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{{Era|H1|H2|H3}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Covenant Rank Infobox
{{Unit infobox
|name=Ultra Grunt
|variant=Cov
|image=[[Image:Grunt Ultra H3.jpg|260px]]
|image = {{Tabcontainer|title1=Banished Ultra harness|content1=[[File:HINF Banished Unggoy Ultra true.png|300px]]|title2=Combat harness|content2=[[File:H2A Unggoy Ultra.png|300px]]|title3=Cylinder tank harness|content3=[[File:Halo_Reach_-_Unggoy.png|300px]]|title4=SpecOps Ultra harness|content4=[[File:Halo 2 Anniversary Alternate Ultra.png|300px]]}}
|species=[[Unggoy]]
|name =Unggoy Ultra
|weapons=*[[Needler]]
|species = [[Unggoy]]
*[[Plasma Grenade]]
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|H2}}
*[[Plasma Pistol]]
*[[Covenant separatists]]{{Ref/Reuse|H2}}
*[[Plasma Cannon]]
*[[Covenant remnants]]
*[[Brute Spiker]]
**[[Banished]]{{Ref/Reuse|HINF}}
*Any [[weapon]] given in [[Campaign]]
**[[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]]{{Ref/Reuse|HSS}}
|equipment=*[[Methane environmental suit]]
|branch=
*[[Active Camouflage]]
|mission=Assist command of [[lance]]
|vehicles=[[Ghost]]s
|equipment=*[[Unggoy combat harness]]
|missions=Special Operations: infiltration, stealth
**[[Ultra-class armor]]
|role=[[Lance]] leaders and infantry commanders
*[[Energy shielding]]{{Ref/Reuse|HINF}}
*[[Active camouflage]]{{Ref/Reuse|H2}} {{c|nonstandard}}
|notable=
|notable=
|affiliation=*[[Covenant]]
*[[Covenant Loyalists]]
*[[Covenant Seperatists]]
}}
}}
'''Grunt Ultra''' is a [[Covenant]] [[Unggoy]] [[rank]].


== Rank ==
'''Unggoy Ultra''' is the highest known [[Unggoy]] rank.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc142|Enc|Page=142-143}}{{Ref/Book|EVG|Page=87}}


The Ultra Grunt is the highest [[Unggoy]] rank seen, so far in the [[Covenant]] military. Like [[Ultra Elite]]s, Ultra Grunts wear distinct white/pearlescent armor.
==Overview==
===Roles and responsibilities===
Rarely seen, the Unggoy Ultra is the highest Unggoy rank seen so far in the [[Covenant military]]. These Unggoy, like their lower-ranking cousins, appear in groups. They are very intelligent, making as few tactical errors as [[Sangheili Major]]s although that doesn't make them perfect. They usually display even more bravery in combat than Special Operations Unggoy, and are more often used for specialized attacks, rather than generic military operations. Unggoy Ultras can sometimes be seen commanding groups of lower class Unggoy in battle, and are even seen leading black-armored [[Special Operations Unggoy]]  into combat.{{Ref/Level|Id=H2Arbiter|H2|The Arbiter}}


Ultra Grunts can sometimes be seen commanding lower classes of [[Grunts]] in battle, even leading black-armored [[Special Operations Grunts]] into combat, and are rare to find when playing Halo on lower difficulties such as easy or normal.
===Organisation===
Unlike Sangheili Ultras, Unggoy Ultras do not appear to have any influence with their command. It is just as likely that two or three will be encountered leading a small group of Unggoy, yet the [[Sangheili]] or [[Jiralhanae]] during the [[Great Schism]], are ultimately in complete command; similar to the way that even low-ranking [[San'Shyuum]] outrank Sangheili [[Ship Master]]s.{{citation needed}}


