Destiny 2's Year of Prophecy: Key Details for Guardians

Get ready, Guardians! Bungie has just pulled back the curtain on what's in store for its beloved sci-fi shooter, Destiny 2. The upcoming year, dubbed the "Year of Prophecy," promises an exciting lineup including two new expansions and major seasonal and core game updates that will cater to both paying and free-to-play players.

The "Year of Prophecy" marks a significant milestone, featuring four "major content beats" — two paid expansions and two free major updates. This structure ensures that all Guardians, regardless of their spending habits, can enjoy substantial new content throughout the year.

Kicking things off is the Rite of the Nine, a free update that offers a "fresh take on dungeon diving" for both veterans and newcomers. Available now, this update revisits familiar dungeons such as Prophecy, Spire of the Watcher, and Ghosts of the Deep, but with "unique twists" that reintroduce Orin and refreshed dungeon weapons, ensuring even the most seasoned players will find something new to explore.

On July 15, Destiny 2 players can dive into the new expansion, Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate. This paid expansion kicks off a "multiyear saga" revolving around the enigmatic Nine, who predate the Traveler. New characters, Lodi and Ikora, will take center stage on the new destination, Kepler. Inspired by the intricate puzzles and exploration of Destiny 2's dungeons, Kepler promises new enemies, weapons, gear, and "destination-specific abilities" that will captivate players with its depth and mystery.

Simultaneously on July 15, Bungie will roll out "major core game innovations." These include revamped armor and gear systems designed to enhance buildcrafting opportunities and a new activity selection screen called the Portal. The Portal allows players to choose from Fireteam Ops, Pinnacle Ops, Crucible Ops, and the newly introduced Solo Ops, catering to various play styles and preferences. With 50 new modifiers, players can customize their gameplay to chase specific rewards, ensuring a fresh and challenging experience with curated activity rotations.

As is customary with new expansions, pre-order bonuses are available. Here's a detailed look at what you can snag with your pre-order:

Destiny 2 Pre-Order Details

The Edge of Fate Pre-Order includes:

• The Edge of Fate Campaign
• New Raid
• 1x Active Rewards Pass
• Pre-Order Exclusive Exotic Ghost (instant unlock)
• Pre-Order Exclusive Legendary Emblem (instant unlock)

Year of Prophecy Edition Pre-Order includes:

• The Edge of Fate and Renegades Campaigns
• New Raid and Dungeon
• 1x Active Rewards Pass
• 3x Rewards Passes
• The Edge of Fate Pre-Order Exclusive Exotic Ghost (instant unlock)
• The Edge of Fate Pre-Order Exclusive Legendary Emblem (instant unlock)
• Renegades Pre-Order Exclusive Exotic Ship (available September 9, 2025)
• Renegades Pre-Order Exclusive Legendary Emblem (available September 9, 2025)

Year of Prophecy Ultimate Edition Pre-Order includes:

• The Edge of Fate and Renegades Campaigns
• New Raid and Dungeon
• 1x Active Rewards Pass
• 3x Rewards Passes
• Instant Unlock Exotic Sniper Rifle: New Land Beyond
• New Land Beyond Ornament and Catalyst (available at launch of Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate)
• The Edge of Fate Pre-Order Exclusive Exotic Ghost (instant unlock)
• The Edge of Fate Pre-Order Exclusive Legendary Emblem (instant unlock)
• Renegades Pre-Order Exclusive Exotic Ship (available September 9, 2025)
• Renegades Pre-Order Exclusive Legendary Emblem (available September 9, 2025)
• Year of Prophecy Exotic Emote (instant unlock)
• Year of Prophecy Exotic Sparrow (available July 15, 2025)
• Dark Side Legends Bundle (3 full armor ornament sets, 1 for each class, instant unlock)
• Secret Stash (1x Exotic Cosmetic, 1x Exotic Cipher, 2x Ascendant Alloys, 3x Ascendant Shards, delivered with each seasonal update)

A Year of Prophecy Collector's Edition is also available, though pre-orders for the physical edition have already sold out.

Following The Edge of Fate, a second major update named Ash & Iron will launch on September 9, setting the stage for the second expansion of the year, Destiny 2: Renegades, which goes live on December 2. The year will conclude with the Shadow & Order major update on March 3.

Destiny 2: Renegades draws inspiration from the "legendary Star Wars universe," merging Destiny's unique storytelling and gameplay with elements from the iconic sci-fi franchise. This thematic blend promises to offer a fresh yet familiar experience for fans.

These developments come as welcome news following Bungie's challenging year, which saw 220 staff layoffs in July 2024, less than a year after another 100 layoffs.

While Destiny 2 remains a focal point, Bungie is also working on Marathon, a reboot of their classic franchise revealed in May 2023. Recent hands-on previews have been promising, with IGN's Marathon hands-on preview expressing optimism about its potential to satisfy the Bungie PvP community's long-standing desires. Marathon is set to launch on PC and consoles in September.