Unggoy: Difference between revisions

Unggoy share a number of features with different animal species on [[Earth]]. Like primates, they walk both bipedally and with the aid of their over sized forearms. However, their bodies are armored with a hard exoskeleton as with crabs and insects. Their mouths have a set of small, pointed teeth, much like reptiles. However, the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] classed them taxonomically as being most similar to Earth arthropods.

While not overly intelligent or creative on the battlefield, they are one of the most gregarious and sociable of the Covenant races as they possess a very strong pack mentality, often associating with each other in groups.<ref group="notes">Intelligence of the Unggoy has often been hotly debated, as much of the source material contradicts one another. In the [[Eric Nylund]] novels, they have been described as dog-like and animalistic; however, at rare moments, they are described as intelligent, such as [[Kwassass]], who inadvertently activated a pre-recorded message and was able to understand Admiral [[Danforth Whitcomb|Whitcomb]]'s threat and realize that it was formerly connected to a bomb. In ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'', Unggoy are revealed to be intelligent, pulling off military maneuvers and other actions, such as their attempt to place a [[Type-1 Antipersonnel Grenade|grenade]] onto [[John-117]]'s [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|suit]]; furthermore, [[Yayap]], who seems to have a higher-than-normal intelligence for an Unggoy, though he may have been one of many not mentioned in the novels or games. In game, their battlefield tactics are rather simplistic, but they are more than capable of using a variety of weapons. In ''[[Halo 2]]'' and ''[[Halo 3]]'' pilot vehicles such as the [[Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle|Ghost]] and [[Type-26 Anti-Infantry Stationary Gun|Shade]]. It is also worth considering that as a slave race, they are most likely left untrained and uneducated in order to control them more efficiently. The Unggoy seem to outnumber the other races to a large degree and might offer impressive resistance if properly organized. They have been called "cannon fodder" because their Sangheili or Jiralhanae leaders will often send them out to serve as a distraction, rather than actually having them effectively engage an enemy in combat. Therefore, it can be said that Unggoy are intelligent, but their low status does not allow them to fully utilize this.</ref> This allows for their sense of cultural identity to remain, despite their extreme subservience to the other races of the Covenant. They usually gamble with each other and often play games; [[Hunting Rock|one in particular]] includes two Unggoy competing to kill the most [[Scrub Grub]]s.

Unggoy are average of about 5 1/2 feet tall and are relatively weak compared to other Covenant species. Although they can easily walk upright on two legs, they may often use their arms to move in a quadrupedal fashion. While carrying armaments, they are forced to walk upright so that they may support their weapons with their hands, but while trying to flee, or while patrolling without a weapon drawn, they use their over sized arms as forelegs to add speed or stability to their gait. Their eyesight and hearing is average, and seem to have a very well developed sense of smell, sometimes sniffing the air to detect traces of foes or hidden enemies.<ref>'''Halo 2''', level ''[[The Arbiter (level)|The Arbiter]]''</ref> This is facilitated through the olfactory membranes installed in their masks.

An Unggoy's forearms are incredibly over-sized, as are their calves, while their upper arms and thighs are seemingly small. This has allowed them to be quite excellent climbers, as discovered in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''. Spiny protrusions on their elbows help them scale rocky surfaces and may also be used to add force to their melee attacks. They also have an amazingly fast finger reflex speed, as they can fire a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|plasma pistol]] of the same rate a Sangheili can with a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|plasma rifle]].

The Unggoy have flat, three-toed feet, with another toe on the back of their feet. While they are small, stocky, and not agile, they are quite sturdy; most may be weak, as they seem to be unable to carry a weapon heavier than a plasma pistol, although certain Unggoy of higher ranks appear to be surprisingly strong, able to carry an undeployed [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma cannon]] or fire a fuel rod gun with one hand without toppling from the recoil. However, physical strength may not actually go along with rank; the types of weapons available to them may be a part of a "trust" issue with the other Covenant. As rank-and-file Unggoy are clumsy and tactically inept, more powerful weapons are likely only issued to those who are more disciplined and experienced.