Finding every data pad location in Destiny 2 feels like a rite of passage for the completionists among us. Honestly, it’s one of those things that separates the casual players from the ones who actually care about the deep, sometimes haunting lore of the Vanguard and its enemies. You’re likely here because you’re hunting for that specific triumph or maybe you just want to hear the grainy audio logs that flesh out characters like Ana Bray or Clovis Bray. It's tedious work. Jumping across Martian red dust or scouring the derelict halls of a space station isn't exactly a walk in the park.
Back when the Warmind expansion was the big thing, everyone was obsessed with these. Then the Presage mission arrived, and the data pads became a weekly ritual for anyone chasing the "Chosen" title. Even now, years later, the community still circles back to these locations because Bungie has a habit of hiding some of their best writing in these tiny, interactable boxes.
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The Scourge of Mars: Where the Original Data Pads Lived
Let's talk about the Mars data pads first, even though that content is currently in the Destiny Content Vault (DCV). Why? Because understanding them is key to how Bungie designs collectibles now. There were 45 Lost Memory Fragments on Hellas Basin. They weren't just pads; they were elemental caches. You had to hit them with the right damage type. Solar, Arc, Void—if you didn't have the right gun, you were just shooting a brick wall.
Getting all 45 gave you the Worldline Zero exotic sword. That thing was a speedrunner’s dream before the various physics patches. You also got the G-335 Anseris Overdrive sparrow. It was a grind, but it felt earned. If you're a newer player, you might hear veterans talking about the "Mars data pads" with a mix of nostalgia and genuine irritation at how hard some of those fragments were to find. Some were tucked under the floorboards of the Aurora Reach, while others required a literal leap of faith off the side of a cliff near the BrayTech Futurescape.
Why collectors still care about the "Vaulted" pads
Even though you can't go grab them right now, the data pad locations in Destiny 2 set a precedent. They taught us to look up. Bungie loves verticality. If you’re stuck looking for a collectible in a modern mission, stop looking at eye level. Check the rafters. Check the underside of the landing pads.
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The Glykon and the Hunt for the Captain’s Logs
When the Presage mission dropped, the data pads became a living, breathing part of the weekly reset. This was peak Destiny. The Glykon Volatus was a creepy, derelict ship filled with Scorn and the smell of ozone. Finding the data pad locations in Destiny 2 during this era was a weekly chore—but the good kind.
There were 12 data pads in total, tied to the "Captain’s Log" lore book. You couldn't just run in and grab them all at once. That would be too easy. Bungie gated them. You had to finish the mission, wait for the next weekly reset, and then go back in. Each pad opened a secret compartment that contained a chest.
- Pad One: Right at the start, near the loading dock.
- Pad Two: Tucked behind some pipes in the first jumping puzzle area.
- Pad Three: Under the floor in the electrified wall room.
The story they told was grim. It followed Katabasis, a Hunter who had a really bad time with the Emperor Calus’s experiments. By the time you found the last pad, you weren't just doing it for the "Tale of Two Guardians" triumph. You were doing it to see the end of a tragedy. That's the thing about these pads—they aren't just checkboxes. They are windows.
Modern Collectibles and the Revision Zero Quest
If you’re looking for data pads in the current version of the game, you’re likely neck-deep in the Operation: Seraph’s Shield mission or similar exotic quests. The "Revision Zero" pulse rifle quest utilized a similar mechanic. You had to find encrypted terminals—basically data pads on steroids—to unlock the weapon's full potential and its multiple catalysts.
These terminals weren't just sitting in the open. You needed the "Security Clearance" upgrades from the seasonal vendor. This is a classic Bungie move: gate the collectibles behind a progression system so you have to play the game for three weeks before you can even touch the shiny object.
Tips for finding the tricky ones
- Look for the glow. Most data pads have a distinct blue or orange backlight.
- Listen for the hum. Some collectibles actually have a low-frequency ambient sound when you’re close.
- Check the corners of boss arenas. Developers love putting a pad right behind where the boss spawns. You’re usually too busy dodging rockets to notice it.
The Frustration of the "Missing" Pad
Let’s be real. There is always one pad that glitches out. In the history of data pad locations in Destiny 2, we've seen pads that don't prompt the "Interact" button. We've seen pads that disappear if you die at the wrong moment. If you're looking at a guide and the pad isn't there, try reloading the instance. It's annoying. It's frustrating. But it's Destiny.
I remember spending three hours looking for a single fragment in the Dreaming City. I was convinced my game was broken. Turns out, I was just standing three inches too far to the left. The interaction hitboxes can be incredibly finicky.
The Impact on the Lore Community
The hunt for these locations isn't just for the loot. The lore community, led by folks like My Name is Byf and Myelin Games, relies on these snippets to piece together the narrative. When a player finds a new data pad, it's like finding a missing page of a history book. We learned about the collapse of the Black Armory through pads. We learned about the dark experiments on the Moon through lost logs.
Without these collectibles, the world of Destiny would feel a lot emptier. They provide the "why" behind the "what." You're not just shooting aliens; you're uncovering the remains of a civilization that failed. It's heavy stuff for a looter-shooter.
How to optimize your search path
If you're going for a full run of a mission to find all data pad locations in Destiny 2, don't do it on the highest difficulty. Run it on normal. You don't want to be fighting for your life against a Barrier Champion while trying to read a terminal.
Bring a friend. Have one person stay in the "safe" area while the other goes poking around the dangerous platforming sections. This prevents you from getting sent back to a checkpoint if you miss a jump. Also, use a sword with the Eager Edge perk. The extra dash distance is a lifesaver when you're trying to reach those out-of-the-way ledges where Bungie hides the best secrets.
The Future of Data Pads
As we move into The Final Shape and beyond, the way we interact with the world is changing. Bungie is moving toward more "dynamic" collectibles. However, the humble data pad—a static object in a hidden corner—isn't going anywhere. It’s a tried-and-true method of environmental storytelling.
Expect to see them in the Pale Heart. Expect to see them in whatever new dungeons are coming our way. They are the breadcrumbs that lead us through the dark.
Actionable Next Steps for Guardians
- Audit your Triumphs: Go to your Triumphs tab and look under "World" or "Legends." See which lore books are incomplete. Most of them are tied to physical locations in the world.
- Check the Exotic Archive: If you missed the Mars pads, you can still get Worldline Zero at the Monument to Lost Lights in the Tower. It’s not the same as finding the fragments, but it gets you the gear.
- Equip a Ghost with "Treasure Hunter": While it doesn't always highlight data pads, it helps you spot caches and resources that are often placed near them.
- Follow the Weekly Rotators: Missions like Presage and Seraph's Shield come back in the Exotic Mission Rotator. That is your window to grab anything you missed.
Stop rushing through the strikes. Stop ignoring the side rooms in the Vex network. The next piece of the puzzle is probably sitting on a dusty desk in a room you’ve walked past a hundred times. Happy hunting.