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1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre

2023-07-19T14:52:40Z

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[REDACTED]

[[File:ChiliSauce.jpeg]]

Soviet invasion of Poland

2023-07-19T14:50:48Z

Brandon:

NEVER HAPPENED ACCORDING TO CANTCLOSEVIM BINGQILING

[[File:ChiliSauce.jpeg]]

{{infobox military conflict
| conflict = Soviet invasion of Poland
| partof = the [[invasion of Poland]] in [[World War II]]
| image = Lviv 1939 Sov Cavalry.jpg
| image_size = 290
| caption = Soviet parade in [[Lwów]], September 1939, following the city's surrender
| date = 17 September – 6 October 1939
| place = [[Second Polish Republic|Poland]]
| coordinates =
| map_type =
| latitude =
| longitude =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| map_label =
| territory = Territory of [[Kresy|Eastern Poland (Kresy)]] annexed by the [[Soviet Union]]
| result = Soviet victory
| status =
| combatant1 = {{flagcountry|Second Polish Republic|1928}}
| combatant2 = {{flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
| commander1 = {{flag icon|Second Polish Republic|1928}} [[Edward Rydz-Śmigły]]

| commander2 = {{flag icon|Soviet Union|1936}} [[Mikhail Kovalev]] {{flag icon|Soviet Union|1936}} [[Semyon Timoshenko]]
| units1 =
| units2 =
| units3 =
| strength1 = 20,000 [[Border Protection Corps]]<ref name="Sanford 20-24" />{{#tag:ref|Increasing numbers of [[Border Protection Corps (Poland)|Border Protection Corps]] units, as well as Polish Army units stationed in the East during peacetime, were sent to the Polish-German border before or during the German invasion. The Border Protection Corps forces guarding the eastern border numbered approximately 20,000 men.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" />|group="Note"}} 450,000 [[Polish Army]]<ref name="PWN_KW_old" />{{#tag:ref|The retreat from the Germans disrupted and weakened Polish Army units, making estimates of their strength problematic. Sanford estimated that approximately 450,000 troops found themselves in the line of the Soviet advance and offered only sporadic resistance.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" />|group="Note"}}
| strength2 = 600,000–800,000 troops<ref name="PWN_KW_old" /><ref name="Krivosheev" /> 33+ divisions 11+ brigades 4,959 guns 4,736 tanks 3,300 aircraft
| strength3 =
| casualties1 = '''Total:''' ~343,000–477,000<hr>3,000–7,000 killed or missing<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /><ref name="Wojsko92" /> Up to 20,000 wounded<ref name="Sanford 20-24" />{{#tag:ref|The figures do not take into account the approximately 2,500 prisoners of war executed in immediate reprisals or by anti-Polish [[Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists]].<ref name="Sanford 20-24" />|group="Note"}} 320,000–450,000 captured<ref name=Zaloga>{{cite book|author=Steve Zaloga|title=Poland 1939: The Birth of Blitzkrieg|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IXshAQAAIAAJ|year=2004|publisher=Praeger|isbn=978-0-275-98278-2}}</ref>{{rp|85}}
| casualties2 = '''Total:''' 3,858–13,000<hr>1,475–3,000 killed or missing 2,383–10,000 wounded{{#tag:ref|Soviet official losses – figures provided by Krivosheev – are currently estimated at 1,475 KIA or MIA presumed dead (Ukrainian Front – 972, Belorussian Front – 503), and 2,383 WIA (Ukrainian Front – 1,741, Belorussian Front – 642). The Soviets lost approximately 150 tanks in combat of which 43 as irrecoverable losses, while hundreds more suffered technical failures.<ref name="Krivosheev" /> Sanford indicates that Polish estimates of Soviet losses are 3,000 dead and 10,000 wounded.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /> Russian historian Igor Bunich estimates Soviet losses at 5,327 KIA or MIA without a trace and WIA.<ref name="WIF" />|group="Note"}}
| casualties3 =
| notes =
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Soviet invasion of Poland}}{{Campaignbox Polish September Campaign}}{{Polish-Russian Wars}}
}}
The '''Soviet invasion of Poland''' was a [[War|military conflict]] by the [[Soviet Union]] without a formal [[declaration of war]]. On 17 September 1939, the Soviet Union invaded [[Second Polish Republic|Poland]] from the east, 16 days after [[Nazi Germany]] [[Invasion of Poland|invaded Poland]] from the west. Subsequent military operations lasted for the following 20 days and ended on 6 October 1939 with the two-way division and annexation of the entire territory of the [[Second Polish Republic]] by [[Nazi Germany]] and the Soviet Union.<ref name="Gross 17-18" /> This division is sometimes called the [[Fourth Partition of Poland]]. The Soviet (as well as German) invasion of Poland was indirectly indicated in the "secret protocol" of the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]] signed on 23 August 1939, which divided Poland into "[[Sphere of influence|spheres of influence]]" of the two powers.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1939pact.asp |title= The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, 1939 |date=26 January 1996 |publisher= Fordham University |access-date =19 September 2020}}</ref> German and Soviet cooperation in the invasion of Poland has been described as [[co-belligerence]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

The [[Red Army]], which vastly outnumbered the Polish defenders, achieved its targets, encountering only limited resistance. Some 320,000 Poles were made prisoners of war.<ref name="Wojsko92" /><ref name="PWN" /> The campaign of mass persecution in the newly acquired areas began immediately. In November 1939 the [[Government of the Soviet Union|Soviet government]] [[Territories of Poland annexed by the Soviet Union|annexed the entire Polish territory under its control]]. Some 13.5 million Polish citizens who fell under the [[military occupation]] were made Soviet subjects following [[show election]]s conducted by the [[NKVD]] secret police in an atmosphere of terror,<ref name="Stosunki">{{cite web|url=http://old.bialorus.pl/index.php?secId=49&docId=57&&Rozdzial=historia |title=Stosunki polsko-białoruskie pod okupacją sowiecką |publisher=Bialorus.pl |work=Internet Archive |date=2010 |access-date=26 December 2014 |author=Contributing writers |trans-title=Polish-Byelorussian relations under the Soviet occupation |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529211839/http://old.bialorus.pl/index.php?secId=49&docId=57&&Rozdzial=historia |archive-date=29 May 2010 }}</ref><ref name="Wierzbicki2000">{{cite book|author=Marek Wierzbicki|title=Polacy i białorusini w zaborze sowieckim: stosunki polsko-białoruskie na ziemach północno-wschodnich II Rzeczypospolitej pod okupacją sowiecką 1939–1941|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hMMqAAAAMAAJ|year=2000|publisher=Volumen|isbn=978-83-7233-161-8}}</ref><ref name="Wegner-74">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aESBIpIm6UcC&pg=PA74 |title=From Peace to War: Germany, Soviet Russia, and the World, 1939–1941 |publisher=Berghahn Books |year=1997 |access-date=26 December 2014 |author=Bernd Wegner |author-link = Bernd Wegner |page=74 |isbn=1-57181-882-0}}</ref> the results of which were used to legitimise the use of force. A [[Soviet repressions of Polish citizens (1939–1946)|Soviet campaign of political murders and other forms of repression]], targeting Polish figures of authority such as military officers, police and priests, began with a wave of arrests and [[summary execution]]s.{{#tag:ref|{{cite book |quote=In September, even before the start of the Nazi atrocities that horrified the world, the Soviets began their own program of systematic individual and mass executions. On the outskirts of Lwów, several hundred policemen were executed at one time. Near Łuniniec, officers and noncommissioned officers of the Frontier Defence Cops together with some policemen, were ordered into barns, taken out and shot ... after December 1939, 300 Polish priests were killed. And there were many other such incidents. |url=https://archive.org/details/polandsholocaust00piot |url-access=registration |title=Poland's Holocaust |author=Tadeusz Piotrowski |publisher=McFarland |year=1998 |page=[https://archive.org/details/polandsholocaust00piot/page/12 12] |isbn=0-7864-0371-3}}|group="Note"}}<ref name="Rummel 130" /><ref name="Rieber 30" /> The Soviet NKVD sent hundreds of thousands of people from eastern Poland to [[Siberia]] and other remote parts of the Soviet Union in four major waves of deportation between 1939 and 1941.{{#tag:ref|The exact number of people deported between 1939 and 1941 remains unknown. Estimates vary between 350,000 and more than 1.5 million; Rummel estimates the number at 1.2 million, and Kushner and Knox 1.5 million.<ref name="Rummel 132" /><ref name="Kushner 219" />|group="Note"}}
Soviet forces occupied eastern Poland until the summer of 1941 when Germany terminated its earlier [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact|pact]] with the Soviet Union and invaded the Soviet Union under the code name [[Operation Barbarossa]]. The area was under German occupation until the Red Army reconquered it in the summer of 1944. An agreement at the [[Yalta Conference]] permitted the Soviet Union to annex territories close to the [[Curzon Line]] (which almost coincided with all of their Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact portion of the [[Second Polish Republic]]), compensating the [[Polish People's Republic]] with the greater southern part of [[East Prussia]] and territories east of the [[Oder–Neisse line]].<ref name="Wettig 47" /> The Soviet Union appended the annexed territories to the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian]], [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Byelorussian]] and [[Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic]]s.<ref name="Wettig 47" />

After the [[end of World War II in Europe]], the Soviet Union signed the [[Polish–Soviet border agreement of August 1945]] with the new, internationally recognized Polish [[Provisional Government of National Unity]] on 16 August 1945. This agreement recognized the status quo as the new official border between the two countries, with the exception of the region around [[Białystok]] and a minor part of [[Galicia (Eastern Europe)|Galicia]] east of the [[San (river)|San River]] around [[Przemyśl]], which were later returned to Poland.<ref name="Fertacz">{{cite web|url= http://www.alfa.com.pl/slask/200506/s19.html |title= Bolesna granica, 1945: KROJENIE MAPY POLSKI |date=18 December 2007 |publisher= Archive |author=SYLWESTER FERTACZ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090425133017/http://www.alfa.com.pl/slask/200506/s19.html |access-date =19 September 2020|archive-date= 25 April 2009 }}</ref>

==Prelude==
In early 1939, several months before the invasion, the Soviet Union began strategic alliance negotiations with the [[United Kingdom]] and [[France]] against the crash militarization of Nazi Germany under [[Adolf Hitler]].

[[Joseph Stalin]] pursued the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]] with Adolf Hitler, which was signed on 23 August 1939. This [[non-aggression pact]] contained a secret protocol, that drew up the division of Northern and Eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence in the event of war.<ref name="Watson 695-722" /> One week after the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, German forces invaded Poland from the west, north, and south on 1 September 1939. Polish forces gradually [[Plan West|withdrew to the southeast]] where they prepared for a long defense of the [[Romanian Bridgehead]] and awaited the French and British support and relief that they were expecting, but neither the French nor the British came to their rescue. On 17 September 1939 the Soviet [[Red Army]] invaded the [[Kresy]] regions in accordance with the secret protocol.<ref name="Kitchen 74" />{{#tag:ref|The Soviet Union was reluctant to intervene until the fall of [[Warsaw]] to the Germans.<ref name="Davies96 1001" /> The actual attack was delayed for more than a week after the decision to invade Poland was already communicated to the German ambassador [[Friedrich Werner von der Schulenburg]] on 9 September. The Soviet zone of influence according to the pact was carved out through tactical operations.<ref name="Roberts 74" />|group="Note"}}

At the opening of hostilities several Polish cities including Dubno, Łuck and Włodzimierz Wołyński let the Red Army in peacefully, convinced that it was marching on in order to fight the Germans. General [[Juliusz Rómmel]] of the Polish Army issued an unauthorised order to treat them like an ally before it was too late.<ref name="Wywiał-IPN">{{cite book |url=http://ipn.gov.pl/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/70275/1-34074.pdf |title=Działania militarne w Wojnie Obronnej po 17 września |trans-title=Military operations after 17 September |publisher=[[Institute of National Remembrance]] |work=Komentarze historyczne, Nr 8–9 (129–130) |date=August 2011 |access-date=22 December 2014 |author=Przemysław Wywiał |pages=70–78 |archive-date=17 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317033211/http://ipn.gov.pl/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/70275/1-34074.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Soviet government announced it was acting to protect the [[Ukrainians]] and [[Belarusians]] who lived in the eastern part of Poland, because the Polish state had collapsed – according to [[Propaganda in the Soviet Union|Soviet propaganda]], which perfectly echoed Western sentiment that coined the term "Blitzkrieg" to describe Germany's "lightning war" crushing defeat of Poland after just weeks of battle<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/invasion-of-poland-fall-1939|title=The Invasion of Poland, Fall 1939 (last edited 25 August 2021)|last=The Holocaust Encyclopedia|access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref> – and could no longer guarantee the security of its own citizens.<ref name="SCHULENBURG1" /><ref name="SCHULENBURG2" /><ref name="SCHULENBURG3" /><ref name="Degras 37-45" /> Facing a second front, the Polish government concluded that the defense of the Romanian Bridgehead was no longer feasible and ordered an emergency evacuation of all uniformed troops to then-neutral Romania.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" />

==Poland between the two world wars==
The [[League of Nations]] and the peace treaties of the 1919 [[Paris Peace Conference (1919–1920)|Paris Peace Conference]] did not, as it had been hoped, help to promote ideas of reconciliation along European ethnic lines. Epidemic nationalism, fierce political resentment in Central Europe (Germany, Austria, Hungary) where there was strong popular resentment to the War Guilt Clause, and post-colonial chauvinism (Italy) led to frenzied revanchism and territorial ambitions.<ref name="HobsbawmHobsbawm1992">{{cite book|author= Eric John Hobsbawm|title=Nations and Nationalism Since 1780: Programme, Myth, Reality – pp. 130 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-MycJ9mCn14C|date=29 October 1992|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-43961-9}}</ref> [[Józef Piłsudski]] sought to expand the Polish borders as far east as possible in an attempt to create a Polish-led federation, capable of countering future imperialist action on the part of Russia or Germany.<ref name="Roshwald 37" /> By 1920 the [[Bolsheviks]] had emerged victorious from the [[Russian Civil War]] and, de facto acquired exclusive control over the government and the regional administration. After all foreign interventions had been repelled, the Red Army, commanded by Trotsky and Stalin (among others) started to advance westward towards the disputed territories intending to encourage Communist movements in Western Europe.<ref name="Davies72 29" /> The Red Army eventually advanced deep into [[Ukraine]] and [[Belarus]], and the embattled [[Ukrainian People's Republic]] sought military help from Poland to repel the invasion. The joint Polish-Ukrainian armies initially successfully captured the Ukrainian capital, [[Kyiv]], but eventually had to retreat following a massive counteroffensive by the Red Army, culminating in the [[Polish–Soviet War]] of 1920.<ref name="Davies 22, 504" /> Following the Polish victory upon the [[Battle of Warsaw (1920)|Battle of Warsaw]], the Soviets [[Suing for peace|sued for peace]] and the war ended with an armistice in October 1920.<ref name="Kutrzeba 524, 528" /> The parties signed a formal peace treaty, the [[Peace of Riga]], on 18 March 1921, dividing the disputed territories between Poland and Soviet Russia.<ref name="Davies 376" /> In an action that largely determined the Soviet-Polish border during the [[interwar period]], the Soviets offered the Polish peace delegation territorial concessions in the contested borderland areas, that closely resembled the border between the [[Russian Empire]] and the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] before the first [[partitions of Poland|partition]] of 1772.<ref name="Davies 504" /> In the aftermath of the peace agreement, the Soviet leaders steadily abandoned the idea of international Communist revolution and did not return to the concept for approximately 20 years.<ref name="Davies72 xi" /> The [[Conference of Ambassadors]] and the international community (with the exception of Lithuania) recognized Poland's eastern frontiers in 1923.<ref name="Lukowski" /><ref name="Gross 3" />

===Treaty negotiations===
{{Further|Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact|German–Soviet Commercial Agreement (1939)|Polish–British Common Defence Pact}}
[[File:Ribbentrop-Molotov.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|right|Planned and actual divisions of Poland, according to the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact|alt=Map showing the planned and actual divisions of Poland according to the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact.]]

German troops [[German occupation of Czechoslovakia|occupied Prague]] on 15 March 1939. In mid-April, the Soviet Union, Britain and France began trading diplomatic suggestions regarding a political and military agreement to counter potential further German aggression.<ref name="Watson 698" /><ref name="Gronowicz 51" /> Poland did not participate in these talks.<ref name="Neilson 275" /> The tripartite discussions focused on possible guarantees to participating countries should German expansionism continue.<ref name="Carley 303-341" /> The Soviets did not trust the British or the French to honour a collective security agreement, because they had refused to react against the [[Nationalist faction (Spanish Civil War)|Nationalists]] during the [[Spanish Civil War]] and let the occupation of Czechoslovakia happen without effective opposition. The Soviet Union also suspected that Britain and France would seek to remain on the sidelines during any potential Nazi-Soviet conflict.<ref name="Kenéz 129-131" /> Stalin, however, had through his emissaries, been conducting secret talks with Nazi Germany as early as 1936 and according to Robert C. Grogin (author of ''Natural Enemies''), a mutual understanding with Hitler had always been his preferred diplomatic solution.<ref name="Grogin28">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qBBcqDludakC&q=1936%2BRibbentrop |title=Natural Enemies: The United States and the Soviet Union in the Cold War, 1917–1991 |author=Robert C. Grogin |publisher=Lexington Books |year=2001 |isbn=0-7391-0160-9 |page=28}}</ref> The Soviet leader sought nothing short of an ironclad guarantee against losing his [[sphere of influence]],<ref name="Watson 695" /> and aspired to create a north–south buffer zone from Finland to Romania, conveniently established in the event of an attack.<ref name="Shaw 119" /><ref name="Neilson 298" /> The Soviets demanded the right to enter these countries in case of a security threat.<ref name="Watson 708" /> Talks on military matters, that had begun in mid-August, quickly stalled over the topic of Soviet troop passage through Poland in the event of a German attack. British and French officials pressured the Polish government to agree to the Soviet terms.<ref name="Watson 713" /><ref name="Shirer 536" /> However, Polish officials bluntly refused to allow Soviet troops to enter Polish territory upon expressing grave concerns that once Red Army troops had set foot on Polish soil, they might decline demands to leave.<ref name="Shirer 537" /> Thereupon Soviet officials suggested that Poland's objections be ignored and that the tripartite agreements be concluded.<ref name="Neilson 315" /> The British refused the proposal, fearing that such a move would encourage Poland to establish stronger bilateral relations with Germany.<ref name="Neilson 311" />

German officials had secretly been forwarding hints towards Soviet channels for months already, alluding that more favourable terms in a political agreement would be offered than Britain and France.<ref name="Roberts 66-73" /> The Soviet Union had meanwhile started discussions with Nazi Germany regarding the establishment of an economic agreement while concurrently negotiating with those of the tripartite group.<ref name="Roberts 66-73" /> By late July and early August 1939, Soviet and German diplomats had reached a near-complete consensus on the details for a planned economic agreement and addressed the potential for a desirable political accord.<ref name="Shirer 503" /> On 19 August 1939, German and Soviet officials concluded the [[German–Soviet Commercial Agreement (1939)|1939 German–Soviet Commercial Agreement]], a mutually beneficial economic treaty that envisaged the trade and exchange of Soviet raw materials for German weapons, military technology and civilian machinery. Two days later, the Soviet Union suspended the [[tripartite military talks]].<ref name="Roberts 66-73" /><ref name="Shirer 525" /> On 24 August, the Soviet Union and Germany signed the political and military arrangements following the trade agreement, in the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]]. This pact included terms of mutual non-aggression and contained secret protocols, that regulated detailed plans for the division of the states of [[Northern Europe|northern]] and eastern Europe into German and Soviet spheres of influence. The Soviet sphere initially included [[Latvia]], [[Estonia]] and [[Finland]].{{#tag:ref|On 28 September, the borders were redefined by adding the area between the Vistula and Bug rivers to the German sphere and moving Lithuania into the Soviet sphere.<ref name="Sanford 21" /><ref name="Weinberg 963" />|group="Note"}} Germany and the Soviet Union would partition Poland. The territories east of the [[Pisa (river)|Pisa]], [[Narev]], [[Vistula]], and [[San (river)|San]] rivers would fall to the Soviet Union. The pact also provided designs for the Soviet participation in the invasion,<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Davies|first=Norman|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1000049817|title=Europe : a history|date=2014|isbn=978-1-4070-9179-2|location=London|pages=2568|oclc=1000049817}}</ref> that included the opportunity to regain territories ceded to Poland in the [[Peace of Riga]] of 1921.<ref name=":2" /> The Soviet planners would enlarge the Ukrainian and Belarusian republics to subjugate the entire eastern half of Poland without the threat of disagreement with Adolf Hitler.<ref name="Dunnigan 132" /><ref name="Snyder 77" />

One day after the German-Soviet pact had been signed, French and British military delegations urgently requested a meeting with Soviet military negotiator [[Kliment Voroshilov]].<ref name="Shirer 541" /> On 25 August Voroshilov acknowledged, that ''"in view of the changed political situation, no useful purpose can be served in continuing the conversation."''<ref name="Shirer 541" /> On the same day, however, Britain and Poland signed the [[Anglo-Polish military alliance|British-Polish Pact of Mutual Assistance]],<ref name="Osmańczyk-Mango 231">[[#Reference-Osmańczyk-Mango|Osmańczyk-Mango]] p. 231</ref> which adjudicated, that Britain commit itself to defend and preserve Poland's sovereignty and independence.<ref name="Osmańczyk-Mango 231" />

==German invasion of Poland and Soviet preparations==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-S55480, Polen, Parade vor Adolf Hitler.jpg|thumb|[[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]] watching German soldiers marching into Poland in September 1939]]

Hitler tried to dissuade Britain and France from interfering in the forthcoming conflict and on 26 August 1939 proposed to make ''[[Wehrmacht]]'' forces available to Britain in the future.<ref name="pledge" /> At midnight of 29 August, German Foreign Minister [[Joachim von Ribbentrop]] handed British Ambassador [[Nevile Henderson]] a list of terms that would allegedly ensure peace with regard to Poland.<ref name="Davies 371-373" /> Under the terms, Poland was to hand over Danzig ([[Gdańsk]]) to Germany and within a year there was a plebiscite ([[referendum]]) to be held in the [[Polish Corridor]], based on residency and demography of the year 1919.<ref name="Davies 371-373" /> When the Polish Ambassador [[Józef Lipski|Lipski]], who met Ribbentrop on 30 August, declared that he did not have the authority to approve of these demands on his own, Ribbentrop dismissed him<ref name="Mowat 648" /> and his foreign office announced that Poland had rejected the German offer and further negotiations with Poland were abandoned.<ref name="Henderson 16-18" /> On 31 August, in a [[false flag]] operation German units, posing as regular Polish troops, staged the [[Gleiwitz incident]] near the border town of [[Gliwice|Gleiwitz]] in Silesia.<ref name="Whitehead2019">{{cite book|author=Dennis Whitehead|title=The Day Before the War: The Events of August 31, 1939 that Ignited World War II in Europe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=htqsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA62|date=26 August 2019|publisher=MMImedia LLC|isbn=978-88-341-7637-5|page=62}}</ref><ref name="Manvell-Fraenkel 76" /> On the following day (1 September) Hitler announced, that official military actions against Poland had commenced at 4:45 a.m.<ref name="Mowat 648" /> German air forces bombarded the cities [[Lwow]] and [[Łuck]].<ref name=strapol>{{cite web|url= http://www.hrono.ru/sobyt/1900war/1921zy.php |title= Борьба против польской оккупации на Западной Украине |publisher= Chrono Ru |access-date =19 September 2020}}</ref> Polish security service personnel carried out arrests among Ukrainian [[intelligentsia]] in Lwow and [[Przemysl]].<ref name=strapol/>

On 1 September 1939 at 11:00 a.m. [[Moscow time]], the counselor of the German embassy in Moscow, [[Gustav Hilger]] arrived at the [[People's Commissariat of Foreign Affairs]] and formally annunciated the beginning of the German–Polish War, the annexation of [[Free City of Danzig|Danzig]] ([[Gdańsk]]) as he conveyed a request of the [[Oberkommando der Luftwaffe#Chiefs of the OKL General Staff|chief of the OKL General Staff]] that the radio station in [[Minsk]] provide signal support.<ref name=sov_pol39>{{cite web|url= http://hrono.ru/sobyt/1900war/1939pol.php |title= Советско-польская война |publisher= Chrono Ru |access-date =19 September 2020}}</ref> The Soviet side partially adhered to the request.<ref name=sov_pol39/> On the same day an extraordinary session of the [[Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union]] confirmed the adoption of its ''"Universal Military Duty Act for males aged 17 years and 8 months old"'', by which the service draft act of 1937 was extended for another year.<ref name=sov_pol39/> Furthermore, the [[Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Politburo]] of the [[Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Communist Party]] approved the proposal of the [[People's Commissariat of Defense of the Soviet Union|People's Commissariat of Defense]], which envisaged that the [[Workers'-Peasants' Red Army|Red Army]]'s existing 51 rifle divisions were to be supplemented to a total strength of 76 rifle divisions of 6,000 men, plus 13 mountain divisions and another 33 ordinary rifle divisions of 3,000 men.<ref name=sov_pol39/>

On 2 September 1939 the German [[Army Group North]] carried out a maneuver to envelop the forces of the Polish ([[Pomorze Army]]) that defended the "[[Polish Corridor]]",<ref name=sov_pol39/> with the result that the Polish commander General [[Władysław Bortnowski]] lost communication with his divisions.<ref name=sov_pol39/> The break-through of armored contingents of the German [[Army Group South]] near the city of [[Częstochowa]] sought to defeat the Polish [[6th Infantry Division (Poland)|6th Infantry Division]] south of [[Katowice]] where the German 5th Armored Division had broken through towards [[Oświęcim]], that captured fuel depots and seized equipment warehouses.<ref name=sov_pol39/> To the east detachments of 18th corps of the German [[14th Army (Wehrmacht)|14th Army]] crossed the Polish–Slovak border near [[Dukla Pass]].<ref name=sov_pol39/> The [[government of the Soviet Union]] issued directive No. 1355-279сс that approved of the ''"Reorganization plan of the Red Army ground forces of 1939–1940"'',<ref name=sov_pol39/> which regulated detailed division transfers and updated territorial deployment plans for all the 173 future Red Army combat divisions.<ref name=sov_pol39/> In addition to the reorganized infantry, the number of corps artillery and the [[reserve of the Supreme High Command]] artillery was increased while the number of service units, rear units and institutions was to be reduced.<ref name=sov_pol39/> By the evening of 2 September enhanced defense and security measures were implemented at the Polish–Soviet border.<ref name=sov_pol39/> Per instruction No. 1720 of the border troop commander in the [[Belorussian Military District]], all detachments were set to permanent combat-ready status.<ref name=sov_pol39/>

The governments of allied Britain and France declared war on Germany on 3 September, but neither undertook agreed-upon military action nor provided any substantial support for Poland.<ref name="Forczyk2019">{{cite book|author=Robert Forczyk|title=Case White: The Invasion of Poland 1939|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K3C1DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA142|date=31 October 2019|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4728-3493-5|page=229}}</ref><ref name="Mowat 648-650" /> Despite notable Polish success in local border battles, German technical, operational and numerical superiority eventually required the retreat of all Polish forces from the borders towards shorter lines of defense at Warsaw and [[Lwów]]. On the same day (3 September), the new Soviet Ambassador in [[Berlin]] [[:ru:Шкварцев, Алексей Алексеевич|Aleksei Shkvartsev]] handed his [[letter of credence]] to [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref name=sov_pol39/> During the initiation ceremony Shkvartsev and Hitler reassured each other on their commitment to fulfill the terms of the non-aggression agreement.<ref name=sov_pol39/> [[Minister for Foreign Affairs (Germany)|Foreign minister]] [[Joachim von Ribbentrop]] commissioned the German Embassy in Moscow with the assessment of and the report on the likelihood of Soviet intentions for a Red Army invasion into Poland.<ref name=sov_pol39/>

On 4 September 1939 all German navy units in the northern Atlantic Ocean received order "to follow to [[Murmansk]], via the northernmost course".<ref name=sov_pol39/> On the same day, the [[Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Central Committee of the Communist Party]] and the [[government of the Soviet Union]] approved of the People's Commissar of Defense [[Kliment Voroshilov]]'s orders to delay retirement and dismissal of Red Army personnel and young commanders for one month and to initiate full-scale training for all air defense detachments and staff in Leningrad, Moscow, Kharkov, in Belorussia and the Kiev Military District.<ref name=sov_pol39/>

On 5 September 1939 the People's Commissar of Foreign Affairs [[Vyacheslav Molotov]] received the German Ambassador [[Friedrich Werner von der Schulenburg]].<ref name=sov_pol39/> Upon the ambassador's inquiry with regards to a possible deployment of the Red Army into Poland, Molotov answered that the Soviet government ''"will definitely have to... start specific actions"'' at the right time. ''"But we believe that this moment has not yet come"'' and ''"any haste may ruin things and facilitate the rallying of opponents"''.<ref name=sov_pol39/>

On 10 September, the Polish commander-in-chief, Marshal [[Edward Rydz-Śmigły]], ordered a [[Withdrawal (military)|general retreat]] to the southeast towards the [[Romanian Bridgehead]].<ref name="Stanley 29" /> Soon after, Nazi German officials further urged their Soviet counterparts to uphold their agreed-upon part and attack Poland from the east. Molotov and ambassador von der Schulenburg discussed the matter repeatedly but the Soviet Union nevertheless delayed the invasion of eastern Poland, while being occupied with events unfolding in the [[Far East]] in relation to the ongoing [[Soviet-Japanese Border Wars|border disputes]] with Japan. The Soviet Union needed time to mobilize the Red Army and utilized the diplomatic advantage of waiting to attack after Poland had disintegrated.<ref name="Zaloga 80" /><ref name="Weinberg 55" />

On 14 September, with Poland's collapse at hand, the first statements on a conflict with Poland appeared in the Soviet press.<ref name="gunther1940">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/in.ernet.dli.2015.149663/2015.149663.Inside-Europe#page/n15/mode/2up |title=Inside Europe |publisher=Harper & Brothers |author=Gunther, John |location=New York|author-link=John Gunther|year=1940 |page=xviii}}</ref> The undeclared war between the [[Soviet Union]] and the [[Empire of Japan]] at the [[Battles of Khalkhin Gol]] had ended with the [[Vyacheslav Molotov|Molotov]]–[[Hideki Tojo|Tojo]] agreement, signed on 15 September as a ceasefire took effect on 16 September.<ref>Goldman p. 163, 164</ref>{{r|gunther1940}} On 17 September, Molotov delivered a declaration of war to [[Wacław Grzybowski]], the Polish Ambassador in Moscow:

{{blockquote|Warsaw, as the capital of Poland, no longer exists. The Polish Government has disintegrated, and no longer shows any sign of operation. This means that the Polish State and its Government have, de facto, ceased to exist. Accordingly, the agreements concluded between the USSR and Poland have thus lost their validity. Left to her own devices and bereft of leadership, Poland has become a suitable field for all kinds of hazards and surprises, which may constitute a threat to the USSR. For these reasons the Soviet Government, who has hitherto been neutral, can no longer preserve a neutral attitude and ignore these facts. ... Under these circumstances, the Soviet Government has directed the High Command of the Red Army to order troops to cross the frontier and to take under their protection the life and property of the population of Western Ukraine and Western Belarus. — People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the U.S.S.R. V. Molotov, 17 September 1939 <ref name="EM-WW2">Electronic Museum, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120306005914/http://www.electronicmuseum.ca/Poland-WW2/nazi_soviet_friendship/nsf_molotov_note_1-2_eng.html Text of the Soviet communique in English translation.] 17 September 1939, by Vyacheslav M. Molotov; also [[s:ru:Нота правительства СССР, врученная польскому послу в Москве утром 17 сентября 1939 года]] {{in lang|ru}}, [[s:pl:Nota rządu ZSRR z 17.09.1939]] {{in lang|pl}}</ref>}}

Molotov declared via public radio broadcast that all treaties between the Soviet Union and Poland had become void, that the Polish government had abandoned its people as the Polish state had effectively ceased to exist.<ref name="Degras 37-45" /><ref name="Piotrowski 295" /> On the same day, the Red Army crossed the border into Poland.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /><ref name="Zaloga 80" />

==Soviet invasion of Poland==
===Before invasion===

[[File:Soviet invasion on Poland 1939.jpg|thumb|Advancing Red Army troops, Soviet invasion of Poland, 1939]]
[[File:Instrukcja Becka dla Grzybowski Moskwa 17 09.1939.jpg|thumb|Instructions of [[Józef Beck]], Polish minister of foreign affairs for [[Wacław Grzybowski]], Polish ambassador to the Soviet Union concerning the Soviet invasion of Poland, 17.09.1939]]
On the morning of 17 September 1939, the Polish administration throughout the whole territory of the six eastern [[voivodeship]]s was still fully operational and functioned partly in several additional five voivodeship territories of eastern Poland as schools remained open in mid-September 1939.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rp.pl/artykul/355422-Zachod-okazal-sie-parszywienki.html?template=restricted |title= Zachód okazał się parszywieńki |date=28 August 2009 |publisher= Plus Minus |author= Piotr Zychowicz |access-date =19 September 2020}}</ref> Polish Army units concentrated their activities on two areas – on southern ([[Tomaszów Lubelski]], [[Zamość]], [[Lwów]]) and central ([[Warsaw]], [[Modlin (Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki)|Modlin]], and the [[Bzura]] river). Due to determined Polish defense and a lack of fuel, the German advance had stalled and the situation stabilized in the areas east of the line [[Augustów]] – [[Grodno]] – [[Białystok]] – [[Kobryń]] – [[Kowel]] – [[Żółkiew]] – Lwów – [[Żydaczów]] – [[Stryi|Stryj]] – [[Turka, Ukraine|Turka]].<ref name="Czesław Grzelak page 242">{{cite book|author1=Czesław Grzelak|author2=Henryk Stańczyk|title=Kampania polska 1939 roku: początek II wojny światowej|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wO1mAAAAMAAJ|year=2005|publisher=Oficyna Wydawnicza "Rytm"|isbn=978-83-7399-169-9}}</ref> Rail lines were operational in approximately one-third of the territory of the country as both, cross-border passenger and cargo traffic, was maintained with five neighboring countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Soviet Union, Romania, and Hungary). In [[Pińsk]], assembly of the [[PZL.37 Łoś]] planes continued in a PZL factory that had been moved out of Warsaw.<ref name="Leszek Moczulski 1939, p. 879">{{cite book|author=Robert Forczyk|title=Case White: The Invasion of Poland 1939|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TPSGDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT251|date=31 October 2019|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-4728-3494-2}}</ref><ref name="Beck2019">{{cite book|author=Jürgen Beck|title=Die sowjetische Invasion Polens|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v56tDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT55|year=2019|publisher=Jazzybee Verlag|isbn=978-3-8496-5434-4|page=55}}</ref> A [[French Navy]] ship carrying [[Renault R35]] tanks for Poland approached the Romanian port of [[Constanta]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.2wojna.pl/encyklopedia-fr-wb-001.html |title= Renault R-35, R-40 |publisher= Encyklopedia Broni |access-date =19 September 2020}}</ref> Another ship, with artillery equipment, had just left [[Marseilles]]. Altogether, seventeen French cargo ships were sailing towards Romania, carrying fifty tanks, twenty airplanes, and large quantities of ammunition and explosives.<ref name="Czesław Grzelak page 242" /> Several major cities were still in Polish hands, such as Warsaw, Lwów, Wilno, Grodno, Łuck, Tarnopol and Lublin (captured by German troops on 18 September). According to historian and author [[Leszek Moczulski]], approximately 750,000 soldiers remained active in the Polish Army, whereas Czesław Grzelak and Henryk Stańczyk arrived at an estimated strength of 650,000 troops.<ref name="Czesław Grzelak page 242" />

On 17 September 1939 the Polish Army, although weakened by weeks of fighting, still was a coherent force. Moczulski asserted, that the Polish Army was still bigger than most European armies and strong enough to fight the Wehrmacht for a long time.<ref name="Leszek Moczulski 1939, p. 879"/> On the [[Baranowicze]] – [[Łuniniec]] – [[Rivne|Równe]] line, rail transport of troops from the northeastern corner of the country towards the [[Romanian Bridgehead]] resumed day and night (among these troops were the [[35th Infantry Division (Poland)|35th Reserve Infantry Division]] under Colonel Jarosław Szafran,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.lwow.home.pl/rocznik/obrona39.html |title= OBRONA LWOWA WE WRZEŚNIU 1939 ROKU |publisher= Lwow Home |author= Artur Leinwand |access-date =19 September 2020}}</ref> the so-called "[[Grodno]] Group" ("Grupa grodzieńska") of Colonel Bohdan Hulewicz) and the second largest battle of the September Campaign – the [[Battle of Tomaszów Lubelski]], started on the day of the Soviet invasion. According to Leszek Moczulski, around 250,000 Polish soldiers were fighting in central Poland, 350,000 were getting ready to defend the Romanian Bridgehead, 35,000 were north of [[Polesie]], and 10,000 were fighting on the Baltic coast of Poland, in [[Hel, Poland|Hel]] and in [[Gdynia]]. Due to the ongoing battles in the area around Warsaw, [[Modlin Fortress|Modlin]], the [[Bzura]], at [[Zamość]], Lwów and Tomaszów Lubelski, most German divisions had been ordered to fall back towards these locations. The area that remained under control of the Polish authorities encompassed around {{convert|140000|sqkm|sqmi| abbr=on}} – approximately {{convert|200|km|mi| abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|950|km|mi| abbr=on}} long – from the [[Daugava River|Daugava]] in the north to the Carpathian Mountains in the south.<ref name="Czesław Grzelak page 242" /> [[Polish Radio Baranowicze|Radio Baranowicze]] and [[Polish Radio Wilno|Radio Wilno]] ceased to broadcast on 16 September after having been bombed by German [[Luftwaffe]] units, while [[Polish Radio Lwów|Radio Lwów]] and [[Polish Radio Warsaw II|Radio Warsaw II]] still aired as of 17 September.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.taniaksiazka.pl/1939-ostatni-rok-pokoju-pierwszy-rok-wojny-andrzej-sowa-p-198296.html |title= 1939. Ostatni rok pokoju, pierwszy rok wojny- p. 569|publisher= Taniaksiazka |author= Janusz Osica, Andrzej Sowa, Paweł Wieczorkiewicz |access-date =19 September 2020}}</ref>

===Opposing forces===
{{See also|Polish army order of battle in 1939|Soviet order of battle for invasion of Poland in 1939|Opposing forces in the Polish September Campaign}}
A Red Army force of seven [[field army|field armies]] with a combined strength between around 450,000 and 1,000,000 troops entered eastern Poland on two fronts.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /> Polish sources give a number of over 800,000.<ref name="PWN_KW_old"/> [[Komandarm 1st rank|Marshal]] [[Semyon Timoshenko]] commanded the invasion on the [[Ukrainian Front (1939)|Ukrainian Front]] and [[Komandarm 2nd rank|General]] [[Mikhail Kovalyov]] led the Red Army on the invasion on the Belarusian Front.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" />

When drawing up the defensive [[Plan West]] of 1938, Poland's military strategists assumed the Soviet Union would remain neutral during a conflict with Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.strategie.com.pl/dzial/akademia/artykul/288 |title= Plan "Zachód" |publisher= Strategy PL |author=Yankees |access-date =19 September 2020}}</ref> As a result, Polish commanders focused on massive troop deployment designs and elaborate operational exercises in the west in order to successfully counter all German invasion attempts. This concept, however, would only leave a [[Border Protection Corps (Poland)|Border Protection Corps]] of approximately 20 under-strength battalions with a maximum strength of 20,000 troops assigned to defend the entire eastern border.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /><ref name="Wojsko90" /> During the Red Army invasion on 17 September, most Polish units had engaged in a fighting retreat towards the Romanian Bridgehead, where, according to overall strategic plans all divisions were to regroup and await new orders in coordination with allied British and French forces.

