Destiny 2: The Year of Prophecy – Everything You Need To Know

During the unveiling event for The Edge of Fate on Tuesday, Bungie offered a glimpse into what players can anticipate in the upcoming year of Destiny content, which they’ve named The Year of Prophecy. This coming year promises plenty to be excited about — it includes not one but two expansion packs, along with a wealth of other content, and even specific launch dates for all of Destiny’s content in the following year.

We’ve got you fully informed! While Bungie’s official recap provides the essential details, there are many subtle points in the stream that might have slipped your notice. These aspects are indeed worth discussing further.

This piece delves into all the unveiled details concerning Destiny’s upcoming year, covering both what’s immediately available and exciting prospects for the distant future.

So, let’s get started! Lock in, as there’s a lot to unpack.

Overview

As a gamer, I’m excited to dive into the two-part adventure known as “The Year of Prophecy.” This epic journey is broken down into two expansions and two significant updates, with each expansion roughly equivalent in size to the “Rise of Iron” from the original Destiny game. Each major update will be about as substantial as the 2024’s “Into the Light.” These expansions will center around The IX and serve as the starting point for the next multi-year chapter in the Destiny saga, “The Fate Saga.

With this announcement, we’re expecting an abundance of fresh content heading our way. This includes a fresh Raid in The Edge of Fate and a new Dungeon in Renegades, along with numerous engaging activities as part of the upcoming major updates. Excitingly, Bungie has confirmed that these activities won’t be phased out at the end of the year, so you can anticipate some exciting content to remain for longer!

Bungie hinted that Raids and Dungeons might be included in future significant updates, although they haven’t yet confirmed if any will be featured in the upcoming expansions “Ash & Iron” and “Shadow & Order.” We’ll delve into more details about those expansions later on.

In summary, all significant updates will come at no cost, while you’ll only have to pay for the Expansion content. Additionally, there won’t be any need for a dungeon key or a separate Season Pass as these will both be provided for free – the dungeon key with the expansion and the Season Pass available to everyone at no charge.

Content

Expansions

The Edge of Fate

On July 15th, I’m thrilled to be among the first to delve into The Edge of Fate, the inaugural expansion in the Year of Prophecy. This captivating journey unfolds within the intricate realm of Kepler, a planet teetering on the outskirts of Sol, our Solar System. Reminiscent of the enigmatic Dreaming City and inspired by the genre of Metroidvanias, Kepler promises a labyrinthine world full of mystery and adventure. Can’t wait to explore it!

Story

In “The Edge of Fate,” the narrative style is innovative because it marks Destiny’s initial foray into a ‘non-sequential’ tale. Instead of following a traditional, straight-forward progression to wrap up the storyline, you are given the freedom to investigate and finish it according to your own rhythm and choice of sequence. Essentially, you dictate how the story unfolds for you.

In the narrative of “The Edge of Fate”, you’ll encounter a fresh character named Lodi, who is both ridiculed as an outsider yet recognized as exceptionally qualified. Essentially, he’s like a fish out of water but the most skilled fish one could find in water. This new acquaintance is believed to serve as the merchant within the realm of Kepler and will significantly impact the storyline. Additionally, Ikora and the factions of the Vex and the Fallen (specifically House of Exile) are set to reappear.

1. Option: The Vex seek to uncover more details about the IX, since they are unaware of certain abilities the Nine possess. Meanwhile, the House of Exile is on a quest to discover ‘The Giver’. Both groups could obstruct your journey through the world of Kepler and might play a role in ‘The Edge of Fate’s raid’.

2. Option: The Vex aim to learn more about the IX because they are unaware of certain powers the Nine can wield. On the other hand, the House of Exile is searching for someone called ‘The Giver’. These two entities could hinder your exploration of Kepler and might be part of ‘The Edge of Fate’s raid’.

3. Option: The Vex are here to gain more information on the IX since they aren’t aware of certain feats the Nine can perform. Simultaneously, the House of Exile is after a being known as ‘The Giver’. Both groups may obstruct your travels in Kepler and could be part of ‘The Edge of Fate’s raid’.

