Does Destiny 2 Game Pass Include All DLC?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

No, absolutely not. Xbox Game Pass only includes the base Destiny 2 game itself, not any of the major expansions or season passes released over the past 5+ years. Subscribers miss out on countless hours of campaigns, destinations, raids, dungeons, and exotic gear.

Accessible Content for Destiny 2 on Game Pass

The Game Pass version provides access to all of Destiny 2‘s original launch content from 2017, including:

  • Main story campaign
  • 5 opening destinations: European Dead Zone, Titan, Nessus, Io, EDZ
  • Vanguard strikes playlist (up to Power level 1100)
  • Rotating weekly nightfall strike (at base difficulty)
  • Introductory Crucible maps and modes
  • Core Gambit mode with 1 map
  • Limited exotic weapon/armor pool

So 100+ hours of adventures for new lights. But compared to Destiny fans on PC/Playstation, Xbox players get the short end lacking expansions.

Major Expansions and Seasons Not Included

Here are all the major DLC packs and season passes not covered by Game Pass:

Forsaken (Sept 2018):

  • Campaign missions across the Tangled Shore and Dreaming City
  • 8 new supers based on Darkness/Light
  • Shattered Throne dungeon activity
  • Last Wish raid
  • Year 2 season passes

Shadowkeep (Oct 2019):

  • Story mission on Lunar Pyramid traversal
  • Moon destination with Nightmare Hunts
  • Garden of Salvation raid
  • Additional finishers/armor mods/exotics

Beyond Light (Nov 2020):

  • Europa destination, Campaign with Darkness powers
  • Deep Stone Crypt raid
  • Stasis element for new subclass customization
  • Year 4 seasonal activities (Battlegrounds, Override)

The Witch Queen (Feb 2022):

  • Savathun‘s Throne World destination
  • Weapon crafting system
  • New Vow of the Disciple raid
  • Year 5 seasonal activities (PsiOps, Ketchcrash)

Lightfall (Feb 2023):

  • Neomuna City destination
  • Strand element customizable abilities
  • Year 6 seasonal activities (not detailed yet)

Clearly Xbox Game Pass doesn‘t remotely provide the full Destiny 2 experience. You need to purchase all expansions and season passes separately!

Business Reasons Behind Removing DLC from Game Pass

Back in 2019-2021, when Destiny 2‘s older Forsaken, Shadowkeep, and Beyond Light expansions were on Microsoft‘s subscription, the Game Pass value was unmatched for fans without having to re-buy content across platforms.

But industry experts speculate Bungie renegotiated terms in late 2021 to pull all expansions. Likely because:

  1. Expansions weren‘t driving enough new Game Pass subscriptions
  2. Microsoft‘s offered licensing fees were too low per Bungie‘s content investment
  3. Bungie pushing fans to purchase expansions directly instead with the 30th Anniversary, Witch Queen, and Sony acquisition

Will expansions ever return to Game Pass in the future? Unlikely with Sony now owning Bungie unless PlayStation commits to day-and-date parity with Xbox.

Checking Cross-Platform Expansion Licenses

When switching from Xbox to PC or vice versa for Destiny 2, your expansion entitlements do not carry over automatically. You‘ll have to re-purchase them.

Here‘s how to check what content transferred from your Bungie cross-save profile:

  1. Click on Character tab
  2. Scroll down to Licenses and Expansions
  3. Compare list with your previous platform‘s licenses
  4. Purchase any missing DLC pieces individually

Cross-platform season passes and dungeon keys do persist, only major expansions need re-buying.

Recap of Past Opportunities for Free Expansion Access

Bungie has provided week-long free access periods for older expansions over the past year to promote the newest DLC launches.

  • Feb 2022: Free 30th Anniversary Pack (6 player activity)
  • Feb 2022: Free Forsaken Pack (Campaign, Raid)
  • Aug 2022: Free Forsaken, Shadowkeep, Beyond Light (all Year 2-3 content)
  • Feb 2023: Free Witch Queen expansion (Year 5 content)

Based on this precedent, we can reasonably expect free access periods to continue happening 1-2 times per year. Just for 7-10 days around the newest DLC launch.

So Game Pass subscribers shouldn‘t feel completely left out! But spending on expansions is still required for 80% of content.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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