Sangheili Honor Guardsman/Gameplay

This is a page for gameplay tips on the Sangheili Honor Guardsman.

Combat
Honor Guard Elites' armor can take as much damage as that of a Sangheili Major. They carry ceremonial pikes, but in combat they often make use of energy swords, plasma rifles, or Covenant carbines. They seem to dual wield plasma rifles more often than other Elite types. More wary and agile than the Brute Honor Guards, their speed and quick reflexes with the energy sword, paired with their skill with the plasma rifle's rapid fire, made them quite formidable foes.

Although their armor was removed from them during the Changing of the Guard, it seems several of the Elites were able to regain their armor from fallen enemies, as they wear them during the start of the Great Schism on High Charity.

Tactics
As with all Shielded foes, the most efficient means of killing them is with the Noob Combo. Simply overcharge a Plasma Pistol and then fire a Battle Rifle or Covenant carbine and land a headshot on them. For closer ranges, use the carbine (more damage dealt); for further ranges, use the carbine or the battle rifle. Brute Shots also work to some extent, but, on Legendary, are ultimately overpowered by the incredible rate of power and damage dealt of the plasma rifle. Specifically, for the instance at the end of the level Delta Halo in the cramped space, the easiest means of killing them is the energy sword, as the Elites can easily hide behind all the cover. Be wary though, as some of them have swords of their own.

Halo Wars
"Protect the Hierarch!"

- Honor Guard Elite

In Halo Wars they appear as a special forces unit. They are only available if the Prophet of Regret is the leader unit. They are trained directly from the Citadel. They initially lack energy shields and active camouflage, though they can be upgraded with them. Armed with energy swords, they are extremely effective against infantry and light vehicles like Warthogs and Wolverines, but are vulnerable to heavy vehicles and useless against air units. A good strategy to group Honor Guards with Hunters and Grunts for firepower against infantry, vehicles, and aircraft, respectively. Honor Guard are also very useful when they are employed as scouts. Using their Cloak ability, you can easily sneak up to and spy on enemy units or even the enemy base. While in Cloak mode, enemy turrets and units cannot see the Honor Guard, making it the perfect scout.

Resource: 125

Minimum Tech Level: 1

Population Count: 1

Upgrades:


 * "Cloak": Enables an active camouflage cloak.
 * Resource: 500
 * Minimum Tech Level: 2


 * "Personal Shield": Adds a personal energy shield.
 * Resource: 800
 * Minimum Tech Level: 3

Halo Wars 2

 * Info: Melee hero, High damage, cannot attack air, One active hero limit.
 * Tier: 1
 * Cost: Population 0, Supplies 300, Power 275
 * Honor Guard upgrade: Mercenary Rage
 * Info: Faster movement, Increased attack, increased health and shield
 * Tier: 1
 * Cost: Supplies 0, Power 300
 * Honor Guard upgrade: Mercenary Wrath
 * Info: Increases damage, Increased health and shield
 * Tier: 2
 * Cost: Supplies 0, Power 450
 * Honor Guard upgrade: Unseen Blade
 * Info: Permanent cloaking, Increases damage, Increased health and shield
 * Tier: 3
 * Cost: Supplies 0, Power 600

Awakening The Nightmare
 * Info: Melee hero, High damage, cannot attack air, Can Cloak, One active hero limit.
 * Tier: 0
 * Cost: Population 0, Supplies 100, Power 0

In Halo Wars 2 the Sangheili Honor Guard is exclusive to Shipmaster Let 'Volir and can be built at the War Council. They are also available in the Awakening The Nightmare mission The Archive where an Honor Guard can be recruited at the first teleporter to slip past through the Flood. Honor Guards are great against infantry and vehicles, okay against structures, and cannot attack aircraft. Unlike their Halo Wars counterparts only one Honor Guard can be deployed by the player at a time, but have a lot more health, do a lot more damage, and have permanent active camouflage. In Blitz, an Honor Guard costs 190 energy.