Season of Arrivals has released for Destiny 2, introducing a new seasonal activity and setting up the narrative for the Beyond Light expansion. As with all new seasons, new gear is also available for players to chase.
Compared to the divisive Season of the Worthy, Season of Arrivals has much more to offer. Coming with a new Dungeon, changes to Crucible, a new Public Event, and a new means of target-farming gear, this is one of Destiny 2's strongest seasonal offerings since the Annual Pass seasons. Here are 10 things you need to know about Season of Arrivals for Destiny 2.
10 The Darkness Is Coming
Destiny 2's Red War teased the Darkness faction awakening after the Traveler itself awoke. Shadowkeep then picked up on this thread and heavily implied the Darkness is returning.
Season of Arrivals sets the tone for the upcoming Beyond Light expansion. Pyramid ships are appearing on Io and Titan. The energy from these ships can be siphoned through the new Contact Public Event to earn new gear and prepare for the coming war.
9 Contact Public Event
This season's content loop revolves around Contact, a Public Event where players slay groups of enemies and deposit Motes they drop into a bank.
If it sounds like the PvE portion of Gambit, that's because it is. Banking certain thresholds of Motes spawns Champion enemies and Taken bosses much like Primevals from Gambit. The reward is worth it, with this activity granting a steady stream of Umbral Engrams for players to decrypt.
8 Umbral Engrams
Umbral Engrams are Bungie's solution to target-farming gear. They function similarly to Legendary Engrams, only they can also be influenced using a new currency type.
Altered Element can be earned by completing daily Bounties and certain Triumphs. This currency can be used to force certain items out of the Umbral Engram, ranging from one of two guns to forcing a certain stat roll on a piece of armor. If you want to farm the perfect set of guns or armor before Beyond Light launches, this is the perfect time to do so.
7 Twisted Energy
As with most seasons in Destiny 2, Season of Arrivals introduces a new meta-progression system in the form of the Prismatic Recaster.
This device will absorb Twisted Energy to grant bonuses to Umbral Engrams and earn rates. Twisted Energy is a limited resource that is only available either through weekly Bounties or decrypting Umbral Engrams after obtaining a certain upgrade. Those with only 1 character will likely be unable to upgrade their Recaster fully due to how limited Twisted Energy is.
6 New Dungeon
Dungeons are 3-man pinnacle activities that are closer to Raids than Strikes. Season of Arrivals introduced a new Dungeon named Prophecy for players to master.
As with Shattered Throne and Pits of Heresy, Prophecy has a new range of mechanics and encounters for players to master. Unlike previous Dungeons, Prophecy has two armor sets and a range of guns exclusive to it. Also, players can replay the same encounter to farm non-powerful gear, unlike other activities. Unfortunately, this Dungeon will leave the game when Beyond Light launches, so farm it now.
5 Acquire Past Seasonal Exotics
If anyone missed the season pass Exotics from previous seasons, there is now a way to obtain them. Through a new currency named Exotic Ciphers, players can trade them to Master Rahool at the Tower to obtain past season pass Exotics such as Eriana's Vow.
If anyone has all Exotic season pass gear already, they can give these to Xur for additional Fated Engrams. Currently, the only way to get these Ciphers is to obtain them from the free path of the season pass.
4 Removal Of SBMM
Excluding Elimination and Survival, Skill-Based Matchmaking (SBMM for short) has been removed from Crucible this season.
This means that players will fight other players of different skill levels. No longer will every game feel like a competitive tournament against the best of players, but rather Crucible will be a mix of players from all skill levels. Crucible fans might have much more enjoyment from traditional playlists with this massive change introduced this season.
3 New Seasonal Mods
Bungie has put a large emphasis on build crafting since Shadowkeep released. Each season has introduced new mods that allow for new builds and playstyles.
Season of Arrivals is no exception. The dozen new mods introduced enhance the power of Swords, Sidearms, and grant even more powerful buffs relating to Season of Dawn's Charged With Light mechanic. Unlike Dawn, the mods here are much more impactful and easier to understand.
2 Artifact Mod Refresh
On top of new season mods, the Artifact has seen yet another set of mods to use. These mods can range from cheaper enhanced perks to Exotic-tier effects.
Fan-favorite mods such as Solar Plexus and Oppressive Darkness are back in full swing this season. Bungie also added an Unstoppable Pulse Rifle mod for the arms slot instead of weapons, allowing Exotic Pulses like Outbreak Perfected to stagger targets.
1 Gear Sunsetting
The largest thing Season of Arrivals added doesn't impact the game currently, but it will have a massive effect on Destiny 2 once Beyond Light launches.
That feature is gear upsetting. Every non-Exotic weapon and armor piece now has a maximum infusion cap that coincides with a certain season. In essence, everything that wasn't introduced after Season of Dawn will be under the current Power cap when Beyond Light launches. Keep these infusion caps in mind when deciding on what weapons and armor to invest resources and time into.