Destiny 2: Legacy Collection kicks off the Epic store’s holiday giveaways

For some Destiny 2 players, the holidays may have just arrived early. From now until December 20, most of Destiny 2 is free to claim through the Epic Games Store,

The acquisition won’t cost a dime, and the content will remain in your library. That said, the Epic Games Store will become the default Destiny 2 destination for those who take up this offer. This is the first of several giveaways from Epic, with 17 reportedly set to arrive over the coming days.

Players have been asking for a more accessible entry point in Destiny 2 for years. While the base game is free to play, Destiny‘s expansions haven’t seen much, if any, price drop since release. Sentiment recently came to a head following a round of layoffs at Bungie and the confirmation of the next expansion’s delay. 

Just after these events, Bungie debuted Season 23 and a new microtransaction alongside it. Dubbed a “Starter Pack,” the contents included a few Exotic weapons and materials that could all be earned free in-game. From there, conversations reemerged around how expensive it was to start Destiny 2. Some even called on Bungie to make older expansions cheaper.

It is unclear whether this Epic Games Store freebie has Bungie’s hand behind it. It is, however, a fantastic opportunity for any players looking to get into Destiny 2. And it might even be tempting enough to convince a few free-to-play console or Steam players to convert to Epic’s launcher.

What Destiny 2 expansions is Epic Games Store giving away?

The Epic Games Store is offering the Destiny 2: Legacy Collection for free until December 20. This pack includes all of the currently released expansions in the game except for the newest, Lightfall. That includes Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, and The Witch Queen. It’s important to note that this bundle does not include the Destiny 2 base game, but that is also free.

Between the three expansions, players get a good chunk of content. This includes three Campaigns, three Raids, two Dungeons, four Strikes, and several activities across three new destinations. Of those three Campaigns, The Witch Queen is by far the best, but the others still offer some highs. And, of course, each expansion has its Exotic loot to chase. Some of the best weapons come from these expansions, like The Lament, Witherhoard, and Leviathan’s Breath.

What isn’t included in the Destiny 2: Legacy Collection

Though the name Legacy Collection might imply content from Destiny 2’s beginning, this isn’t the case. Famously, Bungie vaulted most of the early years of Destiny 2. Nearly everything except some gear from vanilla to Forsaken has been sliced out, including Campaigns and quests. Forsaken itself was split, with the Dreaming City locale and the Last Wish Raid now sold as a Forsaken Pack. Bungie tossed everything else into the vault alongside the Red War Campaign.

So, aside from the Forsaken Pack, the Destiny 2: Legacy Collection includes most of the “legacy” content still available in-game. Two things it does not include, however, are Dungeon Keys or the 30th Anniversary Pack. Starting with The Witch Queen, Bungie began splitting the Dungeons from the included expansion content. Instead, accompanying Dungeon Keys were sold separately or included as part of bundles for the annual pass. 

Legacy Collection players can do the Dungeons for Shadowkeep and Beyond Light, but The Witch Queen Dungeons will remain sealed without the add-on. The same fate is in store for those hoping to get Gjallarhorn or play some of the fun Dares of Eternity activity. Both were introduced as part of the Bungie 30th Anniversary Pack and are similarly sold separately.

How does switching to Epic Games Store work?

Knowing that there’s a bevy of free Destiny 2 content waiting to be claimed, some players might wonder if it’s worth switching from another platform. The short answer is that, as long as players don’t mind using the Epic Games launcher, it’s worth it. That said, players should keep a few things in mind to ensure the experience is smooth.

First off, interested gamers should know how Destiny 2 handles cross-platform play. It’s easy to link accounts on multiple platforms, and Destiny 2 supports seamless cross-play. Players can access their characters with all their equipment anywhere Destiny 2 can be played. But DLC purchases don’t transfer.

If players have already purchased Lightfall, the 30th Anniversary Pack, or the Forsaken Pack, hopping over to Epic Games means rebuying these items. The Legacy Collection might still end up being the better deal for some players. The included expansions still typically sell for their full $30 value.

Whether Epic Games Store is trying to nab a few regular users or this is Bungie’s olive branch, this bundle should hopefully turn a few interested players into true Guardians. It’s something the community and Bungie desperately need: some new regulars to help kickstart the population before The Final Shape.