Unlike [[Ultra Elites]], Ultra Grunts do not appear to have any immunity with their command. It is just as likely that two or three will be encountered leading a small group of Grunts, yet the Elites (Brutes in ''Halo 3'') are ultimately in complete command. These Grunts, like their lower-ranking cousins, appear in groups. They are very intelligent, making as few tactical errors as [[Major Domo]] [[Elites]].
===History===
Unggoy Ultras fought over the course of the [[Human-Covenant War]] and later the [[Great Schism]], including the [[Fall of Reach]],{{Ref/Reuse|HR}} [[Battle for Earth]],{{Ref/Reuse|H2}} and [[Battle of Installation 00]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3}} While many allied with [[Sangheili]] [[Covenant separatists|rebels]] during the Covenant civil war in [[2552#November|early November 2552]],{{Ref/Reuse|H2}} others remained loyal to [[San'Shyuum]] and the new [[Jiralhanae]] leadership ruled by the [[Prophet of Truth]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}


These Grunts usually display more bravery in combat than a [[Spec Ops]] unit and are more often used for general missions, rather than specialized attacks.
In the [[Post-Covenant War conflicts|post war period]], the rank of Unggoy Ultra has been used [[Battle of Installation 03|at least once]] by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]].{{Ref/Game|Id=HSS|HSS|In-game unit}} Multiple Unggoy Ultras belonging to the [[Banished]] led by [[War Chief]] [[Escharum]] took part in the [[Battle for Zeta Halo]] in [[2560]] against the [[John-117|Master Chief]] and the [[UNSC]] remnants on [[Installation 07|Zeta Halo]]. Unlike their Covenant Countparts, the Unggoy Ultras now outrank low ranking Sangheili and Jiralhanae, but are still subordinate to Jiralhanae Captains.{{Ref/Reuse|HINF}}


== Combat ==
==Equipment==
Like [[Sangheili Ultra]]s, Unggoy Ultras wear distinct white/pearl-like{{Ref/Game|Id=H2|H2|in-game model}}{{Ref/Game|Id=HINF|HINF|in-game model}} or lilac armor.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc142}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H3|H3|in-game model}}{{Ref/Game|Id=HR|HR|in-game model}} Unggoy Ultras are seen with several armor variants, one as a standard armor, with the exact same use with the main combat harness most other Unggoy infantry ranks are seen with like [[Unggoy Minor|Minors]] and [[Unggoy Major|Majors]] alongside specialized [[Unggoy Heavy|Heavies]],{{Ref/Reuse|H2}} and the other one is with a cylindrical methane tank as well as a completely enclosed helmet, which enables the Unggoy to operate in vacuum areas. The said helmet would fall off after being shot at, saving the Unggoy from one single headshot.{{Ref/Reuse|HR}} Another similar chassis of this harness was used by the Banished during their conflicts on Installation 07 although it has some additional protection, including both in arms and legs.{{Ref/Reuse|HINF}} Unlike other Unggoy ranks, Banished Unggoy Ultras were known to also have personal [[Energy shielding|energy shield]], similar to [[Unggoy Bodyguard]]s who also wear white-colored armor in [[Warzone]] in UNSC's [[War Games]] simulations and making them the strongest regular Unggoy troops.{{Ref/Reuse|HINF}} Whenever if it was already once used by the Covenant earlier is unknown as it may have apparently never been seen used during the Great War.


Ultra Grunts usually throw more [[grenades]] and are far more accurate and deadly at a greater distance than the lower ranked [[Major Grunt|Major]] and [[Minor Grunt]]s. They are usually seen with [[Needler]]s or [[Plasma Pistol]]s. They can also take the same amount of damage Spec Ops [[Grunts]] do, but they are still vulnerable to head shots (even though it may take more than one). Like [[SpecOps Grunts]], they are rarely caught sleeping on duty. They still panic if they know that they are being overwhelmed, but are more likely to go berserk than panic-especially if one of their comrades was killed by a grenade. An Ultra Grunt compared to an average Minor Grunt can take more damage and usually takes two to three [[melee]]s instead of one to be killed, even on lower difficulties like Normal. In ''Halo 3'', if you have the Thunderstorm Skull on, Ultra Grunts will still run away even if their leader is dead. If Ultra Grunts run away and you follow one it will turn around and start firing at you. They are the ones that command small squads of Grunts when a Elite or Brute is not present or have been killed and are very good and effective leaders.
Another armor variant for Unggoy Ultra is a Ultra-class variant of the regular [[Special Operations Unggoy]] combat harness and is equipped with an [[active camouflage]] generator. This harness variant was used by the Covenant Unggoy Ultras to lead lower-ranking [[Special Operations Unggoy]], including during the [[Raid on the Threshold gas mine]].{{Ref/Reuse|H2Arbiter}}


