Sparrow

"The shortest distance between two points is full throttle."

— Grimoire description

Two different versions of Sparrows.

The Sparrow is a single-occupant vehicle used by Guardians, primarily for fast travel across long distances within a playable zone. Each Guardian is issued such a vehicle, which is stored aboard their jumpship and can be summoned for use as needed. Its stats can be improved within the game.

New Sparrows can be acquired from a few places; sometimes they appear as Loot (for example, finding all five Gold Chests in Old Russia will yield an uncommon sparrow), or purchased from a vendor, such as the Shipwright, Crucible Quartermaster, or Vanguard Quartermaster.

Sparrows can be summoned at every Patrol destination while in a public space, except for the Dreadnaught, and any Crucible map that allows vehicles. Sparrows are required for the Sparrow Racing League, which is the only dedicated racing activity in the game.

Abilities

Sparrows all have a booster, used as their primary method of propulsion. The boost button is mapped to the aim button, while brake is mapped to the shoot button. Guardians can also give directions while on the sparrow using the D-pad: Forward (up), left, right, and stop (down).

Some sparrows have additional abilities. Sparrows with the evade ability can boost slightly to the side using the left and right shoulder buttons. This consumes boost energy.

Trick Sparrows: The EV-30 can use the evade ability while airborne to perform barrel rolls, which can regenerate boost energy upon a successful roll.

Overdrive Sparrows: The raid Sparrows come with an afterburner for extra speed. However, engaging the afterburner for too long will cause the sparrow to explode.