4. Option: The Vex are seeking to discover more about the IX because they lack knowledge about certain powers the Nine possess. At the same time, the House of Exile is on a mission to find ‘The Giver’. These two groups could create obstacles during your journey through Kepler and may contribute to ‘The Edge of Fate’s raid’.

5. Option: The Vex are trying to find out more about the IX since they aren’t aware of specific abilities the Nine can utilize. Conversely, the House of Exile is in search of a character called ‘The Giver’. Both groups may impede your progress in Kepler and might be involved in ‘The Edge of Fate’s raid’.

Mechanics

In the realm of Kepler, several novel mechanisms have been introduced, fundamentally altering how you approach solving puzzles and delving deeper into the broader environment.

The initial feature is called Matterspark, a unique system that merges dark matter and Arc, allowing players to manipulate dark matter and transform into an energy orb. This form enables you to navigate narrow crevices and hidden areas to uncover secrets and solve puzzles, showcasing the classic Metroidvania style gameplay.

In addition to this, there are other mechanisms involving dark matter that can be utilized across the universe of Kepler. One such tool is Mattermorph, which enables the blending of dark matter with Strand, providing the ability to manipulate the landscapes within Kepler to uncover all its hidden secrets and fully explore the enigmatic world.

The last device unveiled turned out to be a cannon powered by dark matter, known as the Void Fallen Teleporter. Once fired, it functions as a transport mechanism, allowing travel between Kepler and newly accessible locations and regions.

Renegades

As a gamer, diving into the latest expansion, “Renegades,” feels like stepping right onto a galaxy far, far away. This isn’t just any ordinary Destiny adventure; it’s a joint effort with Lucasfilm Games that perfectly captures the essence and atmosphere of the Star Wars universe.

The Rebels will significantly impact the tale surrounding Destiny’s lore and the Fate Saga, and they’ll bring in new characters and connections that will mold the narrative as it unfolds further.

If we haven’t learned much more about it yet, there will be a live stream before the unveiling on December 2nd.

Major Updates

Although we’re not fully informed about the details of the two significant changes happening this year, it is clear that the initial one – “Ash & Iron” – will transport us once more to the Plaguelands, as was seen in the Rise of Iron expansion.

It’s possible that SIVA and the Wrath of the Machine raid could make a comeback in Destiny 2, but whether or not Bungie will officially reintroduce this fan-favorite raid remains to be seen.

Raids and Dungeons

For another time, there’s still little information unveiled regarding the Raid and Dungeon expected for the Year of Prophecy. As usual with Bungie, they prefer to maintain a veil of secrecy, so we won’t learn much until we directly experience these destinations ourselves.

Nevertheless, it’s confirmed that The Edge of Fate’s raid is scheduled for 19th July, which falls four days following the expansion’s release.

If not, Bungie hinted at potential Raids and Dungeons being added in the upcoming major updates such as “Into the Light,” which might mean that we can expect further events similar to Pantheon and Rite of the Nine in the coming weeks instead.

Gameplay and Changes

In The Edge of Fate, you’ll notice numerous updates to both gameplay mechanics and user interface, making it seem as though Destiny is embarking on an entirely fresh chapter.

Portal

The revamped Portal system streamlines navigation, offering a fresh menu and layout for seamless access to various activities, making it simpler for users to dive right in.

As a gamer, I can jump right into the action with the fresh Ops playlists that offer innovative approaches to playing this game, tailored to my preferred style.

Solo Ops: These are designed for solo players who have a small amount of time and don’t want to depend on finding other players for activities. This is great if you don’t really want to invest much time, but still want to hop in and have fun.
Fireteam Ops: This is for whole fireteams, but is still oriented around a quicker experience with easier modes.
Pinnacle Ops: These are the more challenging missions that more experienced players are used to, like Nightfalls and Exotic Missions.
Crucible Ops: The new home for Crucible activities, with the new ability to completely climb the power level tree with PvP only.

You have the option to enhance these operations by adding tiers, bonuses, and modifications, making them more challenging and rewarding in terms of loot. Additionally, there’s a brand-new “Ultimate” difficulty setting, which surpasses the challenge presented by the Grandmaster level.

