What to Buy for Destiny 2: Your Ultimate Guide for New & Returning Guardians

Trying to figure out what to buy for Destiny 2 can feel like navigating a maze of expansions, bundles, and separate purchases, but a solid plan starts with understanding the game’s current and your own playstyle. As a free-to-play game with a ton of paid content, Destiny 2 can be a little overwhelming, especially with new expansions like “The Edge of Fate” and “Renegades” on the horizon for 2025. This guide is here to break down exactly what’s worth your hard-earned cash, whether you’re just starting your journey as a Guardian or returning after a long break. We’ll cover everything from the essential expansions and annual passes to those tricky dungeon keys and even how to make the most of your in-game currency. By the end, you’ll know exactly what choices make the most sense for you, helping you get the best bang for your buck and truly enjoy all that Destiny 2 has to offer. So, let’s get into it so you can gear up with the right Destiny 2 game editions and maybe even some new gaming gear to enhance your experience.

The Free-to-Play Experience: Where to Start Without Spending a Dime

Before you open your wallet, it’s really important to know that you can actually jump into a good chunk of Destiny 2 for free. It’s not just a demo. there’s a surprising amount of stuff to do that can easily keep you busy for hours and help you decide if you even like the game before committing to any purchases.

When you first start, you’ll go through the “New Light” questline, which acts as a great introduction to the world and its basic mechanics. This quest helps new players learn the ropes and understand the game’s core loop of shooting and looting. Beyond that, free players get access to the main “core playlists.” This means you can dive into:

• Vanguard Operations Strikes: These are three-player missions where you fight through enemies and take down a boss. While many strikes are tied to expansions, the playlist itself is accessible to everyone.
• Crucible PvP: If you love competitive action, most of the Crucible playlists are totally free. You can jump into Team Quickplay, Rumble, and other rotating modes to test your skills against other Guardians. Just remember, Trials of Osiris is an exception and requires Lightfall.
• Gambit PvE/PvP Hybrid: This unique mode blends player-versus-environment combat with player-versus-player invasions. Two teams race to defeat enemies, collect motes, and summon a boss, all while trying to disrupt the other team.

You also get to explore every destination in the game and participate in various open-world activities like Patrols, Public Events, and Lost Sectors. Beyond the basics, there are some specific activities that are free and offer a taste of the endgame content:

• Dares of Eternity: This six-player matchmade activity is a fun, game-show-style challenge featuring Xur and a Starhorse, offering some great loot.
• Prophecy Dungeon: This older, three-person dungeon is still considered one of the coolest in the game and is completely free. It’s a fantastic way to experience Destiny’s unique blend of combat and mechanics.
• Vault of Glass, King’s Fall, and Crota’s End Raids: These three iconic six-player raids from the original Destiny have been brought into Destiny 2 and are free for all players. Raids are the ultimate team challenge, focusing heavily on communication and mechanics.

Additionally, as a free player, you’ll gain access to the foundational Light subclasses Arc, Solar, and Void for all three Guardian classes Titan, Hunter, Warlock, which you unlock through introductory quests after the “New Light” campaign. While this free content offers hundreds of hours of gameplay, many players eventually find themselves wanting more. The “free-to-play” aspect is often seen as an extended trial, letting you experience the core gameplay loop and decide if you want to dive deeper into the expansive paid content. If you’re looking to start your journey with the right tools, consider investing in some good gaming peripherals to enhance your experience from day one.

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Navigating the Expansions: What DLC to Buy for Destiny 2

You’ve dipped your toes in the free content and you’re hooked. Now comes the big question: what Destiny 2 DLC should you actually buy? This is where it gets a bit complex because there’s a lot of content, and it’s always . My general advice? Prioritize the latest content first, especially if it’s on sale, but also keep an eye out for comprehensive bundles.

The Latest & Greatest: The Edge of Fate 2025 and The Final Shape

If you want to be where everyone else is playing and experiencing the newest stories and features, you should definitely focus on the most recent expansions.