== Background ==
==Gameplay==
Grunt Ultras fire their weapons at a higher rate and usually throw more grenades, being far more accurate and deadly at a greater distance than their lower ranked brethren. They also wield [[Needler]]s with greater frequency than their inferiors, though it is still common for them to use [[Plasma Pistol]]s. Ultras can take the same amount of damage Special Operations Grunts do (more than three times as much as an [[Unggoy Minor|Grunt Minor]] can), but they are still vulnerable to [[headshots]]. Like Special Operations Grunts, Ultras are rarely caught sleeping on duty. They still panic if they know that they are being overwhelmed, but are more likely to go [[Suicide Unggoy|suicidal]] than flee - especially if one of their comrades was killed by a grenade.
*In ''Halo: Reach'', Ultras wear a helmet that protects them from one headshot from any weapon weaker than the [[SRS99-AM sniper rifle|Sniper Rifle]]. Starting from this game, they will overcharge their Plasma Pistols.
*In ''Halo Infinite'', Banished Unggoy Ultras normally wield Needlers. Note that, despite wearing an armor almost identical to the one from ''Reach'', their helmets are only cosmetic, and Ultras still take one headshot to kill. Ultras and [[Unggoy Bouncer|Bouncers]] are equipped with the exact same helmets and harnesses. Bouncers, however, are equipped with energy shields and carry Disruptors. Like other Unggoy in the game, Ultras can throw [[plasma grenade]]s, and can arm two grenades and perform [[suicide attack]]s.


