Which Destiny 2 DLC Should You Buy First? A Seasoned Guardian’s Guide

So, you’re ready to jump into the vast universe of Destiny 2, but you’re staring down a mountain of DLC options? Don’t worry, Guardian, you’re not alone! It can be overwhelming. The short answer, if you are a new player, is to prioritize the most recent expansion: currently, that’s Lightfall. However, the why behind that answer is crucial for understanding your Destiny 2 journey. Buying the most recent expansion grants you access to the latest content, including the newest subclasses, activities, gear, and story. This puts you on the cutting edge, allowing you to engage with the active player base and experience the game as it’s meant to be played right now.

Understanding Destiny 2’s DLC Landscape

Destiny 2 has evolved significantly since its initial release. Content has been added, removed (“vaulted”), and reworked over the years. The game is a “living” world that constantly changes, making it a dynamic and engaging experience. Each DLC adds to the game’s longevity, and they each are important to experience the ever-changing world of Destiny.

Why Start with the Latest Expansion?

• Active Community: The majority of players are engaged with the newest content, which means you’ll find it easier to team up for activities, complete quests, and experience the game with others.
• Power Level Progression: The latest expansion raises the power cap, allowing you to grind and improve your gear to the current endgame levels. Starting with older DLCs can feel less rewarding because you’ll quickly outlevel their content.
• Gameplay and Mechanics: Newer expansions often introduce new gameplay mechanics, subclasses, and quality-of-life improvements that enhance the overall experience.
• Ongoing Story: While Destiny 2’s story is a complex web, the latest expansion will at least get you started on the current narrative threads. You can always catch up on previous storylines through videos, lore entries, and even playing older content later on.

Is It Worth Buying Other DLCs?

Absolutely! While starting with the latest is recommended, older DLCs offer incredible value:

• Beyond Light: The Stasis subclass alone is worth considering Beyond Light. Stasis provides unique crowd control abilities and is a powerful option for many builds. Certain exotics and raid weapons are valuable to this day.
• The Witch Queen: Praised for its brilliant storytelling and challenging campaign, The Witch Queen also introduces the Glaive weapon type and is a fantastic experience to play through.
• Forsaken: Widely regarded as one of the best Destiny 2 expansions, Forsaken is the Golden Child of the Destiny franchise.

Consider Your Budget and Playstyle

Ultimately, the best DLC for you depends on your budget and what you’re looking for in the game. If you’re on a tight budget, prioritize the latest expansion and maybe pick up an older one on sale. If you’re a completionist and want to experience everything Destiny 2 has to offer, then eventually you’ll want to own all the DLCs.

Remember that understanding learning through games can be a fantastic way to engage with complex systems like Destiny 2. Organizations such as the Games Learning Society offer great resources for those interested in this area. GamesLearningSociety.org

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide even more clarity:

1. Do I need to buy all the Destiny 2 expansions to play?

   No, you don’t need to own all the previous content to access the latest expansion or reach the new power caps. However, owning more DLCs gives you access to more activities, subclasses, gear, and story content, which can make the experience more diverse and rewarding.

2. What is the order of the Destiny 2 expansions?

   The Destiny 2 expansions were released in the following order: Forsaken, Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen, and Lightfall.

3. What is the most popular class in Destiny 2?

   Hunters are generally the most popular class, known for their agility, utility, and fashionable capes.

4. What is the best Destiny class to start with?

   There’s no best class, but Gunslinger Hunter or Dawnblade Warlock are often recommended for beginners. Gunslinger offers a safer playstyle while learning content, and Dawnblade provides powerful support abilities.

5. Is Witch Queen worth it?

   Many players consider The Witch Queen to be the best Destiny campaign ever made, praised for its story, mission design, and challenging difficulty. It’s definitely worth it for the story alone, even if you’re not interested in the other content.

6. Does Witch Queen include Beyond Light?

   No, The Witch Queen and Beyond Light are separate DLCs. You need to purchase each one individually to access their associated content.

7. Should I buy Beyond Light after Witch Queen?

   If you enjoy The Witch Queen and want to explore the Stasis subclass, then Beyond Light is a good choice. It also contains valuable exotics and raid weapons.

8. What does buying Witch Queen get you?

   The Witch Queen includes access to The Witch Queen Campaign, a new Raid, Exotic Weapons and Armor.

9. Is Destiny 2 Witch Queen good for beginners?

   While The Witch Queen has a great campaign, it isn’t specifically designed for new players. It assumes some familiarity with the game’s mechanics and story.

10. What happens to older Destiny 2 DLC?

    Some older Destiny 2 content has been “vaulted,” meaning it’s no longer accessible in the game. This was done to reduce the game’s file size and allow developers to focus on new content.

11. If I buy a new expansion, do I have to replay the older campaigns?

    No, you don’t have to replay older campaigns. However, playing through them can provide valuable context for the story and help you understand the lore of Destiny 2.

12. Is it worth buying Beyond Light before Witch Queen?

    If you want the Stasis subclass, then yes. But for many reasons, it’s often best to get the Witch Queen.

13. Will there be a Destiny 3?

    Currently, Bungie is not actively developing Destiny 3. They are focused on continuing to evolve and expand Destiny 2.

14. Should I start with Witch Queen?

    The Witch Queen is a great starting point.

15. What is the least popular class in Destiny 2?

    Titans are usually the least-played class.

Final Thoughts

Choosing which Destiny 2 DLC to buy first can seem daunting, but hopefully, this guide has provided you with the information you need to make an informed decision. Remember, starting with the latest expansion (currently Lightfall) is generally the best approach for new players. From there, you can explore the older DLCs and discover the rich and rewarding world that Destiny 2 has to offer. Good luck, Guardian, and may your journey be filled with epic loot and unforgettable experiences!