• The Final Shape: This expansion, which launched in June 2024, is a huge deal. It concludes the decade-long “Light and Darkness Saga” and introduces the powerful Prismatic subclass, which lets you mix and match abilities from both Light and Darkness. It also features the “Salvation’s Edge” raid and ongoing episodic content like “Echoes,” “Revenant,” and “Heresy”. Many players consider its campaign and narrative to be excellent. If you want to experience the dramatic conclusion to Destiny’s main story, this is a must-buy.
• The Edge of Fate 2025: Looking ahead, “The Edge of Fate” is the first major expansion coming in 2025, launching on September 9, 2025. It marks the beginning of a new saga for Destiny 2 and takes Guardians to the remote planet of Kepler to investigate the mysterious Nine. This expansion includes a new campaign, a “Rewards Pass,” and a new raid called “The Desert Perpetual”. It’s designed to be an excellent entry point for new players who might feel overwhelmed by years of past content.
• Year of Prophecy Bundle 2025: For those ready to commit to the long haul in 2025, the “Year of Prophecy” bundle is your go-to. It includes “The Edge of Fate” and the second 2025 expansion, “Renegades,” which is slated for December 2025. This bundle comes with full access to both expansion campaigns, their respective Rewards Passes, raids, dungeons, and both PvE and PvP content throughout the year. If you’re serious about staying current and getting all the new content as it drops, this bundle is the best option.

For new players especially, jumping straight into the latest expansion like “The Final Shape” or the upcoming “Edge of Fate” is often recommended because that’s where the majority of the player base will be, engaging with the most relevant content. You can grab the latest Destiny 2 expansion packs to stay up-to-date.

The Legacy Collection: Unlocking Past Adventures

The “Legacy Collection” bundles a significant amount of older, but still incredibly valuable, content into one package. The Destiny 2: Legacy Collection 2025 currently unlocks access to over 50 Exotic rewards and includes “The Final Shape Standard Edition,” “Lightfall Standard Edition,” “The Witch Queen Standard Edition,” “Beyond Light Pack,” “Shadowkeep Pack,” “Forsaken Pack,” and the “30th Anniversary Pack,” along with specific dungeons. What to Buy for Dinner: Your Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Meals

• What it includes:

  • Shadowkeep: Campaign, Garden of Salvation raid, Pit of Heresy dungeon.
  • Beyond Light: Campaign, the powerful Stasis subclass, Deep Stone Crypt raid.
  • The Witch Queen: Widely praised for its fantastic campaign and the introduction of weapon crafting, plus the Vow of the Disciple raid.
  • Forsaken Pack: While its campaign is vaulted, it gives you access to the Last Wish raid, The Shattered Throne dungeon, and many coveted Exotic weapons.
  • 30th Anniversary Pack: Includes the Grasp of Avarice dungeon and the iconic Exotic rocket launcher, Gjallarhorn.

• Value Proposition: The Legacy Collection gives you a huge amount of content for your money, especially when it goes on sale, which it often does. You get three full campaign storylines, access to crucial subclasses like Stasis, a bunch of raids and dungeons, and a massive trove of Exotic weapons and armor. The Witch Queen campaign, in particular, is a high point in Destiny 2’s storytelling.

• Recommendation: This collection is excellent for new players who want to catch up on the game’s rich history and unlock a large arsenal of gear. It offers a ton of playtime and essential elements like Stasis and weapon crafting that are still very relevant game. If you want to dive deep into Destiny 2’s past, especially when you find it at a good price, the Legacy Collection is a fantastic buy.

Individual Older Expansions: Should You Buy Them Separately?

Sometimes, you might see individual older expansions on sale. Is it worth picking them up one by one?

