The Onyx Guards Deserve Better in Gears of War

[@Zimzilla99]

Onyx have essentially suffer from the cool jobber syndrome. They are designed to be like and seen as cool and badass But ultimately a device to show the power of an enemy or the exceptionalism of the protagonists. Knights of ren, Spartan 4s, the blades from elder scrolls, all suffer from this

[@jgonzalez5884]

Don't forget the ANBU from naruto lol despite being talked about as the "elite" group they routinely get thrashed just to show how dangerous the bad guys are

[@AdeptKing]

Spartan 4s get respect in Halo at least. These guys are just there to make the protagonists look good.

[@ebonkinght]

Yeah i think that was the point of them they were made to be arrogant assholes who were told and treated if they were the top dogs of the cog army and were given special amour and probably used as propaganda to regular gears if that they do good they might became an onyx guard cause they're the best of the best but in reality they were way over their hands and were no match for the locust army and were proof that words don't speak louder than actions.

[@ebonkinght]

also the spartan 4s were more competent than the onyx guards tbh.

[@HandsFreeProductions]

this trope is called the worf effect, if anyone cares

[@jadepanda8191]

Yes the onyx guards really do deserve better

[@tono6136]

True...

[@ZK9931]

I feel like they are just for it to be killed

[@hewhobattles8869]

The only reason they lose is plot. That's really all it comes down to.

[@ZK9931]

@@hewhobattles8869 what do mean?

[@frostwolfe4982]

Carmines too

[@VirgateDesigns]

An easy fix to this would've been introducing them taking out weaker forces with ease before having them get trashed by elites like Theron guards. Locust forces were almost always superior to human forces, but onyx guards should've been shown taking out at least hordes of drones or wretches. Show us that even though they're out numbered, their coordination would mean the locust horde would always lose a good number of soldiers before taking them out. I think a good way to go about this would be to treat them like Spartans in halo. Spartans weren't invincible, but they would inspire hope in marines when showing up to what felt like an unwinnable fight. We should have felt some relief seeing them, kind like "shit was hella tough, but now the big guns are here to help us even the odds!" Tldr: We needed to see them rise at least a little before they fell.

[@Menckenperson]

I agree, they were kinda confusing. Like they were pitched as this "off the book/doesn't exist" secret army but they would mention them on comms. The fact that they also didn't do much in both the games and the lore didn't help.

[@Cocostinkypaws]

They really do. I’ve been saying this for years. For an “Elite” “best of the best” unit, to always get wiped out so quickly is crazy. Also, I’ve been playing gears 4 constantly and the fact that there’s no Onyx guard skin in the game saddens me 😪😪😪

[@LATEXXJUGGERNUT]

Propaganda

[@nizamknight]

bit annoying how every non main human character instantly dies in combat, humanity would never have lasted 17 years like that

[@Eizh]

I mean, Marcus Fenix got his ass beaten by a common grub in E-Day trailer. Now imagine Onyx Guards facing waves of these in Halvo Bay.

[@Cocostinkypaws]

@@Eizh that’s true however, remember in gears 3 when those 2 onyx guards got smoked defending Prescott by a couple of locusts? Prescott would ONLY have the best of the best Onyx guards with him especially if he only chose 2

[@Eizh]

@@Cocostinkypaws They die defending Prescott and Michaelson from the Lambent. In fact Gears of War 2 shows you in Nexus that even the Locust are unable to confront the Lambent, in Rise of RAAM we see that the Locust really couldn't repel them, which is why they started E-Day. The Onyx died defending Prescott and Michaelson from them and in the end not even Michaelson could survive and Prescott ended up mortally wounded, Captain Michaelson was one of the 5 most important people in Gears Pre-V-Day, next to Prescott, Hoffman, Adam and Trescu.

[@Steel799]

I’d love an onyx guard game, where we’re playing as a unit it could be during the pendulum wars or during the locust wars. It wolf be interesting to see them being sent out as protection units or even some of the darker actions of the cog as well.

[@andykostera9341]

this would be fire. i wouldn’t even mind it as a story dlc like raam’s shadow

[@XXAnthonyCarmineXx]

Lol wolf , would

[@Arkados_Black_Templar]

Need that Onyx guard Carmine ;)

[@ncrrangerrolandtembo4615]

Bro that would be BA could make him a Brother who was in the Oxyn and play as him during the time when the Oxyn guard HQ was attacked or something

[@dblundz]

NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER, NO DEFEAT

[@demploth]

The only time when the Onyx guard can prove to be better soldiers is in beast mode, when you reach the 12 wave and all enemys are Onyx!!

