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The Skirmishers are a specialized group of Kig-yar in the Covenant ground forces.

Description
Skirmishers are of the same species as the more common, lightly built Jackals, but they are much faster and stronger than ordinary Kig-yar, and sport manes of feathers rather than quills. Skirmishers serve as Covenant shock troops, while the more lightly built Jackals see deployment as dedicated ranger or sniper units. In engagements prior to 2530, mixed units were more common; however, this changed toward the end of the Human-Covenant War.

The Covenant uses Skirmishers as close-range combatants, attacking in packs and using flanking tactics (as opposed to Jackals, who are often used as defensive and long range combatants and assassins). Physically, they seem to be similar to regular Jackals, though their head shape appears to be more avian than their cousins; their skin tone is noticeably darker and not yellowish. Skirmishers seem more like a velociraptor or dromaeosaur than a bird like creature. they have clawed retractable feet and primordial physique. They also run much faster than Jackals and can jump incredible heights. They have a spherical, somewhat pinkish-yellow, crocidilian eye, as well. This makes them seem more vicious than Jackals.

There appears to be five different ranks of Skirmisher. The first, and probably lowest-ranked, wears minimal gray armor. The second wears the same, but in red. The third, (commando) wears green armor, and the fourth, wears yellow armor and a helmet. The fifth, and highest-ranking wears orange armor and a helmet. Additionally, the orange armored variant sports a small Shield Gauntlet on each elbow.

Trivia

 * The Skirmisher makes its first appearance in the game Halo: Reach.
 * Skirmishers bear a notable physical resemblance to the dromaeosaurs and velociraptor.
 * Because Skirmishers were created for Halo: Reach, they have never been witnessed or mentioned in the games or novels which take place after the events of Reach. Bungie has suggested that the warrior Skirmishers were wiped out during the Fall of Reach.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach