Destiny 2's Year of Prophecy: Key Details for Guardians

Get ready, Guardians — Bungie has officially announced the upcoming content roadmap for its beloved sci-fi shooter, Destiny 2, under the banner of the **"Year of Prophecy."** This exciting new chapter promises a wealth of content for both free-to-play and premium subscribers, including two major paid expansions and significant seasonal and core game updates rolled out across the year.

The *Year of Prophecy* marks the first-ever Destiny annual release cycle to feature four major content drops—two paid expansions and two substantial free updates. These releases are designed to elevate the experience for all players, regardless of their subscription status.

Rite of the Nine – Available Now

Kicking off the Year of Prophecy is *Rite of the Nine*, a reimagined dungeon experience now available to all players at no additional cost. Designed to be accessible for newcomers while offering fresh challenges for seasoned veterans, this update revisits iconic dungeons such as *Prophecy*, *Spire of the Watcher*, and *Ghosts of the Deep*. Each has been infused with new twists, allowing players to reconnect with familiar characters like Orin and enjoy updated dungeon weapons tailored for modern gameplay.

Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate – July 15

On July 15, players will dive into the first expansion of the Year of Prophecy: **Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate**. As a paid expansion, it kicks off a multi-year narrative arc that introduces or reintroduces players to the enigmatic beings known as the Nine. Two key characters will take center stage—Lodi, a brand-new ally, and Ikora, the returning Warlock Vanguard.

Set on the all-new destination of Kepler, the expansion draws inspiration from Destiny’s signature dungeon mechanics and exploration-driven design. Players can expect a world filled with mystery, discovery, and intricate environmental puzzles. Alongside new enemies, gear, and weapons, Kepler introduces destination-specific abilities, offering fresh ways to engage with the world and your fireteam.

Major Core Game Innovations

Simultaneously launching with *The Edge of Fate*, Bungie is rolling out a suite of impactful changes to the core game systems:

• Revised Armor & Gear Systems: Enhancements to buildcrafting create more meaningful customization options.
• New Activity Selection Screen (Portal): Streamlines access to various game modes, including Fireteam Ops, Pinnacle Ops, Crucible Ops, and the brand-new Solo Ops designed for solo players seeking quick, self-contained sessions.
• Activity Customization: Over 50 new modifiers allow deeper gameplay adjustments and increased challenge tiers.
• Rotating Content: Curated activity rotations keep the experience fresh and reward-driven throughout the year.

Pre-Order Bonuses

Players who pre-order any edition of *The Edge of Fate* or the full *Year of Prophecy* will unlock exclusive in-game items instantly. Here's what each tier includes:

**The Edge of Fate Pre-Order Includes:**

• The Edge of Fate Campaign
• New Raid
• 1x Active Rewards Pass
• Exclusive Exotic Ghost (instant unlock)
• Exclusive Legendary Emblem (instant unlock)

**Year of Prophecy Edition Pre-Order Includes:**

• The Edge of Fate and Renegades Campaigns
• New Raid and Dungeon
• 1x Active Rewards Pass + 3x Rewards Passes
• All Edge of Fate Pre-Order Items
• Exclusive Exotic Ship (available September 9, 2025)
• Exclusive Legendary Emblem (available September 9, 2025)

**Year of Prophecy Ultimate Edition Pre-Order Includes:**

• Both Campaigns (Edge of Fate & Renegades)
• New Raid and Dungeon
• 1x Active Rewards Pass + 3x Rewards Passes
• Exclusive Exotic Sniper Rifle: New Land Beyond
• New Land Beyond Ornament & Catalyst (available at launch)
• All previous pre-order rewards
• Exotic Emote (instant unlock)
• Exotic Sparrow (available July 15, 2025)
• Dark Side Legends Bundle (armor ornament sets for each class)
• Secret Stash (delivered per season: cosmetics, ciphers, alloys, shards)

Bungie also released details about a physical Collector’s Edition, which has already sold out globally at the time of writing.

Ash & Iron Update + Renegades Expansion – September / December 2025

On September 9, the *Ash & Iron* update will go live, followed by the second expansion of the year, *Renegades*, on December 2. Inspired by the legendary *Star Wars* universe, *Renegades* aims to blend Destiny’s unique storytelling and gameplay with rich sci-fi themes and iconic elements from the franchise.

Shadow & Order Major Update – March 2026

Wrapping up the Year of Prophecy in March 2026 is the *Shadow & Order* update, bringing the story arcs and gameplay innovations to a climactic close.

A Look Ahead Amidst Industry Challenges

These announcements come after a difficult period for Bungie, which saw layoffs affecting over 220 employees in mid-2024 — representing nearly 17% of its workforce — following another round of cuts just months prior. Despite these setbacks, the studio remains committed to delivering high-quality content and innovation for the Destiny community.

What Else Is On the Horizon?

Beyond Destiny 2, Bungie is also hard at work on *Marathon*, a revival of one of its classic franchises. First revealed in May 2023, *Marathon* received its first public preview in early 2024. According to [ttpp], “After playing enough Marathon to get a pretty good feel for it in its alpha state, I’m already fairly confident it’ll scratch the Bungie PvP itch that’s been left unscratched for a number of years now.” The game is currently slated for release on PC and consoles later this year.