The Vaulting of Forsaken: A Guardian’s Guide to What Was Lost
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When Forsaken was vaulted from Destiny 2, it meant the removal of its campaign, the Tangled Shore destination, and various associated activities, items, and quests. Players lost access to the main story arc featuring the death of Cayde-6 and the hunt for the Barons, as well as specific Strikes and missions tied to the Tangled Shore. Certain Exotic weapons and armor pieces that were exclusively obtainable through Forsaken content became unobtainable through their original sources. The decision, part of Bungie’s Destiny Content Vault (DCV) initiative, aimed to reduce the game’s overall size and address technical challenges, but it significantly altered the Destiny 2 landscape for both new and veteran players. While the core narrative was sacrificed, a curated selection of its weapons and gear were reintroduced into the loot pool through other means, like Xur, allowing for access to a limited selection of what was lost to the DCV.
Understanding the Impact of Vaulting
The vaulting of Forsaken was a contentious decision. While it addressed technical concerns, it also removed a significant chunk of content that many players had paid for and enjoyed. The Destiny Content Vault, as a concept, allows Bungie to rotate content in and out of the game, streamlining development and performance. However, the removal of Forsaken highlighted the delicate balance between technical necessities and player investment. It forced Guardians to say goodbye to beloved characters like Cayde-6 and their unique story arc, impacting many of the players’ emotional connections within the game. As of 2023, Bungie has stated that they are no longer planning to vault any more expansions, ensuring that Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen, and future expansions remain accessible.
What Content Was Specifically Removed?
The vaulting encompassed the following elements related to Forsaken:
- The entire Forsaken campaign.
- The Tangled Shore destination.
- Specific Strikes tied to the Tangled Shore (e.g., The Hollowed Lair).
- Certain Exotic quests that started on the Tangled Shore.
- Some Legendary weapons and armor exclusive to Forsaken content.
- The unique environment and patrol zones of the Tangled Shore.
Why Did Bungie Vault Forsaken?
Bungie cited several reasons for vaulting content like Forsaken:
- Reducing Game Size: Destiny 2’s growing size was becoming a technical hurdle. Removing older content helped reduce the download and installation size.
- Addressing Technical Debt: Older content often required more maintenance and bug fixes, diverting resources from new development.
- Focusing on Core Experience: Bungie wanted to focus development on the active and most relevant content, creating a more streamlined and engaging experience.
- Technical Limitations: Limited hard drive space.
How Did the Community React?
The reaction to the vaulting of Forsaken was mixed. Some players understood the technical challenges and appreciated Bungie’s efforts to improve the game’s overall performance. However, many players were disappointed by the loss of content they had paid for and enjoyed, particularly the Forsaken campaign and its emotional narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Forsaken’s Vaulting
Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better understand the consequences of Forsaken’s removal:
1. Can I Still Play the Forsaken Campaign?
No, the Forsaken campaign is no longer playable as it was removed from Destiny 2 as part of the Destiny Content Vault in February 2022.
2. What Happened to the Tangled Shore?
The Tangled Shore destination was also removed from the game along with the Forsaken campaign. This included all activities, patrol zones, and vendors associated with the area.
3. Are Any Forsaken Exotics Still Obtainable?
Yes, while some Forsaken Exotics are no longer obtainable through their original quests, many have been reintroduced into the general Exotic loot pool and can be acquired through activities such as Xur’s weekly inventory, Legend/Master Lost Sectors, or Exotic engrams.
4. Can I Still Access the Last Wish Raid?
Yes, you still can access the Last Wish Raid, which is located in the Dreaming City. However, you need to purchase the Forsaken Pack to get it, since it requires the Forsaken DLC.
5. What is the Forsaken Pack?
The Forsaken Pack is a collection of Forsaken content that remains accessible despite the vaulting of the main campaign and Tangled Shore. It includes access to the Last Wish raid, the Shattered Throne dungeon, and several Forsaken Exotics.
6. How Do I Get the Ace of Spades Now?
The Ace of Spades is one of the Forsaken Exotics that has been moved to the general loot pool. It can be acquired through Exotic engrams or Xur’s weekly inventory.
7. Will Bungie Ever Bring Back Vaulted Content?
Bungie has stated that they may revisit vaulted content in the future, but there are no immediate plans to bring back the Forsaken campaign or Tangled Shore in their original forms. Some assets may be re-used in new content, but the original experience is unlikely to return.
8. What Happens to Quests I Had in Progress?
If you had any active quests related to Forsaken content, they were removed from your inventory when the content was vaulted. Any progress you had made on those quests was lost.
9. Does Vaulting Impact the Lore of Destiny 2?
Yes, the vaulting of Forsaken does impact the lore, as it removes a significant chapter in the Destiny 2 storyline. However, Bungie continues to reference events from the Forsaken era in current content, ensuring that the narrative remains relevant. You can find discussions and analysis of Destiny 2’s lore at places like the Games Learning Society where players and researchers explore the narrative elements of games. GamesLearningSociety.org focuses on the educational aspects of game-based learning, including narrative and storytelling in games.
10. Is Destiny 3 Confirmed?
As of now, Destiny 3 is not confirmed. Bungie has stated that they are focused on continuing to support and expand Destiny 2 for the foreseeable future.
11. Why Did Bungie Remove the Red War Campaign?
The Red War campaign, along with the Osiris and Warmind DLCs, were removed for similar reasons as Forsaken: to reduce game size, address technical debt, and focus on core experiences.
12. Is Shadowkeep Being Vaulted?
No, Bungie has confirmed that Shadowkeep and all subsequent expansions will not be vaulted. They will remain accessible to players.
13. Does Removing Content Affect New Players?
Yes, the removal of content can impact new players by removing context and narrative threads. Bungie has attempted to mitigate this by providing introductory quests and summaries of previous events, but the overall impact is that new players miss out on certain aspects of the game’s history.
14. Are Bungie Bans Permanent?
Bungie reserves the right to issue permanent bans for egregious violations of their Terms of Use, such as cheating or harassment.
15. How Much Did Forsaken Cost?
Destiny 2: Forsaken originally cost $39.99 on its own.
Moving Forward
The vaulting of Forsaken was a significant event in Destiny 2’s history. While it had technical justifications, it also sparked debate and disappointment among players. As Bungie moves forward with their commitment to not vaulting expansions, players can hopefully look forward to a more stable and accessible Destiny 2 experience, while finding new ways to remember the Guardians lost along the way.