Destiny 2 starts Season 19 today, marking the final chapter of the “The Witch Queen” DLC. Guardians eagerly await fresh information, but Bungie remains tight-lipped until the end. MeinMMO summarizes all the important details about the new “Season of the Seraphs” in this overview article.
What is a Season in Destiny 2? A season usually lasts three months and provides the game with new content. These are generally tied to a seasonal story theme. The big difference from traditional DLCs or expansions is that seasons do not release everything at once, but instead, roll it out over the entire three months.
Compared to traditional expansions, a season is cheaper and includes a ton of content for all players, meaning it’s free for every Guardian – no matter if they pay or not. You can purchase the current season separately and dive right into the action, even if you weren’t present for previous seasons.
When will we finally get concrete info on Season 19? In Bungie’s last TWaB blog, there was very little information about the upcoming content, with some cryptic hints.
The first concrete details about Season 19 were revealed in the trailer release, which was published on the “usual channels”, meaning on YouTube and Twitter.
Experience the premiere of the Infiltrator, the Goddess of War and Machine:
Everything you need to know for the start of Season 19
When exactly does Season 19 start and how long will it last? It starts today, Tuesday, December 6, 2022. With the reset at 6:00 PM CET, it will then be time. The following season will run for 12 weeks, until February 28, 2023. This also marks the start of the new Lightfall DLC.
To keep players entertained for several weeks, you can expect among other things:
- a continuation of the great Destiny Light and Darkness Saga with an Infiltrator, a Goddess of War and Machine.
- new PvE activities – Heist Battlegrounds and the exotic mission “Operation: Seraph’s Shield”
- A brand new dungeon “The Guardian’s Pillar”, with new Exotics and Western armor
- fresh weapons, armor, and loot, including the new Arc armor ornaments
- events that every player can participate in, such as the Triumph Moments and the Dawning 2022
- numerous changes and adjustments to abilities and weapons
The Story of the new Season 19
Like in the last Season 18, Bungie kept the further story a secret and what the Guardians can expect in the coming three months. However, there were still small hints on the official Bungie Twitter account ahead of time, revealing the new direction of the story that many suspected.
What did Bungie reveal with the tweet? Some story-savvy Guardians had already suspected that Season 19 revolves around the Warmind. And the latest picture on the Twitter account confirmed this suspicion.
We currently know that Ana Bray, after the Warmind Rasputin was wiped out by the Pyramid ships, loaded everything that was left of him into an engram with the help of her ghost Jinjus and his light. The photo shows this as well as the typical flickering of the red Warmind theme around it.
Now in Season 19, Guardians will have to collaborate with Clovis Bray to reactivate the Warmind. Ana brings her grandfather to the H.E.L.M., where she has provided him with an Exo body. Through this, he can communicate with the Guardians and coordinate missions.
PvE content and activities in Season 19
In Season 19 titled “Season of the Seraphs”, Guardians can expect various PvE activities again. These include:
- The Heist Battlegrounds
- Seraphs will be deployed at various target locations to infiltrate BrayTech facilities, bypass modern defense systems, and eliminate whole hordes of Fallen enemies.
- An exotic mission “Operation: Seraph’s Shield”
- To successfully complete this mission, Guardians must gain access to the safest facility in the solar system: a BrayTech orbital platform over the Last City. Break through the various security layers each week and awaken Rasputin before it’s too late. The latter could hint at time pressure during the mission.
- As well as the two events Triumph Moments MMXXI and the Dawning, the winter event
- Celebrate the year by visiting your favorite locations and tackling new and long-awaited challenges with a passion that inspires future Guardians to greatness.
PvE highlight of Season 19: The highlight of the upcoming Season 19 will be the brand new dungeon “The Guardian’s Pillar”. Currently, nothing is known about its exact content. But that adds to its allure. Guardians love to explore the mechanics themselves and are surprised by the new weapons and armor.
When does the new dungeon start? The popular 3-player activity will start a bit later than the season itself. But you won’t have to wait long. It will kick off on December 9, 2022, at 6:00 PM.
Until 2022, these PvE contents were always included and a fixed part of the expansion with which they were released – thus playable without extra costs. However, Bungie has revised its offering concept in this regard and eliminated the sale of dungeons as inclusivity offers. Now, their content has become more unique and sometimes more extensive.
Currently, Guardians have access to five of these PvE dungeons in Destiny 2:
- The “Broken Throne”
- The “Pit of Heresy”
- “Prophecy”
- “Waves of Avarice”
- “Duality”
A new season pass for the Guardians
The new season will also bring new rewards for all Destiny 2 players and additional items for buyers of the current Season 19.
This is included in the season pass:
- A new exotic weapon. Season pass owners receive “The Manticore” at level 1 – Free2Play Guardians only later in the pass.
- A new seasonal armor set inspired by the Seraph season
- new cosmetics, such as the Arc armor ornament set
- bonus XP, materials, and seasonal items
- a story quest that progresses weekly
New weapons and exotic mission
This is “Operation: Seraph’s Shield”: For one of the new Exotics, Bungie sends the Guardians on an exotic mission.