[@KingAbzTV]

FACTS

[@jiggamanog]

What are you talking about? All you need is a serapede ya scrub.

[@3Austin16]

and don’t forget prescot with the hammer of dawn

[@TigerWing141]

@@KingAbzTVChip, “A quick suggestion: final fantasy 16 enemy lore like those akashic. Dale, “Turned infected enemies.”

[@bladester0128]

(Laughs blood curdling screams in Beserker)

[@markfreeman4727]

i agree 100% with this although i would also apply it to the UIR as well hell i even want a game where you play as the locust, maybe against the lambent pre-emergence day

[@JWEActionFigs]

They really do deserve better bc they are an elite task force and they didn’t get there without half of the people around them dying and if there in an elite task force they are highly trained gears

[@BobBob-up8fz]

One of the Og concepts for Gears J. Was a 1st person game. Where we play as an Onyx guard squad, going on crucial missions during the locust war. To me. These mythic soldiers, were as badass as the ODST troopers in Halo. Given a locust equivalent. They should on par, with atleast Cyclops shook troopers. (Those locust, chainsaw pricks) Instead, they are a bunch of chumps. Getting owned by weaker locust. And abused by subordinates.

[@BobBob-up8fz]

And the fact, even Kid Jace was able to fair better against General Raam's squad. Than trained, armoured, elite soldiers, is a joke 😂

[@Eizh]

I mean, like Marcus Fenix himself being beated by a Drone in E-Day Trailer.

[@wh3nderson95]

Cliffy B had an idea of a FPS in the GOW universe from the perspective of an Onyx Guard.

[@downdownreece6472]

Fun fact. After Gears 3, Cliffy B pitched the concept of a FPS game that you would play as the Onyx Guard going on various tactical missions behind enemy lines.

[@VivyVidal]

Onyx guards remind me of the ODST from Halo

[@simonr9870]

I do believe that Gears of War universe deserve more context, backstory, at least another comic book or book about the militaristic history of the humans of Sera.

[@jiggamanog]

There are many books about the gears universe do a Google search.

[@thesoicybroadcast9384]

Seriously good video and I agree 100%. They had such sick armor but just got bitched every chance they got (Azura + halvo bay)

[@famouscivilcone6254]

another thing the Onyx armor in G5 looks more like standard Gear armor just panted black compared to the original G3 that had a more form fitting and smooth design. Kinda like how iron man’s armor got more form fitting and compacted each movie but in reverse

[@TigerWing141]

Megatron, “Onyx Guard? Should be more like Failure Elite.”

[@onyx_wolfskull]

they were always my favorable unit i deff wish we had more of them. there badass and could really get into more of the lore like a squad going in the hallow for the first time. playing as them would be so cool instead of online just not the same. the gears 3 model is my fav skin though just bulky and mean looking

[@Berskavo]

Hopefully someone at the coalition watches this video and consider making an Onyx Guard Game. 💵

[@gabrielseth5142]

I always thought of the onyx guard as what their name states - guards. They're body guard for important commanders and politicians. Not commandos for covert ops or elite shock troops, but personal guards that extended to whatever mission they're tasked with by those they guard. Kind of like the SS, guards to the guy in charge but dubious when in the field. I think these are veteran gears that get promoted for their skill and then let that combat effectiveness grow full from inaction, so while yes these guys are the elite on paper, active Gears that survive long enough get the veterancy to take them above what the onyx guard are capable of

[@bondiggity35]

Really cool video about the onyx keep ip the awesome content 🙌

[@KingAbzTV]

Thank you 🫡

[@tonythunder6048]

I know I say it in every video he makes that has an Onyx guard but it’s true that Sophia and Keegan are the only 2 Onyx guards to be useful and not die within 5 seconds of being on screen. But Maybe the onyx are a really weird Star Wars reference, the empire’s storm troopers sound terrifying and wreck everyone and everything but once they’re on screen they’re just canon fodder, maybe the Onyx guard (and Carmines) are a reference to that. Badass soldiers who are supposed to be the elites and wreck everyone but get wrecked themselves in under 5 minutes

[@Walshy94]

Sophia wasn't a full on onyx guard. She was a cadet, and the onyx guard that mentioned that to her ended up dying moments later, so fuck him and the onyx guard😂😂

[@ajolotenaranja361]

The Onice guards looks like the Military Police in Attack on Titan. They are supposed to be the best of the best soldiers to protect the king, but in reality they made an effort in the military academy to not have risks outside the walls.

