Sangheili Honor Guardsman

The Elite Honor Guard is a Covenant Sangheili (Elite) rank.

Rank
Honor Guards defend the High Prophets and high ranking officials in the Covenant government. The highly ornate armor of the Honor Guard, a glowing red and orange combination of jutting spikes and designs indicates that the Guard is not only meant for combat, but is also a great position of pride. They are the most skilled of warriors and are hand-picked for the duty of protecting the High Prophets, as well as members of the High Council, from any danger. Although a great honor, it is seen by some Elites as a merely ceremonial duty and a way to silence those who perhaps see a little too clearly in the Human-Covenant War. It is unknown how an Honor Guard ranks in comparison to the normal chain of leadership, but it is assumed they are equivalent to an Ultra Elite, or slightly below the Arbiter. It seems that wherever a High Prophet is present, the Honor Guard are as well. There could be as many as 300 Honor Guard Elites for each Prophet, as the Step of Silence seems designed to hold 300 Honor Guard but only one Prophet. They are commanded by the more skilled Honor Guard Ultras.

Combat
Up until the changing of the guard, seen before the level Sacred Icon in Halo 2, these Elites were the personal bodyguards of the Prophet Hierarchs. The Brutes replaced them after the death of the Prophet of Regret, in what many viewed as a carefully planned coup that devolved into the Civil War of the Covenant. Honor Guard Elites' armor could take as much damage as that of an Elite Major. They carry ceremonial pikes, but in combat they often make use of the Energy Sword, Plasma Rifle, or Carbine. More wary and agile than the Brute honor guards, their speed and quick reflexes with the Energy Sword paired with their skill with Plasma Rifles rapid fire made them 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 Covenant Civil War on High Charity.

Appearances


Elite Honor Guards were never shown in Halo: Combat Evolved and only appear in a few playable levels during Halo 2.

The Heretic - (Cinematics only) When The Arbiter (character) was questioned, there were Honor Guards guarding the Hierachs.

The Arbiter - (Cinematics Only) When Tartarus brought the future Arbiter to the Mausoleum of the Arbiter, it was guarded by Honor Guard Elites.

Delta Halo - Four Honor Guards Elites attack the Chief in the final structure.

Regret - Some Honor Guard Elites challenge the player in the underwater structure and when nearing Regret.

Sacred Icon - (Cinematics only) Honor Guards are seen surrendereing their armor to the Brutes at the beginning of the level.

Gravemind - As mentioned above, some Honor Guard Elites took back their armor and are encountered while fighting Brutes.

Trivia

 * A Minor Elite with Honor Guard armor can be seen on a page in the Halo 2 Official Strategy Guide.
 * Taking into account both the large number of Honor guards killed in the initial actions (discluding pre-hostile actions) of the Covenant Civil war, plus the Flood infestation that then occured, it is likely that, during and post Halo 3, no Honor Guards were left. However, considering that the Honor Guards in Halo 2 were primarily used in defensive purposes, it's possible that some Honor Guards are in fact existing, but aren't encountered as allies in Halo 3 like Grunts or Hunters. In addition, there are only two levels where the Covenant are your allies, and only for a brief time. This may prove that Honor Guards among other Covenant Separatists were existing during the events in Halo 3, but weren't shown.

Related Links

 * Honor Guard Ultra
 * Brute Honor Guard
 * Honor Guard Councillor