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.[1] Its stats can be improved within the game.[2]
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 fire button, while brake is mapped to the aim 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. |
Sparrow Horns
The Sparrow Racing League added a selection of interchangeable Sparrow Horns.
- 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
- 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.[4] 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[5] (though its stats can be matched through in-game upgrades). The color remained a pre-order exclusive until January 1, 2015.[2]
Gallery
Action shot of the Sparrow from the E3 Destiny Gameplay Demo
A pair of Guardians, riding Sparrows into battle against a Devil Walker
Two Guardians on Sparrows
The red Sparrow pre-order skin
Early in development, Sparrows were known as Shrikes
Wallpaper of the Shrike
Guardian riding the Shrike
Concept art of the Shrike
Side view of the Shrike
Angled rear view model of the Shrike
A trio of Guardians on Shrikes
Closeup of a Guardian riding a Shrike
Guardians riding Shrikes
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Browse more images on this article's gallery page. |
List of appearances
- Destiny (First appearance)