Navigating the vast universe of Destiny 2 can be overwhelming for both newcomers and returning players. With numerous expansions released since its 2017 launch, understanding the Destiny 2 expansions in order is crucial for anyone looking to experience the full story. As we move through 2025, let's explore the complete chronological journey of Destiny 2's expansions, their content, and what each brought to this evolving universe.

The Complete Destiny 2 Expansion Timeline

Destiny 2 has seen remarkable growth since its initial release, with each expansion building upon the game's rich lore and gameplay mechanics. Here's the definitive chronological order of all Destiny 2 expansions released to date:

  1. Destiny 2 Base Game (September 6, 2017) - The Red War campaign that started it all

  2. Curse of Osiris (December 5, 2017) - Mercury exploration and the search for the legendary Osiris

  3. Warmind (May 8, 2018) - Mars adventures and confrontation with the Hive worm god Xul

  4. Forsaken (September 4, 2018) - The Tangled Shore and Dreaming City, introducing bows and new supers

  5. Shadowkeep (October 1, 2019) - Return to the Moon and battles against Nightmares

  6. Beyond Light (November 10, 2020) - Europa exploration and the introduction of Stasis powers

  7. The Witch Queen (February 22, 2022) - Savathûn's throne world and Light-wielding Hive

  8. Lightfall (February 28, 2023) - Neomuna on Neptune and confrontation with the Witness's forces

  9. The Final Shape (June 4, 2024) - Culmination of the Light and Dark saga within the Traveler

  10. The Edge of Fate (July 15, 2025) - Beginning of a new saga with fresh characters and locations

  11. Renegades (December 2, 2025) - The newest announced expansion, bringing a new dungeon

The Current Era: The Edge of Fate (2025)

The Edge of Fate marks a significant turning point in Destiny 2's journey as the first expansion following the conclusion of the Light and Dark saga. Released in July 2025, this expansion has successfully established a fresh narrative foundation while introducing unprecedented quality-of-life improvements.

Unlike previous expansions that built upon established storylines, The Edge of Fate faced the unique challenge of introducing entirely new characters, locations, and narrative threads. Despite not featuring a campaign as memorable as The Final Shape, the expansion has been praised for its accessibility to newcomers while still providing depth for veteran players.

The Edge of Fate brought:

  • A completely new destination to explore

  • Fresh enemy types with unique mechanics

  • A challenging new raid with innovative mechanics

  • Substantial weapon and armor additions

  • System-wide quality-of-life improvements

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Looking Forward: Renegades (December 2025)

The next chapter in Destiny 2's evolving story, Renegades, is scheduled for release on December 2, 2025. While full details are still emerging, Bungie has confirmed this expansion will include:

  • A new dungeon experience

  • Continuation of the post-Light and Dark saga storyline

  • New exotic weapons and armor sets

  • Additional endgame activities

The relatively short gap between The Edge of Fate and Renegades (just five months) represents Bungie's commitment to maintaining a steady flow of content as they build this new narrative arc.

What Each Expansion Brought to Destiny 2

Each Destiny 2 expansion has contributed unique elements to the game's evolution. Here's a breakdown of the key contributions from major expansions:

Forsaken revolutionized the game with:

  • The introduction of the bow weapon type

  • New supers for each Guardian subclass

  • The Tangled Shore and Dreaming City destinations

  • The Last Wish raid and Shattered Throne dungeon

  • Power level cap of 600

Beyond Light transformed gameplay through:

  • Introduction of Stasis, the first Darkness subclass

  • The Europa destination

  • Deep Stone Crypt raid

  • Significant content vaulting (removing older content)

  • Power level cap of 1260

The Witch Queen elevated storytelling with:

  • A critically acclaimed campaign with Legendary difficulty

  • Weapon crafting system introduction

  • Savathûn's Throne World destination

  • Vow of the Disciple raid

  • Power level cap of 1560

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The Final Shape concluded the saga with:

  • The Pale Heart destination inside the Traveler

  • Salvation's Edge raid against The Witness

  • Prismatic subclass customization system

  • Power level cap of 2020

  • Episode content model replacing seasons

What to Expect from Destiny 2 Expansions

While each expansion has its unique focus, certain elements have become standard expectations for major Destiny 2 releases:

  1. New Destination - A fresh location to explore with unique aesthetics and activities

  2. Campaign - A narrative-driven story mission sequence, often with standard and Legendary difficulties

  3. Endgame Content - Either a new raid or dungeon (sometimes both)

  4. Weapons and Armor - New gear sets with expansion-specific aesthetics and perks

  5. Power Level Increase - A new cap to work toward

  6. Quality-of-Life Improvements - System refinements and gameplay enhancements

It's worth noting that while expansions require purchase, certain elements are typically made available to all players. Most expansions allow free-to-play access to their new destinations, though campaign missions and certain activities remain exclusive to expansion owners.

For players looking to catch up on Destiny 2's content in 2025, the purchasing landscape has been simplified compared to previous years:

  • The Legacy Collection includes Forsaken Pack, Shadowkeep, and Beyond Light

  • The Witch Queen, Lightfall, and The Final Shape are available as standalone purchases

  • The Edge of Fate is the current expansion

  • Renegades will be available for pre-order soon

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Conclusion

Understanding Destiny 2 expansions in order provides crucial context for experiencing the game's evolving narrative. From the original Red War to the current Edge of Fate, each expansion has built upon the last to create one of gaming's most ambitious ongoing stories.

As we look toward Renegades in December 2025 and beyond, Destiny 2 continues to demonstrate remarkable longevity and evolution. Whether you're a Guardian who's been there since day one or someone considering jumping in for the first time, there's never been a better time to experience the complete journey of Destiny 2's expansions.

The game's shift from the Light and Dark saga to this new narrative era offers both closure for longtime players and an accessible entry point for newcomers. With Bungie's commitment to quality content and regular updates, Destiny 2's future looks brighter than ever as we move through 2025 and beyond.