Covenant: Difference between revisions

As the highest caste, the San 'Shyuum, or "Prophets", lead the Covenant and exert complete control over all religious and political affairs. Physically weak, Prophets wield power through absolute command of the Covenant and through scavenged [[Forerunner]] technology, leaving the task of conquest to the Elites and the other races. Their higher understanding of the Forerunners gives them great ego and religious influence over the Covenant. The fact that the Covenant is religious [[zealots]] makes it all the more easy to control them. They are addressed as "[[Hierarchs]]", "Noble Hierarchs", "Holy Ones", or "Exalted" by the other races of the Covenant. Prophets enforce a misguided theology based on the belief that firing the [[Halo Array]] will herald some kind of sublimation event called the "[[Great Journey]]", which they believe will lead them to the Forerunner's final destination, but it was unknown to them that it would in fact lead them to their death. The most recent and final Hierarchs were [[High_Prophet_of_Regret|Regret]], [[Mercy]] and, [[Truth]].

Hailing from Sangheilios, Sangheili, or "Elites", served as the military leaders of the Covenant before the Great Schism in 2552. While Prophets often had the final say, it was the Elites who organized military campaigns and naval engagements. [[Ship Master]]s commanded ships, while [[Fleet Master]]s commanded fleets, and [[Field Masters]] commanded the vast armies and the higher commanders such as a supreme commander commanded the larger fleets and armadas . Elites maintained the military structure of the Covenant and ensured the Prophets' orders were followed, as well as their own. They also had a diverse [[rank]] structure which was based off how many foes an Elite had killed. Elites also wore different colored armor to signify their rank within the Covenant. They were a major component of the Covenant and were the only caste able to maintain the military hierarchy as well as having a voice within the [[High Council]]. Later on the Elites would be tested and shoved aside from their zealous role as Covenant military leaders by the Brutes. As the [[Prophet]]s and [[Brute]]s attempted genocide of the Elites, the angered [[Covenant Separatists|Elites]] left the Covenant, causing a [[Great Schism|civil war]] within the Covenant which would end with the Covenant Loyalists adding them to their list of enemies, and the Elites forming the Covenant Separatists along with many of the Grunts and Hunters. The Separatists then became allies with the [[UNSC]] in their fight against the Covenant. They are called "Sangheili" in the Covenant language. An "ee" at the end of an Elite name, such as "'Zamamee or 'Vadumee", would signify that that Elite is a part or was part of the Covenant military, although, after the Great Schism most, if not all, Elites removed the "ee" from their names to show that they had left the Covenant.

Jiralhanae, known as "Brutes" to Humans, are one of the newer species to the [[Covenant]] and are the only race that has obtained equal status to that of one of the founding "clients" of the [[Covenant]] pact, the [[Sangheli|Elites]]. They have an incredible natural resilience to damage because of their tough rhino like skin that makes up for their lack of [[energy shields]] (be it noted that later in ''[[Halo 3]]'' they get [[power armor]]), and use a number of [[Brute Sandbox|weapons and vehicles]] based upon their pre-Covenant technology. This technology is primitive compared to other [[Covenant]] weapons, but they are still incredibly lethal, with most Brute-developed weapons having blades attached to them. Some chieftains in ''Halo 3'' and [[Tartarus]] from ''Halo 2'' are also equipped with [[invincibility]]. As opposed to standard [[Brute]] combat, Brutes sometimes will go "berserk", and will try to and usually kill anyone or anything in its path. This shows the brutal nature of the Brute, and the little tolerance they have when they are cornered. The said Brute will charge mindlessly in the event of its armor being destroyed, it's companions being killed, being stuck with a plasma grenade (like [[Elites]]), or several other circumstances. Brutes have their own ranks going up to [[War Chieftain]]s who usually wield [[Type-52 Directed Energy Support Weapon|plasma cannons]], [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|fuel rod guns]], or [[Chieftain]]s who usually wield [[Type-2 Energy Weapon/Hammer|gravity hammers]]. The [[Brute]]s always work in packs of 3-8 when possible. Brutes are unlike Elites in that they do not have a problem using Human weapons, as shown in the books and ''[[Halo 2]]''. After the Elites were replaced for failing to protect the [[High Prophet of Regret]] from the "[[John-117|Demon]]", they took over their role as personal [[Brute Bodyguard|bodyguards]] of the Prophets and also now make up most of the Covenant military. They have a hairy, ape-like appearance with rough, rhino-like skin and a highly resilient body.

