Precursors

This article is about the Vex Subtype. For for the ancient species that formed the Witness, see Precursors (Species).

Precursors
Overview
Objectives:	Defend the Glass Throne Defend Mercury and its secrets Defend the Undying Mind
Minds:	Primeval Mind Prevenient Mind Dendron, Root Mind
At war with:	Vanguard Taken Red Legion
Allied with:	Aphix Invasive Descendants Hezen Corrective Hezen Protective Proxies Sol Collective Sol Divisive
Encountered:	Vault of Glass Black Garden Echo Chamber Mercury Altars of Summoning

The Precursors (also known as the Sol Primeval), are a Vex collective spanning from the distant past of the Vex Network, reported to have been first encountered in the Vault of Glass. They can be identified by their silver-white frames and angular headgear.

History

Origins

The exact origins of the Sol Primeval are not known. However, it is often believed they came from the ancient past. The Primeval are responsible for the creation of the Undying Mind, an ancient Vex Mind of the Sol Divisive feared by fellow Vex.

The Collapse

When the Black Fleet began its assault on Sol, the Precursors would use this to their advantage. They would terraform Mercury into a Machine World in days, and construct the Infinite Forest, a simulation machine where the Vex can simulate alternate realities that the Vex can plan into our timeline. The algorithm that was used to generate the forest would reside in the Gardener's Spire in the Simulant Past, overseen by Dendron, Root Mind. While the mind of the Forest Panoptes, Infinite Mind, would be responsible for managing and interpreting the simulations into reality. The Sol Primeval also reside within the heart of the Vault of Glass and the Echo Chamber on Venus.

Fall of the Vault of Glass

Members of the division would later be confronted in the Vault of Glass by a six-man fireteam led by the Guardian. They would fail to defend the Vault and Atheon, Time's Conflux would be destroyed.

Destruction of the Undying Mind

When the Undying Mind attempted to seal the Black Garden in Darkness once more and recreate the Black Heart, the Vanguard would send a fireteam to stop this. The Precursors would enter the Garden in an attempt to assist their dark creation, despite their efforts they failed and the Undying Mind was destroyed.

Curse of Osiris

Later on Mercury, the Guardian and Sagira entered the Simulant Past to download the forest's algorithm at the Gardener's Spire before the Vex created the Infinite Forest. They would destroy Dendron, Root Mind and begin downloading the algorithm. However the Axis Mind of the Infinite Forest Panoptes arrived, captured Sagira's consciousness and banished the Guardian out of the forest. However the Guardian would succeed, destroying Panoptes, Infinite Mind, and Osiris would regain Sagira. Later the legendary Warlock would ask for the assistance of a fireteam after he recreated and lost control of Dendron, Root Mind.

Clash of the Hive Gods

When Eris Morn transformed herself into the Hive God of Vengeance to challenge Xivu Arath, the Guardians would use the Altars of Summoning in the Court of Savathûn to tithe to Eris. They would call forth imprisoned Precursor Vex led by the Prevenient Mind, alongside the Proximate Mind and Prevailing Mind. Despite the Vex's efforts to fend off the Guardians, they would fail and be destroyed, with their deaths being tithed to the Hive God of Vengeance.

Structure

According to Ghost analysis, the Precursors had their casings built long before the age of humanity. The assumption is these Vex are the ancestors of those faced today, but due to the Vex timeline's flexible nature, the truth may not be so simple.

Following the death of Dominus Ghaul, they began to gather on Mercury at the Infinite Forest alongside the Descendants, to unite under Panoptes, Infinite Mind. These Vex units are largely encountered in the Simulant Past which shows the Vex arriving on Mercury and beginning their conversion of the planet.

Notable members

• Dendron, Root Mind
• Prevenient Mind

Unique forces

Harpy variants

• Precursor Axis Harpy
• Precursor Harpy

Goblin variants

• Depraved Goblin
• Precursor Axis Goblin
• Precursor Goblin

Fanatic variants

• Precursor Fanatic

Hobgoblin variants

• Barrier Hobgoblin
• Precursor Axis Hobgoblin
• Precursor Hobgoblin

Minotaur variants

• Arc-Charged Minotaur
• Overload Minotaur
• Precursor Axis Minotaur
• Precursor Minotaur
• Precursor Praetorian
• Shielded Minotaur

Hydra variants

• Precursor Axis Hydra
• Precursor Gatekeeper
• Precursor Hydra
• Precursor Malignant Hydra
• Wayward Mind

Cyclops variants

• Barrier Mind
• Precursor Axis Cyclops
• Precursor Cyclops

Wyvern variants

• Precursor Malignant Wyvern

Gallery

Sol Primeval

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  Dendron, Root Mind

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  A Precursor Hobgoblin

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  Precursor Goblins

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  Precursor Hobgoblins in Destiny 1

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  Another Precursor Hobgoblin

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  Precursor Harpies

Destiny 2

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  A Shielded Minotaur

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  A Precursor Goblin in Destiny 2

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  A Precursor Hobgoblin in Destiny 2

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  A Precursor Minotaur in Destiny 2

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  A Precursor Harpy

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  A Precursor Hydra

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  A Precursor Cyclops

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  A Precursor Fanatic

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  A Precursor Malignant Wyvern

Trivia

• In Destiny, regular Precursors appear as Majors.
• The description of The Undying Mind hints that Precursors created the Axis Mind. This is supported by the Strike of the same name, as you fight Precursors on your mission to destroy the Mind, thus destroying its protectors.

List of appearances

• Destiny (First appearance)
  • The Dark Below
  • The Taken King
• Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris
  • Forsaken (Mentioned only)
  • Season of the Undying (Mentioned only)
  • Season of Dawn
  • Season of the Splicer (Non-canon appearance)
  • Season of the Witch
  • Episode: Echoes (Mentioned only)