===Military campaign===
[[File:Poland1939 after 14 Sep.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|right|Disposition of all troops following the Soviet invasion|alt=A map showing the disposition of all troops following the Soviet invasion]]

Commander-in-chief [[Edward Rydz-Śmigły]] was initially inclined to order the eastern border forces to oppose the invasion, but was dissuaded by [[Prime Minister of Poland|Prime Minister]] [[Felicjan Sławoj Składkowski]] and [[President of Poland|President]] [[Ignacy Mościcki]].<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /><ref name="Wojsko90" /> At 4:00 a.m. on 17 September, Rydz-Śmigły ordered the Polish troops to fall back, stipulating that they only engage Soviet troops in self-defense.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /> However, the German invasion had severely damaged the Polish communication systems and caused [[command and control]] problems for the Polish forces.<ref name="Gross 17" /> In the resulting confusion, clashes between Polish and Soviet forces occurred along the border.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /><ref name="Wojsko90" /> General [[Wilhelm Orlik-Rückemann]], who took command of the Border Protection Corps on 30 August, received no official directives after his appointment.<ref name="Gross 17-18" /> As a result, he and his subordinates continued to actively engage Soviet forces, eventually dissolving the unit on 1 October.<ref name="Gross 17-18" />

The Polish government refused to surrender or negotiate peace and instead ordered all units to leave Poland and reorganize in France.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /> The day after the Soviet invasion had started, the Polish government withdrew into Romania. Polish units proceeded to manoeuvre towards the Romanian bridgehead area, repulsing German attacks on one flank and clashing occasionally with Soviet troops on the other. In the days following the evacuation order, the Germans defeated the [[Kraków Army]] and the [[Lublin Army]] at the [[Battle of Tomaszów Lubelski]].<ref name="Taylor 38" />
[[File:Spotkanie Sojuszników.jpg|thumb|left|German and Soviet officers shaking hands following the invasion|alt=A photo of a German and a Soviet officer shaking hands at the end of the invasion of Poland.]]

Soviet units would meet their German counterparts during the advancement from opposite directions. Notable occurrences of co-operation in the field among the two armies were reported, for example, as ''Wehrmacht'' troops passed the [[Brest Fortress]], which had been seized after the [[Battle of Brześć Litewski]] to the Soviet 29th Tank Brigade on 17 September.<ref name="Fischer" /> German General [[Heinz Guderian]] and Soviet Brigadier [[Semyon Krivoshein]] on 22 September held a joint [[German–Soviet military parade in Brest-Litovsk|parade]] in the town.<ref name="Fischer" /> [[Lwów]] (now [[Lviv]]) surrendered on 22 September, several days after German troops had abandoned their siege operation and allowed Soviet forces to take over.<ref name="Leinwald" /> Soviet forces took [[Vilnius|Wilno]] (now Vilnius) on 19 September after [[Battle of Wilno (1939)|a two-day battle]], and [[Grodno]] on 24 September after [[Battle of Grodno (1939)|a four-day battle]]. By 28 September, the Red Army reached the Narew – Western Bug – Vistula – San rivers line – the border that had been agreed upon in advance with Germany.

Despite a tactical Polish victory on 28 September at the [[Battle of Szack]], the outcome of the larger conflict was never in doubt.<ref name="Interia-Szack" /> Civilian volunteers, [[militia]] contingents and regrouped army units held out against German forces [[Siege of Warsaw (1939)|in and around of the Polish capital]], [[Warsaw]], until the end of September, as the [[Modlin Fortress]], north of Warsaw, surrendered after [[battle of Modlin|an intense sixteen-day battle]]. On 1 October, Soviet troops pushed Polish units into the forests at the [[battle of Wytyczno]], during one of the last direct confrontations of the campaign.<ref name="Orlik-Rückemann 20" /> Several isolated Polish garrisons managed to hold their positions long after being surrounded, such as those in the [[Volhynia]]n [[Sarny Fortified Area]] which only surrendered on 25 September. The last operational unit of the Polish Army was General [[Franciszek Kleeberg]]'s [[Independent Operational Group Polesie]]. Kleeberg surrendered on 6 October after the four-day [[Battle of Kock (1939)|Battle of Kock]], effectively ending the September Campaign. On 31 October, [[Vyacheslav Molotov|Molotov]] reported to the [[Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union|Supreme Soviet]]: "A short blow by the German army, and subsequently (by) the Red Army, was enough for nothing to be left of this (lit.) bastard (state) ({{lang-ru|ублюдок}}), created at the [[Treaty of Versailles]]".<ref name="Moynihan 93" /><ref name="Tucker 612" />

===Domestic reaction===
[[File:Tak bulo - tak ye.jpg|thumb|Soviet propaganda appealing to Ukrainian peasants in Eastern Poland]]
[[File:Stamp USSR 1940 historia1.gif|thumb|"The liberation of our brothers and sisters in the Western Ukraine and Western Belorussia on 17 September 1939" Postage stamps from the USSR, 1940.]]

The response of non-ethnic Poles to the situation caused considerable complications. Many [[Ukraine|Ukrainians]], [[Belarus]]ians and [[Jew]]s welcomed the invading troops.<ref name="Gross 32-33" /> Local Communists gathered people to welcome the [[Red Army]] troops in the traditional Slavic way by presenting bread and salt in the eastern suburb of [[Brest, Belarus|Brest]]. A sort of [[triumphal arch]] on two poles, decked with spruce branches and flowers was fashioned for this occasion. A slogan in Russian on a long red banner, glorifying the [[USSR]] and welcoming the Red Army, crowned the arch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vb.by/article.php?topic=36&article=14200 |script-title=ru:Радость была всеобщая и триумфальная |author=Юрий Рубашевский. |work=[[Vecherniy Brest]] |date=16 September 2011 |language=ru |access-date=15 December 2011 |archive-date=31 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001210/http://www.vb.by/article.php?topic=36&article=14200 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The event was recorded by [[Lev Mekhlis]], who reported to Stalin that the people of the West Ukraine welcomed the Soviet troops "like true liberators".<ref name="Montefiore 312" /> The [[Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists]] rebelled against Polish rule and Communist partisans stirred up local revolts, such as in [[Skidel]].<ref name="Sanford 20-24" />

===International reaction===
{{See also|Western betrayal}}
France and Britain refrained from a critical reaction to the Soviet invasion and annexation of Eastern Poland since neither country expected or wanted a confrontation with the Soviet Union at that time.<ref name="Prazmowska 44-45" /><ref name="Hiden-Lane 148" /> Under the terms of the [[Polish-British Common Defence Pact]] of 25 August 1939, Britain had promised assistance if a European power attacked Poland.{{#tag:ref|The "Agreement of Mutual Assistance between the United Kingdom and Poland" (London, 25 August 1939) states in Article 1: "Should one of the Contracting Parties become engaged in hostilities with a European Power in consequence of aggression by the latter against that Contracting Party, the other Contracting Party will at once give the Contracting Party engaged in hostilities all the support and assistance in its power."<ref name="Stachura 125" />|group="Note"}} A secret protocol of the pact, however, specified that the European power referred to Germany.<ref name="Hiden-Lane 143-144" /> When Polish Ambassador [[Edward Bernard Raczyński|Edward Raczyński]] reminded [[Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs|Foreign Secretary]] [[Lord Halifax]] of the pact, he was bluntly told that it was Britain's exclusive right to declare war on the Soviet Union or not.<ref name="Prazmowska 44-45" /> [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] [[Neville Chamberlain]] considered making a public commitment to restore the Polish state but eventually issued only general condemnations.<ref name="Prazmowska 44-45" /> This stance represented Britain's attempt at balance as its security interests included trade with the USSR that would support its war effort and might lead to a possible future Anglo-Soviet alliance against Germany (which indeed happened two years later).<ref name="Hiden-Lane 143-144" /> Public opinion in Britain was varied among expressions of outrage at the invasion on the one hand and a perception that Soviet claims in the region were reasonable on the other.<ref name="Hiden-Lane 143-144" />

While France had made promises to Poland, including the provision of air support, these were not honoured. A [[Franco-Polish Military Alliance]] was signed in 1921 and amended thereafter. The agreements were not strongly supported by the French military leadership, though and the relationship deteriorated during the 1920s and 1930s.<ref name="Hehn 69-70" /> The French correctly considered the German-Soviet alliance to be fragile and overt denunciation of, or action against the Soviet Union would serve neither France's nor Poland's best interests.<ref name ="Hiden-Lane 148" /> Once the Soviets had occupied Poland, the French and the British realized there was nothing they could do for Poland on short notice and plans for a long-term victory were devised instead. The French forces, that had [[Saar Offensive|advanced tentatively into the Saar region in early September]], retreated behind the [[Maginot Line]] upon the Polish defeat on 4 October.<ref name="Jackson 75" />

On 1 October 1939, [[Winston Churchill]] stated in public: {{blockquote|... That the Russian armies should stand on this line was clearly necessary for the safety of Russia against the Nazi menace. At any rate, the line is there, and an Eastern Front has been created which Nazi Germany does not dare assail. When Herr von Ribbentrop was summoned to Moscow last week it was to learn the fact, and to accept the fact, that the Nazi designs upon the Baltic States and upon the Ukraine must come to a dead stop.<ref name="Churchill2013">{{cite book|author=Winston S. Churchill|title=Into Battle, 1941|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iVwqAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT96|date=1 April 2013|publisher=Rosetta Books|isbn=978-0-7953-2946-3|page=96}}</ref>}}Since the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was not an official alliance,<ref name="Moorhouse20142">{{cite book|author=Roger Moorhouse|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xv5sAwAAQBAJ|title=The Devils' Alliance: Hitler's Pact with Stalin, 1939–1941|date=21 August 2014|publisher=Random House|isbn=978-1-4481-0471-0|page=4|quote=It is worth clarifying that the Nazi-Soviet Pact was not an alliance as such, it was a treaty of non-aggression. Consequently, aside from the metaphorical tide used here - The Devils' Alliance - I generally refrain from referring to Hitler and Stalin as 'allies' or their collaboration as an 'alliance'. However, that clarification should not blind us to the fact that the Nazi-Soviet relationship between 1939 and 1941 was a profoundly important one, which consisted of four further agreements after the pact of August 1939 and was, therefore, close to an alliance in many respects. Certainly it was far more vital and far more crucial to both sides than, for instance, Hitler's alliance with Mussolini's Italy. Hitler and Stalin were allies in all but name.}}</ref> modern scholarship has described the German and Soviet cooperation in the invasion of Poland as [[co-belligerence]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Hager|first=Robert P.|date=2017-03-01|title="The laughing third man in a fight": Stalin's use of the wedge strategy|url=https://online.ucpress.edu/cpcs/article-abstract/50/1/15/607/The-laughing-third-man-in-a-fight-Stalin-s-use-of?redirectedFrom=fulltext|journal=Communist and Post-Communist Studies|language=en|volume=50|issue=1|pages=15–27|doi=10.1016/j.postcomstud.2016.11.002|issn=0967-067X|quote=The Soviet Union participated as a cobelligerent with Germany after 17 September 1939, when Soviet forces invaded eastern Poland}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|last=Blobaum|first=Robert|date=1990|title=The Destruction of East-Central Europe, 1939–41|url=https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/probscmu39&id=686&div=&collection=|journal=Problems of Communism|volume=39|pages=106|quote=As a co-belligerent of Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union secretly assisted the German invasion of central and western Poland before launching its own invasion of eastern Poland on 17 September}}</ref>

==Aftermath==
{{Main|Occupation of Poland (1939–1945)}}
{{further|History of Poland (1939–1945)|Polish prisoners of war in Soviet Union (after 1939)}}
[[File:Jeńcy1.jpg|thumb|right|Polish prisoners of war captured by the Red Army during the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939|alt=A photo of a crowd of marching Polish prisoners of war captured by the Red Army during the Soviet invasion of Poland]]

In October 1939, Molotov reported to the Supreme Soviet that the Red Army had suffered 737 deaths and 1,862 wounded men during the campaign, a casualty rate that widely contradicted Polish specialist's claims of up to 3,000 deaths and 8,000 to 10,000 wounded.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /> On the Polish side, 3,000 to 7,000 soldiers died fighting the Red Army as between 230,000 and 450,000 men were taken prisoners.<ref name="Wojsko92" /> The Soviet troops regularly failed to honour commonly accepted terms of surrender. In some cases, after Polish soldiers had been promised to retreat freely Soviet troops arrested them once they had laid down their arms.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" />
[[File:The German-soviet Invasion of Poland, 1939 HU87205.jpg|thumb|[[Red Army]] soldier guarding a Polish [[PWS-26]] trainer aircraft shot down near the city of Równe ([[Rivne]]) in the Soviet occupied part of Poland, 18 September 1939]]
The Soviet Union had ceased to recognise the Polish state upon the start of the invasion. Neither side issued a formal declaration of war. This decision had significant consequences and Rydz-Smigly would be later criticised for it.<ref name="Sanford 22-23, 39" /> The Soviets killed tens of thousands of [[Polish prisoners of war in Soviet Union (after 1939)|Polish prisoners of war]] during the campaign itself.<ref name="Sanford 23" /> On 24 September, the Soviet soldiers killed 42 staff and patients of a Polish military hospital in the village of [[Grabowiec, Zamość County|Grabowiec]], near [[Zamość]].<ref name="Grabowiec" /> Soviet troops also executed all the Polish officers they captured at the [[Battle of Szack]] on 28 September 1939.<ref name="Interia-Szack" /> The [[NKVD]] killed 22,000 Polish military personnel and civilians in the [[Katyn massacre]] in 1940.<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /><ref name="Fischer" /> [[Torture]] was widely used by the NKVD in various prisons, especially in small towns.<ref name="Gross 182" />

[[File:Katyn - decision of massacre p1.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Soviet document, proving the mass execution of Polish officers in the [[Katyn massacre]]|alt=The front page of the Soviet document of decision, with blue hand writing scrawled across the left-center of the page, authorizing the mass execution of all Polish officers who were prisoners of war in the Soviet Union]]

On 28 September 1939, the Soviet Union and Germany signed the [[German–Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Demarcation]], readdressing the secret terms of the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]]. [[Lithuania]] was incorporated into the Soviet [[sphere of influence]] and the border within Poland was shifted to the east, increasing German territory.<ref name="PWN_KW_old" /> By this arrangement, often described as a fourth [[partition of Poland]],<ref name="Sanford 20-24" /> the Soviet Union secured almost all Polish territory east of the line of the rivers Pisa, Narew, Western Bug and San. This amounted to about {{convert|200000|sqkm|sqmi| abbr=on}} territory, inhabited by 13.5 million Polish citizens.<ref name="Gross 17" /> The border created in this agreement roughly corresponded to the [[Curzon Line]] drawn by the British in 1919, a point that would successfully be utilized by Stalin during negotiations with the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] at the [[Teheran Conference|Teheran]] and [[Yalta Conference]]s.<ref name="Dallas 557" /> The Red Army had originally sown confusion among the population, claiming that they had come to save Poland from Nazi occupation.<ref name ="Davies96 1001-1003">[[#Reference-Davies96|Davies (1996)]] pp. 1001–1003</ref> Their advance surprised Polish communities and their leaders, who had not been advised on how to respond to a Soviet invasion. Polish and Jewish citizens might initially have preferred Soviet rule to Nazi German rule.<ref name="Gross 24, 32-33" /> However, the Soviet authorities quickly imposed Communist ideology and administration upon their new subjects and suppressed the traditional ways of life. For instance, the Soviet government confiscated, [[nationalized]] and redistributed all private Polish property.<ref name="Piotrowski 11" /> During the two years following the annexation, the Soviet police forces arrested approximately 100,000 Polish citizens.<ref name="Karta" />

The Poles and the Soviets re-established diplomatic relations in 1941, following the [[Sikorski–Mayski Agreement]]. The Soviets broke off talks again in 1943 after the Polish government had demanded an independent examination of the recently discovered Katyn burial pits ([[Katyn massacre]]).<ref name="Soviet note of 1943" /><ref name="Sanford 129" />

Due to denied access to secret Soviet archives, estimates of the number of Polish citizens deported to Siberia and the total number of perished persons under Soviet rule, remained guesswork for decades after the end of the war. Estimates among the numerous publications varied between 350,000 and 1,500,000 for civilians deported to Siberia and between 250,000 and 1,000,000 for the total number of civilians who had died.<ref name="Rieber 14, 32-37" /> With the opening of the Soviet secret archives after 1989, more realistic and potentially smaller numbers were established. In August 2009, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion, the [[Polish Institute of National Remembrance]] announced that research estimates on the number of people deported to Siberia and those who had perished under Soviet wartime rule amounted to around a total of 150,000 Polish citizens.<ref name="Polish experts lower nation's WWII death toll" />

===Belorussia and Ukraine===
{{further|Territories of Poland annexed by the Soviet Union}}
[[File:Polish eagle and Soviet soldier.JPG|thumb|Soviet propaganda depicting the [[Red Army]] as the liberator of [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]] and [[Belarusians|Belarusian]] peasants from Polish tyranny (the [[Polish eagle]])]]
According to the last official Polish census the 13.5 million inhabitants in [[Polish areas annexed by the Soviet Union|the newly annexed territories]] consisted of 38% Poles (5,1 million), 37% Ukrainians (4,7 million), 14.5% Belarusians, 8.4% Jews, 0.9% Russians and 0.6% Germans.<ref name="Trela-Mazur 294" />

The [[Elections to the People's Assemblies of Western Ukraine and Western Belarus|elections]] of 26 October in the Belorussian and Ukrainian communities were utilized to bestow some degree of legitimacy upon the annexation.{{#tag:ref| The voters were presented with just one candidate for each position of deputy. The Communist party commissars subsequently would press their resolutions in the communities towards complete nationalization of the financial sector and the heavy industries and the transfer of private land to agricultural communities.<ref name="Rieber 29-30" />|group="Note"}} The Belarusians and Ukrainians in Poland had been alienated by the former [[Polonization]] policies of the Polish government and the repression of [[separatist]] movements and thus felt little loyalty towards the Polish cause.<ref name="Stosunki" /><ref name="Davies02 512-513" /> Not all Belarusians and Ukrainians, however, trusted the Soviet regime.<ref name ="Davies96 1001-1003" /> In practice, the poor generally welcomed the Soviets, and the elites tended to join the opposition, despite supporting the reunification itself.<ref name="Stosunki2">{{cite journal |language=pl |first=Marek |last=Wierzbicki |url=http://www.bialorus.pl/index.php?secId=49&docId=60&&Rozdzial=historia |title=Stosunki polsko-białoruskie pod okupacją sowiecką (1939–1941) |journal=Białoruskie Zeszyty Historyczne |publisher=Biełaruski histaryczny zbornik |issue=20 |year=2003 |pages=186–188 |access-date=16 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623073822/http://www.bialorus.pl/index.php?secId=49&docId=60&&Rozdzial=historia |archive-date=23 June 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Nowak" /> The Soviets eventually introduced complete [[Sovietization]] policies in Western Belorussia and Western Ukraine, including compulsory [[collectivization]] throughout the whole region. In the process, all political parties and public associations were ruthlessly destroyed and their leaders imprisoned or executed as "enemies of the people".<ref name ="Davies96 1001-1003" /> The Soviet authorities also suppressed the [[anti-Polish]] [[Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists]] for an independent and undivided Ukrainian state, that had actively resisted the Polish regime since the 1920s.<ref name="Nowak" /><ref name="Miner 41-42" /> The unifications of 1939 nevertheless proved to be decisive events in the history of the [[Ukraine]] and [[Belarus]], as these created the precursors to the two republics, that eventually achieved independence after the [[fall of the Soviet Union]] in 1991.<ref name="Wilson 17" />

==Communist and later censorship==
[[Politburo]] jargon would stylize the invasion a "liberation campaign" from its inception. The term would consequently be utilized throughout Soviet history among official references and publications.<ref name="Rieber 29" /> Despite the 1979 publication of a recovered copy of the secret protocols of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact in the Western media, the Soviet Union continued to deny their existence until 1989.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://communistcrimes.org/en/criminal-secret-protocol-molotov-ribbentrop-pact-chronology |title= The Criminal Secret Protocol of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Chronology – 23 August 1979 |date=22 August 2019 |publisher= Estonian Institute of Historical Memory |access-date =19 September 2020}}</ref><ref name="Biskupski 147" />
Attempts to record the factual and fully detailed history of the 1939 Soviet invasion and its consequences have only been made after the fall of the USSR. Soviet [[Censorship in the Soviet Union|censorship]] and inaccessible archives prevented serious historic research until 1991.<ref name="Kubik 277" /><ref name="Sanford 214-216" /> Censorship was also applied in the [[People's Republic of Poland]] in order to preserve the image of "Polish-Soviet friendship" which was promoted by the two communist governments. Accounts of the 1939 campaign were to portray the invasion in accord with the Soviet [[Politburo]] narrative – a reunification of the Belarusian and Ukrainian peoples and the liberation of the Polish people from "Oligarchic Capitalism". The authorities strongly discouraged any study in depth and the teaching of the subject.<ref name="Fischer" /><ref name="Orlik-Rückemann 20" /><ref name="Ferro 258" /> Various underground publishers and artists addressed the issue, as in the 1982 [[protest song]] "Ballada wrześniowa{{-"}} by [[Jacek Kaczmarski]].<ref name="Orlik-Rückemann 20" /><ref name="Kaczmarski" />

=== Russia ===
In a 2009 letter to the Polish daily newspaper {{Lang|pl|[[Gazeta Wyborcza]]}}, Russian Prime Minister [[Vladimir Putin]] stated that the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]] of August 1939 was "immoral".<ref>{{cite book |last=Kuhrt |first=Natasha |date=2014 |title=Russia and the World: The Internal-External Nexus |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1QLPBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA23 |publisher=Routledge |page=23 |isbn=978-1-317-85037-3}}</ref> In 2015, however, as President of the Russian Federation, he commented: "In this sense I share the opinion of our culture minister ([[Vladimir Medinsky]] praising the pact as a triumph of Stalin's diplomacy) that this pact had significance for ensuring the security of the USSR".<ref name="YahooMay2015">{{cite news |date= 10 May 2015|title=Putin defends notorious Nazi-Soviet pact |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/putin-defends-notorious-nazi-soviet-pact-174156837.html |newspaper=Yahoo News|access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, the Russian Supreme Court upheld the sentence of a lower court, that had found blogger Vladimir Luzgin<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/story/how-russia-is-engaged-in-a-battle-for-its-own-history-10691897 |title=How Russia is engaged in a battle for its own history |publisher=Sky News |date=11 December 2016}}</ref> guilty of the "rehabilitation of Nazism" after he had posted a text on social media that characterized the invasion of Poland in 1939 as a joint effort by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tol.org/client/article/26273-russia-supreme-court-luzgin-1939-ussr-poland-nazi-germany-molotov-ribbentrop.html |title=Russia's Supreme Court Questions USSR's Role in 1939 Invasion of Poland |first=Azarova |last=Anna |date=2 September 2016 |access-date=3 September 2016}}</ref>

On September 17, 2021, Russia's Foreign Ministry marked the 82nd anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland with a Twitter post describing it as a "campaign of liberation", stating that "...peoples of Western Belorussia and Western Ukraine greeted the Soviet soldiers with rejoicing".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/MID_RF/status/1438768364353114115 |publisher=Официальный аккаунт МИД России |date=17 September 2021|title=17 сентября 1939 г. Красная Армия начала освободительный поход на территории Польши. Советские войска вышли на линию Керзона, не позволив вермахту подойти к Минску.}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Cursed soldiers]] 1944–1947
* [[Evacuation of Polish civilians from the USSR in World War II]]
* [[Germany–Soviet Union relations, 1918–1941]]
* [[History of Poland (1939–1945)]]
* [[Polish Operation of the NKVD|Polish Operation of the NKVD 1937–1938]]
* [[Russian involvement in regime change]]
* [[Soviet repressions of Polish citizens (1939–1946)]]
* [[List of German military equipment of World War II]]
* [[List of Soviet Union military equipment of World War II]]
* [[List of World War II military equipment of Poland]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group="Note"}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist
|refs =
<ref name="Davies72 xi">[[#Reference-Davies72|Davies (1972)]] p. xi</ref>

<ref name="Kaczmarski">{{cite web |url = http://www.kaczmarski.art.pl/tworczosc/wiersze_alfabetycznie/kaczmarskiego/b/ballada_wrzsniowa.php |title = Ballada wrześniowa |first=Jacek |last=Kaczmarski |language=pl |trans-title = September's tale |access-date = 15 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://archive.today/20121209133244/http://www.kaczmarski.art.pl/tworczosc/wiersze_alfabetycznie/kaczmarskiego/b/ballada_wrzsniowa.php |archive-date = 9 December 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Krivosheev">Кривошеев Г. Ф., ''Россия и СССР в войнах XX века: потери вооруженных сил. Статистическое исследование'' (Krivosheev G. F., ''Russia and the USSR in the wars of the 20th century: losses of the Armed Forces. A statistical survey'', Greenhill 1997, {{ISBN|1-85367-280-7}}) See also: {{cite book |first=Grigory Fedot |last=Krivosheev |title=Soviet casualties and combat losses in the twentieth century |location=London |publisher=Greenhill Books |year=1997 |isbn=1-85367-280-7 }} Same.</ref>

<ref name="Miner 41-42">[[#Reference-Miner|Miner]] pp. 41-42</ref>

<ref name="Neilson 275">[[#Reference-Neilson|Neilson]] p. 275</ref>

<ref name="SCHULENBURG1">{{cite web |url = http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/ns069.asp| title=The German Ambassador in the Soviet Union, (Schulenburg) to the German Foreign Office No. 317 |publisher=Lillian Goldman Law Library |access-date=11 June 2009 |work=Avalon project }}</ref>

<ref name="Stanley 29">[[#Reference-Stanley|Stanley]] p. 29</ref>

<ref name="Weinberg 963">[[#Reference-Weinberg|Weinberg]] p. 963</ref>

<ref name="Kushner 219">[[#Reference-Kushner|Kushner]], p. 219</ref>

<ref name="Biskupski 147">[[#Reference-Biskupski|Biskupski & Wandycz]] p. 147</ref>

<ref name="Carley 303-341">[[#Reference-Carley|Carley]] 303–341</ref>

<ref name="Dallas 557">[[#Reference-Dallas|Dallas]] p. 557</ref>

<ref name="Davies 22, 504">[[#Reference-Davies02|Davies (2002)]] pp. 22, 504</ref>

<ref name="Davies 371-373">[[#Reference=Davies02|Davies (2002)]] pp. 371–373</ref>

<ref name="Davies 376">[[#Reference-Davies02|Davies (2002)]] p. 376</ref>

<ref name="Davies 504">[[#Reference-Davies02|Davies (2002)]] p. 504</ref>

<ref name="Davies02 512-513">[[#Reference-Davies02|Davies (2002)]] pp 512–513.</ref>

<ref name="Davies72 29">[[#Reference-Davies72|Davies (1972)]] p. 29</ref>



<ref name="Davies96 1001">[[#Reference-Davies96|Davies (1996)]] p. 1001</ref>

<ref name="Degras 37-45">[[#Reference-Degras|Degras]] pp. 37–45</ref>

<ref name="Dunnigan 132">[[#Reference-Dunnigan|Dunnigan]] p. 132</ref>

<ref name="Ferro 258">[[#Reference-Ferro|Ferro]] p. 258</ref>

<ref name="Fischer">{{cite web |first=Benjamin B. |last=Fischer |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/winter99-00/art6.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613112054/https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/csi-studies/studies/winter99-00/art6.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 June 2007 |title=The Katyn Controversy: Stalin's Killing Field |work=Studies in Intelligence |access-date=16 July 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="Grabowiec">{{cite web |language=pl |url=http://www.grabowiec.pl/portal/publikacje/epizod_roztrzelany_szpital.pdf |title=Rozstrzelany Szpital |trans-title=Executed Hospital |publisher=Tygodnik Zamojski |access-date=28 November 2006 |date=15 September 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307143816/http://www.grabowiec.pl/portal/publikacje/epizod_roztrzelany_szpital.pdf |archive-date=7 March 2007 }}</ref>

<ref name="Gronowicz 51">[[#Reference-Gronowicz|Gronowicz]] p. 51</ref>

<ref name="Gross 3">[[#Reference-Gross|Gross]] p. 3</ref>

<ref name="Gross 17">[[#Reference-Gross|Gross]] p. 17</ref>

<ref name="Gross 17-18">[[#Reference-Gross|Gross]] pp. 17–18</ref>

<ref name="Gross 182">[[#Reference-Gross|Gross]] p. 182</ref>

<ref name="Gross 24, 32-33">[[#Reference-Gross|Gross]] pp. 24, 32–33</ref>

<ref name="Gross 32-33">[[#Reference-Gross|Gross]] pp. 32–33</ref>

<ref name="Hehn 69-70">[[#Reference-Hehn|Hehn]] pp. 69–70</ref>

<ref name="Henderson 16-18">[[#Reference=Henderson|Henderson]] pp. 16–18</ref>

<ref name="Hiden-Lane 143-144">[[#Reference-Hiden-Lane|Hiden & Lane]] pp. 143–144</ref>

<ref name="Hiden-Lane 148">[[#Reference-Hiden-Lane|Hiden & Lane]] p. 148</ref>

<ref name="Interia-Szack">{{cite web |language=pl|url=http://encyklopedia.interia.pl/haslo?hid=106003 |title=Szack |work=Encyklopedia Interia |access-date=28 November 2006}}</ref>

<ref name="Jackson 75">[[#Reference-Jackson|Jackson]] p. 75</ref>

<ref name="Karta">{{cite web| language=pl |url= http://www.indeks.karta.org.pl/represje_sowieckie_4.html |title=Represje 1939–41 Aresztowani na Kresach Wschodnich |trans-title=Repressions 1939–41. Arrested on the Eastern Borderlands. |work=Ośrodek Karta |access-date=15 November 2006 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061021190059/http://www.indeks.karta.org.pl/represje_sowieckie_4.html |archive-date = 21 October 2006}}</ref>

<ref name="Kenéz 129-131">[[#Reference-Kenéz|Kenéz]] pp. 129–131</ref>

<ref name="Kitchen 74">[[#Reference-Kitchen|Kitchen]] p. 74</ref>

<ref name="Kubik 277">[[#Reference-Kubik|Kubik]] p. 277</ref>

<ref name="Kutrzeba 524, 528">[[#Reference-Kutrzeba|Kutrzeba]] pp. 524, 528</ref>

<ref name="Leinwald">{{cite web | author=Artur Leinwand | title=Obrona Lwowa we wrześniu 1939 roku | publisher=Instytut Lwowski | year=1991 | url = http://www.lwow.com.pl/rocznik/obrona39.html | access-date=16 July 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="Lukowski">{{cite book |last1= Lukowski |first1= Jerzy |author1-link= Jerzy Lukowski |last2= Zawadzki |first2= Hubert |year= 2001 |title = A Concise History of Poland |location= Cambridge, England |publisher= [[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn= 0-521-55917-0 | page=204 }}</ref>

<ref name="Manvell-Fraenkel 76">[[#Reference-Manvell-Fraenkel|Manvell-Fraenkel]] p. 76</ref>

<ref name="Montefiore 312">[[#Reference-Montefiore|Montefiore]] p. 312</ref>

<ref name="Mowat 648">[[#Reference-Mowat|Mowat]] p. 648</ref>

<ref name="Mowat 648-650">[[#Reference-Mowat|Mowat]] pp. 648–650</ref>

<ref name="Moynihan 93">[[#Reference-Moynihan|Moynihan]] p. 93</ref>

<ref name="Neilson 298">[[#Reference-Neilson|Neilson]] p. 298</ref>

<ref name="Neilson 311">[[#Reference-Neilson|Neilson]] p. 311</ref>

<ref name="Neilson 315">[[#Reference-Neilson|Neilson]] p. 315</ref>

<ref name="Nowak">[[#Reference-Nowak|Nowak]] (online)</ref>

<ref name="Orlik-Rückemann 20">[[#Reference-Orlik-Rückemann|Orlik-Rückemann]] p. 20</ref>

<ref name="PWN">{{cite web |language=pl |url = http://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo.php?id=3949396 |title=Obozy jenieckie żołnierzy polskich |trans-title=Prison camps for Polish soldiers |work=Encyklopedia PWN |access-date=28 November 2006 }}</ref>

<ref name="PWN_KW_old">[https://web.archive.org/web/20060509003357/http://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/33490_1.html KAMPANIA WRZEŚNIOWA 1939] from [[Internetowa encyklopedia PWN|PWN Encyklopedia]]. Please note that the above link is the [[Internet Archive]] version, mid-2006. The [http://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo.php?id=3959908 new PWN article] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228231408/http://encyklopedia.pwn.pl/haslo.php?id=3959908# |date=2007-12-28 }} is significantly shorter.</ref>

<ref name="Piotrowski 11">[[#Reference-Piotrowski|Piotrowski]] p. 11</ref>

<ref name="Piotrowski 295">[[#Reference-Piotrowski|Piotrowski]] p. 295</ref>

<ref name="Polish experts lower nation's WWII death toll">{{cite web |title = Polish experts lower nation's WWII death toll |url = http://www.expatica.com/de/news/german-news/Polish-experts-lower-nation_s-WWII-death-toll--_55843.html |access-date=4 November 2009 |date=30 July 2009 |publisher=AFP/Expatica }}</ref>

<ref name="Prazmowska 44-45">[[#Reference-Prazmowska|Prazmowska]] pp. 44–45.</ref>

<ref name="Rieber 14, 32-37">[[#Reference-Rieber|Rieber]] pp. 14, 32–37</ref>

<ref name="Rieber 29">[[#Reference-Rieber|Rieber]] p. 29</ref>

<ref name="Rieber 29-30">[[#Reference-Rieber|Rieber]] pp. 29–30</ref>

<ref name="Rieber 30">[[#Reference-Rieber|Rieber]] p. 30</ref>

<ref name="Roberts 66-73">[[#Reference-Roberts|Roberts]] pp. 66–73</ref>

<ref name="Roberts 74">[[#Reference-Roberts|Roberts]] p. 74</ref>

<ref name="Roshwald 37">[[#Reference-Roshwald|Roshwald]] p. 37</ref>

<ref name="Rummel 130">[[#Reference-Rummel|Rummel]] p. 130</ref>

<ref name="Rummel 132">[[#Reference-Rummel|Rummel]] p. 132</ref>

<ref name="SCHULENBURG2">{{cite web |url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/ns073.asp |title=The German Ambassador in the Soviet Union, (Schulenburg) to the German Foreign Office No. 371|publisher=Lillian Goldman Law Library |access-date=11 June 2009 |work=Avalon project}}</ref>

<ref name="SCHULENBURG3">{{cite web |url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/ns074.asp |title=The German Ambassador in the Soviet Union, (Schulenburg) to the German Foreign Office No. 372 |publisher=Lillian Goldman Law Library |access-date=11 June 2009 |work=Avalon project}}</ref>

<ref name="Sanford 129">[[#Reference-Sanford|Sanford]] p. 129</ref>

<ref name="Sanford 20-24">[[#Reference-Sanford|Sanford]] [https://books.google.com/books?id=tV2AAgAAQBAJ&q=3000%2B7000 pp. 20–24]</ref>

<ref name="Sanford 21">[[#Reference-Sanford|Sanford]] p. 21</ref>

<ref name="Sanford 214-216">[[#Reference-Sanford|Sanford]] pp. 214–216</ref>

<ref name="Sanford 22-23, 39">[[#Reference-Sanford|Sanford]] pp. 22–23, 39</ref>

<ref name="Sanford 23">[[#Reference-Sanford|Sanford]] p. 23</ref>

<ref name="Shaw 119">[[#Reference-Shaw|Shaw]] p. 119</ref>

<ref name="Shirer 503">[[#Reference=Shirer|Shirer]] p. 503</ref>

<ref name="Shirer 525">[[#Reference=Shirer|Shirer]] p. 525</ref>

<ref name="Shirer 536">[[#Reference=Shirer|Shirer]] p. 536</ref>

<ref name="Shirer 537">[[#Reference-Shirer|Shirer]] p. 537</ref>

<ref name="Shirer 541">[[#Reference-Shirer|Shirer]] pp. 541–2</ref>

<ref name="Snyder 77">[[#Reference-Snyder|Snyder]] p. 77</ref>

<ref name="Soviet note of 1943">{{cite web | date=25 April 1943 |title=Soviet Note of April 25, 1943 |url=http://www.electronicmuseum.ca/Poland-WW2/katyn_memorial_wall/kmw_note.html |access-date=19 December 2005 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050909042329/http://www.electronicmuseum.ca/Poland-WW2/katyn_memorial_wall/kmw_note.html |archive-date = 9 September 2005}}</ref>

<ref name="Stachura 125">[[#Reference-Stachura|Stachura]] p. 125</ref>

<ref name="Taylor 38">[[#Reference-Taylor|Taylor]] p. 38</ref>

<ref name="Trela-Mazur 294">[[#Reference-Trela-Mazur|Trela-Mazur]] p. 294</ref>

<ref name="Tucker 612">[[#Reference-Tucker|Tucker]] p. 612</ref>

<ref name="WIF">{{cite book |title=Operatsiia Groza, Ili, Oshibka V Tretem Znake: Istoricheskaia Khronika|last=Bunich |first=Igor |year=1994 |publisher=VITA-OBLIK |isbn=5-85976-003-5 |page=88 }}</ref>

<ref name="Watson 695">[[#Reference=Watson|Watson]] p. 695</ref>

<ref name="Watson 695-722">[[#Reference-Watson|Watson]] p. 695–722</ref>

<ref name="Watson 698">[[#Reference=Watson|Watson]] p. 698</ref>

<ref name="Watson 708">[[#Reference=Watson|Watson]] p. 708</ref>

<ref name="Watson 713">[[#Reference-Watson|Watson]] p. 713</ref>

<ref name="Weinberg 55">[[#Reference-Weinberg|Weinberg]] p. 55</ref>

<ref name="Wettig 47">[[#Reference-Wettig|Wettig]] p. 47</ref>

<ref name="Wilson 17">[[#Reference-Wilson|Wilson]] p. 17</ref>

<ref name="Wojsko90">[[#Reference-Topolewski-Polak|Topolewski & Polak]] p. 90</ref>

<ref name="Wojsko92">[[#Reference-Topolewski-Polak|Topolewski & Polak]] p. 92</ref>

<ref name="Zaloga 80">[[#Reference-Zaloga|Zaloga]] p. 80</ref>

<ref name="pledge">{{cite web |title=Telegram: His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin – Dept of State 8/25/39 |url=http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/psf/box31/t295s04.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020220043844/http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/psf/box31/t295s04.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 February 2002 |publisher=Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum |access-date=11 June 2009}}</ref>


}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin|40em}}
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* {{cite book|first=S |last=Kutrzeba |contribution=The Struggle for the Frontiers, 1919–1923 |editor-first=William Fiddian |editor-last=Reddaway |title=The Cambridge history of Poland |volume1 | publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge |year=1950 |pages =512–543|ref=Reference-Kutrzeba}}
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* {{cite book|ref=Reference-Manvell-Fraenkel|last1=Manvell|first1=Roger |last2=Fraenkel |first2= Heinrich |title=Heinrich Himmler: The Sinister Life of the Head of the SS and Gestapo |publisher= Greenhill |location=London |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-60239-178-9}}
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* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Piotrowski |last=Piotrowski |first=Tadeusz |year=1998 |title=Poland's Holocaust: Ethnic Strife: Collaboration with Occupying Forces and Genocide in the Second Republic, 1918–1947 |location=Jefferson, [[North Carolina|NC]] |publisher=McFarland & Company |isbn=0-7864-0371-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/polandsholocaust00piot }}
* {{cite book|ref=Reference-Osmańczyk-Mango|last1=Osmańczyk|first1=Edmund Jan |editor-last=Mango |editor-first=Anthony |title=Encyclopedia of the United Nations and international agreements |volume=1 |edition=3rd |publisher=Routledge |year=2003 |location=New York |isbn=0-415-93921-6}}
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* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Rieber |last=Rieber |first=Alfred Joseph |year=2000 |title=Forced Migration in Central and Eastern Europe: 1939–1950 |location=London, New York |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=0-7146-5132-X}}
* {{cite journal |ref=Reference-Roberts |last=Roberts |first=Geoffrey |year=1992 |title=The Soviet Decision for a Pact with Nazi Germany |journal=[[Soviet Studies]] |volume=44 |issue=1 |pages=57–78 |doi=10.1080/09668139208411994}}
* {{cite book|ref=Reference-Roshwald| title=Ethnic Nationalism and the Fall of Empires: Central Europe, the Middle East and Russia, 1914–1923 |first=Aviel |last=Roshwald |author-link=Aviel Roshwald |publisher=Routledge |year=2001 |isbn=0-415-17893-2}}
* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Rummel |last=Rummel |first=Rudolph Joseph |year=1990 |title=Lethal Politics: Soviet Genocide and Mass Murder Since 1917 |location=New Jersey |publisher=Transaction |isbn=1-56000-887-3}}
* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Ryziński |last1=Ryziński |first1=Kazimierz |first2=Ryszard |last2= Dalecki |year=1990 |title=Obrona Lwowa w roku 1939 |publisher= Instytut Lwowski |location=Warszawa |isbn=978-83-03-03356-7 |language=pl}}
* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Sanford |author-link=George Sanford (scholar) |last=Sanford |first= George |year=2005 |title=Katyn and the Soviet Massacre Of 1940: Truth, Justice And Memory | location=London, New York |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=0-415-33873-5}}
* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Shaw |last=Shaw |first=Louise Grace |year=2003 |title=The British Political Elite and the Soviet Union, 1937–1939 |location=London, New York |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=0-7146-5398-5}}
* {{cite book| ref=Reference-Shirer |last=Shirer|first=William L.|title=The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany|publisher=Simon and Schuster|year=1990 |isbn=0-671-72868-7}}
* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Snyder |author-link=Timothy Snyder |last=Snyder |first=Timothy |year= 2005 |chapter=Covert Polish Missions Across the Soviet Ukrainian Border, 1928–1933 |title=Confini: Costruzioni, Attraversamenti, Rappresentazionicura |editor-first=Silvia |editor-last=Salvatici | location=Soveria Mannelli (Catanzaro) |publisher=Rubbettino |isbn=88-498-1276-0}}
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* {{cite book|ref=Reference-Stanley|last1=Stanley|title=Missing }}
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* {{Cite book |ref=Reference-Topolewski-Polak| language=pl |url=http://www.dzp.wojsko.pl/dzial/wydawnictwa/zwarte/pdf/EHW_1_2005.pdf |last1 = Topolewski | first1 = Stanisław | last2 = Polak | first2= Andrzej |title= 60. rocznica zakończenia II wojny światowej |trans-title=60th anniversary of the end of World War II | series =Edukacja Humanistyczna w Wojsku (Humanist Education in the Army) |publisher=Dom wydawniczy Wojska Polskiego (Publishing House of the Polish Army) |volume=1 |year=2005| access-date =28 November 2006 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070929020932/http://www.dzp.wojsko.pl/dzial/wydawnictwa/zwarte/pdf/EHW_1_2005.pdf | archive-date= 29 September 2007 |issn=1734-6584 }}
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* {{cite journal|ref=Reference-Watson|last=Watson |first=Derek |year=2000 |title=Molotov's Apprenticeship in Foreign Policy: The Triple Alliance Negotiations in 1939 |journal=[[Europe-Asia Studies]]| volume=52 |issue=4 |pages=695–722|doi=10.1080/713663077|s2cid=144385167 }}
* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Weinberg |author-link=Gerhard Weinberg |last=Weinberg |first=Gerhard |year=1994 |title=A World at Arms: A Global History of World War II |location=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0-521-44317-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/worldatarmsgloba00wein }}
* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Wilson |author-link=Andrew Wilson (historian) |last=Wilson |first=Andrew |year=1997 |title=Ukrainian Nationalism in the 1990s: A Minority Faith |location=Cambridge, New York |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0-521-57457-9}}
* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Wettig |last=Wettig |first=Gerhard |title=Stalin and the Cold War in Europe: the emergence and development of East–West conflict, 1939–1953|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |location=Lanham |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-7425-5542-6}}
* {{cite book |ref=Reference-Zaloga |author-link=Steven Zaloga |last=Zaloga |first=Steven J. |year= 2002 |title=Poland 1939: The Birth of Blitzkrieg |location=Oxford |publisher=Osprey Publishing | isbn=1-84176-408-6}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline}}
*[https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Molotov%E2%80%93Ribbentrop_Pact Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]

{{Polish wars and conflicts}}
{{Russian Conflicts}}
{{Soviet zones of occupation}}
{{Joseph Stalin}}
{{Nazi-Soviet relations}}

[[Category:Soviet invasion of Poland| ]]
[[Category:1939 in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1939]]
[[Category:September 1939 events]]
[[Category:October 1939 events]]
[[Category:Military operations involving the Soviet Union|Poland]]
[[Category:Polish–Russian wars]]
[[Category:Invasion of Poland]]
[[Category:Soviet military occupations]]
[[Category:Stalinism in Poland]]
[[Category:Belarus in World War II]]
[[Category:Western Belorussia (1918–1939)]]

File:ChiliSauce.jpeg

2023-07-19T14:50:22Z

Brandon: Chili sauce

== Summary ==
Chili sauce

Ragepope

2023-07-19T14:37:50Z

Brandon:

Ragepope or better known as "LPope" is a regular chatter and semi-orbiter in Destiny's community. He is known for his take to glass everything with nuclear fire that is not europe (russia excluded) and north america.

