Jiralhanae Honor Guardsman

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A Jiralhanae Honor Guard is a Covenant Jiralhanae rank.

Introduction
The Jiralhanae Honor Guards took the place of the Sangheili as the protectors of the Hierarchs after the murder of the High Prophet of Regret. This "Changing of the Guard" was the beginning of the Civil War of the Covenant or Great Schism, as the Sangheili were incensed that their role of protecting the Prophets, which they had faithfully executed for a millennium, had been now delegated by these new upstarts and genetic rivals.

They are found on the levels Gravemind, High Charity and The Great Journey and make their first appearances during the starting cut-scene of the level Sacred Icon where they take the Honor Guard Pikes and armor of the Sangheili Honor Guards. They are also the first Jiralhanae rank to be encountered alive by the player at the start of the Gravemind level. Honor Guards are considerably rarer than standard Jiralhanae, with only a total of less than a couple dozen appearing throughout Halo 2.

Combat


Jiralhanae Honor Guards fight with their own weapons, which include the Jiralhanae Plasma Rifle, the Brute Shot and sometimes the Covenant Carbine. They can also use the Shotgun. They always work in pairs/packs of two-three Jiralhanae and will go berserk when all but one are killed. Unlike their Sangheili counterparts, the Honor Guard helmet worn by Jiralhanae Honor Guards prevents them from receiving headshots. This may be due to the fact that they wear their original Jiralhanae helmets underneath, and since these can only be knocked off while the Honor Guard helmet prevents this from happening, it's impossible to headshot an Honor Guard Jiralhanae.

Jiralhanae Honor Guards are the highest rank of Jiralhanae seen in Halo 2, and are noticeably more difficulty opponents than standard Jiralhanae or Jiralhanae Captains, as their indestructible helmets render them immune to headshots and thus they must be killed with brute force, which can be a difficult task given a Jiralhanae's extremely high durability. The best way to kill these Jiralhanae is to dual-wield Plasma Rifles, barrage them with Needler fire, use the Carbine or the Beam Rifle, or simply kill them with a Plasma Grenade, as they are somewhat slow. Fuel Rod Guns and Brute Shots are also effective.

Armor
Jiralhanae Honor Guards wear the same armor as the Sangheili Honor Guards but with slightly different 'platings'. These 'plates' have a yellow and red alternating pattern, bordered by black. This yellow/red alternating pattern is also seen on the thrones of the High Prophets. The helmet has been upgraded and made larger since Jiralhanae have larger heads than Sangheili and also have a yellow/red alternating pattern. They also have a red Jiralhanae Captain flag mounted on their shoulder.

Appearances
The Jiralhanae Honor Guards were first encountered in the levels Gravemind, High Charity and The Great Journey in Halo 2, guarding the High Prophet of Truth and the High Prophet of Mercy, although they were first seen in the opening cut-scene of the level Sacred Icon. They also briefly appear in Halo: Uprising, again guarding the High Prophet of Truth on board the Forerunner Dreadnought. However, it should be noted that the Jiralhanae Honor Guard does not appear in Halo 3; they appear to have been turned into the Jiralhanae Bodyguard, though this is only speculation.



Trivia

 * The Jiralhanae Honor Guards in Halo 2 look the closest to their Halo 3 companions due to their armor, though the armor appears different.
 * They only appear in Halo 2 and Halo: Uprising.
 * They are fought in three levels: Gravemind, High Charity and The Great Journey.
 * The Jiralhanae Bodyguard is believed to be the replacement for the Jiralhanae Honor Guard in Halo 3.
 * It is highly speculated that the Jiralhanae Honor Guards protect the Chieftain as well as the Prophets, though this is unlikely, seeing as in the second cutscene for "The Great Journey" when then Arbiter goes to confront Tartarus, the Chieftain has no honor guards. All Tartarus had were four primary Jiralhanae Captains (more will appear if you take too long killing him) and you would think such an important task would have been accompanied by the Honor Guard.
 * If a Jiralhanae Honor Guard is shot in the head several times with a ranged weapon, a helmet like the ones sported by regular Jiralhanae will come off from under the Honor Guard helmet which will remain on the Jiralhanae head.
 * It is possible that Brute Honor Guards are captains in rank, as they have red captain flag attached to their shoulder.
 * However speculation, it is possible that a Brute counterpart to the Sangheili Honor Guard Ultra may have existed, because their helmets were also forfeited to the Brutes. Although this seems unlikely as no Jiralhanae Honor Guard Ultra appears in Halo 2. Perhaps less organized in the wake of the Changing of the Guard, there may have been no need for such a rank.
 * In the beginning of the level Sacred Icon, the Arbiter approaches the Prophets in High Charity, and is shocked to see the Sangheili Honor Guards giving up their spears and helmets to Jiralhanae. It is odd how the helmets seemed to fit both heads perfectly, although the Jiralhanae have much larger heads than the Sangheili.
 * It is also odd how in the level Sacred Icon, the Jiralhanae waiting for armor have absolutely no Honor Guard armor on, yet the Sangheili leave with a full suit of armor, and the new Jiralhanae Honor Guards also stay with a full set of armor, although they showed up with none on. This is a slight flaw in the cutscene.

Related Links

 * Honor Guard Ultra
 * Sangheili Honor Guard
 * Honor Guard Councilor