The purpose of this rank designation has been generally unclear. They were first mentioned in ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', pushing carts of cleaning fluid, implying that they were even lower than [[Grunt Minors]]. However, they were also seen inside the [[Scarab]] walker in [[New Mombasa]] along with high-ranking Elites ([[Minor]], [[Major]], [[Ultra]], [[Zealot]]). They were also seen throughout [[New Mombasa]], [[Delta Halo]] and ''[[Cairo Station]]''. This led some to believe that they were "technicians" or engineers (Not to be confused with the [[Engineers (Huragok)|Engineer]] species) of some sort, but the production book, ''[[The Art of Halo]]'', confirms that they outrank [[Major Grunts]]. It has, however, been suggested that white armor actually signifies manual labor, while the more silver armor signifies Ultra. Still, there is not a sufficient color difference to make this a significant case. It may simply be that when author Eric Nylund wrote the book, he chose the color white because it was a color not previously seen in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', and did not know that Bungie would choose a similar color for the new Grunt rank or possibly that even though they are high ranking Grunts, they are not free from manual tasks. The rank is a rare achievement for an [[Unggoy]], due to the fact that this species has a high death rate. Ultra Grunts most likely delegate a great degree of respect from the Grunts under their command, as their combat prowess must be exemplary, or they are just very, ''very'' lucky.
==Production notes==
*If one plays ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' with an unsupported video card, but has at least 32 megabytes of video memory, all armor colors will be white, with some exceptions such as the [[Mgalekgolo]], which has led to some fans thinking that all the Unggoy in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' are Ultras. However, white is the basic color of all models in the ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' engine. The models are rendered with no specific color until they are selected by an algorithm that determines which Unggoy variant to spawn, determined by the difficulty level (meaning higher difficulties are more likely to spawn Unggoy Majors) or colored by the actor variant and shader tags within the level/map cache file. There is a degree of randomness involved, as the player might notice an Unggoy Minor in one location die, then realize that it changes to an Unggoy Major. This is most noticeable when viewing maps with SparkEdit, a modding program. It renders all models based on their constituent bitmaps; the game engine adds the lighting effects and determines which variant to spawn when that part of the level is played. In SparkEdit, all models, except Mgalekgolo and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]]s, have white armor, including Spartans.
*The Unggoy Ultra in ''Halo 3'' and ''Halo 3: ODST'' have been erroneously referred to as SpecOps Unggoy on Bungie.net.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/news/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=h3campaign|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo 3 How-to: Campaign Scoring 101|D=21|M=07|Y=2013}} The game files, however, correctly lists them as Ultras.{{Ref/Game|ODST|:File:H3ODST UnggoyUltraTag.png|game files for "grunt_ultra"}}{{Ref/Game|ODST|:File:H3ODST UnggoySpecOpsTag.png|game files for "grunt_specops"}} The distinction between the Ultra and SpecOps Unggoy were clarified in ''[[Halo 3: The Official Strategy Guide]]''{{Ref/Book|[[Halo 3: The Official Strategy Guide]]|Page=131}} and the ''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Enc142}}, both of which labelled the Unggoy in lilac armor as Unggoy Ultra, and the Unggoy in jet-black armor (which went unused in both games) as SpecOps Unggoy. The [[McFarlane Toys/Halo: Anniversary Edition Series 1#SpecOp Grunt|McFarlane ''Halo 3'' SpecOps Grunt action figure]] also correctly depicts SpecOps Unggoy in jet-black armor rather than the lilac armor.  
*In ''Halo: Reach'', Ultras have a cylindrical methane tank and a full face mask. The shape of the methane tank appears to have been influenced by early concept art for ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', and designs later seen in the ''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]'', ''[[Halo: Uprising]]'', and ''[[Halo Wars]]''. They have been nicknamed "Keg Grunts" by [[Bungie]] due to the shape of the methane containers.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://gameinformer.com/mag/haloreach.aspx|Site=GameInformer|Page=2010 February Edition}}
*During the development of ''Halo: Reach'', the concept art of the Unggoy had inspired designers to give fully-enclosed helmets to most Unggoy units. Bungie design lead Sage Merrill had correspondingly set weapon damage to better reflect how the helmet better protects the wearer from headshots, but it inadvertently made the majority of the Unggoy requiring at least two headshots to be killed and created an "unfun" experience according to fellow design lead [[Lars Bakken]]. Consequently, a change was made to remove the helmet from almost all Unggoy units, with only the Ultra Unggoy retaining the helmet in the final release.{{Ref/YouTube|2iPQwXUBVsU|Bungie|Halo: Reach Firefight Preview}}


== Appearances ==
==Trivia==
[[Image:Gruntiness.jpeg|right|100px]]
*In all games, if the Thunderstorm skull is activated, all Unggoy will be upgraded to this rank.
These Grunts are seen in both ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]''. They are seen throughout ''[[Halo 2]]'', but are far more frequent in the [[Heroic]] or [[Legendary]] difficulty levels than the [[Easy]] or [[Normal]] ones.
*In ''Halo 2: Anniversary'', two variants of the Unggoy Ultra are seen. The first bears a white-coloured standard combat harness, while the second is equipped with a white-coloured variant of the [[Special Operations Unggoy|Special Operations]] combat harness (due to a typo in the code).


