Gear up, Guardian — Bungie has revealed what's next for its sci-fi shooter, Destiny 2, including two new expansions and major seasonal and core updates for both paying and free-to-play users, all grouped under the "Year of Prophecy."
The Year of Prophecy is the first to feature four major content releases—two paid expansions and two major updates. The expansions require payment, while the updates are free for everyone.
First is Rite of the Nine, a "fresh take on dungeon diving for both veterans and newcomers" that's already available to all players at no extra charge. While the dungeons—Prophecy, Spire of the Watcher, and Ghosts of the Deep—will be familiar, even experienced Guardians will encounter "unique twists" as they reconnect with Orin and discover refreshed dungeon weapons.
Then, on July 15, the brand-new expansion Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate arrives—a "multi-year saga unfolding across several expansions." This paid release reintroduces the Nine, ancient and enigmatic beings who predate the Traveler, and spotlights two characters: new ally Lodi and Warlock Vanguard Ikora.
The expansion unfolds on the new destination Kepler, described as "inspired by the puzzle-solving and exploration of Destiny 2’s dungeons, encouraging deep discovery, mystery, and player-driven adventure." Look for new enemies, weapons, gear, and "destination-specific abilities."
Also on July 15, "major core game innovations" go live, including redesigned armor and gear systems "to offer richer buildcrafting opportunities" and a new activity selection screen called the Portal.
"Players can easily choose between Fireteam Ops, Pinnacle Ops, Crucible Ops, and the new Solo Ops," Bungie explained. "Fireteam Ops and Pinnacle Ops focus on quick cooperative action and longer team activities, while Solo Ops are tailored for players wanting short, self-contained sessions without a fireteam.
"Additionally, players can customize activities to fit their preferred playstyle and target specific rewards. Fifty new modifiers allow deeper gameplay customization and tougher challenges, while curated activity rotations keep the experience fresh."
As with most new expansions, pre-order bonuses are up for grabs, including an instant unlock Exotic Ghost and Legendary Emblem. Full details are listed below:
Destiny 2 Pre-Order Details
The Edge of Fate Pre-Order includes:
The Edge of Fate CampaignNew Raid1x Active Rewards PassPre-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 CampaignsNew Raid and Dungeon1x Active Rewards Pass3x Rewards PassesThe 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 CampaignsNew Raid and Dungeon1x Active Rewards Pass3x Rewards PassesInstant Unlock Exotic Sniper Rifle: New Land BeyondNew 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 version have already sold out as of this writing.
On September 9, a second major update—Ash & Iron—goes live, followed by the year’s second expansion, Renegades, on December 2. Finally, the Shadow & Order update arrives on March 3.
Destiny 2: Renegades, the second expansion in the Year of Prophecy, draws inspiration from the "legendary Star Wars universe," blending "Destiny’s unique storytelling and gameplay with themes and elements from the iconic sci-fi series."
This news will be a relief to many Destiny 2 fans after Bungie cut 220 jobs—17% of its workforce—in July 2024, less than a year after another 100 staff were let go.
Of course, Destiny 2 isn't Bungie's only project. Marathon was announced in May 2023 as a revival of the classic Bungie franchise, but we only got our first real look last month. In IGN's hands-on preview of Marathon, we noted: "After spending enough time with Marathon in its alpha state, I'm fairly confident it will satisfy the Bungie PvP craving that's been missing for years. Let's hope they deliver when it hits PC and consoles in September."
