Sangheili Ranger

The Ranger Elite is a Covenant Elite (Sangheili) rank, a specialty class of Special Operations Elites suited for zero-gravity battlefields.

The Ranger corps is a Special Forces branch that conducts its operations in usually dangerous battlegrounds, particularly the unforgiving vacuum of space, though Special Operations Elite are more skilled for the even more dangerous suicide missions. Normally deployed for zero-G environments, it is they who are ordered by their superiors to scout/hunt and destroy a certain target. Experts in zero-G combat, they are capable of posing a certain threat to ships.

Rank
Although they have similarly colored armor as that of the Minor Domo Elite, the lowest of the Elite forces, they are actually higher ranked than Minor Domos and possibly higher ranked than even Major Domo Elite elites.

Appearance
On Cairo Station, depending on the difficulty setting, rangers can appear in pairs or groups of three, but sometimes are organized in units as large as 4-6. Rangers wear blue armor similar in appearance to that of a Minor Elite, but modified to function as a pressure suit, with fully-enclosed helmets. They are also equipped with a jet pack, but it is unknown on what fuel it runs on or how long it can last in air before they actully have to land.

They are seen only in Halo 2, on the Campaign levels Cairo Station, Regret, and Gravemind.

Combat
These Elites are unique in that they hover and strafe in the air during combat. They always wield Plasma Rifles, usually dual-wielding them. They also occasionally operate Plasma Cannons. Though through modding, any weapon can be given to them, Energy Swords included. In zero gravity conditions, they will perch on top of walls or on the side of objects and attack suddenly when an enemy's back is turned.

A Ranger's shields are about the same strength as those of a Major Elite's. Consequently, the player should use the same weapons used against other lower-ranking Elites.

Background
Ranger Elites were the first type of Elite encountered by the Master Chief. That took place in Halo: The Fall of Reach, the Battle of Reach. At that time, they apparently had a different configuration of helmet, as the chief was able to see the Elite's whole face in the encounter.

There were Ranger Jackals as well, present at the Battle of Reach. It seems that by the time of The First Battle of Earth, the Ranger Jackals have been replaced in combat by the Drones, which are already suited for space and are much more versatile in aiding the Ranger Elites.

Ranger Elites have been observed at The Battle of Reach, Operation: FIRST STRIKE, The First Battle of Earth and on Delta Halo. They were also seen at the planet Reach when the Master Chief returned to the planet aboard the Ascendant Justice. Thus it is possible that every ship in the Covenant has a detachment of Rangers for external security purposes.

Though they are best suited for zero-G environments, Ranger Elites are able to operate just as well within an atmosphere. This is evidenced by their deployment and functionality in environments like High Charity or Delta Halo.

Related Pages

 * Ranger Jackals
 * Special Operations Elite