Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo enter the original Warlord’s Ruin dungeon, your account needs its Dungeon Key entitlement. Once you have it, speak to Hawthorne in the Tower, claim her dungeon quest, then launch the dungeon from the Destinations map. If you want a free option, the Portal has Warlord’s Ruin: Hefnd’s Vengeance, a Dungeon Lair—but free access to that Lair does not unlock the original dungeon or its legacy loot.
Unlock the original Warlord’s Ruin dungeon
- Check your entitlement. The original dungeon requires the relevant Dungeon Key. Bungie lists the key among the Dungeon Keys included with Destiny 2: The Collection. Check the account and platform where you purchased the entitlement; keys cannot be game-shared. Bungie’s available-content guide explains that dungeon keys grant access to dungeons.
- Claim Hawthorne’s quest. With the key entitlement on your account, go to Hawthorne in the Tower and claim her dungeon quest. Bungie’s current instructions do not specify the quest’s exact name.
- Launch from Destinations. Open the Destinations map and select Warlord’s Ruin to start the dungeon. Bungie’s dungeon guide describes dungeons as endgame PvE activities for fireteams of up to three players.
Can you play Warlord’s Ruin for free?
Yes, there is a free Portal activity: Warlord’s Ruin: Hefnd’s Vengeance, a Dungeon Lair based on Warlord’s Ruin. Bungie said in its September 4, 2025 This Week in Destiny announcement that the Lair would remain freely available in the Portal. It is a separate activity route, not free access to the original dungeon node.
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Destiny 2 - Standard Edition | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Destiny 2: Forsaken - Legendary Collection - PlayStation 4 | $8.52 | Buy on Amazon |
The Lair’s free availability also does not mean its legacy rewards are all free. Bungie’s announcement says that after the initial two-week promotion, players need the corresponding Dungeon Key to earn additional legacy dungeon loot through the Lair.
Original dungeon vs. Portal Dungeon Lair
| What you want to play | Where to find it | Access requirement | What the route offers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Warlord’s Ruin | Destinations map | Relevant Dungeon Key entitlement, then Hawthorne’s quest | The original dungeon |
| Warlord’s Ruin: Hefnd’s Vengeance Dungeon Lair | Portal | The Lair activity is free; the key is needed for additional legacy dungeon loot after the initial two-week promotion | A separate Lair activity and, with the key under Bungie’s stated condition, access to additional legacy loot |
If Warlord’s Ruin is still locked
- Confirm the entitlement is on the account you are using. Dungeon Keys are account entitlements and cannot be shared through game sharing.
- Check the platform used for a bundle purchase. Bungie says you may need to log in on the platform where you bought an expansion bundle that included the key.
- Make sure you are looking for the right activity. The original dungeon launches from Destinations after claiming Hawthorne’s quest; Hefnd’s Vengeance is the free Lair in the Portal.
Warlord’s Ruin launched in the context of Year 6 and Season of the Wish, but that history is not the current access rule. Bungie’s current dungeon instructions specify the Dungeon Key route; they do not establish a Season of the Wish Pass requirement or a specific Warlord’s Ruin Power threshold.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Available 9.3.18. Playable 9.4.18 at 10AM PDT
- Destiny 2
- Expansion I: Curse of Osiris
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Rank #3
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
Rank #2
- Online only and requires a PlayStation Plus membership.
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