Sangheili Zealot

A Zealot is a rank of Covenant Elite. It is a very high rank and is usually given to Elites who have killed many humans. They wear distinct gold armor and their shields are far more powerful than their lower ranked counterparts in that they usually recharge faster, and are customarily protected with an Overshield. In the rank ladder of the Elite, they are 5th down only looking up to Supreme Commanders, Imperial Admirals, Councillors and Arbiters. They are one step higher than Ultras and Honor Guards, and are equal in rank with Honor Guard Ultra.

Combat
They are often found wielding an Energy Sword and when found holding a Plasma Rifle they fire at a very fast rate. Although when playing as the Arbiter if you give a Zealot a Plasma Rifle they won't fire it, but rather use it as a makeshift club and melee enemies. Much faster than lower Elites, they are also far harder to hit and duck behind obstacles to avoid fire. When found with Energy Swords they are highly dangerous and should be dealt with quickly.

They are very powerful and smart, and are a force to be reckoned with.

On the Legendary mode of the H2 level Metropolis, as you get to the service tunnel at the end of the Highway tunnel, a Sword wielding Zealot will emerge from there. They can be found on almost any level set on Legendary mode.

The best way to deal with a Zealot is at a long range, as they almost always wield swords. One effective technique is to feed one a PP Overcharge shot, then a well aimed BR burst. This will quickly kill him. Another way is to shotgun him repeatedly while backpedaling.

Titles
Because "Zealot" is the highest military grade for an Elite, there appear to be a variety of rank titles for Zealot Elites, and some Zealots are subservient to others. Some of the known titles include:


 * Supreme Commander: These are the highest known titles for Zealot Elites. Supreme commanders are in charge of entire fleets of starships, as well as all ground forces within those fleets. The only known supreme commander was the Arbiter, being in charge of the Fleet of Particular Justice.


 * Fleet Master:This rank normally acts as the normal Ship Master, and controls only one ship, but when a fleet needs to do an special objective, the Fleet Master acts as the commander for the ships participating in that objective (normally called task force). Voro 'Mantakree was a Fleet Master, and were leading a task force to Onyx to pursue the Bloodied Spirit.


 * Ship Master: This rank is equivalent to the UNSC naval "Captain". Ship Masters command Starships within the Covenant, but they still fall under the command of their fleet's Supreme Commander. An example of this is Orna 'Fulsamee, who was the ship master of the Truth and Reconciliation.


 * Field Master: This rank is equivalent to the UNSC Marine "General". Field Masters command entire armies, battalion strength or greater. Unlike human "Generals", Field Masters take a much more active role in combat, as in charging into the battle with their troops rather than giving orders from a HQ miles away from the conflict. They are in charge of all warriors of any race within that army, as well as all armor, air support, and material utilized by that army. An example of this is Noga 'Putumee, who led forces against the humans on Installation 04.

Halo: Combat Evolved
In Halo: Combat Evolved, Zealot Elites appear with the same frequency on all settings, however their strenght on each difficulty varies significantly. They are difficult to kill on Normal mode and almost impossible to kill on Legendary. They always have Overshields, and most also wield Energy Swords (On at least two occasions in the level Two Betrayals, Zealots are seen with Plasma Rifles also). Zealots are also always accompanied by a vanguard group of lesser ranking Elites. The ranks of these Elites vary depending on the Diffuculty, with Minor Elites making up the vanguard on Normal mode, and Major Elites and Stealth Elites making up the vanguard on Heroic and Legendary.

Halo 2
Unlike Halo: Combat Evolved, Zealots only appear as enemies in the suicidal mode known as Legendary. They are always seen with Ultra Elites, Minor Elites, and Major Elites. They have strong energy sheilding and will continually charge the player and the Marines.

A example of a fight with a Zealot is in the level Outskirts. At a point in the level where a Phantom approaches and drops off troops, it will drop one Covenant Zealot off along with the rest of the units. The Zealot will then normally charge up the stairs and attack the player and the Marines. Another example is a section of the level near the Hotel Zanzibar, after Sniper Alley. As you head towards the hotel, a Zealot will leap from a building's roof and attack.

Zealots in Halo 2 are far more sneaky than their Halo: CE counterparts. They usually fight in more refined and stelathy ways than their allies, rather than simply charging the player the entire time, they will sneak on on him and only charge after being seen. It should also be noted that the Zealot AI will not enter any vehicles.

Known Zealots
Supreme Commanders
 * The Arbiter - former Supreme Commander of the Fleet of Particular Justice

Fleet Masters
 * Voro 'Mantakree - Fleet master of the Second Fleet of Homogenous Clarity

Ship Masters
 * Orna 'Fulsamee - Ship master of the Truth and Reconciliation


 * Tano 'Inanraree - Ship master of the Incorruptible


 * Qunu - Ship master of the Far Sight Lost

Field Masters
 * Noga 'Putumee - Field master in the Fleet of Particular Justice

Trivia

 * Zealots (at least those of golden armor) are probably the Covenant equivalent of naval Captains, Rear Admirals/Brigadier Generals and Major Generals.

Related Links

 * Elites