• The Witch Queen: Even if not part of a bundle, many Guardians consider this a must-buy due to its exceptional campaign and the introduction of weapon crafting, a core system for customizing your gear.
• Beyond Light: This expansion is significant because it introduces the Stasis subclass, Destiny 2’s first Darkness-based subclass. Stasis offers unique crowd control abilities and is widely used in various builds.
• Shadowkeep / Forsaken Pack / 30th Anniversary Pack: These are generally less critical for new players to buy individually, as their content is often included in larger bundles like the Legacy or Armory Collections. If you only care about specific exotics like Gjallarhorn from the 30th Anniversary Pack or dungeons, and you find a deep discount, then individual purchase might make sense. The “Armory Collection” specifically bundles the Forsaken Pack and the 30th Anniversary Pack, giving you multiple dungeons and over 20 Exotic weapons.

In most cases, for a new player, the Legacy Collection offers better overall value than buying these older expansions separately. What to Buy for Diarrhea: Your Essential Recovery Guide

Annual Passes and Deluxe Editions: Maximizing Your Investment

When you look at the store, you’ll often see “Standard Edition,” “Deluxe Edition,” and “Annual Pass” options. Understanding these can save you some confusion and potentially some money.

• Annual Pass or Deluxe Editions that include it: This is usually the best value if you know you’re going to play Destiny 2 consistently throughout the year. An Annual Pass typically includes the main expansion, plus all the seasonal content released over that expansion’s year. For example, “The Final Shape + Annual Pass” bundle includes the main expansion, all four episodes Echoes, Revenant, Heresy, and the fourth unnamed one, and often extra goodies like an Exotic weapon, emote, or a cosmetic set.
  • Benefit: You get access to all current seasonal story content, new activities, weapons, and armor as they drop. This ensures you’re always engaging with the most relevant content and don’t miss out on temporary seasonal rewards or narrative progression.
  • Consideration: Seasonal content is usually tied to the year it was released, meaning if you buy an old Annual Pass, you might miss out on the time-limited seasonal reward tracks. However, the activities and story content often remain playable until the next major expansion releases.
• Deluxe Editions: These often bundle the main expansion with the Annual Pass and additional exclusive items. For instance, the “Witch Queen Deluxe Edition” included Seasons 16-19, two Year-5 Dungeons, an Exotic SMG, catalyst, ornament, and an Exotic Sparrow. These deluxe options usually cost more upfront but provide the most comprehensive experience for that year’s content.

When comparing, say, “Lightfall + Annual Pass” versus just the “Legacy Collection,” the Annual Pass option will give you the most current content, including new dungeons, which is often what most active players are engaging with. While a bit pricey, getting a Deluxe Edition with an Annual Pass often offers a discount compared to buying everything individually, especially if you’re a dedicated player. So, if you’re ready to fully commit to Destiny 2 for the current year, a Deluxe Edition or Annual Pass is usually the smartest choice. For the current season, check out available Destiny 2 expansion bundles.

Understanding Dungeon Keys: An Extra Purchase

This is one area where Destiny 2’s purchasing structure can get a bit confusing and has even caused some debate among players. Starting with The Witch Queen expansion, dungeons stopped being automatically included with the base expansion purchase. Instead, they’re often sold separately as “Dungeon Keys.”

• What they are: A Dungeon Key typically grants access to two specific, three-player dungeons. These are challenging activities that sit somewhere between a Strike and a Raid in terms of complexity and teamwork required. They offer unique lore, powerful Exotic weapons and armor, and often fantastic cosmetic rewards.
• Cost: Each Dungeon Key usually costs 2000 Silver, which translates to roughly $20 USD. The tricky part is that Silver, the in-game currency, usually doesn’t go on sale, meaning you’re often paying full price for these keys.
• Why they exist: Bungie decided to separate dungeons from main expansion purchases, often including them instead with the more expensive Annual Pass or Deluxe Edition bundles. This means if you buy a standard edition of an expansion, you’ll likely need to buy the Dungeon Key separately if you want to play those dungeons.
• Value: Are they worth it? Many players absolutely love dungeons and consider them some of the best content in the game. They offer great opportunities for challenging gameplay, unique mechanics, and a chance to earn some of the most sought-after gear. For example, the current “Lightfall Dungeon Key” gives access to “Ghosts of the Deep” and “Warlord’s Ruin,” both offering compelling experiences and loot.
• Recommendation: For new players, I’d suggest trying out the free dungeons first Prophecy, Vault of Glass, King’s Fall, Crota’s End to see if you enjoy that type of content. If you find yourself loving them, then a Dungeon Key for the current year’s dungeons is a solid investment for endgame content and powerful rewards. You don’t need them to fully play the game, but they definitely add a lot of depth and replayability. If you plan on tackling these challenging activities, a good gaming headset is essential for communication with your fireteam.