[@KingAbzTV]

Love that similarity, I love both iP’s so much!

[@geocross237]

They seem to be trying rectify this with Gears like Sofia (whom I really hope returns) and Keegan. Onyx commander Paul Drury is also confirmed to have survived the Locust War and still alive by Gears 4 & 5; hopefully we see him again later too. As for their apparent and constant nerfing, well, I look at it this way: how many Theron and Palace Guards have Marcus and co. managed to kill on their own?

[@FadMick]

It'd be kinda cool if there was like a custom mode where you play as onyx doing random classified missions for the cog, having to complete short but challenging levels based on a difficulty.

[@viradin]

A game focus on the onyx guard during the pendulum war, would be interesting. I think it could show how great they were supposed to be. Maybe the locust war they were unable to adapt to the hollow creatures and caught off guard by random e-holes by the locust. This could be why they seem so incompetent. Still holding prestige from the pendulum war but in the locust war unable to overcome the challenge.

[@atlas_winters2713]

Do we know where current Onyx guards are trained? And where they're located? Would be inside a new settlement, or at New Ephyra?

[@johnfuller1303]

I spin-off giving new the prospective of the Onyx Guards would be badass.

[@aurionblackfyre8480]

They constantly get there ass’s kicked

[@shreksnow1918]

It’s too bad that we never got the Onyx Guard fps game. That would’ve been a great way to better flesh them out and show what they should be capable of. Gears of War and Halo are two great examples of IPs with a really rich setting that has all kinds of room for spin-offs/side stories, but the people currently in charge have a fundamental misunderstanding of what makes both settings great and are beyond incompetent. Too bad Microsoft has staffed 343 and the Coalition with people who are Chris Chan level regarded.

[@jager2749]

Exactly, I share the same thoughts. We have have a expand universe for both franchise like warhammer 40k but the studios dont have any interesnt only makig money.

[@denniscook4007]

Definitely yes

[@HRPNX-vl4uu]

3:22 That's their motto. :) Lol But try to think about the Pendulum Wars too. I'm highly certain they've likely kicked a lot of UIR ass. And when Marcus said something about a "last war" after talking about the base that's a bunker for the Elite COG, I'm Marcus were referring to the Pendulum Wars. But standing against monsters, I know they deserve better. MUCH better actually. And Keegan is lucky an Onyx badass, and I hope there's those of other generations that can also stand out for Onyx Guards of any kind.

[@exoticeternal2298]

I’m late but amazing videos abz keep up the good work I couldn’t be here to see this bc I have had football practice

[@KingAbzTV]

No worries my friend thank you for the support 🫡💙

[@brianachim2670]

Onyx Guards definitely deserved better, I mean what did they even do for training? Knit sweaters and drink hot chocolate? Embarrassing.😂

[@fictionforeternity8926]

There was a concept of a gears of war FPS where you play as a squad of onyx guard but it never happened.

[@Saint_Geneva]

They gave the onyx guards the carmine family treatment for absolutely no reason

[@xXCrimson_BoltXx]

Onyx Guard: "We're the last line of defense! We're the best of the best!" CoG Soldier: "Ha, look at little Captain Seria over here! Best of the best, Sir! It's cute".

[@travisreed1730]

I hope they come back asca playable Multiplayer character for "E-Day." I hope they get a more of a spotlight in "E-Day's" campaign.

[@feralprocessor9853]

The only redeeming quality that came out of that military unit was the member of the SWARM buster unit in the Gears 5 DLC, who considered himself an "Onyx Exile" that escaped Azura holdout.

[@sethklicker4201]

While you are right about the onyx guards Raam was difficult anyways even Marcus and Dom had a very hard time with him due to how smart and strategic he was

[@z-man1237]

Seeing the dead Onyx on Azura was one thing. But seeing get destroyed in Judgement was just humiliating

[@Ant424]

They deserve redemption to show how strong they really are bc I’m sure we expected more from them.

[@JumpersYT]

When writing my Gears book I wanted to heavily focus on the Onyx Guard and give them “justice”. They’re meant to be elite.

[@TheRogueCommand]

I've said a lot to friends who love Gears that the series is ripe with potential for prequel games, maybe an Onyx Guard focused one could work? Or reading some of the theories in this chat, as the war rages on and more gears die, they're slowly replaced with soliders who are more willing to keep quiet about the COGs secrets vs their combat abilities.

[@BAMBAM62699]

They got that stormtrooper treatment

[@BlessAndJustBless]

I kindly agree.

