s motivations. I can’t say I disagree with him on a number of points. Speak to him and he’ll get all mushy. You’ll also gain a powerful drop and some Gambit synths.

Siding With The Vanguard

If you prefer sticking with the Vanguard, then the Drifter won’t be pleased. You’ll need to head over to the Tower Hangar to compose a message to the Warlock Aunor (the one who’s been drunk-texting you via the postmaster). The terminal is to your right when facing Cayde’s previous spot.

Once you’ve composed a message, just head to wear Arach Jalal cozies with other Dead Orbit personnel and you’ll spot a ship flying in. This ship will have several NPCs running out, and one of them is a courier that you’ll need to speak with.

From there, access the terminal again and you’ll be asked to plant bugs around the Drifter’s area in the Annex. You’ll see button prompts while running around his room.

Next up, you’ll pay Spider a visit once more. But, since you’re siding with the Vanguard, you’ll need 50,000 glimmer to bribe him into silence. When you’re done with this step, you’ll need to do a reprised version of the Siren Song adventure which will net you a powerful drop.

The next part of the questline follows the same steps as before:

• Defeat 25 Guardians in the Crucible (provides a powerful drop).
• Bank 50 motes in Gambit or Gambit Prime (provides a powerful drop).
• Collect a tape in the Derelict.
• Gather the seven tapes in the EDZ.
• No need to do the Cabal/Vex strikes part anymore.

Once done, speak to the Drifter who will reprimand you for your choice. After that, talk to Ikora and you’ll receive another powerful drop and some extra goodies.

Pick A Side

Overall, the Allegiance Quest in Destiny 2: Joker’s Wild didn’t feel too contrived, but it didn’t feel too engrossing either. This is generally due to having similar quest steps that barely make either path unique.

What I can appreciate, however, are the additional details that add more layers and depth to the Drifter’s character. Without delving too much into spoiler territory, you realize his motivations as someone who’s seen the fall of humanity and one who’s traveled through countless worlds while being chased around by ruthless agents. In addition to that, it’s also humorous to hear the Drifter insulting you during Gambit matches if ever you sided with the Vanguard. What I’m looking forward to in the future is Bungie adding more quests and decisions that do have repercussions. Certainly, it’s a means of creating a more engaging roleplaying experience.

Since both paths also give you powerful rewards, the Allegiance Quest is also a means of boosting your characters to 700 PL. Don’t forget to check out our updated leveling guide and our collection of other guides for Destiny 2: Joker’s Wild.