Mgalekgolo, or "Hunters", are thought to be giant monsters, but they are actually an assemblage of worm-like entities called "[[Lekgolo]]" that create a communal, armor plated form. In this form, they are known as "[[Mgalekgolo]]". They always fight and travel in pairs known as "Bond Brothers" (which technically means that not all of the colonies of worms were able to fit within one set of armor), and are the strongest Covenant fighting units. They wield powerful assault cannons and a massive shield resistant to any small arms fire which may also be used as a melee weapon due to its sharp sides and the hunters' great strength. This is why if you are close enough to a Hunter, they will run at you, and swing their shield at you, which can cause major damage, but this can easily be dodged, since hunters are relatively slow. They are usually used as shock infantry, and are only deployed on the battle field when in need of a heavy force. Their political and religious motivations are completely unknown. Their weaknesses are their exposed orange flesh, which is located on their backs, stomach, and neck. In ''[[Halo 3]]'' the leadership offered more protection by covering their stomachs with more armor. Their main weakness is when their back is turned, because of the lack of armor they have there. They are one of the most powerful Covenant foes, challenged only by the [[Brutes]] in ''[[Halo 2]]'' and the [[Elites]] in ''[[Halo 3]]''.

These flying, insect-like creatures referred to as "Drones" served almost exclusively as engineers, but were replaced by the Huragok. They became the second Covenant species with the ability of flight. In combat it seems that their weapons of choice are the needler, which can cause a good amount of damage if allowed, and the Plasma Pistol, which is weak, unless it is a charged shot, which can bring down your shields drastically. Their ability to fight on the wing makes them an excellent strategic weapon against ground-based opponents. Unlike most other Covenant races, the Drones do not require an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere or a methane environment, as Grunts do, to survive. They are called ''[[Yanme'e]]'' in the Covenant language. Some people believe that Drones had joined the Covenant some time in between ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2''. This can be proved false, as they appear in the novel ''Halo: Contact Harvest'', which was the first Human-Covenant contact. They are similar to the drones in the first ''Marathon'' game.  

Due to their superior senses, the Kig-Yar, or "Jackals" are the scouts and marksmen of the Covenant military. They are about 5'6" tall and due to their lack of physical durability, they carry a portable [[Jackal Personal Arm Shield|energy shield]] generator during combat. Jackals are employed mainly as sharpshooters with their excellent vision and dexterity, and are also deployed to defend strategic areas. When a Jackal is under fire, it will cover its head with its hands and trot away to another position from which to fire from. The first [[Human]] contact was between [[Staff Sergeant]]s [[Johnson]] and [[Byrne]] on a Human freighter as Jackal pirates tried to board the ship. Jackals have never been seen using grenades except in the book ''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''. This is probably because they wield both their weapon and their shield, and so cannot throw grenades while dual-wielding. Jackals were the first Covenant race that the [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Spartans Spartans] encountered, as seen in ''[http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/The_Fall_of_Reach The Fall of Reach]''.

There is also a subspecies of Kig-Yar known as the Skirmisher.<ref>http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=enemies&cid=24609</ref>

Hailing from Balaho, Unggoy, known as "Grunts" among Humans, are both the most common and lowest-placed caste of the Covenant, as the name implies. Despite their notable cowardice and ineptitude, they are quite dangerous in large numbers, which may have been why an [[Arbiter (Character)|Arbiter]] was needed to quell the [[Grunt Rebellion]]. They breathe a methane mixture and thus must wear a large tank on their back full of the methane to survive on other planets. They fight well on [[Shade|plasma turrets]] and use the [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|plasma pistol]] and [[Type-33 Guided Munitions Launcher|needler]], sometimes wielding the [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|fuel rod gun]] as well, though this may have been included simply for comedic purposes. In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', Grunts wielding fuel rod guns exploded upon detonation. In addition, Grunts are known to be extremely deadly with the plasma pistol; capable of firing it at speeds sometimes exceeding that of the plasma rifle. If their leader is killed, Grunts will run away or they may go Kamikaze by activating two [[plasma grenades]] (one on each hand) while charging at you and shouting random noises, and [[Heretic Grunt]]s will fearlessly charge the enemy when their leader is dead. Their discipline is dependent upon strong leadership and strength of numbers; however, when leaderless, they will present significantly less resistance, often cowering. They are called '''Unggoy''' in the Covenant language. Unggoy have a considerable amount of physical strength, enabling them to wield large weapons in the Covenant arsenal. Grunts are approximately 5 feet tall. They have learned many Human languages from intercepting transmissions between Human vessels, a fact that they apparently take great pride in. During the [[Covenant Civil War]] they, as well as the [[Hunters]], did not fully support either side, though most sided with the [[Elites]], remaining extremely loyal to their "savior", [[Thel 'Vadam|The Arbiter]]. Their speech is high and squeaky. They find nothing wrong with this, but most other races that have come in contact with them find it comical. The Grunts also have a knack for making comments when other members of their squad are killed or they are under fire.

Huragok, or "Engineers" are actually an artificial species created by the Forerunners. They will only converse with the Prophets or individuals who learn their language. This indicates Engineers are very high in the caste system, however ONI believe them to prisoners or slaves. It is believed that the Engineers helped the [[Covenant]] to understand how to use the Forerunner technology effectively, which aided their advancement. In military terms, they are generally a non-militant race. However, at times in the [[Human-Covenant War]] they have been placed on the battlefield either as repair workers or suicide bombers.