Decoding the Destiny 2 Vault: What Lightfall Left Behind

With each new expansion in Destiny 2, a bittersweet event occurs: the Content Vaulting. This is Bungie’s method of keeping the game’s size manageable and ensuring that the focus remains on the evolving narrative and new content. Lightfall was no exception, sweeping away a significant chunk of the game’s world. But what exactly went into the Vault when the neon-drenched streets of Neomuna arrived?

The heart of the matter is this: the seasonal content from The Witch Queen year vanished with the launch of Lightfall. This includes all associated activities, story missions, and even some titles. Specifically, that means activities from Season of the Risen, Season of the Haunted, Season of Plunder, and Season of the Seraph are no longer accessible.

A Closer Look at What Disappeared

Beyond the broad stroke of seasonal content, let’s dive into the specifics of what Guardians lost access to when Lightfall launched:

• Seasonal Activities: The unique activities introduced each season, like Sever missions from Season of the Haunted or Expeditions from Season of Plunder, are gone.
• Seasonal Storylines: The narrative threads that unfolded throughout The Witch Queen year, resolving with each season’s finale, are no longer playable. This means missing out on crucial character development and lore.
• Specific Quests: Any seasonal quests tied to those activities and storylines, including those that rewarded unique weapons and armor, are now unavailable. A prime example is the Vox Obscura Exotic Quest, which granted the Dead Messenger Exotic Grenade Launcher, though Season of the Witch re-introduced this through the Exotic Mission Rotator.
• Seasonal Vendor Progress: Progress with vendors tied to those seasons, along with any rewards they offered, is reset and inaccessible.
• Certain Titles: Eight specific titles related to in-game achievements during that period also went away: The Brute, The Sharpshooter, The Blademasters, The Beast Tamer, The Bully, The Coward, The Scrapworker, and The Lucent Brood.
• Hollow Denial: This legendary trace rifle won’t be regularly obtainable since Lightfall’s release.

Why Content Vaulting Matters

Content Vaulting sparks debate within the Destiny 2 community, and for good reason. On one hand, it allows Bungie to maintain a manageable file size and focus on creating new, high-quality content. It helps them avoid the technical debt that can accumulate from supporting years of accumulated content. On the other hand, it means that players who join the game later miss out on entire storylines and experiences, potentially creating gaps in their understanding of the Destiny universe.

The discussion continues. To see how the science of learning can be applied to game design and content like Destiny 2, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lightfall and Content Vaulting

Here are some common questions that Guardians have about what was vaulted with the release of Lightfall:

1. Is Dares of Eternity going away? No. Dares of Eternity, introduced with the 30th Anniversary DLC, remains a free-to-play activity. This chaotic, over-the-top game show hosted by Xur and Starhorse is safe from the Vault (for now).

2. Will the dungeons go away? No. Dungeons are designed as permanent additions to Destiny 2. Although new dungeons were introduced during the Witch Queen year (such as Spire of the Watcher), the dungeons themselves remain.

3. Can I still get Dead Messenger? Yes, though not through its original quest. The Vox Obscura Exotic Quest was removed, but Dead Messenger became available through the Exotic Mission Rotator in Season of the Witch.

4. What happened to Combat Style Mods and Elemental Wells? Big changes! Mod Energy types were removed, and the Combat Style armor socket is gone. Elemental Wells were replaced by damage-type-specific objects. This was a significant overhaul to how players built their characters.

5. Is Lightfall a “bad” DLC? The reception to Lightfall was mixed. Some players found the story underwhelming and felt the new destination was uninspired. It’s often ranked alongside Curse of Osiris and Shadowkeep in terms of overall quality, but opinions vary widely.

6. Will there be more expansions after Lightfall? Yes! The Final Shape expansion launched in early 2024 and concluded Destiny 2’s first major saga, but Bungie has already confirmed plans to continue the Destiny 2 story beyond The Final Shape.

7. Can I still play The Witch Queen campaign after Lightfall? No. With the removal of The Witch Queen’s seasonal content, the seasonal story line of The Witch Queen can no longer be experienced, though the campaign itself remains.

8. Is Spire of the Watcher leaving? No, Spire of the Watcher, similar to other dungeons, remains.

9. What content has been removed from Destiny 2 overall? Prior to Lightfall, Bungie had vaulted significant content, including the original Red War campaign, the Curse of Osiris and Warmind expansions, and Year Two’s Annual Pass content (with the exception of Gambit Prime). This shows the ongoing commitment to content vaulting throughout Destiny 2’s lifespan.

10. Is Destiny 2 ending? Absolutely not. Destiny 2 is not ending with The Final Shape. Bungie has repeatedly confirmed their commitment to continuing the Destiny story after the conclusion of the Light and Darkness saga.

11. Was Lightfall rushed? Some players felt that certain aspects of Lightfall, particularly the story, felt rushed or underdeveloped. This perception led to criticism and review bombing, reflecting disappointment within the community.

12. Why did Lightfall get review bombed? Common criticisms included the story campaign, particularly aspects like The Veil and Nimbus, the implementation of Strand, and the perceived lack of new traditional content.

13. What do I get for beating Lightfall on Legendary? Completing the Lightfall campaign on Legendary difficulty rewards players with a gear set fixed at 1770 Power level, Lightfall Exotic armor, 300 Strand Meditations, and 8 Upgrade Modules. These rewards offer a significant boost to progression.

14. Can you get the Vexcalibur without Lightfall? No. Access to the Avalon Mission, which rewards the Vexcalibur, requires owning the Lightfall expansion.

15. Will there be a Destiny 3? While rumors persist, there’s no official confirmation of a Destiny 3. Bungie’s current focus remains on expanding and evolving Destiny 2.

The Ever-Changing Landscape

Content Vaulting is a reality in Destiny 2. While it’s sad to see content go, it’s also a necessary part of the game’s evolution. By understanding what was vaulted with Lightfall, Guardians can better appreciate the current state of the game and prepare for the future. The Destiny universe is constantly expanding, and while some chapters close, many more are waiting to be written.