Many have been waiting for this: Bungie has finally presented the next big expansion for Destiny 2 – “The Witch Queen”. Here, we have compiled the most important details for the release that every Destiny fan and interested party should know about the new addon.
What is Witch Queen about? “The Witch Queen” will be the next major expansion for Destiny 2 and will bring numerous new content for Bungie’s action MMO into the game. Originally, the addon was supposed to be released in autumn 2021, but the effects of the global Corona pandemic forced the studio to delay this expansion to “early 2022”.
What is it about? The eponymous Hive Witch Savathûn is an important character in the Destiny universe and has long been pulling the strings behind the Destiny storyline – always from the background. Her trademark and her tools are lies, intrigue, and manipulation. In the recently started Season 15, the prologue to Witch Queen, the Witch Queen is now in the spotlight for the first time and will soon even receive an expansion dedicated to her.
There, Savathûn has granted her Hive soldiers the power of Light. You must enter her Throne World and confront her radiant brood. The challenge is primarily to solve an important riddle at the heart of her intrigues – how did she and her army steal the Light? Guardians will also learn that not only does darkness hold secrets but also Light.
Destiny 2: Witch Queen Release – The Most Important in Brief
- What kind of version is this? This is a DLC for Destiny 2 that will be released on all platforms.
- When is the release date? On February 22, 2022.
- What can I expect? Many new features will be added, such as a weapon forge, a new destination, a new raid, and much more.
- How much does Destiny 2: Witch Queen cost? The prices range from €39.99 for the Standard Edition to €258.99 for the physical Collector’s Edition from Bungie.
For deeper details on the editions and what to expect, you can find more information at the bottom of the post.
The trailer for Witch Queen: Here, you can take a first look at “The Witch Queen”:
By the way, in our live ticker for the reveal event, we also noted many details for you.
Witch Queen Release Date is Set – When is the expansion coming out?
Until recently, it was still said “early in 2022”. In the course of the reveal, however, there is finally a concrete release date. The Witch Queen starts on February 22, 2022.
New Location – Where is Witch Queen set?
As part of the expansion, a new location is being introduced – Savathûn’s massive, deceptive Throne World. Here are some images:
Visually, the whole thing looks, from the first images, somewhat like the popular Dreadnaught of Oryx, the Taken King and Savathûn’s brother, now implemented in a larger and more open form on a planet’s surface, mixed with the Dreaming City.
The Throne World looks diverse – from Savathûn’s shimmering palace to overgrown swamps to dark underground dungeons, there is quite a lot.
New Activity for 6 Players
According to Bungie, the new location will also offer a new 6-player activity in the heart of an ongoing battle for the Throne World – including player matchmaking. Unfortunately, there is no further info on this yet, but here is a first image:
New Changes in Gambit
In Witch Queen, there will also be changes to the PvEvP mode. An annoying boss will be removed, and adjustments will be made to the ammunition delivery. A freelance mode is also set to be added, where no teams are allowed, and each player joins solo. We have summarized more information for you here:
New Raid
With Witch Queen, the list of available PvE pinnacle activities will be expanded – finally, a new raid is coming again.
This one takes place in the swamps of Savathûn’s Throne World – in a sunken pyramid. There, you will confront an ancient threat that is trapped within. The name of the raid is already known. It will be called “The Oath of the Student”. Furthermore, Bungie said that the raid will somehow continue the campaign of “The Witch Queen”.
The start date of the raid has also been revealed, it will start on March 5, 2022, at 7 PM.
Campaign Gets Harder Difficulty
Previously, the expansion campaigns were completed fairly quickly, some even in a day. While the missions do drive the story forward, they do not offer a real challenge from a gameplay perspective. This will change with Witch Queen.
The campaign of “The Witch Queen” will offer a new legendary difficulty that should be significantly more challenging than the regular experience. So, those who like it hard will get something to bite into – comparable to the pinnacle Nightfall. It appears that the difficulty of the missions will also scale with the size of the fire team.
“Hive Guardians” – Enemies Now Use Light
The Guardians now face dangerous competition. Savathûn has equipped her army with the power of Light and ghosts – how, is still unknown. In short: Even special Hive fighters are now able to use abilities and supers (apparently even Stasis?) and return after death. To eliminate them once and for all, it seems that you also need to destroy their ghosts – just like us Guardians.
New Melee Weapon Comes – The Glaive
With Witch Queen, a new weapon archetype is introduced in Destiny 2 – the Glaive. This energy weapon aims to expand the melee weapon arsenals of the Guardians beyond swords. The new type of weapon will be played from the first-person perspective, as it can not only be swung and used for melee combos but is also capable of firing projectiles. An energy shield also grants it defensive capabilities.
Weapon Crafting Comes
With Witch Queen, not only is a new weapon archetype coming, but also a whole new way for Guardians to expand their arsenal – weapon crafting, the ultimate control over weapons.
While Bungie has not gone into detail here yet, the studio explained: With this new system, it will be possible to create custom weapons with unique combinations of mods, shaders, and advanced stat pools – basically, your own god-roll. For example, you won’t just get your first glaive from a boss or a chest – you will build it through this system.
