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Destiny 2 Dead Man's Tale: Presage Quest Guide

Dead Man's Tale rewards chained precision hits. Here is the full Voice on the Other Side quest and how to get random rolls

6 min read

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Dead Man’s Tale is an exotic scout rifle with the Cranial Spike trait. Chained precision hits deal bonus damage and speed up the reload. It also comes with random rolls, so no two copies feel exactly the same.

How to get Dead Man’s Tale

The weapon comes from the exotic quest “The Voice on the Other Side.”

  1. Run the “The Arms Dealer” strike.
  2. After the first enemy encounter, go right instead of following the objective.
  3. Follow the landing platforms, fight through turrets, and open the chest with a big Cabal enemy.
  4. Grab the Intercepted Distress Signal and report to Zavala in the Tower.
  5. Run the Presage exotic mission on the Tangled Shore to claim the weapon.

Random rolls and the Presage

The first copy has a fixed roll. Extra runs of the Presage activity can drop new versions with random perks, so farming the mission is how you chase a better roll. Because Cranial Spike rewards chained precision, the perks worth chasing are the ones that keep your reticle steady — anything that widens the gap between chained hits costs you more here than it would on an auto rifle. The activity is a short puzzle-and-combat run, so it is fast once you know the route.

The Dead Man’s Tale catalyst

The “At Your Fingertips” catalyst quest upgrades Cranial Spike handling and reload. It drops from completing the Presage and related steps, then needs scout rifle kills. The catalyst guide lists the completion order.

Dead Man’s Tale quest missteps

  • Following the strike objective and missing the distress signal chest.
  • Expecting the quest to appear before you own the weapon.
  • Deleting extra copies before comparing their random rolls.

FAQ

Can I still do the Presage? Yes, the activity stays available as a legacy exotic mission.

Is Dead Man’s Tale good in PvP? Yes. Chained headshots delete Guardians at mid range.

How do I get a better roll? Run the Presage repeatedly and keep the version with better perks.

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Sources & References

This guide is verified against the game's own data and official communications. For patch notes, current balance, and authoritative specifics, consult the references below. Where a precise number cannot be verified, we explain the mechanic rather than invent a figure.