Bungie has been largely secretive about the upcoming season ofDestiny 2content, only letting a few nuggets of information out about new gear and some activity reworks. The reveal trailer was set to air for Western players an hour before the game goes offline for a short maintenance period ahead ofSeason 17going live. However, after an apparent leak by PlayStation Japan, Bungie has gone ahead and put out the official reveal trailer for the game’s next season.
The previous season ofDestiny 2, Season of the Risen, kicked off alongside the most recent major expansion,The Witch Queen, and the battles with Savathun’s Hive guardians and Lucent Brood. Season of the Risen saw the Vanguard join forces with Cabal Empress Caiatl to halt the Lucent Brood’s push outside Savathun’s Throne World and continue to grow this burgeoning alliance between the Last City and the Cabal. It also saw Crow, the reborn Uldren Sov, continue struggling with the restored memories of his previous life as he tries to forge his own identity under the mentorship of Lord Saladin.
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It appears this alliance between the Cabal and guardians will continue to grow in Season 17, titled Season of the Haunted. As mentioned above, the trailer appeared to have been leaked well ahead of its planned premiere by PlayStation Japan, prompting Bungie to go ahead and post the official reveal trailer. It showcases the return of theEmperor Calus' ship, the Leviathan, in orbit around the moon and infested with the strange flora seen in the Presage mission and the same phantoms seen all over the Moon. Crow, Zavala, Caiatl, and Eris Morn look to be central characters for the seasonal narrative, which is fitting given the Leviathan return and Lunar orbit.
The season’s official art poster teases the phantoms which may haunt three of the aforementioned characters as they traverse the Leviathan. Caiatl’s appears to be a phantom of Ghaul and Crow’s is a literal ghost of his past in the form of Uldren. Zavala’s, however, is not as clear as there are still aspects of his past players do not know about. TheCrown of Sorrowis also depicted on the poster, teasing its part in causing the infestation.
The trailer goes on to confirmSolar 3.0will be the next class rework for players to mess around with. Some of the abilities showcased include a new ground-pound for Titans, an altered heavy throwing knife for Hunters, and a ranged-melee for Warlocks using a simple snap of the fingers. A player can also be seen sniping what appears to be a tripmine grenade in midair, potentially opening the door for some fun gameplay flexes.
As for the gear, Bungie looks to be bringing back beloved weapons from Season of Opulence’s popular Menagerie mode, such as theAustringer hand cannon. The Trespasser sidearm originally introduced in theRise of Ironexpansion will also be making its return, though it isn’t clear if it’s the season pass exotic or will be the seasonal exotic quest.
It is clear, based on this trailer, why Bungie was so secretive about its plans for Season of the Haunted. More lore-minded players in theDestiny 2community have speculated about how and when theLeviathanmay return, which, in turn, teases the potential return of Calus either this season or in the future. It remains to be seen, though, if the former Cabal emperor and wannabe-disciple of The Witness will return in Season of the Haunted.
Destiny 2is currently available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