[[File:E25hbpGXEAQZmC5.jpg]]

File:E25hbpGXEAQZmC5.jpg

2023-07-19T14:37:36Z

Brandon: Ragepoop

== Summary ==
Ragepoop

Ragepope

2023-07-19T14:28:23Z

Brandon: Created page with "File:YVEmtbx.png"

[[File:YVEmtbx.png]]

File:YVEmtbx.png

2023-07-19T14:28:12Z

Brandon: Baghdad

== Summary ==
Baghdad

Destiny

2023-07-19T14:26:35Z

Brandon: Undo revision 130 by Brandon (talk)

{{Short description|2017 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Destiny 2 (artwork).jpg
| caption = Original box art featuring the game's three character classes: Hunter (left), Titan (center), and Warlock (right)
| developer = [[Bungie]]{{efn|Additional work on PC version was provided by [[Vicarious Visions]]. [[High Moon Studios]] provided development support on downloadable content.}}
| publisher = {{Unbulleted list|[[Activision]] {{small|(2017–2018)}}|Bungie {{small|(2019–present)}}}}
| director = {{Unbulleted list|Christopher Barrett|[[Luke Smith (writer)|Luke Smith]]|Ryan Ellis}}
| producer = Patrick O'Kelly
| designer = {{Unbulleted list|Del Chafe III|M.E. Chung|Tyson Green|Sage Merrill|Christopher Opdahl|James Tsai}}
| programmer =
| artist = {{Unbulleted list|Shiek Wang|Michael Zak}}
| writer = {{Unbulleted list|Jason Harris|Christine Thompson}}
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Michael Salvatori]]|Skye Lewin|C Paul Johnson}}
| series = 
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Windows]]|[[Google Stadia|Stadia]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]|}}
| released = {{Unbulleted list|'''PlayStation 4''', '''Xbox One'''|September 6, 2017|'''Windows'''|October 24, 2017|'''Stadia'''|November 19, 2019|'''PS5, Xbox Series X/S'''|December 8, 2020}}
| genre = [[First-person shooter]], [[MMOG]]
| modes = [[Multiplayer]]
}}
[[File:Destiny 2 (artwork).jpg|250px|thumb|right|Original box art featuring the game's three character classes: Hunter (left), Titan (center), and Warlock (right)]]

'''''Destiny 2'''''{{efn|also known as ''Destiny 2: New Light'' after October 1, 2019 and in Korea as ''Destiny: Guardians''}} is a [[free-to-play]] [[Online game|online]] [[first-person shooter]] video game developed by [[Bungie]]. It was originally released as a [[pay to play]] game in 2017 for [[PlayStation 4]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Windows]]. It became free-to-play, utilizing the [[games as a service]] model, under the ''New Light'' title on October 1, 2019, followed by the game's release on [[Google Stadia|Stadia]] the following month, and then [[PlayStation 5]] and [[Xbox Series X/S]] platforms in December 2020. The game was published by [[Activision]] until December 31, 2018, when Bungie acquired the publishing rights to the franchise. It is the sequel to 2014's ''[[Destiny (video game)|Destiny]]'' and its [[Destiny post-release content|subsequent expansions]].

Set in a "[[science fantasy|mythic science fiction]]" world, the game features a multiplayer "shared-world" environment with elements of [[Role-playing video game|role-playing]] games. Like the original, activities in ''Destiny 2'' are divided among [[player versus environment]] (PvE) and [[player versus player]] (PvP) game types. In addition to normal story missions, PvE features three-player "[[Military strike|strikes]]" and [[Dungeon crawl|dungeons]] and six-player [[Raid (gaming)|raids]]. A free roam patrol mode is also available for each destination which feature public events as well as activities not available in the original. These activities have an emphasis on exploration of the destinations and interactions with [[non-player characters]] (NPCs); the original ''Destiny'' only featured NPCs in social spaces. PvP features objective-based modes, as well as traditional [[deathmatch (video games)|deathmatch]] game modes.

Players assume the role of a Guardian, protectors of Earth's last safe city as they wield a power called Light to protect humanity from different alien races and combat the looming threat of the Darkness. Like the original ''Destiny'', the game features [[expansion packs]] which further the story and adds new content across the game. Year One of ''Destiny 2'' featured two small expansions, ''[[Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris|Curse of Osiris]]'' and ''[[Destiny 2: Warmind|Warmind]]''. A third, large expansion, ''[[Destiny 2: Forsaken|Forsaken]]'', began Year Two with an overhaul on gameplay. The release of the next expansion, ''[[Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|Shadowkeep]]'' (October 2019) began Year Three. ''Shadowkeep'' and future releases are considered standalone releases, not requiring players to own previous premium content. Released alongside this fourth expansion was a version of ''Destiny 2'' called ''New Light'', a free-to-play re-release of ''Destiny 2'', which also included access to the first two expansions. Separate seasonal passes also became available for each season's content. While the main ''Destiny 2'' game has since been free-to-play, all other content requires purchasing.

Year Four saw the biggest overhaul on the game, as nearly half of the game's content from its first three years, including the original base campaign as well as ''Curse of Osiris'' and ''Warmind'', were removed from the game and placed into what Bungie calls the Destiny Content Vault. Alongside this change, Year Four began with the fifth expansion, ''[[Destiny 2: Beyond Light|Beyond Light]]'', which introduced the power of Darkness to the players. Bungie described this expansion as the beginning of a new era for the franchise, as it would be followed up by ''[[Destiny 2: The Witch Queen|The Witch Queen]]'' in early 2022 and ''[[Destiny 2: Lightfall|Lightfall]]'' in early 2023. There will also be a final chapter, ''The Final Shape'', to follow ''Lightfall'' to conclude the first saga of ''Destiny'', called the "Light and Darkness Saga," before the beginning of a new saga.

Upon release, ''Destiny 2'' received generally favorable reviews from critics. Praise focused on its improvements, particularly with regards to its initial story, as well as its gameplay, visuals, exploration focus, multiplayer, and public occasions. Reviews were divided on the recategorization of the weapons, the Leviathan raid, and new modes. ''Destiny 2'' was nominated for and won various awards, such as at [[The Game Awards 2017]] and [[Game Critics Awards]].

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Destiny 2 gameplay.jpg|thumb|left|''Destiny 2'' allows players, known in the game as Guardians, to utilize weaponry and special powers alongside other Guardians. Here a Guardian defends against enemies while another Guardian uses their powers to cast a shield made of Void energy.]]
{{See also|Destiny (video game)#Gameplay}}
Similar to its predecessor, ''Destiny 2'' is a [[first-person shooter]] game that incorporates [[Role-playing video game|role-playing]] and [[massively multiplayer online game]] (MMO) elements.<ref name="Kotaku Destiny Reveal">{{cite web|last=Good|first=Owen|title=Bungie Reveals its Destiny in This Documentary|url=http://kotaku.com/5984863/bungie-reveals-its-destiny-in-this-documentary|work=[[Kotaku]]|date=February 17, 2013 |publisher=Kotaku|access-date=February 25, 2013}}</ref> The original ''Destiny'' includes on-the-fly [[Matchmaking (video games)|matchmaking]] that allowed players to communicate only with other players with whom they were "matched" by the game. To communicate with other players in the game world, players had to use their respective console's messaging system.<ref name="Kotaku Destiny Reveal"/> ''Destiny 2'' features a more optimal way of matchmaking called "Guided Games", which allows players to search for [[Clan (video games)|clans]] who may need additional players for [[raid (gaming)|raids]]. Like the original, activities in ''Destiny 2'' are divided among [[player versus environment]] (PvE) and [[player versus player]] (PvP) game types.<ref name="GameSpot05172017">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-everything-we-know-so-far/1100-6449086/|title=Destiny 2: Everything We Know So Far|date=May 17, 2017|last1=Espineli|first1=Matt|last2=Plagge|first2=Kallie|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 7, 2017}}</ref>

=== Character progression and classes ===
{{Further|Destiny (video game)#Character progression and classes}}
As in the original game, players are able to improve their characters, referred to as Guardians, by gaining [[experience point]]s (EXP) — when a set number of experience points are accumulated, the player's character will level up and gain improved [[statistic (role-playing games)|statistics]] which further enhance performance in battle. As of the ''[[Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|Shadowkeep]]'' expansion, this leveling system has since been replaced with the "season pass" system where players use EXP to "rank up", which rewards different items each rank (while there is no max rank on a season pass, seasonal rewards end at level 100). [[Quest (video gaming)|Quests]], including the "main scenario" quests, are specific tasks given to the player by [[non-player characters]] (NPCs) which reward items and EXP. Completing main scenario quest lines progresses the overarching plot of the game.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cryer|first=Hirun|date=2019-09-30|title=Destiny 2 Beginner's Guide - Story Walkthroughs, Essential Tips and Tricks|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/18-12-2018-destiny-2-guide-walkthrough-clans-dlc-tips/damage-types-and-weapons-guide--what-do-blue-orange-and-purple-shields-mean|access-date=2021-02-21|website=USgamer|language=en}}</ref>

''Destiny 2'' features the same three-character classes as the original ''Destiny''. Each class has its own specific upgrades, perks, special abilities, and three sub-classes that allow players to finely tune their individual characters to provide a different play style. The three classes are Warlock, Hunter, and Titan. After choosing a class, players select one of three species for their character: Human, Awoken (bluish-gray-skinned descendants of Humans), or Exo (humanoid machines). They can then customize their characters, such as changing their gender or skin color. A character's species is cosmetic and does not affect gameplay. Players can create two more characters to have a character of each class.<ref name="GameSpot05172017"/><ref name="EGnewsubclasses">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-05-26-destiny-2-classes-subclasses-titan-hunter-warlock-4747|title=Destiny 2 classes and subclasses - all-new Titan, Hunter, and Warlock skills and supers explained|date=May 26, 2017|last=Tapsell|first=Chris|work=[[Eurogamer]]|access-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref>

*Hunters continue to have access to the Solar-based "Gunslinger" sub-class from the original game and the Void-based "Nightstalker" sub-class from the original's ''[[Destiny: The Taken King|The Taken King]]'' expansion, both with gameplay changes. The Hunter's new sub-class for ''Destiny 2'' is the Arc-based "Arcstrider", replacing the "Bladedancer" sub-class of the original. Arcstrider's super, "Arc Staff", focuses on an electrified staff and a large amount of rapid mobility.<ref name="EGnewsubclasses"/> ''Forsaken'' added three new supers for each of the Hunter sub-classes: "Blade Barrage" for Gunslingers, focusing on throwing a volley of flaming knives; "Spectral Blades" for Nightstalkers, allowing players to see through walls and attack with Void daggers; and "Whirlwind Guard" for Arcstriders, which allows players to block and reflect projectiles by spinning their Arc Staff.
*Warlocks continue to have access to the Void-based "Voidwalker" sub-class from the original game and the Arc-based "Stormcaller" sub-class from the original's ''The Taken King'' expansion, both with several changes. The Warlock's new sub-class for ''Destiny 2'' is the Solar-based "Dawnblade" with a super called "Daybreak", replacing the "Sunsinger" sub-class of the original. The Daybreak super allows the player to make Solar Light blades to strike enemies from mid-air.<ref name="EGnewsubclasses"/> ''Forsaken'' gives Warlocks three new supers: "Nova Warp" for Voidwalkers, allowing players to warp around the battlefield and unleash a Void explosion; "Chaos Reach" for Stormcallers, which unleashes a beam of Arc energy which can be turned off at any time to conserve Super energy but limits mobility; and "Well of Radiance" for Dawnblades, allowing players to create a healing and empowering aura for players to stand in. However, as of Lightfall, it no longer provides an overshield to the players standing inside it.
*Titans continue to have access to the Arc-based "Striker" sub-class from the original game and the Solar-based "Sunbreaker" from the original's ''The Taken King'' expansion, both with significant gameplay changes. The Titan's new sub-class for ''Destiny 2'' is the Void-based "Sentinel", replacing the "Defender" sub-class of the original, although the Sentinel sub-class can create the Defender's Ward of Dawn shielding bubble if this option is selected. Sentinel's super, "Sentinel Shield", allows the player to summon a shield that can block enemy fire and be used offensively (similar to [[Captain America's shield]]).<ref name="EGnewsubclasses"/> ''Forsaken'' added three new supers for Titans: "Thundercrash" for Strikers, allowing players to launch into the air and slam onto the ground; "Burning Maul" for Sunbreakers, which players wield a large hammer than can unleash flaming tornadoes; and "Ward of Dawn" for Sentinels, which unleashes a protective barrier that allows other players to shoot through and empowers their damage. In Destiny, Titans are commonly referred to as “crayon-eaters”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crayon Eater / Marines Eat Crayons |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/crayon-eater-marines-eat-crayons |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=Know Your Meme|date=January 23, 2023 }}</ref>

Among other changes ''Beyond Light'' introduced a fourth sub-class for each of the three main classes, called Stasis, a power from the Darkness in contrast to Solar, Arc and Void which are powers granted by the Light of the Traveler, and generally based on slowing or freezing enemies. The Stasis sub-class does not have separate trees like these Light subclasses but is instead modular: while the fundamental Super ability for each class is fixed, the basic grenade, melee, and protection abilities can be customized, and additional effects, known as Aspects, can be added to these to further tailor the way the ability plays out for the player. Bungie has stated that additional Darkness powers, with the same type of modularity, are planned for future expansions, and that the Light subclasses will be reworked. The Void subclasses were updated in ''The Witch Queen'' expansion to support this modularity,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/16/22177177/destiny-2-beyond-light-stasis-customization-subclass-solar-arc-void-super-remake | title = Destiny 2's older subclasses could get an upgrade, eventually | first = Ryan | last = Gilliam | date = December 16, 2020 | access-date = December 16, 2020 | work =[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/22639643/destiny-2-witch-queen-subclass-stasis-darkness-updates | title = Destiny 2 will update Light subclasses to the Stasis model during Year 5 | first= Austen | last = Goslin | date = August 24, 2021 | accessdate = August 25, 2021 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/gaming/22925771/destiny-2-the-witch-queen-void-3-0-aspects-fragments-titan-hunter-warlock | title = Here are all of Destiny 2: The Witch Queen's new Void abilities | first = Ryan | last = Gilliam | date = February 9, 2022 | accessdate = April 24, 2022 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> with Solar and Arc reforms introduced in later ''The Witch Queen'' seasons. A new Darkness power, Strand, that draws on a psychic power to lash out at enemies with web-like lashes, or move quickly through a grappling hook-type power, was introduced in ''Lightfall''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pcgamer.com/destiny-2-strand-subclass-detailed/ | title=Destiny 2's new Strand subclass looks like sci-fi Spider-Man with magic green webs | website=PC Gamer | date=August 23, 2022 | last1=Ridley | first1=Jacob }}</ref>

As the player completes activities like strikes, raids, and dungeons, they earn experience towards the growth of their character, represented as their "Power" level (formerly their "Light" level). At the time of ''Destiny 2''{{'s}} initial release, this was tracked through an experience leveling system (EXP) that increased their Power level. Since around ''Shadowkeep'', the experience level system has been dropped in favor of a Power level that represents the average Power level of each piece of gear carried by the character, with new and better equipment capable of increasing the overall Power level. A higher character level allows for better equipment with higher Power levels to be equipped. A higher Power level improves damage output and defense. A soft and hard Power level exists for gear which is incremented with each additional expansion or season; players can earn gear up to the soft Power level through most regular activities, but must participate in more challenging events, like Nightfall strikes, dungeons, or raids, to earn pinnacle gear to reach the hard Power level. Gear can be infused with unwanted gear of higher Power level to increase its Power level for the cost of in-game resources.

===Gear===
Weapons and armor were reorganized in ''Destiny 2''. In the original game, weapons were divided as Primary, Special, and Heavy weapons. At launch, the weapons were categorized as Kinetic, Energy, and Power weapons. Primary weapons and some Special weapons in the original – such as hand cannons and sidearms – are classified as Kinetic and Energy weapons. Those without an elemental damage type go in the Kinetic weapons slot while those with a Light-based elemental damage type (Arc, Solar, or Void) go in the Energy weapons slot. Darkness-based damage types (Stasis and Strand) are placed as Kinetic weapons as to avoid crowding of Energy weapon types and give players more options for gear to complete challenging end game content.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/22633723/destiny-2-season-of-the-lost-stasis-weapons-infinite-ammo-exotic-patch-notes-update | title = Destiny 2 is getting Stasis weapons, infinite ammo, and massive Exotic changes | first = Ryan | last = Gilliam | date = August 20, 2021 | accessdate = December 12, 2022 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> Power weapons include the Heavy weapons and the more powerful Special weapons from the first game, such as shotguns and sniper rifles, as well as new weapon types, such as the grenade launcher. As of ''Forsaken'', the weapons system was overhauled, with many Power weapons, such as most shotguns, single-shot grenade launchers, and most sniper rifles, being reorganized into Kinetic and Energy weapons slots. With armor, the name of the stats has been changed. Instead of Strength, Intellect, and Discipline, there are stats for Resilience, Recovery, and Mobility. For armor, the helmet, gauntlets, chest, legs, and class item slots have remained unchanged, but the artifacts slot has been replaced with one for a player's clan banners. In "Beyond Light" Stasis Weapons were also introduced, being used in the Kinetic and Heavy Slot. Lightfall introduced Strand weapons in kinetic and heavy slots as well.<ref name="Eurogamer06092017">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-09-destiny-2-gameplay-beta-features-4747|title=Destiny 2 gameplay changes, beta, release date and everything else we know so far|date=June 9, 2017|last=Reynolds|first=Matthew|work=[[Eurogamer]]|access-date=June 9, 2017}}</ref>

As launched, both weapons and armor were generated with random perks and other attributes from a base set of stats. Special consumable mods could be earned through gameplay or vendors that could be slotted into in weapon or armor piece to improve its attribute. With the ''Forsaken'' expansion, the mod system was revamped. While gear still accepted mods, these were now items that needed to be acquired only once to add to a player's collection from the game's world, either from vendors or as an activity reward, with some mods being only available on more challenging activities. Mods now could be added and swapped out on gear from one's collection the cost in glimmer, as a way to help players customize gear better according to Bungie.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/exclusive-feature/2018/07/26/how-milestones-and-mods-are-changing-in-destiny-2-forsaken | title = How Milestones And Mods Are Changing In Destiny 2: Forsaken | first= Suriel | last = Vazquez | date = July 26, 2018 | access-date = August 31, 2020 | magazine = [[Game Informer]] }}</ref>

The ''Shadowkeep'' expansion brought two major changes affecting gear. First was the introduction of the "Armor 2.0" system; rather that random perks, armor is generated with randomized attributes in six major areas related to each class and to each class skill, along with an assigned element and an energy level. The total attribute score from all pieces of equipment armor influences factors such as class ability cooldown rate, the rate of their super ability, or the cooldown of grenades and melee abilities. Players can infuse resources into an armor piece to increase the armor's energy level. A new array of mods for armor was introduced, most which are limited by element type and require a certain amount of energy. Players can thus add mods into armor that matched the element type, limited by the current energy level for the armor. Each piece of armor is limited to one general mod, two mods specific to that armor type (like helmet or gloves) and a mod related to the seasonal events. Seasonal event mods can be gained through the game world and can also be granted by the re-introduction of season-long artifacts, also with ''Shadowkeep'', which a player gains near the beginning of each season and levels up as they gain experience. As they level up the artifact, they select which mods to unlock which include both special weapon mods and these unique season mods, typically tied to the season's story. The weapon mods included the introduction of special Champions, powerful enemies that required a weapon with the corresponding mod to initially weaken before damage can be done to it. They can also be stunned by particular subclass abilities as of lightfall.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/interviews/2019/7/18/20698114/bungie-destiny-2-shadowkeep-armor-2-0-mod-system-power-energy-strength-discipline-intellect-stats | title = Bungie: Shadowkeep's Armor 2.0 system is about bringing stats back to Destiny 2 | first = Ryan | last= Gilliam | date = July 18, 2019 | access-date = August 31, 2020 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref>

As part of its preparation for ''Beyond Light'', Bungie introduced additional revisions to the gear system in the final ''Season of Arrivals'' within the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion. First, each piece of gear, beyond exotics, would now have a maximum infusion Power level, generally representing the power level four seasons beyond the season that the piece of gear was introduced in as a means to "sunset" these gear items. Sunsetting has since been revised. Any gear that has been sunset will continue to be as such, but anything not sunset will continue to be not sunset. Second, players could now change the element of an armor for similar costs of infusion, and the fourth mod slot in armor gear, which had been restricted to mods from the same season the armor was associated with, was made universal, and now open to allow any mod from the armor's season or the two following it to be used in that slot. This was intended to give players more flexibility in customizing their armor's capabilities.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/what-beyond-light-means-for-the-future-of-destiny-2/ | title = What Beyond Light means for the future of Destiny 2 | first = Phil | last= Savage | date = June 9, 2020 | access-date = August 31, 2020 | work = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref>

''The Witch Queen'' brought a new weapon type, [[glaive]]s, which feature a mix of melee and ranged combat abilities.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/28/22954604/destiny-2-the-witch-queen-glaive-review | title = I'm obsessed with a stick in Destiny 2: The Witch Queen | first = Tom | last = Warren | date = February 28, 2022 | accessdate = April 24, 2022 | work = [[The Verge]] }}</ref> This expansion also introduced weapon crafting, allowing the player to learn patterns for new weapons, build them from materials, and level them to allow them to recraft them for more powerful perks.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/weapon-crafting-will-completely-change-the-way-destiny-2-works-and-i-cant-wait/ | title =Weapon crafting will completely change the way Destiny 2 works and I can't wait | first = Tim | last= Clark | date = February 8, 2022 | accessdate = April 24, 2022 | work = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref> Addition changes in ''The Witch Queen'' include a new additional origin perk for weapons tied to certain activities or event, artifice armor that can be obtained from more difficult encounters which adds in additional seasonal mod slot, and craftable weapons once the player has collected enough versions of a weapon with deepsight resonance.

=== Player versus environment (PvE) ===
Like the original game, player versus environment game types makes up the majority of the game. Areas to explore include [[Earth]]'s European Dead Zone (which was only represented by PvP maps in the original), [[Saturn]]'s moon [[Titan (moon)|Titan]], [[Jupiter]]'s moon [[Io (moon)|Io]], and the [[Centaur (minor planet)|centaur planet]] [[7066 Nessus|Nessus]]. The ''Curse of Osiris'' expansion adds [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] as an explorable area, while the ''Warmind'' expansion adds [[Mars (Planet)|Mars]]. ''Forsaken'' adds two new explorable areas in the Reef: the Tangled Shore and the Dreaming City, the latter being the mysterious sanctuary of the Awoken race and an end-game area that is accessible after completing the campaign of ''Forsaken''. ''Shadowkeep'' reintroduced the Moon location from the original game, though revamped and reprised from its original iteration. There is also a new social space in the European Dead Zone called "The Farm", as the main portion of the Tower of the original was destroyed at the start of ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s campaign. However, a lower, undamaged portion of the Tower becomes the main social space post-campaign. Like the original, there are Patrol missions and public events, but the emphasis has been placed more on the exploration of the worlds, including towns that players can visit and friendly NPCs who can be found in-game and will give side-quests. New missions were added called "Adventures", which allow players to explore the area and go on a treasure hunt-like journey to dungeon-like areas. Some Adventures culminate in what is called a Lost Sector, which are somewhat hidden areas in worlds that lead players to a boss that yields rewards upon its defeat. Lost Sectors can be found and accessed without doing an Adventure. Starting with the ''Curse of Osiris'' expansion, Heroic Adventures were added, which are harder versions of Adventures and they rotate each week.

A map has also been added to the game, which shows the locations of the NPCs, Adventures, Heroic Adventures, Region Chests, and Lost Sectors. The maps of these new areas are much larger than those in the original ''Destiny'', with one being described as twice as large as any area of the original. Players no longer have to leave a planet and go to orbit to travel to another location; they can now do so immediately from their current in-game location.<ref name="GameSpot05172017"/><ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/> Another new activity has been added called Flashpoints, which is a weekly milestone that takes place on one of the eight locations and rotates each week. Players complete public events, loot Lost Sectors and complete Heroic Adventures to earn high-level rewards.<ref name="D2Flashpoint">{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/destiny-2-flashpoints-weekly/|title=Destiny 2 Has A New Weekly Activity Called 'Flashpoints'|date=June 2017|last=Albert|first=Weston|work=Game Rant|access-date=September 8, 2017}}</ref> Similar to the original game, players can pledge their allegiance to one of three factions — Dead Orbit, Future War Cult, or New Monarchy. In ''Destiny 2'', however, the factions now compete against each other in the Faction Rally, which is a periodic event that lasts for one week. Faction points are earned by doing various activities. The faction with the most points at the end of the week earns a high-level reward for 1,000 Glimmer (in-game currency). The losing factions can also gain the reward, but must pay 50,000 Glimmer for their faction's item.<ref name="FactionRally">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/22/destiny-2-bungie-explains-new-faction-rally-event|title=Destiny 2: Bungie Explains New Faction Rally Event|date=September 22, 2017|last=Gilyadov|first=Alex|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref>

Once a player has completed the main story and has reached the level cap (currently any level one wants as of the seasons), they unlock access to different types of end-game content. These activities include Nightfall strikes (a weekly featured strike with modifiers and high-level rewards; as of the ''Forsaken'' expansion, players can choose one of three featured strikes), a strike playlist with modifiers, a Daily Heroic Story playlist, the "Leviathan" and "Last Wish" raids, the "Eater of Worlds" and "Spire of Stars" raid lairs, and the "Escalation Protocol" and "Blind Well" horde activities on Mars and the Dreaming City, respectively, among other PvP activities. A harder difficulty mode called "Prestige" is available for the Leviathan raid and its raid lairs, with modifiers; there are no plans for a Prestige mode for Last Wish. These end-game activities reward players with powerful gear upon successful completion to increase their Power level.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=Samit |title=Destiny 2's first expansion takes you to Mercury (update: Bungie confirms) |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/8/16274074/destiny-2-dlc-curse-of-osiris-expansion-leak-mercury |access-date=11 October 2020 |work=Polygon |date=8 September 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Player versus Player (PvP) ===
Like the original, player versus player combat exists in what is called the Crucible with Lord Shaxx returning as its NPC “Handler.” The original ''Destiny''{{'}}s Crucible featured six-versus-six and three-versus-three game modes, as well as a limited time two-versus-two mode. At launch, all game modes were four-versus-four as Bungie shifted their focus to smaller teams for competitive multiplayer and better map design, but Quickplay modes eventually became six-versus-six. Like the original, player statistics such as weapon power and defense are balanced between players in Crucible game modes. The in-game [[HUD (video gaming)|HUD]] was updated so that players can see if an enemy has their supercharged or has power ammo. Currently, players have the option to choose between four rotating playlists, rumble (a six-player Free-for-All game mode) survival and freelance survival (A version of survival where players cannot choose the teammates on their team), classic mix, and private matches.

Trials of Osiris from the original game was replaced by Trials of the Nine. Like Trials of Osiris, Trials of the Nine begins on Fridays and ends with the weekly reset on Tuesdays. The game mode for this new Trials, however, has changed; instead of using the Elimination mode of the original, Trials of the Nine rotates each week between ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s two new game modes, Countdown and Survival. Only one map is featured for Trials' four-day duration, but the map also rotates weekly. Unlike Trials of Osiris, players can gain access to the Trials of the Nine's social space called The Spire, located in unknown space, for completing a match of Trials and earning Trials tokens. There, players will meet an NPC called the Emissary of the Nine, who will exchange tokens for gear. Gaining three, five, and seven wins on the scorecard, respectively, gain access to the upper tiers of the social space with greater rewards at each tier. Going flawless with seven wins allows admittance into an exclusive area with even greater rewards. Three losses reset the scorecard. To access Trials of the Nine, players must have completed the campaign, completed Lord Shaxx's "Call to Arms" milestone, and have a Power level of at least 260.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/destiny-2-trials-of-the-nine-mode-date/|title=Destiny 2 Details Trials of the Nine Debut [UPDATED]|date=September 8, 2017|last=Albert|first=Weston|work=Game Rant|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-what-is-trials-of-the-nine-how-to-get-st/1100-6453377/|title=Destiny 2: What Is Trials Of The Nine? How To Get Started|date=September 15, 2017|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>

The periodic competitive Iron Banner PvP mode of the original game, which disabled balancing of player's gear, also returned for the sequel. ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s Iron Banner, however, does not disable balancing, with Bungie stating that "Your fighting abilities, not your power levels, will decide the outcome". This was changed following the release of ''Forsaken'', with balancing becoming disabled like the original game. Like the original, Iron Banner lasts for one week and features milestones to complete daily. Players must have completed the campaign and be level 20 to access Iron Banner, which features the returning Lord Saladin from the original game as its NPC.<ref name="D2IronBanner">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-iron-banner-gear-rewards-when-it-starts-/1100-6453830/|title=Destiny 2: Iron Banner Gear Rewards, When It Starts, What's New, And How To Access It|date=October 7, 2017|last1=Pereira|first1=Chris|last2=Makuch|first2=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=October 8, 2017}}</ref>

In Destiny 2's second year a new PvP activity was released called Gambit. This activity puts two teams of four against each other to defeat AI opponents from one of the games different faction's/races (Cabal, Fallen, Hive, Vex, or new with forsaken Scorn), collect their motes and then bank them. A maximum of 15 motes can be held time and for every five motes banked will spawn a different sized blocker on each side. 5 motes will spawn Taken Vex Goblin as a small blocker, 10 will spawn a Taken Fallen Captain, and 15 motes will spawn a Taken Hive Ogre. At different points in the game an invasion portal will spawn where a member of the team can invade the other team to defeat other players who are carrying motes. When a team banks a total of 75 motes the boss will appear, and whoever beats the boss first wins that round. There are three rounds, best of three wins. During Season of the Drifter, a new version of Gambit was added called 'Gambit Prime'. The concept is still the same but, motes required to spawn the boss is now 100. When multiple blockers are present, the team bank will start draining and adding to the other team's total mote count, and the level advantage is enabled.

== Plot ==
{{Further|Destiny (video game)#Setting}}

===The Red War (2017)===
One year after the [[Destiny: Rise of Iron#Plot|SIVA Crisis]], Cabal forces of the Red Legion launch an aerial assault on the Last City, destroying the main portion of the Tower, the headquarters of the Guardians. The player's Guardian and their Ghost respond by assisting the Vanguard in assaulting the Red Legion command ship. As they confront the Red Legion's commander, Dominus Ghaul, his forces attach a device to the Traveler and begin draining it of the Light, the power used by the Guardians. The Guardian loses their powers and is nearly killed by Ghaul. Waking two days after the attack, the Guardian locates their Ghost, who can still heal the Guardian but can no longer resurrect them. They find a haven known as "the Farm" in the European Dead Zone (EDZ) with the assistance of Suraya Hawthorne, a non-Guardian human from the outskirts of the Last City.

The Guardian follows a vision to encounter a shard of the Traveler hidden in a forest within the EDZ. Ghost interfaces with the shard and both its and the Guardian's Light are restored. After restoring long-range communications, Hawthorne intercepts a distress call from Commander Zavala, urging surviving Guardians to travel to [[Saturn]]'s moon [[Titan (moon)|Titan]] and assist in mounting a counter-offensive. Against Hawthorne's objections, the Guardian travels to Titan, which has been overrun by the Hive. With assistance from Deputy Commander Sloane, they learn that the Red Legion was dispatched to the [[Milky Way]] in response to a distress call sent during the [[Destiny: The Taken King#Plot|Taken War]] two years prior, and that Ghaul possesses a superweapon known as the Almighty, a space station capable of destroying stars. Resistance to Cabal rule has resulted in entire star systems being destroyed. The intelligence also reveals that the Almighty is positioned near the Sun, breaking up the planet [[Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] as fuel. Zavala tasks the Guardian to find Ikora Rey and [[Cayde-6]] to assist in a counterattack to retake the Last City. During this time, it is shown that Ghaul, aided by his mentor, the Consul, overthrew and exiled Emperor Calus and took control of the Cabal, and has been studying the Traveler in order to learn how to use the Light and legitimize himself as Emperor.

The Guardian locates Cayde-6 on the [[Centaur (small Solar System body)|centaur]] [[7066 Nessus|Nessus]], which has almost been completely transformed by the Vex. With the aid of Failsafe, an AI from the crashed starship ''Exodus Black'', the Guardian frees Cayde from a Vex portal loop and claims a teleporter for use in taking back the city. Cayde directs the Guardian to find Ikora on the [[Jupiter|Jovian]] moon of [[Io (moon)|Io]] (which the Traveler had partially terraformed until the Darkness arrived), where she had gone to find answers about the Traveler. Ikora and Io researcher Asher Mir direct the Guardian to locate a Warmind, an ancient defensive AI, for intelligence on the Almighty. This intelligence reveals that simply destroying the Almighty will take the sun down with it. Afterwards, the Vanguard reunites at the Farm and conclude that the only way to retake the Last City and save the Traveler is to shut down the Almighty first, eliminating the possibility of it destroying the Sun. The Guardian boards the Almighty using a stolen Cabal ship and disables the weapon, signaling Zavala to begin the counterattack. As the Vanguard begins the assault, the Consul admonishes Ghaul for his obsession with the Traveler, and urges him to simply take the Light by force, rather than trying to earn it; Ghaul is reluctant until the Consul kills the Speaker, whom Ghaul had captured and tortured to try and learn more about the Traveler. Ghaul then proclaims that he will take the Light, and strangles the Consul in a fit of rage.

The Guardian returns to Earth to assist in the counterattack and infiltrates Ghaul's command ship, using Cayde's Vex teleporter, alone to save the Traveler. Ghaul forcibly takes the Light, corrupting it, and uses its power against the Guardian, but the Guardian is successful in defeating Ghaul. Ghaul reemerges as a massive ethereal figure who then speaks to the Traveler directly. In doing so, the Traveler wakes from its long sleep, destroying the device that was harvesting its power and killing Ghaul. It sends a massive shockwave throughout Sol, restoring the Light to all Guardians and decimating the Red Legion's forces. The game ends with a posthumous voiceover from the Speaker, reminding all that the Light can never be stopped. The Guardian and Ghost convene with Zavala, Ikora, Cayde, and Hawthorne at an undamaged portion of the Tower, with the Vanguard returning to their old duties and Hawthorne assuming a new post there. In a post-credits scene, the shockwave sent by the Traveler is shown reaching the entire system. The wave of Light extends beyond the Solar System and spreads beyond the Milky Way, before panning across a fleet of dark, mysterious Pyramid-shaped ships sitting some distance away in extragalactic space. The ships activate and begin moving toward Earth.

Following Ghaul's defeat, a massive Cabal ship called the Leviathan appears in orbit of Nessus (which it slowly begins to consume), under the control of the exiled Emperor Calus. Calus invites Guardians to complete a series of challenges before reaching his throne ("Leviathan" raid). A fireteam of Guardians complete his challenges before facing Calus himself; however, after overcoming his strange powers and defeating him, they discover that they were fighting a mechanical doppelganger. The real Calus speaks through the machine, claiming that what they know is a lie and that there is a truth beyond what the Speaker had told them.

===''New Light''===
====2019====
With the release of the free-to-play ''New Light'' version of ''Destiny 2'' in October 2019, Bungie changed the beginning of the game for new players, reintroducing the first mission from the original ''Destiny'' as the introductory mission for new players. Upon completing this brief mission, which ended with the player finding a jumpship, the player was taken to the Tower, where they met the various NPCs and could begin the ''Destiny 2'' campaign (The Red War), as well as the ''Curse of Osiris'' and ''Warmind'' campaigns, after talking to Amanda Holliday in the Tower Hangar. Returning players could play this opening mission by creating a new character.

