Unveiling Destiny 2's Hunter Vanguard Chaos: Secrets of The Final Shape Unveiled

One of the highlights of Destiny 2's live-service model is its ability to dive deep into seasonal storytelling, allowing for significant character development and plot progression. Crow, a character introduced as a resurrected Guardian formerly known as Uldren Sov, stands out as a prime example. Despite being unjustly hated by in-game characters for crimes he did not commit, such as the killing of the beloved Hunter Vanguard Cayde-6 in the Forsaken expansion, Crow has become a compelling figure.

For some time, the Destiny 2 community engaged in a widespread debate over whether Crow would assume the role of the new Hunter Vanguard or if another character would take Cayde's place before the conclusion of the Light and Darkness saga. However, the recent release of The Final Shape trailer has complicated matters. While it would be fitting for Crow to become the Hunter Vanguard as a tribute to Cayde's Vanguard Dare, the return of Cayde-6 adds a new element to the equation.

Destiny 2's Possible Solutions to the Hunter Vanguard Cayde vs. Crow Conundrum

It is speculated that Cayde-6's role in Destiny 2's The Final Shape expansion may be limited to guiding players in the valley beyond the portal opened by The Witness during the Lightfall campaign. If this turns out to be true, Cayde-6 could potentially become a vendor like other NPCs specific to certain destinations in the game's history, such as Fynch in The Witch Queen and Nimbus in Lightfall. However, this may not meet the expectations of some fans.

Furthermore, even if Cayde-6 does return, it is uncertain whether he will be able to leave the valley of time and space and visit The Tower. This means that he would not be able to fully resume his role as a leader for the Hunters. It is possible that his presence in The Final Shape expansion is a result of the collapse of space and time, considering his final death in Forsaken occurred after his Ghost, Sundance, was shot by one of Uldren's Barons. Therefore, according to current knowledge of Destiny 2's lore, it seems unlikely for him to make a true return.

If Cayde-6 cannot fulfill the role of the Hunter Vanguard in the next expansion, there should be acknowledgement of this and a potential dialogue between Cayde-6 and Crow. This could lead to Crow accepting the responsibility of Uldren's past life, similar to what happened in Season of the Haunted, but this time with a clear direction for his character. If Cayde-6 were to forgive Crow in Destiny 2's The Final Shape, it could be the turning point that allows Crow to step into Cayde-6's shoes.

Considering that The Final Shape will likely be a substantial expansion with many questions to address, it is unlikely that other characters will be involved in this process. Destiny 2 is at a pivotal moment where it can either have characters discuss the fate of the Hunter Vanguard role and take action sooner rather than later, or it can prioritize character growth in other aspects while neglecting this particular issue. A middle ground approach would not provide the closure that Destiny 2 players have been waiting for, even if Cayde-6 and Crow are in the same room together.

Destiny 2 is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.