How Many Dungeons Come With Witch Queen? A Deep Dive Analysis
How Many Dungeons Come with The Witch Queen Expansion?
The Witch Queen expansion comes with two new dungeons – Duality and Spire of the Watcher. These are premium dungeons that are not included in the base expansion and must be purchased separately, either via the Deluxe Edition or the Dungeon Key.
Unlike past expansions, the standard $40 Witch Queen purchase does not grant access to any new dungeons. Players must spend extra to obtain the two dungeons released over the course of Seasons 17 and 19.
The Cost of Witch Queen Dungeons
Here is a breakdown of how much the two Witch Queen dungeons cost with each purchase option:
Witch Queen Dungeon Pricing
| Purchase | Price | Dungeons Included |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | $40 | 0 dungeons |
| Deluxe Edition | $80 | 2 dungeons |
| Dungeon Key | $20 | 2 dungeons |
As you can see, the dungeons essentially cost $20 each, or $40 for the bundle. This is a new monetization approach, as all past expansion dungeons were free additions.
Comparing Destiny 2 Dungeon Models
To provide context around the Witch Queen dungeon pricing, let‘s compare it to past Destiny 2 content models:
Dungeon Pricing in Previous Destiny 2 Expansions
| Expansion | Dungeons | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Shadowkeep | 1 | Included with $35 expansion |
| Beyond Light | 0 | None |
| Forsaken | 1 | Included with $40 expansion |
Bungie‘s previous approach was bundling new dungeons into each expansion at no extra cost. Witch Queen is the first time players must pay a premium.
Is the Witch Queen Dungeon Key Worth it for Most Players?
Given the added cost, is the Witch Queen Dungeon Key worth buying for most Destiny 2 players? Let‘s dig into the pros and cons:
Pros
- Grants access to all Witch Queen dungeons for only $20
- Each dungeon offers 3-4 hours of gameplay
- Provides high-level pinnacle gear rewards to progress Power level
- Fun 3-player endgame content outside of raids
- Craftable weapons add replayability
Cons
- $20 is steep for only two dungeons
- Content that was free before now costs extra
- Dungeons alone may not provide enough gameplay
- Deluxe Edition has much greater overall value
Expert Analysis: Skip It for Casual Players
Based on this analysis, the Dungeon Key is hard to recommend for casual Destiny 2 players. $20 is a significant cost for only 6-8 hours of total gameplay. These players would likely be better served experiencing the free campaign and seasonal content.
However, for hardcore players who run dungeons repeatedly for top-tier gear, the Dungeon Key is a worthwhile purchase. The pinnacle gear and craftable weapons offer tremendous long-term value if you plan to grind dungeons frequently.
Breaking Down the Deluxe Edition Value
Rather than buying the Dungeon Key alone, the Witch Queen Deluxe Edition often provides greater value:
Deluxe Edition Benefits
- Both dungeons
- 4 season passes ($40 value)
- Exotic SMG, catalyst, ornament
- Bonus cosmetics
At $80, the Deluxe Edition bundles $100+ worth of content for a discount. For players interested in all seasonal content for Year 5, it‘s a smart purchase.
Does the Deluxe Edition Provide Good Value?
For devoted Destiny players interested in completing all of The Witch Queen‘s content, the Deluxe Edition is an excellent value:
- You save ~$40 compared to buying seasons/dungeons separately
- Includes hundreds of hours of seasonal activities and quests
- Grants access to the biggest pieces of year-long content
- Discounted price compared to Destiny 2‘s past annual passes
Freelance Dungeon Playlist Added
In Season 18, Bungie added a new Freelance Dungeon playlist to Destiny 2. This matchmakes solo players together for all dungeons, whereas previously you needed a pre-made fireteam.
The Freelance playlist improves access to dungeons for players without regular groups. And it provides greater incentive to purchase dungeon access, given they can now easily be completed through matchmaking.
Weighing the Importance of Endgame Content
When evaluating the Dungeon Key‘s value, it comes down to how important supplementary endgame content is to your Destiny experience outside of the main expansion beats.
For players who only engage with each season‘s core activities, dungeons may not offer enough entertainment to justify the cost. But for endgame-focused players, the additional progression and grind that dungeons provide can significantly enhance an expansion‘s longevity and retention.
Ultimately, it‘s about aligning your playstyle preferences with the respective value offered by each edition of The Witch Queen.
Is Buying Witch Queen in 2024 Still Worth It?
Even in 2024, The Witch Queen remains one of Destiny 2‘s best expansions – especially for PvE players. Key factors like the excellent campaign, crafting system, Throne World destination, and the two dungeons give tremendous replay value.
While the campaign will be free-to-play, purchased editions will retain full access to the raids, dungeons, and craftable weapons. So for players looking to experience all of Destiny 2‘s pinnacle PvE content, owning The Witch Queen in 2024 and beyond is still recommended.