Editing Evocati

{{Status|Canon}}
[[File:H2A Sangheili Ultra 2.png|300px|thumb|A Sangheili Ultra employing the {{Pattern|Gheocin|combat harness}}.]]
'''Evocati''' are an order of highly-skilled warriors employed by the [[Covenant]] and, following the empire's [[Great Schism|dissolution]], its [[Covenant remnants|remnants]]. Among [[human]] forces, the Evocati are known as '''Ultras''', and can be drawn from a number of species.{{Ref/Site|Id=Ken|URL=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Fgza_pCaaocJ:community.spartangames.co.uk/index.php%3F/profile/6022-voiddancer/content/%26type%3Dforums_topic_post%26page%3D1+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk|Site=Spartan Games Forums|Page=Lore questions|Quote=Many of Rho's troops were zealots (lowercase z), but only a handful were Zealots. Zealot are a breed apart and (almost) exclusively Sangheili, unlike more general roles such as Ultra, in which any caste could aspire to (e.g. Grunt Ultras). Rho and his Zealots were from the same chapter, but were not the entirety of their numbers (they are not Space Marine Chapters).|Quotee=Kenneth Peters|D=05|M=02|Y=2018|LocalArchive=Archive:Spartan Games - Kenneth Peters interview}}{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM|OSFM|Page=152}} However, the role was most-widely adopted and known as a [[Sangheili]] title.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFLog|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/log-of-war|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Log of War|D=15|M=06|Y=2021}}

==Overview==
Evocati consist of the foremost skilled warriors available for their given martial organisation to call upon. While [[Minor]]s who favour command and leadership-oriented work may begin to climb the ranks of the [[Obedientiary|Obedientaries]], the Evocati instead take in veteran warriors who have demonstrated the highest standards of military proficiency, teamwork, honor, and devotion to the Covenant. They generally display above-average aptitude in skill-at-arms and martial tactics.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLog}}{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=240}} While proficient in lone wolf field operations, Evocati may also be utilised as leaders in their own right and given charge over lower-ranked [[Minor (Covenant)|Minors]] and [[Major (Covenant)|Majors]].{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM}}

The Ultra position represents the apex of a given warrior's military career; those Sangheili who attain the title consider it a great glory, and are guaranteed a position of honour in the records of their [[clan]] and the record vaults of [[High Charity]]. However, few Evocati remain in this position for long, as they are generally expected to continue to advance their career in the order of [[seneschal]]s, enter the political sphere as a [[councilor]] or return to their parent [[ministry]] to train the next generation of warriors.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLog}}

==By species==
Lower-caste species in the Covenant including [[Unggoy]], [[Yanme'e]] and (following a decree by the [[Prophet of Truth]]) [[Jiralhanae]] were equally able to attain the title of Ultra, though due to their lower-caste status were presumably unable to enjoy the same societal benefits and progression available to their Sangheili superiors. It is unclear how these races' Ultras fit with the Evocati hierarchy; their successors in the [[Banished]] employ Unggoy Ultras in low-level command roles over other Unggoy to relieve commanders of the task, though they are also often deployed paired alongside Sangheili they have a shared history with.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=431}}

===Sangheili===
Among the Sangheili, the Evocati had a number of martial orders, with the Seneschals being one such organisation veteran Evocati could aspire to join.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLog}} This is similar to the [[Zealot]] chapters employed exclusively by the Sangheili - though unlike Zealots all species can attain the title of Evocati.{{Ref/Reuse|Ken}} In practice, contingents of Ultras could be attached to a given [[Warhost]] by a given commander, though would rarely answer to the force's commanding [[Field Master]] directly.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLog}}

To achieve their mutual goals in the field, Evocati would elect an official "Ultra Officer" from their ranks - termed '''Evocati Delegatus''' - to deal with the warhost commander directly. Despite this duty, the Delegatus were not Obedientiaries and did not hold an official command authority in the Covenant military hierarchy - instead serving in a role analogous to [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[Warrant Officer]]s as subject matter and technical experts in a specific field.{{Ref/Reuse|CFLog}} 

