Destiny: Cayde-6's Most Iconic Quotes (2024)

It's been some time since the teaser trailer for The Final Shape, the most recent expansion of Destiny 2, aired on May 24, 2023, exciting players with the confirmation that Cayde-6 would indeed be returning for this closing chapter of what Bungie has called the "Light and Darkness Saga" of Destiny 2's plot. Additionally, Nathan Fillion has been able to reprise his role as Cayde-6 after being unavailable to record lines for the character while Destiny 2: Forsaken was in production.

While many Guardians know of Cayde-6 even beyond meeting him in the game, almost all of his playable content in Destiny 2 has been vaulted outside The Final Shape, with the notable exceptions being gear and other dialogue related to the Exo Hunter and his legacy. This has made the Cayde-6's return much more exciting for players. As one of the funniest and most competent characters in Destiny, he's got a lot of memorable quotes that speak to his fan-cherished personality.

Updated by Jeremy Devoe on June 20, 2024: Destiny 2 has experienced a swell in returning players and new players with the recent release of their content expansion, The Final Shape. As such, we wanted to update this article on one of the most beloved characters in the series, Cayde-6, for readers. We've also added another five of Cayde-6's iconic quotes, including two from The Final Shape, which are already fit to be alongside the Guardians' favorite Hunter Vanguard's best lines.

15 Hey. Take Me With You. I Hate This Job.

Destiny 1 – Interaction Dialogue at the Tower

In Destiny, Cayde-6 was located in the Tower with the role of Hunter Vanguard alongside Ikora Rey, the Warlock Vanguard, and Commander Zavala, the Titan Vanguard. Of the three, it was no secret that Cayde-6 was the most eager to be away from the Tower and performing field work like the player's Guardian is constantly doing as part of the game's plot and progression loop. This led to the occasional plea from Cayde urging players to help get him out of the Tower.

After his death in Destiny 2: Forsaken, many Guardians found a touching way to honor this request by wearing, or carrying, a specific class item from the Spoils of the Shore Gear, specifically named the "Memory of Cayde (Cloak/Mark)." Its flavor text references a variation of this entry's quote; "Hey... Take Me With You." While Cayde-6 didn't care for some of the tasks he was saddled with as the Hunter Vanguard, there was no doubt he cared for his fellow Guardians.

14 I Got a... a Show I Like to Binge-watch...

Destiny 1 – Interaction Dialogue at the Tower

For most of Cayde-6's appearances in Destiny and Destiny 2, he was voiced by Nathan Fillion, who also starred as the main character in the short-lived sci-fi show, Firefly.Destiny refers Firefly through Cayde-6 with another of his parting lines to the Guardian in the Tower, suggesting that Cayde is quite a fan of the show in the process. While it is a nod to Nathan Fillion's previous role, it still holds plenty of relevance to Cayde-6 himself.

Firefly is a notable example of the genre known quite aptly as a "Space Western," which centers on the lives of humans exploring the edges of space's ever-expanding frontier. Given such a genre, it's easy to imagine a character like Cayde-6, who resembles many smooth-talking and gun-slinging Western characters, would be invested in a show like Firefly himself. It's a small Easter egg that helps Guardians relate to Cayde through one of his hobbies.

13 I Realize That This Is an Abuse of the Tower P.A.

Destiny 1 – Dialogue Heard When Idling or Exploring the Exterior Regions of the Tower

While Ikora and Zavala also interact with Guardians in various ways, Cayde-6 is just a bit more present within Destiny 1 through characterizing moments like the quote featured in this entry. While moving or hanging about the outside portions of the Tower, Guardians will occasionally hear Cayde wrest control of the Tower P.A. system to begin making a humorously dictated and open threat to a would-be Sparrow thief.

Considering that Cayde's suggested punishment is more about doling out some relatively harmless humiliation rather than overt violence, it's even easier for Guardians to get on board with the Hunter Vanguard's intent. However, given that Cayde-6 merely overlooked his Sparrow being right under his nose, Guardians can enjoy a laugh at Cayde's expense and perhaps relate to his immediate response to assuming his Sparrow was stolen.

