Destiny 2 Beginner's Guide

New to Destiny 2 or coming back in late 2026? What the game is now, how to pick a class, what to play first and how gear and the endgame work.

Updated 31 October 2026Checked for patch Update 9.7.0.54 sources
Image: Destiny 2 / YouTube

Destiny 2 is Bungie's free-to-play sci-fi shooter, out since 2017. You play a Guardian – a warrior resurrected by a Ghost and empowered by the Light – fighting to protect the Last City. After eight years of expansions, Bungie released its final major content update, Monument of Triumph, in June 2026, but the game is still online and full of content to play.

The basics

Free to playThe base game is free on PC, PlayStation and Xbox. Expansions are paid, and Destiny 2: The Collection bundles them all.
Shared world shooterPlay story missions solo, team up in fireteams of three for strikes and six for raids, or fight in the Crucible.
No new seasonsMonument of Triumph (June 2026) was the final content update. The game still runs, with maintenance patches.

Getting started, step by step

1. Pick a classTitan, Hunter or Warlock – all can play everything. Choose the style you like.
2. Follow the new player pathThe opening missions teach the basics and point you toward the current campaigns.
3. Play the campaignsExpansion campaigns are the best way to learn the story and unlock subclasses like Stasis, Strand and Prismatic.
4. Run strikes and the CrucibleVanguard Ops and the Crucible are great places to test weapons and earn gear.
5. Try a dungeonThree-player dungeons are the step between strikes and raids.
6. RaidSix-player raids are the ultimate challenge.

Tips that help everyone

Weapons matter mostLearn the Kinetic, Energy and Power slots and keep a weapon that matches enemy shields.
ExoticsYou can equip one Exotic weapon and one Exotic armour piece at a time – build around them.
Join a clanA clan makes it much easier to find groups for dungeons and raids.
Chase secret ExoticsHidden missions like Oblation: Bloodline award unique weapons.

Coming back?

Bungie said in September 2026 that vaulted campaigns, destinations and raids will be restored, but no date has been given. Our Update 9.7.0.5 news has the latest.

Our Destiny 2 articles on this

Reference page written by AI (Claude) and checked against the sources above. Games change with every patch – the patch this page was last checked for is shown at the top.