Destiny 2’s free-to-play model offers a substantial amount of content for players without an initial financial investment. Since its transition in 2019, Bungie has structured the game to provide a core experience, with additional expansions, campaigns, and specific activities locked behind paywalls. For UK-based players, understanding what is available without purchase is key to enjoying the game’s core mechanics, story elements, and community features. This guide details the free activities, unlocks, and cosmetic opportunities available, based on the most current information.
Core Free Activities and Story Content
New players to Destiny 2 begin with the “New Light” questline. This introductory sequence is designed to onboard newcomers, teaching the fundamental mechanics of looting, shooting, and navigating the game’s universe. It also provides a narrative catch-up, including a cutscene that summarises events up to the Lightfall expansion. Following this, players are guided by the “Journey” tab, which directs them towards free content before presenting objectives that require purchase.
A wide array of playlist activities are available to free players. The Vanguard Strikes playlist includes strikes from various expansions, even if the player does not own the specific content the strike originates from. This allows free players to experience a rotating selection of these cooperative missions. Similarly, the Crucible, Destiny 2’s player-versus-player mode, is fully accessible. This includes the competitive Trials of Osiris, though recent updates indicate that participation in Trials may now be locked behind the most recent expansion, Lightfall. Free players can engage in the core PvP modes, including the Gambit mode, which pits teams against each other in a hybrid PvE/PvP format.
Seasonal events are a significant part of Destiny 2’s calendar and are entirely free to participate in. These occur each season: Guardian Games in the spring, Solstice of Heroes in the summer, Festival of the Lost in the autumn, and The Dawning in the winter. Each event features exclusive loot and a unique playable activity. While there are paid cosmetic items and an optional paid track within the event, the core activities and rewards are accessible to all.
The Prophecy dungeon is a notable exception among Destiny 2’s high-end activities. Unlike most dungeons, which are locked behind expansion purchases, Prophecy is available to all free players. This 3-player activity is set in the Realm of the Nine and offers challenging encounters and rewarding loot, though it does not feature matchmaking, requiring players to form their own fireteams.
Other free activities include Dares of Eternity, a six-player matchmade activity styled as a game show with Xur and a horse-like creature, offering substantial loot rewards. Free players also have access to a selection of planetary destinations, including the Cosmodrome and Europa, though some locations like The Dreaming City, The Moon, and Europa require gaining enough experience points to unlock fully. Additionally, Bungie offers the first mission of major campaigns like The Witch Queen and Lightfall as a free taste of the expansion’s content.
Free-to-Play Unlocks and Player Progression
Beyond activities, Destiny 2’s free-to-play model grants access to fundamental character progression systems. Players can choose from all three classes—Hunter, Titan, and Warlock—and utilise the three Light-based subclasses: Solar, Void, and Arc. While some subclasses must be unlocked through gameplay after completing the New Light questline, they are all ultimately available without purchase.
A significant portion of the weapon and armour loot pools are accessible to free players. While some items exclusive to paid activities are off-limits, the majority of gear can be acquired through free-to-play activities, though the methods may require more effort than for paying customers.
Transmogrification, the ability to change the appearance of armour using Ada-1 in the Tower, is also available. This system requires completing bounties to earn the necessary currency, though players can microtransact to accelerate the process. Free players also have partial access to the Season Pass. Each season features a free progression track that offers rewards, including seasonal exotic weapons, albeit with less frequency and fewer rewards than the paid track.
Clan membership is a core social feature and is not gated behind a paywall. Joining a clan allows players to participate in group activities, earn additional rewards, and connect with the community.
Temporary Free Access to Paid Content
In a significant promotional move, Bungie has periodically made past expansions and episodes available for free for a limited time. For example, ahead of the release of The Edge of Fate, the past three years of content were made available to all players. This included the full story campaigns for The Witch Queen, Lightfall, and The Final Shape, as well as the Echoes, Revenant, and Heresy Episodes that followed The Final Shape. This open access period was time-limited, with the content becoming unavailable after specific dates. However, any rewards, titles, triumphs, and cosmetics earned during the free access period remain permanently on the player’s account.
Free Cosmetic Rewards and Codes
Cosmetic items, such as emblems and shaders, are a key part of Destiny 2’s culture and are available through various free methods. Promo codes are periodically released, offering exclusive emblems and shaders that cannot be obtained elsewhere. These codes provide no gameplay advantage but allow for customisation. As of January 2026, a list of 56 active emblem codes was available, including codes like “Bulbul Tarang” (A67-C7X-3GN) and “Insula Thesauria” (3VF-LGC-RLX). It is important to note that codes are time-sensitive and should be redeemed promptly.
Additional emblems can be earned through alternative means. For instance, purchasing the Disability Awareness pin from the Bungie store grants the “Everyone Can Play” emblem. Furthermore, linking a Bungie account to the Epic Games Store allows players to earn emblems inspired by Fortnite and Fall Guys.
Conclusion
Destiny 2’s free-to-play offering is extensive, providing a solid foundation for new and returning players. The core gameplay loop, including strikes, PvP, seasonal events, and one dungeon, is fully accessible. Character progression, including all three classes and Light subclasses, is also free. While major story campaigns and the most recent raids are locked behind expansions, Bungie’s periodic free access periods offer a valuable opportunity to experience paid content. For UK consumers, the game presents a low-barrier entry point into a vast, community-driven universe, with cosmetic codes and events providing ongoing engagement without cost.