[@DrunkStormtrooper]

In gears 5 they should’ve done Keegan’s pov of the onyx guard when he was with them in a dlc or a flashback mission

[@Sebek031]

The only way to play those badasses is in Tactics were you suit up your operatives with the Onyx pieces of armour.

[@hades7279]

one word yes when I first saw them in gears 3, and judgment iwas like ayyyyeeew yo they different from the other cog gears n they looked badass but I was sadly disappointed that they died so quickly I was like nvm but I hope they change that cause they deserve better

[@N0tB1nLad3n]

Holy fuck imagine a Halo Wars style gears game with onyx instead of ODST’s, or a gears game depicting bigger battles with more AI or stealth missions with spec ops

[@Matthew-Anthony]

I noticed years and years ago that the elite Onyx Guards had a filthy habit of losing every single combat engagement that they participated in. That always seemed ironic to me.

[@neilhannan7525]

Wish there was an character that was Onyx not Sofia but a new character like asshole character that comes to respect you and becomes your friend ❤

[@drakebenton5395]

Put them on insane in beast mode and they live up to their name

[@Emery_Forde]

I actually made a video similar to this on tt as a concept for a DLC or spinoff just about onyx guards

[@STPTTP]

I was surprised locust drones could kill them

[@lightfootwall4173]

I always enjoyed the gears 3 and judgement versions of the onyx guard the new generation onyx guard the outfit lost its intimidation a bit.

[@AdeptKing]

In Gears Tactics they can get Onyx Guard gear. I know its not the same but at least we see guys in the dark armor winning that way. As for the rest they seem to be in the same boat as the Anbu from Naruto. They're called the elite to make the enemies and important characters look better though they're not given any cool moments to showcase how good they are. Its fine to have them lose but like have them lose with piles of enemies around them to showcase why they're called the best of the best. Hope we get more characters that are from the Onyx Guard proper or something that do something important on screen.

[@jaceclassay4589]

I think them sucking in 3 is justified because they were on a island not really fighting unlike the normal gears. In judgement I give them credit for holding a court room for a case that probably lasted a few hours while slowly getting wilted down.( love the scene where Lumen like "at least it's not to far a walk back into the fight") and them disappeared after they lose their academy makes sense. The general population probably thought they got wiped out after that and any remaining oynx guard probably got put on Azure where they became lazy guards. With maybe a few staying behind to actually live up to their name

[@deforesttappan6478]

If the Onex Gard are the elite? I would hate to see the worst!

[@PRdreg]

I rock the Onyx Guard skin in Gears 3 and 5 cause i love their designs so much. 3:05 this all too common in sci-fi unfortunately.

[@mattmason4013]

Onyx guards, and Theron elites. Did you ever do a video on gear commandos?

[@HAMMERHEAD_OFFICIAL]

It’s all about the COG Commandos

[@kingthunderthemonkeyemperor]

yes the onyx guards do deserve better and i love to play as onyx guard since gears of war 3 no retreat, no surrender, no defeat for the COG

[@Artemis_262]

My brain:"As always im your ho stabs" The Audio:"as always im host abz'

[@theonewithnoname1922]

Gears 3 onyx guards will always be the best ❤ and they have a unique voice too!

[@MRGaines12YT]

Can you make a video about some locust survived the countermeasure

[@mr.skullfacegarcia775]

Fun fact: The original creators were actually thinking about creating a first-person shooter. Onyx guard game Think the Star Wars clone commando game.

[@KingAbzTV]

I did see a few tweets from CliffyB a while back talking about him wanting to create an Onyx Guard game many years ago!

[@mr.skullfacegarcia775]

​@KingAbzTV They were gonna do missions where you're fighting. against the UIR and then against The Locust. But unfortunately I never got off the ground.

[@anthonypena5886]

Here's my idea for a crossover video Benjamin Carmine becomes the new leader at the chimera anyone has opinions on this let me know

[@joelnelson8778]

Yea they deserved alot better like seriouly if they were gonna lose there mighty land to the Locust let it be known the Locust had to deal with a massive sense of loss at the same time to, how much it took to take a place like of that scale nothing but "THE BEST OF THE BEST" no "REGULAR COGS" but literally the "ELITE" the main solider would just be an elite rookie id anything. They need more love fr!

[@SwesomegamerX]

i feel like their reputation was more in the PW as the locust probably outclass them in multiple ways.

[@thorshammer7883]

Another example of a unit or faction being underutilized and underdeveloped despite all this narrative bulid up and declarations the writiers portray them as.