=== ''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' ===
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:H2 Grunt Ultra.png|An Unggoy Ultra in ''[[Halo 2]]''.
File:Gruntulta H2.jpg|An Unggoy Ultra standing idle in ''Halo 2''.
File:Grunt Ultra H3.jpg|An Unggoy Ultra in ''[[Halo 3]]''.
File:H3 Special Operations Grunt Cutout.png|An Unggoy Ultra  in ''Halo 3''.
File:HReach-LNoS-Shielded-Unggoy.jpg|Multiple Unggoy Ultras onboard the ''Ardent Prayer'' in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR ChargedPlasmaPistol 3.png|An Unggoy fires an overcharged burst from a plasma pistol in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:H2A-UnggoyUltra.png|An Unggoy Ultra, as depicted in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:Halo2AnniversaryUnggoyUltra.jpg|An Unggoy Ultra in ''Halo 2: Anniversary''.
File:HINF-EarlyUnggoyUltraconcepts.jpg|Early concept art of a Banished Unggoy Ultra for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HINF-UnggoyUltraconcept.jpg|Finalized concept art of the Banished Ultra.
File:HINF-PantslessUltra.jpg|Render of an Ultra.
File:HINF Banished Unggoy Ultra plasma grenade.png|A Banished Unggoy Ultra throws a plasma grenade.
File:HINF DeadUltra.png|A dead Banished Unggoy Ultra killed by the Master Chief on Installation 07.
File:HINF UltraGrunts.png|Some Ultras and Bouncers on Installation 07.
File:HINF Banished Ultra Unggoy grass.png|A Banished Unggoy Ultra standing in a field of grass on Zeta Halo.
File:HINF Banished Ultra Unggoy flowers.png|A pair of Banished Unggoy Ultras standing in a field of flowers on Zeta Halo.
File:HINF Banished Ultra Unggoy back.png|A Banished Unggoy Ultra seen from behind.
File:HINF Unggoy Ultra HoR.png|A Banished Unggoy Ultra inside the House of Reckoning.
File:HINF-UnggoyUltraSquadies.png|Banished Unggoy Ultras on [[Oasis (map)|Oasis]] in [[Firefight: King of the Hill]].
</gallery>


*''[[Unyielding Hierophant]]''- Two Ultra Grunts were seen pushing carts of cleaning fluid.
==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''


=== ''[[Halo 2]]'' ===
==Sources==
[[Image:GruntUltra03.jpg|right|100px]]
{{Ref/Sources}}
*''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]'' ([[Easy]] and [[Normal]] less common, [[Heroic]] and [[Legendary]] more commonly)- Seen throughout the level, most noticeable are in the hangars, but also in the Commons areas.
*''[[Outskirts (Level)|Outskirts]]'' - Ultra Grunts attacked [[SPARTAN-117]]'s position in the building near the [[Pelican]] crash site.
*''[[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]]'' - A few Ultra Grunts were present on the [[Scarab]] command deck, possibly even manning the walker.
*''[[The Oracle (Level)|The Oracle]]'' - An Ultra Grunt is dropped to help the [[Arbiter]] with some other Spec Ops forces at the exit of the Flood labs.
*''[[Gravemind (Level)|Gravemind]]'' (Legendary only) - Ultra Grunts aid the Brutes at the beginning of the level.
*''[[Uprising (Level)|Uprising]]'' - If you are lucky, the Grunt assisting you in the turret will be an Ultra. This is very rare, though. On Heroic and Legendary, two Ultra Grunts are present near this turret.
*''[[High Charity (Level)|High Charity]]'' - At the beginning of the level and a few more times throughout the whole level, they are seen fighting the [[Flood]].


=== ''[[Halo 3]]'' ===
{{Unggoy Ranks}}
[[Image:Halo 3 Ultra Grunts.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Two Ultra Grunts in Halo 3.]]
[[Category:Unggoy culture]]
It is in dispute as to whether the silver colored Grunts in ''Halo 3'' are Grunt Ultras. Those for the existence of Grunt Ultras in ''Halo 3'' point to page 131 in the ''Official Guide'', which discusses Ultras and has a clear picture of a silver colored Grunt and a black (presumably [[Special Operations Grunt]]) Grunt, while skeptics maintain that the lack of pictures of such black colored Spec Ops Grunts, and the Bungie scoring system refute the existence of Ultras in ''Halo 3''. However, the Ultras are probably the highest ranking Grunt still on the side of the Covenant. Also, the presence of so many Ultras in ''Halo 3'' is strange, without any Spec Ops Grunts to command. Also, when the Thunderstorm Skull is activated, all Grunts get this silver armor, except the grunt heavys.
 