====2020 update====
With the release of the ''Beyond Light'' expansion in November 2020, ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s original base campaign (The Red War), as well as all of the content from ''Curse of Osiris'' and ''Warmind'' were removed from the game and placed into the Destiny Content Vault and are no longer accessible (though Bungie may unvault the associated destinations and activities in the future). In game, these removals are explained as planets that had been taken over and removed from normal space by the forces of Darkness. As a result, Bungie introduced a new player experience to introduce new players to the world of ''Destiny''. It features roughly the same opening as the 2019 ''New Light'', but takes players on a quest further into the Cosmodrome to learn more about the ''Destiny'' universe, giving new players' Guardians a more fleshed out origin story. A new NPC for the Cosmodrome was also introduced, who acts as a guide for the new player quest. Veteran players can play through this new player questline by visiting a new kiosk that was added to the Tower, which also contains abandoned quests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/destiny-2-beyond-light-player-experience-change-different/|title=Bungie Reveals How the New Player Experience Will Change in Destiny 2: Beyond Light|date=August 22, 2020|last=Dincer|first=Derek|work=Game Rant|access-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref>

Like the original ''Destiny'', an opening cinematic is shown where a landing pod lands on Mars' surface in [[present day]]. Three astronauts leave the pod to explore the surface of Mars and find an enormous spherical object hovering in the sky. A narration begins, giving a brief history of the Traveler, the Darkness, and the Golden Age of humanity and the first Collapse caused by the Darkness. The game then begins as Ghost is searching among the detritus of Old Russia in the Cosmodrome until it finds and resurrects the player's Guardian, who had been killed in an ancient battle—upon resurrection, Guardians have no memories of their past life from before becoming a Guardian. Ghost then guides the Guardian, battling Fallen enemies along the way, until they encounter a Vanguard Operative, a Hunter named Shaw Han, who is in search of his fireteam members, Cas and Maeve. Han initially tells the Guardian to stay behind and he would get them to the Last City after he finds his fireteam, but the Guardian and Ghost convinces Han to allow them to assist him on his mission. Han has the Guardian go in search of Maeve while he searches for Cas. However, the Guardian is too late, as Maeve was killed by a Hive Wizard called Navôta, Eir Spawn, who also destroyed Maeve's Ghost, preventing Maeve from being resurrected; Han reports that he was also too late in saving Cas. They then meet up back at Han's camp, where Han says to honor his fireteam's loss, they should finish their mission; Han and his fireteam were in search of a Golden Age relic called a superconductor which the Vanguard believe can be used to create a powerful weapon, however, the superconductor is sealed within a chamber and is overloading the building with deadly Arc energy.

The Guardian then goes and collects data from defeated Fallen to figure out a plan to get past the Arc energy. From the data, they learn the location of an ancient array that they need to get operational to balance the power grid to keep the Arc energy from overloading. After successfully raising the array, Han has the Guardian meet him back at camp so they can regroup and then go collect the superconductor. Upon arriving at the camp, however, the Guardian and Ghost find an audio message that Han went on the mission alone, taking the only access key to the superconductor's chamber, and left the Guardian a sparrow so they could make their way to the Last City. Guardian and Ghost find this unacceptable and Ghost ponders that there has to be another access key and scans Han's archived data, leading them to the Forgotten Shore. After searching through some old caches and boosting Ghost's signal, Ghost is able to piece together encrypted data to create a new key. They then head towards the chamber where they encounter Navôta and her swarm of Hive. The Guardian fights off the Hive, forcing Navôta to retreat and they save Han, who apologizes for leaving them behind, stating that he was afraid to lose another Guardian. They then retrieve the superconductor and meet back at Han's camp. With the mission to retrieve the superconductor complete, Han says that Commander Zavala, the leader of the Vanguard, has ordered him to keep post in the Cosmodrome. Han then gives the Guardian Maeve's jumpship, and they use it to fly to the Tower to meet Zavala and deliver the superconductor.

In flight to the Tower, Ghost explains that he revived the Guardian to help protect humanity and reclaim lost worlds. After arriving in the Tower, Ghost tells the Guardian that the spherical object in the sky is the Traveler, which is where Ghost and their Light—their power—comes from. The Guardian then delivers the superconductor to the Titan Vanguard Zavala, who praises them on their work as a new Guardian and instructs them to meet the rest of the Vanguard and other allies. After meeting the Warlock Vanguard Ikora Rey, Ghost explains that there is no Hunter Vanguard as after [[Destiny 2: Forsaken|the death of the former one]], Cayde-6, no Hunter wants to take his place. They then meet a few other important core activity characters, such as the Drifter and Lord Shaxx, before returning to Zavala, who gives the Guardian their first official assignment; Han has tracked down Navôta and Zavala wants the Guardian in on the mission to take her out. The Guardian returns to the Cosmodrome to hunt down Navôta one last time, where they eliminate the Hive Wizard. With that success, the Guardian returns to Zavala, who congratulates them and informs them that after analyzing the superconductor, they can create the exotic submachine gun Riskrunner. Thus, the Guardian has begun their journey to become legend.

===Ongoing content===
{{see also|Destiny 2: Shadowkeep#Plot|Destiny 2: Beyond Light#Plot|Destiny 2: The Witch Queen#Plot}}
While ''Destiny 2''{{'s}} expansions have continued to expand the story, Bungie had begun a larger narrative epic with its seasonal content starting in ''Shadowkeep''. During ''Shadowkeep'', [[Eris Morn]] discovers one of the Pyramid-shaped ships buried beneath the surface of the Moon, and the Guardian encounters a voice from the Darkness, warning them of the fleet's imminient arrival within the system. The Vanguard deal with new threats from Hive and Vex forces loyal to the Darkness as the Pyramid fleet soon arrive in the System and take positions above Io, Titan, Mercury, and Mars. The Darkness attempt to communicate to Eris but are blocked by Savathûn. The Guardians are able to defeat Savathûn's forces, giving the Darkness the opportunity to alert them to a new power awaiting them on Europa. Meanwhile, the Vanguard evacuate their forces from those planets occupied by the Darkness before they are engulfed by a strange force that vanishes them, although Commander Sloan and Asher Mir elect to stay behind, while Brother Vance enters the Infinite Forest on Mercury. The Traveler reacts to this and fully reforms itself just as all the Guardians had returned to the Last City to shelter under its Light.

In ''Beyond Light'', the Vanguard continue to find signs of the Darkness pyramids across the system. On Europa, the Guardians accept the power of Stasis from the Darkness to defeat one of the Fallen Houses that had also learned to use Stasis. Zavala and other members of the Vanguard are concerned about the use of the powers of Darkness but recognize that it is an effective weapon against the oppositional forces of humanity. The Vanguard make alliances with the Cabal and one of the Fallen Houses as they recognize they face a common threat from the Hive, Taken, and Vex. It is revealed that Savathûn is impersonating Osiris, the former warlock Vanguard, possibly to manipulate the current Vanguard. She is trapped in a crystal encasement by Mara Sov, and makes a deal to return the real Osiris if Mara agrees to exorcise her worm using the Techeuns. After the Guardians rescue the Techeuns lost in the Ascendant Realm, Savathûn's worm is exorcised, and she is freed from her crystal prison, returning the real Osiris to the Vanguard.

''The Witch Queen'' focuses on the Hive god and Oryx's sister Savathûn, who has obtained the power of the Light and gifted it to her soldiers (known as the Lucent Brood). Taking place in a new area, Savathûn's Throne World within the Ascendant Realm, Guardians will fight off the Hive who have obtained the Light and take it back while evading her schemes. As the story progresses, it's revealed that the Traveller itself decided to give back Savathûn her life, who actually died, due to no longer having a worm, as shown in a cutscene, and grant her and her brood the light, causing confusion among the Vanguard why the Traveller would help humanity's enemy.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/destinty-2-witch-queen-expansion-features | title = Destiny 2: The Witch Queen expansion features enemies who will use Light against you | first = Stephany | last = Nunneley | date = August 24, 2021 | accessdate= August 25, 2021 | work = [[VG247]] }}</ref> As the Guardians continue to fight off the Lucent Brood, they also learn from memories of Savathûn's past, that her homeworld Fundament had been visited by the Traveller, but before the Traveller could gift them with a Golden Age, an entity called the Witness tricked Sathona, Savathûn's pre-Hive identity, into believing that the Traveller was unleashing a cataclysm on Fundament and to make a deal with the Worm Gods as to create the Hive and turn the Traveller away. Savathûn is stunned and angered by this deception, unleashing her anger at the Guardians as she tries to trick the Traveller. The Guardians kill Savathûn though her ghost Immaru escapes. Elsewhere, outside the System, the Witness prepares for a final assault of the Pyramid fleet against the System.<ref name="gamespot wq story">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-witch-queen-story-explained-the-witness-savathuns-plans-and-what-it-all-means/1100-6501033/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f | title = Destiny 2 Witch Queen Story Explained: The Witness, Savathun's Plans, And What It All Means | first = Phil | last =Hornshaw | date = February 28, 2022 | accessdate = March 12, 2022 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref>

''Lightfall'', released in February 2023, features the return of Emperor Calus, who has become a Disciple of the Witness, and has established a base on [[Neptune]], a new destination for players.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/destiny-2-lightfall-will-send-players-to-the-cyberpunk-world-of-neptune-in-february/ |title=Destiny 2: Lightfall will send players to the cyberpunk world of Neptune in February |date=2022-08-23 |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=pcgamer |last=Chalk |first=Andy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823175543/https://www.pcgamer.com/destiny-2-lightfall-will-send-players-to-the-cyberpunk-world-of-neptune-in-february/ |archive-date=2022-08-23}}</ref> Before being defeated by the Guardians, Calus helps the Witness to acquire an object called the Veil, which allows the Witness to pierce the shell of the Traveller and enter it, much to the shock of the Vanguard and their allies.

''The Final Shape'' is expected to release in early 2024. Its initial trailer showed events taking place inside the Traveler through the portal opened by the Witness, and includes the return of Cayde-6 (with [[Nathan Fillion]] reprising this role).

== Development ==
A sequel to ''[[Destiny (video game)|Destiny]]'' was first mentioned in November 2014, two months after the original released, by [[Activision]] [[chief executive officer]] Eric Hirshberg, where he said "Work has also begun on future expansion packs as well as on our next full game release".<ref>{{cite web| last = Thier| first = Dave | title = 'Destiny' Sequel Already In The Works| work = [[Forbes]]| date = November 4, 2014| url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2014/11/04/destiny-sequel-already-in-the-works/| access-date = January 25, 2015}}</ref> Based on documents of the original release schedule for ''Destiny'', Bungie and Activision intended to release new, disc-based sequels every other year until 2019, with large downloadable expansions in between.<ref name="originalreleaseschedule"/> Originally planned for a September 2016 release (based on the original documents),<ref name="originalreleaseschedule">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-not-launching-september-2016-report-says/1100-6434074/|title=Destiny 2 Not Launching September 2016, Report Says|date=January 22, 2016|last=Hussain|first=Tamoor|magazine=[[Forbes]]|access-date=January 24, 2016}}</ref> Bungie confirmed on February 11, 2016, that a full sequel would release in 2017.<ref name="glimpse">{{cite web|url=https://www.bungie.net/en/News/News?aid=44353|title=This Week At Bungie – 02/11/2016|date=February 11, 2016|author=DeeJ|publisher=[[Bungie]]|access-date=February 11, 2016}}</ref><ref name="IGNY2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/11/destiny-2-in-2017-large-new-expansion-coming-2016|title=Destiny 2 in 2017, 'Large New Expansion' Coming to Destiny 2016|date=February 11, 2016|last=Dyer|first=Mitch|website=IGN|access-date=February 11, 2016}}</ref> That same month, video game writer Christopher Schlerf, who was the lead writer for ''[[Halo 4]]'' and worked on ''[[Mass Effect: Andromeda]]'', joined Bungie.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/destinys-new-writer-proves-bungie-finally-taking-its-story-seriously/ |title=Destiny's new writer proves Bungie is finally taking its story seriously|date=February 16, 2016|last=Skrebels|first=Joe|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref> In December 2016, Bungie announced that [[Vicarious Visions]] would be joining the development team along with Activision.<ref>{{cite web| last = McWertor| first =Michael| title = Destiny development team expands with Vicarious Visions| work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]| publisher = [[Vox Media]]| date = December 8, 2016| url = http://www.polygon.com/2016/12/8/13888632/destiny-development-team-vicarious-visions | access-date = December 11, 2016}}</ref> Unlike the original, it was rumored that ''Destiny 2'' would also release on [[Microsoft Windows]],<ref name="Destiny22017"/> which was confirmed on March 30, 2017.<ref name="release">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2017/3/30/15125010/destiny-2-trailer-release-date-ps4-xbox-one-pc|title=Destiny 2 launching Sept. 8, watch the reveal trailer|date=March 30, 2017|last=Sarkar|first=Samit|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|access-date=March 30, 2017}}</ref>

In Activision's earnings report for 2016, Hirshberg said that ''Destiny''{{'}}s sequel was still "on track for release this fall [2017]." Activision said the sequel would "broaden the franchise's global reach." Hirshberg elaborated that players who had spent hours in the original would "love" the sequel, and for those who had not played ''Destiny'', or had not played in a while, {{blockquote|... we think we've made a sequel that's going to have a lot for them to love, too. The cornerstone of that is a great cinematic story that's been a real focus with a great cast of memorable, relatable characters, coupled with some very nice ways to make the game more accessible to a casual player. Without losing anything that our core players love, we've made it more accessible to someone who just wants to have a great, more casual first-person action experience.<ref name="Destiny22017">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-still-coming-in-2017-new-call-of-duty-go/1100-6447721/|title=Destiny 2 Still Coming In 2017; New Call Of Duty Goes "Back To Its Roots"; Infinite Warfare Underperforms|date=February 9, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref>}}

Bungie had said that players' characters and progression would carry over into future releases.<ref>{{cite web| last = Kuchera| first = Ben| title = Destiny players: Keep grinding, your progress will carry into sequel| work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]| publisher = [[Vox Media]]| date = December 9, 2014| url = http://www.polygon.com/2014/12/9/7359839/destiny-sequel-grinding-gear| access-date = January 25, 2015}}</ref> However, this turned out to only be half true. Characters and progression did carry over into ''Destiny''{{'}}s expansions, but for the sequel, only players' characters' physical appearance carried over if they had reached level 20 and completed the Black Garden quest in the original. In regards to why progression and items did not carry over, Bungie said: "We believe this is the best path forward. It allows us to introduce the major advancements and improvements that all of us expect from a sequel, ensuring it will be the best game we can create, unencumbered by the past."<ref name="Finalevent">{{cite web|url=https://www.bungie.net/en/News/Article/45708/7_The-Road-Ahead|title=The Road Ahead|date=March 3, 2017|author=Destiny Dev Team|work=[[Bungie]]|access-date=March 3, 2017}}</ref> Bungie awarded veteran players in ''Destiny 2'' with in-game emblems that acknowledged their accomplishments in the original ''Destiny''. Players' characters, progression, and items are still accessible in the original ''Destiny'', which will continue to remain online.

[[File:Презентация Destiny 2 в Хоторне, Калифорния (18 мая 2017).jpg|thumb|''Destiny 2'' presentation on May 18 at Jet Center in Hawthorne, California]]
On March 23, 2017, a promotional poster for the sequel was leaked by Lega Network, revealing the game's name as ''Destiny 2'' and a release date of September 8, 2017, with the mention of a public beta for the game. The poster showed that just like the original, ''Destiny 2'' would have PlayStation exclusive content.<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/leaked-image-gives-a-first-look-destiny-2-out-this-sep-1793560899|title=Leaked Image Gives A First Look At Destiny 2, Out This September|date=March 23, 2017|first=Jason |last=Schreier|work=[[Kotaku]]|access-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref> On March 27, 2017, although not directly responding to the leaked information, Bungie tweeted an image of ''Destiny 2''. The image showed The Last City in smoke and flames with "Destiny" and a large "2" over the Traveler.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DestinyTheGame/status/846406524347940871|title=Destiny 2|date=March 27, 2017|author=Destiny The Game|work=[[Twitter]]|access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref> This was followed up with a teaser trailer narrated by character Cayde-6. The teaser showed the Tower under attack by the Cabal, one of the enemy races from the original game. [[PlayStation]]'s [[YouTube]] channel showed a slightly extended teaser, officially confirming that there would be timed exclusive content for PlayStation 4, and it would last until at least fall 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-will-have-ps4-exclusive-content-for-a-li/1100-6449025/|title=Destiny 2 Will Have PS4-Exclusive Content For A Limited Time|date=March 28, 2017|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=March 28, 2017}}</ref> A full reveal trailer released on March 30, showing the three class Vanguards, Commander Zavala (Titan), Cayde-6 (Hunter), and Ikora Rey (Warlock), rallying Guardians in the war-torn Tower. The Cabal are being led by Ghaul, the commander of the Red Legion. The trailers confirmed that [[Lance Reddick]], [[Nathan Fillion]], and [[Gina Torres]] would be reprising their roles as the class Vanguards, respectively.<ref name="release"/> [[Nolan North]] also confirmed that he would be reprising Ghost, the Guardian's [[Artificial intelligence|AI]] companion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psu.com/news/32626/destiny-2-nolan-north-ghost-teaser-trailer|title=Destiny 2 confirms return of Nolan North as teaser trailer debuts|date=March 30, 2017|last=Harradence|first=Michael|work=[[PlayStation Universe]]|access-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref> Bungie had a live stream of ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s gameplay on May 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/03/30/destiny-2-coming-to-ps4-september-8-watch-the-reveal-trailer/|title=Destiny 2 Coming to PS4 September 8, Watch the Reveal Trailer|date=March 30, 2017|author=DeeJ|work=[[PlayStation.Blog]]|access-date=March 30, 2017}}</ref> Other performers reprising their roles included [[Bill Nighy]], [[Shohreh Aghdashloo]], [[Peter Stormare]], [[Lennie James]], [[Claudia Black]], and [[James Remar]], alongside new voices [[Frank Langella]], [[Joy Osmanski]], and [[H. Jon Benjamin]].

On May 19, 2017, ''Destiny 2'' project lead Mark Noseworthy told [[IGN]] that there were no plans for a [[Nintendo Switch]] version of the game. Noseworthy went on to say: {{blockquote|I think it's pretty unrealistic given we're an online-only game, right? The Switch, because it's a portable – and I love my Switch, I've got ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'' here, I've got it with me. It's incredible, I love the console, but in terms of where it's at, I don't want to leave anyone with the possibility of like, 'it's a thing we'll consider, maybe next year.' There's no plans right now for Switch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/19/no-plans-for-destiny-2-on-nintendo-switch|title='No Plans' for Destiny 2 on Nintendo Switch|date=May 19, 2017|last=Skrebels|first=Joe|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=July 3, 2017}}</ref>}}

The Microsoft Windows version of ''Destiny 2'' supports native [[4K resolution]] and uncapped [[frame rate]] (fps), full mouse and keyboard support, text chat, adjustable field of view, and 21:9 monitor support, and was exclusive to [[Blizzard Entertainment]]'s [[Battle.net]] service at the time of its launch.<ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/> Although not native 4K, ''Destiny 2'' does support 4K enhancements for the [[PlayStation 4 Pro]], an updated version of the standard PlayStation 4 that supports 4K rendering. Similarly, the Xbox One had an updated version called the [[Xbox One X]] that released in November 2017 after ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s launch. Bungie added 4K support for the One X, as well as [[High dynamic range|HDR]] support for both updated consoles, on December 5, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/07/22/ask-bungie-anything-about-destiny-2-ign-first|title=Ask Bungie Anything About Destiny 2 - IGN First|date=July 21, 2017|last=McCaffrey|first=Ryan|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamingbolt.com/destiny-2-upcoming-update-adds-hdr-support-and-4k-resolution-for-xbox-one-x|title=Destiny 2 Upcoming Update Adds HDR Support And "4K" Resolution For Xbox One X|date=November 10, 2017|last=Issac|first=Ashish|work=GamingBolt|access-date=November 11, 2017}}</ref> Unlike the Windows version, however, the console versions are locked at 30fps.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2017/06/13/destiny-2-will-run-at-30-fps-on-xbox-one-x/#34aaffb92f27|title='Destiny 2' Will Run At 30 FPS On Xbox One X|date=June 13, 2017|last=Thier|first=Dave|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref> ''Destiny 2'' also has an improvement with its servers, which are a combination of dedicated servers and peer-to-peer networking. Lead engineer Matt Segur explained, "Every activity in ''Destiny 2'' is hosted by one of our servers. ... That means [players] will never again suffer a host migration during [a] Raid attempt or Trials match. This differs from ''Destiny 1'', where these hosting duties were performed by player consoles and only script and mission logic ran in the data center."<ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/>

Grimoire cards that were found in the original game, which detailed the lore of the ''Destiny'' universe and could only be accessed from Bungie's website and the ''Destiny'' app, did not return for the sequel. For ''Destiny 2'', Bungie shifted their focus to in-game storytelling, which was something the original was criticized for lacking. To detail the lore of the universe in ''Destiny 2'', there are many artifacts around the maps that can be scanned by Ghost, who will give details and backstory. Exotic gear and some legendary gear also have a lore tab.<ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/> At the [[E3 2017|2017 Electronic Entertainment Expo]] (E3), a new cinematic trailer was shown, narrated by the main antagonist, Dominus Ghaul. It showed that Bungie did focus more on the story for the sequel than the original, as Bungie was "attempting to go in-depth into the universe and the motivations of the characters."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2017-new-destiny-2-cinematic-trailer-shows-stro/1100-6450847/|title=E3 2017: New Destiny 2 Cinematic Trailer Shows Strong Story Focus|date=June 12, 2017|last1=Newhouse|first1=Alex|last2=Fillari|first2=Alessandro|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 13, 2017}}</ref> E3 2017 also revealed that ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s release date was moved up to September 6, 2017, and the Windows version was confirmed for an October 24 release.<ref name="Sept6Oct24">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2017-destiny-2s-release-date-moved-forward-a-bi/1100-6450873/|title=E3 2017: Destiny 2's Release Date Moved Forward (A Bit)|date=June 12, 2017|last=Dayus|first=Oscar|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 13, 2017}}</ref> The dates for the beta on the console versions were also confirmed at E3 2017. Early access for pre-order customers began on PS4 on July 18 followed by Xbox One on July 19; non-pre-order customers received access beginning July 21. The console beta concluded on July 25, after a 2-day extension. The beta for the PC began on August 29 and concluded on August 31.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2017-destiny-2-beta-date-confirmed-pc-version-c/1100-6450880/|title=E3 2017: Destiny 2 Beta Date Confirmed, PC Version Coming Later|date=June 14, 2017|last=Dayus|first=Oscar|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref>

The original score was composed by [[Michael Salvatori]], Skye Lewin, C. Paul Johnson, Rotem Moav, and Peter Schlosser.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2s-awesome-soundtrack-is-out-listen-to-it-/1100-6453203/|title=Destiny 2's Awesome Soundtrack Is Out, Listen To It Here|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=September 15, 2017|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref> When creating the music, the composers stated their goal with it was to "capture the somber spirit of a civilization confronting immense tragedy", and also to "inspire bravery in the hearts of our heroes as they stand together and fight to reclaim all that they hold dear".<ref name=":0" />

== Release ==
''Destiny 2'' was released worldwide for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One on September 6, 2017, and the Microsoft Windows version released worldwide on October 24.<ref name="Sept6Oct24"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.glixel.com/news/bungie-embraces-pc-with-destiny-2-w483017|title=Bungie Embraces PC With 'Destiny 2'|last=Weber|first=Rachel|date=May 18, 2017|work=Glixel|access-date=May 19, 2017|archive-date=May 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522224010/http://www.glixel.com/news/bungie-embraces-pc-with-destiny-2-w483017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Schreier|first1=Jason|title=Destiny 2 Officially Revealed, Confirmed For PC|date=March 30, 2017|url=http://kotaku.com/destiny-2-officially-revealed-confirmed-for-pc-1793838721|website=[[Kotaku]]|access-date=March 30, 2017}}</ref> There were several editions of the game, including a Collector's Edition, a Limited Edition, a Digital Deluxe Edition, and the standard base game. Like the original, there was an [[Season pass (video gaming)|Expansion Pass]], which granted access to the first two [[Expansion pack|expansions]] of ''Destiny 2''.<ref name="GameSpot03302017">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-cayde-6-figure-available-at-gamestop-wit/1100-6449091/|title=Destiny 2 Cayde-6 Figure Available At GameStop With Preorders|date=March 30, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref> Also like the original ''Destiny'', pre-orders for the game received early access to the game's beta,<ref name="release"/> as well as other in-game pre-order bonuses, such as early access to the exotic weapon "Coldheart".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-how-to-get-coldheart-and-other-limited-e/1100-6453138/|title=Destiny 2: How To Get Coldheart And Other Limited Edition And Pre-order Bonus Items|date=September 6, 2017|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref> Pre-orders from [[GameStop]] received a Cayde-6 collectible figure.<ref name="GameSpot03302017"/> Other figures and toys, such as Lord Saladin, were released after ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s console launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-lord-saladin-and-his-wolves-figure-revea/1100-6449094/|title=Destiny 2 Lord Saladin And His Wolves Figure Revealed
|date=March 30, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref> Per an exclusivity agreement with [[Sony Interactive Entertainment]] that began with the original ''Destiny'', the PlayStation 4 version of ''Destiny 2'' featured timed-exclusive content until late 2018; PS4 exclusive content ended with the release of the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion in October 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/13/e3-2017-destiny-2-ps4-exclusive-content-detailed|title=E3 2017: Destiny 2 PS4-Exclusive Content Detailed|date=June 12, 2017|last=Krupa|first=Daniel|work=[[IGN]]|access-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref>

The Collector's Edition of ''Destiny 2'' included the base game in a SteelBook case, the Expansion Pass, a themed [[backpack]], a "Frontier Kit", which featured a solar panel USB charger with built-in light, a paracord, and a solar blanket, a 15" laptop/tablet sleeve with protective pocket slip, a Cabal-themed collector's box with various items, and premium digital content. The Limited Edition, distributed exclusively from GameStop, included the same physical and digital items as the Collector's Edition, minus the backpack, "Frontier Kit", and laptop/tablet sleeve. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes all of the premium digital content.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-release-date-pc-version-and-collectors-e/1100-6449082/|title=Destiny 2 Release Date, PC Version, And Collector's Edition Announced|date=March 30, 2017|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=March 30, 2017}}</ref> There was also a limited-time PlayStation 4 bundle that included a glacier white PlayStation 4 Pro, ''Destiny 2'', the Expansion Pass, and premium digital content.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/white-ps4-pro-will-launch-with-destiny-2-bundle/1100-6451553/|title=White PS4 Pro Will Launch With Destiny 2 Bundle|date=July 10, 2017|last=Hussain|first=Tamoor|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=September 2, 2017}}</ref>

The Windows version was initially distributed exclusively through [[Battle.net|Blizzard Battle.net]], marking the first non-Blizzard Entertainment title to be distributed via the platform.<ref name="polygon-battlenet">{{cite web|title=Destiny 2 is coming to Blizzard's Battle.net|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/18/15657886/destiny-2-blizzard-battle-net-pc-exclusive|website=Polygon|date=May 18, 2017|publisher=Vox Medi|access-date=May 18, 2017}}</ref> In January 2019, Bungie and Activision amicably broke their publishing agreement, leaving Bungie as the game's publisher for the PC version. The Windows version of ''Destiny 2'' remained on the Battle.net platform for the next several months,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-will-stay-on-battlenet-after-bungies-spl/1100-6464335/ | title = Destiny 2 Will Stay On Battle.Net After Bungie's Split From Activision | first= Eddie | last = Makuch | date = January 10, 2019 | access-date = January 10, 2019 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref> but transitioned to [[Steam (service)|Steam]] upon release of the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion in October 2019. As part of Bungie's plans to expand ''Destiny 2'' to new platforms after their acquisition by Sony, ''Destiny 2'' was added to the [[Epic Games Store]] in August 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/23/23317944/destiny-2-epic-games-store-release-free-dlc |title=Destiny 2 arrives on Epic Games Store with free 30th Anniversary pack |date=2022-08-23 |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=The Verge |last=Warren |first=Tom}}</ref>

With the release of the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion in October 2019, Bungie made several changes to the monetization model of ''Destiny 2''. Bungie's aim was to have the game able to be played by anyone with their friends, regardless of platform, so they implemented cross-saving, allowing players to transfer their characters from one platform to another. Alongside this, they partnered with [[Google]] to offer ''Destiny 2'' on [[Google Stadia|Stadia]], a new game streaming service.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/6/18655373/destiny-2-google-stadia-cross-save-transfer-xbox-one-pc | title= Destiny 2 coming to Google Stadia with character transfers from other platforms | first= Michael | last= McWhertor | date = June 6, 2019 | access-date = June 6, 2019 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> Additionally, alongside the release of ''Shadowkeep'', Bungie made ''Destiny 2'' [[free to play]] in its "New Light" version, making the base game, the Leviathan raid, and many of the player-versus-player modes free, including the first two expansions, ''Curse of Osiris'' and ''Warmind''. Content like ''Forsaken'' and ''Shadowkeep'' can be purchased à la carte by the player. ''Shadowkeep'' and future expansions are considered standalone experiences, not requiring the player to have bought the other additional content.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/6/18655443/destiny-2-shadowkeep-release-date-free-to-play-new-light | title = Destiny 2: Shadowkeep expansion, New Light free-to-play version coming Sept. 17 |first1= Michael | last1 =McWhertor | first2 = Russ | last2 = Frustick | date = June 6, 2019 | access-date = June 6, 2019 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> Further, ''Destiny 2'' introduced a [[battle pass]] system lasting for each season, featuring two tiers of rewards, which include weapons, cosmetics, and in-game materials and currency, for playing various activities during that season. One tier is free for all players, while the second tier is only available to players that have purchased the season pass.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/destiny-2-shadowkeep-battle-pass-new-exotics-weapo/2900-3075/ | title = Destiny 2 Shadowkeep Battle Pass: New Exotics, Weapons, And Armor You Can Earn | first= Jordan | last = Ramee | date = October 1, 2019 | access-date = October 1, 2019 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref> Both New Light and the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion come after Bungie's acquisition of the publishing rights of the ''Destiny'' franchise from Activision.<ref>[https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/10/18177457/destiny-bungie-activision-split Bungie splits with Activision, acquires rights to Destiny] January 10, 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Inline XBRL Viewer |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/718877/000071887719000015/atvi-6302019x10xq.htm |website=www.sec.gov}}</ref>

Bungie announced in June 2020 that moving into the fourth year of content for the game, beginning with the ''[[Destiny 2: Beyond Light|Beyond Light]]'' expansion in November, that it would retire some of the less played existing content into a "Destiny Content Vault" (DCV), making the worlds and activities associated with them unavailable to play, as the developers stated the game had become too large and unmanagable with all the content they were continuing to add (the size of the game client had reached approximately 115 GB). However, they will periodically unvault some of these areas and activities, including updated versions of areas and activities from the original ''Destiny'' (seen first with the Moon in the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion), to give players opportunities to complete quests and triumphs associated with them over time. For example, the Leviathan area was brought back for "Season of the Haunted" with ''The Witch Queen'', though with new activities and changes to the maps to reflect the story elements around it.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/23138400/destiny-2-season-of-the-haunted-17-calus-leviathan-solar-3-0-trespasser | title = Destiny 2's Season of the Haunted sees the return of Calus and his Leviathan ship | first = Ryan | last = Gilliam | date = May 23, 2022 | accessdate = May 23, 2022 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> Bungie said that using the DCV to rework content was an alternative to developing a wholly new ''Destiny 3'' game.<ref name="pcgamesn dcv">{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/destiny-2/content-vault-destiny-3 | title= The Destiny Content Vault is for remaking old content as an alternative to Destiny 3 | first = Anthony | last = McGlynn | date = August 29, 2020 | access-date = September 12, 2020 | work = [[PCGamesN]] }}</ref> However, by August 2022, Bungie stated that they had improved the backend technology behind ''Destiny 2'' that they will no longer vault expansion content.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kotaku.com/destiny-2-lightfall-vaulting-sunset-forsaken-expansion-1849446608 | title=Destiny 2 Promises No More Axing Old Parts of Game, Something That Players Hated | date=August 23, 2022 }}</ref>

They confirmed that Earth's Cosmodrome patrol location and strikes would return during seasons 12 and 13, and that the original game's Vault of Glass raid would also return sometime in Year 4 (later confirmed for Season 14). Bungie announced that they have at least two additional years of content planned out, with the ''Beyond Light'' expansion launching on November 10, 2020, followed by ''[[Destiny 2: The Witch Queen|The Witch Queen]]'' and ''[[Destiny 2: Lightfall|Lightfall]]'' afterwards<ref name="dtoid y4"/>—''The Witch Queen'' was originally planned for November 2021, but was delayed to early 2022, with ''Lightfall'' being delayed to early 2023.<ref name="WitchQuendelayed">{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/destiny-2s-next-big-expansion-the-witch-queen-delayed-t-1846356050 | title = Destiny 2's Next Big Expansion The Witch Queen Delayed To 2022 | first = Ethan | last= Gach | date = February 25, 2021 | access-date = February 25, 2021 | work = [[Kotaku]] }}</ref> By this point in the original ''Destiny''{{'}}s life cycle, a full sequel was the next release. Bungie stated that they did not want to do a ''Destiny 3'' at this time because it would require them, as well as the players, to have to start over and they wanted to instead continue to build upon ''Destiny 2''.<ref name="dtoid y4">{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/bungie-already-has-the-next-two-years-of-destiny-2-planned-out-will-allow-cross-play-between-generations-593657.phtml | title = Bungie already has the next two years of Destiny 2 planned out, will allow cross-play between generations | first = Chris | last= Carter | date = June 9, 2020 | access-date = June 9, 2020 | work = [[Destructoid]] }}</ref> A final chapter will follow ''Lightfall'' to conclude the first saga of ''Destiny'', called the "Light and Darkness Saga," before beginning a new saga for the franchise.<ref name="WitchQuendelayed"/>

In May 2020 Bungie affirmed its plans to release ''Destiny 2'' for the next-generation consoles, [[PlayStation 5]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S#Xbox Series X|Xbox Series X]], and that the game on these platforms would support native 4K resolution at 60fps.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.usgamer.net/articles/bungie-teases-next-gen-news-for-destiny-2 | title = Destiny 2 Is Coming to Next-Gen Consoles | first = Mathew | last = Olsen | date = May 7, 2020 | access-date = May 7, 2020 | work = [[USGamer]] | archive-date = May 21, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200521144653/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/bungie-teases-next-gen-news-for-destiny-2 | url-status = dead }}</ref> [[Xbox Series X and Series S#Xbox Series S|Xbox Series S]], which was revealed after the announcement, would run at 1080p resolution instead. Bungie also confirmed that [[cross-platform play|cross-play]] would be supported within the same family of consoles (e.g., PlayStation 4 and 5) at launch, and between all platforms starting with Season 15 later in 2021.<ref name="dtoid y4"/><ref name="verge crossplay">{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/8/22163382/bungie-destiny-2-crossplay-next-year-2021-launch | title = Bungie confirms Destiny 2 crossplay is coming in 2021 | first= Jay |last = Peters | date = December 8, 2020 | access-date = December 8, 2020 | work = [[The Verge]] }}</ref> The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game were released on December 8, 2020. ''Destiny 2'' players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One can update their versions to the newer consoles within the same family for free and bring existing content across, with Bungie using Microsoft's "Smart Delivery" program for the Xbox Series X/S update. [[Field of view]] customization was also added.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Explore/Detail/News/49650|title=The Next Generation of Destiny > News|author=Bungie|date=October 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name="verge crossplay"/>

As part of general growth of the company, Bungie announced in early 2021 that it was looking to expand the ''Destiny'' IP beyond video games and creating a "Destiny Universe". As part of this, in March 2021, ''Destiny 2''{{'}} current leads Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy were named as executive creative director and vice president, respectively, of Bungie's new Destiny Universe division, while Justin Truman was named to general manager for ''Destiny 2''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bungie-says-its-expanding-destiny-2-into-other-media/1100-6487775/ | title = Bungie Says It's Expanding Destiny 2 Into Other Media | first = Phil | last = Hornshaw | date = March 5, 2021 | accessdate = March 5, 2021 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref>

=== Post-release content ===
{{main|Destiny 2 post-release content|Destiny 2: Forsaken|Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|Destiny 2: Beyond Light|Destiny 2: The Witch Queen}}
{{Timeline of release years
| title = ''Destiny 2'' content releases
| subtitle = Original game, expansions (in '''bold'''), and seasons
| align = right
| first =
| 2017a = '''''Destiny 2'''''
| 2017b = '''''[[Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris|Curse of Osiris]]'''''
| 2018a = '''''[[Destiny 2: Warmind|Warmind]]'''''
| 2018b = '''''[[Destiny 2: Forsaken|Forsaken]]'''''/''Season of the Outlaw''
| 2018c = *''Season of the Forge''
| 2019a = *''Season of the Drifter''
| 2019b = *''Season of Opulence''
| 2019c = '''''[[Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|Shadowkeep]]'''''
| 2019d = *''Season of the Undying''
| 2019e = *''Season of Dawn''
| 2020a = *''Season of the Worthy''
| 2020b = *''Season of Arrivals''
| 2020c = '''''[[Destiny 2: Beyond Light|Beyond Light]]'''''
| 2020d = *''Season of the Hunt''
| 2021a = *''Season of the Chosen''
| 2021b = *''Season of the Splicer''
| 2021c = *''Season of the Lost''
| 2022a = '''''[[Destiny 2: The Witch Queen|The Witch Queen]]'''''
| 2022b = *''Season of the Risen''
| 2022c = *''Season of the Haunted''
| 2022d = *''Season of Plunder''
| 2022e = *''Season of the Seraph''
| 2023a = '''''[[Destiny 2: Lightfall|Lightfall]]'''''
| 2023b = *''Season of Defiance''
| 2023c = *''Season of the Deep''
| 2024 = '''''[[Destiny 2: The Final Shape|The Final Shape]]'''''
}}
Prior to the console release, Bungie said that they had already begun working on post-release content. Bungie stated that their plan was to provide post-release content at a quicker rate than that of the original ''Destiny'', which was criticized for not having enough content post-launch and between each of its expansions releases. One of the team's remedies for this were the Adventures and Lost Sectors activities that were added to the free roam Patrol mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/destiny-2-post-launch-plans/|title=Destiny 2 Devs Talk Post-Release Content Plans|date=June 2017|last=Henry|first=Jasmine|work=Game Rant|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> Bungie also announced the ''Destiny 2'' Expansion Pass prior to launch, which granted access to the first two expansions of the game.<ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/> The in-game clan features became available a few days after the game's launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2s-clan-features-wont-work-in-game-for-sev/1100-6453128/|title=Destiny 2's Clan Features Won't Work In-Game For "Several Days" After Launch|date=September 7, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> The Guided Games feature became available on September 12 for the Nightfall activity, the game's first raid, "Leviathan", unlocked on September 13 (with the Guided Games in beta), and Trials of the Nine became available on September 15, along with the character Xûr from the original game, the exotic items vendor who only appears on the weekends.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-release-date-on-ps4-and-xbox-one-raid-an/1100-6453052/|title=Destiny 2 Release Date On PS4 And Xbox One, Raid And Nightfall Debuts Confirmed|date=September 6, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> The three factions and their respective NPCs from the original game returned on September 26 for a new periodic event, Faction Rally.<ref name="FactionRally"/> The competitive Iron Banner PvP mode from the original returned on October 10.<ref name="D2IronBanner"/> The prestige mode for the Leviathan raid was originally scheduled to unlock on October 10, but was delayed to October 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2s-prestige-raid-for-leviathan-unlocks-nex/1100-6453827/|title=Destiny 2's Prestige Raid For Leviathan Unlocks Next Week|date=October 7, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=October 8, 2017}}</ref>

The game's first expansion released on December 5, 2017. Named ''[[Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris|Curse of Osiris]]'', it focuses on the character Osiris from the lore of the original ''Destiny''. The expansion takes players to the planet Mercury with its own patrol mode. Additionally, the EXP level cap was raised to 25 and the Power level cap was raised to 330. There was also a timed-exclusive Crucible map for PS4 players called Wormhaven. Instead of an entirely new raid, a feature called raid lair was added, featuring new areas to the existing Leviathan raid and a different final boss.<ref name="ExpansionI">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-curse-of-osiris-dlc-increases-the-level-/1100-6454529/|title=Destiny 2 Curse Of Osiris DLC Increases The Level Cap|date=October 31, 2017|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=November 2, 2017}}</ref> The second expansion, ''[[Destiny 2: Warmind|Warmind]]'', was released on May 8, 2018, and focuses on the Warmind Rasputin from the original game. This expansion takes players to the planet Mars in a new area called [[Hellas Planitia|Hellas Basin]]. The expansion also features a new mode called "Escalation Protocol", a horde mode which can be started by any player in the patrol mode on Mars. As well, the EXP level cap was raised to 30 and the Power level cap was raised to 380. In addition to Rasputin, a new character named Ana Bray (also from the lore of the original ''Destiny'') was added, who serves as the primary NPC on Mars. Like the previous expansion, ''Warmind'' also includes a second raid lair on the Leviathan. The expansion also added progressive ranking systems for PvP, titled Valor and Glory. Players earn Valor in quickplay matches while Glory is earned in competitive matches, with each new rank earning greater rewards. Valor points are earned regardless of win or loss, while Glory points are earned by wins but reduced by losses.<ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/> Both expansions featured timed-exclusive content for the PlayStation 4 platform, which became available for other platforms in late 2019.

