Destiny 2 Renegades: Star Wars-Inspired Expansion Coming December 2025 With Lightsabers and Iconic Villain Armor

Renegades Expansion Announcement

Bungie has unveiled its content roadmap for Destiny 2’s upcoming year, with a major Star Wars-inspired expansion titled “Renegades” set to launch in December 2025. This surprise announcement came as part of Bungie’s “Year of Prophecy” showcase, hinting at a significant thematic shift for the long-running sci-fi shooter.

The Renegades expansion represents a bold new direction for Destiny 2, embracing elements from the iconic Star Wars universe while maintaining the game’s unique identity. This fusion seems almost inevitable given Destiny’s existing themes of light versus darkness and its space opera setting, creating natural synergy with Star Wars’ similar thematic elements.

Bungie has been strategically expanding Destiny 2’s universe since gaining independence from Activision in 2019. This Star Wars-inspired expansion appears to be their most ambitious crossover yet, potentially bringing new players to the game while giving existing fans fresh content inspired by one of pop culture’s most beloved franchises.

Star Wars Elements in Destiny 2

The teaser trailer for Destiny 2: Renegades prominently features several recognizable Star Wars-inspired elements that have generated excitement among both Destiny and Star Wars fans. Most notably, the trailer shows a Guardian wielding what appears to be a green lightsaber, instantly evoking the iconic weapon of the Jedi Order.

Beyond the lightsaber, keen-eyed viewers noticed several other Star Wars references, including sounds reminiscent of Imperial alarms and visual elements that bear striking similarities to Imperial uniforms seen throughout the Star Wars franchise. These details suggest the expansion will incorporate numerous elements familiar to Star Wars fans while adapting them to fit within Destiny’s established universe.

However, Bungie appears to be taking a thematic inspiration approach rather than a direct crossover. While the expansion borrows recognizable elements from Star Wars, it seems these will be integrated into Destiny’s existing lore rather than bringing actual Star Wars characters directly into the game’s universe, distinguishing it from the approach seen in games like Fortnite or Call of Duty.

Villain Armor Ornaments and Cosmetics

One of the most exciting aspects of the Destiny 2: Renegades expansion is the inclusion of premium armor ornaments based on iconic Star Wars villains. According to the announcement, players who purchase the most expensive pre-order bundle will receive exclusive cosmetic sets that can transform their Guardians into Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, or General Grievous.

These villain-themed armor ornaments represent some of the most recognizable antagonists from throughout the Star Wars saga, spanning multiple eras of the franchise. From the original trilogy’s Darth Vader to the prequel’s General Grievous and the sequel trilogy’s Kylo Ren, these cosmetic options cover major villains across the entire Star Wars timeline.

The premium Destiny 2: Year of Prophecy bundle includes exclusive Star Wars villain armor ornaments for Guardians. (Credit: Bungie)

While these cosmetic options are currently tied to the premium pre-order package, Bungie has not clarified whether these or similar Star Wars-inspired cosmetics might be available through other means after the expansion’s release. This approach of offering franchise-themed cosmetics as premium content follows trends seen in other live-service games with crossover elements.

Teaser Trailer Analysis

The Renegades teaser trailer, while brief, offers several intriguing glimpses into what players can expect from the expansion. The trailer begins with atmospheric shots establishing a darker tone before revealing the Guardian with the green lightsaber-like weapon, which appears to be a new class of energy sword distinct from the current sword weapons in the game.

Sound design plays a crucial role in establishing the Star Wars connection, with distinctive audio cues that subtly reference the franchise without directly sampling its iconic soundtrack. The visual aesthetic similarly balances recognizable Star Wars elements with Destiny’s established art direction, creating a fusion that feels both familiar and fresh.

The teaser’s deliberate vagueness leaves much to speculation, which appears to be Bungie’s intention as they prepare for a more comprehensive reveal scheduled for September 9, 2025. This marketing approach of a brief teaser followed by a full reveal closer to release has been Bungie’s standard practice for major Destiny 2 expansions.

