Buying Destiny 2 can be a surprisingly complicated process, so we’re here to break down which expansions you need.
Destiny 2 is a heavily segmented game. It has grown to include many expansions over the years, each with its own content and niches that have varying degrees of relevance. If you’re a new player it can be overwhelming. While a guide like this may seem funny to an outsider, buying Destiny 2 and understanding what you need to own to access certain content is surprisingly complicated. Knowing which expansions you need, the worth of the ones still available, how far the free-to-play experience will take you, and making sense of the various bundles can be head-scratching. Especially if you have no knowledge of how the game works. So here, you’ll learn the basics of what you need to start playing Destiny 2. We’ll start off with an explanation of the best bundle to buy, as well as how far the New Light experience will take you. We’ll go over each expansion individually too, and tell you how necessary they are. Here’s everything you need to know to begin your Destiny 2 adventure if you’re new to it or if you’re an old player hoping to return when Witch Queen drops! Bungie has actually made this relatively easy recently. In January 2021, the company quietly released the Destiny 2: Legacy Collection. This is a sole purchase that comes with the Forsaken Pack, Shadowkeep, and Beyond Light. This will get you most of the content in the game (with one exception). You won’t be locked out of older activities like raids or dungeons from previous expansions and you’ll have access to the Shadowkeep and Beyond Light campaigns. You’ll also have access to a new subclass in Beyond Light as well as various Exotic quests that will net you Exotic weapons. If you want a one-stop-shop to own everything prior to Witch Queen, this is your best bet. One thing you won’t have access to – if you are reading this pre-Witch Queen release – is the various season passes. However, we’re so close to seasonal content from this year being removed from the game, it’s hard to recommend buying it now unless there is something you really want to acquire. It’s worth noting that the 30th Anniversary Pack is also not included and will be a separate purchase. Now, there are cases when you might not want to pick up the Legacy Collection. This is an all-in purchase. If you are not entirely bitten by the Destiny 2 bug, you may prefer to try the New Light experience and then buy expansions and content if and when you want to play something they contain. If you want to take a slower approach to getting into Destiny 2, begin by exploring New Light. You can buy the expansions separately later. Price: $59.99/£49.99/AU$89.95 Wait? Why are we talking about buying things? Isn’t Destiny 2 free-to-play? Well, it is… at least until a very defined point. The New Light experience is entirely free, and if you are coming to Destiny 2 for the first time, it’s a good idea to get your toes wet this way. This version comes with a very small starter campaign to get you used to being in this universe. After that campaign is done, it will spit you out, where you will have a surprising amount open to you. You’ll be able to move around the galaxy with relative freedom. You can explore the thrill of Gambit, Crucible, and Vanguard strikes, as well as various seasonal activities. There is a surprising amount to do for free. However, if you start leveling up and wanting to play with friends, you will likely find yourself up against the paywall.
