Destiny 2 receives a new expansion with Shadowkeep. The October brings some exciting new features for the game. All info, the release date, pre-order and the features are summarized for you in this article.
What is Destiny 2: Shadowkeep? Shadowkeep is the second major expansion for Destiny 2. The expansion is called Shadowkeep in English and is scheduled for release in October.
The next chapter of Destiny 2 brings some changes. Bungie parted ways with Activision earlier this year and is also shaking things up in the Destiny universe.
You do not need to have played or purchased any previous expansions of Destiny 2 to play Shadowkeep.
Release: October 1, 2019 (Stadia in November)
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC via Steam and Stadia
Developer and Publisher: Bungie
Destiny 2: Shadowkeep Release, Platforms and Storage Space
Here you can read everything you need to know about the release, the planned platforms, and the required storage space of Shadowkeep.
When is Shadowkeep Released?
The Shadowkeep expansion is released on October 1st. With the postponement of the expansion, Shadowkeep will now be released simultaneously on all platforms except Stadia. Guardians can also start traveling to the Moon on Steam from October 1st.
Is there a Preload?
Before the release of Shadowkeep, there will be a preload for all platforms. PC players can already download the expansion via Steam. The preload is already active.
Console players on PS4 and Xbox One will have to wait until September 30th, the day before the Shadowkeep release. However, the servers will be taken offline on September 30th at 7 PM to prepare for the release of Shadowkeep. Downtime is planned for a full 24 hours and applies even to Destiny 1.
The servers are expected to go back online with the release of Shadowkeep on October 1st at 7 PM.
On which platforms will Shadowkeep be released?
Shadowkeep will be available as usual for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles. Additionally, there’s also a change, as Destiny 2 switches from Battle.net to Steam. Bungie’s shooter is also one of the launch titles for Google’s Stadia.
Anyone hoping for crossplay between Steam and Stadia will be disappointed: Stadia will have its own closed ecosystem like all other platforms.
How much storage space is needed:
Shadowkeep expands the game world of Destiny 2 and significantly increases storage space. With the new expansion, the game will be around 165 GB.
Previously, Destiny 2 on PC weighed around 87 GB and on consoles PS4 and Xbox One around 100 GB. With Shadowkeep, the game across the three platforms will be approximately the same size.
Story: This is what the expansion is about
We will summarize information on the story of the expansion and Season 8, the Season of the Undying, here.
Unlike previous expansions and DLCs, Shadowkeep aims to advance the story of Destiny 2 and not introduce another side story, according to Project Lead Scott Taylor. Additionally, it seems they want to work on the timeline with additional seasons.
What is Shadowkeep about?
As our heroes direct their attention to the boundaries beyond the protection of the Vanguard, something stirs in the shadows of our long-forgotten moon.
Eris Morn returns, haunted by visions of her cruel past. She unleashed something that has been lying dormant beneath the moon’s surface for a long time. It is a power that even Eris cannot control.
Our Guardians must now return to the Moon and help Eris deal with the nightmares lurking there. And they must do so before they leave the Moon behind and plunge humanity back into an age of darkness.
More about this:
- What you need to know about Eris Morn and the Black Garden
- Destiny 2 focuses on time-limited content in Year 3 – Anyone who doesn’t keep up will miss out
Watch the trailers here
What can be seen in the reveal trailer? “A glimpse into the future always brings us back to the past,” says Eris Morn in the trailer. The surface of the moon can be seen, with our Earth and the Traveler in the background.
In the shadows of the moon, the silhouettes of old enemies can be discerned, while Eris Morn continues to speak of nightmares that thirst for revenge. The ancient fears of the Guardians are to return.
What exactly this means is still unknown. However, the trailer shows outlines of some enemies that may be familiar to Destiny 1 players. In between, the scream of the witch Omnigul, Will of Crota, can be heard. Crota himself was even shown in the last ViDoc announcing Shadowkeep.
What can be seen in the gamescom trailer? During gamescom, Bungie released another trailer. Strange bodies hovering above the moon’s surface can be seen. A shirt apparently hinted at the identity of the bodies ahead of the expansion.
Eris Morn says that the Guardians have not yet seen the darkness. Not yet. However, this will change with Shadowkeep.
