In Destiny 2, there are now many hints that the next DLC brings Chicago as a new location. What supports the swamp landscape that players have actually known for 7 years?
Last month, in November 2020, the major expansion Beyond Light was released for this year. But the Guardians are already eager to know where the next DLC from 2021 will take us.
What we know about the 2021 DLC: Bungie has already revealed that Guardians can expect two major expansions in the years 2021 and 2022. Together with Beyond Light, they form a trilogy with a common storyline.
By the end of next year, “The Witch Queen” will arrive – but there aren’t too many confirmed details yet.
- The main enemy of the DLC will be Savathûn.
- The titular Hive witch and deity is the sister of the main villain Oryx. She seeks revenge on the Guardians and has been filling the power vacuum left since Taken King in 2015.
- So far, she has only appeared from the shadows – for example, in the Shattered Throne and the Curse of the Dreaming City or during the interference missions of Season 11.
- The logo of the expansion is known. There we see Hive runes and the typical Hive color green.
- We also know from Bungie that a fresh location is coming to Destiny 2 with the DLC.
That’s why Chicago as a new location in Destiny 2 is likely
The Guardians have been speculating for months that with Witch Queen, the city of Chicago will enter the Destiny universe (via reddit). MeinMMO reveals to you why this is becoming more and more likely.
The first hint is 7 years old: Even before the release of Destiny 1, Bungie showcased concept arts for Old Chicago in 2013. “Great, what do we care about a 7-year-old image?” you might think now?
The DLC location from Beyond Light, Europa, players know well from such old concept arts. Bungie literally “throws nothing away”. Once produced content or designed ideas are just waiting for their big deployment (or return).
Therefore, the zone makes sense: In the images, Chicago is depicted as a dark swamp landscape. Like the dynamic winter weather on Europa, the swamp landscape could give the game a new spin. This way, the zone would be unique and have a distinct feature, even if it is set on the familiar Earth.
The logo color has always been prominently represented in the corresponding DLC locations:
- Forsaken had a purple logo, reflecting the purple mist of the Tangled Shore.
- Shadowkeep used red and black – the colors of the Scarlet Fortress on the dark moon.
- Beyond Light presents itself in blue and white – both colors fit wonderfully with the frozen location Europa.
- Witch Queen and the green swamp match perfectly.
This also continues a trend from the first part: Locations represent a civilization that has been lost, and nature is reclaiming the zones:
- Mars and its ruins are buried under sand.
- The steel constructions of the Cosmodrome are rusting away.
- The research facilities on Europa are sealed under ice and snow.
- The Ishtar Academy is dissolving in the natural acid of Venus.
What does the lore say? There were hardly any mentions of Old Chicago in the game until recently. The term “Old Chicago” was last mentioned in 2017 regarding the Exotic Graviton Lance.
Now, in Season 12, Chicago suddenly appears prominently in lore texts. The seasonal chest armor for Warlocks, Hunters, and Titans each mentions Old Chicago in connection with a great danger and a hunt.
This hint comes directly from Bungie: When Bungie spoke about the future of Destiny 2 in a Vidoc in the summer of 2020, they showed a board with cryptic notes. Included was also Europa.
On this board, “O Chicago” can also be found. Bungie is known for hiding little hints in their trailers and videos. And where else would you expect a nasty witch but in a swamp?
Furthermore, it is speculated:
- Players also suspect that with the DLC at the end of 2021, the EDZ could be moving into the content vault.
- With Chicago, there would be a replacement alongside the Cosmodrome on Earth.
- There is also speculation about a return of the Dreadnought. Just as the familiar Cosmodrome returned with Beyond Light, players should look forward to Oryx’s warship in Witch Queen.
- The swamp theme also fits wonderfully with the new element of Darkness after Stasis. The Guardians suspect that with Witch Queen, we will gain access to corruption, something toxic and infectious.
What do you think, will the Guardians embark on a journey to swampy Chicago in 2021? Or are the players fantasizing here and seeing hints where there are none? Tell us in the comments.
If you want a taste of poison and corruption in Destiny 2 already, you can find it here on MeinMMO: Double poison build is the new star in Beyond Light – Here’s how to build it
