Destiny 2: Season of the Dream - Release Date, Exotic Updates, and Complete Overview

The start date for the upcoming season of Destiny 2, Season of the Wish, has been officially announced as we enter the final phase of post-Lightfall content. This season takes a different approach by exploring a lesser-known aspect of the Destiny lore, after previous seasons centered around defiance, deep-sea exploration, and mystical Hive practices.

The launch of this new season comes at a challenging period for Destiny 2, as the studio experienced significant layoffs in October. Reports indicate that around 8% of Bungie's workforce, approximately 100 individuals, were affected by these layoffs. The community's response to the studio's handling of this situation has been strongly critical of the leadership.

Season 23 is set to release later this month and we have compiled all the information available regarding it. This includes details about the storyline, upcoming changes to Exotic weapons, improvements to the economy, and the much-needed upgrades to the vaults.

Table of Contents:

- Season of the Wish start date [hidden]

Season of the Wish story

The end of Legendary Shards

Season of the Wish Exotic weapon changesVex Mythoclast

Revision Zero

Edge of Intent (Warlock)

Edge of Intent (Titan)

Edge of Intent (Hunter)

Salvation's Grip

Winterbite

Vault upgrade

Events

Season of the Wish power cap

Season of the Wish start date

The Season of the Wish raid will commence on November 28th, after the weekly reset at 9 AM PT / 12 PM ET. However, the duration of this season remains uncertain due to reports suggesting a delay in The Final Shape expansion until June. Should the expansion still launch on February 27, 2024, this final season of the Lightfall era will span three months. Yet, if Bungie decides to postpone The Final Shape, anticipate Season of the Wish to be one of Destiny 2's longest seasons, comparable to Season of the Lost, which lasted for six months from August 2021 to February 2022.

Season of the Wish story

Season of the Wish will delve into the intriguing realm of the Ahamkara, the wish-granting dragons in that universe. These enigmatic beings possessed the ability to fulfill desires, though often cruelly twisted the outcomes. Recognizing the inherent danger they posed, the Vanguard and the Guardians undertook the Great Hunt, exterminating all but one surviving Ahamkara hidden by Awoken Queen Mara Sov in the Dreaming City.

This surviving Ahamkara, Riven, emerged as a key figure in the Forsaken expansion and its raid, The Last Wish. Over the years, players have explored the 14 accessible "wishes" within the raid, and Season 23 promises the long-awaited revelation of the mysterious 15th wish. Could this wish hold the key to uncovering the Witness, who resides within the Traveler, and even potentially reviving Cayde-6?

The end of Legendary Shards

Destiny 2 is getting rid of Legendary Shards entirely in Season 23. If you've been hoarding them, now is the time to use them before they disappear forever with the arrival of The Final Shape. Bungie believes that removing Legendary Shards from the game will streamline the economy and make it more accessible to newcomers. The costs of all items at the Monument to Lost Lights that require Legendary Shards will be eliminated. However, costs for Glimmer, Exotic Cipher, and Spoils of Conquest will remain the same. Additionally, non-Adept focusing will only require ritual engrams and Glimmer to use.

Season of the Wish Exotic weapon changes

In Season 23, Destiny 2 will introduce several changes to some of its most beloved Exotic weapons. Unfortunately, Strand Warlocks who enjoy combining the power of Necrotic Grips with the Osteo Striga SMG will be disappointed. Bungie has determined that the Osteo Striga's performance in PvE, particularly when it comes to clearing adds, is too strong for its ease of use. As a result, next season the Osteo Striga will be adjusted to align more closely with other Exotics designed for add clear purposes. Although the changes won't be drastic, they are aimed at improving weapon balance.

Thorn is set to receive a catalyst in Season 23, and according to Bungie, this Exotic hand cannon will see improvements in range and stability once unlocked, enhancing its effectiveness in PvP. In addition to that, Bungie will be adjusting the catalyst to make it more enjoyable to use in PvE. Players will now have the opportunity to load up to 40 rounds in the magazine by picking up a Remnant. As for other Exotic changes, there will be a 10% increase in damage dealt to red bar combatants.

Vex Mythoclast

Increased damage to red bar combatants by 10%

Increased damage to bosses by 25%

Increased damage to champions by 200% when in the linear fusion rifle mode

Revision Zero

Increased damage versus Champions by 100%

Edge of Intent (Warlock)

Changed the effect of the healing turret projectiles to grant cures and provide restoration

Increased the AoE radius to eight meters to benefit more nearby allies

Increased its magazine size from four to five

Edge of Intent (Titan)

Incorporating the bubble now bestows additional benefits such as increased reload speed, improved handling, and a slight accumulation of bonus damage alongside the overshield.

To accommodate the extended duration and enhanced effects, the health of the bubble has been reduced from 8,000 to 2,400.

Edge of Intent (Hunter)

Lighting Seeker now jolts targets on impact

Reduced the direct hit damage of Lightning Seeker to account for the free ammo granted

Salvation's Grip

Placed a speed limit on the detonation when damaging Stasis crystals

Winterbite

Increased the detonation damage of the large projectile by 25%.

Vault upgrade

One major complaint in Destiny 2 has been the inconvenience of retrieving items from the vault. Previously, players had to travel to social hubs like the Tower, Neomuna, or the Enclave to access their arsenal. However, in Season 22, this issue has been addressed. Now, players have the ability to access their personal vault while in orbit, eliminating the need for third-party apps and streamlining the process of equipping the appropriate gear for any given activity.

Events

The upcoming season of Destiny 2, Season 23, is set to feature The Dawning once again. This festive event adds a Destiny 2 twist to traditional snowball fights and gift-giving. Similar to past events like Solstice and Festival of the Lost, The Dawning is expected to have its own microtransactions event pass, offering additional DLC.

Season of the Wish power cap

Bungie has yet to comment on whether the power cap will be raised in the next season. For the past two seasons, the power cap has remained unchanged. This has allowed players to pursue the power cap at a more relaxed pace, as they focus on obtaining the limited number of Pinnacle Engrams available each week.

Season of the Wish raid

There are currently no plans for new or rehashed raids in Season of the Wish. However, if Bungie does decide to reintroduce one of its previous endgame PvE activities for this season, there is a strong possibility that Rise of Iron's Wrath of the Machine will be the next choice. Nevertheless, until Bungie confirms this, we should not expect a new reprised raid in Season 23.

Editor's P/S

Destiny 2's Season of the Wish promises an exciting journey filled with captivating storytelling, exotic weapon updates, and thrilling events. The reveal of the mysterious 15th wish and the exploration of the Ahamkara's realm add intriguing layers to the game's lore. The decision to remove Legendary Shards may be met with mixed reactions from players, but it aims to streamline the economy and make the game more accessible to newcomers.

However, the layoffs at Bungie and the potential delay of The Final Shape expansion raise concerns about the studio's handling of the game's future. The community's response to these issues reflects a desire for more transparency and communication from the developers. Despite these challenges, Destiny 2 remains a beloved game with a dedicated fan base, and Season of the Wish has the potential to deliver a memorable experience for players.