The Complete Cost to Buy All Destiny 2 DLCs and Expansions

As a hardcore Destiny player with over 1,000 hours logged since the original 2014 release, I often get asked by new light players: "how much do I need to spend to get all the content?"

It‘s a fair question with the franchise now spanning various expansions, season passes, dungeons and more across nearly 10 years. So let me break it down for you.

The total cost if you wanted to purchase everything is about $215.

That covers all major expansions, seasonal content passes, and the latest released dungeons. Now $200+ may seem steep, but remember Destiny 2 first launched as a full-priced $60 game. Since going free-to-play in 2019, the funding model has shifted to a seasonal structure.

Below I‘ll analyze exactly what‘s included across all the DLCs and offer some tips on getting the best bang for your buck as a new or returning Guardian.

Complete Breakdown of Destiny 2 DLCs

Here‘s the full list of all paid content currently available for Destiny 2, accurate as of February 2023:

• Prices for PC via Steam but should translate closely across platforms
• Expansions include season pass for release year
• Dungeons sold separately from Year 6 onwards

Total for all content: $215

Let‘s analyze what you actual get in this combined $215 investment:

• Four full expansions with deep story campaigns
• Two dungeons with unique boss challenges
• Over 80 exotic weapons and 30+ exotic armor pieces
• 50+ strikes, crucible maps and 6 raids
• Hundreds of legendary weapons and armor sets
• Access to all seasonal activities each year

That‘s easily over 500 hours of content!

Now I realize not every player wants or can afford to invest $200+ up front. That‘s why examining what expansions are most relevant is key.

Latest Expansions Offer the Most Value

My top recommendation for new players is buying The Witch Queen Deluxe Edition for $80.

Here‘s why this single purchase is your best bet:

• Includes last two seasons (Seasons 19 and 20) worth $20 already
• Features an incredible story campaign taking 6-8 hours
• Unlocks the Weapon Crafting system
• Comes with two of the best exotic weapons (Parasite and Osteo Striga)
• Grants access to the Vow of the Disciple raid
• Also contains new Throne World destination to explore

I‘d couple The Witch Queen with the Lightfall Standard Edition for $50 launching on February 28th.

Lightfall brings a new story set in the neon-drenched cyberpunk city Neomuna, with:

• Strand subclass introducing grapple hook mobility
• Legendary Campaign mode
• Cloudripper Exotic Machine Gun
• Malevolent Clutch accessoire set
• Series of Calus-themed seasonal activities

So for $130 upfront, you‘ll get all the relevant Year 5 and Year 6 content. That alone will offer 100+ hours of playtime as a new light player. Pretty good value-to-investment ratio!

Strategize Around Sales and Content Vaulting

While the cost of every piece of Destiny 2 content surpasses $200, certain strategies can reduce your overall spend:

• Buy older expansions on sale:
  • Legacy Collection goes on sale for around $25 frequently
  • Shadowkeep reaches ~$10 during promotions
• Take advantage of seasonal sales around the holidays
• Sign up for the Bungie newsletter for special discount codes

Do keep in mind older expansions will get cycled out of the game to the Destiny Content Vault over time. So purchasing them full price this late may not yield a great return.

My Total Investment as a Day One Alpha Player

As a Destiny enthusiast since 2014 closed alphas, I‘ve purchased every expansion at launch. To me it has been worth it to experience all the content right away and support Bungie‘s constant improvements.

In total I‘ve spent around $375 across Destiny 1, Destiny 2, and all expansions to date. Breaking down the $60 game + $10 per 3-month season + bonuses has felt fair given the 5,000+ hours of joy it has brought me.

For new players though I‘d recommend a Witch Queen + Lightfall starter bundle then building out your collection from there! Let me know if you have any other questions!

– Zavala‘s Apprentice @D2Guides