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Covenant: Difference between revisions
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==Military== | ==Military== | ||
{{Main|Covenant Military}} | {{Main|Covenant Military}} | ||
Like other civilizations, the Covenant maintained a permanent armed forces branch, used to enforce order, conduct atmospheric and space combat operations, and generally | Like other civilizations, the Covenant maintained a permanent armed forces branch, which it used to enforce order, conduct atmospheric and space combat operations, and generally carry out the Covenant's will throughout space. The Covenant military was originally led by the Sangheili, who were replaced by the Jiralhanae during the Great Schism. The military was comprised of the [[Covenant Navy]], the [[Covenant Army]] and the [[Special Warfare Group]], which contained the [[Special Operations|Special Operations Division]]. | ||
Most of the Covenant arsenal consists of [[plasma weaponry|plasma-based]] [[directed energy weapon]]s, | Most of the Covenant arsenal consists of [[plasma weaponry|plasma-based]] [[directed energy weapon]]s, but the Covenant are known to also utilize pulse [[laser]]s, [[particle beam weapon]]s, [[antimatter]] explosives and even chemical crystal-based weapons. Interestingly, Covenant weapon designs seem to defy known laws of mechanics; there is typically no form of radiative, physical or electrical contact between the firing mechanism and "trigger" of a weapon. For these and other reasons, the workings of Covenant weaponry is generally beyond the comprehension of UNSC scientists. | ||
Plasma weapons | Plasma weapons typically use a rechargeable power cell to provide power to their internal components. Covenant plasma weapons are effective but crude, and most automatic-fire plasma weapons are prone to overheating. To compensate, most weapons have vents that open up and discharge excess heat and plasma when they overheat, although they render weapons inoperable as the excess heat is dissipated. Once the energy of the plasma weapon is depleted, it must be recharged or discarded. To date, the means by which plasma weapons can be recharged is still unknown to UNSC forces. | ||
The Covenant are also known to employ projectile weapons, the most common of these being unconventional crystal-based weapons. These weapons appear to use some type of chemical that forms a hard, razor-sharp crystal on contact with the atmosphere.<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''' ''Type-31 "Needle" Rifle''</ref> These crystals can be used in one of two ways. Certain medium to long-range weapons fire them at high speeds, allowing them to strike targets accurately at long distance. Other mid-range weapons fire them at very slow speeds, and through unknown means "steer" them towards enemy targets. Needles fired in either of these ways will penetrate the flesh or armor of a target, and several seconds after coming to rest will explode into thousands of tiny, sharp fragments that can maim or cripple a target. When a certain number of needles have penetrated the same target, they will detonate simultaneously, producing a much larger explosion that kills the target instantly. | |||
With the introduction of the Jiralhanae as a major military caste within the Covenant, their weapons found limited to widespread use. Utilizing crude projectile-like metal spikes in place of plasma, explosive grenade-like launchers, and sharp blades, they are more primitive, yet brutal - fitting, considering the nature of their creators. | With the introduction of the Jiralhanae as a major military caste within the Covenant, their weapons found limited to widespread use. Utilizing crude projectile-like metal spikes in place of plasma, explosive grenade-like launchers, and sharp blades, they are more primitive, yet brutal - fitting, considering the nature of their creators. | ||
The Covenant were also known to employ melee weapons in addition to their already fearsome arsenal. The most well known is the [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]], used solely by the [[Sangheili]]. Creating a blade of superheated plasma, it has both ceremonial and martial value to the Sangheili warriors, and its possession is closely monitored. Another is the [[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer|Gravity Hammer]], used by Jiralhanae, which seems to be the cultural equivalent to the sword, However, rather than using a blade of plasma, it can generate a gravitational field, doing devastating damage. | The Covenant were also known to employ melee weapons in addition to their already fearsome arsenal. The most well-known is the [[Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword|Energy Sword]], used solely by the [[Sangheili]]. Creating a double blade of superheated plasma, it has both ceremonial and martial value to the Sangheili warriors, and its possession is closely monitored. Another is the [[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer|Gravity Hammer]], used by Jiralhanae, which seems to be the cultural equivalent to the sword, However, rather than using a blade of plasma, it can generate a gravitational field, doing devastating damage. | ||
Covenant vehicles use advanced anti-gravity technology for propulsion, and are armed with directed-energy weaponry of varying potency. Though often faster than their [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] counterparts, Covenant vehicles are more unstable over uneven terrain where the sudden changes affect handling. All Covenant vehicles are made from a purple or dark blue type of metal, said to be much more advanced than any alloy known to Humans, and all Covenant vehicles are nicknamed after some kind of supernatural entity by the UNSC, except for [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarabs]] and [[Locust]]s. Recently, Brute vehicles and technology have been incorporated into the Covenant's arsenal. Though more primitive, they serve the Brutes' need for power. Brute vehicles are not named after spiritual entities, and rather than being a series of Covenant vehicles are regarded as native Jiralhanae technology. | Covenant vehicles use advanced anti-gravity technology for propulsion, and are armed with directed-energy weaponry of varying potency. Though often faster than their [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] counterparts, Covenant vehicles are more unstable over uneven terrain where the sudden changes affect handling. All Covenant vehicles are made from a purple or dark blue type of metal, said to be much more advanced than any alloy known to Humans, and all Covenant vehicles are nicknamed after some kind of supernatural entity by the UNSC, except for [[Type-47 Ultra Heavy Assault Platform|Scarabs]] and [[Locust]]s. Recently, Brute vehicles and technology have been incorporated into the Covenant's arsenal. Though more primitive, they serve the Brutes' need for power. Brute vehicles are not named after spiritual entities, and rather than being a series of Covenant vehicles are regarded as native Jiralhanae technology. | ||