As a live service title, getting into Destiny 2 in 2026 can be quite intimidating. After all, Bungie’s first-person looter shooter has been going strong since 2017 and does not look to be stopping anytime soon. The veteran playerbase has been here for at least a decade, if not more, if they are returning from the PS3/360 original.
So, how can newcomers intrigued by its mysterious sci-fi setting ease themselves into this vast world? Read on to learn more.
Also Read: All new and returning content in Destiny 2 Monument of Triumph
Beginner’s basics to Destiny 2 in 2026
1) Consider what to buy
Frankly, it can be a bit of a rough time as a newcomer simply due to the sheer quantity of content available and how far others have progressed. While the base game is free-to-play, the game has several DLC expansions up for purchase, without which several pieces of content and loot are unobtainable.
Here is the full list of DLC expansions available to buy as of writing:
- Shadowkeep (2019)
- Beyond Light (2020)
- 30th Anniversary pack (2021)
- The Witch Queen (2022)
- Lightfall (2023)
- Final Shape (2024)
- The Edge of Fate (2025)
- Renegades (2025)
Note that the following expansions are no longer available to buy or have their contents accessible in the game:
- Red War
- Curse of Osiris
- Warmind
- Forsaken
It is recommended to buy all DLC to experience all content on offer, but if you cannot, it is best to buy the latest expansions to keep up with the rest of the playerbase. In this case, it includes: Final Shape, The Edge of Fate, and/or Renegades.
2) Decide your class and gear
Destiny 2 features three distinct classes to pick from for your Guardian character: Titan, Hunter, and Warlock. Each boasts different playstyles, letting you take on the breadth of the game’s content in various ways. Here’s a brief rundown:
- Titan: The “Tank” of Destiny 2, specializing in a melee playstyle and soaking up damage for the team.
- Hunter: This class is similar to a “Rogue” in other games, focusing on agility, nirsting down foes, and even stealth.
- Warlock: Those who like to support their team can go with the “Mages” of the game, centering around buffing the team, healing them, and employing various abilities.
Each can be opted into different Subclasses that augment these classes with different abilities to personalize them further. You will also obtain loot in the form of various gear and weapons as you progress through this expansive looter-shooter action RPG. Gear is classified into the following colored tiers:
- Uncommon
- Rare
- Legendary
- Exotic
Weapons can also belong to the following elements:
- Kinetic (non-elemental)
- Light (Solar, Arc, Void)
- Darkness (Stasis, Strand)
Weapons also use different ammo types, which are one of three: Primary (White | Infinite ammo, deals normal damage), Special (Green | Limited ammo, deals a lot of damage), and Power (Purple | Super Limited ammo, deals huge damage). Lastly, there’s armor, and these also have their own archetypes:
- Helmet
- Gauntlets
- Chest Armor
- Leg Armor
- Class Item
The last category includes Marks for Titans, Cloaks for Hunters, and Bonds for Warlocks. Overall, Destiny 2’s character build system is deep and synergetic, so be sure to read each description carefully.
3) Familiarize yourself with the Tower
The Tower is the expansive central hub of Destiny 2. You will start here before each mission, navigate its space to engage with vendors, and team up with friends to take on challenges, missions, and more. Various NPCs also reside who will offer you quests to undertake so you can level up.
You should start with the main story campaign here and leave the DLC for later when you’ve seen what the base game has to offer; however, if you would rather tackle the DLC instead, you can, by visiting the Timeline tab and starting those missions. Overall, you will have a lot to see and do.
4) Play how you want and raise Guardian Ranks
Guardian Ranks are the main progression metric in Destiny 2 that showcase your familiarity and experience with the game. This mainly affects loot drops, with higher tiers offering higher rewards. This can be raised by completing various objectives associated with that rank.
Additionally, Destiny 2 has both PvE (solo or co-op, against AI) and PvP (multiplayer, against other players) modes to satisfy players of all kinds. Here’s a brief overview:
PvE:
- Raids
- Dungeons
- Gambit
- Strikes
- Seasonal Events
- Patrols
- Public Events, and more
PvP:
- Crucible
- Iron Banner
- Trials of Osiris
Destiny 2 is on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
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Edited by Siddharth Patil