== Trivia ==
*In ''Halo 3'' the Grunt Ultras are more of a pearly white color than just regular white or silver.
*In ''[[Halo 3]]'' if you knock off the methane tank of a Ultra Grunt the tank's color will turn orange like the Grunt Minor's tank. This also happens to all Grunts.
*In the ''Halo 3'' instruction manual that comes with the game, for the description of Grunts, there is a picture of a Grunt Ultra.
*In Halo 3, if you put the Thunderstorm skull on and play on a lower difficulty, when you kill a Brute the Ultra Grunts might run away.
*Sometimes Ultra Grunts armor appears slightly darker, possibly meaning that they are more experienced Ultra Grunts.
 
 
 
 
 
{{Grunt Ranks}}
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
[[Category:The Covenant]]
[[Category:Grunts]]
[[Category:Ranks]]
i

Latest revision as of 05:04, January 29, 2024

Unggoy Ultra
Banished Ultra harness
Banished Unggoy Ultra
Combat harness
H2A Unggoy Ultra.png
Cylinder tank harness
Halo Reach - Unggoy.png
SpecOps Ultra harness
Halo 2 Anniversary Alternate Ultra.png

Function:

Assist command of lance

Species:

Unggoy

Affiliation:

 

Unggoy Ultra is the highest known Unggoy rank.[4][5]

Overview[edit]

Roles and responsibilities[edit]

Rarely seen, the Unggoy Ultra is the highest Unggoy rank seen so far in the Covenant military. These Unggoy, like their lower-ranking cousins, appear in groups. They are very intelligent, making as few tactical errors as Sangheili Majors although that doesn't make them perfect. They usually display even more bravery in combat than Special Operations Unggoy, and are more often used for specialized attacks, rather than generic military operations. Unggoy Ultras can sometimes be seen commanding groups of lower class Unggoy in battle, and are even seen leading black-armored Special Operations Unggoy into combat.[6]

Organisation[edit]

Unlike Sangheili Ultras, Unggoy Ultras do not appear to have any influence with their command. It is just as likely that two or three will be encountered leading a small group of Unggoy, yet the Sangheili or Jiralhanae during the Great Schism, are ultimately in complete command; similar to the way that even low-ranking San'Shyuum outrank Sangheili Ship Masters.[citation needed]

History[edit]

Unggoy Ultras fought over the course of the Human-Covenant War and later the Great Schism, including the Fall of Reach,[7] Battle for Earth,[1] and Battle of Installation 00.[8] While many allied with Sangheili rebels during the Covenant civil war in early November 2552,[1] others remained loyal to San'Shyuum and the new Jiralhanae leadership ruled by the Prophet of Truth.[8]

In the post war period, the rank of Unggoy Ultra has been used at least once by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant.[3] Multiple Unggoy Ultras belonging to the Banished led by War Chief Escharum took part in the Battle for Zeta Halo in 2560 against the Master Chief and the UNSC remnants on Zeta Halo. Unlike their Covenant Countparts, the Unggoy Ultras now outrank low ranking Sangheili and Jiralhanae, but are still subordinate to Jiralhanae Captains.[2]

Equipment[edit]

Like Sangheili Ultras, Unggoy Ultras wear distinct white/pearl-like[1][2] or lilac armor.[4][8][7] Unggoy Ultras are seen with several armor variants, one as a standard armor, with the exact same use with the main combat harness most other Unggoy infantry ranks are seen with like Minors and Majors alongside specialized Heavies,[1] and the other one is with a cylindrical methane tank as well as a completely enclosed helmet, which enables the Unggoy to operate in vacuum areas. The said helmet would fall off after being shot at, saving the Unggoy from one single headshot.[7] Another similar chassis of this harness was used by the Banished during their conflicts on Installation 07 although it has some additional protection, including both in arms and legs.[2] Unlike other Unggoy ranks, Banished Unggoy Ultras were known to also have personal energy shield, similar to Unggoy Bodyguards who also wear white-colored armor in Warzone in UNSC's War Games simulations and making them the strongest regular Unggoy troops.[2] Whenever if it was already once used by the Covenant earlier is unknown as it may have apparently never been seen used during the Great War.

