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Who Holds the Throne? Determining the Most Powerful Hive God in Destiny 2

The question of who reigns supreme among the Hive Gods in Destiny 2 is complex, nuanced, and, frankly, perpetually shifting. However, as of the current narrative state of Destiny 2, Savathûn, the Witch Queen, stands as the most powerful Hive God. While Xivu Arath boasts immense physical strength and Oryx held dominion over the Taken, Savathûn’s mastery of cunning, deception, and the Light itself places her a step above her siblings. Her ascendance to godhood through trickery, her control over the Lucent Brood (Hive empowered by the Light), and her intricate schemes that spanned millennia solidify her position at the top. While Xivu Arath still poses a considerable threat and the legacy of Oryx continues to shape the Hive, Savathûn’s manipulation of the Light has fundamentally altered the power dynamics within the Hive pantheon.

The Hive Gods: A Brief Overview

Before delving deeper, it’s crucial to understand the core tenets of the Hive and their god-hierarchy. The Hive, originally the proto-Hive species known as the Krill, entered into a pact with the Worms of Fundament, parasitic entities promising immortality and power. This pact transformed them into the Hive we know today, but it came at a cost: a constant need to feed their Worms through acts of conquest and destruction. The Hive Gods are the apex of this system, individuals who have ascended to paracausal power through the Sword Logic, a philosophy where existence is justified through strength and survival.

Oryx, the Taken King: The eldest sibling, Oryx, mastered the art of Taking, bending other beings to his will and adding them to his army. His power stemmed from his throne world, a reality he shaped through his own will.
Savathûn, the Witch Queen: The cunning strategist, Savathûn, prioritized manipulation and deception over brute force. Her strength lies in intricate plans, complex riddles, and, ultimately, her theft of the Light.
Xivu Arath, God of War: The youngest and arguably most physically powerful, Xivu Arath embodies war itself. Her strength is fueled by conflict, and her armies are vast and relentlessly aggressive.

Why Savathûn Takes the Crown

Several factors contribute to Savathûn’s current dominance:

Control Over the Light: Savathûn’s ability to steal the Light and grant it to her Lucent Brood is a game-changer. This not only provides her with new, powerful soldiers but also fundamentally challenges the understanding of the Light as the exclusive domain of the Traveler.
The Imbaru Engine: This engine is a crucial tool for her. By accumulating a large number of lies, she has been able to generate immense power for herself and grow in power at an increasing rate.
Master of Deception: Savathûn’s schemes are intricate and far-reaching, often manipulating events for centuries to achieve her goals. This strategic depth provides her with a level of control unmatched by her siblings.
Defiance of the Worm God Pact: Through intricate planning, Savathûn orchestrated a plan to free herself from the Worm and use the power she would gain to ultimately take the Traveler.
Transcendence through Death: Savathûn’s death at the hands of the Guardians was not an end but a rebirth. By embracing the Light, she achieved a new form of immortality, free from the constraints of the Worm Gods.

The Ongoing Threat of Xivu Arath

While Savathûn holds the upper hand, Xivu Arath remains a formidable threat. Her unbridled aggression and vast armies represent a constant danger to the Solar System. Her influence warps entire regions into battlefields, and her power grows with every conflict. The ongoing war between Xivu Arath and other factions within Destiny 2 will be a crucial storyline to watch, as it could shift the balance of power once again.

The Legacy of Oryx

Though defeated, Oryx’s influence is still felt. The Taken remain a potent force, and the Sword Logic continues to shape the Hive’s philosophy. Oryx’s ability to Take others remains unique, and the knowledge gained from his defeat has been invaluable in understanding the Hive’s strengths and weaknesses.

The Future of the Hive

The Hive in Destiny 2 are in a state of flux. With Savathûn’s transformation and Xivu Arath’s ongoing war, the future of the Hive is uncertain. The Guardians will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping this future, potentially leading to new alliances, new enemies, and a deeper understanding of the paracausal forces that govern the Destiny universe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly is the Sword Logic?

