Sangheili Ranger

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

The Ranger corps is a Special Forces branch that conducts its operations in the deadliest battleground imaginable: the unforgiving vaccuum of space. Whether they joined for personal glory or ancestral duty, each individual Ranger knows that a gruesome end awaits them from even the most inconsequential of injuries (the breach of a vacuum suit leads to immediate explosive decompression).

Normally deployed as an expeditionary force during limited naval engagements it is they who choose which craft are to be boarded and which destroyed. Experts in both zero-g combat and demolitions, they have been the bane of many a ship.

Rank
Although they have similarly coloured armour as that of the Minor Domo Elite, the lowest of the Elite forces, they are Special Operations Elites, and are thus of a fairly high place in the Covenant hierarchy.

Appearance
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. 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.

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, some of them dual wield, others do not. They also occasionally operate Plasma Cannons.

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, and The First Battle of Earth. 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 detatchment 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.