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Optimizing Your In-Game Economy: What to Buy with Glimmer

Glimmer is Destiny 2’s most basic in-game currency, and you’ll accumulate it constantly by defeating enemies, completing missions, and dismantling unwanted gear. You’ll probably hit the Glimmer cap 250,000 quite often, so knowing what to spend it on is crucial. Here’s a rundown of the best ways to keep that Glimmer flowing and put it to good use:

• Bounties: This is probably the most frequent way you’ll spend Glimmer. Vendors all across the system like Zavala, Shaxx, the Gunsmith, and even planetary vendors offer daily and weekly bounties that cost Glimmer. These bounties are fantastic for earning XP, leveling up your Season Pass, gaining reputation with vendors for better loot, and completing seasonal challenges. Always make sure to stock up on bounties before you start playing!
• Upgrade Modules: These are essential for infusing your gear, which means raising the Power Level of your favorite weapons and armor by consuming higher Power Level items. You can buy Upgrade Modules directly from Banshee-44 the Gunsmith or Ada-1 in the Tower. They cost Glimmer, Legendary Shards, and sometimes other materials. Keeping a stock of these is important for maintaining your Power Level for endgame activities.
• Leveling Crafted Weapons and Enhancing Perks: If you’re into weapon crafting, you’ll find yourself pouring a lot of Glimmer into leveling up your crafted weapons and enhancing their perks. This process can be quite expensive, sometimes upwards of 200,000 Glimmer for a single weapon, but it’s key to perfecting your arsenal.
• Weapons and Armor from Vendors: Shaxx, Zavala, and the Gunsmith, among others, will occasionally offer specific rolls on weapons and armor for Glimmer. While it’s not always the “god roll” you’re looking for, it can be a good way to fill gaps in your collection or grab a decent piece of gear. Make sure to check their inventories regularly.
• Raid Banners: If you’re tackling raids or dungeons, Raid Banners are incredibly useful. They plant a flag that fully recharges your Super, abilities, and ammo for your whole fireteam. You can buy these from Hawthorne in the Tower.
• Exotics from the Monument to Lost Lights: Near the vaults in the Tower, you’ll find the Monument to Lost Lights. This kiosk allows you to acquire Exotic weapons from past seasons and vaulted expansions. Many of these require a significant Glimmer cost, along with other rare materials.
• Converting Legendary Shards: If you find yourself constantly hitting the Glimmer cap, you can convert Legendary Shards into Glimmer indirectly. You can often buy Phantasmal Fragments from Eris Morn on the Moon using Legendary Shards, and then exchange those fragments for Glimmer with Master Rahool in the Tower. It’s a good way to manage your resources.

Don’t let your Glimmer sit at the cap! Always look for opportunities to spend it on things that will boost your Guardian’s power and progression, or enhance your gameplay with items like a responsive gaming mouse.

Beyond the Game: Hardware for a Smooth Destiny 2 Experience

While Destiny 2 runs on consoles, if you’re a PC player, having the right hardware can really elevate your experience. Bungie has done a pretty good job optimizing the game, so you don’t necessarily need the absolute latest and greatest to enjoy it, but a decent setup makes a world of difference.