Armor 3.0

In the upcoming game, The Edge of Fate, armor is undergoing a significant overhaul and will now be known as Armor Version 3.0. Some key alterations include the introduction of Armor Sets, which are expected to have a substantial impact on the gameplay.

In games like Genshin Impact, Armor Sets offer advantages when you wear two or four pieces that belong to the same set. This encourages players to seek out and gather optimal versions of full armor sets rather than simply using one armor set for aesthetics while its properties remain unchanged.

For example, a set bonus that they’ve shown is —

2 Piece | Force Converter

As a thrill-seeking gamer, I dash briefly after landing that decisive strike with any rocket or grenade launcher, eagerly snatching up the Speed Booster for an exhilarating ride ahead!

4 Piece | Reactive Booster

Every time the Force Converter is activated, you’ll get a temporary Speed Boost if you’re running at full health, hanging upside-down, or under the influence of a Stasis effect. This boost lasts for a brief period.

As an enthusiast, I’d like to share that they’ve revamped a significant aspect of the armor system – the stats! This update comes with a double whammy, as not only have they tweaked the stats themselves, but also the maximum limit for these stats. Now, you can boost any stat up to an impressive 200 units (with additional enhancements beyond the 100 mark). The new stat categories are as follows:

Weapons: Increases weapon reload speed and handling, and increases weapon damage against minor and major combatants | 100+: Ammo bricks from defeated targets have a chance to contain additional rounds, Increases weapon damage against bosses and opposing guardians.
Health: Increases the amount of health you gain each time you pick up an Orb of Power. Reduces flinching from incoming fire while aiming a weapon. | 100+: Your shields recharge more quickly and have additional health when facing combatants.
Class: Reduces your class ability cooldown. Increases the amount of class ability energy provided by all sources. | 100+: You gain an overshield when you use your class ability.
Grenade: Reduces your grenade ability cooldown. Increases the amount of grenade energy from all sources. | 100+: Increases the damage done by your grenades.
Super: Increases the amount of Super energy from all sources. |100+: Increases the damage done by your Super.
Melee: Reduces your melee cooldown. Increases the amount of melee energy from all sources. | 100+: Increases the damage done by your melee attacks.

This significant change implies that much of your existing armor may lose its value as we approach the Year of Prophecy. However, keep your equipment safe, since there’s a chance it might be useful for something more substantial than just a small amount of Glimmer.

Gearing and Tiers

Additionally, with The Edge of Fate approaching, you can expect significant changes across all gear. Primarily, your Power Level will be reset to presumably zero, implying that you’ll have to regain your former strength by climbing the ranks again.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the equipment will now be categorized into tiers, ranging from 1 to 5. Gear of a higher tier will only drop from more difficult tasks or activities.

In the upcoming changes, top-quality equipment will feature multiple enhancements, resembling Adept-style items, and boast unique color schemes and visual effects to highlight their superior level. Additionally, armor will acquire an extra energy slot at Tier 5, raising the maximum to 11. However, it remains uncertain how our existing weapon attributes will transfer over, so for now, avoid dismantling any of your equipment.

Over the next few months, we’ll gather more information, and once we’re nearing the launch, we’ll create a guide to help you decide what to retain and what to discard.

Shooting Range

From now on, a specialized area for damage testing has been set up within the tower. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to try out your weapons and hone your skills. This will provide you with an accurate damage score that you can compare with your friends on a leaderboard, creating a fun and competitive environment.

Test against different enemies, races, and even jump into the range to try out close-range abilities and see your numbers.)

Closing Time

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel the excitement brewing for Destiny in what seems to be an extraordinary year known as “The Year of Prophecy”. With enticing updates and transformations on the horizon, it’s the perfect moment to jump back into Destiny or take on a fresh challenge. And if you’re ready to embark on this adventure, The Edge of Fate is your starting point, with the intriguing Renegades just around the bend!

Currently, the Rite of the Nine has arrived, and you can refer to our guide on Spire of the Watcher to stay updated on the changes made to the first week’s dungeon during its initial week.

Otherwise, stay tuned, and see you as we get closer to exploring Kepler.

2025-05-08 04:51