Another armor variant for Unggoy Ultra is a Ultra-class variant of the regular Special Operations Unggoy combat harness and is equipped with an active camouflage generator. This harness variant was used by the Covenant Unggoy Ultras to lead lower-ranking Special Operations Unggoy, including during the Raid on the Threshold gas mine.[6]

Gameplay[edit]

Grunt Ultras fire their weapons at a higher rate and usually throw more grenades, being far more accurate and deadly at a greater distance than their lower ranked brethren. They also wield Needlers with greater frequency than their inferiors, though it is still common for them to use Plasma Pistols. Ultras can take the same amount of damage Special Operations Grunts do (more than three times as much as an Grunt Minor can), but they are still vulnerable to headshots. Like Special Operations Grunts, Ultras are rarely caught sleeping on duty. They still panic if they know that they are being overwhelmed, but are more likely to go suicidal than flee - especially if one of their comrades was killed by a grenade.

  • In Halo: Reach, Ultras wear a helmet that protects them from one headshot from any weapon weaker than the Sniper Rifle. Starting from this game, they will overcharge their Plasma Pistols.
  • In Halo Infinite, Banished Unggoy Ultras normally wield Needlers. Note that, despite wearing an armor almost identical to the one from Reach, their helmets are only cosmetic, and Ultras still take one headshot to kill. Ultras and Bouncers are equipped with the exact same helmets and harnesses. Bouncers, however, are equipped with energy shields and carry Disruptors. Like other Unggoy in the game, Ultras can throw plasma grenades, and can arm two grenades and perform suicide attacks.

Production notes[edit]

  • If one plays Halo: Combat Evolved with an unsupported video card, but has at least 32 megabytes of video memory, all armor colors will be white, with some exceptions such as the Mgalekgolo, which has led to some fans thinking that all the Unggoy in Halo: Combat Evolved are Ultras. However, white is the basic color of all models in the Halo: Combat Evolved engine. The models are rendered with no specific color until they are selected by an algorithm that determines which Unggoy variant to spawn, determined by the difficulty level (meaning higher difficulties are more likely to spawn Unggoy Majors) or colored by the actor variant and shader tags within the level/map cache file. There is a degree of randomness involved, as the player might notice an Unggoy Minor in one location die, then realize that it changes to an Unggoy Major. This is most noticeable when viewing maps with SparkEdit, a modding program. It renders all models based on their constituent bitmaps; the game engine adds the lighting effects and determines which variant to spawn when that part of the level is played. In SparkEdit, all models, except Mgalekgolo and Marines, have white armor, including Spartans.
  • The Unggoy Ultra in Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST have been erroneously referred to as SpecOps Unggoy on Bungie.net.[9] The game files, however, correctly lists them as Ultras.[10][11] The distinction between the Ultra and SpecOps Unggoy were clarified in Halo 3: The Official Strategy Guide[12] and the Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)[4], both of which labelled the Unggoy in lilac armor as Unggoy Ultra, and the Unggoy in jet-black armor (which went unused in both games) as SpecOps Unggoy. The McFarlane Halo 3 SpecOps Grunt action figure also correctly depicts SpecOps Unggoy in jet-black armor rather than the lilac armor.
  • In Halo: Reach, Ultras have a cylindrical methane tank and a full face mask. The shape of the methane tank appears to have been influenced by early concept art for Halo: Combat Evolved, and designs later seen in the Halo Graphic Novel, Halo: Uprising, and Halo Wars. They have been nicknamed "Keg Grunts" by Bungie due to the shape of the methane containers.[13]
  • During the development of Halo: Reach, the concept art of the Unggoy had inspired designers to give fully-enclosed helmets to most Unggoy units. Bungie design lead Sage Merrill had correspondingly set weapon damage to better reflect how the helmet better protects the wearer from headshots, but it inadvertently made the majority of the Unggoy requiring at least two headshots to be killed and created an "unfun" experience according to fellow design lead Lars Bakken. Consequently, a change was made to remove the helmet from almost all Unggoy units, with only the Ultra Unggoy retaining the helmet in the final release.[14]

Trivia[edit]

  • In all games, if the Thunderstorm skull is activated, all Unggoy will be upgraded to this rank.
  • In Halo 2: Anniversary, two variants of the Unggoy Ultra are seen. The first bears a white-coloured standard combat harness, while the second is equipped with a white-coloured variant of the Special Operations combat harness (due to a typo in the code).