12 Folding Was Never an Option

Destiny 2 – Ace of Spades Flavor Text

While Guardians could get their hands on Cayde-6's iconic weapon in the first Destiny, it wasn't until the Destiny 2 variant of the Ace of Spades rolled around with Destiny 2: Forsaken that its flavor text contained a quote from Cayde. This was likely to reflect the alternate circ*mstances under which Guardians obtain the weapon during Destiny 2, which was initially given as a reward for the post-story quest chain "Cayde's Will."

The Ace of Spades was made for Cayde-6 by Banshee-44 and is almost as notable as Cayde himself, considering that it's almost always featured prominently when pictured with Cayde-6. Outside of being a well-regarded Hand Canon for both lore and performance reasons, one of the perks that the Ace of Spades is guaranteed to come with is named "Firefly", a more overt nod to the show and Nathan Fillion. New Destiny 2 players looking to get the weapon can obtain it from the Monument to Lost Lights at the Tower.

11 Just Between You and Me... This Is Why You're My Favorite

Destiny 1 – Heard After Handing in the "Just a Handful of Bullets" Quest

Cayde-6 often declares that the player's Guardian is his favorite at many points. While the Destiny series does account for the possibility of all the players' Guardians co-existing, the general canon of the lore assumes each player's individual Guardian is the one to advance the plot. Having such a reputation would make sense as to why a more carefree character like Cayde-6 would be more likely to openly show appreciation with no minced words compared to the more professionally-minded Ikora and Zavala.

Cayde has a few variations and related lines mentioning the fact, like a variant where he reaffirms that the player's Guardian is their favorite, but insists that they not tell anyone. While it is technically favoritism, players could argue that Cayde-6 tells every Guardian they're his favorite, too. Knowing Cayde's character, it is not a stretch to say that he may intentionally tell every Guardian they're his favorite to help motivate each Guardian he talks to.

10 Which Is Why I Work Alone

Destiny 2 – "The Arms Dealer" Strike, Line no Longer In-Game After Destiny 2: Lightfall

This Strike came with the base game of Destiny 2, and Zavala, Suraya Hawthorne, and Cayde-6 were the original characters. Their dialogue came in through Guardians' Ghosts as they tracked down Bracus Zahn, a Cabal weapon supplier. One of the dialogue exchanges that can occur after they take care of Bracus Zahn's lieutenants has Hawthorne deride Zahn' employment of lieutenants with the line "He's bound to have more. Insecure men tend to surround themselves with others like them."

When the player Guardians' ghost asks if Cayde-6 has anything to add, he drops this entry's quote. The Exo Hunter is always willing to take an opportunity to pat himself on the back if it's presented, though the minor show of ego is timed in a way that does make him seem just a touch insecure as well. However, Guardians know Cayde-6 does have more humility than his forward confidence and flippant attitude suggest.

9 No Golden Age Ray Guns?

Destiny 2 – Line From the End of the "Exodus Crash" Strike, Line no Longer In-Game After Episode: Echoes

In "Exodus Crash," a Destiny 2 Strike focused on clearing out the Fallen holed up in the Exodus Black. The strike closes with the AI Failsafe inquiring if the player's Guardian has found any crew or their belongings in the wreckage of the crashed vessel. The player's Ghost confirms no such evidence was found, resulting in a disappointed "That's okay. I guess." from Failsafe, followed immediately by the question quoted by this entry from Cayde-6.

The amusing delivery made this line stick out to the players most; Cayde-6 almost sounded as if he was genuinely upset at the lack of such weapons. However, as pictured above, there is a weapon that practically fulfills Cayde-6's wish for a ray gun. It is the Prometheus Lens, an Exotic-tier Trace Rifle, and the following quote from Cayde is used as its flavor text: "Cryptarchs made a crystal that starts fires? Get me one. I don't care how you do it. Go!"

