Destiny 2 Ash & Iron Update Overview: Plaguelands, New Exotics, Exotic Mission, Reclaim Activity, and More
The long-awaited Destiny 2 Ash and Iron release is set to bring major new content for Guardians, expanding the universe with fresh challenges and rewards. With the return of the iconic Plaguelands, players will once again face the Fallen and SIVA threats while exploring reimagined environments. Alongside this, Bungie is introducing a brand-new Exotic Mission, powerful Exotics, and a unique seasonal activity called Reclaim that ties directly into the ongoing narrative.
Whether you are chasing loot, testing new builds, or diving deep into the evolving story, the Destiny 2 Ash & Iron release date marks a key milestone for the community. This update not only revisits classic locations but also redefines the Guardian experience with modern gameplay systems and exclusive rewards.
Destiny 2 Ash & Iron Release Date
The highly anticipated Destiny 2 Ash and Iron release is officially set for Tuesday, September 9, 2025. This update marks the first major content drop of the Year of Prophecy, and Bungie is packing it with everything fans have been waiting for — a fresh seasonal activity, a challenging Exotic Mission, new weapons, and additional Exotics to collect.
Best of all, the Destiny 2 Ash & Iron release date ensures that every Guardian, regardless of platform, will gain free access to this expansion. Whether you are a returning player or an active Guardian, this update delivers a strong mix of nostalgia and brand-new content designed to set the stage for the battles ahead.
Destiny 2 Ash and Iron Plaguelands
One of the most exciting reveals in the Destiny 2 Ash & Iron update is the long-awaited return of the Plaguelands. This frozen wasteland, first introduced in Rise of Iron, has not been seen since Destiny 1 and now comes back as part of the continuing story. Guardians can expect new challenges in this corrupted frontier, where fire and ice clash against the remains of SIVA’s legacy.
According to Bungie, the Destiny 2 Ash and Iron Plaguelands will pick up the storyline from the Edge of Fate, tying past battles into the Year of Prophecy. While it’s not yet confirmed if the Plaguelands will return in their entirety or as a reimagined zone within a new activity, one thing is certain — this location will play a major role in shaping the next phase of the Guardian’s journey.
Whether it arrives as a full patrol zone or a focused encounter space, the Plaguelands stand ready to deliver a mix of nostalgia and fresh content, making it one of the most anticipated parts of the update.
Destiny 2 Ash & Iron: Reclaim Activity
The Destiny 2 Ash & Iron update introduces a brand-new seasonal activity called Reclaim. This three-player cooperative mode focuses on survival in resource-scarce environments, where teamwork becomes the key to success. Guardians must coordinate, share limited supplies, and push back against overwhelming threats in order to secure victory.
Reclaim isn’t just another mission — it represents the struggle of the Plaguelands, tying directly into the new storyline. Bungie emphasizes that without strong cooperation, the challenge becomes nearly impossible, making it one of the most team-driven activities in recent Destiny history.
This mode is also linked to a special event named New Territory, which highlights the ongoing battles in the Plaguelands and serves as a narrative bridge into the larger events of Ash & Iron. With escalating difficulty and lore-driven stakes, Reclaim is set to be a centerpiece of the new season.
Our Destiny 2 Boosting Services help players save time and effort by letting professionals complete the toughest activities and unlock rare rewards.
Destiny 2 Ash & Iron Exotic Mission and Weapons
One of the most exciting additions in the Destiny 2 Ash & Iron update is a brand-new Exotic mission. These missions have always been fan-favorites, offering deep lore, tricky mechanics, and epic challenges. This one will be no different, delivering puzzles, combat-heavy encounters, and a dramatic story conclusion.
As a reward, players can expect a fresh Exotic weapon tied directly to the mission’s narrative. While Bungie is keeping the details under wraps, it has already been confirmed that two completely new Exotic weapons will arrive with Ash & Iron overall, further expanding the arsenal for Guardians ready to take on the Plaguelands.
Destiny 2 Ash & Iron: Dungeon Content Coming Later
Although no new dungeon is set to debut on launch day, Bungie has teased that dungeon encounters will be added later in the season. This content will funnel through the Portal system, allowing encounters from different dungeons across Destiny 2’s history to reappear in updated or remixed forms.
According to Bungie, dungeon content will begin rolling out around September, with multiple encounters scheduled to drop over time. This could mean rotated boss fights, refreshed mechanics, or even story-driven twists on familiar dungeons. More concrete details will be revealed as the season progresses, but one thing is certain—Guardians should prepare for challenging endgame activities.
