When does Episode 1: Echoes start in Destiny 2?

With the new game mode Onslaught, as well as new modes such as Pantheon still yet to come, players are sure to be busy up until we reach The Final Shape. However, the story of Destiny 2 doesn’t end there, and we’re going to answer the question: when does Episode 1: Echoes start in Destiny 2?

Bungie’s weekly blog post on April 18, 2024, revealed a lot of interesting news regarding the upcoming end to the Light and Dark Saga: The Final Shape. Along with touching up on some Into the Light content, the post officially revealed when players would be able to jump into the new raid coming along with the expansion.

Can Episode 1: Echoes start before TFS ends in Destiny 2?

The Final Shape raid will launch on June 7, 2024, a mere three days after the actual expansion launches. This is unlike most expansions that usually give people a week to play the story and grind for any new gear/weapons. And while there is uproar in the community about this change (especially after the most recent delay of the DLC), it might be for a good reason. As reported by Destiny Bulletin on X (formerly Twitter) during a community summit that Bungie hosted in 2023, they said “Ep 1 can’t happen until after TFS story had ended, narratively.”

This lines up with the rumors and supposed leaks that there will be a 12-man activity players can participate in as the final mission of The Final Shape, only after the raid has come out and been beaten. What’s more, just as I was writing this article, Project Lead on D2 expansions Catarina Macedo posted on X/Twitter as well to clarify the reasoning behind the schedule shift.

She talks about the internal thoughts of the devs, as well as what you should focus on to experience the entire end of the Light and Dark Saga. She also lets us know that the first episode, Echoes, will launch in week two of The Final Shape. So if we take into account what Destiny Bulletin reported, The Final Shape’s story will come to a close in the very first week the expansion releases. I know I’m more than curious to know if the new Dread enemies will remain in the world of Destiny after The Witness has been dispatched.