Does Witch Queen Deluxe Include All Expansions? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short and direct answer is: No, the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition does not include all Destiny 2 expansions. While it offers a substantial amount of content, it is essential to understand exactly what you get and what you don’t to make informed purchasing decisions. The Witch Queen Deluxe Edition primarily focuses on providing access to the Witch Queen expansion’s seasonal content, but it does not unlock previous expansions like Forsaken, Shadowkeep, or Beyond Light. To get access to those older expansions, they must be purchased separately, typically through bundles like the Legacy Collection. This guide will break down exactly what the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition does include and address common questions to help you navigate the various Destiny 2 offerings.
Understanding the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition
The Witch Queen Deluxe Edition is designed to enhance your experience with the Witch Queen expansion. It’s not a catch-all for every Destiny 2 content release. Its primary function is to unlock the following:
- The Witch Queen expansion itself, featuring a new campaign, the Savathun Throne World, new weapons, gear, and activities, including a new raid.
- Access to the four seasons of content that followed the launch of The Witch Queen. These seasons included unique storylines, missions, activities, armor, and weapons.
- Access to the two dungeons that were released over the year following The Witch Queen’s launch.
The Deluxe Edition allows players to experience the complete, year-long storyline linked to the Witch Queen expansion. It provides a full package of content, ensuring you’re engaged throughout the year. However, it’s crucial to note that it does not retroactively grant access to past expansions.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion often arises because Destiny 2 has had numerous expansions over the years, and the way content is bundled and sold can be complicated for new and returning players. Bungie has opted for individual expansion releases coupled with annual season passes, creating a tiered system. The Deluxe Edition is essentially a premium purchase for a single expansion’s year of content, whereas other bundles, like the Legacy Collection, are designed to give access to multiple past expansions.
The Importance of Prior Expansions
While you can play the Witch Queen expansion without owning prior expansions, you might be missing out on critical story context, specific activities, and gameplay elements tied to those DLCs. Certain older quests, strikes, and even exotic weapons are locked behind these other expansions. For example, if you have purchased the Witch Queen expansion and wish to complete exotic quests tied to Beyond Light, you will not be able to complete the quest until the Beyond Light expansion is purchased. This can be an important consideration when deciding whether to invest in the previous expansions.
Is the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition Worth It?
For new and returning players, the value of the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition is dependent on a few factors. If you are looking for a deep, involved experience during the year of release, then the Deluxe Edition provides access to an extensive amount of content. If you are coming to the game late, consider the following:
- Access to all seasonal content: With the Deluxe Edition, you gain access to all seasonal activities and storylines from the year of Witch Queen. If you enjoy Destiny’s lore, you will find that these seasonal additions add to the lore and provide context to other parts of the game.
- Exclusive Rewards: The Deluxe Edition provided exclusive rewards, but some of these may no longer be attainable.
- Dungeons: Access to the dungeons introduced throughout the Witch Queen year.
Whether this is worth the purchase depends on how much you value that additional content. In many cases, the Deluxe Edition becomes a better value the earlier you purchase it. Players who purchase it later may be missing out on battle pass rewards tied to each season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify, here are some of the most common questions about the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition and its relationship to other expansions:
1. Does the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition include the 30th Anniversary Pack?
No, the 30th Anniversary Pack is a separate purchase that adds extra content like a new dungeon, cosmetics, and exotic weapons inspired by past Bungie games. It is not included within the Deluxe Edition itself.
2. Can I upgrade from the standard Witch Queen to the Deluxe Edition?
Yes, Bungie has allowed players to upgrade from the standard Witch Queen edition to the Deluxe Edition to gain access to the additional content, including the dungeons.
3. Does the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition include Beyond Light?
No, Beyond Light is a separate expansion and is not included in the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition. You must purchase Beyond Light separately if you want access to its content.
4. Is the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition still available to purchase?
Yes, the Deluxe Edition is still available for purchase, but the annual pass included in the original purchase is no longer active.
5. Do I need to own other expansions to play the Witch Queen campaign?
No, you can purchase and play the Witch Queen expansion on its own. However, if you want to access additional activities, exotic quests, or even older content, owning other expansions may be necessary.
6. Does the Witch Queen DLC include a dungeon?
The Witch Queen DLC does not include the dungeon key for the dungeons released during its year of content. These dungeons were only accessible through the Deluxe Edition or the Dungeon Key Pass.
7. What expansions should I prioritize if I want to experience everything?
If you are looking to experience all of Destiny’s story and content, you should consider picking up the Legacy Collection, which usually includes the older expansions like Forsaken, Shadowkeep, and Beyond Light.
8. Does the Destiny 2 Annual Pass include all DLC?
No, the annual pass included with the Deluxe Editions only includes the four seasons of that year. It doesn’t include the major expansions.
9. If I buy Lightfall, do I get access to Witch Queen content?
No, buying Lightfall only gives you access to Lightfall content and the F2P content. You would still need to buy Witch Queen to access its campaign, activities, and specific associated content.
10. How long does it take to complete the Witch Queen campaign?
The main Witch Queen campaign typically takes around 12 hours to complete, but striving for 100% completion may take closer to 28 hours.
11. What is the best expansion to get in Destiny 2?
Many players and critics consider The Witch Queen to be Destiny’s best expansion to date, thanks to its campaign, story, and raid, though opinions will vary depending on individual player preferences.
12. Do I need to finish the Witch Queen campaign before playing Lightfall?
While it’s not strictly required, completing the Witch Queen campaign will give you a better understanding of the events leading up to Lightfall.
13. What is the difference between the Witch Queen expansion and the Deluxe Edition?
The standard Witch Queen expansion gives you access to the campaign, Throne World, weapons, gear, and the raid. The Deluxe Edition includes all of this content, plus access to the four seasons of content and the two dungeons.
14. Is Destiny 3 on the horizon?
Despite rumors, there’s no concrete evidence of Destiny 3 being developed currently, although Bungie could always change their mind in the future.
15. Is there any benefit to purchasing the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition if I missed the year it was active?
While some of the seasonal rewards may no longer be attainable, you will gain access to all the seasonal storylines, the seasonal content, and the associated dungeons. This may be a worthwhile purchase for players who enjoy the Destiny 2’s lore.
Conclusion
The Witch Queen Deluxe Edition offers a comprehensive experience for players looking to engage deeply with the Witch Queen expansion and its year-long content cycle. However, it does not grant access to all Destiny 2 expansions. Be sure to carefully consider the benefits of each content purchase before making a decision, particularly if you want to experience older expansions in the Destiny 2 world. Knowing the differences between these releases and understanding what you are and aren’t getting will ensure that you are well-prepared for your Destiny 2 journey.