The third expansion, ''[[Destiny 2: Forsaken|Forsaken]]'', was released on September 4, 2018, beginning Year 2 of ''Destiny 2''. Similar to the original [[Destiny: The Taken King|''Destiny''{{'}}s ''The Taken King'']] expansion, ''Forsaken'' had a large overhaul on gameplay, though not to the extent that ''The Taken King'' had with the original ''Destiny''. A large expansion, Bungie described the story as having a "western revenge" theme. A large portion of the expansion takes place in the Reef's Tangled Shore, including a new raid called "Last Wish", which takes place in the end-game area, the Dreaming City, also located in the Reef. The developers claimed that it had more bosses than any previous raid (including from the original game) with a massive roam area, puzzles, and the raid changed over time based on players' actions in the raid itself. A new mode called Gambit was also added that combines PvE and PvP, and features its own ranking system called Infamy, which works similar to the Crucible's Valor ranking system. Two teams of four players compete against each other while facing PvE enemies. A new weapon type, a bow and arrow, was also added. The EXP level cap was raised to 50 and the Power level cap was raised to 600.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-forsaken-dlc-release-date-new-mode-trail/1100-6459402/|title=Destiny 2 Forsaken DLC Release Date, New Mode, Trailer, And More Details|date=June 6, 2018|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 8, 2018}}</ref> A trailer displayed during Sony's E3 2018 press conference showed the death of Cayde-6 by the hands of the returning Prince [[Uldren Sov]]. Uldren is driven to find his lost sister, Queen Mara Sov, believing her to still be alive after the events of ''The Taken King'' and he leads the Scorn, former Fallen that were revived from the dead and have become their own race.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-new-destiny-2-forsaken-trailer-shows-cayde/1100-6459729/|title=E3 2018: New Destiny 2 Forsaken Trailer Shows Cayde-6 In Serious Trouble|date=June 12, 2018|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=June 14, 2018}}</ref> The launch trailer for ''Forsaken'' revealed that the player's Guardian would once again speak; the player's Guardian had not spoken since the end of the original ''Destiny''{{'}}s base campaign. ''Forsaken'' also began a seasonal cycle of content for ''Destiny 2'', introducing new story content, activities, and gear, some which required purchase of the season pass. ''Forsaken''{{'}}s seasons included ''Season of the Forge'', introducing the character of Ada-1 and the Black Armories which were under threat from Cabal, Fallen, and Vex forces, ''Season of the Drifter'' which explored the Drifter's connection to the mysterious Nine, and ''Season of Opulence'', during which Calus invited the Guardians to challenges aboard the Leviathan for his entertainment.

The fourth major expansion for the game, ''[[Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|Shadowkeep]]'', was released on October 1, 2019 (delayed from its original release of September 17) and is similar in scope to ''Forsaken'' and the original [[Destiny: Rise of Iron|''Destiny''{{'}}s ''Rise of Iron'']] expansion. The expansion, which began Year 3 of ''Destiny 2'', sees players return to the [[Moon]], an area that was featured in the first game. The location was reprised and expanded upon with Bungie claiming it to be twice the size of the original location from ''Destiny''.<ref name="Gilliam">{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/17/18679445/destiny-2-shadowkeep-moon-black-garden-artifact-gate-lord-armor-2-0-pvp-crota-exotic-finishing-move|title=Everything we know is coming to Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|last=Gilliam|first=Ryan|date=2019-06-17|website=Polygon|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> The story of ''Shadowkeep'' sees the return of [[Eris Morn]], a character from the first game who had been absent since the events of the Red War. Eris seeks the help of the Guardian in defeating "Nightmares" that she released into the Solar System, which are manifestations of the Guardian's past traumas. Players face off against their previous adversaries, which are being resurrected by the Darkness. Throughout the story, Eris and the Guardians work together to figure out the cause of this unleashed madness and do what they can to put a stop to it.<ref>{{Citation|last=Bungie|title=Bungie ViDoc - Out of the Shadows|date=2019-06-06|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVk4PkTG99o|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> The expansion includes a return to the Black Garden on Mars for a new six-player raid, Garden of Salvation.<ref name="Gilliam"/> ''Shadowkeep''{{'s}} seasonal content included the ''Season of the Undying'', with the Vanguard preventing a Vex invasion of the Moon by the Undying Mind, ''Season of Dawn'', where the Guardian aids Orisis with the Sundial to prevent the Red Legion from altering the past and to bring back Saint-14 to the present, ''Season of the Worthy'', in which Zavala and Ana Bray enlist the Vanguards to help Rasputin to stop the Almighty from crashing into the Last City, and ''Season of Arrivals'', where the Guardians help protect Eris Morn from Taken and Hive as she tries to commune with the approaching Darkness and Pyramids of the Black Fleet.

Year 4 of ''Destiny 2'' began with the large expansion titled ''Beyond Light'' on November 10, 2020 (delayed from its original release date of September 22); Bungie described this release as the start of a new era for the franchise. The expansion introduces a new location, Jupiter's icy moon [[Europa (moon)|Europa]], reintroduces Earth's Cosmodrome area from the original ''Destiny'', and moved some older locations into the DCV, including Io, Mars, Mercury, Titan, and the Leviathan, which Bungie described as helping to better manage current content in the game in anticipation of future updates.<ref name="pcgamesn dcv"/> ''Beyond Light'' also represented a major shift in the storytelling approach to ''Destiny 2'' which had been experimented with in the ''Season of Arrivals'', the last season of ''Shadowkeep''. Senior narrative lead Julia Nardin stated that around ''Arrivals'' the writing team started to explore a more serialized approach with their narrative content, and within ''Beyond Light'', mapped out the major story elements of each season similar to a television show to be played out in six to eight segments over the course of that season, and having each season's story arc fit into a larger overall arcing storyline.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/how-bungie-made-savathun-destiny-2s-best-villain-yet-and-turned-seasons-into-gripping-tv-shows/ | title = How Bungie made Savathun Destiny 2's best villain yet and turned seasons into gripping TV shows | first = Austin | last= Wood | date = September 24, 2021 | accessdate = September 28, 2021 | work = [[GamesRadar]] }}</ref> Gameplay-wise, players learn a new elemental ability—the first new elemental ability introduced to the series since the original ''Destiny'' launched in September 2014. The new ability Stasis uses power of Darkness itself rather than Light. The Exo Stranger, who had not been seen since the end of the original ''Destiny''{{'}}s campaign, also returned, along with Variks, the Loyal, from the original game's ''[[Destiny: House of Wolves|House of Wolves]]'' expansion—though he was an [[unseen character]] in ''Forsaken'' whose actions inadvertently caused the death of Cayde-6.<ref name="dtoid y4"/> The Exo Stranger and Variks guide the Guardian on Europa to stop a Fallen Kell named Eramis from using the Darkness to destroy the Traveler and its followers. Among its seasonal content included the ''Season of the Hunt'', focusing on the return of an amnesic Uldren Sov, now going by "Crow", as he helps the Vanguard hunt down Hive Wrathborne, ''Season of the Chosen'', where Calus' daughter and now Emperor Caiatl has come to the System to challenge the Vanguard to ritual combat as a prelude to a potential truce, and ''Season of the Splicer'', where Mithrax, the Kell of the Fallen House of Light, helps the Vanguard put an end to a Vex attack on the Last City. Crossplay functionality was added on August 24, 2021, with Season of the Lost, allows players from all supported platforms to play together.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.shacknews.com/article/125886/destiny-2-crossplay-release-date | title = Destiny 2 crossplay release date | date = July 29, 2021 | accessdate = August 30, 2021 }}</ref> Season of the Lost follows the return of Mara Sov, Queen of the Awoken, as she works alongside the guardian & Savathûn herself to help exorcise Savathûns worm and exact revenge on The Witch Queen for her involvement in corrupting both her brother, Uldren Sov, and The Dreaming City during the events of Forsaken and the Last Wish Raid.<ref>{{Citation|title=Destiny 2: Beyond Light - Season of the Lost Trailer|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFF6tsCXzfE|language=en|access-date=2021-10-01}}</ref> As well as ensuring the return of Osiris, who Savathun herself admits to kidnapping and pretending to take his place in order to prepare the armies of the Sol system for the coming battle with the Darkness <ref>{{Cite web|last=Tassi|first=Paul|title=Destiny 2's Season Of The Lost Had A Truly Wild First Week|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2021/08/30/destiny-2s-season-of-the-lost-had-a-truly-wild-first-week/|access-date=2021-10-01|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>

''The Witch Queen'' expansion was released on February 22, 2022, beginning the fifth year of ''Destiny 2''. The main focus is on the titular character, Savathûn, one of the three leaders of the Hive, who has been discreetly bringing in some citizens of the Last City under her control during events of ''Beyond Light''. The expansion introduces Savathûn's Throne World within the Ascendant realm as a new area for gameplay, as well as Lucent Hive, Hive warriors that have been imbued with the power of the Light. A new weapon type, the [[glaive]], was introduced, which has a balanced range of melee and projectile attacks. The expansion also introduces weapon crafting, initially with gear found in the ''Witch Queen'' expansion but eventually working in legacy equipment.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/destiny-the-witch-queen-expansion-february-22-2022-161057600.html | title = 'Destiny 2' The Witch Queen expansion heads to PC and consoles on February 22nd, 2022 | first = Igor | last = Bonifacic | date = August 24, 2021 | accessdate = August 24, 2021 | work = [[Engadget]] }}</ref> Alongside ''The Witch Queen'', Bungie plans to introduce a new raid or dungeon every three months, and will begin rotating raids and dungeons as they increase their availability.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/22645202/destiny-2-witch-queen-dungeon-raid-schedule-release-season | title = Nobody is talking about this week's biggest Destiny 2 announcement | first =Ryan | last = Gilliam |date = August 27, 2021 | accessdate = August 28, 2021 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref>

In addition to these expansions, ''Destiny 2'' features limited time seasonal events that recur annually tied to real-world holidays, many introduced during its first year of service. These events are free to all players, offering unique gear and cosmetic items for completing special gameplay modes and quests offered during the event period, and new Triumph and Milestones for players to achieve. "The Dawning" event originated from ''Destiny'' themed around the [[Christmas and holiday season|holiday season]], with players worked to craft special cookies to deliver to NPCs across the System.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2s-holiday-event-is-now-playable-on-ps4-xb/1100-6455748/|title=Destiny 2's Holiday Event Is Now Playable On PS4, Xbox One, And PC|last=Newhouse|first=Alex|date=December 19, 2017|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=December 20, 2017}}</ref> "Guardian Games" is a mid-year themed event typically associated with both the [[summer]] season as well as the [[Summer Olympic Games]]. Each class of Guardian are challenged in a friendly contest to earn the most points for their class.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/destiny-2-guardian-games-2021-armor/ | title = Destiny 2 Guardian Games 2021: Everything we know | first = Ryan | last = Esler | date = April 20, 2021 | accessdate = October 12, 2021 | work = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref> "Solstice of Heroes" was original introduced in 2018 to celebrate the end of the Red War campaign but has since played out as a mid-year event, where players work to improve special armor by completing various challenges.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/22559030/destiny-2-solstice-heroes-2021-season-splicer-armor-glows-shotgun-eververse | title= Destiny 2's Solstice of Heroes event adds new armor and a shotgun | first = Ryan | last = Gilliam | date = July 1, 2021 | accessdate = October 12, 2021 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> The "Festival of the Lost" is a [[Halloween]]-themed event, where players hunt down special enemies in spooky-themed versions of world areas to collect candy and gain rewards.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/destiny-2-festival-of-the-lost-returns-with-new-rewards-and-haunted-sectors/ | title = Destiny 2 Festival of the Lost returns with new rewards and Haunted Sectors | first = Hirun | last= Cryer | date = October 12, 2021 | accessdate = October 12, 2021 | work = [[GamesRadar]] }}</ref> "The Revelry" had been offered in 2019 and 2020, an event to celebrate the start of [[spring (season)|spring]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/destiny-2-the-revelry-start-end-times-rewards | title = Destiny 2: The Revelry Spring event | first= Stephany | last= Nunneley | date = May 3, 2019 | accessdate = October 12, 2021 | work = [[VG247]] }}</ref> "Crimson Days", the [[Valentine's Day]]-themed event from Year 2 (2016) of the original ''Destiny'', featured a 2-versus-2 Crucible mode that encouraged teammates to stay close to improve their winning chances, but this was also retired in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-crimson-days-launches-with-new-update-on/1100-6456750/|title=Destiny 2 Crimson Days Launches With New Update On PC, PS4, And Xbox One|last=Pereira|first=Chris|date=February 13, 2018|work=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=February 13, 2018}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PS4: 85/100<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/destiny-2 |title=Destiny 2 for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> XONE: 87/100<ref name="MCXONE">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/destiny-2 |title=Destiny 2 for Xbox One Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> PC: 83/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/destiny-2 |title=Destiny 2 for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=February 12, 2018}}</ref>
| Destruct = 7.5/10<ref name="DestructoidReview">{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=September 11, 2017 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-destiny-2-459702.phtml |title=Review: Destiny 2 |website=[[Destructoid]] |access-date=September 11, 2017}}</ref>
| EGM = 8/10<ref name="EGMReview">{{cite magazine |last=Slead |first=Evan |date=September 14, 2017 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/destiny-2-review |title=Destiny 2 review |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |access-date=September 14, 2017}}</ref>
| GI = 9/10<ref name="GIReview">{{cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=September 15, 2017 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/destiny_2/b/playstation4/archive/2017/09/15/game-informer-review-destiny-2.aspx |title=A Streamlined Future - Destiny 2 - PlayStation 4 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>
| GameRev = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="GameRevReview">{{cite web |last=Perez |first=Cody |date=September 13, 2017 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/347609-destiny-2-final-review-what-destiny-shouldve-been |title=Destiny 2 Final Review – What Destiny Should've Been |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=September 13, 2017}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8/10<ref name="GSpotReview">{{cite web |last=Plagge |first=Kallie |date=September 15, 2017 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/destiny-2-review/1900-6416758/ |title=Destiny 2 Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>
| GRadar = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="GRadarReview">{{cite web |last=Houghton |first=David |date=September 15, 2017 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/destiny-2-review/ |title=Destiny 2 review: 'This isn't Destiny. This is something new. Something bigger, smarter, richer, and better' |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>
| GB = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="GBReview">{{cite web |last=Shoemaker |first=Brad |date=September 18, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/destiny-2-review/1900-769/ |title=Destiny 2 Review |publisher=[[Giant Bomb]] |access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.5/10<ref name="IGNReview">{{cite web |last=Legarie |first=Destin |date=September 15, 2017 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/15/destiny-2-review |title=Destiny 2 Review |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>
| Poly = 9/10<ref name="PolyReview">{{cite web |last1=Sarkar |first1=Samit |last2=Frushtick |first2=Russ |date=September 20, 2017 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/5/16230016/destiny-2-review |title=Destiny 2 review |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=September 20, 2017}}</ref>
| VG = 8/10<ref name="VGReview">{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Alice |date=September 15, 2017 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/destiny-2-review |title=Destiny 2 review |publisher=VideoGamer.com |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>
}}

''Destiny 2'' received "generally favorable" reviews, according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPS4"/><ref name="MCXONE"/> Some reviewers labeled the game as ''Destiny 1.5'' due to its many similarities to the original ''Destiny'', but praise was given to improvements made over its predecessor.<ref name="DestructoidReview"/><ref name="EGMReview"/>

As with the original, gameplay was highly praised, with Chris Carter of ''[[Destructoid]]'' saying that it was what "the game nails ... the most".<ref name="DestructoidReview"/> ''[[Game Informer]]''{{'}}s Matt Miller said that like the original, "Gameplay features remarkably taut FPS gunplay enhanced with seemingly magical powers." Miller went on to say that the gameplay's biggest change was a welcome, referring to the reorganization of destinations and the emphasis on exploration.<ref name="GIReview"/> Evan Slead of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' (''EGM'') also praised the exploration, but was not a fan of the recategorization of the weapons. Although he said the variety of weapons were fun, the Kinetic weapons "didn't seem to pack as much of a punch as their Energy [weapon] counterparts."<ref name="EGMReview"/> Cody Perez of ''[[Game Revolution]]'', however, welcomed the recategorized weapons, saying they were less restrictive and said that "Bungie are masters of gun-play".<ref name="GameRevReview"/> Kallie Plagge of ''[[GameSpot]]'' said that the game features mostly the same structure as the original, including its "mechanically excellent shooting and satisfying loot grind".<ref name="GSpotReview"/> Carter praised the Lost Sectors and public events, as well as the additional story quests and Adventures post-campaign.<ref name="GIReview"/> Miller said that the Lost Sectors were fun, but they became less interesting with the more that were done.<ref name="EGMReview"/> Perez, however, was not a fan of the Adventures and Lost Sectors activities, saying they were a "disconnect [from] the main campaign". He said that they were filler content, and that they were "monotonous and a bore to accomplish, lacking the heart that fills the campaign." He did praise the public events as they are only periodic.<ref name="GameRevReview"/>

The Leviathan raid received praise and criticism. Miller of ''Game Informer'' stated that the Leviathan raid was "one of Bungie's most intricate and fascinating environments to date", praising its maze-like structure with hidden chests and secret passages. He was critical of the award system, however, stating that it "separates the excitement of new gear from the moment of victory", as it does not offer most loot until a full completion.<ref name="GIReview"/> Slead of ''EGM'' said that "the bread and butter of ''Destiny'' is still these post-campaign quests", also referring to Strikes and the weekly Nightfall activity.<ref name="EGMReview"/> Perez of ''Game Revolution'', who did not play any of the original game's raids, was a big fan of the Leviathan raid, stating that it exceeded its hype.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/features/348153-destiny-2-leviathan-raid-review-exceeds-hype|title=Destiny 2's Leviathan Raid Exceeds the Hype|date=September 13, 2017|last=Perez|first=Cody|work=[[Game Revolution]]|access-date=December 11, 2017}}</ref> Plagge of GameSpot said that "solving [the raid's] often obscure puzzles can be both rewarding and frustrating", but "each failure teaches you something new".<ref name="GSpotReview"/>

The original ''Destiny'' was largely criticized for its story. ''Destiny 2'', however, was praised for its improvements to the story and easier access to the universe's lore. Slead of ''EGM'' said that it has a "more robust story" and Bungie fixed the "meandering storytelling from the first".<ref name="EGMReview"/> Carter of ''Destructoid'' said that although its story was similar to others in the same genre, "it's easy to follow and even easier to get invested in, with the game's cast coming front and center."<ref name="DestructoidReview"/> Perez of ''Game Revolution'' said that the story "[gripped] me in a way that only Bungie's former series ''[[Halo (series)|Halo]]'' was able to." He said that there were many moments that were of shock and awe, and that the game had a meaningful narrative with an actual fleshed out villain.<ref name="GameRevReview"/> Plagge of GameSpot said that the story serves its main purpose and that its strength "lie in atmosphere and side details", while also praising its "mournful soundtrack" as fantastic.<ref name="GSpotReview"/>

Miller of ''Game Informer'' praised the Crucible mode for feeling more competitive than the original ''Destiny''{{'}}s, with teamwork being "highly valued". However, Miller was "perplexed by the decision to force players into one of two playlists", instead of letting them choose. He was also indifferent to the change of making all modes four-versus-four, but said that "the compact group size demands everyone pull their weight, which is great."<ref name="GIReview"/> Perez of ''Game Revolution'' was disappointed that Crucible did not receive "the same love that the singleplayer had been given." He said that although the smaller map sizes were not a bad thing, it causes multiplayer to be non-stop action, not allowing players to take a moment to strategize.<ref name="GameRevReview"/> David Houghton of ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' said that the changes to the Crucible mode "shine in a tight, focused, clear, and tactically co-operative format."<ref name="GRadarReview"/>

===Sales===
''Destiny 2'' sold 50,263 copies on PlayStation 4 within its first week on sale in Japan, which placed it at number one on the weekly sales charts.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=September 13, 2017 |url=http://gematsu.com/2017/09/media-create-sales-9417-91017 |title=Media Create Sales: 9/4/17 – 9/10/17 |publisher=Gematsu |access-date=September 13, 2017}}</ref> The weekend consisting of September 23, ''Destiny 2'' took the number 1 spot on the UK sales chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-10-uk-sales-chart-destiny-2-continues-its-domi/1100-6453561/|title=Top 10 UK Sales Chart: Destiny 2 Continues Its Dominance|last=Hussain|first=Tamoor|date=September 25, 2017|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> ''Destiny 2'' was also the second highest-grossing console game of 2017 in North America (behind ''[[Call of Duty: WWII]]''), and was also Activision's biggest PC release based on units sold.<ref>{{cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=December 20, 2017 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-ww-2-passes-1-billion-in-worldwide-sa/1100-6455775/ |title=Call Of Duty: WW 2 Passes $1 Billion In Worldwide Sales |website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref> Digital downloads for ''Destiny 2'' account for more than half of the total sales of the game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/12/21/call-of-duty-wwii-destiny-2-top-us-sales-for-2017|title=Call of Duty: WWII, Destiny 2 Top U.S. Sales for 2017|last=Gilyadov|first=Alex|date=December 20, 2017|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-03-more-than-50-percent-of-destiny-2-console-sales-were-digital-downloads|title=More than half of Destiny 2's console sales were digital downloads|work=Eurogamer.net|access-date=April 25, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

===Awards===
For the 2017 [[Game Critics Awards]], it was awarded Best PC Game for E3 2017.<ref name="GCA2017Winners">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/winners.html|title=Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2017 (2017 Winners)|work=[[Game Critics Awards]]|access-date=December 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702064755/http://gamecriticsawards.com/winners.html|archive-date=July 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> At [[The Game Awards 2017]], ''Destiny 2'' was one of four games to receive six nominations, the most for the year's event, which were for Best Art Direction, Best Score/Music, Best Audio Design, Best Ongoing Game, Best Action Game, and Best Multiplayer.<ref name="winners">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2017-winners-headlined-by-zelda-br/1100-6455467/|title=The Game Awards 2017 Winners Headlined By Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Game Of The Year|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=December 8, 2017|website=GameSpot|access-date=December 8, 2017}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' ranked ''Destiny 2'' sixth on their list of the "Best Games of 2017",<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Morales |first1=Aaron |last2=Abrams |first2=Natalie |url=http://ew.com/gaming/best-video-games-2017/6-destiny-2-multiplatform/ |title=The Year's Best Games |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=1496–97 |date=December 29, 2017 |pages=92–94 |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227235840/http://ew.com/gaming/best-video-games-2017/6-destiny-2-multiplatform/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''GamesRadar+'' ranked it seventh on their list of the 25 Best Games of 2017,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2017/2/ |title=The best games of 2017: Page 2 |author=GamesRadar staff |date=December 22, 2017 |access-date=March 25, 2018 |website=GamesRadar+}}</ref> and ''[[Eurogamer]]'' also ranked it seventh on their list of the "Top 50 Games of 2017",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-12-30-eurogamers-top-50-games-of-2017-10-1 |title=Eurogamer's Top 50 Games of 2017: 10-1 |author=Eurogamer staff |date=December 30, 2017 |access-date=December 30, 2017 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref> while ''[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' ranked it 12th on their list of the 50 best games of 2017,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017-best-games/2017/12/18/16781674/best-video-games-2017-top-50-mario-pubg-zelda |title=The to best games of 2017 |author=Polygon staff |date=December 18, 2017 |access-date=February 13, 2018 |website=Polygon}}</ref> and ''[[The Verge]]'' named it as one of their 15 Best Games of 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/15/16776632/best-games-2017-zelda-mario-pubg-destiny |title=The 15 best games of 2017 |author=Verge staff |date=December 15, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2018 |website=[[The Verge]]}}</ref> In ''Game Informer''{{'}}s Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards, the game came in second place for "Best Co-op Multiplayer" and for "Best Shooter".<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Game Informer staff |date=January 4, 2018 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/04/reader-s-choice-best-of-2017-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=2 |title=Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards (Page 2) |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=Game Informer staff |date=January 4, 2018 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/04/reader-s-choice-best-of-2017-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=3 |title=Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards (Page 3) |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref> The website also gave it the "Best Weaponry" and "Best Gunplay" in their 2017 Shooter of the Year Awards.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bertz |first=Matt |date=January 6, 2018 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/06/2017-shooter-of-the-year-awards.aspx |title=The 2017 Shooter of the Year Awards |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref>

''Destiny 2'' was nominated for "Best PC Game" in both ''[[Destructoid]]''{{'}}s Game of the Year Awards 2017 and [[IGN]]'s Best of 2017 Awards,<ref>{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=December 12, 2017 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/nominees-for-destructoid-s-best-pc-game-of-2017-476291.phtml |title=Nominees for Destructoid's Best PC Game of 2017 |website=[[Destructoid]] |access-date=January 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_PC_Game|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best PC Game|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref> the latter of which also nominated it for "Game of the Year", "Best Xbox One Game", "Best Shooter", "Best Graphics", "Best Original Music", and "Best Multiplayer".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Game_of_the_Year|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Game of the Year|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Xbox_One_Game|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Xbox One Game|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Shooter|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Shooter|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Graphics|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Graphics|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Original_Music|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Original Music|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Multiplayer|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Multiplayer|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref> The game won the award for "Best Co-op Game" in ''[[PC Gamer]]''{{'}}s 2017 Game of the Year Awards,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/best-co-op-game-2017-destiny-2/|title=Best Co-op Game 2017: Destiny 2|author=PC Gamer staff|date=December 20, 2017|magazine=[[PC Gamer]]|access-date=December 31, 2017}}</ref> and received a nomination for "Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/nominees-pc-gamer-goty-2017/|title=Games of the Year 2017: The nominees|author=PC Gamer staff|date=December 8, 2017|magazine=PC Gamer|access-date=December 31, 2017}}</ref> It was also a runner-up each for "Best-Looking Game", "Best Multiplayer", and "Game of the Year" in [[Giant Bomb]]'s 2017 Game of the Year Awards.<ref>{{cite web |author=Giant Bomb staff |date=December 25, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-one-old-disappointing-sh/1100-5699/ |title=Game of the Year 2017 Day One: Old, Disappointing, Shopkeepers, and Looks |publisher=[[Giant Bomb]] |access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Giant Bomb staff |date=December 26, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-two-music-surprise-multi/1100-5705/ |title=Game of the Year 2017 Day Two: Music, Surprise, Multiplayer, and Mess |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Giant Bomb staff |date=December 29, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-five-best-worst-cast-and/1100-5708/ |title=Game of the Year 2017 Day Five: Best, Worst, Cast, and Capture |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=January 1, 2017}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Result !! Ref
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="20" | 2017
| rowspan="3" | [[Game Critics Awards]] 2017
| Best PC Game
| {{won}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="GCA2017Winners"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2017nominees.html|title=Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2017 (2017 Nominees)|work=[[Game Critics Awards]]|access-date=December 31, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| Best Action Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Online Multiplayer
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[Gamescom|Gamescom 2017]]
| Best Console Game (PlayStation 4)
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |last=Khan |first=Zubi |date=August 21, 2017 |url=http://www.cgmagonline.com/2017/08/21/gamescom-2017-award-nominees/ |title=Gamescom 2017 Award Nominees |publisher=CGM |access-date=January 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/24/super-mario-odyssey-sweeps-best-of-gamescom-awards-6876988/ |title=Super Mario Odyssey sweeps Best Of Gamescom awards |newspaper=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=January 22, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Best PC Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Action Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Social/Online Game
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Multiplayer Game
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | Ping Awards
| Best International Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ping-awards.com/2017-nominations.php |title=Nommés aux Ping Awards 2017 |publisher=Ping Awards |language=fr |date=November 8, 2017 |access-date=December 11, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[Golden Joystick Awards]] 2017
| Best Audio
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |last=Gaito |first=Eri |date=November 13, 2017 |url=https://www.bestinslot.co/golden-joystick-awards-2017-nominees/ |title=Golden Joystick Awards 2017 Nominees |publisher=Best in Slot |access-date=January 1, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110003232/https://www.bestinslot.co/golden-joystick-awards-2017-nominees/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| Best Gaming Performance (Nathan Fillion)
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Multiplayer Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Ultimate Game of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="6" | [[The Game Awards 2017]]
| Best Art Direction
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="winners"/>
|-
| Best Score/Music
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Audio Design
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Ongoing Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Action Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Multiplayer
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[Fun & Serious Game Festival|Titanium Awards]]
| Best Action Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.funandseriousgamefestival.com/the-list-of-finalists-for-the-fun-serious-titanium-awards-has-been-revealed-2017/|title=The list of finalists for the Fun & Serious Titanium Awards has been revealed|publisher=[[Fun & Serious Game Festival]]|year=2017|access-date=November 8, 2019|archive-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191112055301/https://en.funandseriousgamefestival.com/the-list-of-finalists-for-the-fun-serious-titanium-awards-has-been-revealed-2017/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="33" | 2018
| rowspan="3" | New York Game Awards 2018
| Herman Melville Award for Best Writing
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.axs.com/complete-list-of-winners-of-the-new-york-game-awards-2018-127527|title=Complete list of winners of the New York Game Awards 2018|last=Whitney|first=Kayla|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=[[AXS (company)|AXS]]|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Statue of Liberty Award for Best World
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[16th Visual Effects Society Awards]]
| Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal Commercial (''New Legends Will Rise'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2018-visual-effects-society-awards-nominations-list-full-1067888|title=Visual Effects Society Awards: 'Apes,' 'Blade Runner 2049' Lead Feature Nominees|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|date=January 16, 2018|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=February 3, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-of-the-year-nominees-announced-for-dice-award/1100-6456107/|title=Game Of The Year Nominees Announced for DICE Awards|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=January 14, 2018|website=GameSpot|access-date=January 18, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Action Game of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="6" | NAVGTR Awards
| Art Direction, Fantasy
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3351/|title=Nominee List for 2017|publisher=[[National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers]]|date=February 9, 2018|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180215172210/http://navgtr.org/archives/3351/|archive-date=February 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3365/|title=Horizon wins 7; Mario GOTY|publisher=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers|date=March 13, 2018|access-date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180314070824/http://navgtr.org/archives/3365/|archive-date=March 14, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| Game, Franchise Action
| {{nom}}
|-
| Graphics, Technical
| {{nom}}
|-
| Original Dramatic Score, Franchise
| {{nom}}
|-
| Performance in a Drama, Lead (Nathan Fillion)
| {{nom}}
|-
| Use of Sound, Franchise
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | Italian Video Game Awards 2018
| People's Choice
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards |title=Italian Video Game Nominees and Winners 2018|publisher=Italian Video Game Awards|date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193010/https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards|archive-date=March 21, 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=May 31, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Best Audio
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Evolving Game (''Curse of Osiris'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[SXSW Gaming Awards]] 2018
| Excellence in Multiplayer
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2018/2018-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/|title=Here Are Your 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards Finalists!|last=McNeill|first=Andrew|date=January 31, 2018|publisher=[[South by Southwest|SXSW]]|access-date=February 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/03/18/sxsw-gaming-awards-2018-winners-revealed|title=2018 SXSW Gaming Awards Winners Revealed|author=IGN Studios|date=March 17, 2018|website=IGN|access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[Game Developers Choice Awards]]
| Best Technology
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/312569/Breath_of_the_Wild__Horizon_Zero_Dawn_lead_GDC_2018_Choice_Awards_nominees.php|title=Breath of the Wild & Horizon Zero Dawn lead GDC 2018 Choice Awards nominees!|author=Gamasutra staff|date=January 5, 2018|website=[[Gamasutra]]|access-date=January 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-wins-another-ga/1100-6457600/|title=Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Wins Another Game Of The Year Award|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=March 22, 2018|website=GameSpot|access-date=March 22, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" | 16th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards
| Best Interactive Score
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audiogang.org/2018-awards/|title=2018 Awards|publisher=Game Audio Network Guild|access-date=April 14, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Best Dialogue
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Audio Mix
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Original Choral Composition ("Last Rite")
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[14th British Academy Games Awards]]
| Audio Achievement
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business/hellblade-senuas-sacrifice-at-forefront-of-bafta-games-awards-nominations|title=Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice at forefront of BAFTA Games Awards nominations|last=deAlessandri|first=Marie|date=March 15, 2018|magazine=[[MCV/Develop|MCV]]|access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/bafta-names-what-remains-of-edith-finch-its-best-game-of-2017-498392.phtml|title=BAFTA names What Remains of Edith Finch its best game of 2017|last=Makedonski|first=Brett|date=April 12, 2018|website=Destructoid|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards]] 2018
| 2017 ASCAP Video Game Score of the Year
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2018/composers-choice|title=Vote in the 2018 ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards!|publisher=[[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers]]|date=April 9, 2018|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prolific-film-composer-john-powell-recognized-with-ascap-henry-mancini-award-composer-and-songwriter-germaine-franco-receives-ascap-shirley-walker-award-at-2018-ascap-screen-music-awards-300654076.html|title=Prolific Film Composer John Powell Recognized With ASCAP Henry Mancini Award; Composer And Songwriter Germaine Franco Receives ASCAP Shirley Walker Award At 2018 ASCAP Screen Music Awards|author=ASCAP|date=May 24, 2018|publisher=[[PR Newswire]]|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | Game Critics Awards 2018
| Best Online Multiplayer (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-game-critics-awards-nominations-revealed-a/1100-6460089/|title=E3 2018: Game Critics Awards Nominations Revealed: Anthem, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Top The List|last=Faller|first=Patrick|date=June 28, 2018|website=GameSpot|access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-2-wins-top-honor-in-e3-game-critics-/1100-6460135/|title=Resident Evil 2 Wins Top Honor In E3 Game Critics Awards|last=Watts|first=Steve|date=July 2, 2018|website=GameSpot|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Best Ongoing Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | Gamescom 2018
| Best Add-on/DLC (''Forsaken'')
| {{won}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamescom-2018-award-nominees-include-marvels-spide/1100-6461187/ |title=Gamescom 2018: Award Nominees Include Marvel's Spider-Man, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, And More|last=Ramée|first=Jordan|date=August 15, 2018|website=GameSpot|access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/gamescom-award-2018-nominees-include-marvels-spider-man-super-smash-bros-ultimate/|title=Gamescom 2018 award winners include Marvel's Spider-Man, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|last=Keane|first=Sean|date=August 22, 2018|website=[[CNET]]|access-date=August 24, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | Golden Joystick Awards 2018
| Still Playing Award
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Golden Joysticks 2018 nominees announced, voting open now|last=Hoggins|first=Tom|date=September 24, 2018|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=October 6, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2018-winners/|title=Golden Joystick Awards 2018 winners: God of War wins big but Fortnite gets Victory Royale|last=Sheridan|first=Connor|date=November 16, 2018|website=GamesRadar+|access-date=November 17, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[The Game Awards 2018]]
| Best Ongoing Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/13/18092186/game-awards-2018-nominees-show-date-start-time|title=The Game Awards 2018 nominees led by God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=November 13, 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=November 14, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130000/the-game-awards-winners-2018|title=The Game Awards 2018: Here are all the winners|last=Grant|first=Christopher|date=December 6, 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=December 7, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Best Action Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Multiplayer Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[Gamers' Choice Awards]]
| Fan Favorite Multiplayer Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://file770.com/2018-gamers-choice-awards-nominees/|title=2018 Gamers' Choice Awards Nominees|last=Glyer|first=Mike|date=November 19, 2018|publisher=File 770|access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Fan Favorite Shooter Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="13" | 2019
| rowspan="2" | [[22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]]
| Action Game of the Year (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/|title=God Of War, Spider-Man Lead DICE Awards; Here's All The Nominees|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=January 10, 2019|website=GameSpot|access-date=January 12, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Online Game of the Year (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | SXSW Gaming Awards 2019
| Excellence in Multiplayer (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/2019-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/|title=Here Are Your 2019 SXSW Gaming Awards Finalists!|last=Trent|first=Logan|date=February 11, 2019|publisher=South by Southwest|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215051341/https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/2019-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| Most Evolved Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | 17th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards
| Best Original Choral Composition (''Forsaken''; "Keep of Voices")
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audiogang.org/2019-g-a-n-g-awards-finalists/|title=2019 G.A.N.G. Awards Finalists|last=Lagumbay|first=Emmanuel|date=February 14, 2019|publisher=Game Audio Network Guild|access-date=February 17, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[15th British Academy Games Awards]]
| Evolving Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/british-academy-games-awards-2019-nominees-1203163369/|title='God of War,' 'Red Dead 2' Lead BAFTA Game Awards Nominations|last=Fogel|first=Stefanie|date=March 14, 2019|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | Italian Video Game Awards 2019
| Best Evolving Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards|title=Italian Video Game Awards Nominees and Winners|publisher=Italian Video Game Awards|date=April 11, 2019|access-date=May 25, 2019|archive-date=March 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193010/https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards 2019
| 2018 ASCAP Video Game Score of the Year (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2019/composers-choice|title=Vote in the 2019 ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards!|publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|date=April 2, 2019|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | Game Critics Awards 2019
| Best Ongoing Game
| {{won}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/06/27/e3-2019-game-critics-awards-winners/|title=E3 2019 Game Critics Awards – Final Fantasy 7 Remake wins Best of Show|last=Nunneley|first=Stephany|date=June 27, 2019|website=[[VG247]]|access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | Golden Joystick Awards 2019
| Best Game Expansion (''Shadowkeep'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/09/days_gone_rides_off_with_three_nominations_in_this_years_golden_joystick_awards|title=Days Gone Rides Off with Three Nominations in This Year's Golden Joystick Awards|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=September 20, 2019|website=[[Push Square]]|access-date=September 21, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Still Playing
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[The Game Awards 2019]]
| Best Ongoing Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2019-nominees-full-list/1100-6471564/|title=The Game Awards 2019 Nominees Full List|last=Winslow|first=Jeremy|date=November 19, 2019|website=GameSpot|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2019-winners-sekiro-takes-game-of-/1100-6472169/|title=The Game Awards 2019 Winners: Sekiro Takes Game Of The Year|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=December 13, 2019|website=GameSpot|access-date=December 13, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Best Community Support
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2020
| rowspan="1" | [[23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay (''Shadowkeep'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/control-and-death-stranding-get-eight-nominations-each-for-the-2020-dice-awards/|title=Control and Death Stranding get 8 nominations each for the 2020 DICE Awards|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=January 13, 2020|website=PC Gamer|access-date=January 20, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[16th British Academy Games Awards]]
| Evolving Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/mar/03/death-stranding-and-control-dominate-bafta-games-awards-nominations|title=Death Stranding and Control dominate Bafta games awards nominations|last=Stuart|first=Keith|date=March 3, 2020|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | 18th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards
| Best Cinematic Cutscene Audio (''Shadowkeep'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehypemagazine.com/2020/02/game-audio-network-guild-announces-18th-annual-g-a-n-g-award-nominees/|title=Game Audio Network Guild Announces 18th Annual G.A.N.G. Award Nominees|last=Wilson|first=Kelly|date=February 13, 2020|website=The Hype Magazine|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards 2020
| 2019 ASCAP Video Game Score of the Year (''Shadowkeep'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2020/composers-choice|title=Vote in the 2020 ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards|publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|date=May 7, 2020|access-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[The Game Awards 2020]]
|Best Ongoing Game| Best Ongoing Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Stedman|first1=Alex|date=2020-12-10|title=The Game Awards 2020: Complete Winners List|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/the-game-awards-winners-list-2020-1234850547/|access-date=2020-12-15|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|Best Community Support| Best Community Support
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |2021
| rowspan="2" |Golden Joystick Awards 2021
|Best Game Community| Best Game Community
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Ben Tyrer|date=2021-10-19|title=Golden Joystick Awards 2021: see the full list of nominees and how to vote today|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2021-nominations/|access-date=2021-12-11|website=gamesradar|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Still Playing| Still Playing Award
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Ben Tyrer|date=2021-10-19|title=Golden Joystick Awards 2021: see the full list of nominees and how to vote today|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2021-nominations/|access-date=2021-12-11|website=gamesradar|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[The Game Awards 2021]]
|Best Community Support (''Beyond Light'')
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Webb|first=Kevin|title=The Game Awards 2021 honored the year's best video games and debuted exclusive trailers — here's who won|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/the-game-awards-2021-livestream-nominees-performances-2021-12|access-date=2021-12-11|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Wikiquote}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.destinythegame.com}}
* {{IMDb title|6721356|Destiny 2}}

{{Bungie}}
{{Destiny series}}
{{Authority control}}

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Destiny

2023-07-19T14:26:14Z

Brandon:

{{Short description|2017 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Destiny 2 (artwork).jpg
| caption = Original box art featuring the game's three character classes: Hunter (left), Titan (center), and Warlock (right)
| developer = [[w:Bungie]]{{efn|Additional work on PC version was provided by [[w:Vicarious Visions]]. [[w:High Moon Studios]] provided development support on downloadable content.}}
| publisher = {{Unbulleted list|[[w:Activision]] {{small|(2017–2018)}}|Bungie {{small|(2019–present)}}}}
| director = {{Unbulleted list|Christopher Barrett|[[w:Luke Smith (writer)|Luke Smith]]|Ryan Ellis}}
| producer = Patrick O'Kelly
| designer = {{Unbulleted list|Del Chafe III|M.E. Chung|Tyson Green|Sage Merrill|Christopher Opdahl|James Tsai}}
| programmer =
| artist = {{Unbulleted list|Shiek Wang|Michael Zak}}
| writer = {{Unbulleted list|Jason Harris|Christine Thompson}}
| composer = {{Unbulleted list|[[w:Michael Salvatori]]|Skye Lewin|C Paul Johnson}}
| series = 
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[w:PlayStation 4]]|[[w:Xbox One]]|[[w:Windows]]|[[w:Google Stadia|Stadia]]|[[w:PlayStation 5]]|[[w:Xbox Series X/S]]|}}
| released = {{Unbulleted list|'''PlayStation 4''', '''Xbox One'''|September 6, 2017|'''Windows'''|October 24, 2017|'''Stadia'''|November 19, 2019|'''PS5, Xbox Series X/S'''|December 8, 2020}}
| genre = [[w:First-person shooter]], [[w:MMOG]]
| modes = [[w:Multiplayer]]
}}
[[w:File:Destiny 2 (artwork).jpg|250px|thumb|right|Original box art featuring the game's three character classes: Hunter (left), Titan (center), and Warlock (right)]]

'''''Destiny 2'''''{{efn|also known as ''Destiny 2: New Light'' after October 1, 2019 and in Korea as ''Destiny: Guardians''}} is a [[w:free-to-play]] [[w:Online game|online]] [[w:first-person shooter]] video game developed by [[w:Bungie]]. It was originally released as a [[w:pay to play]] game in 2017 for [[w:PlayStation 4]], [[w:Xbox One]], and [[w:Windows]]. It became free-to-play, utilizing the [[w:games as a service]] model, under the ''New Light'' title on October 1, 2019, followed by the game's release on [[w:Google Stadia|Stadia]] the following month, and then [[w:PlayStation 5]] and [[w:Xbox Series X/S]] platforms in December 2020. The game was published by [[w:Activision]] until December 31, 2018, when Bungie acquired the publishing rights to the franchise. It is the sequel to 2014's ''[[w:Destiny (video game)|Destiny]]'' and its [[w:Destiny post-release content|subsequent expansions]].