To successfully complete this Exo mission, you need to gain access to the safest facility in the solar system: a BrayTech orbital platform over the Last City. The location is within the “Deep Stone Crypt” raid. There, you will breach various security layers each week until February 28, 2022, and awaken Rasputin before it’s too late.
Once Guardians have penetrated deep enough into the facility, they first reach the new Season 19 Exo weapon “Revision Null”. A craftable weapon with 4 catalysts.
This is how to get the 4 catalysts: Starting December 20, a further stage will be unlocked. In the following weeks, several catalysts can be collected that enhance the power of this mysterious exotic weapon.
In addition to this Exotic, you will also receive legendary, high-tech Vanguard gear, crafted specifically for the best infiltration teams.
Important adjustments and revisions in Season 19
Prior to Season 19, Bungie announced many contents of updates and sandbox adjustments that should make the Guardian’s life easier starting tonight. Numerous adjustments for more “Quality of Life”. Additionally, extensive changes are coming to weapons, PvP playlists, abilities, and more.
General changes starting Season 19
- You will be able to craft and farm weapons from the Deep Stone Crypt raid.
- Crafting will include a revamped perk pool along with an origin trait. You will receive a guaranteed selectable weapon of your choice by purchasing it from the chest at the final boss.
For example, you will be able to obtain the Slug shotguns “Heritage” with the perks Reconstruction and Focused Fury, the hand cannon “Succession” with the strong combo of Voltshot and Rampage, as well as the scout rifle “Trustee” with Snapshot and Dragonfly.
- Season 19 will also bring a comprehensive class ability update into the game.
- Players can also expect an optimization of the perk “A Quiet Moment”. Bungie will also bring in 20 revised weapon perks to improve glaive hit registration.
- Planetary materials will become obsolete starting Season 19. You can exchange them for Glimmer.
- Finally, in the new Season 19, you can also expect 26 weapon buffs and nerfs.
What changes in PvP starting Season 19
Expect the new PvP Triumph Seal: On one hand, Bungie will introduce a new Crucible seal called “Glorious” and bring the popular Engram focusing to Lord Shaxx as well. This should provide you with more options to get the Crucible rewards you want.
Crucible weapons available for focusing in Season 19:
- Stars in Shadow (Pulse Rifle)
- The Dead Man’s Tale (Hand Cannon)
- Frosted Orbit (Sniper Rifle)
- Epitaph of the Survivor (Hand Cannon)
- Verse of Sorrow (Auto Rifle)
- Crucible Reversal (Hand Cannon)
- Spring Tide (Fusion Rifle)
- Out of Line (SMG)
A new ranking system hits PvP: The completely overhauled true ranking system is mainly intended to help streamline the playlist structure in PvP and guide more players into the less frequented game modes. In addition, the Iron Banner armor rewards will be revamped.
Furthermore, Bungie will adjust the player search techniques based on skill, connection, and fireteam size to achieve a better player experience in the Crucible.
To give you a better and especially short overview, we have summarized the most important details about the changes in Guardian vs. Guardian battles. Especially which matchmaking you can expect where.
- Quickplay 6v6: This playlist includes the modes Conflict and Control and runs with skill-based matchmaking.
- Weekly Rotation 6v6: Rotates weekly between Clash Control, Mayhem, Team Scorched, Rift, and Rumble. Here connection-based matchmaking is used.
- Competitive Division/Freelance 3v3: This playlist randomly selects Survival, Rift, or Showdown and also uses skill-based matchmaking.
- Crucible Labs: In Season 19, the Labs, Bungie’s PvP test environment, will have a version of 3v3 Rift with asymmetric maps. This mode uses connection-based matchmaking and additionally has a 25% reputation boost for motivation.
- Private Matches: They remain unchanged. You can still play all game modes with friends,
- Iron Banner Event: When Lord Saladin is in the Tower, his Iron Banner event replaces the Quickplay node. Iron Banner will use skill-based matchmaking starting Season 19 and will include a new mode called “Fortress”.
- This is a mode where the objective is to capture and hold areas – just like in Zone Control. Apparently, Lord Saladin has made a deal with the Cabal Empress Caiatl, as she sends some Cabal turrets to spice up the battle.
- When does the first Iron Banner of Season 19 start? Guardians can explore the new mode of Season 19 starting on January 3, 2023.
- PvP Endgame “Trials of Osiris”: When the Trials are active on a weekend, they replace the Crucible Labs. The ticket-based matchmaking system will be maintained here. Freelance will likely no longer exist.
- Adjustment of the PvP Quit Protection: Those who are not interested and leave a match early will continue to face penalties starting Season 19. The remaining time will be added to all suspension notifications, and the notifications will be displayed when clicking as well.
Let us know in the comments whether you will dive into the new Season 19 immediately after the Update 6.0.3 or take it slow. MeinMMO will stay on top of it for you and will diligently check all the contents and details of the new season over the coming days.
If you still need a refresher on the story during downtime or just want to enjoy some old story trailers, we recommend this article:
