The first gameplay trailer forDestiny 2: The Witch Queenpremiered at theDestiny 2Showcase event shortly after the game’s first cinematic trailer was shown. By the looks of it, players will be facing challenges unlike any they’ve faced before. Savathun,the towering Witch Queen, has gotten ahold of a power thought unobtainable by the Hive and Guardians will need to employ new strategies–and weapons–to combat this new threat.

The gameplay trailer mainly takes place within the Witch Queen’s throne world, where powerful entities like herself make the rules. Not only will Guardians need to navigate this dangerous new area, but Savathun has also somehow harnessed the Light, and is using it to create her own Hive Guardians. This creates a slew of new problems for humanity, so to combat this threat, a new glaive weapon is being introduced.

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The glaive, which is a long pole with a sharp blade at the end, can be seen in action in theDestiny 2trailer. Audiences will also get a preview of Hive Guardians and their powers, which appear to be altered versions of powers from the three original classes: Hunter, Titan, and Warlock. The trailer reveals that, just like regular Guardians, the only way to stop Hive Guardians is by destroying their Ghosts.

Savathun and the Hive Guardian’s abilities to use Ghosts were part of amajorWitch Queenleakfrom back in July. Given how unbelievable this seemed, many who saw images of the game’s next big bad with a Ghost in tow thought it was fake. Now, theDestiny 2Showcase confirm this as a disturbing reality.

The gameplay trailer wasn’t the end of theDestiny 2Showcase, however. The team at Bungie still had plenty more to show, such as in-depth look at new enemies, analysis of the new weapon, and the reveal of aLegendary Mode inWitch Queen.This will be the next evolution of the game’s difficulty system, offering players the ultimate challenge.

With the expansion not arriving until next year, players will be getting ready for the coming of the Witch Queen. They can do this by reaching max light level, powering up their gear, and training with difficult content. Bungie will offer one last chance to prepare for Savathun withSeason 15 ofDestiny 2, Season of the Lost, which begins today and will be the final season until the next expansion.

Destiny 2: The Witch Queenwill release on July 18, 2025 for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.