Some Titans in Destiny 2 are loudly demanding: Zavala must go. The head of the Titans has few fans in the game. Titans want a dashing new leader: Lord Shaxx.
Current petition: A petition is currently circulating on the Destiny 2 subreddit. Title: “Promote Shaxx to Titan Vanguard and demote Zavala to a mailman.”
With over 5000 upvotes, the Guardians show their support for the dashing Lord Shaxx and their aversion to Zavala.
Guardians love Shaxx: In the post, the Guardians especially rave about the thundering and booming voice of Lord Shaxx. They recount how they once felt downcast until the Crucible announcer encouraged them and urged them to take out more people in the Crucible.
A call they eagerly complied with.
Such a man of bloody deeds is what Titans wish to have as their direct superior. After all, it seems even the Queen of the Awoken, Mara Sov, has taken a liking to Shaxx.
However, our article will not be about Shaxx; we at MeinMMO have a heart for outsiders and will take a look at Zavala.
What do people have against Zavala? In the trio of main characters from Destiny 2, Zavala takes on the role of the admonishing and cautious father. He is, in a way, the voice of reason.
Again and again, Zavala advises caution and to proceed thoughtfully. He is the serious counterpoint to the other characters. This was made clear early on by Destiny 2.
In the iconic opening sequence of Destiny 2 “Rally the Troops”:
- Zavala speaks solemnly and with pathos. He appeals to the honor and endurance of the Guardians
- while Cayde-6 is the laid-back guy who insults his people and promises them loot and the protection of puppies.
This seriously grumpy role has been played by Zavala since Destiny 1. However, players’ displeasure is mainly fueled by this new cutscene from Forsaken:
Here Zavala tempered Ikora Rey’s bloodlust. He prevented her from deciding to go all out against Uldren Sov and cautioned her to be careful. Guardians are not conquerors but are responsible for protecting the last city.
Zavala’s tactic seems to be to keep pulling back, avoiding conflicts, and preserving what one still has: the home, the people, the Traveler. He refuses to involve more friends. Ikora Rey even accuses him of cowardice.
Has Zavala lost his focus? Many people take this scene poorly from Zavala. He was also the one in the Destiny 2 campaign who said that one should not protect the Traveler but must save the people.
In the eyes of some Guardians, Zavala (via reddit) has now become a broken Titan, who has lost his focus and is ruled by the fear of losing even more.
What the aversion to Zavala says about Titans
Zavala represents the role of the Titan: Zavala symbolizes the dilemma that Titans face in his narrative role. In the story of Destiny 2, Zavala plays the protector, who creates a dome and urges his friends to be cautious.
However, player Titans in Destiny tend to see themselves more as wild brawlers who fight at the forefront, swinging a big hammer or jumping into action with rockets.
The role of the daredevil has been more associated by Bungie with the Hunter and their representative Cayde “Shoot first, ask questions later”-6.
A plea for Zavala: Despite all the aversion against the defensive Titan, we at MeinMMO urge Titans to stay calm and show some heart for Zavala.
Even though Zavala has had to endure quite a bit from heavy strokes of fate in recent months, we believe here that Zavala will regain his footing and that Titans should continue to stand with their Vanguard.
Besides, Shaxx simply has to remain the Crucible announcer.
What do you say?
