Guardians are certainly expecting the Darkness' big reveal now that the pyramid ships have arrived, but until the actual fall of Light occurs, players will need to deal with a certain Witch Queen in the meantime. While there’s a whole year of content inBeyond Lightcoming this November,Destiny 2has already outlined the next three yearly expansions for the game. One of which isDestiny 2: The Witch Queen, which will be next year’s big expansion for the game, finally leading to the inevitable encounter with the titular queen Savathun.
There have been several hints throughoutShadowkeep’s seasons, especially in the latter half of 2020 content inDestiny 2, that infer Savathun may tangle with guardians first before the Darkness. Even beforeShadowkeep, the events ofDestiny 2’s narrative have come as a result of an overarching plan by Savathun that’s playing out separately from the Darkness' invasion. This is exactly why, beforeDestiny 2’sLightfallexpansion in 2022,The Witch Queenexpansion will mark the inevitable face off between guardians and Savathun.
Who is the Witch Queen in Destiny?
For those who have played throughDestiny 2for a long time,especially those who followedShadowkeep’s story closely, have likely heard Savathun’s name numerous times. Savathun, otherwise known as “The Witch Queen,” was a member of the precursor Hive race and is sister to Oryx, the Taken King, and Xivu Arath, the Fundament’s God of War. Basically, Savathun and her siblings have been following the Worm Gods (like Xol, which Guardians killed at the end ofWarmind) in a bid to become the strongest beings in the whole universe. Much of her origins are detailed in the Book of Sorrows lorebook, but she’s largely played a background role inDestiny’s main story until now.
Part of the reason guardians have not met with Savathun already is because she isn’t inherently connected to the Hive, in fact more accurately she is further disconnected from the Hive seen inDestiny 2. Savathun has instead “taken” a different role, one similar to Oryx’s purpose as the Taken King. In a very subtle but elaborate way, Savathun was the one who orchestrated the events ofForsaken: the Witch Queenused the Riven to manipulate Uldren Sov(under the guise of his sister, Mara Sov), therefore causing the prison break at Prison of Elders. She ultimately was the source of the death of Cayde-6, as well as the Taken’s invasion of the Dreaming City.
Savathun’s Lingering, Subtle Threat to Guardians
SinceForsaken, Savathun’s role has been seemingly on the backburner. However, little hints throughoutShadowkeepprove that a Savathun-led incursion by the Taken may challenge guardians beforethe true coming of the Darkness inLightfall. This is likely what 2021’sThe Witch Queenexpansion will be about, as Savathun finally enacts her ultimate plan. This is something she’s been planning for hundreds of years inDestiny’s canon, a plan in which hints from Season of Arrivals and previousShadowkeepseasons may have proven.
The Taken invasion on Io can largely be linked to Savathun’s schemes. The Witch Queen attempted to annex a Vex “computational array” to steal valuable Vex knowledge in “The Festering Core” strike, which is what clues in Eris Morn of Savathun’s involvement. Which leads toDestiny 2’s current season, Season of Arrivals. While the focus is largely on the Darkness and the pyramids, once again Savathun sends her Taken Blight to Io. However, her goal this time is misdirection. Since she’s no fan of the pyramids or the Darkness (due to events in Book of Sorrows), she sends Taken unto Io in an attempt to block any communication between the guardians and the Darkness.
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The Witch Queen’s Inevitable Encounter Approaches
Her meddling on Io is the most evidence players are going to receive that proves Savathun’s plans, at least for now. Given all of that context, it becomes even more clear thatThe Witch Queenexpansion basically confirmsa showdown between guardians and Savathun. This has been a long time coming for guardians inDestiny 2, with her presence increasingly becoming known since the events ofForsaken. Many have all assumed that the coming of the Darkness would be the next showdown for players, but Savathun will need to be dealt with first.
As tohowDestiny 2will handle Savathun’s encounter with guardians, it’s hard to say. There’s going to be a lot of cross-pollination of enemies between Savathun’s Taken and the true form of the Darkness, or “the Final Shape.” For now, it seems like for guardians, Savathun will be the penultimate threat before guardians take on the true Darkness. While it’s true thatDestinylore dictates Savathun holds no respect for the Darkness, she may actually indirectly help the malevolent force by distracting guardians in her quest for power and control. The long-awaited clash between guardians and Savathun is at hand, which could indirectly be a boon for the growth of the Darkness.
Destiny 2is available now on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One. PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions release this November.
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