With the new game modeOnslaught, as well as new modes such asPantheonstill 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’sweekly blog poston July 27, 2025, 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 intothe new raidcoming along with the expansion.
Can Episode 1: Echoes start before TFS ends in Destiny 2?
The Final Shape raid will launch on June 24, 2025, a merethree daysafter 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 recentdelayof 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 untilafter TFSstory had ended, narratively.”
Why The Final Shape and its raid only have a 3-day gap: It’s probably because of Episode 1.Bungie said that Ep 1 (Echoes) can’t happen until after TFS story has ended, narratively. So, they have to conclude the story in the first week, leading to Echoes probably launching on…pic.twitter.com/GoTs1awq5t
This lines up with the rumors and supposed leaks that there will be a12-man activityplayers 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 Macedoposted on X/Twitteras 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 inweek 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 newDread enemieswill remain in the world of Destiny after The Witness has been dispatched.
Alex Garcia
Alex Garcia is a freelance gaming journalist with over 20 years of gaming experience, and 3 years of professional writing. I stay up to date on the latest and greatest games out there, be they large AAA releases or a diamond in the rough indie game. I like to write about everything Vampire Survivors, and am an avid RPG fan, from Yakuza/LAD, Persona, Final Fantasy, and more. In my downtime you’ll find me talking about the greatest invention known to man: cheese.
