It’s been a busy couple of months for Bungie after the launch of the Beyond the Light expansion in November. The world of Destiny 2 changed significantly, skipping a huge list of destinations, activities, and events, while exposing tons of gear and weapons. In its place, Europa’s icy moon arrived along with new exotics, equipment, and the first dark-based subclass known as Stasis. Alongside the expansion, Season of the Hunt also saw the return of the former Uldren Sov, a newly resurrected Guardian now named Crow.
With the Season of the Hunt ending in a week, Bungie has been preparing fans for the arrival of Season 13, sharing a series of updates through their weekly blog posts. Weapon balancing is aimed at reducing the effectiveness of swords, Threshold engrams are making a comeback, while a more flexible challenge system replaces the long tradition of weekly rewards. Despite all the changes to the game, Bungie has yet to reveal any aspect of the story, only hinting at the Cabal’s presence.
Fortunately, the speculation may end when Bungie confirms Season of the Chosen with a new trailer that reveals more of the story, as well as new modes coming to Destiny 2. As many assumed thanks to a leaked image of Zavala, the Cabal is on. She returned as Calus’s daughter, Empress Caiatl, seeking an alliance with the Vanguard as the solar system is being destabilized by the pyramids and the god of the hive, Xivu Arath. However, their demands turn out to be too much for Zavala and the alliance falls apart before it can begin.
As a result of these failed negotiations, Season 13 introduces a new mode called Proving Ground, a 3-person paired activity that pits squads against Cabal warriors. Based on the trailer, it looks like the familiar locations will be transformed as the Asterion Abyss area in Europe was outfitted with Cabal-style ammunition and structures while battling the Guardian Fireteam.
In addition to Proving Grounds, Season 13 brings back the classic Devil’s Lair and Fallen KNOW attacks from the original Destiny along with a new attack that is unlocked later in the Chosen Season as Proving Grounds. Bungie hints that this attack will pit players against the best of the Cabal to determine the fate of the Last City. A new Cabal-themed seasonal armor set called Praefectus can be earned, as well as the exotic solar bow, Ticuu’s Divination, which charges and fires multiple tracking arrows.
The new season begins on February 9 through May 11 and brings with it more than 25 Exotic, Legendary and Ritual weapons for players to search and earn. With so many players upset about the amount of content being removed from the game upon completion, having a new influx of content in Season 13 should go a long way toward pacifying fans.
Destiny 2 is now available for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One and Xbox Series X | S.
