Titans. They are an enigma. For a reason. Molag Bal has been hoarding the winged creatures for at least 2 centuries, and likely more. Who knows how many of these creatures there are? Irregardless, when you see a Titan, what comes to mind? A daedroth, or Clannfear? Well, believe it or not, the Daedroth and Clannfear have only recently shifted in appearance. The Daedroths' hide used to be more green, and resemble Crocodiles, with humanoid limbs. The Clannfear used to have a more avian, lizard appearance, with more defined scales. This implies that the Daedra change appearance and have more subtypes than what is commonly accepted(Perhaps the relation in appearance that the Titans have used to be more defined?).
Many of my peers say that Titans aren't dragons. You're right, they aren't. But, if Denograth the Dread Archivist(a daedra with charge of the Library of Dusk, the largest knowledge compilation in Coldharbor) is to be believed(and his information has been verified relatively completely, if with a bias), the first Titan was born in the Azure Chasm of Coldharbor, out of the Dragon Boziikkodstrun(research on him has already been conducted by the Dread Archivist. See "Daedra Dossier: The Titans" for it), so, despite being Daedra, the Titans are a close relative of the Dragons, just as Drakes, Dragonlings, and (unlikely, one can dream!) perhaps even Wamasu are. Though, I think I speak for the Dov when I say this perversion of their kind is a great offense, it is still important to study the creatures to get more information on the Dov.
Moving on, it is not unheard of for perversion of noble creatures to happen. For example, the strong, albeit wit-absent Ogres, can sometimes be mutated, perversed, and otherwise changed into the slaving, even more stupid Orgrims. The Aldmer that followed Trinimac also were changed, into the Orismer. So on and so forth.
Titans still swarm the White-Gold Tower from the air, and are commonly seen flying in the Imperial City. I've seen that harpies that can pick you up, taking you to a nest, and feed you to her hatchlings. It wouldn't be too hard for a Titan to pick up multiple combatants, crush them, drop them, or throw them into danger. Strangely, the Titans PREFER close combat, by my experience. They also stand on two legs, rather than on four, as the Dragons did. Perhaps for convenience, or nobility, or to be taller, and therefore more intimidating? I know not. And I don't think the Prince of Domination would be willing to share why he made them this way. Maybe they used to use four legs? Wouldn't surprise me.
The titans bear the visage of their master, and are high in the ranks of His army. Bearing in mind the Dread Archivist's testimony, there are apparently distinguished ranks amidst the Titans, being Greater, and Lesser, Titans. The mandibles, the almost-orcish, alien appearance, they all bear the mark of Coldharbor.
The titans make use of their brute strength, claws, tail, and even wings during combat. But their most distinguishing feature from their original counterparts, the Dragons, is that they do not breathe 'fire'. Instead, like the Flame Atronachs of Coldharbor, they breathe Frostflame, a blue flame, that, despite its name, does not freeze you physically. Rather, it strikes at the soul. The blue flame is...well, it's unpleasant to feel, and tears one's soul, and licks at your flesh just as normal flame would.
Next point, is that of the creatures' intelligence. By looking at them, you might compare them intellectually to clannfear or daedroth. But, that'd be a grevious mistake. These creatures are bestowed intelligence, perhaps even more than dremora. Zandadunoz spoke much during our battle, belittling us, and praising his master so greatly, you'd think that there was something more...sensual, going on between Zandadunoz and his master. So it's obvious, from this interaction, and the Dread Archivist's testimony, that the Titans' intelligence, are at least on par with Dremora/Mortals. Mayhaps even more.
Lastly, before we delve into combat tactics, is their origins. Though the Dread Archivist goes into great detail on the why, how, and what, of the Titans, he neglects(perhaps because they are all immortal) the when. Well, the Dragon Empire collapsed in the unmeasurable Merethic Era, but the first case I found,(I'm looking at the Imperials that claim the first Titans were those above the White-Gold tower. I address this further in my research on Zandadunoz) was Zandadunoz The Ravager, circa 1E 980, after the fall of First Orsinium.
How to fight a Daedric Titan?
Titans are a terrifying foe(I believe that has something to do with the being a mockery of the once God-Kings of Man) to fight, but I can certainly give credence on how to fight them. My fight with Zandadunoz was quick, with the help of varying Vestiges (of all creeds, races, colors, and beliefs. Evil has a way of uniting the heroic), but it was by no means a painless fight. (I 'died' twice, the bastard and his frostflames!). First and foremost, if you can help it, have something overhead, be that a mountain, ceiling or even a ward. Keep the scaly daedra from simply carrying you or your peers away. Keep him in range, and sustained damage will help down the monster. Besides, Arrows do nothing against a flying behemoth like the Titan.
How do I know this? Have you ever seen a Giant fight a Titan? No? I have. Northern Cyrodil, in fact, I was present for the terrifying sight of an Imperial Giant swing his collosal maul at what looked to be a Titan (Black, hole-blotched wings, check, blue eyes, frostflames, check). I've also heard tale of Daedric Civil Wars when Flesh Collosi battle Titans. And in that situation, most of the time, the Titans come out of the fray victorious. Why? Why would these daedra have an advantage over the vast strength of the Flesh Collosi and Giants? Well, for starters, they have the high 'ground'. Secondly, they, too, have vast stores of strength. Don't underestimate them.
Moving on, try to have another with you. Preferably those lacking their soul, as they(given that they have a soul gem) have an infinite pool of life. More people split the attention of the Titan, and therefore allowing you to get more hits in on the demon.
Next, If you've got the pleasure of being an honorable member of the Fighters' Guild, take advantage of that! I've heard tale of the venerated Elites of the guild able to summon the Dawnbreaker(a great sword forged from starlight by the Lady of Light, Meridia), which, in of itself, is more than capable of cutting through the flesh of the Titan, but any abilities taught by the Stewards are especially effective.
Another tactic is to combine your efforts. What I mean is, if you are of the Dragonknights, as I am, you have at your arsenal, the Fire and Poison of the Dragons. Combine this, along with any cutting weapons that can make an opponent bleed (Such as the claws of a werewolf, as I am), you can tear him asunder.
Finally, SECURE THE HEART! From my studying, it is apparent that some Titans, if not all, can be manually recalled to Nirn, despite the Soulburst, via a ritual that I know not of, with their heart.
Heed these and you will have a more likelihood of victory. Be cautious, comrades. Even if they are perverse children in the shadow of their superiors, the Dragons, they are the closests things to them as we know, so don't dare underestimate, mock, or otherwise be arrogant towards them.
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