Release Timeline and Information

Destiny 2: Renegades is scheduled for release in December 2025, approximately three months after Bungie’s planned full reveal on September 9, 2025. This timeline follows Bungie’s established pattern for major Destiny 2 expansions, giving players enough time to digest information about the new content while maintaining excitement up to release.

The expansion will be part of Destiny 2’s “Year of Prophecy” content cycle, though Bungie has not yet specified whether Renegades will be the final major expansion for this content year or if additional content will follow. The December timing positions the expansion as a major holiday season release for the game.

Pre-orders for the expansion and its various editions are already available, suggesting Bungie is confident in their development timeline. The company has not specified an exact December release date, which will likely be announced during the September showcase.

Expected Gameplay Changes

While Bungie has revealed few specific details about gameplay changes coming with the Renegades expansion, the teaser suggests several potential new features. The most obvious is the introduction of lightsaber-inspired weapons, which could represent a new weapon archetype or a significant evolution of the existing sword category in Destiny 2.

Given Destiny 2’s focus on different character classes (Titan, Hunter, and Warlock), the Star Wars-inspired elements may manifest differently across these classes. For example, different Guardian classes might access different lightsaber styles or Force-like abilities that complement their existing skill sets.

It’s worth noting that Bungie typically introduces significant gameplay changes with major expansions, including new subclasses, weapon types, or enemy factions. The Star Wars-inspired theme of Renegades provides ample opportunity for creative gameplay innovations that could refresh the Destiny 2 experience while appealing to Star Wars enthusiasts.

Pre-Order Options and Bonuses

Bungie has already made pre-orders available for Destiny 2: Renegades, with multiple purchase options at different price points. The most premium package includes the exclusive Star Wars villain armor ornaments (Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, and General Grievous), while more affordable options likely include the core expansion content without these cosmetic bonuses.

This tiered approach to pre-orders has become standard for major Destiny 2 expansions, allowing players to choose their level of investment based on their interest in additional cosmetic items and early access bonuses. The inclusion of Star Wars-inspired cosmetics as pre-order incentives demonstrates Bungie’s understanding of their high value to both Destiny and Star Wars fan communities.

“If you really want to embrace the dark side, the most expensive pre-order option for this year’s content includes armor ornaments that can turn your guardian into Darth Vader, Kylo Ren or General Grievous.”

Full details about the different pre-order tiers, their pricing, and complete lists of included content will likely be clarified during the September 9 reveal event. Historically, Bungie has offered pre-order bonuses such as early access to certain weapons or special emblems in addition to expansion-specific cosmetics.

Star Wars and Destiny Universe Crossover

The Renegades expansion represents an interesting approach to franchise crossover, drawing inspiration from Star Wars while presumably integrating these elements into Destiny’s existing universe and lore. This differs from pure crossovers seen in games like Fortnite, where characters from different franchises simply appear in their original form.

Destiny 2 has always featured themes that parallel those in Star Wars—most notably the conflict between Light and Darkness, mystical powers that echo the Force, and space fantasy elements that blend science fiction with more mythical concepts. These existing parallels provide natural connection points for integrating Star Wars-inspired elements without disrupting Destiny’s established narrative.

How deeply these Star Wars elements will be integrated into Destiny’s lore remains to be seen. Bungie could take a variety of approaches, from a more surface-level aesthetic inspiration to deeper narrative connections that reimagine Star Wars concepts within Destiny’s universe. The September reveal will likely clarify the extent of this integration and how it fits into the game’s ongoing story.

Regardless of the approach taken, the Destiny 2: Renegades expansion represents an exciting evolution for the game as it enters its later years, potentially drawing in both lapsed players and Star Wars fans curious about the crossover. More information will be revealed on September 9, with the full expansion arriving in December 2025.