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Unggoy: Difference between revisions
→Anatomy and physiology: Ah, pseudoscientific handwaves, how you irk me. Apparently the taxonomists who first studied the Covenant species were complete idiots, or so Halo Bulletin 5.9.12 seems to indicate.
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(→Anatomy and physiology: Ah, pseudoscientific handwaves, how you irk me. Apparently the taxonomists who first studied the Covenant species were complete idiots, or so Halo Bulletin 5.9.12 seems to indicate.) |
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===Anatomy and physiology=== | ===Anatomy and physiology=== | ||
[[File:GruntBlood.jpg|thumb|250px|left|An Unggoy's luminous blue blood | [[File:GruntBlood.jpg|thumb|250px|left|An Unggoy's luminous blue blood]] | ||
[[File:1215436858 Images.jpeg|thumb|The face of an Unggoy Minor | [[File:1215436858 Images.jpeg|thumb|The face of an Unggoy Minor]] | ||
The taxonomic classification of the Unggoy has been a source of some confusion for the | The taxonomic classification of the Unggoy has been a source of some confusion for the [[United Nations Space Command]]. Because they possess exoskeletons, they have been identified as being analogous to Earth arthropods; despite this, the Unggoy are actually a vertebrate species. The UNSC misclassified the species as arthropodal due to their physiological similarities to terrestrial arthropods; among other differences, the Unggoy circulatory system is apparently closed as opposed to the open systems characteristic of many arthropods.<ref name="THB 5.9.12"/> More accurately, the species should be considered xeno-arthropodal vertebrates which possess substantial (albeit hypothetical) genetic influences from primate-like amphibians that once dwelt in Balaho's [[Wikipedia:Aphotic zone|aphotic zones]]. This taxonomically incorrect nomenclature persists as late as [[2557]] as an ''ad hoc'' identifier, though the pressures of the Human-Covenant War and reconstruction have made such concerns trivial at best.<ref name="THB 5.9.12"/> | ||
Unggoy share a number of features with different animal species on [[Earth]]. Like primates, they walk both bipedally and with the aid of their oversized 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. Unggoy are on average about four to five 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<ref name="THB 5.9.12"/> and hearing are 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''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref> This is facilitated through the olfactory membranes installed in their masks. | Unggoy share a number of features with different animal species on [[Earth]]. Like primates, they walk both bipedally and with the aid of their oversized 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. Unggoy are on average about four to five 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<ref name="THB 5.9.12"/> and hearing are 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''', campaign level ''[[The Arbiter]]''</ref> This is facilitated through the olfactory membranes installed in their masks. | ||
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Unggoy have over-sized forearms, while their upper arms and thighs are seemingly small. This has allowed them to be quite excellent climbers. 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 astonishingly fast finger reflex speed, as they can fire a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|plasma pistol]] at almost the same rate a Sangheili can with a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|plasma rifle]]. | Unggoy have over-sized forearms, while their upper arms and thighs are seemingly small. This has allowed them to be quite excellent climbers. 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 astonishingly fast finger reflex speed, as they can fire a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Pistol|plasma pistol]] at almost the same rate a Sangheili can with a [[Type-25 Directed Energy Rifle|plasma rifle]]. | ||
[[File:Grunt Air Mask.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The standard methane rebreather apparatus | [[File:Grunt Air Mask.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The standard methane rebreather apparatus]] | ||
The Unggoy have flat, three-toed feet, with another toe on the back of their feet. While they are small, stocky, and lacking in agility, 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. | The Unggoy have flat, three-toed feet, with another toe on the back of their feet. While they are small, stocky, and lacking in agility, 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. | ||