Editing Slugmen

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Unit infobox
|variant= Cov
|image=[[File:HCE Digsite Slugman.png|300px]]
|mission=
|leader=
|species=[[Lekgolo]]{{Ref/Reuse|CFDigsite}}
|headquarters=
|authority=
|branch=
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|CFDigsite}}
|role=[[Covenant Special Operations|Special forces]]{{Ref/Reuse|CFDigsite}}
|size=
|notable=
|othernames=
}}
The so-called '''"Slugmen"''' are a kind of rarely-encountered [[Lekgolo]] gestalt form used as [[Covenant Special Operations|special forces]] by the [[Covenant]].{{Ref/Site|Id=CFDigsite|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-digsite-dissection|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Digsite Dissection|D=28|M=07|Y=2023}}

==Overview==
The Slugmen are a type of Lekgolo gestalt form rarely-encountered not only by [[human]]ity, but also within the Covenant empire itself. With the [[Fall of High Charity|Fall]] of [[High Charity]] in [[2552]] to the [[Flood]], full records of the Slugmen and their role have been lost; surviving records have been able to piece together that Slugmen were a "pruned family" of gestalt forms sporadically assigned to [[Sangheili]] military and exploration teams to serve as support infantry and [[Sniper|special purpose snipers]]. In this role, they would replace [[Kig-Yar]] personnel.{{Ref/Reuse|CFDigsite}}

==Equipment==
Slugmen consist of what appears to be a small Lekgolo gestalt form resembling the eponymous slug, encased in a [[powered exoskeleton]] of some variety. The "head" of the suit resembles that of the [[Huragok]], with two eyes either side for a total of four. When deployed, Slugmen are commonly seen wielding {{Pattern|Wukrshuz|particle rifle}}s and [[Type-25 plasma pistol]]s.{{Ref/Game|HCE|Slugman in-game unit|Detail=This citation reflects the official Slugman NPC included in the standard Digsite asset drop}}

==Production notes==
{{Main|Cut Halo: Combat Evolved enemies}}
The Slugmen were originally created during the [[Development of Halo: Combat Evolved|production]] of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' to serve as sniper enemies for the Covenant. During the game's production, Slugman concept art was heavily tied with the development of the [[Mgalekgolo|Hunters]].{{Ref/Site|Id=Floor|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/cutting-room-floor|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Cutting Room Floor|D=21|M=01|Y=22}} A look at the concept sketches for the Slugman on the ''[[Halo 2 Limited Collector's Edition]]'' DVD showcased a variety of explorations for the design, titled "Special Purpose Sniper", ultimately progressing more toward the form known today. The model itself was done by [[Paul Russel]], though ultimately cut from the final release of the game.{{Ref/Twitter|Id=LostHalo|Dr_Abominable|464351948297089024/|Paul Russel|Quote=Here's the first. Didn't have shot of the 'blind wolf', [Marcus Lehto]'s creation.|D=25|M=01|Y=2016}}

In [[2022]], the Slugman model was restored to functionality by the [[Digsite]] restoration project, and in [[2023]] the enemy was included in the [[Halo Editing Kit]] for use by [[Modding|modders]]. To finish off the Slugman and make it useable in-game, the team took inspiration from its in-development name of Sniper (and concept art depicting it wielding the early beam rifle) and made it a scout-sniper similar in role to the [[Kig-Yar|Jackals]] - particularly the [[Kig-Yar Sniper|Jackal Snipers]] later introduced in ''[[Halo 2]]''. In the official Digsite mod releases, Slugmen wield plasma pistols and particle rifles by default and have no shields - instead serving as agile scout-snipers with reasonable health values. Their AI was created referencing existing ''Combat Evolved'' AI behaviours to ensure they fit seamlessly into the original game, based on [[Plasma Rifle]]-wielding Elites and [[Sniper_Rifle#Halo:_Combat_Evolved_and_Halo:_Combat_Evolved_Anniversary|Sniper Rifle]]-wielding [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]]. Although they will miss their first few shots, they progressively get more accurate the longer they're on the field, to encourage the player eliminating them early.{{Ref/Site|Id=Discoveries|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-discoveries|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Digsite Discoveries|D=30|M=07|Y=2023}}

Russel's original model was retargeted to use preexisting Covenant animations due to its similar body layout and digitigrade hands; early explorations were done with reusing Elite animations for these reasons,{{Ref/Reuse|Floor}} though the final enemy ultimately used Jackal Sniper animations taken from ''Halo 2'' for the Slugman wielding its signature rifles.{{Ref/Reuse|Discoveries}} Due to the art's resemblance to Lekgolo (Hunter worm) forms, the Digsite team (and later official canon) decided to treat them as another form of Lekgolo, with their audio created consisting of processed Hunter dialogue and the signature tail rattle of a rattlesnake.{{Ref/Site|Id=Deliveries|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/digsite-deliveries|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Digsite Deliveries|D=30|M=07|Y=2023}}

==Gallery==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
===Development images===
<gallery>
File:HCE_SpecialPurposeSniper_Concept_1.jpg|Concept art of the Special Purpose Sniper.
File:HCE_SpecialPurposeSniper_Concept_2.png|Concept art of the Special Purpose Sniper.
File:HCE_SpecialPurposeSniper_Concept_3.png|Concept art of the Special Purpose Sniper.
File:HCE_SpecialPurposeSniper_Concept_4.png|Concept art of the Special Purpose Sniper.
File:HCE_SpecialPurposeSniper_Concept_5.png|Concept art of the Special Purpose Sniper.
File:HCE Slugman Concept.jpg|Near-final concept art for the Slugman (left) and its model (right).
File:Sniper.png|A 3D render of the model for the sniper by Paul Russel.
</gallery>

===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:HCE Digsite Slugmen Trio.jpg|A trio of Slugmen inside the control room of the 1999-era ''Halo'' map.
File:HCE Digsite Slugmen ParticleRifle.jpg|Slugmen in combat.
File:HCE_Digsite_SlugmanOrders.jpg|Slugmen recieving orders from a Sangheili.
</gallery>

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

{{Lekgolo}}