The Enigmatic Tormentors of Destiny 2: Unraveling Their Origins
The Tormentors are a formidable enemy type introduced in Destiny 2: Lightfall, and they have quickly become a source of fascination and fear among Guardians. Their imposing presence and unique abilities raise many questions, with one of the most common being: What species are Tormentors? The direct answer, based on available lore and in-game information, is that Tormentors are creations of the Witness, specifically designed as powerful enforcers of its will. They are not a naturally evolved species, but rather artificially constructed beings. They bear the hallmarks of the Witness’s influence, sporting a distinctive design and wielding formidable powers that directly challenge Guardians. This article delves deeper into the nature of Tormentors, exploring their connections to other lore elements and answering frequently asked questions surrounding these menacing creatures.
Deconstructing the Tormentor: More Than Just Muscle
Tormentors are easily identifiable by their hulking, vaguely humanoid forms. They stand at least 10 feet tall, possess long limbs, and sport massive torsos, giving them an overwhelming presence on the battlefield. Instead of a traditional head, they have a simple metallic “cap” that emits a bright yellow-orange light, adding to their ominous aesthetic. They are typically adorned in what appears to be long strips of cloth-like material, further distinguishing them from other enemy types.
Their construction suggests a deliberate design. They are not creatures that arose naturally, like the Fallen or the Hive. The fact that they are designed and deployed by The Witness points to their role as tools, not an evolved species. This reinforces their nature as creations intended to enforce the Witness’ will and presents an interesting challenge to Guardians. They’re not creatures trying to survive; they are powerful weapons deployed against us.
The Connection to Nezarec and the Witness
The design and aesthetic of Tormentors invite comparisons to other characters in Destiny 2 lore, especially Nezarec. While there are clear visual similarities, it is crucial to understand that Tormentors are NOT clones of Nezarec, nor are they the same species. Nezarec is a Qugu, a being of great power and influence, also associated with the Witness, but distinct in his origin and role.
The visual connection, particularly the red/orange color scheme, isn’t accidental. It reflects a common artistic theme utilized by the Witness in its creations. The metallic plating and the strips of cloth-like material present on both Nezarec and the Tormentors indicates a shared aesthetic under the influence of the Witness’s design. This shared design language highlights the Witness’s overarching influence, creating a narrative of control and uniformity. It is more that the Witness is utilizing a consistent artistic language for it’s powerful warriors, rather than Tormentors actually being the same race as Nezarec.
Combat Role and Weaknesses
In combat, Tormentors serve as formidable mini-bosses. They are not designed to be easily taken down, and their strength and abilities pose a significant challenge to players. They wield two-handed scythe-like weapons and can use a Dark Harvest ability to grab and drain the health of nearby Guardians. Additionally, they can suppress Guardian abilities, making them dangerous to approach.
Despite their imposing nature, they do have vulnerabilities. Linear fusion rifles, scout rifles, and bows are particularly effective against them, allowing Guardians to maintain distance and deal significant damage. Targeting the glowing shoulders is key, as destroying these weak points inflicts serious damage. However, after a weak point is destroyed, the Tormentor will briefly become invulnerable, requiring Guardians to be strategic with their attacks.
Some Tormentors also have the ability to create an immunity shield, making them completely impervious to attacks, forcing Guardians to adapt and wait for it to dissipate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Tormentors
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Tormentors, providing additional insights into their nature and combat role:
Are Tormentors bosses or majors?
Tormentors are best described as formidable mini-bosses that are encountered frequently. While not full-fledged bosses like Nezarec or Rhulk, they are more powerful than typical major enemies.
What are Tormentors weak against?
Tormentors are particularly vulnerable to linear fusion rifles, scout rifles, and bows. Targeting their glowing shoulders is also crucial for inflicting substantial damage.
What are Tormentors immune to?
Some Tormentors can create an immunity shield, rendering them temporarily immune to all Guardian attacks and abilities.
How tall are Tormentors?
Tormentors are hulking, bipedal creatures that stand at least 10 feet tall.
Can you escape a Tormentor’s grasp?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to escape a Tormentor’s grasp once they use their Dark Harvest ability to grab you. Therefore, avoiding their grasp should be a priority.
Can you escape from a Tormentor?
Yes, you can escape the Tormentor through strategic use of your abilities. Tormentors can be frozen and slowed, which will create space between you and them. However, they can also suppress your abilities, making direct confrontation even more dangerous.
Were Tormentors planted by the Witness?
Evidence suggests that the Tormentors are indeed planted by the Witness to serve as powerful enforcers and a direct threat to Guardians.
Are Tormentors clones of Nezarec?
No, Tormentors are not clones of Nezarec. While they share a similar design aesthetic due to the influence of the Witness, they are distinct beings with different origins.
What is the Dark Harvest ability?
The Dark Harvest ability allows a Tormentor to grab a nearby Guardian and drain their health, making it crucial to avoid close-quarters engagements.
Do Tormentors have a race?
Tormentors are not a naturally occurring race, but rather artificially created beings by the Witness. They are not classified as a species in the same way as the Fallen, Hive, or Cabal.
Did Nezarec create Tormentors?
Nezarec did not create Tormentors. The Tormentors were created by The Witness to act as its enforcers.
Can you freeze tormentors?
Yes, tormentors can be frozen, which is a useful tactic to prevent them from getting close to you.
Are there different types of Tormentors?
While there aren’t distinct subspecies of Tormentors, they can have different abilities and armor, like the ability to create an immunity shield.
Are tormentors organic or robotic?
While they have cloth-like materials on them, tormentors are more of a construct rather than fully organic beings. They’re not simply robotic either, they are more like bio-mechanical, given the unique yellow glow and their ability to use Dark Harvest.
Are Tormentors similar to Subjugators?
Both Tormentors and Subjugators are creations of the Witness, but are different enemy types. The Subjugators appear to be designed to be deployed in groups to supress Guardians that wield Stasis and Strand.
Conclusion
Tormentors stand out as a significant threat in the Destiny 2 universe. Understanding that they are not an organically evolved species, but rather manufactured by the Witness as powerful enforcers is vital to comprehending their role in the unfolding narrative. They are not merely combat fodder but rather deliberately created weapons, designed to challenge and overwhelm Guardians. By understanding their origins, weaknesses, and combat abilities, players can better prepare themselves for encounters with these intimidating creatures and the challenges that lie ahead.