Sangheili Ultras in the field wield a variety of equipment, often employing various styles of [[Sangheili harness|harness]] including (though not limited to) the {{Pattern|Gheocin|combat harness}} and {{Pattern|Bausatti|raid harness}}.{{Ref/Game|H2A|[[Elite Ultra]] in-game unit}}{{Ref/Game|HR|[[Elite Ultra]] in-game unit}} Evocati serving in [[Storm]] units may deploy with [[Storm harness]]es in white and red colouration.{{Ref/Site|Id=WPF|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/canon-fodder-4-8-16-looking-glassed/3ddfb765-8fd2-4f0b-9439-0feb80adf88e/posts?page=2|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Canon Fodder 4-8-16: Looking Glassed|D=05|M=02|Y=2020|Quote=think of the Storm harness like you would a standard combat harness. Most of the shock trooper infantry that wore them would have been in blue (minors), but a commanding officer who chose to don the same harness would likely have been adorned with a gold version (notice the purple glyphs on the gold Storm harness in the KI version). In theory you could have had Storm harnesses in white/red worn by ultras as well.|Quotee=Jeff Easterling}}

The Ultra role was largely preserved among [[Banished]] Sangheili forces, with dozens of Evocati divisions having been recruited into the collective by ex-Seneschal [[Chak 'Lok]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=455}} Banished ultras largely echo the Evocati in the Covenant of old, employing harness designs with increased resilience and incorporated [[active camouflage]]. Banished ultras have been compared to the ''[[arpaktiko]]'' warriors of ancient Sangheili history, and are trained to hunt down and kill their targets without hesitation or remorse. As with the Covenant, Banished ultras are rarely attached to their units for long, and are instead employed by their commanding [[Warlord]]s in a manner akin to living weapons. These warriors rarely hold aspirations beyond dying for the glory of their [[keep]] due to their mastery in their favoured fields, and as such are renowned for forging stories for the saga walls in their respective keeps.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=429}} They are armed with either [[Sicatt Workshop shock rifle|Shock Rifle]]s or [[Heatwave|Heatwave]]s and always armed with an [[Energy sword (fiction)|Energy sword]] as a backup weapon.

An [[Ke 'Nzahz's Evocati|order of]] ex-Covenant Evocati led by [[Colonel]] [[Ke 'Nzahz]] is active in the post-war era.{{Ref/Game|Id=Myriad|HINF|[[High Value Target]] dossier, Myriad|Quote=We encountered [individualistic behaviour] in recent years with the Swarmlords that served alongside a dangerous independent faction of ex-Covenant evocati led by Ke 'Nzahz}}

<gallery>
File:H2A Sangheili Ultra 2.png|A regular Sangheili Ultra wearing a ''Gheocin''-pattern combat harness.
File:HReach - Ultra Sangheili.png|A Sangheili Ultra wearing a ''Bausatti''-pattern raid harness.
File:HINF Banished Sangheili Ultra.png|A Sangheili Ultra wearing an alternate raid harness.
File:H5G-SangheiliUltra.png|A red [[Warrior harness]]-clad Sangheili in Warzone simulations.

</gallery>

===Jiralhanae===
With the [[Changing of the Guard|reorganisation]] of the Covenant military in late 2552, the [[Jiralhanae]] were promoted to the primary caste of the empire - taking the role dominated by the Sangheili for three millennia. In this, the role of Ultra was introduced into the Jiralhanae forces as the highest rank attainable for Jiralhanae infantry. Brute Ultras are capable of leading lesser troops, but more typically join their Jiralhanae brethren under the command of [[Captain (Covenant)|Captains]] and [[Chieftain]]s.{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=145}} {{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}}s are favoured by Brute Ultras{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=143}}, alongside cyan-coloured [[infantry power armor]].

