Earlier today, Destiny 2 and the team at Bungie detailed The Year of Prophecy, which will kick off on July 15 with the release of its first expansion, The Edge of Fate. For The Year of Prophecy, Bungie has set a goal of refreshing how Destiny 2 feels to both newer and veteran players, starting with a new release cadence for content. Each year will have four major content beats in the form of two paid expansions and two major updates that are available to everyone. The free major updates will include new activities, Exotic Missions, and new gear and rewards that include Exotic weapons and more. Bungie said the biggest benefit to this new structure is that players won’t need to pay in order to access seasonal activities—a clear indicator of how flawed the live-service model has become these days.
Before Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate arrives, though, players are getting a free update today, May 6, called Rite of the Nine. Officially titled Update 8.2.6, it includes changes to the abilities and weapons sandbox and adds a new activity called Rite of the Nine. It’s a fresh take on dungeon diving and features the Prophecy, Spire of the Watcher, and Ghosts of the Deep dungeons. Players can expect unique twists to familiar encounters, along with refreshed dungeon weapons. The new activity also serves as a narrative gap until The Edge of Fate launches.
As for the expansion itself, Guardians will be heading off to a new destination called Kepler. There, they’ll meet new allies and wield abilities never before seen. The Edge of Fate will be used to set the stage for the Fate Saga, where the Nine will play a key role. Players who enjoy the puzzle-solving and pathfinding challenges of Destiny 2’s dungeons will look forward to Kepler. The new area is inspired by those challenges, encouraging deep exploration, mystery, and player-driven discovery. Of course, players can also look forward to new enemies, weapons, gear, and destination-specific abilities.
Those who choose not to purchase The Edge of Fate will still be able to enjoy core game updates on July 15, which will be available to all players. One of the major innovations as part of the core game update is the Portal, an activity selection screen that gives players instant access to a range of activities: Fireteam Ops, Pinnacle Ops, Crucible Ops, and Solo Ops. The new Solo Ops activities are designed for solo players who want short, quick 10-minute adventures without needing a fireteam. These activities can also be tailored to match playstyles, with 50 all-new modifiers for customization.
Bungie also shared that the armor and gear systems are evolving with the introduction of Armor 3.0. Expect set bonuses, a rework of character stats, and even armor that starts with full energy. Both weapons and armor are getting a new tier system, with each of the five new tiers offering better stat splits, perks, and more bonus mechanics. Destiny 2 is finally adding a shooting range so players can test their gear, and it will go live three weeks after The Edge of Fate’s release.
Joining The Edge of Fate as a free major update is Ash & Iron, scheduled to arrive on September 9. The second paid expansion for The Year of Prophecy, called Renegades, launches on December 2. It’s inspired by the Star Wars universe, and it will merge Destiny’s storytelling and gameplay with themes and elements from the iconic sci-fi franchise. That expansion’s release will be followed by the Shadow & Order free major update on March 3, 2026.
