The Dreadnaught is making a comeback, and it’s a big deal for Destiny 2 players. This legendary Hive ship, which serves as the Throne World to Oryx, is once more threatening humanity. As Destiny 2: Heresy, the third Episode and the concluding chapter of the Light and Darkness Saga, is set to release on February 4, players will embark on their adventures with this looming threat. The Destiny team recently held a livestream, providing a detailed preview of what’s in store with Heresy. It featured exclusive developer interviews and live gameplay to give fans a taste of the action.
Today, I’m diving into some of the standout features of Heresy that were unveiled during the livestream. If you missed it, you can find a full recap of the broadcast available online.
A significant return is upon us as the Dreadnaught, orbiting Saturn’s rings, reemerges. Though it’s a familiar name in the Destiny lore, remembered for the fierce battles against Oryx in The Taken King expansion and later as a hub for Xivu Arath’s forces, the ship is taking center stage again. Nikko Stevens, the Narrative Architect for Destiny 2, said, “The significance of the Dreadnaught’s return in Heresy is in its transformation and the fresh challenges it presents. The Vanguard and Guardians in the system have been alerted by its reawakening, marking the first time in almost a decade that we’ll explore its aged halls since Oryx’s defeat.”
As players delve into Heresy, they will undertake a thrilling new mission—The Nether—right on the ship itself. This activity soaks players in a blend of exploration and combat, with modifiers that increase the challenge and, naturally, rewards that are sure to entice. Stevens explains, “Heresy unleashes a torrent of Taken forces and corruption pouring from the Dreadnaught. This corruptive overflow acts as a hostile pushback to Guardians trying to infiltrate the ship, and that’s where The Nether comes into play.”
Guardians will tackle varied patrol areas and formidable bubbles stuffed with enemies, culminating in epic boss battles as they navigate the eerie, transformed halls. Lessons drawn from past rogue-lite elements like The Coil from the Season of the Wish and Deep Dives from the Season of the Deep mean players can expect a dynamic experience. After every bubble is cleared, enemy power levels increase, while the introduction of gameplay boons adds another layer to the combat system.
These boons come in three flavors: minor, major, and corrupted. Minor boons provide stacking stat boosts. Major boons, found after completing bubbles, don’t stack but deliver gameplay-altering benefits such as building Static Charge stacks. This lets players unleash a thunderbolt when firing their weapon. Corrupted boons offer a powerful boost but come with drawbacks, like increased damage output paired with increased damage received.
Ryan Harris, a Senior Designer at Destiny 2, notes, “We’ve toyed around with player modifiers, impacting health pools, ammunition, and regeneration. Surviving The Nether requires smart loadouts, as modifiers significantly impact player health and halt health regeneration.”
Today’s livestream also unveiled an exciting partnership between Bungie and Lucasfilm Games, bringing Star Wars-themed gear to Destiny 2. With Heresy’s launch, players can snag three new armor ornaments inspired by the Galactic Empire and a range of Star Wars-influenced accessories.
With three Acts planned for this Episode, there’s still plenty of excitement in store for Heresy. New activities, awesome gear, and much more are on the horizon, kicking off what promises to be a fantastic 2025 for Destiny 2. Stay tuned for more updates! Destiny 2: Heresy arrives February 4.