<gallery>
File:H3 Brute Ultra Firing Spiker.png|A Jiralhanae Ultra firing his [[Paegaas Workshop Spiker|Spiker]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3ODST BruteUltra.png|A Jiralhanae Ultra in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''.
File:Jiralhanae vs Kig-Yar.png|Jiralhanae Ultras firing on [[Kig-Yar Major]]s and [[Unggoy Imperial]]s in ''Halo: Escalation''.
File:Escalation raids.png|A Jiralhanae Ultra raider pair driving two [[Barukaza Workshop Chopper]]s on a Sangheili colony during the [[Sangheili-Jiralhanae war]] in ''Halo: Escalation''.
</gallery>

Alongside the role of Ultra, the Jiralhanae also introduced it as one of several sub-ranks for their Captains. Jiralhanae Captain Ultras serve as the highest tier of captain, working as [[pack]] leaders and donning cyan-coloured [[leader power armor]].{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=144}} The specifics of authority and role for Brute Ultras and Captain Ultras, and how these roles differ from other Brute military titles, are currently unknown. The ranks of the [[Jiralhanae Jumper|Jumpers]] may also have their own dedicated ultras.{{Ref/Game|H3ODST|Jiralhanae Jumper Ultra in-game unit}}

<gallery>
File:H3 Brute Captain Ultra.png|A Jiralhanae Captain Ultra leading a [[pack]] of Jiralhanae during the [[Battle of Kenya]] in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3 Brute Captain Ultra and Grunts.png|A Jiralhanae Captain Ultra leading several [[Unggoy]].
File:H3ODST Brute Captain Ultra.png|A Jiralhanae Captain Ultra in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
</gallery>

===Mgalekgolo===
While no [[Mgalekgolo]] have been directly observed with the title of Evocati, several [[Swarmlord]]s serving in [[Ke 'Nzahz's Evocati]] order have been observed displaying Evocati colouration on their armour plating.{{Ref/Reuse|Myriad}}{{Ref/Mode|H5G|Warzone}}

===Yanme'e===
The [[Yanme'e]] were able to join the ranks of the ultras. Depending on unit, this could be signified by the presence of blue and cyan exoskeletons, along with paired forked horn-like structures on their head and cephalothorax. Yanme'e Ultras are often armed with [[Type-25 plasma pistol]]s, and sometimes [[Type-33 Needler]]s.{{Ref/Game|HR}} Ultras are equipped with anti-gravity technology that is attached to their wings that allow them to fly freely.{{Ref/Book|ENC|Page=158}} Some Yanme'e may instead be distinguished by the presence of a silver-white exoskeleton and a yellow-hued set of antigravity emitters.{{Ref/Game|H3ODST|Yanme'e Ultra in-game unit}}
<gallery>
File:H3ODST DroneUltra.jpg|A Yanme'e Ultra in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
File:H3ODST DroneUltra Firing.jpg|An Ultra in ''ODST'' firing a plasma pistol.
File:H3ODST DroneUltra Shot.jpg|An Ultra on [[Crater]].
File:H3ODST DroneUltra Flight.png|An Ultra in flight.
File:HR DroneUltra 1.jpg|An Ultra in ''[[Halo: Reach]]''. Note the large horn-like protrusion on the head.
File:HR YanmeUltra 2.png|An Ultra in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR YanmeeUltra 3.png|An Ultra in ''Halo: Reach''.
</gallery>

===Unggoy===
The [[Unggoy]] were also able to attain the title of ultra.{{Ref/Reuse|Ken}} This applied across the original Covenant, [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] remnant faction and the [[Banished]].

