Is Destiny 2 Worth Playing Without DLC?

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The short answer is yes…to a point. Destiny 2‘s base free-to-play experience provides enough content to enjoy the core gameplay experience, especially for new players. However, the lack of additional content and progression from paid expansions will eventually hinder the long-term experience.

As a long-time Destiny enthusiast with over 1,000 hours played, I have experienced the game both with and without DLC. This guide will provide you a comprehensive look at what you can expect from the free version, where the content gaps exist, and whether investing in DLC is recommended.

What is Included in the Base Free-to-Play Version?

Destiny 2‘s free-to-play offering, called New Light, provides a decent slice of content including:

• The original Destiny 2 campaign + two additional storylines
• Three subclass options per Guardian class
• Patrol explorable destinations: European Dead Zone, Nessus, EDZ, Cosmodrome
• Vanguard Ops Playlist (Strikes)
• Crucible & Gambit core PVP modes
• Leviathan and Prophecy dungeons
• Seasonal artifact to unlock mods
• Seasonal activities like Festival of the Lost

This is enough gameplay variety to keep new players occupied for dozens of hours. You can reach max power level, acquire tons of weapons and armor, and experience the core activities.

What Major Content is Missing Without DLC?

While the free version provides a taste, the DLC expansions add significant amounts of content across the board:

• Additional campaigns and story content
• Major destinations like Dreaming City, Moon, Europa
• Exotic quests for signature weapons like Ace of Spades
• Special PVE activities like new raids and dungeons
• Stasis and advanced subclass customization
• Higher level nightfalls and endgame quests
• Additional crucible maps and modes

Lack of access to this extra content can limit options for advanced players who crave new challenges and progression.

How Much Can You Progress Without DLC?

Here is a comparison of progress options with and without purchasing expansion DLC:

As shown above, DLC provides significantly more progression depth through higher power caps, gear, subclasses, and challenging endgame activities.

What is the Replay Value Like Without DLC?

For new players, the free version offers dozens of hours exploring the worlds, campaigns, subclasses, and core activities like strikes and Crucible. But for experienced players seeking more challenge and build diversity, the lack of DLC will lead to repetition.

Destiny 2‘s endgame is centered around high difficulty nightfall strikes, dungeon runs, exotic quests, and raiding. With only one dungeon available, advanced players will exhaust the limited endgame faster. DLCs add brand new activities and gear to chase each season.

Does Destiny 2 Feel Complete Without DLC?

Destiny 2 is an evolving "games as a service" model, with each expansion adding a piece to the full puzzle. Playing without DLC provides a taste, but won‘t feel like a complete experience.

Content and systems are designed to encourage players to keep purchasing new expansions and season passes. FOMO (fear of missing out) is used to incentivize buying new content. If you play Destiny 2 for a long time, investing in DLC feels mandatory.

Bungie‘s Shift to Free-to-Play

In 2019, Bungie separated from Activision and shifted Destiny 2 to a free-to-play model. All players got access to the base game and seasonal model. This resulted in a surge of new players, over 200% growth of monthly active users, and a return of veterans.

Revenue also increased dramatically due to new players converting to paid expansions after being hooked by the free content. So while the free version acts as bait, monetization still depends on selling expansions.

Is Playing Without DLC Recommended?

For brand new players, I definitely recommend trying Destiny 2‘s free version first. It provides a great entry point to experience the gameplay and see if it clicks before investing in DLC.

However, to get the most out of Destiny 2, purchasing the expansions is highly encouraged. Each one adds significant amounts of content that greatly enhance the core experience. Owning just the latest expansion is enough to access most new activities and gear each season.

So in summary, Destiny 2‘s free-to-play offering is quite generous and most importantly, fun. But to get the full breadth of content and avoid repetition, purchasing the DLC is advised. I hope this guide gives you a detailed look at what to expect with and without paid expansions to help inform your decision!