The short answer is yes, you do have to purchase dungeon keys with real money in order to unlock access to certain endgame dungeons added throughout Destiny 2‘s life cycle. Keep reading for a detailed guide on Destiny 2‘s dungeon key system, whether it‘s worth paying for them yourself, and tips to acquire keys without spending money.
What Are Dungeon Keys and Which Dungeons Require Them?
Dungeon keys are special items that grant access to bonus endgame dungeon activities tied to specific Destiny 2 expansions and seasons. They must be purchased separately – owning an expansion like The Witch Queen does not provide its dungeon key automatically.
There are currently three dungeons in Destiny 2 that need a paid key to unlock:
- Duality (Season of the Haunted)
- Spire of the Watcher (Season of Plunder)
- Grasp of Avarice (30th Anniversary Pack)
The upcoming Lightfall expansion will also have a new dungeon key covering its Year 6 seasonal content.
Dungeon keys provide permanent account-wide access to their associated dungeon(s). Without the proper key, you‘ll be locked out of these activities entirely.
Do You Have to Pay Real Money for Dungeon Keys?
Yes, the only way to acquire dungeon keys currently is to purchase them from Eververse, Destiny 2‘s in-game microtransaction store. They are not included with expansions or season passes.
Here are the details on how much each dungeon key costs:
| Dungeon Key | Price in Silver | Estimated USD Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Witch Queen Key | 2000 Silver | $20 |
| 30th Anniversary Key | 2000 Silver | $20 |
| Lightfall Key | ~2000 Silver | ~$20 |
At the time of writing, 1000 Silver costs $10 USD. So a single dungeon key purchase is around $20.
There is no way to directly earn keys through gameplay – you must pay actual money. And dungeon keys are account-locked, so you can‘t game share or borrow a friend‘s key.
The only free dungeon is Prophecy, added back in Year 3. All others require purchased keys.
When Should You Buy Dungeon Keys in Destiny 2?
Since dungeon keys cost real money, you want to make sure you‘re buying at the right time to maximize their value. Here are some tips:
- Buy a key immediately when a new dungeon launches to play day one
- Wait to purchase until it‘s the weekly featured pinnacle dungeon for bonus rewards
- Buy permanent access before an anticipated dungeon farming event
- Maybe wait if you only want one exotic weapon tied to the dungeon
I recommend buying keys when you anticipate running that dungeon a lot in the near future. They permanently unlock access, so there‘s no rush unless you want early access.
Can You Earn Dungeon Keys for Free By Playing?
While you can‘t directly earn paid dungeon keys, there are a few legitimate ways to slowly acquire Silver for free over time:
- Earn 50-200 Silver from weekly and seasonal challenges
- Convert in-game Bright Dust to Silver in the Eververse store
- Trade raid loot and other goods to players for Silver
- Enter contests and giveaways for a chance at Silver prize pools
For example, if you converted all your weekly Bright Dust into Silver, you could slowly accrue enough for a key over several months. But for most players, outright buying keys is the only viable option.
Are Destiny 2‘s Dungeon Keys Worth the $20 Price?
Whether you feel the dungeon keys are worth purchasing really depends on your personal priorities as a Destiny 2 player, including:
- How much you value exclusive endgame activities and loot pursuits
- Your willingness to spend money on microtransactions
- How interested you are in the dungeon‘s theme, bosses, etc.
- How often you plan to run the dungeon if unlocked
As a Destiny 2 expert with thousands of hours played, I feel the dungeon keys provide some of the most fun and rewarding small-team cooperative experiences in the game. The exotic weapon quests are also quite enjoyable.
For hardcore players who enjoy mastering challenging dungeons and want to collect all the loot, buying the keys is absolutely worth it. More casual players may not find the same value.
So weigh your own motivations carefully, but know that dungeons offer some amazing extra endgame content otherwise inaccessible.
In Summary
- All Destiny 2 players must purchase dungeon keys to access certain endgame dungeons like Duality and Grasp of Avarice
- Keys cost around $20 USD each from the in-game Eververse microtransaction store
- It‘s possible to slowly earn Silver through gameplay, but buying keys is the only viable option for most
- Consider buying keys when you plan to run that dungeon often to maximize your investment
- For dedicated players, the unique dungeon activities and loot pursuits make keys worthwhile purchases
I hope this detailed guide helps you decide if paying for Destiny 2‘s dungeon keys is the right choice to enhance your Guardian experience! Let me know if you have any other dungeon key questions.
