Acolyte

Acolyte
Biographical information
Species:	Hive
Sect:	Hidden Swarm ; Spawn of Crota ; Blood of Oryx ; Cult of the Worm ; The Silent Brood ; Savathûn's Brood ; Grasp of Nokris ; Xivu Arath's Horde ; Lucent Brood
Purpose:	Foot Soldier
Combat information
Weapon(s):	Shredder (common) ; Boomer (rare) ; Splinter (rare) ; Soulfire Rifle (uncommon) ; Acolyte Grenade
Abilities:	Rapid Movement ; Hive Melee

"You Acolytes, lead your Thrall in battle. Take enough killing to feed your worm, and a little more to grow, and take the tithe of the Thrall you lead. Then tithe the remainder to the Knight or Wizard who commands you. Thus you pay tribute."

— Oryx, the Taken King

Acolytes^[1] are the main attack force of the Hive. They use Shredders and Boomer in combat.^[2]

Overview

"Belief is a powerful weapon."

— Grimoire description.

They utilize firearms and strategy to counter their enemy, coordinating with other Hive to destroy their targets. Unlike the lesser Thralls who act with little sense of self-preservation, Acolytes actively utilize cover to avoid incoming fire from enemies. If they survive long enough they become Wizards if female or Knights if Male.^[3]

Gameplay

Destiny

Acolytes are basic enemies that are mostly seen behind cover. They occasionally pop out to fire off some shots at the player, forcing them to retreat. However, they lack in defenses, and as such can easily be killed by small arms fire. The best strategy would be to separate an Acolyte from their piece of cover and leave them exposed to incoming damage. This can be done by tossing a grenade in their general direction to flush them out, followed by shooting them with your primary weapon or rushing forward for a melee attack.

Destiny 2

Acolytes gain the ability to summon and throw grenade-like incendiary explosives, and some act as snipers with the new Soulfire Rifle, but otherwise fight the same way.

Known Acolytes

Lucent Brood Acolytes

Hidden Swarm Acolytes

Wrath of the Swarm

Proxy Acolytes

Dakaan, Proxy

Unknown Affiliation

Types

Notable Variations

Lightbearer Acolyte - Acolyte risen by a Ghost.
Nightmare Acolyte - a Nightmare with the form of an Acolyte.
Adherent - specialist Acolytes of the Grasp of Nokris armed exclusively with a Soulfire Rifles.

Common Variants

Ascendant Acolyte - Epic difficulty Acolyte
Blistered Acolyte - Major Acolyte (Destiny 2)
Chosen Acolyte - Heroic difficulty Acolyte
Dread Unhallowed Acolyte - Major Grasp of Nokris Acolyte
Dread Unhallowed Adherent - Major Grasp of Nokris Adherent
Hallowed Acolyte - Major Acolyte (Destiny)
Revenant Acolyte - Elite Acolyte
Unhallowed Acolyte - Elite Grasp of Nokris Acolyte
Unhallowed Adherent - Elite Grasp of Nokris Adherent

Specific Variants

Trivia

Acolytes were originally called "Troopers." "Acolyte" was the de facto term by Destiny's alpha.^[2]
Given the Hive's odd biology, it may be that all Acolytes are biologically sterile females, as common to most eusocial species.