Do I need all Destiny 2 DLC in 2024?

As a passionate Destiny 2 gamer and content creator, this question comes up often – "Do I need to buy every expansion to properly experience Destiny 2?"

The short answer is no, you do not need all expansions to enjoy Destiny 2 in 2024. However, owning certain DLCs provides essential story campaigns, powerful new subclasses, top-tier exotic weapons, and more.

Here is a complete analysis of what content comes with Destiny 2‘s major expansions to help you decide what‘s worth buying.

Key Expansions

First, let‘s overview the major expansions that have been released over Destiny 2‘s lifespan:

I consider Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, and The Witch Queen to be the core expansions in 2024. They provide major story campaigns, subclasses, raids, destinations, and loot to expand Destiny 2.

Lightfall looks incredibly exciting, but we‘ll have to see how essential its content is once it launches.

Story Campaigns

For lore enthusiasts, owning these expansions is crucial for experiencing Destiny 2‘s evolving narrative:

• Shadowkeep reveals nightmares emerging from the lunar Pyramid
• Beyond Light depicts humanity harnessing the Darkness-based Stasis powers
• The Witch Queen‘s campaign is the pinnacle – battling Savathûn and uncovering Lucent Hive Guardians

If story immersion matters, owning all recent expansions makes Destiny‘s world deeper and more complex. Over 65+ hours of gameplay is added through these campaigns and quests alone according to HowLongToBeat.

Subclass Perks

Gameplay-wise, expansions unlock new damage types and subclass perks:

• Stasis (Beyond Light): Slow/freeze enemies with Darkness powers
• Weapon Crafting (Witch Queen): Create custom weapon rolls
• Strand (Lightfall): Announced "grappling hook"-based powers

Having all subclass elements enables more build diversity through unique buffs, debuffs, and effects. For example, 57% of Grandmaster Nightfall players relied on Stasis subclasses last season.

The Witch Queen‘s weapon crafting also allows desired rolls for top-tier PvE and PvP weapons. So missing certain expansions locks you out of key subclass tools.

Exotics & Raid Gear

Expansions include signature exotic gear and raid drops tailored to new subclasses:

• Agers Scepter (Beyond Light): Stasis-boosting trace rifle
• Osteo Striga (Witch Queen): Witherhoard-esque SMG with poison splash
• Halo of Bakris (Beyond Light): Teleporting Arc helmet for Hunters

Plus raids like Garden of Salvation (Shadowkeep) and the upcoming Spire of the Watcher in Lightfall offer unique gameplay mechanics and loot.

So while expansions aren‘t mandatory, lacking their weapons limits your combat options. Approximately 15%-20% of my weekly playtime as a Destiny expert involves Witch Queen exotics or raid gear.

My Recommendations

Given this analysis, what do I recommend buying as a Destiny 2 specialist?

For story enthusiasts and hobbyist players, owning Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, and the Witch Queen provides the full recent narrative and unlocks key subclasses for build diversity.

I suggest purchasing the Legacy Collection bundle that includes Shadowkeep/Beyond Light, then grabbing the Witch Queen while it‘s temporarily free until February 26th. This minimizes costs.

More casual players on a budget may get by with only Beyond Light and Witch Queen. But missing Shadowkeep locks you out of niche builds involving older exotics and mods.

Upcoming Lightfall news remains light so far. But the Strand subclass and Neptune destination should provide fresh experiences for all players when it launches.

Let me know if you still have any other Destiny 2 purchasing questions! Stay tuned here for Lightfall impressions and whether it‘s worth buying day one.