As the saying goes, “Know thy enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated.” What better way to best one of the most common types of enemies in Destiny 2 than to know them? The Fallen in Destiny 2 have interesting lore behind them, and there may be many things that players did not know about one of the oldest and most fearsome species to battle for the Traveler in the solar system.
The Fallen have been an enemy since the first Destiny, and certainly show no signs of slowing down their armies and Houses. Destiny is home to many enemies, but the Fallen is perhaps the most interesting and misunderstood, with many lore aspects helping Guardians to understand the purpose of the Fallen.
8 Docked Arms
One of the most notable features of the Fallen is their four arms. However, it is worth paying attention to Dregs, who only have two arms, but seem to have their other set of two arms cut off and forced to remain as stubs. Dregs are not allowed their lower pair of arms, as it is seen as a ritual and display of obedience and humiliation.
The reason Dregs have their lower arms docked is so that the few that survive are cunning and experienced enough to be promoted into Vandals. As a Vandal, these former Dregs are allowed to regrow their lower arms and to rise through the ranks to a Captain.
7 Once Blessed With The Traveler
Before humanity was blessed with the Traveler's light, ushering in a new age of prosperity and immortality, the Eliksni were blessed with the same thing. The Eliksni prospered with the Traveler, and they worshipped it as the “Great Machine.” Now The Fallen, this insectoid scavenger alien race is obsessed with reclaiming the Traveler and attempting to understand why they were abandoned by it.
Many Guardians in Destiny 2 may see the Traveler as a great mystery, with a will that can only be understood by itself. The fact that one of the primary enemies, The Fallen, was abandoned by the Traveler begs the question of when the Guardians of Earth are next, and if the Traveler will choose to find a new civilization.
6 The Whirlwind
Little is known about the history of The Fallen. What is clear is one of the most historic events they recorded, known only as “The Whirlwind.” This event saw the collapse of the Eliksni civilization and the many wars and splitting of Houses that followed. “The Whirlwind” started when the Traveler abandoned the Eliksni populous after the Darkness arrived.
This event occurred centuries ago, before humanity’s contact with the Traveler. This event for the Eliksni was devastating, and the once-thriving population was turned into scavengers desperate to survive. To make matters worse, “The Whirlwind” saw not only the arrival of the Darkness but also Savathun's brother Oryx, the Taken King, and his Hive forces. Billions of Eliksni were killed and fled their home world of Riis to find the Traveler.
5 Machine Worshipers
Servitors are spherical-shaped Fallen that are worshiped by the Fallen for their ability to create Ether. These machines were created by the Fallen, but most interestingly, their design comes from their worship of the “Great Machine,” also known as the Traveler. The Servitors are what the Fallen worship now, and they see machines as gods.
The Fallen would even go so far as to integrate and become machines themselves, seeing it as the next form of evolution to godhood. This is seen when some of the Fallen became infested with SIVA, a nanotechnology that consumes and corrupts, but to the Fallen, it is far greater than Light.
4 Many Different Houses
Throughout the Destiny games, Guardians have faced and encountered many different Fallen. Each group of Fallen is distinct in their motives and their clothing. This is because the Fallen are not a united species, and instead have their own Houses. Some of the most notable Houses include the House of Judgment, House of Exile, and House of Devils.
Each House in the Fallen kingdom has its power and is plagued by wars between other Houses and the new threats of the solar system. To make matters more confusing for the Fallen, some swear allegiance to The City, showing the unity of the Guardians and the Fallen.
3 The Scorn
Once dead, the Fallen can be resurrected through sickly and unknown means. Their Ether is manipulated and mutated to turn them into undead creatures. Once resurrected, the Fallen are no longer themselves, and align themselves with the Scorn. Their biology consists of bulbous skin with a pale complexion, and an act for Arc. Even their mindset changes — they become savages and lacking in honor.
The Scorn was birthed in thanks to the disgraced Archon Priest, Fikrul the Fanatic. As an obsessive necromancer, Fikrul believes that the Scorn is the natural evolution of the Eliksni. His dangerous mindset seeks the immortality of his species but at the cost of their souls.
2 Hive/Fallen Compatibility
A curious aspect of the Fallen is their apparent ability to reproduce with the Hive. Considering the two alien species are at war, the fact that they can find forbidden love with one another is an interesting footnote in the lore of Destiny. Hopefully, this aspect will be further explored in perhaps a different anatomy of a Hive/Fallen hybrid, or even a union and kinship between Fallen and Hive.
As for now, Fallen and Hive that have bred with one another simply have Hive being born with Ether inside of them. This is seen when Guardians kill said Hive, and ether dissipates from their bodies. Perhaps more will be in store for Guardians against an alliance of Hive and Fallen.
1 Ether Significance
Ether is essentially the lifeblood of the Fallen. It is absorbed by the Fallen to assist them with breathing, and runs through their bodies like blood. Ether is important to the Fallen for how it is created, and what properties it gives them. It is also worth noting that Ether is one of their scarcest resources, which they desperately mine on worlds and moons, so they do not have to be so strict with its rationing.
When a Fallen is killed in this FPS shooter, an after-image of their body can be seen floating upwards. This is not their soul but their “ethereal lifeblood.” However, the ultimate importance of Ether is yet to be seen, and perhaps there is untapped potential in this source for enemies and Guardians.
Destiny 2 is currently available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and 5, and PC.