In the Banished, the role of the Grunt ultra is very similar to that of its Covenant counterpart, though with a few changes. Unlike their imperial predecessors, Banished Unggoy ultras have access to more powerful armour and heavier weaponry, and are considered capable enough soldiers that they may be dispatched on solo missions to achieve objectives. More commonly, they are deployed attached to units of Sangheili with which they share history and are generally eager to prove themselves in battle - though ultimately Banished commanders are very aware of the fact that they are still Unggoy and are, thus, of limited battlefield practical use. As such, they are most commonly deployed as leaders of lesser Unggoy, allowing their commanders to focus on other, more important, matters. The highest-ranking of the Unggoy ultras may be hand-selected to graduate into the role of the [[Unggoy Bouncer|Bouncer]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=430}}
<gallery>
File:H2 Grunt Ultra.png|An Unggoy Ultra in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:Gruntulta H2.jpg|An Unggoy Ultra standing idle in ''Halo 2''.
File:Grunt Ultra H3.jpg|An Unggoy Ultra in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3 Special Operations Grunt Cutout.png|An Unggoy Ultra  in ''Halo 3''.
File:HReach-LNoS-Shielded-Unggoy.jpg|Multiple Unggoy Ultras onboard the ''Ardent Prayer'' in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:H2A-UnggoyUltra.png|An Unggoy Ultra, as depicted in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''. 
File:HINF Banished Unggoy Ultra true.png| A [[Banished]] Unggoy Ultra During the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]] in ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
</gallery>

===Gasgira===
Most recently, a number of [[Gasgira]] freed by the Banished during [[Battle for Zeta Halo|their campaign]] on [[Installation 07]] have seen promotion to the role of ultra. It is unclear how much the Gasgira ultras' role reflects that of the traditional Evocati - though they are deployed on white armour in a similar manner to their counterparts among other races.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=437}}{{Ref/Game|HINF|[[Skimmer Ultra]] in-game unit}}
<gallery>
File:File:Enc22-Skimmer Ultra.png|A Skimmer Ultra as they appear in the [[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]].
</gallery>

==Equipment==
===Weaponry===
The [[Stalker Rifle Ultra]] serves as a specialised upgrade of the {{Pattern|Elutuzem|stalker rifle}}, in service with the [[Banished]]. It demonstrates a white-silver external appearance, alongside a faster fire rate.{{Ref/Game|HINF|Stalker Rifle Ultra in-game weapon}} The Banished also utilise a form of [[plasma mine]] called an [[Ultra mine]], though its operational differences remain unknown.
<gallery>
File:HINF StalkerRifle Ultra Crop.png|The Stalker Rifle Ultra.
File:HW2_UltraMines.jpg|An Ultra mine detonation.
</gallery>

===Vehicles===
In addition to serving as an infantry warrior role, a number of distinct vehicle variants emerged during the [[Blooding Years]] for use by both the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] and [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]. These include the [[Ultra Ghost]], [[Ultra Wraith]] and [[Ultra Banshee]] - specialised silver-coloured permutations on the {{Pattern|Karo'wark|Ghost}}, {{Pattern|Kemu|Wraith}} and {{Pattern|D'nomlhe|Banshee}}, respectively.
<gallery>
File:H5_Ghost_Ultra.png|The Ultra Ghost.
File:H5_Ultra_wraith.png|The Ultra Wraith.
File:H5G-T54BansheeGSA-Ultra.png|The Ultra Banshee.
</gallery>

==In-game information==
The Ultras are an enemy rank first introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]'', with Ultra Elites and Grunts ranking above Majors but below Zealots. The ultras were later expanded upon in ''[[Halo 3]]'', ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' and ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', being applied to the Brutes and Drones, before being largely retired in successive games. They were later brought back in ''[[Halo Infinite]]'' for the Elites and Grunts, with the Skimmers additionally being added to the ultra roster. To view full gameplay-related information for the various classes of Ultra enemy, please see the following articles;
*[[Grunt Ultra]] {{C|''Halo''s ''2'',''3'',''ODST'',''Reach'', ''Infinite''}}
*[[Elite Ultra]] {{C|''Halo''s ''2'', ''ODST'',''Reach'', ''Infinite''}}
*[[Brute Ultra]] {{C|''Halo''s ''3'' and ''ODST''}}
*[[Brute Captain Ultra]] {{C|''Halo''s ''3'' and ''ODST''}}
*[[Drone Ultra]] {{C|''Halo''s ''ODST'' and ''Reach''}}
*[[Skimmer Ultra]] {{C|''Halo Infinite''}}

