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What Campaigns Are Still Playable in Destiny 2?

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The question of which campaigns remain playable in Destiny 2 is a common one, especially given Bungie’s content vaulting strategy. So, to put it simply: The campaigns still playable in Destiny 2 are Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen, Lightfall, and The Final Shape.

This means that the original Red War campaign, Curse of Osiris, Warmind, Forsaken, and The Season of the Lost campaigns have been removed from the game and are no longer accessible. Let’s delve deeper into each of the remaining campaigns and what they offer.

Diving into the Playable Campaigns

Each campaign offers a unique story, location, and set of challenges that are essential for understanding the current narrative of Destiny 2.

Shadowkeep: Unveiling the Darkness on the Moon

Shadowkeep, released in 2019, takes players back to the Moon. This campaign explores the nightmares of the past and their connection to the encroaching Darkness. Guardians must confront these apparitions and unravel the mysteries surrounding the Pyramid ship buried beneath the lunar surface.

Key Features: Introduction of the Nightmare Hunts, exploring the haunted Moon environment, unveiling the connection between the Darkness and the Hive.
Why Play It: A crucial piece in understanding the lore surrounding the Darkness, and it sets the stage for subsequent expansions. While the mechanical benefits are limited, the story remains important.

Beyond Light: Embracing the Darkness on Europa

Beyond Light, released in 2020, sends Guardians to Europa, Jupiter’s frozen moon. This campaign introduces the element of Stasis, allowing players to wield the Darkness for the first time. Eramis, the Shipstealer, attempts to use Stasis to restore her Fallen House to its former glory.

Key Features: Introduction of the Stasis subclass, exploring the icy landscapes of Europa, learning to control the power of the Darkness.
Why Play It: Unlocks the Stasis subclass, which offers a distinct playstyle. The campaign provides valuable insights into the nature of the Darkness and its potential influence.

The Witch Queen: Unraveling Savathûn’s Lies on her Throne World

The Witch Queen, released in 2022, is widely considered one of Destiny 2’s best expansions. It sees players venture into Savathûn’s Throne World, a reality of her own making. Savathûn has stolen the Light, granting it to her Lucent Brood, making them formidable foes. Guardians must uncover the truth behind Savathûn’s actions and confront her in her own domain.

Key Features: Introduction of Glaives, exploring the opulent and dangerous Throne World, facing the Lucent Brood, learning about Savathûn’s machinations, unlocking weapon crafting.
Why Play It: Offers a compelling story, innovative gameplay mechanics, and access to weapon crafting, which allows players to create and customize powerful weapons.

Lightfall: Surviving the Collapse on Neptune

Lightfall, released in 2023, plunges Guardians into the neon-lit metropolis of Neomuna on Neptune. The Witness, the main antagonist of the Light and Darkness saga, attacks humanity, and the Traveler is in grave danger. Guardians must team up with the Cloud Striders to defend Neomuna and uncover the secrets of the Veil.

Key Features: Introduction of the Strand subclass, exploring the vibrant city of Neomuna, encountering the Cloud Striders, learning about the Veil, defending against the Witness’s forces.
Why Play It: Unlocks the Strand subclass and offers a visually stunning new location to explore. Its narrative implications within the saga cannot be ignored.

The Final Shape: Confronting The Witness within the Pale Heart

The Final Shape, released in 2024, represents the culmination of the Light and Darkness saga. Guardians enter the Pale Heart of the Traveler to confront the Witness once and for all. This campaign will determine the fate of the universe and the future of Destiny 2.

Key Features: Confrontation with the Witness, exploring the Pale Heart of the Traveler, discovering new abilities and strategies.
Why Play It: This is the ultimate conclusion to the main story arc that has been building up for years. It offers an epic and emotional experience that is essential for any Destiny 2 player.

Understanding the Content Vault

Bungie introduced the Destiny Content Vault (DCV) to manage the game’s size and complexity. This involved removing older content, including campaigns, to make room for new content and improve overall game performance. While the DCV allows for a smoother gameplay experience, it also means that certain storylines and locations are no longer accessible. Understanding this system helps players appreciate the content that remains and prioritize their gameplay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding playable campaigns in Destiny 2, providing further clarity and guidance.

Why were campaigns removed from Destiny 2?

Campaigns were removed due to the Destiny Content Vault (DCV), a system implemented to manage the game’s size, reduce technical debt, and allow for the introduction of new content without negatively impacting performance.
Can I still access Red War, Curse of Osiris, Warmind, or Forsaken?

No, these campaigns are no longer accessible. They were vaulted as part of the DCV.
Do I need to purchase the expansions to play their respective campaigns?

Yes, you typically need to purchase the corresponding expansion to access its campaign. Keep an eye out for sales or bundles that might offer discounts.
In what order should I play the remaining campaigns?

While you can technically play them in any order, it’s best to follow the release order for narrative cohesion: Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen, Lightfall, and The Final Shape.
What are the benefits of playing through the campaigns?

Playing through the campaigns provides crucial lore, unlocks subclasses, and grants access to specific activities, gear, and crafting options. They also offer a structured path for leveling up your character.
Will Bungie ever bring back vaulted campaigns?

While Bungie hasn’t ruled out the possibility of bringing back vaulted content, it’s not guaranteed. They have indicated that it would require significant resources and wouldn’t be a simple port.
What if I skipped an expansion? Can I still understand the current story?

While you can jump into the current content, you might miss out on important context and character development. Consider watching lore videos or reading summaries to catch up.
Are there any resources to help me understand the story of the vaulted campaigns?

Yes, there are numerous resources available online, including YouTube videos, lore websites like Destiny Lore Vault, and community forums like r/DestinyLore on Reddit.
How long does it take to complete each campaign?

The length varies depending on your playstyle and difficulty. Generally, Shadowkeep takes around 6-8 hours, Beyond Light takes 8-10 hours, The Witch Queen takes 10-12 hours, Lightfall takes 8-10 hours, and The Final Shape can vary based on player approach.
Do I need to complete all the campaigns to access endgame content?

While not strictly required, completing the campaigns significantly enhances your understanding of the game and prepares you for endgame activities like raids and Grandmaster Nightfalls. Certain endgame content may also require owning specific expansions.
Are there any rewards for completing the campaigns on different difficulties?

Some campaigns offer additional rewards for completing them on higher difficulties, such as exclusive emblems or upgrade materials. The Witch Queen, for instance, offers unique rewards for completing it on Legendary difficulty.
Can I replay campaign missions after completing the main storyline?

Yes, you can often replay campaign missions through the Director or by accessing specific activities related to the expansion.
How do I start a campaign if I own the expansion?

You can typically start a campaign by visiting the relevant planet or location in the Director and selecting the campaign icon. Alternatively, the introductory quest might appear automatically when you log in.
Are there any free campaigns in Destiny 2?

No, there are no full campaigns that are completely free. The initial introductory missions and some seasonal content are usually free-to-play, but the full campaign experiences require purchasing the corresponding expansion.
What is the best campaign to start with for new players?

The Final Shape is the most narrative relevant and the current story, but The Witch Queen is frequently cited as an excellent starting point because it gives you access to weapon crafting and also tells a good story.