Destiny 2’s next season will be tied to The Witch Queen. Here’s everything we know about Destiny 2 Season 16.
Destiny 2’s latest season, Season of the Lost, has the unenviable task of carrying Bungie’s story from now until The Witch Queen arrives in 2022 – making it the game’s longest season yet.
It’s not just the Witch Queen that’ll arrive in February 2022, though, because it’ll actually kick off the Season 16 content in the same way that Beyond Light arrived alongside Season of the Hunt (Season 12).
So, once you’ve visited the Throne World and gone toe-to-toe with Savathun, what awaits? Here’s everything we know about Season 16.
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Latest News
Season 15 to receive epilogue? – December 10
According to a Destiny dataminer (thanks, The Game Post), a recent bout of maintenance added new info to the game’s files for a potential end-of-season event called Savathun’s Exorcism.
Given that the Guardian is currently working to remove Savathun’s worm to cleanse the Witch Queen, this lines up, but will it see Osiris return? It seems likely to be setting up Witch Queen as well as Season 16.
Gambit rework coming in Year 5? – November 16
Following questions from fans on Reddit, Bungie has suggested that Gambit changes are coming in Year 5 – but could that start in Season 16?
Destiny 2 Season 16 release date
As with Witch Queen, Season 16 will arrive on February 22, 2022.
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That’s a long wait, we did have the Bungie 30th Anniversary Pack to keep us going.
Destiny 2 Season 16 content
While the game hasn’t added much in the way of PvP maps in recent months, Season 16 will finally see the addition of two Destiny 1 Crucible maps into the Destiny 2 rotation.
That may sound a little disappointing, but as assistant game director Joe Blackburn explained on Twitter, a new map is coming in Season 17.
After reprised maps in season 16, season 17 will come with a brand-new map. There are a bunch of new environments in Destiny 2, and we’re excited to start bringing them into the crucible.
— Joe Blackburn (@joegoroth) August 4, 2021
Blackburn also noted in an interview with Gamespot that Season 16 is “the next big boiling point” for Destiny 2’s content approach.
“We’ve really had trouble with some of these seasons that come out right alongside the expansion,” he said.
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“And so we’ve put a lot of thought and effort into how we want to do that better this time around. I mean, you, as a hardcore Destiny player, know that it can feel tough for the season to matter when it comes out a week [after the release of an expansion], and you’ve already got raid weapons, and you’re like, ‘I don’t know if I need this–does this stuff really matter?’ So we’re really excited to get Season 16 out day and date with Witch Queen this time and to have a lot of stuff for players to do and engage with, and really see the value immediately, not only to give you stuff to do while you’re leveling up, but to give you stuff while you’re prepping for some of those endgame activities.”
Players can also expect a new exotic tied to the season pass, as well as a new seasonal activity – at least if the last few seasons are anything to go by.
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Destiny 2 Season 16 story and characters
With Season of the Lost being our first face-to-face with Savathun, and the Witch Queen making her the main antagonist, it all depends on how the expansion ends.
After all, if she goes the way of her brother Oryx, we’ll slay her in the expansion’s new raid and then that’s… it. We’ll be sure to update this as we hear more, but there’s always the chance we end up taking on the Witch Queen’s children.
You can find out more about those delightful little blighters in Destiny loremaster My name is Byf’s latest video below:
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Destiny 2 Artifact mod changes
Starting in Season 16, Bungie will be making some significant changes to the way Artifact mods work in Destiny 2.
First, players will no longer be limited to the number of Artifact mods they can unlock. Meaning it will be possible to get all 25 Artifact mods by the end of the season. Additionally, to unlock each Artifact mod after the 12th, increased XP will be required.
Bungie will also be bringing back a couple of fan-favorite anti-Champion mods in Season 16. These include Anti-Barrier Scout Rifles and Bows as well as a buff that will make disrupting Overload champions more reliable.
Finally, the brand new “Glaive” weapon archetype will be introduced in The Witch Queen. Throughout Season 16, Bungie is going to amp the Glaive with new Artifact mods to mix up loadouts and gameplay.
One of these mods includes the option to make your Glaive the solution to Unstoppable Champions.
Destiny 2 Season 16 price
Season 16 will adhere to Bungie’s new Season Pass model, meaning you can buy in for around £10 per season.
If you pick up Witch Queen’s Deluxe Edition, though, you’ll also get access to Season 16, 17, and 18’s new content all rolled into the one fee (£69.99), as well as a couple of new Dungeons, an exotic SMG and catalyst, and other cosmetic items.
Fans aren’t happy with Bungie after it was revealed that upcoming Dungeons wouldn’t be part of the season pass model. While we’re not expecting one to land with Season 16, it’s something to be mindful of – you’ll need to spend $99.99 on the Witch Queen Digital Deluxe bundle to get everything. Then you’ll also need to buy the Bungie 30th Anniversary pack to get the Grasp of Avarice dungeon, too.
Could it be time for Destiny 2 to move to a subscription model?
For more tips and guides covering all things Destiny, check out more of our guide content at Dexerto.
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