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Destiny 2: Everything Confirmed For The Witch Queen

Savathûn's Throne World awaits.

It’s been a while since Destiny 2 got its last major expansion, Beyond Light, but players won’t have to wait much longer for the next because The Witch Queen is set to release on February 2, 2022. Not only will this next chapter expand heavily on the game’s storyline, it’s also set to include a number of additions like new weapons and crafting systems. Here’s everything confirmed so far for Destiny 2: The Witch Queen.

New Location: Savathûn’s Throne World

Destiny 2 everything confirmed for the witch queen expansion

The Witch Queen will take Guardians into a dangerous new pocket dimension.

The narrative this time around sees the Guardians go up against the Hive goddess Savathûn on her own turf: Savathûn’s Throne World. Instead of being a physical place, however, Savathûn’s Throne World is actually her personal dimension controlled by and for the Hive goddess herself. 

Bungie recently released a visually stunning trailer showing off the new location. The Throne World is described as a place where “things are never as they seem.” From the trailer, it looks as though Savathûn and her servants will be able to alter the world on the fly, forcing players to think on their feet.

This new Throne World will be populated by legions of Hive Guardians. These Hive Guardians are dead Hive resurrected by Hive Ghosts — creatures Savathûn created using the power of Light. Not much is known about these Hive Guardians other than that trailers show them using powers similar to that of player Guardians, suggesting that they will be formidable foes. Players will have to kill their Hive Ghosts as well to stop them from constantly resurrecting.

New Weapon: Glaive

Destiny 2 The Witch Queen everything new

The Glaive is an all-new weapon type arriving with The Witch Queen.

One of the most intriguing additions coming to Destiny 2 with The Witch Queen expansion is the new Glaive category of weapons. While other melee weapons force the player into a third-person perspective, the player will remain in first-person when using a Glaive. Players using a Glavie can expect stacking combos, as well as a mid-range energy burst to attack enemies out of swinging distance. Players who want to try out the Glaive won’t be able to just find it from looting dead Hive Guardians. Instead, they’ll have to craft it.

Weapon Crafting Will Be Vital in The Witch Queen

Crafting is not only being added into Destiny 2, but made integral to obtaining weapons in The Witch Queen expansion. Crafting will be the primary way to get Throne World weapons like the Glaive, and it will allow players to effectively re-roll gear for better stats. Bungie has stated that players will be able to use a combination of mods, shaders, and stat pools to customize their weapons. 

Destiny 2 The Witch Queen weapon crafting

Players will be able to craft all the new Throne World weapons.

We don’t have much information as to how this crafting system will work just yet, or what types of materials certain weapons will require. However, we know from last year’s Destiny 2 Showcase that crafted weapons will become more powerful over time as players use them. We also know that all Throne World and seasonal weapons will be craftable when The Witch Queen launches.

Legendary Mode: Up the Ante

For players seeking an extra-difficult experience, The Witch Queen will introduce a legendary difficulty mode into the game. Enemies in this mode will deal significantly more damage to players, making the respawning Hive Guardians a far more considerable threat. 

Destiny 2 the witch queen expansion details everyhing we know

Looking for a challenge? Legendary difficulty awaits.

Respawning will also be restricted in this mode, and the overall difficulty will scale depending on how many Guardians are in your fireteam. Of course, a higher difficulty level means better loot, and players can expect to be amply rewarded for their efforts when playing on legendary.

Changes to Light Classes

Back when The Witch Queen expansion was announced, Bungie revealed its intention to slowly alter Void, Solar, and Arc to be more in line with the Stasis Darkness subclass. With this next expansion, Bungie is planning on tackling changes to Void. A new set of keywords will be implemented across the Void subclasses, just like how Stasis utilizes “Slow,” “Freeze,” and “Shatter”. Here’s what these new keywords entail:

 

  • Suppression: Stuns enemies
  • Weaken: Slows enemies, causes them to take increased damage, and decreases their accuracy
  • Volatile: Target will explode upon taking additional damage or dying
  • Void Overshield: Creates a barrier that reduces damage taken
  • Invisibility: Player becomes invisible to enemies
  • Devour: Kills restore health, grant grenade energy, and extend ability duration

 

New Raid, Dungeons, and Endgame Content

Destiny 2 Everything in The Witch Queen expansion

A new raid is lurking in the depths of Savathûn’s Throne World.

Currently one new Raid and two new dungeons have been announced for The Witch Queen expansion. The new Raid will be released alongside the expansion and will be free to all players. The two dungeons will be released over the course of 2022 and require the Deluxe Edition to access. At the same time, players will be treated to a weekly rotating list of Raids and Dungeons both new and old. 

All we know so far is that the new Raid will take place in the swamps of Savathûn’s Throne World. Players will enter a sunken pyramid where they will encounter an imprisoned ancient danger.

What’s Being Vaulted in Destiny 2’s The Witch Queen Expansion

While it would be nice for The Witch Queen to just bring in new additions, sadly some content needs to be shelved to make room. All of Tangled Shore — including its locations — will be sent to the vault on February 2. Everything except for The Warden of Nothing Strike, that is.

The Warden of Nothing will be added to the Legends area in the Director. Seasonal content from the past four seasons will also be booted from the game, including their narratives, activities, and locations. This means that a number of exotic quests and their rewards will also be unavailable to complete and earn after the expansion drops. You can check out a full list of vaulted content here.


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Nicolas Perez is a journalist who has played way too much Civilization 5. He’s rambling on Twitter @Nic_Perez_.