Destiny 2 is set to receive two smaller expansions in 2025 as Bungie shifts away from its traditional annual big content drop model. These expansions will introduce a new raid and a new dungeon, along with content updates for each. Bungie outlined these changes in a recent blog post, detailing what players can anticipate for the game in 2025, under the codename 'Frontiers.' Previously, the developer announced that 2025 would feature two smaller content expansions followed by major updates, instead of the usual single large expansion. The first expansion, codenamed 'Apollo,' will launch with a new raid in Summer 2025, while the second, 'Behemoth,' will include a dungeon in Winter 2025.
Interestingly, this move suggests that Frontiers will only see one dungeon released for Destiny 2. Historically, since the Witch Queen expansion, Bungie has released two dungeons per expansion, accessible either through a 'dungeon key' or as part of the bundle that includes the annual pass. Bungie clarified in the blog post that since the dungeon will be part of Behemoth, there will be no dungeon key for Frontiers. Bungie has not yet responded to GameSpot's request for further clarification on these changes, but updates will be provided if the developer does.
The blog post did not delve deeply into what players can expect from Apollo's raid, but Bungie mentioned it is 'exploring some twists on the raid format.' The planned major updates following Apollo will introduce changes to the raid to refresh it and add new challenges, moving away from the current Master difficulty level approach. Instead, raids will feature a system called Feats, which could include new rules like time trials or Contest mode difficulty combatants. The Feats system resembles the Skulls system in Bungie's Halo games, where different modifiers could be added by activating collectible skulls. The more Feats activated during a raid, the tougher it becomes, but the better the rewards.
Bungie plans to add a tier system to loot rewards from various activities, making Feats a way to earn better rewards. New raids starting with Apollo will incorporate the Feats system as part of a broader effort to allow more difficulty customization in activities. The new raid will also receive a 'challenge update' post-Apollo, adding new rewards, mechanics, Feats, and potentially new encounters. Current raids launch with a Raid Race, and the challenge update will include its own race.
For the second half of Frontiers, the Behemoth expansion will introduce a new dungeon, offering expanded rewards comparable to raids, including full weapon and armor sets. The major update following Behemoth will include new raid- and dungeon-related content, potentially similar to the Pantheon activity added before The Final Shape expansion. This update will focus on content already in the game rather than adding new content.
A key focus for Frontiers is providing players with more options to adjust the difficulty of Destiny 2 content and to make replaying that content rewarding. Many of the changes discussed involve additional challenges for existing content or content released earlier in the year. It remains to be seen how Frontiers will alter Bungie's approach to making content for Destiny 2 and how it will change player engagement.
