Unggoy: Difference between revisions

== Description ==

 

Unggoy are typically poor warriors in terms of skill, poor shots when not focused, physically weak, ill-equipped and are generally quite tactically inept. When witnessing their commanders eliminated during a battle, they often go into a panic and scatter in random directions. However, what Unggoy may lack in invidual skill (apart from the Heavy, Spec Ops and Ultra Unggoy) they make up for with sheer numbers, high tenacity, also if they are focused, can be quite accurate with their weapons not to mention they breed at a remarkable rate. The Covenant cleverly used the high-breeding rate of the Unggoy to their advantage in the Human-Covenant War, where squads of Unggoy have been known to overpower careless [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] and [[ODST]]s. The conflict on [[Harvest]], and thus the Human-Covenant War, was in part started by an Unggoy named [[Yull]] tearing apart [[Osmo|Private Osmo]]. [[Special Operations Grunts]], which are known to wear black colored armor, are far more tenacious than the lower tiered ones, and have even been known to carry [[Type-33 Light Anti-Armor Weapon|fuel rod guns]], which makes them extremely dangerous foes.

While not overly intelligent or creative on the battlefield, they are one of the most gregarious and sociable of the Covenant races and 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.

=== Anatomy and Physiology ===

[[File:GruntBlood.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Grunts bleed luminous blue blood when wounded.]]  

[[File:1215436858 Images.jpeg|thumb|The face of a minor Unggoy ''unmasked'' in ''Halo 3''.]]

Unggoy are on average about 3-4 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.

Unggoy also have thick, bio-luminescent,<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', page 59: ''Phosphorescent blood pooled beneath their prone forms.''</ref> light-blue blood,<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 27''</ref> possibly a result of methane-based proteins in the blood to facilitate methane-based respiration. Like Earth's Horseshoe Crabs, it is possible that their blood is blue due to high copper content.

Unggoy have been described as breeding prodigiously<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', page ''??''</ref> in many instances, with large egg clutches and short childhood periods.<ref name="Bestiarum"/> This might explain why there are so many of them on the battlefield. This combined with the large number of young per clutch and rapid sensory motor integration development was one of the primary reasons why the Covenant cleverly used the breeding habits of the Unggoy to their advantage in battle, deploying the Unggoy as cannon fodder (this would be play a key-role in their war against humanity). Their unburdened neural pathway allows them to absorb knowledge more freely compared to their peers. As such, they are constantly monitoring the void for traces of human communication and have developed a clear understanding of two or even three human languages. This serves as a river of confidence in times of great stress for them. Overpopulation is a serious problem and in non-war times, strict laws are placed on Unggoy breeding.