Complete guide to Destiny 2 Season of the Haunted with Solar 3.0, new dungeon, and system overhauls for veteran players
Season Launch Details and Timing
Destiny 2’s Season of the Haunted represents a significant evolution in the game’s seasonal model, bringing comprehensive system updates alongside compelling narrative content centered around Emperor Calus. Here’s your complete timeline for the season’s debut.
Season of the Haunted introduces transformative PvP enhancements alongside streamlined weapon crafting mechanics. Discover the launch schedule and comprehensive feature breakdown below.
Season of the Risen established an impressive standard with its engaging PsiOps Battlegrounds activity, maintaining player engagement well beyond The Witch Queen expansion’s initial release period.
This positions Season of the Haunted as a crucial bridge season, tasked with sustaining momentum while establishing foundational elements leading into the anticipated Lightfall expansion.
Our comprehensive coverage includes weapon crafting modifications, new PvP environments, Trials of Osiris adjustments, and detailed analysis of the upcoming subclass overhaul following Void 3.0’s successful implementation.
- New Dungeon
- Raid rotation
- Crucible maps
- Gambit rework
- Trials of Osiris rework
- Iron Banner rework
- Weapon crafting changes
- Sandbox changes
Season of the Risen concludes precisely on May 24, placing us within days of experiencing the upcoming seasonal content.
Season 17 becomes available immediately at weekly reset (6 PM BST/10 AM PT/1 PM ET) on that date, providing ample opportunity to advance your Season Pass progression and Seasonal Artifact upgrades.
Bungie has proactively released the season’s trailer, which you can view embedded below for early insights.
Major Content Additions
Three-player Dungeon activities deliver Raid-caliber mechanics and encounter design, with another impressive installment scheduled for Season 17.
Despite community concerns regarding Dungeon accessibility being tied to The Witch Queen Digital Deluxe Edition, Bungie confirmed players would have future upgrade options available.
Bungie’s May 19 development update confirmed the new dungeon launches at daily reset (10 AM PST/6 PM BST) on Friday, May 27 — strategically positioned several days after the season’s initial release.
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While specific thematic elements and reward names remain undisclosed, Bungie confirmed normal difficulty requires 1550 Power Level, with Master difficulty launching simultaneously (though its Power requirement remains unannounced).
Anticipate these substantial rewards from dungeon completion:
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- Artifice Versions can also be acquired via Master Difficulty
- Artifice Versions can also be acquired via Master Difficulty
Solar 3.0 takes center stage this season, transforming Sunsingers, Gunslingers, and Sunbreakers with enhanced customization and potent new abilities. The subclass overhaul introduces Scorch and Ignite mechanics that create devastating area control opportunities.
Here’s Bungie’s evocative description of the revitalized subclasses:
Befriend these incandescent priests and find restoration. Oppose them and glimpse annihilation within the rain of a shattered dawn.
Radiant duelists who live within blinding displays of dexterity and skill. Beware the truth of their aim and the molten edge of their blade.
Siege engines powered by the fury of undying suns. To confront them is to cede ground and ignite the maelstrom that ends all things.
The seasonal exotic weapon is Trespasser, available through the Season of the Haunted Season Pass. This returning Destiny 1 favorite from Rise of Iron discharges arc energy bursts, with reloads after eliminations triggering extended, more devastating burst sequences.
System Overhauls and Improvements
Bungie’s recent development update disclosed comprehensive changes to Destiny 2’s Raid content rotation structure.
Beginning Season 17, Raid activities separate into Seasonal and Weekly classifications “providing players enhanced content variety,” according to developer commentary.
Seasonal category includes the most recent Raid and Dungeon, awarding Pinnacle rewards across all encounters (incorporating the Season 17 Dungeon). Weekly rotations alternate Raids and Dungeons every reset, providing singular Pinnacle rewards for specific Weekly Challenge completion.
These classifications maintain complete separation, ensuring Vow of the Disciple cannot simultaneously occupy both Seasonal and Weekly Raid positions.
The current Destiny 2 Raid roster includes:
Disjunction, the new PvP environment situated within Savathun’s Throne World, finally arrives to refresh Crucible map rotations.
This expansive layout perfectly accommodates Rift’s reintroduction as part of Season 17’s substantial Iron Banner overhaul, before joining standard Crucible rotations in Season 18.