Gallery[edit]

  • An Unggoy Ultra in Halo 2.

    An Unggoy Ultra in Halo 2.

  • An Unggoy Ultra standing idle in Halo 2.

    An Unggoy Ultra standing idle in Halo 2.

  • An Unggoy Ultra in Halo 3.

    An Unggoy Ultra in Halo 3.

  • An Unggoy Ultra in Halo 3.

    An Unggoy Ultra in Halo 3.

  • Multiple Unggoy Ultras onboard the Ardent Prayer in Halo: Reach.

    Multiple Unggoy Ultras onboard the Ardent Prayer in Halo: Reach.

  • An Unggoy fires an overcharged burst from a plasma pistol in Halo: Reach.

    An Unggoy fires an overcharged burst from a plasma pistol in Halo: Reach.

  • An Unggoy Ultra, as depicted in Halo 2: Anniversary.

    An Unggoy Ultra, as depicted in Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • An Unggoy Ultra in Halo 2: Anniversary.

    An Unggoy Ultra in Halo 2: Anniversary.

  • Early concept art of a Banished Unggoy Ultra for Halo Infinite.

    Early concept art of a Banished Unggoy Ultra for Halo Infinite.

  • Finalized concept art of the Banished Ultra.

    Finalized concept art of the Banished Ultra.

  • Render of an Ultra.

    Render of an Ultra.

  • A Banished Unggoy Ultra throws a plasma grenade.

    A Banished Unggoy Ultra throws a plasma grenade.

  • A dead Banished Unggoy Ultra killed by the Master Chief on Installation 07.

    A dead Banished Unggoy Ultra killed by the Master Chief on Installation 07.

  • Some Ultras and Bouncers on Installation 07.

    Some Ultras and Bouncers on Installation 07.

  • A Banished Unggoy Ultra standing in a field of grass on Zeta Halo.

    A Banished Unggoy Ultra standing in a field of grass on Zeta Halo.

  • A pair of Banished Unggoy Ultras standing in a field of flowers on Zeta Halo.

    A pair of Banished Unggoy Ultras standing in a field of flowers on Zeta Halo.

  • A Banished Unggoy Ultra seen from behind.

    A Banished Unggoy Ultra seen from behind.

  • A Banished Unggoy Ultra inside the House of Reckoning.

    A Banished Unggoy Ultra inside the House of Reckoning.

  • Banished Unggoy Ultras on Oasis in Firefight: King of the Hill.

    Banished Unggoy Ultras on Oasis in Firefight: King of the Hill.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Halo 2, in-game model
  2. ^ a b c d e Halo Infinite, in-game model
  3. ^ a b Halo: Spartan Strike, In-game unit
  4. ^ a b c Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 142-143
  5. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 87
  6. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level The Arbiter
  7. ^ a b c Halo: Reach, in-game model
  8. ^ a b c Halo 3, in-game model
  9. ^ Bungie.net, Halo 3 How-to: Campaign Scoring 101 (Retrieved on Jul 21, 2013) [archive]
  10. ^ Halo 3: ODST, game files for "grunt_ultra"
  11. ^ Halo 3: ODST, game files for "grunt_specops"
  12. ^ Halo 3: The Official Strategy Guide, page 131
  13. ^ GameInformer, 2010 February Edition
  14. ^ YouTube - Bungie, Halo: Reach Firefight Preview

v • d • e
 
Unggoy ranks and titles
Infantry
Minor • Major • Ultra
Specialists
Other

Banished — Conscript • Mob • Prowling • Bloodfuel • Assault • Mule • Suicide • Heavy • Ultra • Bouncer • Jockey • Thrall-taskmaster • Commander • High Sumpter

Yapyap's rebellion — Cannon Fodder • Heavy • Rider • Jockey
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