Morsam-pattern Seraph

Seraph Starfighter

The Seraph-class Starfighter is a widely used Covenant starfighter, essentially the Covenant's counterpart to the UNSC Longsword. Each Seraph has a teardrop and piscine like design, likely aesthetically pleasing to Covenant eyes since such carapace-like curves are prevalent throughout Covenant design. They are stored in Covenant capital ships (both CCS-class Battlecruisers and Assault Carriers) when they are not in battle or escorting a ship.

Seraphs have demonstrated that they are every bit the equal, if not more so, for human Longsword pilots. They usually attack in formations of ten, with their assaults on enemy ships ranging from simple harassment, to full out strafing attacks. Unlike the Banshee, Seraphs are equipped with energy shields, but these are only a fraction of the strength of those on larger ships and are easily dispersed.

The Seraph has been known to be utilized as an air superiority fighter, but are clumsy and sluggish within an atmosphere, indicating that such a capability is only a secondary role. Faster and harder hitting than the Banshee, the Seraph poses a significant aerial threat.

It is assumed that the Seraph fighter is crewed by Elite pilots, succeeded by the Brutes after the Great Schism.

Characteristics
As the Covenant's main space attack fighter the Seraph is armed with a variety of weapons. Seraphs are seen firing a heavy plasma cannon seemingly identical to a Scarab's anti-aircraft turret in the cutscene preceding The Ark, and are also armed with a pulse laser and plasma charges for strafing and bombing runs. .

The Seraph fighter is both powerful and fast even able to fly in the hurricane force winds of the gas giant Threshold, although it is not as maneuverable in an atmosphere as dedicated atmospheric fighters such as the Banshee. The Seraph fighters are more than a match for UNSC Longsword pilots and if they come in great numbers can eaisly overwhelm intercepting fighters.

Appearances
Seraphs are a common adversary of UNSC starfighter pilots, however prior to Halo 2 they were only mentioned in the expanded universe and novels. The Seraph made its first in game appearance dog-fighting with Longsword fighters outside Cairo Station during the First Battle of Earth. A Seraph can also be viewed in intricate detail on the levels The Arbiter and The Oracle, where it is in the central hangar where the arbiter defeated the heretic leader. These vessels are seen to be used by the heretic leader to flee the Forerunner facility suspended within the atmosphere of the gas giant Threshold. Sesa 'Refumee, the Heretic leader, attempts to escape the giant storms of Threshold in this Seraph, but is successfully stopped by the Arbiter, who slays him in personal combat.

The Seraph Starfighters are also seen in Halo 3 during the cutscene of The Ark where they are escorting the Brute capital ships as they engage the Sangheili battle group. They are seen also during that cutscene using their heavy plasma cannons to attack and destroy several Pelicans as they carried troops down onto the Ark.

Related links

 * Longsword - The UNSC equivalent of the Seraph

Trivia

 * A drivable variant of the Seraph fighter was made for the map "Extinction" on Halo: Custom Edition.