What Destiny 2 DLC is the most worth it for new and veteran players?

If you‘re looking to dive into Destiny 2 or supplement your existing game, you likely want to know which downloadable content (DLC) expansions are most worthwhile. With several years of expansions available, it can be difficult to decide where to start. Based on content, critical reception, and long-term value, the Forsaken and The Witch Queen expansions stand out as the most worthwhile purchases for both new and veteran Destiny 2 players.

Why Forsaken is a must-buy Destiny 2 expansion

Released in 2018, Forsaken offers a tremendous amount of content, gameplay innovations, and long-term value that keep it relevant even years later. Here‘s a closer look at why it‘s widely considered Destiny 2‘s best expansion:

• Brand new gameplay destination – The Tangled Shore is a collection of asteroids tethered together, offering miles of exploreable space filled with enemies, public events, lost sectors, and more. The Dreaming City destination is an ethereal wonderland unlocked later, providing one of the most unique and beautiful settings in Destiny.

• Impactful, emotional campaign – Forsaken‘s story deals with loss and revenge, delivering cutscenes and story missions with more emotion and drama than anything seen in Destiny before. There are around 13 story missions that take several hours to complete.

• Nine new Supers added – Each of the Hunter, Titan, and Warlock classes get three new subclass tree options, providing new abilities and playstyles. This keeps combat feeling fresh.

• Introduction of Gambit mode – A new PvPvE hybrid game mode that blends fighting enemies with facing off against opposing players. It‘s unlike anything else in Destiny and is still popular today.

• Over 80 new exotic weapons and armor – No expansion before or since has added this many exotics, providing dozens of new tools and builds to experiment with.

• Shattered Throne dungeon – A new three-person end-game activity with unique bosses and puzzles to solve. It offers some of the toughest challenges for high-level players.

• Last Wish raid – This six-person raid in the Dreaming City is considered one of Destiny‘s best, with compelling characters, environments, and encounters.

• Hundreds of new legendary weapons and armor – Everything from hand cannons to auto rifles, warlock robes to titan gauntlets, there‘s no shortage of new gear to earn.

Glowing critical reception

Forsaken received glowing reviews from critics and players alike. It pulled review aggregates as high as 92/100 on Metacritic and OpenCritic. Reviewers praised the wealth of content, storytelling, environments, gear, and introduction of Gambit as expanding what Destiny could be. Gamers welcomed the expansion as a return to form after a lackluster year one for Destiny 2. Even years later, many players still consider Forsaken the franchise‘s peak.

The Witch Queen redefines Destiny 2

Released in February 2022, The Witch Queen is Destiny 2‘s latest expansion, and it brings transformative changes that keep the game feeling fresh. Here‘s what it adds:

• Throne World destination – Traverse the swampy terrain of Savathûn‘s dark kingdom, with misty forests, haunted ruins, and a palace filled with secrets. It also includes dynamic events like world bosses.

• Deep Lucent Hive campaign – Around 13 story missions detail the rise of the corrupted Lightbearing Lucent Hive. The legendary difficulty provides a tough, strategic challenge for veterans.

• Weapon crafting – This new system allows players to level up and customize weapons, creating god rolls. It makes the loot grind more deterministic and rewarding.

• Glaive weapon type – Part spear, part staff, glaives provide a unique new playstyle for close-quarters combat.

• Vow of the Disciple raid – Set aboard the ancient Pyramid ship, this raid has stunning vistas and unique mechanics as players confront Rhulk.

• Void 3.0 rework – This overhaul to the Void subclasses opens up more build options and synergies between abilities and gear. Stasis got a similar 3.0 rework.

• Seasonal model – The expansion is bolstered by a whole year of seasonal content drops like story missions, activities, gear, etc.

Worthwhile for all players

The Witch Queen was received just as well as Forsaken, scoring an impressive 90/100 on OpenCritic. Reviewers and players praised the campaign, crafting system, raid, and evolutions to abilities. The Witch Queen also makes practical sense for all players:

• New players – Jumping right into The Witch Queen lets you experience the current era of Destiny 2, with all the relevant lore, gear, and content.

• Returning players – The Witch Queen brings you up to speed on the state of the world and mechanics with minimal confusion.

• Veterans – Long-time players get to progress into the end-game, chase rolls through crafting, and flex their skills against challenging difficulties and raids.

No matter your experience level with Destiny, The Witch Queen has something to offer.

Other Notable Expansions

While Forsaken and The Witch Queen stand out as the most universally valuable expansions, others still provide compelling content:

• Shadowkeep – Returned players to the moon with some horror themes, added garden of salvation raid, pit of heresy dungeon, and more.

• Beyond Light – The Europa destination is one highlight, but more importantly it added Stasis subclasses, a must for high-level PvE and PvP play.

• The Taken King – This early Destiny 1 expansion is fondly remembered for fleshing out story and lore, with a fan favorite raid.

Key Takeaways

• Forsaken – Best overall expansion due to wealth of content, gear, modes, and an emotional story.

• The Witch Queen – Current definitive expansion, refreshed abilities, crafting, and excellent end-game.

• They provide the most content and long-term value for new and veteran players.

• Other expansions fill in gaps but aren‘t always comprehensive.

• Focus on newest expansions to get current exotics and pinnacle gear.

• But consider Forsaken for the campaign experience and introduction of Gambit.

For both new lights and veteran guardians, Forsaken and The Witch Queen give you the most bang for your buck. They deliver fresh locales to explore, engaging lore, challenging end-game activities, builds to craft, exotics to master, and hundreds of hours of adventure. While all Destiny 2 expansions have merits, these two should be first on any player‘s list to experience the best the game has offered.