What does the annual pass do in Destiny 2? Everything you need to know

The Destiny 2 annual pass unlocks 4 seasons worth of content including activities, gear, quests, cosmetics, and more. It provides access to new content releasing throughout the year at a discounted rate. Here‘s a comprehensive guide examining what it offers.

Breaking Down the Annual Pass

The annual pass bundles together 4 season passes, granting access to that year‘s worth of seasonal content as it releases. This includes:

• New matchmade seasonal activities
• Exotic weapon quests
• Seasonal narrative missions and quest chains
• Artifact mods to unlock each season
• 100 ranks of season pass rewards to progress through
• Bonus Bright Engrams, Glimmer, crafting materials, and loot
• Exclusive annual pass exotic weapon and cosmetics

It provides a 25-30% discount compared to purchasing four seasons individually as they release. This upfront access is the main benefit for dedicated players intending to play each new season.

The annual pass does not include major expansions like Lightfall or The Witch Queen. It only covers the 4 seasons releasing throughout that year. Expansions and season passes complement each other for accessing both small and large content drops respectively.

To summarize, the annual pass grants:

• Access to 4 full season passes
• Exclusive annual pass rewards
• Discount compared to individual purchases

Let‘s take a deeper look at what season pass content entails and who stands to benefit most from the annual pass bundle.

What Do Season Passes Unlock in Destiny 2?

Season passes grant access to new activities and content that release every 3 months. Here are some of the major additions each one includes:

• New 6 player matchmade activity – Core to each season is a new form of repeatable PvE content like Override, Astral Alignment, or Ketchcrash. These reward powerful and pinnacle gear to progress your power level.
• Seasonal questline – A series of narrative missions and quest steps that unfold the seasonal story arc and character interactions.
• Season pass rewards – Free and premium reward tracks that offer new legendary weapons, exotics, materials, cosmetics, and Bright Engrams through seasonal ranks 1-100.
• Artifacts & mods – Unlock powerful new champion stunning and build crafting mods each season.
• Exotics – 1-2 new exotic weapon quests and world drops. Recent examples include Dead Messenger, Parasite, and Quicksilver Storm.
• Weekly challenges – Special objectives that award bright dust, experience, and gear from ritual activities.
• Events – Timed events like Festival of the Lost, Dawning, Solstice, and Moments of Triumph.

Seasons add fresh challenges and pursuits that evolve the endgame each quarter. The pass is almost essential for staying current with new gear and PvE activities.

Comparing Annual Pass Savings vs Seasons Individually

The main incentive of the annual pass is bundling together 4 season passes at a discount compared to purchasing them individually. Let‘s compare the costs:

Purchase Method	Seasons Included	Cost (USD)
Annual Pass (prepurchase)	4 seasons	$30
Individual seasons (as released)	4 seasons	$40 total ($10 per season)

Buying the annual pass upfront saves you around 25% compared to acquiring seasons as they release throughout the year.

You can also sometimes save slightly more by buying Silver bundles in larger quantities and purchasing season passes that way. But the annual pass still provides the most straightforward bulk discount.

Of course, you need to be sufficiently invested in Destiny 2 throughout the entire year to take full advantage of the lower annual pass price. More occasional players may want to buy selectively.

What Exclusive Rewards Does the Annual Pass Offer?

In addition to discounting season passes, the annual pass also grants a few exclusives:

• Exotic weapon – An extra exotic weapon outside the season pass tracks. Recent examples are Ticuu‘s Divination (Season of the Chosen) and Quicksilver Storm (Lightfall).
• Ornaments – Unique weapon and armor ornaments fitting that year‘s theme.
• Cosmetics – Shaders, emotes, ships, sparrows, and other cosmetic collectibles.
• Season rank bonuses – Start each season pass at +10 or +15 ranks immediately.
• Currency – 1000-4000 Silver to spend in the Eververse store on desired items.

These cosmetics and currency amounts are bonuses on top of the 4 seasons themselves. Collectors and dedicated players find great value in the passes‘ exclusive gear.

When Should You Buy the Annual Pass?

Ideally you would purchase the annual pass for a full year of content upfront during pre-orders or early in the expansion cycle. This gives maximum savings and prepurchase bonuses.

However, you can still buy the current year‘s annual pass at any time before the last season concludes. The included season passes will unlock retroactively.

But buying it upfront ensures you get full value from bonuses, early access, and discounts compared to last minute purchases. Plan ahead based on your expected engagement so you can maximize savings.

Is the Annual Pass Worth It for Most Players?

There are a few key factors that determine whether the annual pass is a worthy purchase:

• Play frequency – If you engage with Destiny 2 consistently through the year, the pass offers great value. But more intermittent players may want to buy seasons selectively.
• New content engagement – The pass pays for itself if you regularly play new activities, chase gear, and progress the seasonal story. But players focused only on expansions may not need every season.
• Desire for exclusives – The pass‘s bonus exotics, ornaments, currency, and other exclusives provide nice bonuses for collectors.
• Upfront costs – Consider your current gaming budget and whether you can afford the full $30 pass compared to spreading out $10 per season.

Speaking as a Destiny 2 expert with thousands of hours played, I generally recommend the annual pass for any regular player. The discounts and bonuses alone are worthwhile for those that engage thoroughly with new content every few months.

Buying seasons individually may fit some budgets and playstyles better. But purchasing the full year upfront is the simplest way to access everything at the best price.

What Content is Included in Each Season?

While each Destiny 2 season brings unique themes, activities, and loot, they follow a similar framework:

Season 20 (Season of Defiance)

• Vox Obscura exotic quest
• Lightfall pre-release story setup
• Neomuna map fragments
• Guardian Games event

Season 21

• New matchmade activity
• Season pass rewards
• Artifact mods
• Exotic quest

Season 22

• New matchmade activity
• Season pass rewards
• Artifact mods
• Exotic quest

Season 23

• New matchmade activity
• Season pass rewards
• Artifact mods
• Exotic quest

While Bungie keeps future details under wraps, you can expect each season to include a fresh 6-player activity, new exotics, narrative beats advancing the overall storyline, and new ways to gain power and gear.

Do Other Versions Include Annual Pass Content?

When pre-ordering a major expansion like Lightfall, you‘ll also see Deluxe Editions offered. These bundles include:

• The expansion
• 4 seasons
• 2 dungeons
• Exclusive exotics and cosmetics

The Deluxe Edition contains all content from both the expansion and 4 seasons, including an annual pass implicitly. So purchasing that maximizes value for players intending to engage with everything.

But players on a budget or not interested in the expansion itself can still benefit from just the standalone annual pass covering the 4 seasons. Evaluate your personal plans and purchase accordingly!

Conclusion

The Destiny 2 annual pass offers 4 seasons worth of content at a discounted rate, unlocking activities, gear, quests, and cosmetics throughout the year. For dedicated players engaged in new content every few months, it provides great value and savings.

The pass bundles together seasonal activities and progression at the best overall price point. And the included exclusive weapon and cosmetics add nice bonuses on top of discounted access. If you plan to play Destiny 2 all year long and want to maximize savings on seasons, purchasing the annual pass is highly recommended.