Set in a "[[w:science fantasy|mythic science fiction]]" world, the game features a multiplayer "shared-world" environment with elements of [[w:Role-playing video game|role-playing]] games. Like the original, activities in ''Destiny 2'' are divided among [[w:player versus environment]] (PvE) and [[w:player versus player]] (PvP) game types. In addition to normal story missions, PvE features three-player "[[w:Military strike|strikes]]" and [[w:Dungeon crawl|dungeons]] and six-player [[w:Raid (gaming)|raids]]. A free roam patrol mode is also available for each destination which feature public events as well as activities not available in the original. These activities have an emphasis on exploration of the destinations and interactions with [[w:non-player characters]] (NPCs); the original ''Destiny'' only featured NPCs in social spaces. PvP features objective-based modes, as well as traditional [[w:deathmatch (video games)|deathmatch]] game modes.

Players assume the role of a Guardian, protectors of Earth's last safe city as they wield a power called Light to protect humanity from different alien races and combat the looming threat of the Darkness. Like the original ''Destiny'', the game features [[w:expansion packs]] which further the story and adds new content across the game. Year One of ''Destiny 2'' featured two small expansions, ''[[w:Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris|Curse of Osiris]]'' and ''[[w:Destiny 2: Warmind|Warmind]]''. A third, large expansion, ''[[w:Destiny 2: Forsaken|Forsaken]]'', began Year Two with an overhaul on gameplay. The release of the next expansion, ''[[w:Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|Shadowkeep]]'' (October 2019) began Year Three. ''Shadowkeep'' and future releases are considered standalone releases, not requiring players to own previous premium content. Released alongside this fourth expansion was a version of ''Destiny 2'' called ''New Light'', a free-to-play re-release of ''Destiny 2'', which also included access to the first two expansions. Separate seasonal passes also became available for each season's content. While the main ''Destiny 2'' game has since been free-to-play, all other content requires purchasing.

Year Four saw the biggest overhaul on the game, as nearly half of the game's content from its first three years, including the original base campaign as well as ''Curse of Osiris'' and ''Warmind'', were removed from the game and placed into what Bungie calls the Destiny Content Vault. Alongside this change, Year Four began with the fifth expansion, ''[[w:Destiny 2: Beyond Light|Beyond Light]]'', which introduced the power of Darkness to the players. Bungie described this expansion as the beginning of a new era for the franchise, as it would be followed up by ''[[w:Destiny 2: The Witch Queen|The Witch Queen]]'' in early 2022 and ''[[w:Destiny 2: Lightfall|Lightfall]]'' in early 2023. There will also be a final chapter, ''The Final Shape'', to follow ''Lightfall'' to conclude the first saga of ''Destiny'', called the "Light and Darkness Saga," before the beginning of a new saga.

Upon release, ''Destiny 2'' received generally favorable reviews from critics. Praise focused on its improvements, particularly with regards to its initial story, as well as its gameplay, visuals, exploration focus, multiplayer, and public occasions. Reviews were divided on the recategorization of the weapons, the Leviathan raid, and new modes. ''Destiny 2'' was nominated for and won various awards, such as at [[w:The Game Awards 2017]] and [[w:Game Critics Awards]].

== Gameplay ==
[[w:File:Destiny 2 gameplay.jpg|thumb|left|''Destiny 2'' allows players, known in the game as Guardians, to utilize weaponry and special powers alongside other Guardians. Here a Guardian defends against enemies while another Guardian uses their powers to cast a shield made of Void energy.]]
{{See also|Destiny (video game)#Gameplay}}
Similar to its predecessor, ''Destiny 2'' is a [[w:first-person shooter]] game that incorporates [[w:Role-playing video game|role-playing]] and [[w:massively multiplayer online game]] (MMO) elements.<ref name="Kotaku Destiny Reveal">{{cite web|last=Good|first=Owen|title=Bungie Reveals its Destiny in This Documentary|url=http://kotaku.com/5984863/bungie-reveals-its-destiny-in-this-documentary|work=[[w:Kotaku]]|date=February 17, 2013 |publisher=Kotaku|access-date=February 25, 2013}}</ref> The original ''Destiny'' includes on-the-fly [[w:Matchmaking (video games)|matchmaking]] that allowed players to communicate only with other players with whom they were "matched" by the game. To communicate with other players in the game world, players had to use their respective console's messaging system.<ref name="Kotaku Destiny Reveal"/> ''Destiny 2'' features a more optimal way of matchmaking called "Guided Games", which allows players to search for [[w:Clan (video games)|clans]] who may need additional players for [[w:raid (gaming)|raids]]. Like the original, activities in ''Destiny 2'' are divided among [[w:player versus environment]] (PvE) and [[w:player versus player]] (PvP) game types.<ref name="GameSpot05172017">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-everything-we-know-so-far/1100-6449086/|title=Destiny 2: Everything We Know So Far|date=May 17, 2017|last1=Espineli|first1=Matt|last2=Plagge|first2=Kallie|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=June 7, 2017}}</ref>

=== Character progression and classes ===
{{Further|Destiny (video game)#Character progression and classes}}
As in the original game, players are able to improve their characters, referred to as Guardians, by gaining [[w:experience point]]s (EXP) — when a set number of experience points are accumulated, the player's character will level up and gain improved [[w:statistic (role-playing games)|statistics]] which further enhance performance in battle. As of the ''[[w:Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|Shadowkeep]]'' expansion, this leveling system has since been replaced with the "season pass" system where players use EXP to "rank up", which rewards different items each rank (while there is no max rank on a season pass, seasonal rewards end at level 100). [[w:Quest (video gaming)|Quests]], including the "main scenario" quests, are specific tasks given to the player by [[w:non-player characters]] (NPCs) which reward items and EXP. Completing main scenario quest lines progresses the overarching plot of the game.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cryer|first=Hirun|date=2019-09-30|title=Destiny 2 Beginner's Guide - Story Walkthroughs, Essential Tips and Tricks|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/18-12-2018-destiny-2-guide-walkthrough-clans-dlc-tips/damage-types-and-weapons-guide--what-do-blue-orange-and-purple-shields-mean|access-date=2021-02-21|website=USgamer|language=en}}</ref>

''Destiny 2'' features the same three-character classes as the original ''Destiny''. Each class has its own specific upgrades, perks, special abilities, and three sub-classes that allow players to finely tune their individual characters to provide a different play style. The three classes are Warlock, Hunter, and Titan. After choosing a class, players select one of three species for their character: Human, Awoken (bluish-gray-skinned descendants of Humans), or Exo (humanoid machines). They can then customize their characters, such as changing their gender or skin color. A character's species is cosmetic and does not affect gameplay. Players can create two more characters to have a character of each class.<ref name="GameSpot05172017"/><ref name="EGnewsubclasses">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-05-26-destiny-2-classes-subclasses-titan-hunter-warlock-4747|title=Destiny 2 classes and subclasses - all-new Titan, Hunter, and Warlock skills and supers explained|date=May 26, 2017|last=Tapsell|first=Chris|work=[[w:Eurogamer]]|access-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref>

*Hunters continue to have access to the Solar-based "Gunslinger" sub-class from the original game and the Void-based "Nightstalker" sub-class from the original's ''[[w:Destiny: The Taken King|The Taken King]]'' expansion, both with gameplay changes. The Hunter's new sub-class for ''Destiny 2'' is the Arc-based "Arcstrider", replacing the "Bladedancer" sub-class of the original. Arcstrider's super, "Arc Staff", focuses on an electrified staff and a large amount of rapid mobility.<ref name="EGnewsubclasses"/> ''Forsaken'' added three new supers for each of the Hunter sub-classes: "Blade Barrage" for Gunslingers, focusing on throwing a volley of flaming knives; "Spectral Blades" for Nightstalkers, allowing players to see through walls and attack with Void daggers; and "Whirlwind Guard" for Arcstriders, which allows players to block and reflect projectiles by spinning their Arc Staff.
*Warlocks continue to have access to the Void-based "Voidwalker" sub-class from the original game and the Arc-based "Stormcaller" sub-class from the original's ''The Taken King'' expansion, both with several changes. The Warlock's new sub-class for ''Destiny 2'' is the Solar-based "Dawnblade" with a super called "Daybreak", replacing the "Sunsinger" sub-class of the original. The Daybreak super allows the player to make Solar Light blades to strike enemies from mid-air.<ref name="EGnewsubclasses"/> ''Forsaken'' gives Warlocks three new supers: "Nova Warp" for Voidwalkers, allowing players to warp around the battlefield and unleash a Void explosion; "Chaos Reach" for Stormcallers, which unleashes a beam of Arc energy which can be turned off at any time to conserve Super energy but limits mobility; and "Well of Radiance" for Dawnblades, allowing players to create a healing and empowering aura for players to stand in. However, as of Lightfall, it no longer provides an overshield to the players standing inside it.
*Titans continue to have access to the Arc-based "Striker" sub-class from the original game and the Solar-based "Sunbreaker" from the original's ''The Taken King'' expansion, both with significant gameplay changes. The Titan's new sub-class for ''Destiny 2'' is the Void-based "Sentinel", replacing the "Defender" sub-class of the original, although the Sentinel sub-class can create the Defender's Ward of Dawn shielding bubble if this option is selected. Sentinel's super, "Sentinel Shield", allows the player to summon a shield that can block enemy fire and be used offensively (similar to [[w:Captain America's shield]]).<ref name="EGnewsubclasses"/> ''Forsaken'' added three new supers for Titans: "Thundercrash" for Strikers, allowing players to launch into the air and slam onto the ground; "Burning Maul" for Sunbreakers, which players wield a large hammer than can unleash flaming tornadoes; and "Ward of Dawn" for Sentinels, which unleashes a protective barrier that allows other players to shoot through and empowers their damage. In Destiny, Titans are commonly referred to as “crayon-eaters”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crayon Eater / Marines Eat Crayons |url=https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/crayon-eater-marines-eat-crayons |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=Know Your Meme|date=January 23, 2023 }}</ref>

Among other changes ''Beyond Light'' introduced a fourth sub-class for each of the three main classes, called Stasis, a power from the Darkness in contrast to Solar, Arc and Void which are powers granted by the Light of the Traveler, and generally based on slowing or freezing enemies. The Stasis sub-class does not have separate trees like these Light subclasses but is instead modular: while the fundamental Super ability for each class is fixed, the basic grenade, melee, and protection abilities can be customized, and additional effects, known as Aspects, can be added to these to further tailor the way the ability plays out for the player. Bungie has stated that additional Darkness powers, with the same type of modularity, are planned for future expansions, and that the Light subclasses will be reworked. The Void subclasses were updated in ''The Witch Queen'' expansion to support this modularity,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/16/22177177/destiny-2-beyond-light-stasis-customization-subclass-solar-arc-void-super-remake | title = Destiny 2's older subclasses could get an upgrade, eventually | first = Ryan | last = Gilliam | date = December 16, 2020 | access-date = December 16, 2020 | work =[[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/22639643/destiny-2-witch-queen-subclass-stasis-darkness-updates | title = Destiny 2 will update Light subclasses to the Stasis model during Year 5 | first= Austen | last = Goslin | date = August 24, 2021 | accessdate = August 25, 2021 | work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/gaming/22925771/destiny-2-the-witch-queen-void-3-0-aspects-fragments-titan-hunter-warlock | title = Here are all of Destiny 2: The Witch Queen's new Void abilities | first = Ryan | last = Gilliam | date = February 9, 2022 | accessdate = April 24, 2022 | work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> with Solar and Arc reforms introduced in later ''The Witch Queen'' seasons. A new Darkness power, Strand, that draws on a psychic power to lash out at enemies with web-like lashes, or move quickly through a grappling hook-type power, was introduced in ''Lightfall''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pcgamer.com/destiny-2-strand-subclass-detailed/ | title=Destiny 2's new Strand subclass looks like sci-fi Spider-Man with magic green webs | website=PC Gamer | date=August 23, 2022 | last1=Ridley | first1=Jacob }}</ref>

As the player completes activities like strikes, raids, and dungeons, they earn experience towards the growth of their character, represented as their "Power" level (formerly their "Light" level). At the time of ''Destiny 2''{{'s}} initial release, this was tracked through an experience leveling system (EXP) that increased their Power level. Since around ''Shadowkeep'', the experience level system has been dropped in favor of a Power level that represents the average Power level of each piece of gear carried by the character, with new and better equipment capable of increasing the overall Power level. A higher character level allows for better equipment with higher Power levels to be equipped. A higher Power level improves damage output and defense. A soft and hard Power level exists for gear which is incremented with each additional expansion or season; players can earn gear up to the soft Power level through most regular activities, but must participate in more challenging events, like Nightfall strikes, dungeons, or raids, to earn pinnacle gear to reach the hard Power level. Gear can be infused with unwanted gear of higher Power level to increase its Power level for the cost of in-game resources.

===Gear===
Weapons and armor were reorganized in ''Destiny 2''. In the original game, weapons were divided as Primary, Special, and Heavy weapons. At launch, the weapons were categorized as Kinetic, Energy, and Power weapons. Primary weapons and some Special weapons in the original – such as hand cannons and sidearms – are classified as Kinetic and Energy weapons. Those without an elemental damage type go in the Kinetic weapons slot while those with a Light-based elemental damage type (Arc, Solar, or Void) go in the Energy weapons slot. Darkness-based damage types (Stasis and Strand) are placed as Kinetic weapons as to avoid crowding of Energy weapon types and give players more options for gear to complete challenging end game content.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/22633723/destiny-2-season-of-the-lost-stasis-weapons-infinite-ammo-exotic-patch-notes-update | title = Destiny 2 is getting Stasis weapons, infinite ammo, and massive Exotic changes | first = Ryan | last = Gilliam | date = August 20, 2021 | accessdate = December 12, 2022 | work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> Power weapons include the Heavy weapons and the more powerful Special weapons from the first game, such as shotguns and sniper rifles, as well as new weapon types, such as the grenade launcher. As of ''Forsaken'', the weapons system was overhauled, with many Power weapons, such as most shotguns, single-shot grenade launchers, and most sniper rifles, being reorganized into Kinetic and Energy weapons slots. With armor, the name of the stats has been changed. Instead of Strength, Intellect, and Discipline, there are stats for Resilience, Recovery, and Mobility. For armor, the helmet, gauntlets, chest, legs, and class item slots have remained unchanged, but the artifacts slot has been replaced with one for a player's clan banners. In "Beyond Light" Stasis Weapons were also introduced, being used in the Kinetic and Heavy Slot. Lightfall introduced Strand weapons in kinetic and heavy slots as well.<ref name="Eurogamer06092017">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-06-09-destiny-2-gameplay-beta-features-4747|title=Destiny 2 gameplay changes, beta, release date and everything else we know so far|date=June 9, 2017|last=Reynolds|first=Matthew|work=[[w:Eurogamer]]|access-date=June 9, 2017}}</ref>

As launched, both weapons and armor were generated with random perks and other attributes from a base set of stats. Special consumable mods could be earned through gameplay or vendors that could be slotted into in weapon or armor piece to improve its attribute. With the ''Forsaken'' expansion, the mod system was revamped. While gear still accepted mods, these were now items that needed to be acquired only once to add to a player's collection from the game's world, either from vendors or as an activity reward, with some mods being only available on more challenging activities. Mods now could be added and swapped out on gear from one's collection the cost in glimmer, as a way to help players customize gear better according to Bungie.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.gameinformer.com/exclusive-feature/2018/07/26/how-milestones-and-mods-are-changing-in-destiny-2-forsaken | title = How Milestones And Mods Are Changing In Destiny 2: Forsaken | first= Suriel | last = Vazquez | date = July 26, 2018 | access-date = August 31, 2020 | magazine = [[w:Game Informer]] }}</ref>

The ''Shadowkeep'' expansion brought two major changes affecting gear. First was the introduction of the "Armor 2.0" system; rather that random perks, armor is generated with randomized attributes in six major areas related to each class and to each class skill, along with an assigned element and an energy level. The total attribute score from all pieces of equipment armor influences factors such as class ability cooldown rate, the rate of their super ability, or the cooldown of grenades and melee abilities. Players can infuse resources into an armor piece to increase the armor's energy level. A new array of mods for armor was introduced, most which are limited by element type and require a certain amount of energy. Players can thus add mods into armor that matched the element type, limited by the current energy level for the armor. Each piece of armor is limited to one general mod, two mods specific to that armor type (like helmet or gloves) and a mod related to the seasonal events. Seasonal event mods can be gained through the game world and can also be granted by the re-introduction of season-long artifacts, also with ''Shadowkeep'', which a player gains near the beginning of each season and levels up as they gain experience. As they level up the artifact, they select which mods to unlock which include both special weapon mods and these unique season mods, typically tied to the season's story. The weapon mods included the introduction of special Champions, powerful enemies that required a weapon with the corresponding mod to initially weaken before damage can be done to it. They can also be stunned by particular subclass abilities as of lightfall.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/interviews/2019/7/18/20698114/bungie-destiny-2-shadowkeep-armor-2-0-mod-system-power-energy-strength-discipline-intellect-stats | title = Bungie: Shadowkeep's Armor 2.0 system is about bringing stats back to Destiny 2 | first = Ryan | last= Gilliam | date = July 18, 2019 | access-date = August 31, 2020 | work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref>

As part of its preparation for ''Beyond Light'', Bungie introduced additional revisions to the gear system in the final ''Season of Arrivals'' within the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion. First, each piece of gear, beyond exotics, would now have a maximum infusion Power level, generally representing the power level four seasons beyond the season that the piece of gear was introduced in as a means to "sunset" these gear items. Sunsetting has since been revised. Any gear that has been sunset will continue to be as such, but anything not sunset will continue to be not sunset. Second, players could now change the element of an armor for similar costs of infusion, and the fourth mod slot in armor gear, which had been restricted to mods from the same season the armor was associated with, was made universal, and now open to allow any mod from the armor's season or the two following it to be used in that slot. This was intended to give players more flexibility in customizing their armor's capabilities.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/what-beyond-light-means-for-the-future-of-destiny-2/ | title = What Beyond Light means for the future of Destiny 2 | first = Phil | last= Savage | date = June 9, 2020 | access-date = August 31, 2020 | work = [[w:PC Gamer]] }}</ref>

''The Witch Queen'' brought a new weapon type, [[w:glaive]]s, which feature a mix of melee and ranged combat abilities.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/28/22954604/destiny-2-the-witch-queen-glaive-review | title = I'm obsessed with a stick in Destiny 2: The Witch Queen | first = Tom | last = Warren | date = February 28, 2022 | accessdate = April 24, 2022 | work = [[w:The Verge]] }}</ref> This expansion also introduced weapon crafting, allowing the player to learn patterns for new weapons, build them from materials, and level them to allow them to recraft them for more powerful perks.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/weapon-crafting-will-completely-change-the-way-destiny-2-works-and-i-cant-wait/ | title =Weapon crafting will completely change the way Destiny 2 works and I can't wait | first = Tim | last= Clark | date = February 8, 2022 | accessdate = April 24, 2022 | work = [[w:PC Gamer]] }}</ref> Addition changes in ''The Witch Queen'' include a new additional origin perk for weapons tied to certain activities or event, artifice armor that can be obtained from more difficult encounters which adds in additional seasonal mod slot, and craftable weapons once the player has collected enough versions of a weapon with deepsight resonance.

=== Player versus environment (PvE) ===
Like the original game, player versus environment game types makes up the majority of the game. Areas to explore include [[w:Earth]]'s European Dead Zone (which was only represented by PvP maps in the original), [[w:Saturn]]'s moon [[w:Titan (moon)|Titan]], [[w:Jupiter]]'s moon [[w:Io (moon)|Io]], and the [[w:Centaur (minor planet)|centaur planet]] [[w:7066 Nessus|Nessus]]. The ''Curse of Osiris'' expansion adds [[w:Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] as an explorable area, while the ''Warmind'' expansion adds [[w:Mars (Planet)|Mars]]. ''Forsaken'' adds two new explorable areas in the Reef: the Tangled Shore and the Dreaming City, the latter being the mysterious sanctuary of the Awoken race and an end-game area that is accessible after completing the campaign of ''Forsaken''. ''Shadowkeep'' reintroduced the Moon location from the original game, though revamped and reprised from its original iteration. There is also a new social space in the European Dead Zone called "The Farm", as the main portion of the Tower of the original was destroyed at the start of ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s campaign. However, a lower, undamaged portion of the Tower becomes the main social space post-campaign. Like the original, there are Patrol missions and public events, but the emphasis has been placed more on the exploration of the worlds, including towns that players can visit and friendly NPCs who can be found in-game and will give side-quests. New missions were added called "Adventures", which allow players to explore the area and go on a treasure hunt-like journey to dungeon-like areas. Some Adventures culminate in what is called a Lost Sector, which are somewhat hidden areas in worlds that lead players to a boss that yields rewards upon its defeat. Lost Sectors can be found and accessed without doing an Adventure. Starting with the ''Curse of Osiris'' expansion, Heroic Adventures were added, which are harder versions of Adventures and they rotate each week.

A map has also been added to the game, which shows the locations of the NPCs, Adventures, Heroic Adventures, Region Chests, and Lost Sectors. The maps of these new areas are much larger than those in the original ''Destiny'', with one being described as twice as large as any area of the original. Players no longer have to leave a planet and go to orbit to travel to another location; they can now do so immediately from their current in-game location.<ref name="GameSpot05172017"/><ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/> Another new activity has been added called Flashpoints, which is a weekly milestone that takes place on one of the eight locations and rotates each week. Players complete public events, loot Lost Sectors and complete Heroic Adventures to earn high-level rewards.<ref name="D2Flashpoint">{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/destiny-2-flashpoints-weekly/|title=Destiny 2 Has A New Weekly Activity Called 'Flashpoints'|date=June 2017|last=Albert|first=Weston|work=Game Rant|access-date=September 8, 2017}}</ref> Similar to the original game, players can pledge their allegiance to one of three factions — Dead Orbit, Future War Cult, or New Monarchy. In ''Destiny 2'', however, the factions now compete against each other in the Faction Rally, which is a periodic event that lasts for one week. Faction points are earned by doing various activities. The faction with the most points at the end of the week earns a high-level reward for 1,000 Glimmer (in-game currency). The losing factions can also gain the reward, but must pay 50,000 Glimmer for their faction's item.<ref name="FactionRally">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/22/destiny-2-bungie-explains-new-faction-rally-event|title=Destiny 2: Bungie Explains New Faction Rally Event|date=September 22, 2017|last=Gilyadov|first=Alex|work=[[w:IGN]]|access-date=September 28, 2017}}</ref>

Once a player has completed the main story and has reached the level cap (currently any level one wants as of the seasons), they unlock access to different types of end-game content. These activities include Nightfall strikes (a weekly featured strike with modifiers and high-level rewards; as of the ''Forsaken'' expansion, players can choose one of three featured strikes), a strike playlist with modifiers, a Daily Heroic Story playlist, the "Leviathan" and "Last Wish" raids, the "Eater of Worlds" and "Spire of Stars" raid lairs, and the "Escalation Protocol" and "Blind Well" horde activities on Mars and the Dreaming City, respectively, among other PvP activities. A harder difficulty mode called "Prestige" is available for the Leviathan raid and its raid lairs, with modifiers; there are no plans for a Prestige mode for Last Wish. These end-game activities reward players with powerful gear upon successful completion to increase their Power level.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sarkar |first1=Samit |title=Destiny 2's first expansion takes you to Mercury (update: Bungie confirms) |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/8/16274074/destiny-2-dlc-curse-of-osiris-expansion-leak-mercury |access-date=11 October 2020 |work=Polygon |date=8 September 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Player versus Player (PvP) ===
Like the original, player versus player combat exists in what is called the Crucible with Lord Shaxx returning as its NPC “Handler.” The original ''Destiny''{{'}}s Crucible featured six-versus-six and three-versus-three game modes, as well as a limited time two-versus-two mode. At launch, all game modes were four-versus-four as Bungie shifted their focus to smaller teams for competitive multiplayer and better map design, but Quickplay modes eventually became six-versus-six. Like the original, player statistics such as weapon power and defense are balanced between players in Crucible game modes. The in-game [[w:HUD (video gaming)|HUD]] was updated so that players can see if an enemy has their supercharged or has power ammo. Currently, players have the option to choose between four rotating playlists, rumble (a six-player Free-for-All game mode) survival and freelance survival (A version of survival where players cannot choose the teammates on their team), classic mix, and private matches.

Trials of Osiris from the original game was replaced by Trials of the Nine. Like Trials of Osiris, Trials of the Nine begins on Fridays and ends with the weekly reset on Tuesdays. The game mode for this new Trials, however, has changed; instead of using the Elimination mode of the original, Trials of the Nine rotates each week between ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s two new game modes, Countdown and Survival. Only one map is featured for Trials' four-day duration, but the map also rotates weekly. Unlike Trials of Osiris, players can gain access to the Trials of the Nine's social space called The Spire, located in unknown space, for completing a match of Trials and earning Trials tokens. There, players will meet an NPC called the Emissary of the Nine, who will exchange tokens for gear. Gaining three, five, and seven wins on the scorecard, respectively, gain access to the upper tiers of the social space with greater rewards at each tier. Going flawless with seven wins allows admittance into an exclusive area with even greater rewards. Three losses reset the scorecard. To access Trials of the Nine, players must have completed the campaign, completed Lord Shaxx's "Call to Arms" milestone, and have a Power level of at least 260.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/destiny-2-trials-of-the-nine-mode-date/|title=Destiny 2 Details Trials of the Nine Debut [UPDATED]|date=September 8, 2017|last=Albert|first=Weston|work=Game Rant|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-what-is-trials-of-the-nine-how-to-get-st/1100-6453377/|title=Destiny 2: What Is Trials Of The Nine? How To Get Started|date=September 15, 2017|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>

The periodic competitive Iron Banner PvP mode of the original game, which disabled balancing of player's gear, also returned for the sequel. ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s Iron Banner, however, does not disable balancing, with Bungie stating that "Your fighting abilities, not your power levels, will decide the outcome". This was changed following the release of ''Forsaken'', with balancing becoming disabled like the original game. Like the original, Iron Banner lasts for one week and features milestones to complete daily. Players must have completed the campaign and be level 20 to access Iron Banner, which features the returning Lord Saladin from the original game as its NPC.<ref name="D2IronBanner">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-iron-banner-gear-rewards-when-it-starts-/1100-6453830/|title=Destiny 2: Iron Banner Gear Rewards, When It Starts, What's New, And How To Access It|date=October 7, 2017|last1=Pereira|first1=Chris|last2=Makuch|first2=Eddie|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=October 8, 2017}}</ref>

In Destiny 2's second year a new PvP activity was released called Gambit. This activity puts two teams of four against each other to defeat AI opponents from one of the games different faction's/races (Cabal, Fallen, Hive, Vex, or new with forsaken Scorn), collect their motes and then bank them. A maximum of 15 motes can be held time and for every five motes banked will spawn a different sized blocker on each side. 5 motes will spawn Taken Vex Goblin as a small blocker, 10 will spawn a Taken Fallen Captain, and 15 motes will spawn a Taken Hive Ogre. At different points in the game an invasion portal will spawn where a member of the team can invade the other team to defeat other players who are carrying motes. When a team banks a total of 75 motes the boss will appear, and whoever beats the boss first wins that round. There are three rounds, best of three wins. During Season of the Drifter, a new version of Gambit was added called 'Gambit Prime'. The concept is still the same but, motes required to spawn the boss is now 100. When multiple blockers are present, the team bank will start draining and adding to the other team's total mote count, and the level advantage is enabled.

== Plot ==
{{Further|Destiny (video game)#Setting}}

===The Red War (2017)===
One year after the [[w:Destiny: Rise of Iron#Plot|SIVA Crisis]], Cabal forces of the Red Legion launch an aerial assault on the Last City, destroying the main portion of the Tower, the headquarters of the Guardians. The player's Guardian and their Ghost respond by assisting the Vanguard in assaulting the Red Legion command ship. As they confront the Red Legion's commander, Dominus Ghaul, his forces attach a device to the Traveler and begin draining it of the Light, the power used by the Guardians. The Guardian loses their powers and is nearly killed by Ghaul. Waking two days after the attack, the Guardian locates their Ghost, who can still heal the Guardian but can no longer resurrect them. They find a haven known as "the Farm" in the European Dead Zone (EDZ) with the assistance of Suraya Hawthorne, a non-Guardian human from the outskirts of the Last City.

The Guardian follows a vision to encounter a shard of the Traveler hidden in a forest within the EDZ. Ghost interfaces with the shard and both its and the Guardian's Light are restored. After restoring long-range communications, Hawthorne intercepts a distress call from Commander Zavala, urging surviving Guardians to travel to [[w:Saturn]]'s moon [[w:Titan (moon)|Titan]] and assist in mounting a counter-offensive. Against Hawthorne's objections, the Guardian travels to Titan, which has been overrun by the Hive. With assistance from Deputy Commander Sloane, they learn that the Red Legion was dispatched to the [[w:Milky Way]] in response to a distress call sent during the [[w:Destiny: The Taken King#Plot|Taken War]] two years prior, and that Ghaul possesses a superweapon known as the Almighty, a space station capable of destroying stars. Resistance to Cabal rule has resulted in entire star systems being destroyed. The intelligence also reveals that the Almighty is positioned near the Sun, breaking up the planet [[w:Mercury (planet)|Mercury]] as fuel. Zavala tasks the Guardian to find Ikora Rey and [[w:Cayde-6]] to assist in a counterattack to retake the Last City. During this time, it is shown that Ghaul, aided by his mentor, the Consul, overthrew and exiled Emperor Calus and took control of the Cabal, and has been studying the Traveler in order to learn how to use the Light and legitimize himself as Emperor.

The Guardian locates Cayde-6 on the [[w:Centaur (small Solar System body)|centaur]] [[w:7066 Nessus|Nessus]], which has almost been completely transformed by the Vex. With the aid of Failsafe, an AI from the crashed starship ''Exodus Black'', the Guardian frees Cayde from a Vex portal loop and claims a teleporter for use in taking back the city. Cayde directs the Guardian to find Ikora on the [[w:Jupiter|Jovian]] moon of [[w:Io (moon)|Io]] (which the Traveler had partially terraformed until the Darkness arrived), where she had gone to find answers about the Traveler. Ikora and Io researcher Asher Mir direct the Guardian to locate a Warmind, an ancient defensive AI, for intelligence on the Almighty. This intelligence reveals that simply destroying the Almighty will take the sun down with it. Afterwards, the Vanguard reunites at the Farm and conclude that the only way to retake the Last City and save the Traveler is to shut down the Almighty first, eliminating the possibility of it destroying the Sun. The Guardian boards the Almighty using a stolen Cabal ship and disables the weapon, signaling Zavala to begin the counterattack. As the Vanguard begins the assault, the Consul admonishes Ghaul for his obsession with the Traveler, and urges him to simply take the Light by force, rather than trying to earn it; Ghaul is reluctant until the Consul kills the Speaker, whom Ghaul had captured and tortured to try and learn more about the Traveler. Ghaul then proclaims that he will take the Light, and strangles the Consul in a fit of rage.

The Guardian returns to Earth to assist in the counterattack and infiltrates Ghaul's command ship, using Cayde's Vex teleporter, alone to save the Traveler. Ghaul forcibly takes the Light, corrupting it, and uses its power against the Guardian, but the Guardian is successful in defeating Ghaul. Ghaul reemerges as a massive ethereal figure who then speaks to the Traveler directly. In doing so, the Traveler wakes from its long sleep, destroying the device that was harvesting its power and killing Ghaul. It sends a massive shockwave throughout Sol, restoring the Light to all Guardians and decimating the Red Legion's forces. The game ends with a posthumous voiceover from the Speaker, reminding all that the Light can never be stopped. The Guardian and Ghost convene with Zavala, Ikora, Cayde, and Hawthorne at an undamaged portion of the Tower, with the Vanguard returning to their old duties and Hawthorne assuming a new post there. In a post-credits scene, the shockwave sent by the Traveler is shown reaching the entire system. The wave of Light extends beyond the Solar System and spreads beyond the Milky Way, before panning across a fleet of dark, mysterious Pyramid-shaped ships sitting some distance away in extragalactic space. The ships activate and begin moving toward Earth.

Following Ghaul's defeat, a massive Cabal ship called the Leviathan appears in orbit of Nessus (which it slowly begins to consume), under the control of the exiled Emperor Calus. Calus invites Guardians to complete a series of challenges before reaching his throne ("Leviathan" raid). A fireteam of Guardians complete his challenges before facing Calus himself; however, after overcoming his strange powers and defeating him, they discover that they were fighting a mechanical doppelganger. The real Calus speaks through the machine, claiming that what they know is a lie and that there is a truth beyond what the Speaker had told them.

===''New Light''===
====2019====
With the release of the free-to-play ''New Light'' version of ''Destiny 2'' in October 2019, Bungie changed the beginning of the game for new players, reintroducing the first mission from the original ''Destiny'' as the introductory mission for new players. Upon completing this brief mission, which ended with the player finding a jumpship, the player was taken to the Tower, where they met the various NPCs and could begin the ''Destiny 2'' campaign (The Red War), as well as the ''Curse of Osiris'' and ''Warmind'' campaigns, after talking to Amanda Holliday in the Tower Hangar. Returning players could play this opening mission by creating a new character.

====2020 update====
With the release of the ''Beyond Light'' expansion in November 2020, ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s original base campaign (The Red War), as well as all of the content from ''Curse of Osiris'' and ''Warmind'' were removed from the game and placed into the Destiny Content Vault and are no longer accessible (though Bungie may unvault the associated destinations and activities in the future). In game, these removals are explained as planets that had been taken over and removed from normal space by the forces of Darkness. As a result, Bungie introduced a new player experience to introduce new players to the world of ''Destiny''. It features roughly the same opening as the 2019 ''New Light'', but takes players on a quest further into the Cosmodrome to learn more about the ''Destiny'' universe, giving new players' Guardians a more fleshed out origin story. A new NPC for the Cosmodrome was also introduced, who acts as a guide for the new player quest. Veteran players can play through this new player questline by visiting a new kiosk that was added to the Tower, which also contains abandoned quests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/destiny-2-beyond-light-player-experience-change-different/|title=Bungie Reveals How the New Player Experience Will Change in Destiny 2: Beyond Light|date=August 22, 2020|last=Dincer|first=Derek|work=Game Rant|access-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref>

Like the original ''Destiny'', an opening cinematic is shown where a landing pod lands on Mars' surface in [[w:present day]]. Three astronauts leave the pod to explore the surface of Mars and find an enormous spherical object hovering in the sky. A narration begins, giving a brief history of the Traveler, the Darkness, and the Golden Age of humanity and the first Collapse caused by the Darkness. The game then begins as Ghost is searching among the detritus of Old Russia in the Cosmodrome until it finds and resurrects the player's Guardian, who had been killed in an ancient battle—upon resurrection, Guardians have no memories of their past life from before becoming a Guardian. Ghost then guides the Guardian, battling Fallen enemies along the way, until they encounter a Vanguard Operative, a Hunter named Shaw Han, who is in search of his fireteam members, Cas and Maeve. Han initially tells the Guardian to stay behind and he would get them to the Last City after he finds his fireteam, but the Guardian and Ghost convinces Han to allow them to assist him on his mission. Han has the Guardian go in search of Maeve while he searches for Cas. However, the Guardian is too late, as Maeve was killed by a Hive Wizard called Navôta, Eir Spawn, who also destroyed Maeve's Ghost, preventing Maeve from being resurrected; Han reports that he was also too late in saving Cas. They then meet up back at Han's camp, where Han says to honor his fireteam's loss, they should finish their mission; Han and his fireteam were in search of a Golden Age relic called a superconductor which the Vanguard believe can be used to create a powerful weapon, however, the superconductor is sealed within a chamber and is overloading the building with deadly Arc energy.

The Guardian then goes and collects data from defeated Fallen to figure out a plan to get past the Arc energy. From the data, they learn the location of an ancient array that they need to get operational to balance the power grid to keep the Arc energy from overloading. After successfully raising the array, Han has the Guardian meet him back at camp so they can regroup and then go collect the superconductor. Upon arriving at the camp, however, the Guardian and Ghost find an audio message that Han went on the mission alone, taking the only access key to the superconductor's chamber, and left the Guardian a sparrow so they could make their way to the Last City. Guardian and Ghost find this unacceptable and Ghost ponders that there has to be another access key and scans Han's archived data, leading them to the Forgotten Shore. After searching through some old caches and boosting Ghost's signal, Ghost is able to piece together encrypted data to create a new key. They then head towards the chamber where they encounter Navôta and her swarm of Hive. The Guardian fights off the Hive, forcing Navôta to retreat and they save Han, who apologizes for leaving them behind, stating that he was afraid to lose another Guardian. They then retrieve the superconductor and meet back at Han's camp. With the mission to retrieve the superconductor complete, Han says that Commander Zavala, the leader of the Vanguard, has ordered him to keep post in the Cosmodrome. Han then gives the Guardian Maeve's jumpship, and they use it to fly to the Tower to meet Zavala and deliver the superconductor.

In flight to the Tower, Ghost explains that he revived the Guardian to help protect humanity and reclaim lost worlds. After arriving in the Tower, Ghost tells the Guardian that the spherical object in the sky is the Traveler, which is where Ghost and their Light—their power—comes from. The Guardian then delivers the superconductor to the Titan Vanguard Zavala, who praises them on their work as a new Guardian and instructs them to meet the rest of the Vanguard and other allies. After meeting the Warlock Vanguard Ikora Rey, Ghost explains that there is no Hunter Vanguard as after [[w:Destiny 2: Forsaken|the death of the former one]], Cayde-6, no Hunter wants to take his place. They then meet a few other important core activity characters, such as the Drifter and Lord Shaxx, before returning to Zavala, who gives the Guardian their first official assignment; Han has tracked down Navôta and Zavala wants the Guardian in on the mission to take her out. The Guardian returns to the Cosmodrome to hunt down Navôta one last time, where they eliminate the Hive Wizard. With that success, the Guardian returns to Zavala, who congratulates them and informs them that after analyzing the superconductor, they can create the exotic submachine gun Riskrunner. Thus, the Guardian has begun their journey to become legend.

===Ongoing content===
{{see also|Destiny 2: Shadowkeep#Plot|Destiny 2: Beyond Light#Plot|Destiny 2: The Witch Queen#Plot}}
While ''Destiny 2''{{'s}} expansions have continued to expand the story, Bungie had begun a larger narrative epic with its seasonal content starting in ''Shadowkeep''. During ''Shadowkeep'', [[w:Eris Morn]] discovers one of the Pyramid-shaped ships buried beneath the surface of the Moon, and the Guardian encounters a voice from the Darkness, warning them of the fleet's imminient arrival within the system. The Vanguard deal with new threats from Hive and Vex forces loyal to the Darkness as the Pyramid fleet soon arrive in the System and take positions above Io, Titan, Mercury, and Mars. The Darkness attempt to communicate to Eris but are blocked by Savathûn. The Guardians are able to defeat Savathûn's forces, giving the Darkness the opportunity to alert them to a new power awaiting them on Europa. Meanwhile, the Vanguard evacuate their forces from those planets occupied by the Darkness before they are engulfed by a strange force that vanishes them, although Commander Sloan and Asher Mir elect to stay behind, while Brother Vance enters the Infinite Forest on Mercury. The Traveler reacts to this and fully reforms itself just as all the Guardians had returned to the Last City to shelter under its Light.