Season 8: The Season of the Undying
What’s coming in Season 8? The next season, which marks the end of Forsaken and heralds the beginning of Shadowkeep, will be called the “Season of the Undying.” In Shadowkeep, it’s not just about the Hive on the moon, as the cybernetic Vex are also invading the universe. To prevent these “invasions,” all Guardians are needed. With the “Vex Offensive,” a new 6-player matchmaking activity will be introduced.
A new trailer prepares for the upcoming season with the Vex. Some veterans may find the images shown to be familiar: Some scenes come from footage that was already leaked during Destiny 1.
What to expect in Season 8, you can already read in the roadmap for the Season of the Undying. Furthermore, the rewards that Guardians can grab in this season are already known. The coolest rewards of the season ranks can be found at the highest levels.
More about this:
- Destiny 2 introduces a new season pass: season ranks, rewards, financial investment
- In Destiny 2, you’ll unleash the Vex invasion just like the curse started, thus launching Season 8
- Destiny 2 shows new images for Season 8: This is what Vex invasions look like
Destiny 2: Pre-order Shadowkeep
You can find all prices and editions of Shadowkeep for the different platforms, as well as bonuses, here.
What editions are there?
Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is currently offered in three different editions with various extras:
- Destiny 2: Shadowkeep – Standard (€34.99)
- Destiny 2: Shadowkeep – Digital Deluxe Edition (€59.99)
- Destiny 2: Shadowkeep – Collector’s Edition (€159.99)
- Destiny 2: Shadowkeep – Collector’s Edition without game (€94.99)
All pre-orders will receive a pre-order package containing the exotic rocket launcher Two-Tailed Fox and an exclusive Hive ornament.
What differentiates the editions?
All three editions include the Shadowkeep expansion, but they come with different goodies. Also, not all editions are available for all platforms.
In addition, interested players do not need to purchase the base game of Destiny 2 alongside Shadowkeep. Year 1 of Destiny 2 will be free with the release of Shadowkeep. This version is called “New Light,” which we will provide more information about further down.
This is what is included in the individual editions:
Destiny 2: Shadowkeep – Standard
- Shadowkeep expansion
- A season pass for “Season of the Undying”
The standard version is available for the following platforms:
Destiny 2: Shadowkeep – Digital Deluxe Edition
- Shadowkeep expansion
- Four season passes
- Exotic items in Eris Morn style: emote, ghost shell, and emblem
The Digital Deluxe Edition is available for the following platforms:
Destiny 2: Shadowkeep – Collector’s Edition
- All contents of the Standard and Digital Deluxe Editions
- A code for the Digital Deluxe Edition
- Digital soundtrack for Shadowkeep
- Physical goodies, including a Hive Cryptoglyph replica, a metal Luna mission container, and two journals with lore and designs
The Collector’s Edition was only available in the Bungie store for the following platforms:
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox One
- Steam
Currently, the Collector’s Edition is sold out. If you managed to get one of these editions, you can be happy: One of the included items comes with a secret.
These features come with Shadowkeep
Shadowkeep brings some innovations to the game. In addition to the Moon as a new zone, there are also new weapons and armor, as well as activities.
New Zone
In Shadowkeep, players will return to the Moon, which veterans will likely recognize from Destiny 1. While the Moon should seem familiar, it will still be revamped: The zone is supposed to be twice as large as in Destiny 1.
Guardians will also revisit the Black Garden in Shadowkeep. That is where the raid will be located that comes with the expansion.
Shadowkeep represents an experiment on what can be done with content that has already been developed over time, according to Bungie. Perhaps players will see more locations from Destiny 1 in the sequel in the future.
Bungie recently showed in a video how the Moon in Shadowkeep has changed compared to Destiny 1. The satellite has been revamped in Shadowkeep and equipped with new lighting and effects. This is meant to make the Moon appear darker and gloomier. The developers are also playing with light and shadow, giving the Moon a more mysterious vibe.
New Weapons
Not much is known about the new weapons of Shadowkeep yet. However, Bungie showed a real model of an exotic machine gun at Guardian Con 2019, which apparently is powered by an insect trapped in amber.
