The first of two big Destiny DLC expansions has been fleshed out with pricing, details and a release date. As anticipated it will arrive well ahead of the year-end holiday break, and much of it has been constructed based on the feedback of players dating back to the beta this past summer.
Destiny Expansion I: The Dark Below is set beneath the surface of the moon and will offer a new story to traverse, and new weapons and gear to collect along the way. Here’s the official synopsis, “After years hiding amongst the Hive shadows, a new character, Eris, has come forth bearing an ominous warning: The Hive seek to summon a god, Crota, to destroy the Earth. Find Eris in the Tower to take on special quests that include three new missions where you will increase your Light and earn new reward.”
“Destiny was created as a living universe, which has allowed us to improve the experience post launch in real-time,” Harold Ryan, President of Bungie, offered in the press announcement. “It also gives us insight into the things players are looking for in new content. We’ve seen from feedback that people want new activities, gear and weapons, and of course the immensely popular Raid. The community helps shape our development decisions and that’s really important to us.”
Building upon that, here’s a full rundown of what Destiny Expansion I: The Dark Below has to offer:
- New weapons, armor, and gear to earn, including Legendary and Exotic items
- Light Level cap raised to 32 and five additional Bounty slots added
- New cooperative Strike, The Will of Crota, pits you and your Fireteam against Omnigul as she works to expand the Hive army at the command of her master, Crota
- Three new competitive multiplayer arenas
- Pantheon – set deep within the Black Garden in an ancient Vex temple that features Vex-designed landscapes and tight corridors
- Skyshock – an old interplanetary defense array that offers both vehicle and infantry engagements
- The Cauldron – an abandoned Hive ritual site that offers close-quarter combat
- New six-player Raid, Crota’s End, set deep within the depths of the Hellmouth
- PlayStation platforms will also get access to an exclusive cooperative Strike, The Undying Mind, and more (timed exclusive until at least Fall 2015)
Activision will be launching Bungie’s Destiny Expansion I: The Dark Below on December 9 at a cost of $19.99 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. A way to get it a couple bucks cheaper is to buy the Destiny Expansion Pass for $34.99 that entitles you to both Destiny expansions.
