Destiny 2 features numerous enemies that Guardians encounter throughout the Sol System, all with their rich history and place in the broader story. Destiny 2's Cabal race is one such group that has had a significant impact on the Destiny universe. While their presence has remained a constant centerfold in the story, the upcoming story expansion, Lightfall, will see the return of Emperor Calus and his newly made Shadow Legion. However, marketing for the story has implied that the Shadow Legion may be a one-and-done enemy.
When Destiny 2 launched in 2017, the Cabal was at the forefront with the start of the Red War, which saw the Red Legion, led by Dominus Ghaul, entrap the Traveler to take its Light away from all Guardians. Following Ghaul's defeat, Emperor Calus made several appearances requesting the aid of Guardians while promising them truths and knowledge about the universe that the Traveler has deprived them of. These truths have stemmed from the Darkness, the enemy of the Traveler and the Light.
Emperor Calus and His Shadow Legion in Lightfall
Destiny 2's Lightfall will introduce players to a hidden city of humans on Neptune called Neomuna, where another form of humanity has dwelt since at least the Collapse. Here, Emperor Calus will return after becoming a Disciple of The Witness, laying siege to Neomuna. The marketing for Lightfall has stated that Guardians will need to race Calus to the edge of the Solar System to thwart him and his newly created Shadow Legion - a dark Cabal army that serves Calus and the Darkness.
While not much is known about the Shadow Legion, their presence on Neptune will seemingly be felt throughout the Lightfall campaign. Calus's last actions were seen during Season of the Haunted when he attempted to psionically merge his with the Lunar Pyramid to achieve more power and swear allegiance to The Witness. While his daughter and Guardians eventually prevented that attempt, Calus succeeded in becoming a Disciple and Herald of The Witness.
During the Destiny 2 showcase in August 2022, Bungie did provide some information regarding the Shadow Legion, implying they have been imbued with new Darkness technology. This comes from Pyramid technology, allowing the Shadow Legion to drain Guardian's Supers and other skills. Bungie elaborated that the Shadow Legion will provide the typical Cabal brute strength, yet their new powers, along with Pyramid units called Tormentors, will wreak havoc on the battlefield.
Is the Shadow Legion a One-and-Done Enemy?
While Bungie has briefly spoken about the powerful force the Shadow Legion will pose in Destiny 2's Lightfall, marketing for the story expansion has implied that this may be the final appearance of Calus. If this is the case, it's unlikely that the Shadow Legion will make further appearances in the last story expansion between the Light and Darkness, The Final Shape. If this is the case, it makes the involvement of the Shadow Legion a bit anti-climatic, as players may feel that they don't pose as significant a threat as the trailers make them out to be.
This is further validated by Lightfall marketing itself as the return of The Witness, its Black Fleet, and the Pyramid units called Tormentors. Bungie explained at the Destiny 2 showcase that the Tormentors are impossibly huge behemoths, wielding deadly scythes which they can use to attack at close range or from a distance. Furthermore, Tormentors can bring Guardians in close and drain them of life, making them almost the equivalent of a boss character yet in battle and with several on the field at once.
If this is the case, their roots in Pyramid lore and their deadly abilities almost certainly cement them as returning foes The Witness and the Darkness will use in the future. So while the Shadow Legion appears to be a primary enemy type during the campaign, they may fall victim to greater foes with more interesting lore that have a return on investment for future installments in Destiny 2.
Destiny 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.