Combat harness
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
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Standard combat armor |
The combat harness is the standard armor system used by the Sangheili soldiers of the Covenant and its splinter groups. The armor is made primarily of nanolaminate plating[1] and comes in several variations based on occupation and personal taste.[2]
Overview[edit]
Design details[edit]
The combat harness is a widely varied platform, with numerous variants based on the user's occupation, personal taste, rank, fleet assignment and more.[3] In general, combat harnesses consist of a thoracic cage covering the central body mass, with shoulder pauldrons and leg armor additionally overlaid on top of a base tech suit. The helmet covers the majority of the head, with the sides of the helmet typically having two spike-like protrusions (of varying shape and size, depending on specific model); the mandibles are protected by articulated armor plating which is separate from the helmet. The front of the helmet is open, showing the Sangheili's face and eyes, and allowing them to extend their mandibles. Combat harnesses typically do not provide much protection to the neck and throat of the occupant, relying more on energy shielding for protection. The design of the helmet has remained unchanged for eleven hundred cycles, and that of the thoracic cage has remained unchanged for fifty generations; the iconic appearance of the combat harness inspires fear and awe of Sangheili martial prowess.[4]
The armor of the combat harness is covered in nanolaminate plating, bolstered by the aforementioned energy shielding. Combined with the undersuit, the harness can enhance the strength and speed of the wearer in a similar fashion to the Spartans' MJOLNIR armor.[5] Depending on the specific model, combat harnesses can be equipped with a wide range of additional equipment such as built-in active camouflage,[6], flashlights,[7] and an energy dagger built into the vambrace.[8]
The UNSC-developed Saturnine VISR is fully compatible with the combat harness' power and data feeds, leading some to believe it's intended for export.[9]
Usage[edit]
Combat harness variants are worn by many ranks of Sangheili in the Covenant. The strength of the armor's energy shield varies depending on rank and role, with higher ranking officers bearing more formidable shielding; this is indicated by the color of the harness' armor plating. The combat harness is generally blue when worn by Sangheili Minors, red or maroon for Majors, dark blue or purple for Special Operations Officers, cyan, brown, or silver for Stealth Sangheili, white for Evocati and some Commanders, and gold for Zealots or Generals.[10][11][12] Different variants of the combat harness exist and could be commissioned by individual fleetmasters or shipmasters,[3] or even chosen by preference of the individual warrior.[2]
While some Sangheili harness designs such as the Storm harness have risen to prominence in the post-war era in factions such as Jul 'Mdama's Covenant,[13] the combat harness is still widely employed even by Sangheili who no longer follow the ways of the old Covenant.[14][15] Notably, the infantry of the Swords of Sanghelios — who have adopted their own color scheme in place of those of the Covenant[16] — and the Banished continue to use variants of the combat harness.[17]
Variants[edit]
There are many different variants of combat harness, worn to the personal taste of the individual, their commander, role and assignment.
Gheocin-pattern combat harness[edit]
- Main article: Gheocin-pattern combat harness
The Gheocin-pattern combat harness[18] has been widely employed by Sangheili across the Covenant, including in the Fleet of Sacred Consecration, Fleet of Particular Justice,[19] High Charity's defense forces, and - following the empire's fall - Jul 'Mdama's Covenant and the Swords of Sanghelios. It features black stripes running down the sides of the helmet, but an otherwise solid color depending on role and rank. This armor design is more angular when compared to the other combat harness models.[10]
Due to its wide use and service by nearly every rank in the Covenant military, this harness has been seen in a wide variety of colorations. This armor also forms the basis of the harnesses worn by Sangheili Honor Guardsmen and High Councilors.[10] Swords of Sanghelios troops employ this harness with a red-and-white color scheme;[16] those in Jul 'Mdama's Covenant have instead retained the Covenant color coding.[20]