Destiny 2 Season of the Deep has arrived, prompting Guardians to return to Titan in order to investigate a distress signal from their old ally, Sloane. In order to assist Sloane and her new aquatic creature companion, you must explore the depths of the moon’s methane seas, scavenging for valuable items that can aid in the battle against the Witness. This thrilling adventure takes place in various new activities such as the Salvage matchmade event, Deep Dive missions, and a new Dungeon. Additionally, an exciting addition to the season is a fishing activity.
Alongside the captivating deep-sea-themed content, Season of the Deep introduces significant changes to Destiny 2. There is no increase in Power Level, meaning you won’t need to devote as much time to acquiring new weapons and armor to raise your level. Moreover, Exotic Armor Focusing provides a fresh approach to obtaining the specific Exotics you require. Allow this guide to navigate you through the turbulent waters of Destiny 2 Season of the Deep.
Destiny 2 Season of the Deep End Date
The duration of Season of the Deep will span 13 weeks, concluding on August 22 at 5 pm UTC. Additionally, Bungie has revealed that on the same day, there will be a showcase event for Destiny 2 The Final Shape, which will likely provide a glimpse of Season 22 as well. Until then, it is recommended to regularly check the Destiny 2 weekly reset for updates on new features, activities, and challenges introduced during Season of the Deep.
Season of the Deep Patch Notes
The patch notes for Season of the Deep unveil a wide array of changes and intriguing new additions. These include updates to weapon and Subclass abilities, modifications to existing Exotics, the introduction of weapon crafting capabilities, and even the inclusion of Exotic Engram focusing. However, it is crucial to be aware that the Power Level cap for Season of the Deep will remain at 1810. To stay fully informed about all the latest adjustments, it is advised to read the comprehensive patch notes available here.
Destiny 2 Season of the Deep Story
If you are unfamiliar with Sloane, let me give you a brief overview as she plays a crucial role in this season. Sloane was prominently featured in the Red War campaign, at the beginning of Destiny 2. During that time, Guardians were required to travel to the New Pacific Arcology on Titan, which is one of Saturn’s moons (and not related to Destiny 2 Class), in order to regroup with Commander Zavala at a Vanguard outpost established by Deputy Commander Sloane.
At a much later point, the Pyramid Ships of the Witness finally arrived in our Solar System, and one of them settled on Titan. Zavala gave the order to completely evacuate the Vanguard outpost, but Sloane chose to defy this directive and confront the Pyramid directly as it engulfed the moon. Since then, Titan has essentially been out of the picture, and Sloane has been presumed dead for the past few years.
However, against all expectations, she has returned in the Season of the Deep, summoning Guardians back to Titan to aid a sea monster that has been lurking in the methane seas for a long time. According to Sloane, this creature, named Ahsa, holds the key to combating the Witness. Thus, in the story of the Season of the Deep, you will join forces with Sloane, Zavala, and Drifter to delve into the depths of Titan, battle against the Hive and the Taken, and hopefully bring us closer to pushing back the Witness.
Destiny 2 Season of the Deep Activities and Dungeon
The Season of the Deep introduces four entirely fresh activities, the majority of which occur in previously uncharted sections of Titan. Regrettably, Titan has not been reinstated as a patrol area for unrestricted exploration. Let’s delve into the details of the new activities in Season of the Deep and understand their mechanics and workings.
- Matchmade Salvage Activity: Collaborate with five fellow Guardians to swiftly accomplish various objectives and retrieve Salvage from the depths of Titan’s seas. In the end, you’ll receive loot, but using a Salvage Key can unlock even better rewards and Deep Engrams.
- Deep Dive Missions: Plunge into the depths alongside a fire team of three to combat enemies, receive gifts from Ahsa, and fulfill randomized objectives—all while racing against the clock. Initially, you’ll descend through the Twilight level, completing objectives and navigating through sunken wrecks. Defeat the clock and confront a boss, or choose to go even deeper into the Midnight and Abyss depths for greater rewards. Rewards are guaranteed at the end, but using a Deep Dive Key will enhance them. It’s important to note that the Midnight and Abyss depths are currently locked but will become accessible in the upcoming weeks.
- Fishing: Acquire bait and cast your lines to catch fish of various rarities, then deposit your catches at the new aquarium in HELM to receive rewards! I have created a comprehensive Destiny 2 fishing guide that explains all the mechanics and lists the available fish species you can catch.
