Destiny 2 features a range of interesting enemy factions. Players have come into contact with all of these factions, fighting against them across the Sol System as they seek to protect the Last City. With The Final Shape creating a total of 7 enemy factions in Destiny 2, it’s a good time to look at each of them and determine which of them is the best and most interesting in terms of storylines, powers, and enemy variety.

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Each enemy faction in Destiny 2 brings forth their own strengths and weaknesses, and as Guardians continue to battle them across the Sol System, it's a good time to rank them on how fun they are to fight, their potential in the future, and their impressions in the lore.

7 The Dread

Reshaped By The Witness To Aid The Final Shape

Remnants of conquered species from across the universe, the Witness brings forth the Dread to try and stop Guardians advancing through the Pale Heart of the Traveler. The Dread is the newest enemy faction in Destiny 2, debuting 6 years after the Scorn. This enemy faction has a lot of potential, but the lack of stories and individual personalities makes them nothing more than interest cannon fodder.

Lore-wise, there isn’t much to the Dread so far, but in-game, they are not to be trifled with. The Dread are extremely deadly, and it’s great to see a wide range of enemy variety. The Grim can fly and suppress players with their screams, whilst Weavers and Attendants utilize Strand and Stasis to pull and freeze enemies. The Dread are a fierce faction, but without the Witness, they are directionless.

6 The Scorn

Undead Fallen, Corrupted By Dark Ether

Guardians have killed many Eliksni over the years, and it seems that in death, they only grow in power. Their numbers continue to spread, and their enthralled lives serve a higher purpose of Darkness. The Scorn have had many leaders, influenced by the Witness, and Fikrul, the Fanatic, but with no minds of their own to forge allegiances or plans, it seems that the Scorn are just destined to rot and fight until death takes them once more.

The Scorn can be a nuisance to fight, as enemies like Raiders will use Void energy to snipe players and teleport around, granting themselves invulnerability for a time. There isn’t much of a threat to the Scorn though, but overwhelming numbers might cause some concern, especially when being chased down by Screebs and Wraiths.

5 The Vex

Ancient Cyber-Organic Beings, As Enigmatic As They Are Endless

It seems that humanity cannot dig deeper into its past in the Sol System without discovering elements of the Vex. The Vex are ancient, predating the universe itself, with a hostility towards all organic life. The technology harbored by the Vex is incredible, and their feats of space travel and time travel make them grand threats that could potentially erase timelines and people from existence itself, even if it’s rarely expanded on as much as it should be.

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When coming into contact with the Vex, players are in for a hard fight. Their numbers are many, and their weaponry hits hard. Enemies like the Wyvern have an incredible range of immune hit spots, meanwhile, their arsenal of weapons can devastate. When the Vex is on the field, Guardians are going to know it, for they will be needing plenty of revives from their Ghost.

4 The Taken

Once Living Beings, Consumed By Darkness To Follow A Single Master

The Taken were first seen by Guardians when Oryx amassed his army to avenge his son, Crota. Years on, the Taken have had a few different masters, with notable rulers being that of Xivu Arath and The Witness. The Taken roam the universe, almost directionless, listening to a new master to hold their strings in terrifying unison of ultimate power.

Despite appearing as common enemies in Destiny 2, albeit with a black paint job, the Taken are completely unique, and players should not underestimate their army. Each member of the Taken has a new set of powers thanks to the Darkness, and the familiar appearance can often leave players in trouble, as their unpredictable nature provides plenty of opportunity for demise.

3 The Cabal

War and Glory Are Central To Cabal Culture

One of the most interesting factions in Destiny 2, the Cabal started as central antagonists, entrapping the Traveler in an attempt to steal its Light and laying siege to the Last City. Years on, the Cabal has splintered. Loyalists to the old Emperor, Calus, have formed the Shadow Legion, whereas others follow his daughter, Caitl, who acts as an ally in these dark times. The Cabal’s story is not finished, as their homeworld, Torobatl, is still under the clutches of Xivu Arath, so perhaps one-day Guardians will venture out to save it with their new allies.

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Just because Caitl is an ally, doesn’t mean all Cabal are friends. The Cabal are still a deadly and powerful species of conquerors that will challenge Guardians, and the bleeding factions of the Shadow Legion threaten humanity still, providing hulking and monstrous enemies that work in unison and tactical advancement to try and claim victory, but fighting against their shields can certainly be annoying.

2 The Hive

Nightmares That Hunger For Dwindling Hope and the Sword Logic

The Hive has increased its presence in the Sol System in recent years. They came along with the Darkness, and remained ever since. Their dominion over Earth’s Moon remains ever strong, and their numbers only seem to grow, as Oryx’s sisters seek to conquer all in his death. What makes the Hive interesting isn’t just their horrific numbers and twisted creation, but their culture: The Sword Logic. The Hive believes that only the strongest must live, and through competitive survival and destroying other civilizations, they will grow in paracausal power. The Hive have gods that are very much real, and now that the Witness’ oppressive hands have lifted, perhaps the worst of them is still to come.

The Hive feature a range of different enemy types, more in line with fantasy monsters than aliens. The Hive has Wizards, Knights, Ogres, and Acolytes, all with their own set of moves and weaponry that make them dangerous on the field. Even worse still, is Savathun’s Lucent Hive, a splintered faction that can wield the Light of the Traveler.

1 The Fallen

Fractured Houses, Forced To Become Scavengers After The Traveler Abandoned Them

The Fallen were not always seen as deprived scavengers seeking refuge in the Sol System. Originally, the Fallen were known as the Eliksni and their civilization was mighty, flourishing to a prosperous future thanks to the Traveler. Yet, the Black Fleet found the Traveler, forcing it to flee, and thus abandoning the Eliskni into their darkest hour, bringing death to their home, and sending them out into the universe to find the Traveler and return to glory from the “Great Machine”. New houses have risen in recent years, and many of them seek peace with humanity, whereas others still seek to conquer.

The Fallen are very focused on technology, and since they see the Traveler as technology, it’s no surprise that some of their designs and weapons are modeled after it, like the Servitor. The Fallen definitely feels like the most balanced enemy type to fight, but that does not mean they are not a challenge. The Fallen have recently experimented with Stasis, providing further enhancements to their arsenal, and the fact that Servitors can make their allies immune, makes a harder fight come forth.

Destiny 2

Platform(s)

PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC , Stadia

Released

August 28, 2017

Developer(s)

Bungie

Genre(s)

FPS