In ''Beyond Light'', the Vanguard continue to find signs of the Darkness pyramids across the system. On Europa, the Guardians accept the power of Stasis from the Darkness to defeat one of the Fallen Houses that had also learned to use Stasis. Zavala and other members of the Vanguard are concerned about the use of the powers of Darkness but recognize that it is an effective weapon against the oppositional forces of humanity. The Vanguard make alliances with the Cabal and one of the Fallen Houses as they recognize they face a common threat from the Hive, Taken, and Vex. It is revealed that Savathûn is impersonating Osiris, the former warlock Vanguard, possibly to manipulate the current Vanguard. She is trapped in a crystal encasement by Mara Sov, and makes a deal to return the real Osiris if Mara agrees to exorcise her worm using the Techeuns. After the Guardians rescue the Techeuns lost in the Ascendant Realm, Savathûn's worm is exorcised, and she is freed from her crystal prison, returning the real Osiris to the Vanguard.

''The Witch Queen'' focuses on the Hive god and Oryx's sister Savathûn, who has obtained the power of the Light and gifted it to her soldiers (known as the Lucent Brood). Taking place in a new area, Savathûn's Throne World within the Ascendant Realm, Guardians will fight off the Hive who have obtained the Light and take it back while evading her schemes. As the story progresses, it's revealed that the Traveller itself decided to give back Savathûn her life, who actually died, due to no longer having a worm, as shown in a cutscene, and grant her and her brood the light, causing confusion among the Vanguard why the Traveller would help humanity's enemy.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/destinty-2-witch-queen-expansion-features | title = Destiny 2: The Witch Queen expansion features enemies who will use Light against you | first = Stephany | last = Nunneley | date = August 24, 2021 | accessdate= August 25, 2021 | work = [[w:VG247]] }}</ref> As the Guardians continue to fight off the Lucent Brood, they also learn from memories of Savathûn's past, that her homeworld Fundament had been visited by the Traveller, but before the Traveller could gift them with a Golden Age, an entity called the Witness tricked Sathona, Savathûn's pre-Hive identity, into believing that the Traveller was unleashing a cataclysm on Fundament and to make a deal with the Worm Gods as to create the Hive and turn the Traveller away. Savathûn is stunned and angered by this deception, unleashing her anger at the Guardians as she tries to trick the Traveller. The Guardians kill Savathûn though her ghost Immaru escapes. Elsewhere, outside the System, the Witness prepares for a final assault of the Pyramid fleet against the System.<ref name="gamespot wq story">{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-witch-queen-story-explained-the-witness-savathuns-plans-and-what-it-all-means/1100-6501033/?ftag=CAD-01-10abi2f | title = Destiny 2 Witch Queen Story Explained: The Witness, Savathun's Plans, And What It All Means | first = Phil | last =Hornshaw | date = February 28, 2022 | accessdate = March 12, 2022 | work = [[w:GameSpot]] }}</ref>

''Lightfall'', released in February 2023, features the return of Emperor Calus, who has become a Disciple of the Witness, and has established a base on [[w:Neptune]], a new destination for players.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/destiny-2-lightfall-will-send-players-to-the-cyberpunk-world-of-neptune-in-february/ |title=Destiny 2: Lightfall will send players to the cyberpunk world of Neptune in February |date=2022-08-23 |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=pcgamer |last=Chalk |first=Andy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823175543/https://www.pcgamer.com/destiny-2-lightfall-will-send-players-to-the-cyberpunk-world-of-neptune-in-february/ |archive-date=2022-08-23}}</ref> Before being defeated by the Guardians, Calus helps the Witness to acquire an object called the Veil, which allows the Witness to pierce the shell of the Traveller and enter it, much to the shock of the Vanguard and their allies.

''The Final Shape'' is expected to release in early 2024. Its initial trailer showed events taking place inside the Traveler through the portal opened by the Witness, and includes the return of Cayde-6 (with [[w:Nathan Fillion]] reprising this role).

== Development ==
A sequel to ''[[w:Destiny (video game)|Destiny]]'' was first mentioned in November 2014, two months after the original released, by [[w:Activision]] [[w:chief executive officer]] Eric Hirshberg, where he said "Work has also begun on future expansion packs as well as on our next full game release".<ref>{{cite web| last = Thier| first = Dave | title = 'Destiny' Sequel Already In The Works| work = [[w:Forbes]]| date = November 4, 2014| url = https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2014/11/04/destiny-sequel-already-in-the-works/| access-date = January 25, 2015}}</ref> Based on documents of the original release schedule for ''Destiny'', Bungie and Activision intended to release new, disc-based sequels every other year until 2019, with large downloadable expansions in between.<ref name="originalreleaseschedule"/> Originally planned for a September 2016 release (based on the original documents),<ref name="originalreleaseschedule">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-not-launching-september-2016-report-says/1100-6434074/|title=Destiny 2 Not Launching September 2016, Report Says|date=January 22, 2016|last=Hussain|first=Tamoor|magazine=[[w:Forbes]]|access-date=January 24, 2016}}</ref> Bungie confirmed on February 11, 2016, that a full sequel would release in 2017.<ref name="glimpse">{{cite web|url=https://www.bungie.net/en/News/News?aid=44353|title=This Week At Bungie – 02/11/2016|date=February 11, 2016|author=DeeJ|publisher=[[w:Bungie]]|access-date=February 11, 2016}}</ref><ref name="IGNY2">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/11/destiny-2-in-2017-large-new-expansion-coming-2016|title=Destiny 2 in 2017, 'Large New Expansion' Coming to Destiny 2016|date=February 11, 2016|last=Dyer|first=Mitch|website=IGN|access-date=February 11, 2016}}</ref> That same month, video game writer Christopher Schlerf, who was the lead writer for ''[[w:Halo 4]]'' and worked on ''[[w:Mass Effect: Andromeda]]'', joined Bungie.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/destinys-new-writer-proves-bungie-finally-taking-its-story-seriously/ |title=Destiny's new writer proves Bungie is finally taking its story seriously|date=February 16, 2016|last=Skrebels|first=Joe|publisher=[[w:GamesRadar]]|access-date=February 18, 2016}}</ref> In December 2016, Bungie announced that [[w:Vicarious Visions]] would be joining the development team along with Activision.<ref>{{cite web| last = McWertor| first =Michael| title = Destiny development team expands with Vicarious Visions| work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]]| publisher = [[w:Vox Media]]| date = December 8, 2016| url = http://www.polygon.com/2016/12/8/13888632/destiny-development-team-vicarious-visions | access-date = December 11, 2016}}</ref> Unlike the original, it was rumored that ''Destiny 2'' would also release on [[w:Microsoft Windows]],<ref name="Destiny22017"/> which was confirmed on March 30, 2017.<ref name="release">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2017/3/30/15125010/destiny-2-trailer-release-date-ps4-xbox-one-pc|title=Destiny 2 launching Sept. 8, watch the reveal trailer|date=March 30, 2017|last=Sarkar|first=Samit|work=[[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|access-date=March 30, 2017}}</ref>

In Activision's earnings report for 2016, Hirshberg said that ''Destiny''{{'}}s sequel was still "on track for release this fall [2017]." Activision said the sequel would "broaden the franchise's global reach." Hirshberg elaborated that players who had spent hours in the original would "love" the sequel, and for those who had not played ''Destiny'', or had not played in a while, {{blockquote|... we think we've made a sequel that's going to have a lot for them to love, too. The cornerstone of that is a great cinematic story that's been a real focus with a great cast of memorable, relatable characters, coupled with some very nice ways to make the game more accessible to a casual player. Without losing anything that our core players love, we've made it more accessible to someone who just wants to have a great, more casual first-person action experience.<ref name="Destiny22017">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-still-coming-in-2017-new-call-of-duty-go/1100-6447721/|title=Destiny 2 Still Coming In 2017; New Call Of Duty Goes "Back To Its Roots"; Infinite Warfare Underperforms|date=February 9, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref>}}

Bungie had said that players' characters and progression would carry over into future releases.<ref>{{cite web| last = Kuchera| first = Ben| title = Destiny players: Keep grinding, your progress will carry into sequel| work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]]| publisher = [[w:Vox Media]]| date = December 9, 2014| url = http://www.polygon.com/2014/12/9/7359839/destiny-sequel-grinding-gear| access-date = January 25, 2015}}</ref> However, this turned out to only be half true. Characters and progression did carry over into ''Destiny''{{'}}s expansions, but for the sequel, only players' characters' physical appearance carried over if they had reached level 20 and completed the Black Garden quest in the original. In regards to why progression and items did not carry over, Bungie said: "We believe this is the best path forward. It allows us to introduce the major advancements and improvements that all of us expect from a sequel, ensuring it will be the best game we can create, unencumbered by the past."<ref name="Finalevent">{{cite web|url=https://www.bungie.net/en/News/Article/45708/7_The-Road-Ahead|title=The Road Ahead|date=March 3, 2017|author=Destiny Dev Team|work=[[w:Bungie]]|access-date=March 3, 2017}}</ref> Bungie awarded veteran players in ''Destiny 2'' with in-game emblems that acknowledged their accomplishments in the original ''Destiny''. Players' characters, progression, and items are still accessible in the original ''Destiny'', which will continue to remain online.

[[w:File:Презентация Destiny 2 в Хоторне, Калифорния (18 мая 2017).jpg|thumb|''Destiny 2'' presentation on May 18 at Jet Center in Hawthorne, California]]
On March 23, 2017, a promotional poster for the sequel was leaked by Lega Network, revealing the game's name as ''Destiny 2'' and a release date of September 8, 2017, with the mention of a public beta for the game. The poster showed that just like the original, ''Destiny 2'' would have PlayStation exclusive content.<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/leaked-image-gives-a-first-look-destiny-2-out-this-sep-1793560899|title=Leaked Image Gives A First Look At Destiny 2, Out This September|date=March 23, 2017|first=Jason |last=Schreier|work=[[w:Kotaku]]|access-date=March 23, 2017}}</ref> On March 27, 2017, although not directly responding to the leaked information, Bungie tweeted an image of ''Destiny 2''. The image showed The Last City in smoke and flames with "Destiny" and a large "2" over the Traveler.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DestinyTheGame/status/846406524347940871|title=Destiny 2|date=March 27, 2017|author=Destiny The Game|work=[[w:Twitter]]|access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref> This was followed up with a teaser trailer narrated by character Cayde-6. The teaser showed the Tower under attack by the Cabal, one of the enemy races from the original game. [[w:PlayStation]]'s [[w:YouTube]] channel showed a slightly extended teaser, officially confirming that there would be timed exclusive content for PlayStation 4, and it would last until at least fall 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-will-have-ps4-exclusive-content-for-a-li/1100-6449025/|title=Destiny 2 Will Have PS4-Exclusive Content For A Limited Time|date=March 28, 2017|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=March 28, 2017}}</ref> A full reveal trailer released on March 30, showing the three class Vanguards, Commander Zavala (Titan), Cayde-6 (Hunter), and Ikora Rey (Warlock), rallying Guardians in the war-torn Tower. The Cabal are being led by Ghaul, the commander of the Red Legion. The trailers confirmed that [[w:Lance Reddick]], [[w:Nathan Fillion]], and [[w:Gina Torres]] would be reprising their roles as the class Vanguards, respectively.<ref name="release"/> [[w:Nolan North]] also confirmed that he would be reprising Ghost, the Guardian's [[w:Artificial intelligence|AI]] companion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psu.com/news/32626/destiny-2-nolan-north-ghost-teaser-trailer|title=Destiny 2 confirms return of Nolan North as teaser trailer debuts|date=March 30, 2017|last=Harradence|first=Michael|work=[[w:PlayStation Universe]]|access-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref> Bungie had a live stream of ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s gameplay on May 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.us.playstation.com/2017/03/30/destiny-2-coming-to-ps4-september-8-watch-the-reveal-trailer/|title=Destiny 2 Coming to PS4 September 8, Watch the Reveal Trailer|date=March 30, 2017|author=DeeJ|work=[[w:PlayStation.Blog]]|access-date=March 30, 2017}}</ref> Other performers reprising their roles included [[w:Bill Nighy]], [[w:Shohreh Aghdashloo]], [[w:Peter Stormare]], [[w:Lennie James]], [[w:Claudia Black]], and [[w:James Remar]], alongside new voices [[w:Frank Langella]], [[w:Joy Osmanski]], and [[w:H. Jon Benjamin]].

On May 19, 2017, ''Destiny 2'' project lead Mark Noseworthy told [[w:IGN]] that there were no plans for a [[w:Nintendo Switch]] version of the game. Noseworthy went on to say: {{blockquote|I think it's pretty unrealistic given we're an online-only game, right? The Switch, because it's a portable – and I love my Switch, I've got ''[[w:The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild|Breath of the Wild]]'' here, I've got it with me. It's incredible, I love the console, but in terms of where it's at, I don't want to leave anyone with the possibility of like, 'it's a thing we'll consider, maybe next year.' There's no plans right now for Switch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/19/no-plans-for-destiny-2-on-nintendo-switch|title='No Plans' for Destiny 2 on Nintendo Switch|date=May 19, 2017|last=Skrebels|first=Joe|work=[[w:IGN]]|access-date=July 3, 2017}}</ref>}}

The Microsoft Windows version of ''Destiny 2'' supports native [[w:4K resolution]] and uncapped [[w:frame rate]] (fps), full mouse and keyboard support, text chat, adjustable field of view, and 21:9 monitor support, and was exclusive to [[w:Blizzard Entertainment]]'s [[w:Battle.net]] service at the time of its launch.<ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/> Although not native 4K, ''Destiny 2'' does support 4K enhancements for the [[w:PlayStation 4 Pro]], an updated version of the standard PlayStation 4 that supports 4K rendering. Similarly, the Xbox One had an updated version called the [[w:Xbox One X]] that released in November 2017 after ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s launch. Bungie added 4K support for the One X, as well as [[w:High dynamic range|HDR]] support for both updated consoles, on December 5, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/07/22/ask-bungie-anything-about-destiny-2-ign-first|title=Ask Bungie Anything About Destiny 2 - IGN First|date=July 21, 2017|last=McCaffrey|first=Ryan|work=[[w:IGN]]|access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamingbolt.com/destiny-2-upcoming-update-adds-hdr-support-and-4k-resolution-for-xbox-one-x|title=Destiny 2 Upcoming Update Adds HDR Support And "4K" Resolution For Xbox One X|date=November 10, 2017|last=Issac|first=Ashish|work=GamingBolt|access-date=November 11, 2017}}</ref> Unlike the Windows version, however, the console versions are locked at 30fps.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2017/06/13/destiny-2-will-run-at-30-fps-on-xbox-one-x/#34aaffb92f27|title='Destiny 2' Will Run At 30 FPS On Xbox One X|date=June 13, 2017|last=Thier|first=Dave|work=[[w:Forbes]]|access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref> ''Destiny 2'' also has an improvement with its servers, which are a combination of dedicated servers and peer-to-peer networking. Lead engineer Matt Segur explained, "Every activity in ''Destiny 2'' is hosted by one of our servers. ... That means [players] will never again suffer a host migration during [a] Raid attempt or Trials match. This differs from ''Destiny 1'', where these hosting duties were performed by player consoles and only script and mission logic ran in the data center."<ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/>

Grimoire cards that were found in the original game, which detailed the lore of the ''Destiny'' universe and could only be accessed from Bungie's website and the ''Destiny'' app, did not return for the sequel. For ''Destiny 2'', Bungie shifted their focus to in-game storytelling, which was something the original was criticized for lacking. To detail the lore of the universe in ''Destiny 2'', there are many artifacts around the maps that can be scanned by Ghost, who will give details and backstory. Exotic gear and some legendary gear also have a lore tab.<ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/> At the [[w:E3 2017|2017 Electronic Entertainment Expo]] (E3), a new cinematic trailer was shown, narrated by the main antagonist, Dominus Ghaul. It showed that Bungie did focus more on the story for the sequel than the original, as Bungie was "attempting to go in-depth into the universe and the motivations of the characters."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2017-new-destiny-2-cinematic-trailer-shows-stro/1100-6450847/|title=E3 2017: New Destiny 2 Cinematic Trailer Shows Strong Story Focus|date=June 12, 2017|last1=Newhouse|first1=Alex|last2=Fillari|first2=Alessandro|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=June 13, 2017}}</ref> E3 2017 also revealed that ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s release date was moved up to September 6, 2017, and the Windows version was confirmed for an October 24 release.<ref name="Sept6Oct24">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2017-destiny-2s-release-date-moved-forward-a-bi/1100-6450873/|title=E3 2017: Destiny 2's Release Date Moved Forward (A Bit)|date=June 12, 2017|last=Dayus|first=Oscar|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=June 13, 2017}}</ref> The dates for the beta on the console versions were also confirmed at E3 2017. Early access for pre-order customers began on PS4 on July 18 followed by Xbox One on July 19; non-pre-order customers received access beginning July 21. The console beta concluded on July 25, after a 2-day extension. The beta for the PC began on August 29 and concluded on August 31.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2017-destiny-2-beta-date-confirmed-pc-version-c/1100-6450880/|title=E3 2017: Destiny 2 Beta Date Confirmed, PC Version Coming Later|date=June 14, 2017|last=Dayus|first=Oscar|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref>

The original score was composed by [[w:Michael Salvatori]], Skye Lewin, C. Paul Johnson, Rotem Moav, and Peter Schlosser.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2s-awesome-soundtrack-is-out-listen-to-it-/1100-6453203/|title=Destiny 2's Awesome Soundtrack Is Out, Listen To It Here|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=September 15, 2017|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref> When creating the music, the composers stated their goal with it was to "capture the somber spirit of a civilization confronting immense tragedy", and also to "inspire bravery in the hearts of our heroes as they stand together and fight to reclaim all that they hold dear".<ref name=":0" />

== Release ==
''Destiny 2'' was released worldwide for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One on September 6, 2017, and the Microsoft Windows version released worldwide on October 24.<ref name="Sept6Oct24"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.glixel.com/news/bungie-embraces-pc-with-destiny-2-w483017|title=Bungie Embraces PC With 'Destiny 2'|last=Weber|first=Rachel|date=May 18, 2017|work=Glixel|access-date=May 19, 2017|archive-date=May 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522224010/http://www.glixel.com/news/bungie-embraces-pc-with-destiny-2-w483017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Schreier|first1=Jason|title=Destiny 2 Officially Revealed, Confirmed For PC|date=March 30, 2017|url=http://kotaku.com/destiny-2-officially-revealed-confirmed-for-pc-1793838721|website=[[w:Kotaku]]|access-date=March 30, 2017}}</ref> There were several editions of the game, including a Collector's Edition, a Limited Edition, a Digital Deluxe Edition, and the standard base game. Like the original, there was an [[w:Season pass (video gaming)|Expansion Pass]], which granted access to the first two [[w:Expansion pack|expansions]] of ''Destiny 2''.<ref name="GameSpot03302017">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-cayde-6-figure-available-at-gamestop-wit/1100-6449091/|title=Destiny 2 Cayde-6 Figure Available At GameStop With Preorders|date=March 30, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref> Also like the original ''Destiny'', pre-orders for the game received early access to the game's beta,<ref name="release"/> as well as other in-game pre-order bonuses, such as early access to the exotic weapon "Coldheart".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-how-to-get-coldheart-and-other-limited-e/1100-6453138/|title=Destiny 2: How To Get Coldheart And Other Limited Edition And Pre-order Bonus Items|date=September 6, 2017|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=September 6, 2017}}</ref> Pre-orders from [[w:GameStop]] received a Cayde-6 collectible figure.<ref name="GameSpot03302017"/> Other figures and toys, such as Lord Saladin, were released after ''Destiny 2''{{'}}s console launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-lord-saladin-and-his-wolves-figure-revea/1100-6449094/|title=Destiny 2 Lord Saladin And His Wolves Figure Revealed
|date=March 30, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=March 31, 2017}}</ref> Per an exclusivity agreement with [[w:Sony Interactive Entertainment]] that began with the original ''Destiny'', the PlayStation 4 version of ''Destiny 2'' featured timed-exclusive content until late 2018; PS4 exclusive content ended with the release of the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion in October 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/13/e3-2017-destiny-2-ps4-exclusive-content-detailed|title=E3 2017: Destiny 2 PS4-Exclusive Content Detailed|date=June 12, 2017|last=Krupa|first=Daniel|work=[[w:IGN]]|access-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref>

The Collector's Edition of ''Destiny 2'' included the base game in a SteelBook case, the Expansion Pass, a themed [[w:backpack]], a "Frontier Kit", which featured a solar panel USB charger with built-in light, a paracord, and a solar blanket, a 15" laptop/tablet sleeve with protective pocket slip, a Cabal-themed collector's box with various items, and premium digital content. The Limited Edition, distributed exclusively from GameStop, included the same physical and digital items as the Collector's Edition, minus the backpack, "Frontier Kit", and laptop/tablet sleeve. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes all of the premium digital content.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-release-date-pc-version-and-collectors-e/1100-6449082/|title=Destiny 2 Release Date, PC Version, And Collector's Edition Announced|date=March 30, 2017|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=March 30, 2017}}</ref> There was also a limited-time PlayStation 4 bundle that included a glacier white PlayStation 4 Pro, ''Destiny 2'', the Expansion Pass, and premium digital content.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/white-ps4-pro-will-launch-with-destiny-2-bundle/1100-6451553/|title=White PS4 Pro Will Launch With Destiny 2 Bundle|date=July 10, 2017|last=Hussain|first=Tamoor|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=September 2, 2017}}</ref>

The Windows version was initially distributed exclusively through [[w:Battle.net|Blizzard Battle.net]], marking the first non-Blizzard Entertainment title to be distributed via the platform.<ref name="polygon-battlenet">{{cite web|title=Destiny 2 is coming to Blizzard's Battle.net|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/18/15657886/destiny-2-blizzard-battle-net-pc-exclusive|website=Polygon|date=May 18, 2017|publisher=Vox Medi|access-date=May 18, 2017}}</ref> In January 2019, Bungie and Activision amicably broke their publishing agreement, leaving Bungie as the game's publisher for the PC version. The Windows version of ''Destiny 2'' remained on the Battle.net platform for the next several months,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-will-stay-on-battlenet-after-bungies-spl/1100-6464335/ | title = Destiny 2 Will Stay On Battle.Net After Bungie's Split From Activision | first= Eddie | last = Makuch | date = January 10, 2019 | access-date = January 10, 2019 | work = [[w:GameSpot]] }}</ref> but transitioned to [[w:Steam (service)|Steam]] upon release of the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion in October 2019. As part of Bungie's plans to expand ''Destiny 2'' to new platforms after their acquisition by Sony, ''Destiny 2'' was added to the [[w:Epic Games Store]] in August 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/23/23317944/destiny-2-epic-games-store-release-free-dlc |title=Destiny 2 arrives on Epic Games Store with free 30th Anniversary pack |date=2022-08-23 |access-date=2022-08-23 |website=The Verge |last=Warren |first=Tom}}</ref>

With the release of the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion in October 2019, Bungie made several changes to the monetization model of ''Destiny 2''. Bungie's aim was to have the game able to be played by anyone with their friends, regardless of platform, so they implemented cross-saving, allowing players to transfer their characters from one platform to another. Alongside this, they partnered with [[w:Google]] to offer ''Destiny 2'' on [[w:Google Stadia|Stadia]], a new game streaming service.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/6/18655373/destiny-2-google-stadia-cross-save-transfer-xbox-one-pc | title= Destiny 2 coming to Google Stadia with character transfers from other platforms | first= Michael | last= McWhertor | date = June 6, 2019 | access-date = June 6, 2019 | work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> Additionally, alongside the release of ''Shadowkeep'', Bungie made ''Destiny 2'' [[w:free to play]] in its "New Light" version, making the base game, the Leviathan raid, and many of the player-versus-player modes free, including the first two expansions, ''Curse of Osiris'' and ''Warmind''. Content like ''Forsaken'' and ''Shadowkeep'' can be purchased à la carte by the player. ''Shadowkeep'' and future expansions are considered standalone experiences, not requiring the player to have bought the other additional content.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/6/18655443/destiny-2-shadowkeep-release-date-free-to-play-new-light | title = Destiny 2: Shadowkeep expansion, New Light free-to-play version coming Sept. 17 |first1= Michael | last1 =McWhertor | first2 = Russ | last2 = Frustick | date = June 6, 2019 | access-date = June 6, 2019 | work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> Further, ''Destiny 2'' introduced a [[w:battle pass]] system lasting for each season, featuring two tiers of rewards, which include weapons, cosmetics, and in-game materials and currency, for playing various activities during that season. One tier is free for all players, while the second tier is only available to players that have purchased the season pass.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/destiny-2-shadowkeep-battle-pass-new-exotics-weapo/2900-3075/ | title = Destiny 2 Shadowkeep Battle Pass: New Exotics, Weapons, And Armor You Can Earn | first= Jordan | last = Ramee | date = October 1, 2019 | access-date = October 1, 2019 | work = [[w:GameSpot]] }}</ref> Both New Light and the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion come after Bungie's acquisition of the publishing rights of the ''Destiny'' franchise from Activision.<ref>[https://www.polygon.com/2019/1/10/18177457/destiny-bungie-activision-split Bungie splits with Activision, acquires rights to Destiny] January 10, 2019.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Inline XBRL Viewer |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/718877/000071887719000015/atvi-6302019x10xq.htm |website=www.sec.gov}}</ref>

Bungie announced in June 2020 that moving into the fourth year of content for the game, beginning with the ''[[w:Destiny 2: Beyond Light|Beyond Light]]'' expansion in November, that it would retire some of the less played existing content into a "Destiny Content Vault" (DCV), making the worlds and activities associated with them unavailable to play, as the developers stated the game had become too large and unmanagable with all the content they were continuing to add (the size of the game client had reached approximately 115 GB). However, they will periodically unvault some of these areas and activities, including updated versions of areas and activities from the original ''Destiny'' (seen first with the Moon in the ''Shadowkeep'' expansion), to give players opportunities to complete quests and triumphs associated with them over time. For example, the Leviathan area was brought back for "Season of the Haunted" with ''The Witch Queen'', though with new activities and changes to the maps to reflect the story elements around it.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/23138400/destiny-2-season-of-the-haunted-17-calus-leviathan-solar-3-0-trespasser | title = Destiny 2's Season of the Haunted sees the return of Calus and his Leviathan ship | first = Ryan | last = Gilliam | date = May 23, 2022 | accessdate = May 23, 2022 | work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> Bungie said that using the DCV to rework content was an alternative to developing a wholly new ''Destiny 3'' game.<ref name="pcgamesn dcv">{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/destiny-2/content-vault-destiny-3 | title= The Destiny Content Vault is for remaking old content as an alternative to Destiny 3 | first = Anthony | last = McGlynn | date = August 29, 2020 | access-date = September 12, 2020 | work = [[w:PCGamesN]] }}</ref> However, by August 2022, Bungie stated that they had improved the backend technology behind ''Destiny 2'' that they will no longer vault expansion content.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kotaku.com/destiny-2-lightfall-vaulting-sunset-forsaken-expansion-1849446608 | title=Destiny 2 Promises No More Axing Old Parts of Game, Something That Players Hated | date=August 23, 2022 }}</ref>

They confirmed that Earth's Cosmodrome patrol location and strikes would return during seasons 12 and 13, and that the original game's Vault of Glass raid would also return sometime in Year 4 (later confirmed for Season 14). Bungie announced that they have at least two additional years of content planned out, with the ''Beyond Light'' expansion launching on November 10, 2020, followed by ''[[w:Destiny 2: The Witch Queen|The Witch Queen]]'' and ''[[w:Destiny 2: Lightfall|Lightfall]]'' afterwards<ref name="dtoid y4"/>—''The Witch Queen'' was originally planned for November 2021, but was delayed to early 2022, with ''Lightfall'' being delayed to early 2023.<ref name="WitchQuendelayed">{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/destiny-2s-next-big-expansion-the-witch-queen-delayed-t-1846356050 | title = Destiny 2's Next Big Expansion The Witch Queen Delayed To 2022 | first = Ethan | last= Gach | date = February 25, 2021 | access-date = February 25, 2021 | work = [[w:Kotaku]] }}</ref> By this point in the original ''Destiny''{{'}}s life cycle, a full sequel was the next release. Bungie stated that they did not want to do a ''Destiny 3'' at this time because it would require them, as well as the players, to have to start over and they wanted to instead continue to build upon ''Destiny 2''.<ref name="dtoid y4">{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/bungie-already-has-the-next-two-years-of-destiny-2-planned-out-will-allow-cross-play-between-generations-593657.phtml | title = Bungie already has the next two years of Destiny 2 planned out, will allow cross-play between generations | first = Chris | last= Carter | date = June 9, 2020 | access-date = June 9, 2020 | work = [[w:Destructoid]] }}</ref> A final chapter will follow ''Lightfall'' to conclude the first saga of ''Destiny'', called the "Light and Darkness Saga," before beginning a new saga for the franchise.<ref name="WitchQuendelayed"/>

In May 2020 Bungie affirmed its plans to release ''Destiny 2'' for the next-generation consoles, [[w:PlayStation 5]] and [[w:Xbox Series X and Series S#Xbox Series X|Xbox Series X]], and that the game on these platforms would support native 4K resolution at 60fps.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.usgamer.net/articles/bungie-teases-next-gen-news-for-destiny-2 | title = Destiny 2 Is Coming to Next-Gen Consoles | first = Mathew | last = Olsen | date = May 7, 2020 | access-date = May 7, 2020 | work = [[w:USGamer]] | archive-date = May 21, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200521144653/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/bungie-teases-next-gen-news-for-destiny-2 | url-status = dead }}</ref> [[w:Xbox Series X and Series S#Xbox Series S|Xbox Series S]], which was revealed after the announcement, would run at 1080p resolution instead. Bungie also confirmed that [[w:cross-platform play|cross-play]] would be supported within the same family of consoles (e.g., PlayStation 4 and 5) at launch, and between all platforms starting with Season 15 later in 2021.<ref name="dtoid y4"/><ref name="verge crossplay">{{cite web | url = https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/8/22163382/bungie-destiny-2-crossplay-next-year-2021-launch | title = Bungie confirms Destiny 2 crossplay is coming in 2021 | first= Jay |last = Peters | date = December 8, 2020 | access-date = December 8, 2020 | work = [[w:The Verge]] }}</ref> The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of the game were released on December 8, 2020. ''Destiny 2'' players on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One can update their versions to the newer consoles within the same family for free and bring existing content across, with Bungie using Microsoft's "Smart Delivery" program for the Xbox Series X/S update. [[w:Field of view]] customization was also added.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Explore/Detail/News/49650|title=The Next Generation of Destiny > News|author=Bungie|date=October 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name="verge crossplay"/>

As part of general growth of the company, Bungie announced in early 2021 that it was looking to expand the ''Destiny'' IP beyond video games and creating a "Destiny Universe". As part of this, in March 2021, ''Destiny 2''{{'}} current leads Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy were named as executive creative director and vice president, respectively, of Bungie's new Destiny Universe division, while Justin Truman was named to general manager for ''Destiny 2''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bungie-says-its-expanding-destiny-2-into-other-media/1100-6487775/ | title = Bungie Says It's Expanding Destiny 2 Into Other Media | first = Phil | last = Hornshaw | date = March 5, 2021 | accessdate = March 5, 2021 | work = [[w:GameSpot]] }}</ref>

=== Post-release content ===
{{main|Destiny 2 post-release content|Destiny 2: Forsaken|Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|Destiny 2: Beyond Light|Destiny 2: The Witch Queen}}
{{Timeline of release years
| title = ''Destiny 2'' content releases
| subtitle = Original game, expansions (in '''bold'''), and seasons
| align = right
| first =
| 2017a = '''''Destiny 2'''''
| 2017b = '''''[[w:Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris|Curse of Osiris]]'''''
| 2018a = '''''[[w:Destiny 2: Warmind|Warmind]]'''''
| 2018b = '''''[[w:Destiny 2: Forsaken|Forsaken]]'''''/''Season of the Outlaw''
| 2018c = *''Season of the Forge''
| 2019a = *''Season of the Drifter''
| 2019b = *''Season of Opulence''
| 2019c = '''''[[w:Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|Shadowkeep]]'''''
| 2019d = *''Season of the Undying''
| 2019e = *''Season of Dawn''
| 2020a = *''Season of the Worthy''
| 2020b = *''Season of Arrivals''
| 2020c = '''''[[w:Destiny 2: Beyond Light|Beyond Light]]'''''
| 2020d = *''Season of the Hunt''
| 2021a = *''Season of the Chosen''
| 2021b = *''Season of the Splicer''
| 2021c = *''Season of the Lost''
| 2022a = '''''[[w:Destiny 2: The Witch Queen|The Witch Queen]]'''''
| 2022b = *''Season of the Risen''
| 2022c = *''Season of the Haunted''
| 2022d = *''Season of Plunder''
| 2022e = *''Season of the Seraph''
| 2023a = '''''[[w:Destiny 2: Lightfall|Lightfall]]'''''
| 2023b = *''Season of Defiance''
| 2023c = *''Season of the Deep''
| 2024 = '''''[[w:Destiny 2: The Final Shape|The Final Shape]]'''''
}}
Prior to the console release, Bungie said that they had already begun working on post-release content. Bungie stated that their plan was to provide post-release content at a quicker rate than that of the original ''Destiny'', which was criticized for not having enough content post-launch and between each of its expansions releases. One of the team's remedies for this were the Adventures and Lost Sectors activities that were added to the free roam Patrol mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/destiny-2-post-launch-plans/|title=Destiny 2 Devs Talk Post-Release Content Plans|date=June 2017|last=Henry|first=Jasmine|work=Game Rant|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> Bungie also announced the ''Destiny 2'' Expansion Pass prior to launch, which granted access to the first two expansions of the game.<ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/> The in-game clan features became available a few days after the game's launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2s-clan-features-wont-work-in-game-for-sev/1100-6453128/|title=Destiny 2's Clan Features Won't Work In-Game For "Several Days" After Launch|date=September 7, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> The Guided Games feature became available on September 12 for the Nightfall activity, the game's first raid, "Leviathan", unlocked on September 13 (with the Guided Games in beta), and Trials of the Nine became available on September 15, along with the character Xûr from the original game, the exotic items vendor who only appears on the weekends.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-release-date-on-ps4-and-xbox-one-raid-an/1100-6453052/|title=Destiny 2 Release Date On PS4 And Xbox One, Raid And Nightfall Debuts Confirmed|date=September 6, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=September 7, 2017}}</ref> The three factions and their respective NPCs from the original game returned on September 26 for a new periodic event, Faction Rally.<ref name="FactionRally"/> The competitive Iron Banner PvP mode from the original returned on October 10.<ref name="D2IronBanner"/> The prestige mode for the Leviathan raid was originally scheduled to unlock on October 10, but was delayed to October 17.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2s-prestige-raid-for-leviathan-unlocks-nex/1100-6453827/|title=Destiny 2's Prestige Raid For Leviathan Unlocks Next Week|date=October 7, 2017|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=October 8, 2017}}</ref>

The game's first expansion released on December 5, 2017. Named ''[[w:Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris|Curse of Osiris]]'', it focuses on the character Osiris from the lore of the original ''Destiny''. The expansion takes players to the planet Mercury with its own patrol mode. Additionally, the EXP level cap was raised to 25 and the Power level cap was raised to 330. There was also a timed-exclusive Crucible map for PS4 players called Wormhaven. Instead of an entirely new raid, a feature called raid lair was added, featuring new areas to the existing Leviathan raid and a different final boss.<ref name="ExpansionI">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-curse-of-osiris-dlc-increases-the-level-/1100-6454529/|title=Destiny 2 Curse Of Osiris DLC Increases The Level Cap|date=October 31, 2017|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=November 2, 2017}}</ref> The second expansion, ''[[w:Destiny 2: Warmind|Warmind]]'', was released on May 8, 2018, and focuses on the Warmind Rasputin from the original game. This expansion takes players to the planet Mars in a new area called [[w:Hellas Planitia|Hellas Basin]]. The expansion also features a new mode called "Escalation Protocol", a horde mode which can be started by any player in the patrol mode on Mars. As well, the EXP level cap was raised to 30 and the Power level cap was raised to 380. In addition to Rasputin, a new character named Ana Bray (also from the lore of the original ''Destiny'') was added, who serves as the primary NPC on Mars. Like the previous expansion, ''Warmind'' also includes a second raid lair on the Leviathan. The expansion also added progressive ranking systems for PvP, titled Valor and Glory. Players earn Valor in quickplay matches while Glory is earned in competitive matches, with each new rank earning greater rewards. Valor points are earned regardless of win or loss, while Glory points are earned by wins but reduced by losses.<ref name="Eurogamer06092017"/> Both expansions featured timed-exclusive content for the PlayStation 4 platform, which became available for other platforms in late 2019.

The third expansion, ''[[w:Destiny 2: Forsaken|Forsaken]]'', was released on September 4, 2018, beginning Year 2 of ''Destiny 2''. Similar to the original [[w:Destiny: The Taken King|''Destiny''{{'}}s ''The Taken King'']] expansion, ''Forsaken'' had a large overhaul on gameplay, though not to the extent that ''The Taken King'' had with the original ''Destiny''. A large expansion, Bungie described the story as having a "western revenge" theme. A large portion of the expansion takes place in the Reef's Tangled Shore, including a new raid called "Last Wish", which takes place in the end-game area, the Dreaming City, also located in the Reef. The developers claimed that it had more bosses than any previous raid (including from the original game) with a massive roam area, puzzles, and the raid changed over time based on players' actions in the raid itself. A new mode called Gambit was also added that combines PvE and PvP, and features its own ranking system called Infamy, which works similar to the Crucible's Valor ranking system. Two teams of four players compete against each other while facing PvE enemies. A new weapon type, a bow and arrow, was also added. The EXP level cap was raised to 50 and the Power level cap was raised to 600.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-forsaken-dlc-release-date-new-mode-trail/1100-6459402/|title=Destiny 2 Forsaken DLC Release Date, New Mode, Trailer, And More Details|date=June 6, 2018|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=June 8, 2018}}</ref> A trailer displayed during Sony's E3 2018 press conference showed the death of Cayde-6 by the hands of the returning Prince [[w:Uldren Sov]]. Uldren is driven to find his lost sister, Queen Mara Sov, believing her to still be alive after the events of ''The Taken King'' and he leads the Scorn, former Fallen that were revived from the dead and have become their own race.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-new-destiny-2-forsaken-trailer-shows-cayde/1100-6459729/|title=E3 2018: New Destiny 2 Forsaken Trailer Shows Cayde-6 In Serious Trouble|date=June 12, 2018|last=Pereira|first=Chris|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=June 14, 2018}}</ref> The launch trailer for ''Forsaken'' revealed that the player's Guardian would once again speak; the player's Guardian had not spoken since the end of the original ''Destiny''{{'}}s base campaign. ''Forsaken'' also began a seasonal cycle of content for ''Destiny 2'', introducing new story content, activities, and gear, some which required purchase of the season pass. ''Forsaken''{{'}}s seasons included ''Season of the Forge'', introducing the character of Ada-1 and the Black Armories which were under threat from Cabal, Fallen, and Vex forces, ''Season of the Drifter'' which explored the Drifter's connection to the mysterious Nine, and ''Season of Opulence'', during which Calus invited the Guardians to challenges aboard the Leviathan for his entertainment.

