It wouldn't be December in Destiny 2 without the Dawning, the annual holiday event that celebrates the winter months with a visit from Eva Levante and the invitation to gift a little joy to NPCs. Initially, the Dawning saw Guardians creating toys and gifts for their allies, but the last few years have revolved around collecting ingredients to bake specific types of holiday cookies for various NPCs.

The Dawning 2021 just kicked off, and though players may already be inundated with the content explosion that accompanied the 30th Anniversary Pack, the chase for holiday-themed gear has more going on than ever before. Eva has a couple of new Quests to help Guardians get merry, and players will even be able to take advantage of snowballs in combat for the first time since the original Dawning.

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The Dawning 2021 Reintroduces Snowballs

Destiny 2 Guardian With Snowball

During the original 2017 Dawning event, players could come across Snowballs in strikes and patrol zones. These could be tossed at foes to blind, slow, deal a significant amount of damage and cover the enemy with snow. Though Snowballs weren't entirely missing from Destiny 2 after 2017's Dawning event, they appeared only at the Tower, where Guardians could only toss the icy spheres at each other or the environment. With the introduction of Stasis in the Beyond Light expansion, it made sense for Bungie to retool Snowballs to reflect the newest power wielded by Guardians.

Snowballs now explode with a burst of Stasis energy, freezing or slowing enemies, and potentially doing even more if the player is using a customized Stasis subclass. The Snowballs themselves still do a colossal amount of damage, making short work of groups of red-barred enemies and even bosses in Public Events or Lost Sectors. That said, unlike their previous incarnation, Snowballs are only on Europa and Nightfall Strikes, meaning they don't appear on Grand Master difficulty Nightfall Strikes. Snowballs can even be upgraded via Eva Levante by completing Dawning-related tasks.

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The Dawning Adds New Quests For New Allies

Destiny 2 Dawning Guardians and Eva

Throughout the Beyond Light expansion, Guardians made new allies in unlikely places, and they've all taken refuge in the familiar-looking H.E.L.M. From the Cabal's Empress Caiatl to the Eliksni refugees of House Light, players have watched the Vanguard and inhabitants of the Last City weather the storms of war and betrayal right alongside these new friends. The path to these new bonds was by no means easy, and Eva, Zavala and Saint-14 feel that a show of thanks and appreciation is in order.

To this end, players will find two new holiday-themed Quests this Dawning, which they can acquire after speaking with Eva Levante and making their first holiday cookie. Eva will point Guardians to both Zavala and Saint-14, detailing that each iconic Guardian wants to show their appreciation for one of the new allied factions. Zavala is set on showing some appreciation to Caiatl, only he has no idea where to start. Zavala will instruct Guardians to track down some Festive Intel for some ideas.

Saint-14, on the other hand, knows what he wants to do for the Eliksni: He wants to make some old-world Eliksni treats for the refugees this holiday. The Saint will send players off to Europa to track down a recipe for the treats. The Quests not only add a bit of extra seasonal spirit to the holiday event, but also rewards players with the new Zephyr sword, an emblem and two shaders.

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What Else Is New for 2021's Dawning?

Destiny 2 Dawning Emotes 2021

In addition to some of the more significant changes present in the Dawning event this year, Bungie has ensured that much of the classic Dawning experience remains intact. Players will still receive Eva's Holiday Oven at the beginning of the event, retaining all previously learned recipes from previous years. Two new recipes are also joining the list of treats: Starwort Thins for the Exo Stranger and Ascendant Apple Tart for Mara Sov.

As is the case with every Dawning, players will be able to obtain holiday-exclusive weapons while the event is ongoing, and there's even a new addition. The Zephyr Sword is the 2021 Dawning weapon and, much like the reintroduction of Snowballs, it incorporates Stasis. Players will also be able to obtain the Vapoorwill Spin Exotic ship after putting some effort into spreading holiday cheer. Of course, while there's much Guardians can earn for free, plenty of new and returning paid holiday content is available during the event, ranging from new attire for Armor Synthesis to Emotes or other cosmetics.

Destiny 2's Dawning event is live now and runs until Jan. 4. It's free for all players, so anyone can partake in the holiday fun without worrying about getting locked behind paywalls. Between the Dawning and the 30th Anniversary Pack, there's plenty to do before The Witch Queen launches in February.

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