Here’s a quick look at what you should consider for a smooth Destiny 2 experience, especially with the “Final Shape” and upcoming “Edge of Fate” expansions: What to Buy for College: Your Ultimate Stress-Free Guide

• CPU Processor: For the best in-game experience, you’ll want a CPU with 4 or more cores. Something like an Intel Core i5-14400F or an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is a solid choice for smooth gameplay at 60+ FPS. For top-tier performance, especially if you’re pairing it with a powerful GPU, an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D is fantastic.
• GPU Graphics Card: This is probably the most critical component for visuals and frame rate.
  • For 1080p at 60 FPS on max settings, an AMD Radeon RX 570 or an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super is a good starting point.
  • For 1440p at 60 FPS, aim for something like an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or an AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT.
  • If you’re looking to push for 4K at 60 FPS, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER or better is recommended. NVIDIA has historically worked closely with Bungie, which can sometimes mean slightly better optimization for their cards.
• RAM Memory: While the minimum is around 6GB, 8GB of RAM is much better for playing Destiny 2 smoothly. If you plan on doing other things while gaming like streaming or having multiple applications open, 16GB or even 32GB is ideal. If you have an AMD Ryzen CPU, faster RAM like 3000MHz or higher can provide a small but noticeable performance boost.
• Storage: Destiny 2 has a hefty install size, so you’ll want at least 105 GB of available space. An SSD Solid State Drive is highly recommended over an HDD Hard Disk Drive for faster loading times, which can significantly improve your overall experience, especially when navigating between planets or loading into activities. Aim for at least a 1TB PCIe SSD if possible.

Beyond the core components, optimizing your in-game settings is also key. Things like adjusting shadow quality, texture quality, and anti-aliasing can have a big impact on your frame rate without sacrificing too much visual fidelity. If you’re considering an upgrade, check out pre-built options like the MSI Codex R2 Gaming Desktop or Corsair Vengeance i7500 Series Gaming PC which are often optimized for games like Destiny 2. Don’t forget a good gaming monitor to really appreciate the game’s visuals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What DLC should I buy for Destiny 2 2025?

For 2025, if you’re a new player, your top priority should be The Edge of Fate, the first major expansion launching in September 2025. For the most comprehensive experience, consider the Year of Prophecy bundle, which includes “The Edge of Fate” and the second 2025 expansion, “Renegades,” due in December. Many players also still highly recommend “The Final Shape” from 2024, as it concludes a major saga and introduces the Prismatic subclass.

What do I need to buy to play Destiny 2 in its entirety?

To experience almost all content, you would need to purchase the current major expansion like “The Final Shape” or the “Year of Prophecy” bundle for 2025, the “Legacy Collection” which bundles Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, and The Witch Queen, and any separate Dungeon Keys that are not included in your chosen bundles. This will give you access to virtually all campaigns, subclasses, raids, dungeons, and seasonal content.

What order should I play Destiny 2 DLCs?

Narratively, the recommended order for paid campaigns is Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen, Lightfall, and then The Final Shape. However, if you’re mainly interested in current activities and don’t mind some story disorientation, you can jump straight into the latest expansion, “The Final Shape,” and then catch up on older stories with the Legacy Collection if you choose. The upcoming “Edge of Fate” is designed to be a new entry point, so you could start there in 2025. Your Ultimate Guide: What to Buy for Baby

Do I need to buy all Destiny 2 DLCs?

No, you don’t need to buy all DLCs, especially if you’re just starting. Destiny 2 has a significant amount of free-to-play content, including three raids and a dungeon. You can prioritize by getting the latest expansion first e.g., The Final Shape or Edge of Fate in 2025 to join the current player base, and then look for bundles like the Legacy Collection on sale to fill in older content as you get more invested.

What can I buy with Glimmer in Destiny 2?

You can spend Glimmer on a variety of in-game items and services. Key uses include buying bounties from vendors, purchasing Upgrade Modules to infuse your gear, leveling up crafted weapons, buying weapons and armor rolls from vendors, acquiring Raid Banners, and even some Exotic weapons from the Monument to Lost Lights. It’s essentially your general-purpose in-game cash.