Epic Evolution of the Desert Perpetual Raid
For Guardians who completed The Edge of Fate’s Desert Perpetual raid, an even greater challenge awaits. A brand-new Epic version of the raid is set to release only a few weeks after the Destiny 2 Ash & Iron update goes live. This upgraded experience will bring fresh encounters, additional loot, and unique mechanics designed to push fireteams to their limits.
While Bungie has yet to fully detail the rewards, hints within the game files suggest that new triumphs and gear are being held back under the label “Upcoming Content.” Many players believe this means the Epic raid will arrive with its own contest mode, similar to Day 1 raid races. Expect it to be a true test of coordination, endurance, and mastery of the Plaguelands setting.
PvP Spotlight: Iron Banner’s Anticipated Return
Alongside PvE content, Ash & Iron is set to revive one of Destiny 2’s most iconic competitive events: the Iron Banner. Known for its unique rule sets and exclusive rewards, Iron Banner has been a cornerstone of Destiny PvP since the very beginning. Its return during the update means Guardians will once again battle for glory in the Crucible under Lord Saladin’s watchful eye.
Bungie hasn’t shared the exact dates for Iron Banner’s return, nor has it confirmed what the new loot pool will look like. Still, its reappearance ensures that PvP fans have something major to look forward to, with the possibility of revamped armor, weapons, or even entirely fresh seasonal rewards.
Rising Power Cap and Fresh Artifact Enhancements
The Destiny 2 Ash & Iron update raises the stakes once again, with the Power cap climbing to 550. This continues the progression model that began in The Edge of Fate, giving players more reason than ever to chase upgrades. Alongside this increase, new artifact perks are being introduced, offering Guardians expanded ways to customize their builds and enhance their playstyles.
Bungie has confirmed that Portal activities will drop rewards scaling up to 500 Power, while Prime Engrams will bridge the gap all the way to the Hard Cap of 550. Once you reach the upper threshold, Tier 5 loot will begin to flow, ensuring that every Guardian stays competitive with high-end gear across both PvE and PvP.
Seasonal Gear and Loot Chase
A new season always means new treasures to hunt, and Ash & Iron delivers exactly that. Bungie has promised brand-new weapons and armor sets tied to seasonal activities, the exotic mission, and other content drops. While specific models and designs haven’t yet been revealed, Guardians can expect a fresh loot pool spread across Reclaim, Pinnacle Ops, and the Season Pass.
This ensures that no matter your focus—raids, seasonal events, or casual play—you’ll have access to meaningful gear progression throughout the Ash & Iron cycle. More details on weapon archetypes and armor visuals will likely arrive as we get closer to launch.
With Destiny 2 The Edge of Fate Boosting Services, you can quickly clear the latest content, secure powerful loot, and stay ahead in the new expansion.
The Truth About Wrath of the Machine in Ash & Iron
With the Plaguelands making their comeback in the Destiny 2 Ash & Iron update, many Guardians started to wonder if this also meant the long-awaited return of the Wrath of the Machine raid. Since the original raid from Destiny 1 was tied directly to that location, speculation ran high. Unfortunately, Bungie has already confirmed that Wrath of the Machine is not returning with Ash & Iron.
In early 2025, Bungie’s Communications Manager, Dylan Gafner, addressed the question directly, stating that bringing Wrath of the Machine back is not on the near-term roadmap. His exact words compared the possibility to a “Magic 8 ball,” suggesting it’s unlikely to return anytime soon. Instead, Bungie emphasized that Guardians should look forward to brand-new content rather than waiting for old raids to resurface.
So, while the nostalgia for Wrath of the Machine is strong, Ash & Iron will focus on fresh challenges, including the Plaguelands, new exotic missions, and activities that push the current Destiny 2 narrative forward.
Conclusion
The Destiny 2 Ash & Iron update is shaping up to be one of the most exciting content drops of 2025. With the long-awaited return of the Plaguelands, a brand-new Exotic mission, the Reclaim activity, and a range of fresh weapons and rewards, Bungie is giving Guardians plenty of reasons to dive back in. While some nostalgic content like Wrath of the Machine won’t return this season, the update focuses heavily on delivering new experiences that expand the ongoing Year of Prophecy story. Whether you’re chasing exotic loot, teaming up in new seasonal activities, or pushing your Power cap higher, Ash & Iron will have something for everyone.
FAQ
The update launches on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, available for free to all players.
Yes, Ash & Iron will feature a new Exotic mission with puzzles, lore, and two brand-new Exotic weapons as rewards.
Players can expect Iron Banner, Power cap increase to 550, new artifact perks, seasonal gear, and future dungeon encounters later in the season.
Change Log
- 08.09.2025 - Destiny 2 Ash & Iron Update Overview: Plaguelands, New Exotics, Exotic Mission, Reclaim Activity, and More published.