DLC Explained

[Boz]

I am interesting in trying out this game the amount of expansion packs and the extreme cost is a bit off putting. Could some explain how it works and what you need in the game? Does buying the latest pack get you access to all content or you need to fork out the $200 plus to access the full game by buying each dlc. Cheers

[Warmanreaper]

You can find the dlcs cheaper elsewhere (3rd party), but to answer buying only the latest doesn't give access to the rest. (there is a legacy collection you can buy, but its a ton, better just to look for keys)

[Nakos]

No, buying the latest package does NOT give you access to the older ones.

Do understand, what you see in the store represents about 5 years worth of content.

I don't recommend you purchase any of the Legacy content unless you can get it on sale (although I believe it is on sale at the moment). There's still fun to be had, and there's still relevant gear and drops that can be obtained from the legacy content, but none of it is strictly necessary.

Content exists in two basic forms: Expansions and Seasons.

Expansions are big content packages, usually including a (new) Destination, a campaign story, and various smaller elements. Expansions are permanent (at this point).

Seasons are smaller content packages, usually including a smaller story, related to the main story of the expansion they're part of. They also include, activities, seasonal gear, and a vendor you can build rep with. There's also a seasonal rewards track. Seasons are transitory, they cease to exist after their content year.

I'd suggest trying the FTP version first, and seeing if you like the basic game-play.

If you do, then I'd suggest considering either Witch Queen or Lightfall, and at least one season pass. The campaign for Witch Queen is stronger than Lightfall's campaign, so you might enjoy that more. A season pass will give you a feel for what those offer.

See if you like the game before you spend any money.

[des_solatius]

So...
Forsaken now only contains 20 Exotic weapons (Fairly strong, uncommon weapons that have special attributes), A Dungeon (1-3 Player activity) and a Raid (a long and difficult 6 player activity) It used to contain a story plus a new location but that has been vaulted (It's gone now)

Shadowkeep Included a fairly short campaign located on the Moon, also contains exotic weapons and armour, a dungeon and a raid.

Beyond Light Contains a fairly long campaign set on one of Jupiters moons, Europa, a new 'darkness' subclass, exotics alongside a raid

30th Anniversary Pack Contains a dungeon and a few exotics

The Witch Queen One of the newest DLC's added, containing a fairly long campaign, (Two Dungeons, but you'd need to purchase a separate dungeon key for those...), Exotics and a raid

Lightfall The newest of DLC's added, currently just a fairly long campaign and a few exotics with a raid to release in a few days.

To get all the content, you'd need to purchase all of the DLC's excluding the 'Silver Bundles' as that's just the in-game shop currency and i'd honestly avoid all of that.
If you're going to play Destiny 2 for the first time, the game is practically a 'Demo' with not a whole lot to do compared to having all of the DLC's
(Here is a guide to read, containing everything a new/free to player can do without buying a single DLC, https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2691498745)

Honestly, I'd stick to not buying DLC's first, I only started getting some when I hit around 100 hours in the game iirc, but I'd personally start with Beyond light and The Witch Queen.
In a timeline sense, it goes.. Forsaken, Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen and now we're in Lightfall. Each major expansion contains 4 'Seasons', containing their own season pass, we're at Season 20, Season of Defiance and you aren't able to play any of the previous seasons anymore.

For a 'Lore' perspective of the game, you can read up on Destiny 2's history online or in-game by looking at a two paragraph description in the in-game directory for each season.
It is tough for new players to start playing because of all the costs and how little information about the history there is but good luck my dude

[Boz]

Thank you all for the comprehensive answers

[Mez Koo]

TLDR - Legacy Collection to start and get Forsaken and 30th Anniversary if you want more. Lightfall only if you really want Strand otherwise wait for a sale. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2787897465