More about this:
- Is this a Void Gjallarhorn? See here 4 new Exotics in Destiny 2 Shadowkeep
- 3 new Exotics from Destiny 2: Shadowkeep spotted at the convention – This is what they can do
- All new Exotics in Shadowkeep & Season 8 that are known
New Armor
With the release of Shadowkeep, Guardians will naturally also hunt for thematically appropriate armor again. The new gear seems to follow the astronaut theme, as revealed by an image released by Bungie.
Additionally, at PAX West the new Warlock exotic “Stormdancer’s Brace” was shown, which players mostly had to laugh about. It looked as if the Warlock had strapped a six-pack of canned beer around himself.
More criticism arose regarding the upcoming gear set from the next raid. This seems to be only a reskin of the Eververse Omega Mechanos set from the first year of Destiny 2. The raid gear should still be worth it, as it comes with Armor 2.0 and also has extra bonuses.
Finally, Bungie showed some new armor sets that we Guardians can acquire this autumn. Included were also several new pieces that come from the upcoming raid.
More about this:
- Destiny 2 changes your loot hunt – Every drop will be exciting
- No joke: Destiny 2 will soon hold fashion shows – with cool prizes
- In Destiny 2 Shadowkeep, you can (almost) look like the Vex – new armor known
Endgame Activity Nightmare Hunt
Nightmare Hunt will be a new activity for one to three players with Shadowkeep. There are three different difficulty levels, which players can choose, and that set the power level requirements.
The levels each have different modifiers. For the first two difficulty levels, Adept and Hero, there is matchmaking, whereas for the last difficulty, Legend, you need to assemble a strike team yourself.
In addition to Nightmare Hunt, Shadowkeep will also receive a new dungeon activity. This refers to something like the Broken Throne in Forsaken. However, when this content will be released is still unclear. However, this content will definitely be included for those who purchase Shadowkeep.
Nightfall: The Ordeal
The new expansion also brings changes to the Nightfall strikes. Guardians are now hunting Champions at varying difficulty levels:
- Adept – Power level 750 is recommended
- Hero – Power level 920 is recommended
- Legend – Power level 950 is recommended
- Master – Power level 980 is recommended
The higher the difficulty level, the greater the chance of special rewards upon success. This includes Enhancement Prisms and Ascendant Shards for leveling up equipment and obtaining exotic items.
Our author Sven has already been able to play the new Nightfall in Seattle.
More about this: In Destiny 2 Shadowkeep, the best Guardians can farm Exotics
Armor 2.0
With a new armor system, players will be able to extensively customize and individualize their gear. Armor 2.0 is supposed to allow players to equip any mods they’ve unlocked into any armor piece.
Currently, players tend to choose the armors that give them advantages in the game rather than those that look good. With the new system, Bungie aims to focus more on RPG elements and offer players more freedom.
In a live stream, the developers presented the new system in detail. It was shown, among other things, how players can customize their gear to suit specific gameplay situations. The focus was on the different mods and how these affect the gear.
More about this:
- Here’s how you can make your Guardians pretty AND efficient in Shadowkeep
- Guardians celebrate what Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is doing with Year 1 and 2 armor
- Guardians criticize Armor 2.0 for lack of freedom – Bungie responds
Artifacts
In Shadowkeep, players will receive seasonal artifacts that they can level up and thus unlock various perks. According to the developers, artifacts should feel like an exotic item due to the perks in the last column.
The seasonal artifacts are even supposed to exceed the “actual power limit” of 960. Gear with a maximum power of 930 is expected to drop. However, players should be able to exceed this value with the artifacts.
However, your power will not rise without limits: At the end of a season, the respective artifact disappears and is replaced by another. With the artifact, the power fades and your Guardian will be reset to the power level he had without the artifact.
More about this:
- Bungie surprises everyone with finishing moves and more RPG elements
- This is how strong the first artifact in Destiny 2 will make you – We know all the bonuses
Changes to the Sandbox
Shadowkeep brings some changes to the existing sandbox. Among other things, there are buffs and nerfs to Supers and their energy regeneration, mechanics like auto-reload, or adjustments to damage multipliers.