The fourth major expansion for the game, ''[[w:Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|Shadowkeep]]'', was released on October 1, 2019 (delayed from its original release of September 17) and is similar in scope to ''Forsaken'' and the original [[w:Destiny: Rise of Iron|''Destiny''{{'}}s ''Rise of Iron'']] expansion. The expansion, which began Year 3 of ''Destiny 2'', sees players return to the [[w:Moon]], an area that was featured in the first game. The location was reprised and expanded upon with Bungie claiming it to be twice the size of the original location from ''Destiny''.<ref name="Gilliam">{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/17/18679445/destiny-2-shadowkeep-moon-black-garden-artifact-gate-lord-armor-2-0-pvp-crota-exotic-finishing-move|title=Everything we know is coming to Destiny 2: Shadowkeep|last=Gilliam|first=Ryan|date=2019-06-17|website=Polygon|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> The story of ''Shadowkeep'' sees the return of [[w:Eris Morn]], a character from the first game who had been absent since the events of the Red War. Eris seeks the help of the Guardian in defeating "Nightmares" that she released into the Solar System, which are manifestations of the Guardian's past traumas. Players face off against their previous adversaries, which are being resurrected by the Darkness. Throughout the story, Eris and the Guardians work together to figure out the cause of this unleashed madness and do what they can to put a stop to it.<ref>{{Citation|last=Bungie|title=Bungie ViDoc - Out of the Shadows|date=2019-06-06|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVk4PkTG99o|access-date=2019-06-21}}</ref> The expansion includes a return to the Black Garden on Mars for a new six-player raid, Garden of Salvation.<ref name="Gilliam"/> ''Shadowkeep''{{'s}} seasonal content included the ''Season of the Undying'', with the Vanguard preventing a Vex invasion of the Moon by the Undying Mind, ''Season of Dawn'', where the Guardian aids Orisis with the Sundial to prevent the Red Legion from altering the past and to bring back Saint-14 to the present, ''Season of the Worthy'', in which Zavala and Ana Bray enlist the Vanguards to help Rasputin to stop the Almighty from crashing into the Last City, and ''Season of Arrivals'', where the Guardians help protect Eris Morn from Taken and Hive as she tries to commune with the approaching Darkness and Pyramids of the Black Fleet.

Year 4 of ''Destiny 2'' began with the large expansion titled ''Beyond Light'' on November 10, 2020 (delayed from its original release date of September 22); Bungie described this release as the start of a new era for the franchise. The expansion introduces a new location, Jupiter's icy moon [[w:Europa (moon)|Europa]], reintroduces Earth's Cosmodrome area from the original ''Destiny'', and moved some older locations into the DCV, including Io, Mars, Mercury, Titan, and the Leviathan, which Bungie described as helping to better manage current content in the game in anticipation of future updates.<ref name="pcgamesn dcv"/> ''Beyond Light'' also represented a major shift in the storytelling approach to ''Destiny 2'' which had been experimented with in the ''Season of Arrivals'', the last season of ''Shadowkeep''. Senior narrative lead Julia Nardin stated that around ''Arrivals'' the writing team started to explore a more serialized approach with their narrative content, and within ''Beyond Light'', mapped out the major story elements of each season similar to a television show to be played out in six to eight segments over the course of that season, and having each season's story arc fit into a larger overall arcing storyline.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/how-bungie-made-savathun-destiny-2s-best-villain-yet-and-turned-seasons-into-gripping-tv-shows/ | title = How Bungie made Savathun Destiny 2's best villain yet and turned seasons into gripping TV shows | first = Austin | last= Wood | date = September 24, 2021 | accessdate = September 28, 2021 | work = [[w:GamesRadar]] }}</ref> Gameplay-wise, players learn a new elemental ability—the first new elemental ability introduced to the series since the original ''Destiny'' launched in September 2014. The new ability Stasis uses power of Darkness itself rather than Light. The Exo Stranger, who had not been seen since the end of the original ''Destiny''{{'}}s campaign, also returned, along with Variks, the Loyal, from the original game's ''[[w:Destiny: House of Wolves|House of Wolves]]'' expansion—though he was an [[w:unseen character]] in ''Forsaken'' whose actions inadvertently caused the death of Cayde-6.<ref name="dtoid y4"/> The Exo Stranger and Variks guide the Guardian on Europa to stop a Fallen Kell named Eramis from using the Darkness to destroy the Traveler and its followers. Among its seasonal content included the ''Season of the Hunt'', focusing on the return of an amnesic Uldren Sov, now going by "Crow", as he helps the Vanguard hunt down Hive Wrathborne, ''Season of the Chosen'', where Calus' daughter and now Emperor Caiatl has come to the System to challenge the Vanguard to ritual combat as a prelude to a potential truce, and ''Season of the Splicer'', where Mithrax, the Kell of the Fallen House of Light, helps the Vanguard put an end to a Vex attack on the Last City. Crossplay functionality was added on August 24, 2021, with Season of the Lost, allows players from all supported platforms to play together.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.shacknews.com/article/125886/destiny-2-crossplay-release-date | title = Destiny 2 crossplay release date | date = July 29, 2021 | accessdate = August 30, 2021 }}</ref> Season of the Lost follows the return of Mara Sov, Queen of the Awoken, as she works alongside the guardian & Savathûn herself to help exorcise Savathûns worm and exact revenge on The Witch Queen for her involvement in corrupting both her brother, Uldren Sov, and The Dreaming City during the events of Forsaken and the Last Wish Raid.<ref>{{Citation|title=Destiny 2: Beyond Light - Season of the Lost Trailer|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFF6tsCXzfE|language=en|access-date=2021-10-01}}</ref> As well as ensuring the return of Osiris, who Savathun herself admits to kidnapping and pretending to take his place in order to prepare the armies of the Sol system for the coming battle with the Darkness <ref>{{Cite web|last=Tassi|first=Paul|title=Destiny 2's Season Of The Lost Had A Truly Wild First Week|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2021/08/30/destiny-2s-season-of-the-lost-had-a-truly-wild-first-week/|access-date=2021-10-01|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>

''The Witch Queen'' expansion was released on February 22, 2022, beginning the fifth year of ''Destiny 2''. The main focus is on the titular character, Savathûn, one of the three leaders of the Hive, who has been discreetly bringing in some citizens of the Last City under her control during events of ''Beyond Light''. The expansion introduces Savathûn's Throne World within the Ascendant realm as a new area for gameplay, as well as Lucent Hive, Hive warriors that have been imbued with the power of the Light. A new weapon type, the [[w:glaive]], was introduced, which has a balanced range of melee and projectile attacks. The expansion also introduces weapon crafting, initially with gear found in the ''Witch Queen'' expansion but eventually working in legacy equipment.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/destiny-the-witch-queen-expansion-february-22-2022-161057600.html | title = 'Destiny 2' The Witch Queen expansion heads to PC and consoles on February 22nd, 2022 | first = Igor | last = Bonifacic | date = August 24, 2021 | accessdate = August 24, 2021 | work = [[w:Engadget]] }}</ref> Alongside ''The Witch Queen'', Bungie plans to introduce a new raid or dungeon every three months, and will begin rotating raids and dungeons as they increase their availability.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/22645202/destiny-2-witch-queen-dungeon-raid-schedule-release-season | title = Nobody is talking about this week's biggest Destiny 2 announcement | first =Ryan | last = Gilliam |date = August 27, 2021 | accessdate = August 28, 2021 | work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref>

In addition to these expansions, ''Destiny 2'' features limited time seasonal events that recur annually tied to real-world holidays, many introduced during its first year of service. These events are free to all players, offering unique gear and cosmetic items for completing special gameplay modes and quests offered during the event period, and new Triumph and Milestones for players to achieve. "The Dawning" event originated from ''Destiny'' themed around the [[w:Christmas and holiday season|holiday season]], with players worked to craft special cookies to deliver to NPCs across the System.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2s-holiday-event-is-now-playable-on-ps4-xb/1100-6455748/|title=Destiny 2's Holiday Event Is Now Playable On PS4, Xbox One, And PC|last=Newhouse|first=Alex|date=December 19, 2017|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=December 20, 2017}}</ref> "Guardian Games" is a mid-year themed event typically associated with both the [[w:summer]] season as well as the [[w:Summer Olympic Games]]. Each class of Guardian are challenged in a friendly contest to earn the most points for their class.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/destiny-2-guardian-games-2021-armor/ | title = Destiny 2 Guardian Games 2021: Everything we know | first = Ryan | last = Esler | date = April 20, 2021 | accessdate = October 12, 2021 | work = [[w:PC Gamer]] }}</ref> "Solstice of Heroes" was original introduced in 2018 to celebrate the end of the Red War campaign but has since played out as a mid-year event, where players work to improve special armor by completing various challenges.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/22559030/destiny-2-solstice-heroes-2021-season-splicer-armor-glows-shotgun-eververse | title= Destiny 2's Solstice of Heroes event adds new armor and a shotgun | first = Ryan | last = Gilliam | date = July 1, 2021 | accessdate = October 12, 2021 | work = [[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> The "Festival of the Lost" is a [[w:Halloween]]-themed event, where players hunt down special enemies in spooky-themed versions of world areas to collect candy and gain rewards.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamesradar.com/destiny-2-festival-of-the-lost-returns-with-new-rewards-and-haunted-sectors/ | title = Destiny 2 Festival of the Lost returns with new rewards and Haunted Sectors | first = Hirun | last= Cryer | date = October 12, 2021 | accessdate = October 12, 2021 | work = [[w:GamesRadar]] }}</ref> "The Revelry" had been offered in 2019 and 2020, an event to celebrate the start of [[w:spring (season)|spring]].<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.vg247.com/destiny-2-the-revelry-start-end-times-rewards | title = Destiny 2: The Revelry Spring event | first= Stephany | last= Nunneley | date = May 3, 2019 | accessdate = October 12, 2021 | work = [[w:VG247]] }}</ref> "Crimson Days", the [[w:Valentine's Day]]-themed event from Year 2 (2016) of the original ''Destiny'', featured a 2-versus-2 Crucible mode that encouraged teammates to stay close to improve their winning chances, but this was also retired in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/destiny-2-crimson-days-launches-with-new-update-on/1100-6456750/|title=Destiny 2 Crimson Days Launches With New Update On PC, PS4, And Xbox One|last=Pereira|first=Chris|date=February 13, 2018|work=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=February 13, 2018}}</ref>

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PS4: 85/100<ref name="MCPS4">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-4/destiny-2 |title=Destiny 2 for PlayStation 4 Reviews |website=[[w:Metacritic]] |access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> XONE: 87/100<ref name="MCXONE">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-one/destiny-2 |title=Destiny 2 for Xbox One Reviews |website=[[w:Metacritic]] |access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref> PC: 83/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/destiny-2 |title=Destiny 2 for PC Reviews |website=[[w:Metacritic]] |access-date=February 12, 2018}}</ref>
| Destruct = 7.5/10<ref name="DestructoidReview">{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=September 11, 2017 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-destiny-2-459702.phtml |title=Review: Destiny 2 |website=[[w:Destructoid]] |access-date=September 11, 2017}}</ref>
| EGM = 8/10<ref name="EGMReview">{{cite magazine |last=Slead |first=Evan |date=September 14, 2017 |url=http://www.egmnow.com/articles/reviews/destiny-2-review |title=Destiny 2 review |magazine=[[w:Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |access-date=September 14, 2017}}</ref>
| GI = 9/10<ref name="GIReview">{{cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Matt |date=September 15, 2017 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/games/destiny_2/b/playstation4/archive/2017/09/15/game-informer-review-destiny-2.aspx |title=A Streamlined Future - Destiny 2 - PlayStation 4 |magazine=[[w:Game Informer]] |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>
| GameRev = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="GameRevReview">{{cite web |last=Perez |first=Cody |date=September 13, 2017 |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/347609-destiny-2-final-review-what-destiny-shouldve-been |title=Destiny 2 Final Review – What Destiny Should've Been |publisher=[[w:Game Revolution]] |access-date=September 13, 2017}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8/10<ref name="GSpotReview">{{cite web |last=Plagge |first=Kallie |date=September 15, 2017 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/destiny-2-review/1900-6416758/ |title=Destiny 2 Review |website=[[w:GameSpot]] |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>
| GRadar = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="GRadarReview">{{cite web |last=Houghton |first=David |date=September 15, 2017 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/destiny-2-review/ |title=Destiny 2 review: 'This isn't Destiny. This is something new. Something bigger, smarter, richer, and better' |website=[[w:GamesRadar+]] |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>
| GB = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="GBReview">{{cite web |last=Shoemaker |first=Brad |date=September 18, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/destiny-2-review/1900-769/ |title=Destiny 2 Review |publisher=[[w:Giant Bomb]] |access-date=September 18, 2017}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.5/10<ref name="IGNReview">{{cite web |last=Legarie |first=Destin |date=September 15, 2017 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/15/destiny-2-review |title=Destiny 2 Review |website=[[w:IGN]] |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>
| Poly = 9/10<ref name="PolyReview">{{cite web |last1=Sarkar |first1=Samit |last2=Frushtick |first2=Russ |date=September 20, 2017 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/5/16230016/destiny-2-review |title=Destiny 2 review |website=[[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=September 20, 2017}}</ref>
| VG = 8/10<ref name="VGReview">{{cite web |last=Bell |first=Alice |date=September 15, 2017 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/destiny-2-review |title=Destiny 2 review |publisher=VideoGamer.com |access-date=September 15, 2017}}</ref>
}}

''Destiny 2'' received "generally favorable" reviews, according to [[w:review aggregator]] [[w:Metacritic]].<ref name="MCPC"/><ref name="MCPS4"/><ref name="MCXONE"/> Some reviewers labeled the game as ''Destiny 1.5'' due to its many similarities to the original ''Destiny'', but praise was given to improvements made over its predecessor.<ref name="DestructoidReview"/><ref name="EGMReview"/>

As with the original, gameplay was highly praised, with Chris Carter of ''[[w:Destructoid]]'' saying that it was what "the game nails ... the most".<ref name="DestructoidReview"/> ''[[w:Game Informer]]''{{'}}s Matt Miller said that like the original, "Gameplay features remarkably taut FPS gunplay enhanced with seemingly magical powers." Miller went on to say that the gameplay's biggest change was a welcome, referring to the reorganization of destinations and the emphasis on exploration.<ref name="GIReview"/> Evan Slead of ''[[w:Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' (''EGM'') also praised the exploration, but was not a fan of the recategorization of the weapons. Although he said the variety of weapons were fun, the Kinetic weapons "didn't seem to pack as much of a punch as their Energy [weapon] counterparts."<ref name="EGMReview"/> Cody Perez of ''[[w:Game Revolution]]'', however, welcomed the recategorized weapons, saying they were less restrictive and said that "Bungie are masters of gun-play".<ref name="GameRevReview"/> Kallie Plagge of ''[[w:GameSpot]]'' said that the game features mostly the same structure as the original, including its "mechanically excellent shooting and satisfying loot grind".<ref name="GSpotReview"/> Carter praised the Lost Sectors and public events, as well as the additional story quests and Adventures post-campaign.<ref name="GIReview"/> Miller said that the Lost Sectors were fun, but they became less interesting with the more that were done.<ref name="EGMReview"/> Perez, however, was not a fan of the Adventures and Lost Sectors activities, saying they were a "disconnect [from] the main campaign". He said that they were filler content, and that they were "monotonous and a bore to accomplish, lacking the heart that fills the campaign." He did praise the public events as they are only periodic.<ref name="GameRevReview"/>

The Leviathan raid received praise and criticism. Miller of ''Game Informer'' stated that the Leviathan raid was "one of Bungie's most intricate and fascinating environments to date", praising its maze-like structure with hidden chests and secret passages. He was critical of the award system, however, stating that it "separates the excitement of new gear from the moment of victory", as it does not offer most loot until a full completion.<ref name="GIReview"/> Slead of ''EGM'' said that "the bread and butter of ''Destiny'' is still these post-campaign quests", also referring to Strikes and the weekly Nightfall activity.<ref name="EGMReview"/> Perez of ''Game Revolution'', who did not play any of the original game's raids, was a big fan of the Leviathan raid, stating that it exceeded its hype.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/features/348153-destiny-2-leviathan-raid-review-exceeds-hype|title=Destiny 2's Leviathan Raid Exceeds the Hype|date=September 13, 2017|last=Perez|first=Cody|work=[[w:Game Revolution]]|access-date=December 11, 2017}}</ref> Plagge of GameSpot said that "solving [the raid's] often obscure puzzles can be both rewarding and frustrating", but "each failure teaches you something new".<ref name="GSpotReview"/>

The original ''Destiny'' was largely criticized for its story. ''Destiny 2'', however, was praised for its improvements to the story and easier access to the universe's lore. Slead of ''EGM'' said that it has a "more robust story" and Bungie fixed the "meandering storytelling from the first".<ref name="EGMReview"/> Carter of ''Destructoid'' said that although its story was similar to others in the same genre, "it's easy to follow and even easier to get invested in, with the game's cast coming front and center."<ref name="DestructoidReview"/> Perez of ''Game Revolution'' said that the story "[gripped] me in a way that only Bungie's former series ''[[w:Halo (series)|Halo]]'' was able to." He said that there were many moments that were of shock and awe, and that the game had a meaningful narrative with an actual fleshed out villain.<ref name="GameRevReview"/> Plagge of GameSpot said that the story serves its main purpose and that its strength "lie in atmosphere and side details", while also praising its "mournful soundtrack" as fantastic.<ref name="GSpotReview"/>

Miller of ''Game Informer'' praised the Crucible mode for feeling more competitive than the original ''Destiny''{{'}}s, with teamwork being "highly valued". However, Miller was "perplexed by the decision to force players into one of two playlists", instead of letting them choose. He was also indifferent to the change of making all modes four-versus-four, but said that "the compact group size demands everyone pull their weight, which is great."<ref name="GIReview"/> Perez of ''Game Revolution'' was disappointed that Crucible did not receive "the same love that the singleplayer had been given." He said that although the smaller map sizes were not a bad thing, it causes multiplayer to be non-stop action, not allowing players to take a moment to strategize.<ref name="GameRevReview"/> David Houghton of ''[[w:GamesRadar+]]'' said that the changes to the Crucible mode "shine in a tight, focused, clear, and tactically co-operative format."<ref name="GRadarReview"/>

===Sales===
''Destiny 2'' sold 50,263 copies on PlayStation 4 within its first week on sale in Japan, which placed it at number one on the weekly sales charts.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=September 13, 2017 |url=http://gematsu.com/2017/09/media-create-sales-9417-91017 |title=Media Create Sales: 9/4/17 – 9/10/17 |publisher=Gematsu |access-date=September 13, 2017}}</ref> The weekend consisting of September 23, ''Destiny 2'' took the number 1 spot on the UK sales chart.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-10-uk-sales-chart-destiny-2-continues-its-domi/1100-6453561/|title=Top 10 UK Sales Chart: Destiny 2 Continues Its Dominance|last=Hussain|first=Tamoor|date=September 25, 2017|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> ''Destiny 2'' was also the second highest-grossing console game of 2017 in North America (behind ''[[w:Call of Duty: WWII]]''), and was also Activision's biggest PC release based on units sold.<ref>{{cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=December 20, 2017 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-ww-2-passes-1-billion-in-worldwide-sa/1100-6455775/ |title=Call Of Duty: WW 2 Passes $1 Billion In Worldwide Sales |website=[[w:GameSpot]]|access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref> Digital downloads for ''Destiny 2'' account for more than half of the total sales of the game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/12/21/call-of-duty-wwii-destiny-2-top-us-sales-for-2017|title=Call of Duty: WWII, Destiny 2 Top U.S. Sales for 2017|last=Gilyadov|first=Alex|date=December 20, 2017|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-11-03-more-than-50-percent-of-destiny-2-console-sales-were-digital-downloads|title=More than half of Destiny 2's console sales were digital downloads|work=Eurogamer.net|access-date=April 25, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

===Awards===
For the 2017 [[w:Game Critics Awards]], it was awarded Best PC Game for E3 2017.<ref name="GCA2017Winners">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/winners.html|title=Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2017 (2017 Winners)|work=[[w:Game Critics Awards]]|access-date=December 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702064755/http://gamecriticsawards.com/winners.html|archive-date=July 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> At [[w:The Game Awards 2017]], ''Destiny 2'' was one of four games to receive six nominations, the most for the year's event, which were for Best Art Direction, Best Score/Music, Best Audio Design, Best Ongoing Game, Best Action Game, and Best Multiplayer.<ref name="winners">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2017-winners-headlined-by-zelda-br/1100-6455467/|title=The Game Awards 2017 Winners Headlined By Zelda: Breath Of The Wild's Game Of The Year|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=December 8, 2017|website=GameSpot|access-date=December 8, 2017}}</ref> ''[[w:Entertainment Weekly]]'' ranked ''Destiny 2'' sixth on their list of the "Best Games of 2017",<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Morales |first1=Aaron |last2=Abrams |first2=Natalie |url=http://ew.com/gaming/best-video-games-2017/6-destiny-2-multiplatform/ |title=The Year's Best Games |magazine=[[w:Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=1496–97 |date=December 29, 2017 |pages=92–94 |access-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-date=December 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227235840/http://ew.com/gaming/best-video-games-2017/6-destiny-2-multiplatform/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''GamesRadar+'' ranked it seventh on their list of the 25 Best Games of 2017,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-games-2017/2/ |title=The best games of 2017: Page 2 |author=GamesRadar staff |date=December 22, 2017 |access-date=March 25, 2018 |website=GamesRadar+}}</ref> and ''[[w:Eurogamer]]'' also ranked it seventh on their list of the "Top 50 Games of 2017",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-12-30-eurogamers-top-50-games-of-2017-10-1 |title=Eurogamer's Top 50 Games of 2017: 10-1 |author=Eurogamer staff |date=December 30, 2017 |access-date=December 30, 2017 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref> while ''[[w:Polygon (website)|Polygon]]'' ranked it 12th on their list of the 50 best games of 2017,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017-best-games/2017/12/18/16781674/best-video-games-2017-top-50-mario-pubg-zelda |title=The to best games of 2017 |author=Polygon staff |date=December 18, 2017 |access-date=February 13, 2018 |website=Polygon}}</ref> and ''[[w:The Verge]]'' named it as one of their 15 Best Games of 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/15/16776632/best-games-2017-zelda-mario-pubg-destiny |title=The 15 best games of 2017 |author=Verge staff |date=December 15, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2018 |website=[[w:The Verge]]}}</ref> In ''Game Informer''{{'}}s Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards, the game came in second place for "Best Co-op Multiplayer" and for "Best Shooter".<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Game Informer staff |date=January 4, 2018 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/04/reader-s-choice-best-of-2017-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=2 |title=Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards (Page 2) |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=Game Informer staff |date=January 4, 2018 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/04/reader-s-choice-best-of-2017-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=3 |title=Reader's Choice Best of 2017 Awards (Page 3) |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref> The website also gave it the "Best Weaponry" and "Best Gunplay" in their 2017 Shooter of the Year Awards.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Bertz |first=Matt |date=January 6, 2018 |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/06/2017-shooter-of-the-year-awards.aspx |title=The 2017 Shooter of the Year Awards |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=January 9, 2018}}</ref>

''Destiny 2'' was nominated for "Best PC Game" in both ''[[w:Destructoid]]''{{'}}s Game of the Year Awards 2017 and [[w:IGN]]'s Best of 2017 Awards,<ref>{{cite web |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=December 12, 2017 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/nominees-for-destructoid-s-best-pc-game-of-2017-476291.phtml |title=Nominees for Destructoid's Best PC Game of 2017 |website=[[w:Destructoid]] |access-date=January 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_PC_Game|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best PC Game|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref> the latter of which also nominated it for "Game of the Year", "Best Xbox One Game", "Best Shooter", "Best Graphics", "Best Original Music", and "Best Multiplayer".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Game_of_the_Year|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Game of the Year|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Xbox_One_Game|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Xbox One Game|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Shooter|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Shooter|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Graphics|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Graphics|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Original_Music|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Original Music|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/best-of-2017-awards/Best_Multiplayer|title=Best of 2017 Awards: Best Multiplayer|website=IGN|date=December 20, 2017|access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref> The game won the award for "Best Co-op Game" in ''[[w:PC Gamer]]''{{'}}s 2017 Game of the Year Awards,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/best-co-op-game-2017-destiny-2/|title=Best Co-op Game 2017: Destiny 2|author=PC Gamer staff|date=December 20, 2017|magazine=[[w:PC Gamer]]|access-date=December 31, 2017}}</ref> and received a nomination for "Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/nominees-pc-gamer-goty-2017/|title=Games of the Year 2017: The nominees|author=PC Gamer staff|date=December 8, 2017|magazine=PC Gamer|access-date=December 31, 2017}}</ref> It was also a runner-up each for "Best-Looking Game", "Best Multiplayer", and "Game of the Year" in [[w:Giant Bomb]]'s 2017 Game of the Year Awards.<ref>{{cite web |author=Giant Bomb staff |date=December 25, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-one-old-disappointing-sh/1100-5699/ |title=Game of the Year 2017 Day One: Old, Disappointing, Shopkeepers, and Looks |publisher=[[w:Giant Bomb]] |access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Giant Bomb staff |date=December 26, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-two-music-surprise-multi/1100-5705/ |title=Game of the Year 2017 Day Two: Music, Surprise, Multiplayer, and Mess |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=January 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Giant Bomb staff |date=December 29, 2017 |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/articles/game-of-the-year-2017-day-five-best-worst-cast-and/1100-5708/ |title=Game of the Year 2017 Day Five: Best, Worst, Cast, and Capture |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=January 1, 2017}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Award !! Category !! Result !! Ref
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="20" | 2017
| rowspan="3" | [[w:Game Critics Awards]] 2017
| Best PC Game
| {{won}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="GCA2017Winners"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2017nominees.html|title=Game Critics Awards: Best of E3 2017 (2017 Nominees)|work=[[w:Game Critics Awards]]|access-date=December 31, 2017}}</ref>
|-
| Best Action Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Online Multiplayer
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="5" | [[w:Gamescom|Gamescom 2017]]
| Best Console Game (PlayStation 4)
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |last=Khan |first=Zubi |date=August 21, 2017 |url=http://www.cgmagonline.com/2017/08/21/gamescom-2017-award-nominees/ |title=Gamescom 2017 Award Nominees |publisher=CGM |access-date=January 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/24/super-mario-odyssey-sweeps-best-of-gamescom-awards-6876988/ |title=Super Mario Odyssey sweeps Best Of Gamescom awards |newspaper=[[w:Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |date=August 24, 2017 |access-date=January 22, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Best PC Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Action Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Social/Online Game
| {{won}}
|-
| Best Multiplayer Game
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | Ping Awards
| Best International Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ping-awards.com/2017-nominations.php |title=Nommés aux Ping Awards 2017 |publisher=Ping Awards |language=fr |date=November 8, 2017 |access-date=December 11, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" | [[w:Golden Joystick Awards]] 2017
| Best Audio
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web |last=Gaito |first=Eri |date=November 13, 2017 |url=https://www.bestinslot.co/golden-joystick-awards-2017-nominees/ |title=Golden Joystick Awards 2017 Nominees |publisher=Best in Slot |access-date=January 1, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110003232/https://www.bestinslot.co/golden-joystick-awards-2017-nominees/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| Best Gaming Performance (Nathan Fillion)
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Multiplayer Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Ultimate Game of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="6" | [[w:The Game Awards 2017]]
| Best Art Direction
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="winners"/>
|-
| Best Score/Music
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Audio Design
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Ongoing Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Action Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Multiplayer
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[w:Fun & Serious Game Festival|Titanium Awards]]
| Best Action Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.funandseriousgamefestival.com/the-list-of-finalists-for-the-fun-serious-titanium-awards-has-been-revealed-2017/|title=The list of finalists for the Fun & Serious Titanium Awards has been revealed|publisher=[[w:Fun & Serious Game Festival]]|year=2017|access-date=November 8, 2019|archive-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20191112055301/https://en.funandseriousgamefestival.com/the-list-of-finalists-for-the-fun-serious-titanium-awards-has-been-revealed-2017/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="33" | 2018
| rowspan="3" | New York Game Awards 2018
| Herman Melville Award for Best Writing
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.axs.com/complete-list-of-winners-of-the-new-york-game-awards-2018-127527|title=Complete list of winners of the New York Game Awards 2018|last=Whitney|first=Kayla|date=January 25, 2018|publisher=[[w:AXS (company)|AXS]]|access-date=January 28, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game
| {{nom}}
|-
| Statue of Liberty Award for Best World
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[w:16th Visual Effects Society Awards]]
| Outstanding Compositing in a Photoreal Commercial (''New Legends Will Rise'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2018-visual-effects-society-awards-nominations-list-full-1067888|title=Visual Effects Society Awards: 'Apes,' 'Blade Runner 2049' Lead Feature Nominees|last=Giardina|first=Carolyn|date=January 16, 2018|work=[[w:The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=February 3, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[w:21st Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Sound Design
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/game-of-the-year-nominees-announced-for-dice-award/1100-6456107/|title=Game Of The Year Nominees Announced for DICE Awards|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=January 14, 2018|website=GameSpot|access-date=January 18, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Action Game of the Year
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="6" | NAVGTR Awards
| Art Direction, Fantasy
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3351/|title=Nominee List for 2017|publisher=[[w:National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers]]|date=February 9, 2018|access-date=February 15, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180215172210/http://navgtr.org/archives/3351/|archive-date=February 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://navgtr.org/archives/3365/|title=Horizon wins 7; Mario GOTY|publisher=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers|date=March 13, 2018|access-date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180314070824/http://navgtr.org/archives/3365/|archive-date=March 14, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| Game, Franchise Action
| {{nom}}
|-
| Graphics, Technical
| {{nom}}
|-
| Original Dramatic Score, Franchise
| {{nom}}
|-
| Performance in a Drama, Lead (Nathan Fillion)
| {{nom}}
|-
| Use of Sound, Franchise
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3" | Italian Video Game Awards 2018
| People's Choice
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards |title=Italian Video Game Nominees and Winners 2018|publisher=Italian Video Game Awards|date=March 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193010/https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards|archive-date=March 21, 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=May 31, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Best Audio
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Evolving Game (''Curse of Osiris'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[w:SXSW Gaming Awards]] 2018
| Excellence in Multiplayer
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2018/2018-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/|title=Here Are Your 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards Finalists!|last=McNeill|first=Andrew|date=January 31, 2018|publisher=[[w:South by Southwest|SXSW]]|access-date=February 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/03/18/sxsw-gaming-awards-2018-winners-revealed|title=2018 SXSW Gaming Awards Winners Revealed|author=IGN Studios|date=March 17, 2018|website=IGN|access-date=March 18, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[w:Game Developers Choice Awards]]
| Best Technology
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/312569/Breath_of_the_Wild__Horizon_Zero_Dawn_lead_GDC_2018_Choice_Awards_nominees.php|title=Breath of the Wild & Horizon Zero Dawn lead GDC 2018 Choice Awards nominees!|author=Gamasutra staff|date=January 5, 2018|website=[[w:Gamasutra]]|access-date=January 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/legend-of-zelda-breath-of-the-wild-wins-another-ga/1100-6457600/|title=Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Wins Another Game Of The Year Award|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=March 22, 2018|website=GameSpot|access-date=March 22, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" | 16th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards
| Best Interactive Score
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audiogang.org/2018-awards/|title=2018 Awards|publisher=Game Audio Network Guild|access-date=April 14, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Best Dialogue
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Audio Mix
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Original Choral Composition ("Last Rite")
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[w:14th British Academy Games Awards]]
| Audio Achievement
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.mcvuk.com/business/hellblade-senuas-sacrifice-at-forefront-of-bafta-games-awards-nominations|title=Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice at forefront of BAFTA Games Awards nominations|last=deAlessandri|first=Marie|date=March 15, 2018|magazine=[[w:MCV/Develop|MCV]]|access-date=March 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/bafta-names-what-remains-of-edith-finch-its-best-game-of-2017-498392.phtml|title=BAFTA names What Remains of Edith Finch its best game of 2017|last=Makedonski|first=Brett|date=April 12, 2018|website=Destructoid|access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[w:American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards]] 2018
| 2017 ASCAP Video Game Score of the Year
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2018/composers-choice|title=Vote in the 2018 ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards!|publisher=[[w:American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers]]|date=April 9, 2018|access-date=April 23, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/prolific-film-composer-john-powell-recognized-with-ascap-henry-mancini-award-composer-and-songwriter-germaine-franco-receives-ascap-shirley-walker-award-at-2018-ascap-screen-music-awards-300654076.html|title=Prolific Film Composer John Powell Recognized With ASCAP Henry Mancini Award; Composer And Songwriter Germaine Franco Receives ASCAP Shirley Walker Award At 2018 ASCAP Screen Music Awards|author=ASCAP|date=May 24, 2018|publisher=[[w:PR Newswire]]|access-date=May 24, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | Game Critics Awards 2018
| Best Online Multiplayer (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-game-critics-awards-nominations-revealed-a/1100-6460089/|title=E3 2018: Game Critics Awards Nominations Revealed: Anthem, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Top The List|last=Faller|first=Patrick|date=June 28, 2018|website=GameSpot|access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/resident-evil-2-wins-top-honor-in-e3-game-critics-/1100-6460135/|title=Resident Evil 2 Wins Top Honor In E3 Game Critics Awards|last=Watts|first=Steve|date=July 2, 2018|website=GameSpot|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Best Ongoing Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | Gamescom 2018
| Best Add-on/DLC (''Forsaken'')
| {{won}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamescom-2018-award-nominees-include-marvels-spide/1100-6461187/ |title=Gamescom 2018: Award Nominees Include Marvel's Spider-Man, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, And More|last=Ramée|first=Jordan|date=August 15, 2018|website=GameSpot|access-date=August 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/gamescom-award-2018-nominees-include-marvels-spider-man-super-smash-bros-ultimate/|title=Gamescom 2018 award winners include Marvel's Spider-Man, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate|last=Keane|first=Sean|date=August 22, 2018|website=[[w:CNET]]|access-date=August 24, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | Golden Joystick Awards 2018
| Still Playing Award
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/golden-joysticks-2018-nominees-announced-voting-open-now/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Golden Joysticks 2018 nominees announced, voting open now|last=Hoggins|first=Tom|date=September 24, 2018|newspaper=[[w:The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=October 6, 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2018-winners/|title=Golden Joystick Awards 2018 winners: God of War wins big but Fortnite gets Victory Royale|last=Sheridan|first=Connor|date=November 16, 2018|website=GamesRadar+|access-date=November 17, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" | [[w:The Game Awards 2018]]
| Best Ongoing Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/11/13/18092186/game-awards-2018-nominees-show-date-start-time|title=The Game Awards 2018 nominees led by God of War, Red Dead Redemption 2|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=November 13, 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=November 14, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/game-awards-tga/2018/12/6/18130000/the-game-awards-winners-2018|title=The Game Awards 2018: Here are all the winners|last=Grant|first=Christopher|date=December 6, 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=December 7, 2018}}</ref>
|-
| Best Action Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Multiplayer Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[w:Gamers' Choice Awards]]
| Fan Favorite Multiplayer Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://file770.com/2018-gamers-choice-awards-nominees/|title=2018 Gamers' Choice Awards Nominees|last=Glyer|first=Mike|date=November 19, 2018|publisher=File 770|access-date=January 4, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Fan Favorite Shooter Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="13" | 2019
| rowspan="2" | [[w:22nd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]]
| Action Game of the Year (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/god-of-war-spider-man-lead-dice-awards-heres-all-t/1100-6464345/|title=God Of War, Spider-Man Lead DICE Awards; Here's All The Nominees|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=January 10, 2019|website=GameSpot|access-date=January 12, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Online Game of the Year (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | SXSW Gaming Awards 2019
| Excellence in Multiplayer (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/2019-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/|title=Here Are Your 2019 SXSW Gaming Awards Finalists!|last=Trent|first=Logan|date=February 11, 2019|publisher=South by Southwest|access-date=February 15, 2019|archive-date=February 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215051341/https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2019/2019-sxsw-gaming-awards-finalists/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| Most Evolved Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="1" | 17th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards
| Best Original Choral Composition (''Forsaken''; "Keep of Voices")
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.audiogang.org/2019-g-a-n-g-awards-finalists/|title=2019 G.A.N.G. Awards Finalists|last=Lagumbay|first=Emmanuel|date=February 14, 2019|publisher=Game Audio Network Guild|access-date=February 17, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[w:15th British Academy Games Awards]]
| Evolving Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2019/gaming/news/british-academy-games-awards-2019-nominees-1203163369/|title='God of War,' 'Red Dead 2' Lead BAFTA Game Awards Nominations|last=Fogel|first=Stefanie|date=March 14, 2019|magazine=[[w:Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | Italian Video Game Awards 2019
| Best Evolving Game (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards|title=Italian Video Game Awards Nominees and Winners|publisher=Italian Video Game Awards|date=April 11, 2019|access-date=May 25, 2019|archive-date=March 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193010/https://italianvideogameawards.com/awards|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards 2019
| 2018 ASCAP Video Game Score of the Year (''Forsaken'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2019/composers-choice|title=Vote in the 2019 ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards!|publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|date=April 2, 2019|access-date=April 22, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | Game Critics Awards 2019
| Best Ongoing Game
| {{won}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/06/27/e3-2019-game-critics-awards-winners/|title=E3 2019 Game Critics Awards – Final Fantasy 7 Remake wins Best of Show|last=Nunneley|first=Stephany|date=June 27, 2019|website=[[w:VG247]]|access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | Golden Joystick Awards 2019
| Best Game Expansion (''Shadowkeep'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/09/days_gone_rides_off_with_three_nominations_in_this_years_golden_joystick_awards|title=Days Gone Rides Off with Three Nominations in This Year's Golden Joystick Awards|last=Tailby|first=Stephen|date=September 20, 2019|website=[[w:Push Square]]|access-date=September 21, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Still Playing
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | [[w:The Game Awards 2019]]
| Best Ongoing Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2019-nominees-full-list/1100-6471564/|title=The Game Awards 2019 Nominees Full List|last=Winslow|first=Jeremy|date=November 19, 2019|website=GameSpot|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2019-winners-sekiro-takes-game-of-/1100-6472169/|title=The Game Awards 2019 Winners: Sekiro Takes Game Of The Year|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|date=December 13, 2019|website=GameSpot|access-date=December 13, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| Best Community Support
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | 2020
| rowspan="1" | [[w:23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]]
| Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay (''Shadowkeep'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/control-and-death-stranding-get-eight-nominations-each-for-the-2020-dice-awards/|title=Control and Death Stranding get 8 nominations each for the 2020 DICE Awards|last=Chalk|first=Andy|date=January 13, 2020|website=PC Gamer|access-date=January 20, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | [[w:16th British Academy Games Awards]]
| Evolving Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/mar/03/death-stranding-and-control-dominate-bafta-games-awards-nominations|title=Death Stranding and Control dominate Bafta games awards nominations|last=Stuart|first=Keith|date=March 3, 2020|newspaper=[[w:The Guardian]]|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | 18th Annual Game Audio Network Guild Awards
| Best Cinematic Cutscene Audio (''Shadowkeep'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehypemagazine.com/2020/02/game-audio-network-guild-announces-18th-annual-g-a-n-g-award-nominees/|title=Game Audio Network Guild Announces 18th Annual G.A.N.G. Award Nominees|last=Wilson|first=Kelly|date=February 13, 2020|website=The Hype Magazine|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="1" | ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards 2020
| 2019 ASCAP Video Game Score of the Year (''Shadowkeep'')
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="1" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/news-events/awards/2020/composers-choice|title=Vote in the 2020 ASCAP Composers' Choice Awards|publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers|date=May 7, 2020|access-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[w:The Game Awards 2020]]
|Best Ongoing Game| Best Ongoing Game
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Stedman|first1=Alex|date=2020-12-10|title=The Game Awards 2020: Complete Winners List|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/the-game-awards-winners-list-2020-1234850547/|access-date=2020-12-15|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|Best Community Support| Best Community Support
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |2021
| rowspan="2" |Golden Joystick Awards 2021
|Best Game Community| Best Game Community
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Ben Tyrer|date=2021-10-19|title=Golden Joystick Awards 2021: see the full list of nominees and how to vote today|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2021-nominations/|access-date=2021-12-11|website=gamesradar|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Still Playing| Still Playing Award
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Ben Tyrer|date=2021-10-19|title=Golden Joystick Awards 2021: see the full list of nominees and how to vote today|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2021-nominations/|access-date=2021-12-11|website=gamesradar|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[w:The Game Awards 2021]]
|Best Community Support (''Beyond Light'')
| {{nom}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=Webb|first=Kevin|title=The Game Awards 2021 honored the year's best video games and debuted exclusive trailers — here's who won|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/the-game-awards-2021-livestream-nominees-performances-2021-12|access-date=2021-12-11|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Wikiquote}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.destinythegame.com}}
* {{IMDb title|6721356|Destiny 2}}

{{Bungie}}
{{Destiny series}}
{{Authority control}}

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Dylan Burns

2023-07-19T14:16:24Z

Brandon:

[[File:Gtzz0xW.png]]

File:Gtzz0xW.png

2023-07-19T14:14:45Z

Brandon: Lego

== Summary ==
Lego

Dylan Burns

2023-07-19T14:11:31Z

Brandon: Created page with "https://media.printables.com/media/prints/371089/images/3288002_46174fc0-d48d-40c0-bd0e-9fbe910ddd0b/thumbs/inside/1280x960/jpg/dsc02383.webp"

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User:Brandon

2023-07-19T14:07:43Z

Brandon: Created page with "monke"

monke

Demonmama

2023-07-19T14:04:39Z

Brandon: Created page with "Are you mad?"

Are you mad?