[@XXAnthonyCarmineXx]

Onyx vs normal cog gear

[@brianachim2670]

What’s the difference?😆

[@diffsnicker]

Virgin onyx guard that hides for most of locust war and gets wiped out anyway versus Chad gear that actually gets shit done

[@JasonDHLJ]

Black ops elite unit or just your every day Joe high-ranking officer ? - U choose

[@Burning-Twilight]

Its sad that lore wise both from books and by even some of the main characters that they are meant to be be the best of the best. They often were given the best armor,weapons and vehicles, yet the few times we encounter them they seemingly get killed off by a gameplay perspective a small or medium sized enemy forces. We should get a game or dlc that focus on a squad of them proving they can actually live up to the mystery and hype that in universe surrounds them.

[@weinerbacon3008]

Making my work days less boring 🙏

[@RAFEXKX]

This has been a huge thing for years that has bothered me. The onyx are supposed to be the best of the best, the best the cog has. But everytime they show up on screen, they get absolutely manhandled. Which makes it worse is that they look absolutely badass, but don't live up to their personality and looks. Hopefully in Gears 6 they redeem themselves (which I doubt).

[@SourHaze1]

Their suits are really cool tho

[@Skullnbones212]

My type of video, don’t let Eric see this

[@KingAbzTV]

Miss you bro

[@Saint_Geneva]

Tbh you can't judge them for losing against RAAM, just about every other COG squad would lose to if Marcus and crew weren't there💀

[@chris_zed7425]

I remember that onyx gaurds were the best assassins during the pendulum wars but got too cocky of their reputation that they couldn't adapt fghting the locust. Kinda bums me out cause i thought they died fighting the queen herself and her royal guards not freaking grunts. Delta ended up being the new onyx the way they were going. That said G3 onyx guard had the best voice and loomis was the biggest POS and might be worse than Myrrah. At least she cared about her people.

[@Tay234.]

I went back to playing gears of war 1 since they fixed the servers. I think ima stay there 😂. I have 0 faith in the coalition. Everything ended at 3 for me I’m done. Gears 1 always was and always will be my favorite multiplayer wise so I’m happy

[@Shaape07]

i like to think most of the Onyx guards we see come from a rich life style and most likely probably paid for their rank and didn't earn them unlike most of the gears we see

[@john_wade_h6561]

I have always loved the looks and lore behind the onyx guards but they have never been given the chance to prove that they truly are unique soldiers who are better than the average gear. They really need to be shown as a truly unique and deadly soldier who show that they truly deserve to wear the armor.

[@randallbro6749]

No matter how cool they are the problem lies with comics/books and The Coalition official lore and fan lore. Something could be made but then you get fans that either love official lore or hate it and then there's the DMCA strike on fan lore.

[@Gaminguserinsession]

I mean hey, gears of war E-day is coming so keep hoping people!

[@vermin9190]

The onyx guard are like delta force. Everyone knows they exist we just don’t really know what missions and where they are deployed While the commandos are like rangers quick and stealthy behind enemy lines.

[@Thebossgumyman]

The Onyx guard were mainly used for defence rarely offense so they don't have that much combat experience since the gears are what are fighting on the offense and the COG doesn't want the public to know about Onyx

[@noriakikakyoin1423]

They are the coruscant guard of the gears franchise all talk

[@tono6136]

True...

[@kmnpi7fv2023]

Yes the onyx guards do deserve better

[@MyDomVids]

They literally could been to Gears games what ODST was for the Halo games. I would have been down to play Gears 3 Onyx.

[@aj3976]

Anyone else notice they are less elite units and more like military police

[@CrimsonMagis]

Im coming from an older video but why did the locust never use the Kryll to fight the lambent? Raam showed he had control over them so why didn't he just use the kryll to keep them at bay while they came up with a cure. The lambency also wasn't as mutated at that point, so I feel like it shouldn't have pushed them back as hard as it did.

[@elxdee3707]

What if D. Carmine is an Onyx guard. We never see any of the Carmine's nor Onyx guards faces save for the cadet in Judgment (i forget her name)

[@atrolite2748]

Onyx guards are solid

[@jamescarter7655]

Give Onyx Guard more

[@schreck1]

The onyx guards didn't get the love they deserve.

[@davidsonaparecidobarbosaal9876]

The worse enemy of the Onyx Guard is bad writting. Sadly since the massive fiasco of the woke Gears 5 and the death of mutiple franchises i fear coalition wont do any better. Only in NPC Wars (a channel were NPCs battles) we have trully see what the Onyx Guard were capable of. Taking down a Brumak and chainsaw mutiple locusts.