Destiny 2: Season of the Chosen Has Arrived on Xbox
Summary
- Caiatl is unifying the disparate forces of the Cabal as she tries to rebuild the once-great empire.
- Season of the Chosen runs from February 9 to May 11.
- Destiny 2: Beyond Light is available now with Xbox Game Pass.
The Hive God of War, Xivu Arath, has been driven back – but her influence lingers. In this ongoing conflict with the Hive, as humanity also struggles to regain its footing in the fight against the Darkness, a potential ally approaches: Caiatl, Empress of the Cabal.
Caiatl, daughter of the deposed emperor Calus, is unifying the disparate forces of the Cabal under her banner as she tries to rebuild the once-great empire. With her army growing in strength every day, she beings to assemble a war council made up of her greatest champions. It is at this moment, while humanity is facing foes on multiple fronts, that she approaches the Vanguard with a proposition.
And so, with the start of a new Destiny 2 Season, Guardians are once again faced with the question: What is the price we’re willing to pay to defeat the Darkness?
Season of the Chosen is here, Guardians.
New Fields of Battle
Now that you’re caught up with the story, we should look at what’s new in Season of the Chosen (because there’s quite a lot) which runs from February 9 to May 11. With foes planting their flags on multiple destinations, Guardians must grow their power to claim victory on new Battlegrounds and in new strikes.
Battlegrounds
The new Seasonal activity calls on Guardians to face Caiatl’s chosen warriors who have taken up arms to defend the glory of the empire. Rise and face them as a champion for humanity.
Season of the Chosen kicks off with two Battlegrounds on Nessus and Europa. After that, additional Battlegrounds open in the following weeks. They’re replayable matchmade activities, so group up with some friends or make some new ones by hopping in the queue and joining a fireteam.
Strikes
These three strikes become available during Season of the Chosen:
- Devil’s Lair – Find and destroy the single, exalted Servitor that sustains the Fallen House of Devils in the Cosmodrome.
- Fallen S.A.B.E.R. – Rush to the aid of the AI Warmind Rasputin as he broadcasts a plea for help across the system.
- Proving Grounds – The champions of humanity face the champions of the Cabal to determine the fate of the Last City.
The first two strikes open on the first day of the Season, while Proving Grounds lands a few weeks later to coincide with the Seasonal story. Check out the Seasonal calendar to see when these strikes open and to plan your adventure.
New Resources
Guardians need a powerful arsenal to engage with Caiatl, Xivu Arath, and the Darkness. To build that arsenal, a cache of new and reissued weapons is being added to the loot pool. Between Exotics, Legendaries, and ritual weapons, there are over 25 weapons to collect.
The new Seasonal weapon is Ticuu’s Divination, an Exotic Bow that fires multiple arrows with a single draw of the bowstring. Each arrow homes in on an enemy, dealing Solar damage and striking a blow for humanity.
Both Ticuu’s Divination and the Seasonal armor set are instantly unlocked for Season Pass holders. Players who dive into the Season for free will have access to both the armor and the Bow by leveling up and unlocking them (and a bunch of other rewards) via the new Seasonal rewards track.
Donning the armor and wielding the weapons of a champion is only the beginning. Even though most of the Vanguard’s enemies only need one outfit, one weapon, and one objective: Kill Guardian; Guardians need to be a bit more flexible. That’s where the H.E.L.M. comes in. The H.E.L.M. is a new location in the Tower where Guardians can meet with allies, plan their next attack, and unlock new rewards.
Speaking of new rewards, Umbral Engrams are back.
New Choices
Umbral Engrams help you get the perfect versions of your favorite gear. Fans of Destiny will fondly remember these engrams from Season of Arrivals – and now they’re back with a twist.
Umbral Engrams still let you control the rewards you unlock, but a new game feature called Prismatic Lenses will let you control what you unlock to an even greater degree. So, even though you used to choose if you got armor or a weapon, and even the pool of armor or weapon you wanted to roll from, now there’s even more control.
Think about it this way:
- You have a mystery box with a dessert in it (already awesome).
- If it was an Umbral Box, you could choose to make the dessert a donut.
- If it was an Umbral Box with a Prismatic Lens, you could make the dessert a chocolate donut.
But obviously, instead of a dessert, it’s a weapon or piece of armor. There are multiple Lenses to collect and each one lets you control your rewards in different ways.
New Challenges
Can’t start playing Season of the Chosen right away? Worried about missing out on the rewards from a weekly bounty? The new Seasonal Challenges system has you covered.
These Challenges last throughout the entire Season and replace weekly bounties. So, no matter when in the Season you get started, you can complete the Challenges from previous weeks to earn Seasonal rewards, Bright Dust, and much more!
New Trophy
A new year in Destiny means a new Guardian Games event to rekindle the never-ending argument over which class reigns supreme. Compete, earn themed rewards, keep an eye on the leaderboards, and when the dust settles, the best-performing class gets a trophy that stands in the Tower for the rest of the year.
Titans took the gold last year but based on what I’ve heard Hunters and Warlocks say, that was a fluke. Whatever the case, the time has come for the Titan’s trophy to come down and for every class to get a new chance at glory.
New Bundle
There’s a new Silver Bundle that helps players buy Season of the Chosen, grab an exclusive emote, and pocket enough Silver to hit the Last City in Eververse style. Buy yours today and unlock the For the Audience Legendary emote.
Whether you buy the new Silver Bundle or for start playing Destiny 2 for free, and Xbox Game Pass members can jump in today with Destiny 2: Beyond Light, we can’t wait you to join us and champion humanity as one of the Traveler’s chosen – a Guardian of the Last City.
See you starside.
Editor’s Note (February 10, 12pm PT): We’ve updated the information regarding when strikes will be able to play during the Season of the Chosen, recommending to check the Seasonal calendar for the most accurate info.
Destiny 2: Beyond Light
Bungie