- New Dungeon: The name of the dungeon is currently unknown, but it was launched on Friday, May 26 at 5 pm UTC, coinciding with the daily reset.
Destiny 2 Season of the Deep Upgrades
Season of the Deep takes a departure from the customary vendor upgrade system that has been in place for several years. Instead, players now have the opportunity to complete 10 additional seasonal challenges that grant Seasonal Bonuses. These bonuses essentially offer the same benefits as those found in the traditional upgrade system. However, rather than having to earn specific currency, fulfill certain challenges, or wait for time-gated resources to unlock them, you can simply complete the corresponding challenge. It should be noted that a few of these challenges are dependent on elements currently unavailable, thus imposing time restrictions. Nevertheless, you can still complete most of them by engaging in the seasonal activities available at present. Below, you will find the 10 upgrades you can acquire and the means to obtain them.
- By completing a Season of the Deep weekly activity challenge, you have the opportunity to receive an additional Deep Engram each time you finish an activity for the remainder of the week. This starts by completing Week 1 of the “Into the Depths” seasonal quest.
- Utilize Deep Engrams to focus on high-stat seasonal armor by acquiring every piece of Season of the Deep NPA “Weir-Walker” armor.
- Utilize Deep Engrams to focus on specific Season of the Deep or Reckoning weapons by obtaining any six of the Season of the Deep and reprised Reckoning weapons.
- Attain bonus Sonar Station reputation for both you and your fireteam when opening a Salvage or Deep Dive chest by reaching Rank 7 of the Sonar Station.
- Engaging in activities presents a chance to obtain an additional Deep Engram by reaching Rank 13 of the Sonar Station.
- Catching a fish while using Bait can potentially refund the Bait. Achieve this by catching 25 fish while a pond is at its maximum Focused Fishing bonus.
- Using a Salvage or Deep Dive Key provides a chance to acquire another Deep Engram. This can be accomplished by completing three jobs in a single Salvage activity run.
- The first individual craftable weapon you focus at the Sonar Station for the week is guaranteed to have Deepsight Resonance. Defeat the two unique Salvage bosses (rotation changes weekly) to unlock this bonus.
- Using a Salvage Key provides a chance to acquire a Deep Dive Key. Defeat the three unique Deep Dive bosses (not all bosses are currently available) to unlock this possibility.
- Unlock a special and heavy ammo crate that appears at each depth in Deep Dives. The crate is hidden but offers an additional time when opened. Accomplish this by completing a Deep Dive encounter at the Abyss depth (Abyss depth is not yet accessible).
Destiny 2 Season of the Deep Weapons, Armor, and Exotics
With the arrival of a fresh season in Destiny 2, players can anticipate a plethora of new weapons, armor, and Exotics to pursue. Numerous new and reintroduced weapons can be obtained through a variety of activities. Here is a compilation of the notable highlights to look out for:
- Obtain the Centrifuse Season Pass Exotic weapon, an Arc Auto Rifle. This weapon can be charged up by sprinting, sliding, and firing. As it charges, its range and reload speed improve, and when fully charged, kills with it creating blinding explosions.
- Earn Reprised Reckoning weapons and new craftable Taken variants by participating in Season of the Deep activities.
- Last Wish Raid weapons have received new perks and can now be crafted.
- Obtain the Epochal Integration Hand Cannon by completing the Parting the Veil quest.
- Rank up ritual activities vendors to acquire the Last Rite Scout Rifle.
- The Braytech Osprey Rocket Launcher and Loaded Question Fusion Rifle have returned as Nightfall weapons.
- The Randy’s Throwing Knife Scout Rifle is back in The Crucible, The Messenger Pulse Rifle has returned to Trials of Osiris, and the new Mercurial Overreach Sniper Rifle replaces Rose as the Competitive Division weapon.
When it comes to armor, players have the opportunity to acquire a diverse range of distinctive sets, each with its own unique appearance. Notably, there are new PlayStation-themed sets available for players to obtain alongside other captivating armor sets.
- Titans can acquire the Arbor Warden Exotic Chest, which grants a grenade that creates a barricade upon using the Class ability.
- Warlocks have access to the Cenotaph Mask Exotic Helmet. This helmet steadily reloads any Trace Rifle and marks bosses or minibosses upon damaging them. Allies who defeat the marked targets generate special ammo for the Warlock and heavy ammo for everyone else.
