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Can You Play Destiny 2 Without Xbox Live?

Can You Play Destiny 2 Without Xbox Live?

Ever since Destiny 2 went Free-to-Play there have been a massive surge of players who have picked up the game. This surge reached its apex with the release of their new expansion pack called The Witch Queen. However, there are many Xbox console players who are yet confused if you can play Destiny 2 without a Xbox Live subscription.

The answer is kind of complicated. Yes, you can play Destiny 2 without an active Xbox Live subscription. However, you will need an Xbox Live account to create your character in the first place and you will only be able to play the main story campaign of the base game as well as the story campaign of any Expansions that you own.

Without a Xbox Live subscription you will not be able to access any content that requires other players to join you or play along with you to complete the mission such as Strikes, Raids etc.

The confusion faced by Xbox Live players is completely justified as Bungie is extremely obtuse about what aspects of their game are Free-To-Play and which are hidden behind secret pay walls that players have to overcome. However, we’ll explain further in this article what content precisely is available for all Xbox players and what they’ll need to whip their wallets out for.

Related: Should I play Destiny 2?

How much of Destiny 2 can be played without a Xbox Live Subscription?

The essential need of a Xbox Live subscription for Destiny 2 players on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Xbox One is that if they want to play the multiplayer aspects of the game. This is a big deal considering the main allure of the game is that it is a massively multiplayer online game and depends on the content aimed at community cooperation.

However, there is still tons of content that can be played in Destiny 2 which does not require a Xbox Live subscription and can be accessed by players for no additional cost at all. This includes the following:

  • All Story missions in the campaign of Destiny 2’s base-game.
  • All Story missions in the campaigns of various Destiny 2 Expansions: Beyond Light, Shadowkeep and The Witch Queen
  • Planet Activities including: Adventures, Patrols, Public Events and Lost Sectors

Although Public events can be attempted solo these are usually created to be completed by a large group of players. This means that they will be incredibly difficult for you if you do not have access to Xbox Live.

Related: Are The Expansions Worth It In Destiny 2?

What is inaccessible without a Xbox Live Subscription?

If you don’t have an active Xbox Live subscription then that means you do not have access to the Xbox game servers for Destiny 2 which makes matching up and playing with other players impossible. For most Xbox players this means they will not be able to take part in several of the games most spectacular modes and content.

Content which will become inaccessible or limited to the player without a Xbox Live subscription includes the following:

  • Raids
  • Strikes
  • Crucible PvP
  • Gambit PvP and PvE
  • Forges
  • Reckoning
  • Menagerie
  • Vex Offensive
  • Nightmare Hunts
  • Fire teams

You might also be interested in: How To Get Exotics in Destiny 2

The Problem

As it must have become apparent through this article Destiny 2, regardless of being a Free-To-Play game, is not entirely free and requires Xbox players get the Xbox Live Subscription. This is terrible news for console players as the Steam version of Destiny 2, that you can play on PC, does not require any such additional fees. So console players seem to get the short end of the stick in this matter.

Additionally, some of the biggest competitors of Destiny 2 are games like Apex Legends, Fortnite and Warframe. These games are also Free-To-Play like Destiny 2, however, they do not require that Xbox players get the Xbox Live subscription in order to play them. This means that budget gamers will naturally gravitate towards titles that are lighter on their wallet.

Finally, what makes matters worse is that there is only a limited amount of Free mission content available in the free base campaign. All additional campaign missions such as those found in the Witch Queen will require buying those expansions thus placing another monetary restriction on Destiny 2 players.


Unfortunately, even though PC players can play Destiny 2 practically for free Xbox players still need to get a subscription in order to experience all the content the game has to offer. However, if you’re the type of player that doesn’t mind restricting the scope of their play and just enjoying a solid looter-shooter with an engaging story then there is more than enough content in Destiny 2 even without the subscription.

We hope this article helped resolve most of the confusion players have regarding the subscription need for Destiny. Till we meet next time, Guardians.