Combat harness

Combat harness
Production overview
Type:	Sangheili harness
Role(s):	Standard combat armor

This article is about the combat harness used by Sangheili. For those used by other Covenant soldiers, see Combat harness (disambiguation).

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]

Four design patterns of the combat harness.

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, the combat harness is still widely employed even by Sangheili who no longer follow the ways of the old Covenant.^[13]^[14] Notably, the infantry of the Swords of Sanghelios — who have adopted their own color scheme in place of those of the Covenant^[15] — and the Banished continue to use variants of the combat harness.

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^[16] has been widely employed by Sangheili across the Covenant, including in the Fleet of Sacred Consecration, Fleet of Particular Justice,^[17] 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;^[15] those in Jul 'Mdama's Covenant have instead retained the Covenant color coding.^[18]

A Major wearing the Gheocin-pattern combat harness.
A silver Stealth Sangheili.
A Zealot.
Swords of Sangheilios members wearing Gheocin-pattern combat harnesses.

An alternate version of this harness pattern was also employed during the events of October 2552. It is visually similar to the commonly used Gheocin-pattern, though typically has flatter surfaces than the more common variant.^[19]

A Sangheili Minor wearing this variant.
A Special Operations Sangheili.
A brown Stealth Sangheii.
A green-colored Sangheili armed with an unspecified Covenant weapon.

Sangheili Rangers serving in the Banished, especially those under Shipmaster Let 'Volir, wore another variation on the Gheocin-pattern. The helmet of this type is less tall and resembles that of the Od'wagra-pattern or Fleet of Glorious Interdiction variant.^[20]

Banished Sangheili Rangers using this harness variant.
Sangheili Rangers.

Od'wagra-pattern combat harness[edit]

Main article: Od'wagra-pattern combat harness

The Od'wagra-pattern combat harness^[16] was worn by Sangheili Minors in the Fleet of Valiant Prudence during the Fall of Reach,^[21] and by some Minors in the Fleet of Particular Justice during the Battle of Installation 04.^[22] This harness has a noticeably rounder form as compared to other combat harness patterns.

A Sangheili Minor employing the Od'wagra-pattern combat harness.
A variant of this pattern with more pronounced pauldrons, used during the Battle of Installation 04.

Fleet of Particular Justice variant[edit]

Some Sangheili in the Fleet of Particular Justice used this variant during the Battle of Installation 04. This design appears to be lighter than other combat harness patterns and has two helmet types: one with wide fin-like prongs, and one with a broad curved upper surface.^[11]

Minors and a Zealot in the Fleet of Particular Justice.
A Sangheili Major in a combat harness with the curved helmet.

Fleet of Retribution variant[edit]

This combat harness was employed by some Sangheili serving in the Fleet of Sacred Consecration, as well as those who formed the Fleet of Retribution during the Battle for Earth and Battle of Installation 00.^[23]^[24] It is distinctive for being very angular, with a cylindrical helmet instead of the more teardrop-shaped designs used in other patterns.

This harness includes a failsafe in case the wearer is infected by a Pod infector; when activated, it will explode and kill any Pod Infectors nearby.^[25]

Sangheili Minors and Majors may use a range of shades within the armor color of their rank.
N'tho 'Sraom clad in this harness variant.
As Fleetmaster of the Fleet of Retribution, Rtas 'Vadum wore this harness variant.

Fleet of Glorious Interdiction variant[edit]

This harness style was employed by Sangheili in the Fleet of Glorious Interdiction during the Harvest campaign, Battle for Arcadia and Battle of Trove serving under Arbiter Ripa 'Moramee and the Prophet of Regret;^[12] it was also worn by Sangheili in the Third Fleet of Glorious Consequence during Operation: WARM BLANKET.^[26] This armor features an almost identical helmet design to the Od'wagra-pattern, but is bulkier and more angular with regards to the rest of the armor plating.^[12]

Stealth Sangheili using this harness variant.
A close-up of Re'gish Wamik's combat harness helmet.
Thel 'Lodamee wearing this variant.

Post-war variant[edit]

An unidentified variant of the combat harness saw use in the post-war era. It features a spiked design for the helmet, pauldrons, and back armor, as well as a distinctly bulbous helmet.^[10]

A Minor (left) and a Sangheili of command rank (right).^[2]

Mercenary variant[edit]

Banished Sangheili Mercenaries and Swords of Sanghelios warriors would don this combat harness during the Created uprising period.^[27]^[28] It is visually similar to the Od'wagra-pattern, but differs in the design of the helmet and vambraces.

A Banished Sangheili Mercenary.
Swords of Sanghelios Sangheili wearing this combat harnesses variant.

In-game information[edit]

Halo 2[edit]

In Halo 2, the combat harness is the only armor permutation available for Elite characters. This combat harness is the alternate variant of the Gheocin-pattern.

Armor	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 2)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Elite	—	Unlocked by default	Unlocked by default

Halo 3[edit]

The Combat harness is the standard armor permutation for Elite characters in Halo 3, and is unlocked by default. In co-operative play in the campaign, the third player will play as Ntho 'Sraom and employ the combat harness in the process. This combat harness is the Fleet of Retribution variant.

Armor	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo 3)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Combat	Helmet: The pattern of the basic infantry helmet has remained virtually unchanged now for eleven hundred cycles; it has been burned into the psyche of the known galaxy as the primary symbol of military prowess.	Unlocked by default.	Unlocked by default.
	Chest: The basic infantry combat harnesses' thoracic cage has allowed the fighting spirit of our noble race to burn brightly for fifty generations - even during the dark cycles whilst bound to the prophets' will.
	Shoulders: Iconic deltoid protection emphasizes at extreme distance to inflict momentary psychological bewilderment upon enemy personnel; reinforces awareness of Sangheili physical/martial preeminence.
	MCC: These basic infantry harness patterns have remained virtually unchanged for nearly eleven hundred cycles.

Halo: Reach[edit]

The combat harness, referred to as the Minor harness, is unlocked by default in Halo: Reach for use in multiplayer modes that allow playing as an Elite character. This combat harness is the Od'wagra-pattern.

Armor	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo: Reach)	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Minor	All who walk the blessed path will find salvation... even in death.	Unlocked by default.	Unlocked by default.

Halo 2: Anniversary[edit]

The Combat harness is available as an armor permutation for Elite characters in Halo 2: Anniversary. This combat harness is the post-war variant.

Armor	Description	Unlock requirements (Halo: MCC)
Combat	Canon Fodder description: The standard Combat design has established itself as an extremely capable and adaptable pattern that remains popular across all Sangheili factions, even those who have eschewed the ways of the Covenant.	Unlocked by default.
Combat	MCC description: The Combat harness is a capable and adaptable pattern that remains popular in the post-Covenant era.	Unlocked by default.

Gallery[edit]