War Beast

War Beast
Statistics
Species:	War Beast
Legion(s):	Red Legion ; Loyalists ; Imperial Cabal ; Shadow Legion
Role(s):	Assault Beasts ; Cannon Fodder ; Assassins; Quadrupedal
Combat information
Weapon(s):	Teeth, Claws, Back Blades
Abilities:	Rapid Movement

War Beasts are the Cabal's frontline attack animals and military hounds used by the Red Legion, Imperial Cabal, and the Shadow Legion.^[1]

Overview

War Beasts are feral, vicious attack animals deployed by the Cabal as either shock troops, a distraction, trackers, or as cannon fodder to protect their other forces. These beasts are quick and highly aggressive and will attack any enemy in sight. They are also very tenacious and will not stop until either they or their enemies are dead. They were native to Torobatl.

During the reign of Emperor Calus, War Beasts were seen as a revered and respected part of Cabal culture; each one being bred to serve a specific handler from birth and as such, their bond with their handler was unrivaled. However, according to Calus, after he was ousted and Dominus Ghaul took over the Empire, War Beasts were treated more of a military asset rather than a personal companion. ^[2] However due to Calus also using them in the same role with his Loyalists and later Shadow Legion, such claims are dubious.

Gameplay

War Beasts have no ranged attack abilities but compensate for this with their incredible agility and unyielding ferocity. While they are weak individually, and can be downed in just a few shots, they make up for this by being deployed in large numbers which can easily overwhelm enemies. Once they get in close to their enemies, they will relentlessly strike at them with their claws, teeth and blades affixed to their backs.^[3]

Variants

Notable Variants

Loyalist War Beast - War Beast of the Loyalists
Nightmare War Beast - Nightmare in the shape of a War Beast

Common Variants

Honored War Beast - Elite War Beast

Specific Variants

Known War Beasts

Royal Beasts

Aru'un
B'ael
Gra'ask
M'orn
Ta'aurc
Tho'ourg
Va'ase
Za'ahn

War Beasts

Trivia

War Beasts are the first animal enemies to ever appear in the Destiny franchise, and are the first quadruped creatures the player can interact with.
When killed by a headshot, their bodies burst with the same Cabal oil that their suits use.
Cabal troops within the Red Legion and Loyalists (with the exception of psions) wear bodysuits made from War Beast scales. Additionally, all War Beasts (including Loyalists) have a Red Legion brand on their hind leg. This could be a developer mistake for the latter, or it could be that only the Red Legion uses War Beasts and defectors to the Loyalists take the Beasts with them for additional forces, the brand still remaining.
When a Finisher is being performed on a War Beast, it will stand up on its hind legs.
War Beasts have different pelt colors. With the Red Legion and Imperial beasts coming in red and black. And Loyalist and Shadow Legion beasts coming in white.

Gallery

Cayde-6 defends himself from a War Beast.
A pack of War Beasts hunt down an enemy.
The Red Legion's symbol branded onto a War Beast's hind leg.

List of appearances

Cabal Booklet (First appearance)
Destiny 2
- Curse of Osiris
- Warmind
- Forsaken
  - Season of the Forge (Mentioned only)
  - Season of Arrivals (Mentioned only)
- Lightfall
  - Season of the Witch (Mentioned only)
  - Season of the Wish (Mentioned only)
  - Into the Light
- The Final Shape
  - Episode: Echoes
  - Episode: Revenant
Destiny: Warmind
Destiny: Cayde's Six

References

[1] YouTube - Destiny 2 - NEW STRIKE! INVERTED SPIRE!

[2] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BVuriiWz94

[3] reddit - So I played D2 at E3...

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