Destroyer Armor

The **Destroyer**, or **The Destroyer Automaton**, was an enchanted Asgardian automaton used primarily to guard Odin's Vault, though it could also be used as a weapon against its master's enemies. The Destroyer unquestionably obeyed the ruler of Asgard and wielder of Gungnir, no matter who the ruler may be at any given time.

## History

### Serving Asgard's King

The Destroyer killed three Frost Giants inside Odin's Vault when Odin gave a signal which interrupted a ceremony for Thor to be king of Asgard. When Loki usurped the throne of Asgard he took control of the Destroyer and sent it to kill his brother Thor.

#### Battle of Puente Antiguo

*"Is that one of Stark's?""I don't know. Guy never tells me anything."*
―Jasper Sitwell and Phil Coulson[src]
The Destroyer was sent through the Bifrost Bridge from Asgard to Earth; S.H.I.E.L.D. agents including Phil Coulson and Jasper Sitwell tried to deal with the situation but were quickly attacked by the Destroyer.

Temporarily waylaid by Sif and the Warriors Three, it continued its advance through the New Mexico town of Puente Antiguo until Thor stepped forward to face it alone. Thor appealed to Loki through the Destroyer, asking Loki to take his life, but leave the nearby populace alone. The Destroyer then dealt him a mortal blow, but Thor's act of self-sacrifice caused his lost power to be restored, and with it he turned the suit's power in on itself, damaging it beyond its ability to function.

## Powers

Centuries old, the Destroyer functioned like a normal robot yet did not have the technical features to function as so. Nonetheless, it was built to protect the artifacts of Odin's Vault, defend Asgard, and, when ordered, relentlessly pursue and destroy any target it is set upon. The Destroyer operated at the behest of whoever holds Gungnir, the Asgardian ruler's spear, and could, therefore, be used for good or for evil depending on who sits on the throne. It could also, therefore, be stopped by an attack on its vulnerable master. The Destroyer was designed solely for battle and destruction.

* **Superhuman Strength**: The Destroyer's large size and construction gave it formidable physical power, enough to bat away a car hurled at it, and send Volstagg flying with apparent ease. The Destroyer's immense superhuman strength enabled it to effortlessly kill a being of human strength and resilience with as little as a backhanded strike with an open hand. This allowed it to fatally injure a mortal Thor with severe blunt trauma which sent him flying through the air. With more effort, it could kill a Frost Giant or even Asgardian with its strength, as even the combined efforts of Sif and the Warriors Three did not stand a chance against the Destroyer. Only Thor was able to defeat it, after fully regaining his powers.
* **Superhuman Durability**: The Destroyer was constructed of otherworldly materials that made it highly resistant to damage. Even when pierced by Sif's Asgardian sword, it was able to continue functioning. Human weaponry such as firearms could not harm or destroy it, with Mjølnir being the only known weapon capable of harming it.
* **Energy Blast**: The Destroyer powered by the Odinforce, which resembles fiery energy, could be unleashed through an aperture in its head. When it did this, part of the facial structure retracted downward into the lower face and the energy discharge lanced out in a wide, orange-white, fire like beam. This beam was extremely powerful, as the touch of it was enough to blast a car to pieces, vaporize a living being (even one as durable as a Frost Giant) or lay waste to any structure (a building, for example) it laid its "eyes" upon. Only beings of incredible power, like Thor, are able to withstand these blasts.
* **Body Manipulation**: The Destroyer was able to rearrange the armor pieces that made up its body, giving it a nearly unlimited range of motion. When attacked from behind it was able to face its opponent without turning around by instead fully rotating its arms, legs, and head. This was used when Sif drove a lance through its back and the Destroyer swiftly re-positions itself to blast her.
* **Sensory Scrying**: The Destroyer was linked to whoever holds Gungnir and recognized the spear's wielder as its master. The wielder of Gungnir could perceive whatever transpired around the armor and pilot it by partially possessing it, even if they were separated at vast distances across the Nine Realms. Thus, it could be stopped by an attack on its master, should they have left themselves vulnerable to attack. It was first commanded by Odin, and then by Loki. Odin seemed to use it on Frost Giants breaking into his vault, and Loki was using it to try and kill Thor while he was in possession of Gungnir.

## Trivia

* In the comics, the Destroyer was built by Odin as a weapon to use against the Celestials.