Season of Radiance
The sun returns to the Last City—not as a distant star, but as a weapon, a memory, and a promise. Guardians, once diminished, now burn with a light that even the Hive cannot extinguish.
Season of Radiance is a narrative and content update for the multiplayer action game Destiny 2, developed by Bungie. Released in late 2019 as part of the Year 3 content cycle, it focuses on the return of the Sun and the restoration of light to the Traveler's followers. The season introduces new activities, weapons, and a story arc centered on the character Ikora Rey and the Vanguard's efforts to combat the Hive invasion while exploring the mysteries of the Light.
- Game
- Destiny 2
- Developer
- Bungie
- Release Window
- December 2019
- Key Character
- Ikora Rey
- Primary Foe
- The Hive (Oryx's remnants)
- Setting
- Edison, The Reef, and the Tower
Lore & Background
The season of Radiance peels back the Traveler's silence. Through shards of ancient glass and the whispered confessions of Ikora Rey, Guardians learn that the Sun's return is not a miracle but a reckoning. The Light does not simply shine—it remembers. Every Guardian who steps into the golden storm carries the echo of a thousand forgotten wars. The Hive, for all their cunning, cannot fathom that hope is a kind of gravity: it pulls the universe toward something better, something that refuses to die.
In Their Own Story
The air hums with a warmth long forgotten as the sun breaks through the clouds above the Tower. Ikora Rey stands on the observation deck, her eyes reflecting the golden light that now bathes the city. Below, Guardians gather, their armor gleaming with renewed purpose. A faint whisper echoes in the wind—a promise of hope. The Hive shadows retreat before this radiance, but the struggle is far from over. Today, they stand ready to embrace the Sun and defend what remains.
Reader's Guide
Season of Radiance begins with the return of the Sun, signaling a shift in power dynamics between light and darkness. Guardians are tasked with completing new missions that explore the origins of this phenomenon while battling Hive forces attempting to undermine it. The season introduces the 'Grasp of Avarice' raid and the 'Prophecy' dungeon, offering challenging content that tests player coordination and strategy. New weapons and armor sets are introduced, each tied to the theme of light and restoration. As players progress, they uncover lore about the Traveler's connection to the Sun and its role in the universe. The season concludes with a major story event that sets up future conflicts, emphasizing the ongoing battle between light and darkness.
Did You Know?
- Season of Radiance introduced the first use of 'Exotic' weapons tied directly to a seasonal narrative arc.
- The season featured a unique 'Sunbreaker' subclass ability that allowed Guardians to manipulate solar energy in new ways.
- Ikora Rey's dialogue during this season provided some of the most significant lore drops regarding the Traveler's true nature.
More in Story & Themes
Elsewhere in the Journey universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record
