Tormentor

Template:Infobox enemy

Tormentors are powerful Dread combatants created by The Witness, first encountered during the Lightfall expansion. These hulking bipedal beings wield massive scythes and utilize paracausal suppression abilities to devastating effect.

Overview

Tormentors were introduced in Destiny 2: Lightfall as a new enemy type designed to be "the most scary unit that you've ever fought in the Destiny universe," according to project lead Catarina Macedo. They serve as elite units among the forces of The Witness and Emperor Calus's Shadow Legion.

Physical Description

Tormentors are hulking, vaguely humanoid beings adorned in long strips of cloth-like material. Notable physical characteristics include:

• Nearly headless appearance with metallic "caps" emitting bright yellow-orange light
• Long limbs and massive torsos
• Hands and feet with three fingers and an opposable thumb
• Parts made of colored stone or transparent glass-like material similar to Pyramid architecture

Combat Abilities

Primary Attacks

Void Projectiles: Tormentors generate crescent-shaped void blasts from their scythe and sling them at enemies. These attacks deal moderate damage and possess tracking capabilities.

Void Barrage: Tormentors spin their scythes and float them into the air, creating an entity of void energy that unleashes a continuous barrage of homing void blasts in various directions.

Suppression Slam: After roaring and leaping into the air, Tormentors crash down at high speeds with an explosion of suppression-inducing void energy. This attack prevents affected Guardians from using abilities, including jump abilities and Strand grapple, for several seconds.

Phase 2 Ability

Dark Harvest: When entering their second phase, Tormentors gain access to this devastating attack. They exhibit a strong red glow while their scythes glow bright purple, then aggressively rush Guardians to grab and drain their health. This attack deals massive damage and leaves victims vulnerable to enemy fire.

Combat Phases

Phase 1: Shoulder Weak Points

• Only shoulders are vulnerable to damage (glowing similar to Rhulk's weak spots)
• Rest of body is immune to damage
• Both shoulder weak points must be destroyed to progress

Phase 2: Full Vulnerability

• Physical appearance becomes gray with more prominent ragged cloaks
• Chest weak point exposed
• Fully vulnerable to damage but moves with increased speed
• Gains access to Dark Harvest ability
• Becomes significantly more aggressive

Combat Strategies

• Blinding Grenades from Grenade Launchers stun Tormentors temporarily
• Stasis can freeze them in place
• Strand suspension can lift them into midair
• Burst damage Supers in Phase 2 often reduce them to finisher range instantly
• Maintain distance to avoid suppression slams and Dark Harvest grabs
• Watch for aerial attacks as suppression combined with knockback can be lethal near edges

Lore and Origins

Tormentors are entities created through the combined powers of Emperor Calus and The Witness. According to in-game dialogue:

So, those Tormentor things are... what? The same species as Nezarec? Or does the Witness make, like, clones of its biggest, baddest generals?

—Quinn Laghari

The Dread were later revealed to be created by The Witness using Light from The Traveler combined with its own Darkness, either reshaping existing beings or drawing upon forms contained within Resonance. However, the exact method of Tormentor creation remains unclear, as they predate The Witness's entry into the Pale Heart.

Notable Appearances

• First encounter during Lightfall campaign
• Final campaign boss fight (multiple Tormentors with suppression mechanics near map edges)
• Various seasonal activities and endgame content
• Nightfall strikes and other high-level activities

Reception

Tormentors have been praised as "an excellent addition to Destiny 2's roster of enemies" due to their imposing design, engaging Void-based powers, and unique resistances that provide players with new and difficult challenges. They successfully achieved Bungie's goal of creating a genuinely intimidating enemy that stands out from other encounters.

Trivia

• Tormentors resemble "a ruthless, skulking creature resembling death itself"
• Their suppression abilities make them particularly dangerous near map edges
• The two-phase combat system was inspired by raid boss mechanics
• Despite their intimidating presence, they can be temporarily disabled by various crowd control effects

See also

• Dread
• The Witness
• Shadow Legion
• Lightfall
• Nezarec, Final God of Pain
• Rhulk, Disciple of the Witness