Yanme'e Major

The Major is the second highest Yanme'e military rank.

Description
Yanme'e Majors are differentiated from lower ranks by their crimson and gold shells and energy shields. They have longer wings and can fly faster than Drone Minors. They are first introduced in Halo 3: ODST, which has several levels which involve extensive fights with Yanme'e. They usually have Needlers as their weapons in the games.

Due to the difference in mentality of Drones compared to other species, it is possible that Drones become a Major once they have reached a certain age by which point they will have a certain amount of experience, meaning less experienced Drones can follow them, rather than due to distinguished service or bravery as seen in other major creatures such as Unggoy and Kig-Yar. This is similar to how older insects in sociable colonies take on different roles, such as from scout to guard.

Drone Majors return in Halo: Reach. They are differentiated from Minors by a protuding horn like extension on their head and by their red exoskeleton.

Rank
Drone Majors are one step higher than the Minor Drones. They still appear low in rank, about the same as a Jackal Minor. They are most often seen commanded by Jackal Majors, Brutes, and even Special Operations Grunts. They are fairly common on higher difficulty levels.

Combat
Drone Majors are more skilled in combat than Drone Minors and will often use Needlers or Brute Plasma Rifles. On easier difficulties, they will not supercombine the needles. However, on Heroic and Legendary, it is recommended you take cover frequently to recharge armor/stamina. They still are a fairly easy kill.

Majors normally command a group of 6-10 minors. If there is a Major swarm, try to stick one with a Plasma Grenade, bombard them with Needler fire, or dual-wield Plasma Rifles. One can also use ballistic fire, but some Majors will have shields, especially in the presence of Engineers. The Noob Combo is a good tactic. Majors also land on the ground much less often than their Minor brethren, making them less prone to melee. As with all enemies who move in groups, supercombining Needler round will produce an explosion that will most likely kill multiple Drones.

Counter Tactics

 * Using the 'Noob Combo' (A Plasma Pistol and a Pistol) can take down Yanme'e Majors easily. It is recommended that you kill them first, then use a SMG to kill the rest of the pack.
 * Supercombining Needler rounds on Yanme'e Majors is an effective tactic and you can also strip them of ammo after you kill them -- they often carry Needlers.
 * Yanme'e Majors (as well as most Yanme'e) seem to have an uncanny ability to fly towards and attack when the player's Stamina is low, thereby heightening the chance for a kill and most likely stripping away some precious, much-needed Health. If this happens, use a SMG to gun them down.
 * On Legendary difficulty in Firefight, the Yanme'e Majors can easily strip a player's armor with a few Brute Plasma Rifle shots. They also have high accuracy when flying and moving. Brute Plasma Rifle wielding Yanme'e should be killed at range with pistols.
 * In a swarm, Yanme'e can be overwhelming and it is advised to use a Brute Plasma Rifle, SMG or Spiker against these enemies. These weapons have a high rate of fire and deliver staggering amounts of damage to unshielded organic targets.
 * Making use of one of the mounted turrets littered about is another way to deal with these foes; however, it can be a double-edged sword as carrying the turret reduces the player's movement speed and maneuverability.

List of appearances

 * Halo 3: ODST
 * Halo: Reach