Sparrow Types

Sparrow Name	Quality	Acquisition	Description
Sparrow S-10	Common	Default	Quick on the ground and small enough for transmat deployment.
Sparrow S-11	Common		A tuned-up vector drive gives this Sparrow a bit more spring in its step.
Sparrow S-10V	Uncommon	Special Orders (50 x Glimmer)	The Vanguard prizes its Sparrows, which are invaluable for recon and quick deployment.
S-20 Cavalier	Uncommon	Shipwright (Deployment Orders x 1)	The Series-20 Cavalier is a Titan mainstay, more robust and reliable than the baseline Sparrow.
S-20 Nomad	Uncommon	Shipwright(Deployment Orders x 1)	Hunters have a reputation for technical savvy. The S-20 Nomad highlights that expertise.
S-20 Seeker	Uncommon	Shipwright (Deployment Orders x 1)	Warlocks devised the Series-20 Seeker variant of the Sparrow for their own arcane purposes.
S-21 Cavalier	Uncommon	Shipwright (2250 x Glimmer)	Titans tune their thrust bikes to handle the burden of heavy armor.
S-21 Nomad	Uncommon	Shipwright (2250 x Glimmer)	On foot or by thrust bike, Hunters carve new trails through the frontier.
S-21 Seeker	Uncommon	Shipwright (2250 x Glimmer)	Careful attention to the Seeker's shielding reduces field interference.
S-22 Cavalier	Uncommon	Shipwright (2250 x Glimmer)	The Series-22 Cavalier helps put Titans right where they belong--in the thick of the battle.
S-22 Nomad	Uncommon	Shipwright (2250 x Glimmer)	The Series-22 Nomad helps Hunters stalk swift prey.
S-22 Seeker	Uncommon	Shipwright (2250 x Glimmer)	The Series-22 Seeker answers the esoteric needs of elite Warlocks.
S-30C Phoenix	Rare	Crucible Quartermaster (175 x Crucible Marks)	The coveted S-30C Phoenix is reserved for Guardians who demonstrate exceptional resolve.
S-31C Phoenix	Rare	Crucible Quartermaster (175 x Crucible Marks)	This variant of the coveted Phoenix has an improved powerplant.
S-32C Phoenix	Rare	Crucible Quartermaster (175 x Crucible Marks)	This variant of the coveted Phoenix s a powerful drive and agile thrusters.
Sparrow S-30V	Rare	Vanguard Quartermaster (175 x Vanguard Marks)	The Vanguard reserves the Series-30 Sparrow for the most successful Guardians.
Sparrow S-31V	Rare	Vanguard Quartermaster (175 x Vanguard Marks)	The Series-31V sports an improved powerplant.
Sparrow S-32V	Rare	Vanguard Quartermaster (175 x Vanguard Marks)	The Series-32V offers superb power and sterling maneuverability.
S-30V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-30V with an Emerald Coil	This S-30V's strange drive leaves an unusual green trail.
S-30V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-30V with a Stealth Drive	This S-30V's stealth drive filters out most high frequency emissions.
S-30V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-30V with a Void Drive	This S-30V's prototype drive is tinted purple by exotic void reactions.
Upgraded S-30V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-30V with a Plasma Drive	This S-30V's custom plasma drive presents a compelling argument for speed over safety.
S-31V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-31V with an Emerald Coil	This S-31V's strange drive leaves an unusual green trail.
S-31V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-31V with a Stealth Drive	This S-31V's stealth drive filters out most high frequency emissions.
S-31V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-31V with a Void Drive	This S-31V's prototype drive is tinted purple by exotic void reactions.
S-31V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-31V with a Plasma Drive	This S-31V's custom plasma drive presents a compelling argument for speed over safety.
S-32V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-32V with an Emerald Coil	This S-32V's strange drive leaves an unusual green trail.
S-32V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-32V with a Stealth Drive	This S-32V's stealth drive filters out most high frequency emissions.
S-32V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-32V with a Void Drive	This S-32V's prototype drive is tinted purple by exotic void reactions.
S-32V	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-32V with a Plasma Drive	This S-32V's custom plasma drive presents a compelling argument for speed over safety.
Upgraded S-30C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-30C with a Plasma Drive	This Series-30C Phoenix's plasma drive makes a compelling argument for speed over safety.
Upgraded S-30C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-30C with an Emerald Coil	This Series-30C Phoenix's strange drive leaves an unusual green trail.
Upgraded S-30C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-30C with a Void Drive	This Series-30C Phoenix's prototype drive is tinted purple by exotic void reactions.
Upgraded S-30C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-30C with a Stealth Drive	This Series-30C Phoenix's stealth drive filters out most high frequency emissions.
Upgraded S-31C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-31C with a Stealth Drive	This Series-31C Phoenix's stealth drive filters out most high frequency emissions.
Upgraded S-31C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-31C with a Void Drive	This Series-31C Phoenix's prototype drive is tinted purple by exotic void reactions.
Upgraded S-31C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-31C with an Emerald Coil	This Series-31C Phoenix's strange drive leaves an unusual green trail.
Upgraded S-31C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-31C with a Plasma Drive	This Series-31C Phoenix's plasma drive makes a compelling argument for speed over safety.
Upgraded S-32C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-32C with a Void Drive	This Series-32C Phoenix's prototype drive is tinted purple by exotic void reactions.
Upgraded S-32C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-32C with a Stealth Drive	This Series-32C Phoenix's stealth drive filters out most high frequency emissions.
Upgraded S-32C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-32C with a Plasma Drive	This Series-32C Phoenix's plasma drive makes a compelling argument for speed over safety.
Upgraded S-32C	Legendary	Upgrade the Sparrow S-32C with an Emerald Coil	This Series-32C Phoenix's strange drive leaves an unusual green trail.
XV0 Timebreaker	Legendary	Obtained from the Vault of Glass raid on Hard mode.	Many are brave, but only the strong and the living will ever ride this Sparrow.
EV-30 Tumbler	Legendary	Obtained by purchasing The Dark Below.	It takes a skilled field mechanic to disable limiters without destabilizing the entire drive.
S-13 Graverobber	Legendary	Obtained from the Crota's End raid.	There are many who seek to cheat death, but so few capable of outrunning its dark embrace.
SV7 Lightbearer	Legendary		A high-end Sparrow earned by those Guardians who prove their worth in the Trials of Osiris.
S-99 Dawnchaser	Exotic		The future and all of its promise awaits you.
S-34 Ravensteel	Legendary	Reach level 30 with one character or own both The Dark Below and House of Wolves before August 31, 2015.	The Sparrow is your pen, speed your ink, the open road your blank page. You are a poet of motion.
EV-34 Vector Infinite	Legendary	Complete the Destiny Refer-A-Friend questline.	Reserved for mentor Guardians who initiate others into the mysteries of the Light.
EV-35 Arcrunner	Legendary	Sparrow Racing League reward.	Those who seek to bind the lightning may find themselves consumed by it instead.
EV-36 Solscout	Legendary	Sparrow Racing League reward.	The power of the sun harnessed for use by the bravest of warriors.
EV-37 Voidstreak	Legendary	Sparrow Racing League reward.	Fueled by the Void.
EV-38 Laurelbearer	Legendary	Sparrow Racing League reward.	There are many who seek victory. Few will wear the laurel.
EV-39 Lumos	Legendary	Sparrow Racing League reward.	The rose turns toward the sun, but its roots grow deep in Darkness.
EV-40 Snowscream	Legendary	Sparrow Racing League reward.	The fool may not fear the storm, but the storm will never respect a fool.
EV-41 Momentum Master	Legendary	Sparrow Racing League reward. Only obtainable from the SRL Record Book, Vol. 1.	To the victor goes the prize.
EV-42 Nightsteed	Legendary	Sparrow Racing League reward. P.S. Exclusive.	Every hero requires a trusty mount.
EV-43 Lightrunner	Legendary	Sparrow Racing League reward. Only obtainable from a Custom Horn Kit, still only a chance.	Night falls, but your eyes are turned toward the dawn.
S-35 Aeon Glow	Legendary	Eververse purchase. Only obtainable from opening Sterling Treasure boxes, still only a chance.	Turn on the lights.
Days of Wind	Legendary	Chance reward from House Judgment rank-up rewards packages.	Awoken grieve for Kell-Queen. I grieve too... but grieve with open eyes Do you know what I see? - Variks
SR-0 Swiftriver	Legendary	Complete the Trailblazer quest, part of the Red Bull Quest [1] Note: Speed 150	Don't fight it. Flow with it.
SR-1 Swiftriver	Legendary	Complete the Inconceivable quest, part of the Red Bull Quest to receive "SR-0 Swiftriver Upgrade"	Upgraded field engine makes the Swiftriver more nimble than ever.
Iron Gjallarwing	Legendary	Pre-order bonus incentive for Rise of Iron.	Destruction in motion.
Lysander's Cry	Legendary	The Dawning secret quest - Revive dead ghost in Bannerfall map, and open hidden gift in the Tower	"You've recreated the fall of the Concordat, and something answered."