==Gallery==
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:HR_EliteRanks_Concept.jpg|An early ''Halo: Reach'' concept sheet for the Elite ranks, with the Ultra then-named "Consul".
File:HR_EliteUltra_Concept.jpg|''Halo: Reach'' concept art of the Ultra.
File:HINF Concept EarlyUltra.jpg|Early concept art of a [[Banished]] Sangheili Ultra for ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF-ShleetUltra.jpg|More early concept art of the Banished Ultra.
File:HINF-BanishedSangheiliUltraconcept.jpg|Finalized concept art of the Banished Ultra.
</gallery>

===Illustrations===
<gallery>
File:UltraMythos.jpg| [[Fahl 'Nto]] during the [[Fall of Reach]] in ''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''.
File:HCD2-blade.png|A Sangheili Ultra is killed by [[Frederic-104]] during the [[Battle of Alpha Corvi II]] in ''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''.
</gallery>

===Renders===
<gallery>
File:Sangheili Ultra 01.png|A render of the Sangheili Ultra wearing a standard combat harness in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:HReach - Ultra Sangheili.png|A Sangheili Ultra with a [[Elo'Nakada-pattern concussion rifle|concussion rifle]] in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:H2A Ultra.png|Render of a Sangheili Ultra in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
</gallery>
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:SpecElite3.jpg|A Sangheili Ultra wielding a {{Pattern|Vostu|carbine}} on [[Installation 05]].
File:H2-EliteUltra.png|A Sangheili Ultra wielding a {{Pattern|Pez'tk|fuel rod gun}}.
File:DeliverHope - SangheiliUltra.png|A Sangheili Ultra wielding a [[Okarda'phaa-pattern plasma rifle|plasma rifle]] in his left hand and an [[Type-1 energy sword|energy sword]] in his right hand in ''[[Deliver Hope]]''.
File:HTMCC-HR EliteUltra&Repeater.png|A Sangheili Ultra firing a {{Pattern|Nakata'vho|plasma repeater}}.
File:HR CorvetteUltraTeam.jpg|A team of four Sangheili Ultra during [[Operation: UPPER CUT]].
File:Reach 1641379 Medium.jpg|A Sangheili Ultra wielding a pair of plasma rifles.
File:H2AUltra.jpg|A Sangheili Ultra fighting [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] onboard ''[[Cairo Station (station)|Cairo Station]]'' in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:H2A-SangheiliUltra.png|A Sangheili Ultra wielding an energy sword on ''[[High Charity]]''.
File:H2A-SangheiliUltra1.png|A Sangheili Ultra wielding a {{Pattern|Mosa|carbine}}.
File:H2A-SangheiliUltra2.png|A Sangheili Ultra with a Type-33 fuel rod gun.
File:HGC-SangheiliUltras.jpg|Sangheili Ultras in ''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''.
File:HOD-SangheiliUltra.jpg|A Sangheili Ultra at ''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''.
File:HINF Ultras.png|A Banished Sangheili Ultra with an [[Unggoy Bouncer]] on Installation 07.
File:HINF EliteUltras.png|Two Sangheili Ultras with a [[Heatwave]] and an energy sword.
File:HINF EliteUltra.jpg|A Banished Sangheili Ultra with a Heatwave.
File:HINF Banished Sangheili Ultra Closeup.png|A Banished Sangheili Ultra with an energy sword and active energy shields.
File:HINF Banished Ultra Sangheili Closeup.png|A Banished Sangheili Ultra with a Heatwave and disabled energy shields.
File:HINF Sangheili Ultra shock rifle.png|A Banished Sangheili Ultra firing a shock rifle.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo 2]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Remember Reach]]''
**''[[Deliver Hope]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]''
*''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle Born]]''
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: Meridian Divide]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Sangheili Ranks}}
[[Category:Sangheili ranks and titles]]