It is meant to be a combat-oriented crafting and progression system – the more you use these weapons, the more tasks you complete with them, the higher they will level up, and the more powerful they become.
At the launch of “The Witch Queen”, it will be possible to craft all weapons from the Throne World, the new raid weapons, and seasonal weapons. But this is just the beginning of weapon crafting. Over the course of Year 5, more weapons will be added to this system – both old and new.
Trilogy Will Become a Four-Part Series
Witch Queen was supposed to be the second of three interconnected annual expansions with which Bungie would continue Destiny 2 until 2022. The saga around Light and Darkness was supposed to end with the third expansion Lightfall in 2022. However, plans have changed.
The saga around Light and Darkness will reportedly not end as originally planned with the Lightfall expansion, but with The Final Shape. So, another chapter is being added. When exactly remains unclear, however. Destiny 2 will continue for years to come. And then further…
The Light and Darkness saga will come to a dramatic conclusion in Destiny 2: The Final Shape.
— Destiny 2 (@DestinyTheGame) August 24, 2021
Make no mistake. Destiny 2 will continue beyond. pic.twitter.com/LwA14MIq0e
However, what exactly will come after The Final Shape and what exactly is meant by “and beyond” is also unknown at this time. It is speculated that Bungie may aim to integrate all previous content from Destiny 2 and Destiny 1 into the game, thus striving for a complete Destiny experience.
Light Classes Are Being Revised After Stasis Model
This change will likely please many Guardians. Because currently, Stasis is far ahead in terms of customization and individualization options compared to the old Light focuses, offering much more freedom and possibilities.
Aspects, fragments, and more.
— Destiny 2 (@DestinyTheGame) August 24, 2021
Beginning with Void, Light subclasses will be updated every Season in Destiny 2 Year 5. pic.twitter.com/umrf1rBsN8
With Witch Queen, however, Bungie will begin revising the Light classes based on the modular model of the Stasis system – including aspects and fragments. The focus will start with Void, and the other elements, Solar and Arc, will follow in subsequent seasons.
A first impression of this can be found here: Destiny 2 is redesigning old focuses after Stasis model – Here’s a first taste
Witch Queen Preorder – Editions, Contents, Prices, Bonuses
Since the reveal of Witch Queen on the evening of August 24, the upcoming Witch Queen expansion has been available for preorder. But what editions are there? What do they include? How much does it cost? What bonuses are available? And where can you buy the whole thing? You can see that in this overview.
By the way, the “Witch Queen” expansion will NOT be included in the Xbox Game Pass.
Destiny 2: Witch Queen Standard Edition:
Includes:
- New campaign
- Weapon crafting
- New glaive weapon archetype
- New raid
- Exotic gear
- New 6-player activity
Instant unlocks upon pre-order:
- Exotic Throne World Ghost Shell
- Exotic Emote “The Enigma”
- Legendary Emblem
Where to pre-order/buy:
Destiny 2: Witch Queen Deluxe Edition:
Includes:
- Everything from the Standard Edition
- Exotic MP with Catalyst and Ornament
- Access to Seasons 16, 17, 18, and 19
- 2 Dungeons (released in Year 5)
- Exotic Throne World Sparrow
Instant unlocks upon pre-order:
- As in the Standard Edition
Where to pre-order/buy:
Destiny 2: Witch Queen Deluxe Edition + “30 Years of Bungie” Pack:
Includes:
- Everything from the Standard Edition
- Everything from the Deluxe Edition
- New Dungeon
- Exotic Rocket Launcher “Gjallarhorn” with Catalyst and Ornament
- New weapons inspired by old Bungie worlds
- Thorn armor set
- Bungie streetwear ornament set
- Marathon ornament set
- Unique helmet ornament
- Exotic Sparrows
- Exotic Ship
- Emblems, shaders, gestures, and more
Instant unlocks upon pre-order:
- As in the Standard Edition
Where to pre-order/buy:
Destiny 2: Witch Queen Collector’s Edition (Physical): For Guardians who want the ultimate “Destiny 2: The Witch Queen” experience.
Includes:
- a digital code for the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition
- a code for the “30 Years of Bungie” pack
- a hidden kit for paranormal research
- a Hive Ghost replica
- a hidden ID card
- a lore booklet
- other mysteries from Savathûn’s Throne World
Please note: PlayStation activation codes are not provided digitally but are instead located on a card in the Collector’s Edition box.
Where to pre-order/buy:
- Bungie Store – for €156.00 without game code
- Bungie Store – for €258.99 with Steam code (PC)
- Bungie Store – for €258.99 with PlayStation code (PS4+PS5)
- Bungie Store – for €258.99 with Xbox code
What do you think of the next big expansion for Destiny 2 so far? Has Witch Queen caught your interest with its features? What do you find most exciting so far? Or have you long given up on Destiny – no matter what comes next? Let us and other readers of MeinMMO know in the comments.
