Destiny 2's Final Update – Live Coverage of the End of an Era

After nine years, eight expansions, and countless updates—some stellar, others questionable—Destiny 2's final ever patch is set to launch today. The Monument of Triumph marks the end of an era, serving as the last major release before the studio moves on from the game. While the future of the Destiny series remains uncertain, Bungie has stated it will begin incubating new projects, though any new games are likely years away from announcement.

The Monument of Triumph update brings a variety of new features, weapons, and buildcrafting options, along with numerous quality of life improvements. As the community logs in to celebrate, mourn, and pay tribute to one of the most singular live service games ever made, we’ll be updating this liveblog with real-time commentary and reactions throughout the day.

When Does Monument of Triumph Release?

Bungie has scheduled the Destiny 2 pre-patch maintenance for June 9, with the following timeline:

  • Pre-load begins: 10 am PDT, 1 pm EDT, 6 pm BST
  • Monument of Triumph is live: 11 am PDT, 2 pm EDT, 7 pm BST

This assumes no delays or server queues. On Steam, the patch is a hefty 28.4 GB, reflecting the substantial content included in the update.

Ikora's Last Message

In recent weeks, many individuals who have contributed to Destiny 2 over the years have shared their thoughts on the game’s impending conclusion. One such moment came from Mara Junot, the voice actor for Ikora Rey, who delivered an emotional farewell message. Junot took over the role of Ikora from Gina Torres in 2021 and brought the character to life with remarkable skill. As a Warlock main, Ikora was a personal favorite among the Vanguard, and her parting words resonated deeply with fans.

What’s in the Monument of Triumph Update?

Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from the Monument of Triumph update, based on Bungie’s teasers:

  • A restored director that will once again be the primary way to launch the game’s activities, now featuring Kepler and the Lawless Frontier.
  • A heavily simplified Portal to make it easier for players to join friends and earn rewards.
  • Distortions, a new modifier that rotates through the game’s destinations, offering increased challenge, stronger enemies, and unique rewards.
  • The return of Sparrow Racing League, a race mode from Destiny 1 finally making its way to the sequel.
  • The return of the Pantheon raid gauntlet, featuring bosses from raids that were previously Vaulted.
  • New loot across all Portal categories.
  • Refreshed loot pools for raids, dungeons, and destinations, including new armour set bonuses.
  • The ability to upgrade weapons to higher tiers.
  • More attunement options for chasing specific weapon drops.
  • Catalysts added to all exotic weapons that previously lacked them.
  • 300 more vault space slots and 8 more loadout slots.
  • The ability to choose between seven artifacts.
  • A rework of anti-champion mods, now intrinsic to weapon frames.
  • A new aspect for each class.
  • A new Stasis and Strand grenade.
  • A buff to all primary weapons.
  • A massive balance pass across abilities, weapons, and exotic armour.
  • The return of Gambit, along with updates to bright dust and reworks to various PvP activities.

The Guardian's Last Message

In a heartfelt farewell, Peter Jessop, the voice of the male Guardian character, shared his own parting words. The final patch notes are now available, offering a detailed look at all the changes and additions in 9.7.0. With over 17,000 words of content, the notes are a testament to the scale of the update. While there are many exciting new features and improvements, the patch also aims to leave Destiny 2 in a strong state for those who continue to play for months or even years to come.

As the update goes live, the Destiny 2 community will be logging in to experience the final chapter of a game that has defined the live service genre for nearly a decade. Whether it’s to celebrate, reflect, or simply enjoy the last patch, this is a moment that will be remembered for years to come.