The Sword Logic is the Hive’s core philosophy, dictating that existence is justified through strength and survival. It dictates that those who are powerful deserve to exist, while the weak should be eliminated. This philosophy fuels their constant aggression and conquest.

2. How did Savathûn steal the Light?

The specifics of Savathûn’s plan are incredibly complex and only partially understood. In the beginning, the Traveler gave the Hive their ghosts after being tricked by Savathûn. Later, Savathûn spent years in the Traveler. Savathûn manipulated events to create a situation where the Traveler was essentially forced to imbue her with the Light as a means of escaping her schemes.

3. What is the Lucent Brood?

The Lucent Brood are Hive soldiers empowered by the Light, granted to them by Savathûn. They wield Light-based abilities similar to those of Guardians, making them incredibly dangerous opponents.

4. Is Oryx truly dead?

While Oryx was defeated in his throne world, the nature of paracausal beings makes death a complex concept. Aspects of Oryx’s power and influence persist, and it’s possible that he could return in some form in the future.

5. What are Throne Worlds?

Throne Worlds are realities shaped by paracausal beings through their will and power. They serve as the source of their strength and a sanctuary where they can regenerate after being defeated in the material world.

6. How do the Worm Gods fit into all of this?

The Worm Gods are the parasitic entities that granted the Krill their immortality and power, transforming them into the Hive. They demand constant tribute in the form of destruction and conquest, influencing the Hive’s aggressive behavior.

7. Why is Xivu Arath so focused on war?

Xivu Arath embodies war itself. Her power is directly tied to conflict, and she thrives on the chaos and destruction it brings. The more war rages, the stronger she becomes.

8. Could the Guardians become Hive Gods?

Theoretically, it’s possible. The path to Hive godhood is through the Sword Logic and the accumulation of paracausal power. However, the Guardians’ allegiance to the Light and their values would likely prevent them from fully embracing the destructive nature required.

9. Is there a way to permanently defeat the Hive Gods?

This is a question that remains unanswered. Defeating them in their throne worlds is a crucial step, but their paracausal nature makes them difficult to truly eliminate.

10. What role will Eris Morn play in the future of the Hive?

Eris Morn’s deep understanding of the Hive and her willingness to use their methods against them makes her a crucial figure in the ongoing conflict. Her knowledge and experience could be vital in finding new ways to combat the Hive threat. Some theories suggest she could become a Hive God herself, potentially of vengeance.

11. Are all Hive inherently evil?

The Hive’s adherence to the Sword Logic and their constant need to feed their Worms drives them to acts of violence and destruction. However, it’s possible that individual Hive could deviate from this path, especially with Savathûn’s manipulations disrupting the established order.

12. How do the Hive compare to other Destiny races like the Cabal or the Fallen?

The Hive are unique due to their reliance on the Sword Logic and their connection to the Worm Gods. They are driven by a fundamental need to conquer and destroy, unlike the Cabal, who seek to expand their empire, or the Fallen, who are struggling to survive after the loss of their Traveler.

13. What is the significance of Savathûn being able to wield the Light?

Savathûn’s ability to wield the Light represents a paradigm shift in the Destiny universe. It challenges the traditional understanding of the Light and Dark and raises questions about the nature of paracausality and the choices available to all beings, regardless of their origin.

14. What is the Imbaru Engine and how did it work?

By gaining the adoration of other beings, Savathûn was able to trick the Traveler into imbuing her with the Light. The Traveler’s Light is fueled by adoration and love, and is the ultimate source of the Light.

15. What is the connection between the Hive and the Taken?

The Taken are beings corrupted and brought under the control of Oryx through his unique ability to Take. They serve as a powerful force within the Hive army.

Understanding the intricacies of the Hive and their gods is essential for navigating the complex narrative landscape of Destiny 2. While Savathûn currently holds the title of most powerful, the ever-shifting dynamics of the Destiny universe suggest that the battle for supremacy is far from over. For more information on the educational aspects of gaming and complex world-building, consider visiting the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. There is more than enough to learn there at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

Who is the most powerful hive in Destiny 2?