8 Life Ain't About Drawing out the Living Part

Destiny 2 – The Final Shape, After Story Quest "Requiem"

In a cutscene after the closing moments of the "Requiem" story quest of Destiny 2: The Final Shape, Crow shares the pain of losing Amanda Holliday with the player's Guardian, Ikora, Zavala, and Cayde-6. Following this, Cayde-6 talks to the player's Guardian through their ghost about Holliday's death, with Cayde spending some time talking about his history with Holliday before arriving at the entry's quote. While the former Hunter Vanguard is still the Cayde-6 Guardians appreciate, his view in the line hints that his time spent in the afterlife has also given Cayde a broader perspective on life.

The latter half also speaks very much to Cayde-6's penchant for wanting to be as hands-on with his work as possible, in the most flashy manner he's capable of. This line overall helps affirm that under the flair and enjoyment that Cayde puts into his work in the field, he is always on the move because he believes he's making a change for the good as a Guardian.

7 And Then We Have the Guardian, My Greatest Success Story

Destiny 1 – Regicide Quest, Opening Dialogue

One of Cayde's voice lines during the beginning of the Regicide mission has him making a mock checklist of everything they have prepared to infiltrate Oryx's Dreadnaught and finally take on the Taken King himself. This is a great line because it helps break the tension of facing down the biggest threat the Guardians have stood against to that point so far. Not only is Cayde praising himself, but he's uplifting the player's Guardian through it as well.

It helps display Cayde-6's unflinching positivity in the face of danger or pressure, always with enough energy to spare to help psyche up his fellow Guardians as well. Beyond just easing the player Guardian's nerves, it's also Cayde's unique way of showing his heartfelt support, masked through the occasional bit of intentional cheesiness. His supportive dialogue throughout the rest of the mission only helps the quote be remembered more fondly by fans.

6 Eris... Get Your Rock Off My Map

Destiny 1 – The Taken King, After Completion of Story Quest "The Coming War"

While not exactly one of Cayde-6's more poignant lines in the Destiny Series, the serious tone used and the fact that Cayde was the first to speak up in response to Eris Morn's information made for an amusingly memorable line from the former Hunter Vanguard that Guardians still get a kick out of years after. While it is indeed another of Cayde-6's many humorous responses to various events, it also does betray some of the Hunter's traits despite its brevity.

Consider Cayde-6's response after losing sight of his Sparrow for just a few moments, and here, where his priority is expressed as ensuring his map is untarnished. These responses show that even if it's sometimes obfuscated with humor, Cayde always takes great care in watching over anything he owns or anyone he has responsibility for. This care naturally extends to his friends and peers, with Cayde-6 not hesitating to show appreciation for them whenever given the opportunity, almost as much as the Hunter compliments himself.

5 I'm Coming Home, Ace

Destiny 2 – Forsaken Expansion, Opening Mission

After Cayde-6's Ghost is destroyed by Pirrha the Rifleman during his fight with multiple Scorn Barons in the Prison of Elders, Cayde knows he's on his last leg. Without a Ghost, Guardians cannot heal their injuries at advanced rates or be revived after death. It's also been heavily implied that when a Guardian's Ghost is killed, all the Guardian's memories from before they became a Guardian return to them.

Cayde-6 has already alluded to vaguely remembering having a son named Ace previously, so when his Ghost died, Cayde likely remembered his son clearly for the first time in centuries. Before making his last stand, Cayde looks down at his gun, the Ace of Spades, and whispers the entry's quote as he recognizes his end is approaching. This line from Cayde-6 has been known to tug at Guardian's heartstrings, and it has been fondly remembered for its emotional impact since Cayde-6's initial death.

4 How's Your Sister?

Destiny 2 – Forsaken Expansion, Opening Mission

Following Cayde-6's last stand, Uldren Sov, who Guardians know now as Crow, approaches the wounded Cayde and holds the Exo Hunter at the end of his own Hand Canon, the Ace of Spades. Cayde had initially broken off to chase down Uldren Sov specifically after hearing that the Prince of the Awoken was escaping during the chaos of the riot, but that is also when Cayde-6 encountered the heavy Scorn resistance that cost him his Ghost.