More about this:
- How your Supers and the sandbox change with Shadowkeep
- This is how Destiny 2 Shadowkeep changes the weapons: Dust off your old Exotics
- Destiny 2 is changing your damage so you have more clarity in PvE
Finishing Moves
To ensure that Guardians continue to look particularly cool and are represented in-game, each class will receive its own finishers with Shadowkeep. Some of these have already been introduced by the popular sound guy Dave Samuel.
For Titans, for example, there is a move where the character jumps up, raises his fist, looks at it, and then strikes hard.
More about this: This is what lies behind the new finishing moves from Shadowkeep
Changes in PvP
With the upcoming expansion Shadowkeep, Bungie will also implement changes to the Crucible. Matchmaking will be revised, and the following changes will be made to the playlists:
- The previous Quickplay will be removed, replaced with Classic Mix featuring modes such as Control, Supremacy, and Conflict
- The competitive playlist will be replaced with a 3v3 Survival mode, which rewards you with Glory points. A solo Survival mode will also provide Glory.
- 6v6 Control will be its own playlist
- There will be weekly 6v6 and 4v4 rotation playlists with the modes Conflict, Supremacy, Showdown, Lockdown, and Countdown
- Some maps that did not perform well in PvP will be removed from matchmaking
- Additionally, a new ranking system will come into play
Moreover, Bungie is currently working on four variations of 3v3 Elimination. This mode is far from finished and will therefore be introduced in the test playlist for PvP modes, Crucible Labs. To test Elimination in a familiar environment, the mode will be playable on the popular PvP maps Widow’s Court and Rift from Destiny 1.
More about this: We now know what is changing in PvP in Destiny 2: Especially Hunters will be excited
Changes to Eververse
With the upcoming expansion, the in-game shop Eververse will also be revised. Armor from the shop will become ornaments that can be applied to legendary gear.
There will also be changes to the economy: Glimmer will only be earnable in-game from Shadowkeep onwards. Dismantled items will now yield Legendary Shards and Glimmer, and recrafting items will only cost Glimmer and Shards.
More about this: That’s why you should definitely dismantle certain items before Shadowkeep
Bubble Titan Returns
In the stream about Armor 2.0, a change was shown that Titan veterans among Destiny 2 players will particularly rejoice over: the “Bubble Titan” will play a role in Shadowkeep.
While this focus was particularly indispensable in group play during Destiny 1, the bubble titan lost its cool bonuses to the Warlock in Destiny 2. This shifted the focus to the Warlock, and the “Bubble Titan” was hardly used anymore.
For more details on Shadowkeep and the upcoming features, check out the ViDoc “Out of the Shadows”:
Destiny 2: New Light Details – What will be different with Free2Play
What is Destiny 2: New Light? With New Light, Year 1 of Destiny 2 will be free. The base game will thus transition to a free-to-play model with the release of Shadowkeep.
The free content includes, among other things:
- The base game Destiny 2 with the campaign and the Leviathan raid
- The first DLC Curse of Osiris
- The second DLC Warmind
- Further selected content from Year 2
New Destiny players can create a character and play through the first mission of Destiny 1, where they are revived by their Ghost and fight their way out of the Cosmodrome on Earth. This mission has been revised by the developers.
After the Guardians and Ghost escape from the Cosmodrome, they fly to the Tower and begin their adventure in Destiny 2.
Bungie stated that New Light will be free-to-play because the studio was annoyed with how things went with Forsaken. With the first expansion, players had to buy and play all previously released DLCs to even access Forsaken.
What can Free2Play players do? Free-to-play players can travel to all regions in the game, even to the Moon, which comes with Shadowkeep. They are supposed to “explore every location and complete bounties, play every coop strike, and participate in every PVP activity.” Gambit is also playable, the PvPvE mode that was introduced with Forsaken.
All players start in Shadowkeep at the current maximum power level of 750.
What can Free2Play players not do? The subclasses from the Forsaken expansion will not be available in Destiny 2: New Light. However, if you purchase the Shadowkeep expansion without Forsaken, you will still receive these subclasses.
Other content, such as the Forsaken expansion, Shadowkeep, or the season passes remain mostly paid and can be purchased optionally.
By the way, for all owners of Forsaken, the Forsaken Annual Pass is now free.
More about this:
- New Light – These are the contents offered in the Free-2-Play version at launch
- Tomorrow Destiny 2 finally becomes free-to-play – What you need to know about New Light