While Gambit received significant attention during Season of the Risen, Trials of Osiris undergoes its transformation in Season 17.
Destiny 2’s premier competitive PvP mode has experienced numerous adjustments recently, though Bungie indicated additional Season 17 modifications in pre-Witch Queen communications.
“Trials enthusiasts can rest assured—while Gambit remains our Season 16 priority, we’ve prepared exciting alterations,” the announcement stated. Confirmed changes include:
Iron Banner receives substantial updates, resurrecting the long-absent Rift game mode.
Reward structures now incorporate a Trials-inspired Reputation framework. Consult our dedicated Iron Banner rework guide for comprehensive details.
The Witch Queen introduced weapon crafting, though player creativity encountered limitations from material caps and complex element requirements.
Bungie addresses initial concerns during Season of the Risen, with Season 17 eliminating all elements except Neutral variants. Developers stated this simplification streamlines weapon crafting while reconsidering Pattern acquisition methods—though specifics remain forthcoming.
The ritual weapon emerges as Chain of Command Machine Gun—featuring distinctive skins for Gambit, Vanguard, and Crucible activities.
Season 17’s Ritual Weapon – Chain of Command. pic.twitter.com/838G3Yg5cb
— Destiny 2 News (@DeltaINTEL) April 28, 2022
Advanced Player Strategies
For optimal Season of the Haunted progression, prioritize these strategic approaches based on the comprehensive system changes and new content offerings.
Weapon Preparation Strategy: The simplified crafting system allows focused investment in preferred weapon frames. Pre-farm Neutral Elements before Season 17 launch to immediately engage with the streamlined system. Avoid stockpiling other element types as they’ll become obsolete.
Dungeon Readiness: Normal difficulty at 1550 Power requires minimal preparation for seasoned players. However, Master difficulty likely demands 1570+ Power—begin power-leveling immediately at season launch. Artifice armor provides additional mod slots, making Master completion highly valuable for build optimization.
Solar 3.0 Build Crafting: The new Scorch and Ignite mechanics enable powerful area denial and add-clear capabilities. Warlocks should experiment with enhanced healing and support capabilities, while Titans can leverage improved sunspot generation. Hunters gain access to more versatile knife techniques with enhanced synergy.
Common Progression Mistakes to Avoid:
Advanced PvP Tactics: The Disjunction map’s size favors pulse rifles and scout rifles. For Trials, prepare for continued Capture Zone weekends and familiarize yourself with all seven rotation maps. The player-voted map typically receives highest engagement—master it early.
According to Bungie, participants can obtain the Riptide Fusion Rifle, Dead Weight Shotgun, and Strident Whistle Bow through Crucible, Gambit, and Vanguard engagements respectively.
Review the current Nightfall, Iron Banner, and Trials of Osiris rotations provided below.
Bungie has identified these weapons exiting availability (temporarily) starting Season 18:
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- Peacebond Sidearm
- Archon’s Thunder Machine Gun
- Peacebond Sidearm
- Archon’s Thunder Machine Gun
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- PLUG ONE.1 Fusion Rifle
- The Hothead Rocket Launcher
- PLUG ONE.1 Fusion Rifle
- The Hothead Rocket Launcher
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- Eye of Sol Sniper Rifle
- The Summoner Auto Rifle
- Eye of Sol Sniper Rifle
- The Summoner Auto Rifle
Contrary to speculation about Rasputin’s return, Season of the Haunted focuses thematically on Emperor Calus and his monumental Leviathan vessel.
Bungie’s narrative description states:
“Power, depravity, vengeance. The object of Calus’s desire has taken many shapes over the years. His once-opulent ship, now derelict and corrupted, has returned to our galaxy—its sights set on the Pyramid ship lying dormant on the Moon.”
“As the Leviathan forms a connection with the Pyramid, Nightmares of the past awaken and threaten to torment any who dare intervene. Stare into the abyss and find bravery within the mantle of the reaper and the steel of the scythe.”
Season 17 maintains the established Season Pass framework, allowing entry at approximately £10 per seasonal installment.
Witch Queen Deluxe Edition owners automatically receive access to seasons 17, 18, and 19 without additional purchase requirements.
The subscription model discussion continues within the community as Destiny 2’s content delivery evolves.
For additional Destiny 2 Season of the Haunted coverage, explore our extensive library of loot shooter content.
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