While still at gunpoint, Uldren asks Cayde if he has any last words, to which the Hunter replies with the verbal jab above. Queen Mara's relationship with Uldren Sov is tenuous and complicated, but she was the one who used Sov before leaving him in the Prison of Elders to rot in the first place. This provocation from Cayde was more than enough to convince Sov to pull the trigger, but it also proved that Cayde-6 remains witty and fearless even when staring death in the face.

3 The Vanguard is the Best Bet I Ever Lost

Destiny 2 – Forsaken Expansion, Opening Mission

Finally closing in on the Cayde-6 after Sov shoots him, the player's Guardian only reaches Cayde in time to be there for the Hunter during his final breaths. The quote above initially served as Cayde's final words beyond recordings heard after the mission concludes and during other related quests. This line re-frames all the apparent discomfort Cayde had with his position as the Hunter Vanguard, confirming that he valued his work far more than he let on.

That said, it's apparent that being the Hunter Vanguard meant the world to Cayde-6, because Ikora, Zavala and the Guardians had become like family to Cayde. Looking after the Guardians was a vital job taken seriously by Cayde, even with his constant cracking of jokes and gripes over being stuck in the Tower. It was likely that Cayde behaved in such a way to help vent the pressure he felt from taking his role as Hunter Vanguard so seriously.

2 Take Care of the Ace of Spades, Will Ya?

After the main story of Destiny 2: Forsaken, players will get a mission called "Ace in the Hole," which was part of the initial quest chain that allowed them to acquire Cayde-6's Ace of Spades in Destiny 2. This quest included finding ten stashes across the wide expanse of various in-game locations, each with a unique audio log left behind by Cayde addressing friends, acquaintances, and other potential individuals he believed could have potentially killed him.

Every audio file is more painful to listen to than the last in the wake of Cayde-6's death, but they all offer great insight into the beloved Hunter Vanguard. The quote above is a line from the final audio log heard and is directed specifically at the player's Guardian. While all the audio logs found during "Ace in the Hole" contain fairly memorable lines, this quote is remembered the most for its canonical verbalizing of the player's ownership of the Ace of Spades by Cade-6.

1 You're My Favorite. Don't Ever Forget That.

Destiny 2 – The Final Shape, End of the Story Quest "Excision"

With the Witness defeated at the end of Destiny 2: The Final Shape, the stress of the sheer amount of light channeled through the player's Guardian's Ghost leaves the being barely clinging to life, unable to persist for much longer before blinking off seemingly permanently. While a tragic moment on its own, the player's Guardian's dialogue is filled with some of the most emotionally charged voice acting the character has shown in the series.

While begging for the Traveler to save their Ghost amid strife, the player's Guardian is engulfed in the light, seemingly stranded in an empty void until Cayde-6 appears before them one last time. Cayde relinquishes the last of his remaining light to revive the player's Ghost, finally fading away for good after going out on his own terms after delivering the featured quote. Despite this being the newest of these iconic quotes, given that they are Cayde-6's true final words, they'll likely be his most memorable.

Destiny 2

An expansive online multiplayer first-person shooter set in a rich science fiction universe, Destiny 2 invites players to step into the role of Guardians, protectors of Earth's last safe city. As Guardians, players wield powerful abilities and diverse weaponry to combat the alien forces threatening humanity. The game offers an engaging narrative campaign that delves into the mysteries of the Light and Darkness, with players exploring various planets, completing missions, and uncovering lore. Destiny 2 also features cooperative multiplayer modes like Strikes and Raids, where teamwork is essential to overcome challenging foes and earn valuable rewards. Additionally, competitive modes in the Crucible pit Guardians against each other in intense PvP battles.

Platform(s)

PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC , Stadia

Released

August 28, 2017

Developer(s)

Bungie

Publisher(s)

Bungie

Genre(s)

FPS

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer , Online Co-Op

Engine

Tiger Engine

ESRB

T For TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence

Expansions

Destiny 2: Forsaken , Destiny 2: Shadowkeep , Destiny 2: Beyond Light , Destiny 2: The Witch Queen , Destiny 2: Lightfall

How Long To Beat

100+

Metascore

85

Number of Players

1-6 (Co-Op)

See at Playstation Store