In 2026, Destiny 2's Festival of the Lost still stands as one of the most anticipated seasonal events on the Guardian calendar. 🎃 Every October, the Tower fills with costumed players, candy buckets, and spooky vibes. But for many longtime fans, one particular year stands out: 2022, when the community voted for mecha-themed armor ornaments, and Bungie delivered a set that made Titans, Hunters, and Warlocks look like they had stepped out of an anime crossover. That year, the Halloween event kicked off on October 18 and ran for about three weeks, overlapping with Halloween itself—the important part. While the 2026 version of the event may have its own twists, the 2022 mecha armor remains a fan-favorite topic. Let's rewind and see why.
The story began in spring 2022, when Destiny 2 players voted on the theme for that year's Festival of the Lost armor ornaments. The choice was between mechs and movie monsters. Mechs won with 52 percent of the vote, beating movie monsters for the second year in a row. That left movie monsters waiting yet another year for their chance. Bungie shared a teaser image in April, but the first official image arrived later and made the inspiration crystal clear. The Titan looked like Optimus Prime and a Gundam had a baby. The Hunter combined Evangelion's Eva units with a dash of Ultraman. The Warlock skin gave off strong Macross and Pacific Rim vibes. It was a love letter to mecha anime and giant robot cinema, wrapped in Destiny's sci-fi aesthetic.
As with previous Festival of the Lost events, players could get the skin for Bright Dust or Silver, Destiny 2's premium currency, through the Eververse store. That meant dedicated free-to-play Guardians could grind for Bright Dust, while others could pay for instant access. The event itself brought back masks, and Eva was expected to arrive in the Tower offering treats and quests to unlock those masks. Candy was also part of the fun, as always. Bungie's TWAB confirmed masks would return, but details about the exclusive weapon or updated event activity were still under wraps at the time. More information was promised in the TWAB.
Here's a quick breakdown of the 2022 mecha armor inspirations:
| Class | Mecha Inspiration | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Titan | Optimus Prime + Gundam | Heavy, heroic, blocky |
| Hunter | Evangelion Eva + Ultraman | Sleek, agile, alien |
| Warlock | Macross + Pacific Rim | Regal, futuristic, colossal |
Meanwhile, the Destiny Fashion subreddit hosted an unofficial fashion contest at the same time. Guardians submitted their unique designs with "Fashion Entry" in the title. The theme was costumes based on Exotic weapons, including their ornaments. Entries were accepted until October 31, and the winner received a free copy of Lightfall or a cash equivalent. It was a creative way for the community to celebrate alongside the official event.
Fast forward to 2026, and Festival of the Lost continues to evolve. New armor sets, new activities, and new rewards have come and gone. But the 2022 mecha ornaments are still remembered as a high point. Why? Because they proved that community voting could produce something truly special. They also showed that Destiny 2's cosmetic team could nail a crossover aesthetic without an actual crossover. For players who missed out, those ornaments remain a nostalgic trophy. For those who were there, they are a reminder of a Halloween event that felt like a robot anime festival.
If you're diving into Festival of the Lost in 2026, take a moment to appreciate the event's history. The masks, the candy, the Eververse store, the fashion contests—they all started somewhere. The 2022 mecha set is a big part of that legacy. Whether you're a Titan main channeling Optimus Prime, a Hunter rocking Eva Unit vibes, or a Warlock embracing Macross energy, the spirit of that year lives on. 🎃🤖