Locust Horde

Lore & Background

Originating in the underground caverns called the Hollow, the Locust Horde traces its roots to experiments at the New Hope research facility, where scientists experimented on children with Rustlung to create the Sires—the precursors from which the Locust later evolved. While initially viewed as mindless beasts, they possessed a complex society led by Queen Myrrah. Their conflict with humanity escalated when they began mutating into the Lambent, organisms infected by Imulsion that threatened to consume all life. Faced with this pandemic, Myrrah devised a desperate strategy: sink the Jacinto Plateau using a gargantuan Riftworm to destroy the human stronghold, with the resulting flood of the Hollows being a consequence rather than the primary goal. The COG discovered that the New Hope research facility had experimented on children ill with Rustlung, leading to the creation of the Sires, revealing a tragic biological connection between the two species before the final flooding.

In Their Own Story

Six weeks after the Pendulum Wars ended, the ground shattered as the Locust Horde poured from the earth during Emergence Day. They overwhelmed COG defenses, forcing humanity to retreat to the granite bedrock of Jacinto Plateau while bombing their own cities with the Hammer of Dawn to halt the advance. Ten years later, the Locust overran Ephyra, prompting Marcus Fenix's court-martial and a decade-long stalemate. In Gears of War 2, Delta Squad tracked them into the Hollows, discovering they used a massive worm to sink cities. The COG learned of the Lambent mutation and Myrrah's plan to flood the tunnels. Before the Locust could execute their final gambit, Chairman Prescott ordered Jacinto sunk first, drowning the Horde in their own capital. Adam Fenix later revealed via radio that he had survived the initial crash and been held on Azura.

Reader's Guide

The Locust Horde serves as the primary antagonist in Gears of War, Gears of War 2, and Gears of War 3. They are best countered by understanding their tunnel networks and the threat of the Lambent infection. Key units include standard Drones, heavily armored Brumaks used as mobile fortresses, and the massive Riftworm capable of sinking cities. Players must navigate the Hollows to locate strategic points like New Hope and Mount Kadar. The enemy's motivation shifts from territorial conquest to survival against the Lambent, culminating in their intentional flooding of the Hollows. Tactics involve utilizing cover-based combat to survive ambushes in dark tunnels and avoiding the corrosive effects of Imulsion pollution that turns life into Lambent organisms.

Did You Know?

• The Locust Horde wiped out 25% of the human population in the first day and week of Emergence Day.
• Queen Myrrah ordered the sinking of Jacinto primarily to destroy the human stronghold, not to flood the Hollows and drown both the Locust and the Lambent.
• The New Hope research facility created the Sires by experimenting on children who were ill with Rustlung, a direct consequence of Imulsion exposure—the Locust evolved from later experiments.
• General RAAM commanded the frontlines while Queen Myrrah orchestrated strategies from the throne in Nexus.
• Adam Fenix was revealed to be alive after a helicopter crash during the evacuation of Ephyra, having been rescued and held on Azura.