Unveiling Destiny 2's Latest Foe Faction in The Final Shape Expansion

Discover how Destiny 2 is breaking a decade-old tradition with The Grim, the first flying unit in its new enemy faction, The Dread.
Unveiling Destiny 2's Latest Foe Faction in The Final Shape Expansion

Highlights

  • The Final Shape expansion in Destiny 2 introduces the inaugural flying enemy faction with distinctive abilities, revolutionizing gameplay dynamics.
  • The Grim enemies from the Dread faction present a fresh challenge, hindering Guardians in PvE scenarios like GM Nightfalls with their formidable skills.
  • The Grim shatter a long-established norm by being the primary flying unit with wings in Destiny 1 and 2, suggesting potential future confrontations in the series.

Destiny 2 is gearing up to unveil a fresh adversary faction in the upcoming The Final Shape expansion, a departure from the norm since the Forsaken era and a rarity dating back to The Taken King in the original game. This shift marks a significant deviation for Bungie, promising to inject new life into the looter-shooter's gameplay with a host of unique mechanics, such as The Husk's ability to summon an explosive Geist upon demise. The diverse array of creatures from Destiny 2's latest Dread faction is intriguing, offering potential formidable foes in endgame content, with one enemy notably disrupting a longstanding franchise tradition.

While the Dread faction made its debut last year with Lightfall's Tormentors, it was only during the recent Destiny 2 The Final Shape livestream that Bungie officially christened them. Alongside Tormentors, the roster now includes:

  • Subjugators
  • The Grim
  • The Husk
  • Weavers
  • Attendants

These adversaries are expected to feature prominently in The Final Shape expansion's main campaign and potentially in other PvE content across various Pale Heart locations. Each unit possesses unique traits, but The Grim's distinction lies in being the franchise's maiden flying foe.

The Grim: Destiny 1 and 2's Pioneering Winged Aerial Unit

Breaking a Decade-Long Mold in Destiny 1 and 2

Destiny 2's new Dread faction introduces the inaugural winged character, The Grim, heralding a departure from a longstanding tradition dating back to the series' inception in 2014. While previous flying enemies like Shriekers existed, they were often constrained in their mobility. For instance, Shriekers remained stationary or teleported, while some boss variants merely shifted locations.

Another instance is the Lucent Moths, notorious for their pursuit and explosive tendencies akin to The Grim's Husk. However, despite their aerial movements, Lucent Moths function more like projectiles and are initially static in certain areas, unlike the fully airborne Destiny 2 Final Shape Grims.

Impact of Destiny 2's Dread Faction on Endgame Content

The Grim 'Gunbats' in Destiny 2 Pose Challenges for Guardians

The Grim not only defy conventions with their flight capabilities but also pose a significant threat in high-tier Destiny 2 PvE encounters, such as GM Nightfalls. Their ability to suppress Guardians, impeding ability use and reducing speed, can prove disruptive, potentially leading to mission failures. Their airborne nature may also make them harder to target, given their agility showcased in Bungie's gameplay footage.

The introduction of flying units in Destiny 2's narrative arc, alongside the rumored Destiny 3, brings an intriguing dynamic, especially when paired with the new Prismatic subclasses. The association of the Dread faction with The Witness hints at potential Grim boss battles in or after The Final Shape, enriching both the game's lore and gameplay mechanics.