Who was the Vanguard Before Cayde?
In Destiny and its subsequent sequels, including Destiny 2, the Vanguard serve as the leaders of the Titan Classes, guiding and protecting the Last Safe City on Earth. Cayde-6, the Hunter Vanguard who came after Andal Brask, was a beloved and highly respected character in the franchise until his untimely death.
While Cayde-6 has many fans, it’s intriguing to imagine who came before him and who set the stage for his eventual coronation as the Hunter Vanguard. Let us delve into the history of the Vanguard Vanguards and discover which Guardian paved the way for Cayde-6.
Andal Brask: The First Vanguard
Going back in time, the first hunter Vanguard was Andal Brask. Andal rose to prominence during the Golden Age era, where he was a prominent defender of the City and a champion among the Vanguard. As the first Vanguard chosen by the Traveler, he fought alongside other legendary characters like Lush, Nian Ruo, Shiro-4, and The Speaker.
Andal’s leadership was instrumental in defending humanity against the Darkness, and he earned six rebirths, a testament to his bravery and capacity to adapt to the ever-changing threats.
Rebirth? What does that mean?
Reborn Guardians, like Andal and Cayde, have been alive multiple times, each with connections to the Traveler, which creates a unique bond that allows them to be reborn several times. This phenomenon, first observed by the Vanguard, was one of the reasons why Cayde-6, despite being only the sixth reborn himself, was able to connect with people on a deeper level.
Who are the other Vanguard before Cayde 7?
So, who else succeeded Andal Brask? How many Vanguard came before Cayde-6? Unfortunately, Lore does not provide an uninterrupted timeline of every Vance before Cayde, making pinpointing exact numbers or knowing their individual stories challenging. Nonetheless, these key events offer the current understanding of the Vanguard succession**:
- Andal Brask: The first Hunter Vanguard, who led the Vanguard and resisted the Darkness.
- [missing Vanguard]: Some hints suggest there might have been, at least, one additional Vanguard beyond Andal, whose timeline is unclear.
- [No Vanguard]: Currently, there is no evidence to claim that Cayde-6 has come back to life, according to Bungie game developers. Therefore, it can conclusively be stated that Cayde-6 will not be succeeded nor revived as a Vanguard.
• Cayde-6 [current]: The Vanguard slain by Uldren Solaris, with no recorded potential for revival or return except for his mind backups kept in the Deep Stone Crypt, accessible only if the location is verified
• Cayd-7 [None – No evidence or intentions to revive Cayde-7 have been shared or officially referenced by Bungie development team)
What lies the lore of the Vanguard?
Destiny’s lore has a rich and mystical history, full of connections tied to the Traveler and its powerful artifacts. Some of these fascinating aspects include:
1.The Speaker: Believed to be the Vanguard or a close ally of Andal Brask, possibly in charge of coordinating the Vanguard forces through the Speaker’s Chair. However, the Speaker’s identity and role have seen significant changes and reinterpretations under different Guardians.
2.Council of War: This esteemed group of powerful Guardians gathered occasionally to discuss crucial matters, providing some insight into the inner workings of the Vanguard and its hierarchical structure.
- Prophets of Fate Prophecy: Ancient lore claiming that the Vanguard will face great prophecies, where each reiteration holds the key to preserving knowledge and wisdom. In keeping with this concept, the story progresses, allowing the Vanguard to build more upon the foundation left previously.
The Legacy of Andal Brask and the Vanguard
Given the complexity of the Vanguard lore within the Destiny universe, understanding who replaced Andal Brask remains more of an educated speculation versus a concrete answer. We currently know that Cayde-6, as a result of his rebirth and his reborn connections to the Traveler’s power, became a legendary example of a Hunter Vanguard and even a key figure in shaping and guiding the Guardians.
Despite several unanswered questions, the significance Andal Brask’s role within early Destiny history has left a lasting indelible mark on the world Lore. His name echoed through the annals of Destiny to become synonymous with a long chain of powerful, reborn Vanguards.