There is a lot to looking forward - the new Throne World destination, a Void 3.0 subclass revamp, a new raid, a Legendary campaign difficulty and much more. But there’s plenty disappearing, too - including Forsaken’s campaign, the Tangled Shore destination and the bulk of Year 4’s seasonal content - including the fan-favourite Presage and Harbinger missions. Even if you have played all the activities you need, there are some housekeeping worth doing ahead of the expansion - including turning in soon-to-expire materials. On this page: Best of luck getting in today… ORIGINAL GUIDE: The Destiny 2 The Witch Queen release date is Tuesday, February 22nd, and will go live at the usual reset time:
UK: 5pm (GMT) Europe: 6pm (CEST) East Coast US: 12pm (EST) West Coast US: 9am (PST)
As with previous expansions, it’s very likely you’ll enter a queue as soon as you load up, with possible server codes and connection issues in the hours that follow. If that’s the case, then it’s best to hold off and start playing properly on Wednesday for when things settle down. Remember that while you wait for servers to come back up, The Witch Queen update will be available to download. Note that PS4 users will have to download the entirety of Destiny 2 again, and can only do so at the above times - in other words, no PS4 pre-load available. On the flipside, those playing on Google Stadia won’t have to download anything - it’s a streaming platform after all. The good news is you don’t need to put any time to raise your Power Level; Bungie has confirmed all players will start at the new floor when the expansion launches. Here is our recommendations for things you should do ahead of The Witch Queen:
Turn in all your Gunsmith Materials. These will disappear for a new reputation system with Banshee-44 next season, so hand in the many hundreds or thousands you have now before they disappear entirely.
Other materials being removed from inventories that are worth spending include: Bell of ConquestsCabal GoldCabal RunesChallenger MedallionsCorrupted DataCorrupted Key CodeCryptolith LureDecrypted DataDreaming Token of EriviksDreaming Token of QuerimDreaming Token of XavothEtherEtheric SpiralGhost FragmentsGhost Mods: Arc Analyzer, Solar Analyzer, Void Analyzer, Omni-Telemetry, Banshee SpecialHammer of ProvingImperial Access CodeIntercepted Distress SignalKey CodeLure Mutation FinderLure Mods: Prey Mods and Trophy ModsMod ComponentsParallax TrajectoryPure Matterglass LensRecon DataSplicer GauntletStrand of NobilityThe Unclaimed LightbearerWanted Bounties / enemiesWeapon Telemetries Claiming any outstanding engram vendor rewards, including from the likes of Zavala (Vanguard), Shaxx (Crucible), Drifter (Gambit) and Saint 14 (Trials). Buy Glimmer from Spider, who is being removed alongside The Tangled Shore activity. Though currency exchange will move to Rahool in Year 5, it’s good practice to make sure you have enough Glimmer available for bounties and other activities now for when The Witch Queen begins.
It’s December, which means the return of The Dawning and Moments of Triumph 2022! Elsewhere, the Season of the Seraph is here alongside More than a Weapon, Seraph Key Codes and Resonate Stems and the addition of Rose in Crucible. We’ve also seen a new dungeon, Spire of the Watcher, with has a chance of Hierarchy of Needs dropping upon completion. Earliear this year we had the arrival of King’s Fall and King’s Fall challenges, plus weapons including Doom of Chelchis and Touch of Malice. For The Witch Queen, learn how to get Dead Messenger and Parasite.
Stock up on Bounties to redeem next season for when you have your hands on the seasonal artefact. Note you should avoid bounties likely to disappear as part of the vaulting process - including the Tangled Shore or Season of the Hunt, Chosen, Splicer, Lost. Be aware if you’re doing this, make sure you have enough room left for some quests to be added to your log (Bounties and Quests share the same inventory) for when The Witch Queen arrives. As well as unlocking all season pass rewards for the current season across all classes, making sure you unlock season pass rewards from the previous season before they disappear forever. You can do this on Bungie’s site here.
Beyond the above housekeeping items, you should tick off any remaining items on your Moments of Triumph checklist (which ends with the arrival of The Witch Queen), complete any outstanding Year 4 Seasonal storylines (Season of the Hunt, Chosen, Splicer, Lost) and play any seasonal activities before they are gone for good. Know that most Exotics associated with vaulted activities should be available from the Monument to the Lost Lights vault in the Tower, though Dead Man’s Tale and Hawnmoon in particular will be available at Xur with random rolls on a weekly basis.
Best of luck getting everything you need before The Witch Queen arrives!