Sparrow Horns

The Sparrow Racing League added a selection of interchangeable Sparrow Horns. Most Horns can be obtained via Custom Horn Kits from the Eververse Trading Company.

• Air Horn
• Alert Horn
• Antique Horn
• Aquarian Horn
• Basic Horn
• Bike Horn
• Cadence Horn
• Chime Horn
• Clarion Horn
• Clown Horn
• Duck Horn
• Electric Horn
• Flourish Horn
• Fog Horn
• Gjallar Horn - pre-order Rise of Iron
• Happy Horn
• King's Horn
• Odyssey Horn

Trivia

• In terms of overall design and function, the Sparrow bears a striking resemblance to speeder bikes from the Star Wars franchise.
• Sparrows were originally named "Shrikes" during the development of Destiny. The vehicle's name was changed to its final form by the time of the Destiny Alpha.
• Those who pre-ordered Destiny from Gamestop received a red Sparrow S-10V, with buffs to its boost, speed, and durability (though its stats can be matched through in-game upgrades). The color remained a pre-order exclusive until January 1, 2015.

Gallery

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  Action shot of the Sparrow from the E3 Destiny Gameplay Demo

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  A pair of Guardians, riding Sparrows into battle against a Devil Walker

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  Two Guardians on Sparrows

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  The red Sparrow pre-order skin

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  Early in development, Sparrows were known as Shrikes

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  Wallpaper of the Shrike

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  Guardian riding the Shrike

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  Concept art of the Shrike

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  Side view of the Shrike

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  Angled rear view model of the Shrike

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  A trio of Guardians on Shrikes

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  Closeup of a Guardian riding a Shrike

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  Guardians riding Shrikes

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Browse more images on this article's gallery page.

List of appearances

• Destiny (First appearance)