- Hunters can obtain the Triton Vice Exotic Gauntlets, enhancing Glaives with faster reloads and increased melee damage when surrounded. Glaive melee kills also overflow the magazine, and Glaive projectiles can detonate if their damage type matches the Hunter’s Subclass.
- Warlocks, Titans, and Hunters can obtain the NPA “Weir—Walker” seasonal armor sets.
- Warlocks, Titans, and Hunters can acquire the Abyssal Pelagic seasonal armor ornament sets.
- Warlocks, Titans, and Hunters can obtain armor sets specific to the dungeon.
- Hunters can acquire the Anointed Hunter armor set, which is a Horizon-themed PlayStation set.
- Titans can obtain the Godsbane armor set, inspired by the God of War and designed for PlayStation.
- Warlocks can acquire the Ancestral armor set, which is themed around Ghost of Tsushima and created for PlayStation.
Destiny 2 New Strand Aspects
Additionally, in Season of the Deep, players can engage in the Destiny 2 Parting the Veil quest, which operates independently from the season and necessitates the Destiny 2 Lightfall expansion for participation. Upon successfully completing the quest, players are rewarded with the Epochal Integration Legendary Solar Hand Cannon and Strand Aspects, which are available for all Classes. The Strand Aspects include the following options:
- Titan Aspect – Flechette Storm: By activating your charged melee ability while sliding, you can leap into the air and deliver a powerful blow to nearby targets, causing damage and knocking them back. Additionally, while airborne, you can activate your charged melee again to unleash a cluster of damaging projectiles called Unraveling. This ability can be activated repeatedly to chain together multiple throws.
- Warlock Aspect – The Wanderer: When you throw Tangles, they attach to enemies and detonate, creating a burst that suspends them. If you secure final blows with Threadling, it can generate a Tangle, further enhancing your explosive capabilities.
- Hunter Aspect – Threaded Specter: Utilize your class ability to leave behind a decoy called Strand, which attracts the attention of nearby enemies. When the decoy takes significant damage or combatants draw near, it detonates, dealing damage and releasing Threadlings that can cause further havoc.
New Exotic Armor Focusing
Master Rahool’s new system is a significant and valuable addition that can greatly assist players in refining their builds by facilitating the acquisition of Exotic Armor pieces with desirable stat rolls. Let’s delve into how this system operates:
- Exotic Engrams, with the exception of those obtained as end-of-activity rewards, can be decrypted to obtain different armor pieces using various methods.
- The first method is normal decryption, where you decrypt the engram and receive a random piece of Exotic armor that you have already unlocked.
- Alternatively, you can utilize the Advanced Decryption method. In this approach, Exotic armor pieces are categorized by expansion. By selecting a specific category, you will receive a random Exotic armor piece from that particular category that you have previously unlocked. However, this method requires one Exotic Engram, 30k Glimmer, and one Ascendant Shard.
- Another option is Precision Decryption, which allows you to choose a specific Exotic armor piece that you have unlocked in the past. By selecting it, you will obtain that specific armor piece. Precision Decryption involves the cost of one Exotic Engram, 60k Glimmer, three Ascendant Shards, and one Exotic Cipher.
Season of the Deep Crucible Updates
Season of the Deep has brought forth several noteworthy alterations to the Crucible and Trials of Osiris. To provide a concise overview, here are the key updates introduced in this season:
- The Meltdown map has made a return.
- In Trials of Osiris, the Elimination mode has been replaced by Dominion. Dominion combines the standard Elimination rules with a central objective that both teams can contest. Victory can be achieved by eliminating the enemy team or capturing the objective.
- The Trials of Osiris Passage of Wealth now offers a more consistent and generous bonus Trials reputation, while the Passage of Mercy has become more forgiving by allowing an additional loss in matches.
- New loot has been introduced for Trials of Osiris, including the Unexpected Resurgence Glaive, Hero’s Wake Exotic Ghost Shell, Valiant Memory Exotic Ship, Survivor’s Journey Exotic Sparrow, and Glorious Patina Shader.
- The Trials intro quest has been revamped with updated objectives to reduce the grind and make it easier for players to participate.
- The requirements for achieving the Flawless title have been revised, making it more challenging to obtain.
- The Rose Hand Cannon has been replaced by the Mercurial Overreach Sniper Rifle as the exclusive weapon for the Competitive Division. Players are encouraged to acquire it before it’s no longer available. Additionally, a new Ascendant emblem can be earned.