D2: About those small, black shards on Europa

This article reveals the location of all 9 Entropic Shards, the finding of which is a requirement to satisfy the Studying Darkness Triumph. You must locate at least 5 of these shards as a core function of the Aspect of Control mission, as it relates to your Stasis abilities.

You must obliterate the Entropic Shards, but only the exotic grenade launcher Salvation’s Grip will do the job. To unlock that weapon, you will have to complete the Beyond Light campaign. However, don’t rush out and smack these shards prematurely, at least until you finish the quest, Born in Darkness Part I … after which, a quest called Aspect of Control will be given to you by the Exo Stanger.

Okay, got those quests done? Great!

Entropic Shard location details

⇠ Here’s a map to help you find those shards. Click (any) image for a larger view.

⇠ Shard 1 — Cadmus Ridge — Easily located near the entrance to Bray Exoscience. Black on white ... you can't miss it!

⇠ Shard 2 — Asterion Abyss — Up on a large Vex structure. Climb the structure from the right-hand side, and jump over the top onto the arms to find the shard tucked into a corner.

⇠ Shard 3 — Concealed Void Lost Sector — This shard is floating in a shaft of light above the boss room in the Concealed Void Lost Sector. It’s probably much easier to access the shard if you defeat all the enemies in the room.

⇠ Shard 4 — Eventide Ruins — This shard is near the route to Asterion Abyss. If you’re facing “east” (per the map), the route to the Abyss will be on your right. Look left (i.e. “north”) to will see a snowy ramp or hill leading up. Beside the hill is the debris of a destroyed building. The shard  is tucked in behind some steel girders and pipes.

⇠ Shard 5 — Bunker E15 Lost Sector — Work through the bunker, dispatching enemies as you go. You will come across friendly robots locked in Vex cages. There is a large window overlooking another room below. Shoot the “electronic box” locks to release the friendly robots, and they will help you with enemies. In the room with the large window overlooking this area, clear out the enemies. That done, turn and face the large window. Look to the top-right corner. Tucked into the corner is the shard.

⇠ Shard 6 — Riis-Reborn Approach — This shard is embedded deeply into the area. You will have to access two (2) gravity lifts in order to reach the shard. Starting at Eventide Ruins, go up the gravity lift, run past the enemies and continue through the halls. As you enter the room where you were originally chased by Phylaks during the initial Beyond Light campaign, take the door on the right. In the next room, go up another gravity lift. At the top, look behind the stairs to find the shard.

⇠ Shard 7 — Technocrat’s Iron — This shard requires a bit of trekking to locate. Start at Eventide Ruins and run through Riis-Reborn Approach. For the sake of efficiency, use the two gravity lifts (as you did when looking for Shard 6), and then pass through the teleporter. Once through the teleporter, jump up to the next platform and enter the hallway. The hallway will fork … straight ahead leads to Kell’s Rising, but the path to the left takes you to Technocrat’s Iron. Let’s go left. Find the shard floating above the pillars in the boss room.

⇠ Shard 8 — Kell’s Rising — Remember that fork in the hallway? Let’s go straight this time, which takes us to Kell’s Rising. There’s really only one way to get to the very last platform, so keep going. Warning — there are two Vandal snipers up on the right, and they’re on the platform you need to access. So, maybe … kill them? After dispatching the snipers, jump up to their platform to find a small set of stairs. The shard is under the stairs.

⇠ Shard 9 — Creation — This shard is located in Creation, an area to the left of Cadmus Ridge, and easily accessed through Bray Exoscience. The shard is deep inside the area, floating between two large walkways. Jump down to the lower levels to get a better angle on the shard.

Good luck with your Studying Darkness Triumph!