How to make the most of Destiny 2 Expansion Open Access, live now
Whether you’re new to Destiny 2 or haven’t played in a while, this could go down in history as the best month yet to hop in the game. From May 7 to June 3, Bungie is giving all players access to The Witch Queen, Beyond Light, and Shadowkeep expansions (plus Lightfall if you’re a PlayStation Plus member) along with the past four Seasons of content!
That’s a lot to tackle in one month. Where does a Guardian even start? We consulted Bungie Community Lead Chris “Cozmo” Shannon to see what he recommends.
Skip ahead and gear up
“If you haven’t finished the New Light quest chain, there’s now an option to skip it and get right to all this content. There are two gifts you should immediately go claim, too. Visit Shaxx in the Hall of Champions to pick up your high-power gear from the Gift of the Thunder Gods chest and go see Ikora in the Tower to choose your New Light Kit. Each kit has Exotic armor and abilities for a different Light subclass. And you can get this gear for each of your characters!”
Choose your own adventure
After you’re geared up, it’s time to determine your first adventure. There are so many places to explore, each with its own unique fantasy feel and story. Consider your play style and availability, too. Whether you have limited time and just want to explore or want to go all-in to take advantage of this deal, Cozmo has some ideas to help point you in the right direction.
Solo Campaign: The Witch Queen
Journey through Savathûn’s Throne World, a twisted wonderland of Darkness and Light.
“I believe The Witch Queen is some of the best storytelling we’ve done so far. We took our time setting up Savathûn as a complicated antagonist, and it’s thrilling to finally get to face off against her and learn more about her history and motivations. Even if you aren’t familiar with Savathûn, the campaign does a great job of telling her story and catching you up along the way. It has some amazing moments and caps off with a spectacular boss fight.” – Chris “Cozmo” Shannon
Solo Campaign: Unlock Stasis in Beyond Light
Experience the dark power of Jupiter’s moon, the blizzardy landscape of the Fallen.
“If you like crowd control and the idea of freezing enemies and then shattering them into ice chunks, get Stasis. You can unlock this Darkness subclass by completing the Beyond Light campaign and getting various quests from the Exo Stranger. She can also help you unlock more Stasis abilities.”
Solo or 3-Player Matchmade Activity: The Coil from Season of the Wish
Go below the Dreaming City, where a labyrinth of dragon mysteries awaits.
“Definitely check out The Coil. I believe it’s one of the best activities we’ve ever made and one of the most rewarding. You get to explore Riven’s dragon lair with different layouts each time you pass through, dodging traps to protect your limited lives. Take it on solo, bring friends, or get automatically matched with a fireteam.” – Chris “Cozmo” Shannon
Extra Challenge: Shadowkeep Exotic Weapons
Discover nightmarish secrets hidden beneath the surface of the Moon.
“Shadowkeep has some really great Exotic weapons, but they’re difficult to get. If you’re up for the challenge, assemble a team to do the Symphony of Death Exotic quest for the Deathbringer Rocket Launcher and The Journey quest for the reliable, versatile Xenophage Heavy Machine Gun. If you’re a support player who wants a weapon that could really help out your team and you’re ready for even more of a challenge, go after Divinity. Find a good guide online though. You’ll have to do a bunch of tough puzzles and a raid.” – Chris “Cozmo” Shannon
Casual: Fishing from Season of the Deep
The ocean floor of Titan teems with dangers, but fishing is not one of them.
“Sometimes it’s nice to just take a break from the action and enjoy the simple pleasure of casting a line and pulling in some fish and occasional treasure. It’s great for unwinding solo or with friends. Plus, you get to collect a bunch of different fish for your tank and visit them at your aquarium in the H.E.L.M.” – Chris “Cozmo” Shannon
Destiny 2: Lightfall available with PlayStation Plus
On top of all that, PlayStation Plus members will have access to the current Destiny 2 expansion, Lightfall, during this same time period, included as a May Monthly Game.
“Lightfall features beautiful urban environments to visit and some action-packed encounters in the later missions. It’s definitely worth a playthrough to pick up Strand and start swinging around with the grapple ability.” – Chris “Cozmo” Shannon
Ready, Guardians?
Tuck these tips in your pocket as a handy roadmap from your Bungie friend Cozmo. Explore! Have fun! Gear up and boost those stats. The Final Shape launches on June 4, and we need all Guardians at peak readiness for the battle ahead.
