This article is about the various space-worthy ships of the Covenant Empire. For the cut Halo 2 level, see Covenant Ship.
The fleet at Unyielding Hierophant.
Many different classes of Covenant starships in front of the Unyielding Hierophant.
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Covenant starships are the ships used by the species of the Covenant through its various ministries.

OverviewEdit

Organization and identificationEdit

"I do wish they’d learn to use proper ships’ names like Victory and Bellepheron, don’t you? Theirs sound like color swatches from an ecclesiastical paint catalog."
Black Box commenting on the name of Covenant ships.[1]
Main article: Covenant fleet

The starships of the Covenant were commanded under different ministries. The Ministry of Resolution commanded ships, and was responsible for directing offensive actions by the Covenant.[2] The Ministry of Tranquility managed the fleet of relic hunting and missionary ships.[3]

Covenant ship classes can be identified by the Covenant ship classification system.[4]

Tactical groupingsEdit

Main article: Fleet

Covenant Starships have been known to be grouped in multiple ways. These include Fleets, Battle Groups, and Flotillas.

Design and specificationsEdit

Different species have different design philosophies for starships. The Sangheili preferred starships that echoed the aggressive nature of various animals from Sanghelios and other Sangheili colonies. The San'Shyuum preferred more ornate designs, something that carried into the Covenant, as well as preferring multi-role vessels.[4]

Covenant starships, like most Covenant technology, were constructed using the Design pattern method.[5] Some manufacturers of Covenant starships include Forgemasters of Tanus, Gorgon Assembly Vault[6] and Lathe of the Enlightened.[7]

Propulsion, movement, and dockingEdit

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PowerEdit

Covenant starships were powered by Pinch fusion reactors.[8]

Armor & DefenseEdit

The hull of Covenant starships is composed of the durable and heat resistant Nanolaminate.[9] Most Covenant ships also make use of Energy shielding to prevent damage from affecting the hull.

 
An energy projector slicing through the Feeling Lucky.
Energy ProjectorEdit
Main article: Energy Projector

Covenant warships often had Energy Projectors. An energy projector is a large beam of plasma which can be used to devastating effect in either ship-to-ship combat or in ground operations.

In ship-to-ship scenarios, they are known to slice through UNSC ships. The UNSC Herodotus[10] and the UNSC Feeling Lucky[11] were two ships to fall prey to its destructive power.

Often during ground campaigns, it was used in a method called glassing, whereby a Covenant starship burns the surface of a planet in order to render it lifeless.

 
Plasma turrets on the side of the Ardent Prayer.
TurretsEdit

Covenant warships also used a variety of turret emplacements. This includes the Plasma turret and the Pulse laser turret.

TorpedosEdit

Covenant starships also make use of the Plasma Torpedo.

 
Type-52 "Phantoms" picking up troops in a hangar bay.

ComplementEdit

Main articles: Dropship, Space fighter

Several types of space fighters were used in conjunction with larger ships. These include the Tarasque-class heavy fighter and the Gigas-class fighter-bomber, it's replacement, the Type-31 Exoatmospheric Multi-role Fighter, and the Elsedda-pattern Banshee.

Dropships were also in use acting as troop, vehicle and supply transport. These include the Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit, the Ru'swum-pattern Phantom and the Ru'swum-pattern Phantom. As well, the R'sisho-pattern Tick helped the Covenant board enemy ships.

HistoryEdit

Pre-Writ of UnionEdit

Prior to joining the Covenant, in a time known as "The Former Age", the Sangheili had developed their own spaceships.[12] This included the Hekar Taa-pattern blockade runner, the Rwaru-pattern carrack, R'sikosh-pattern man o' war, and the Lursu-pattern brigantine.[4] In the case of the R'sikosh-pattern man o' war specifically, it was built using information Forerunner artifacts far before the War of Beginnings.[12]

The San'Shyuum also piloted their own types of aerospace craft.[13]

Early CovenantEdit

A number of starships were designed following the signing of the Writ of Union. The Useumru-pattern voidpiercer was one of the first spacecraft developed by the Covenant empire between 852 and 850 BCE.[14] The Varric-pattern heavy cruiser was designed during the earliest Age of Conflict and Age of Doubt.[15] Another ancient ship was the Maugen-pattern armored cruiser.[16]

Human-Covenant WarEdit

Main article: Human-Covenant War
 
Several different classes of Covenant starships during the Human-Covenant War.

One of the first engagements prior to the outbreak of the war was the Skirmish on Minor Transgression.

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Great SchismEdit

Main article: Great Schism

The Great Schism would see the destruction of a number of ships including most vessels of the A'uzr-pattern sword frigate.[17]

 
A mixture of pre-Covenant era, Covenant era, and post-Covenant era vessels in combat over Suban in 2560.

LegacyEdit

"Every vessel counts. We can't yet replace what we lose, so the war against the Arbiter and the other blasphemers may be won or lost on a single hull."
Shipmaster Avu Med 'Telcam of the Servants of the Abiding Truth[18]
Main article: Post-Covenant War conflicts

With the Covenant war over, and the Schism breaking into a multitude of conflicts, Covenant ships began finding themselves in the hands of a number of remnant factions, like Jul 'Mdama's Covenant, Merg Vol's Covenant, Rojka 'Kasaan's faction, Servants of the Abiding Truth, Swords of Sanghelios, and the Banished.

In addition, some of these factions began to diverge their ship building from the Covenant. In 2553, the Banished began to build a unique dreadnought design.[19] The Swords of Sanghelios would build and modify their own A'uzr-pattern sword frigates beyond that which former Covenant bureaucrats had planned for.[17]

TypesEdit

Support shipsEdit

Main article: Support ship

The Covenant have operated a number of support starships. These include the Akton-pattern escorts and the food providing Mjern-pattern agricultural support ship.

Ships of the typeEdit

Class Ship Name Notes
Mjern-pattern agricultural support ship Infinite Succor Destroyed, sent into a star to prevent the Flood from escaping by Rtas 'Vadum.
 
A comparison of different ship classes and their sizes.

WarshipEdit

Main article: Warship

The Covenant operated a number of lighter capital warships. These include some of the smaller Covenant cruisers, like the Ket-pattern battlecruisers and the Zanar-pattern light cruisers. As well as the various corvette, frigate, and destroyer classes the Covenant operated.

The Covenant were known for their larger capital ships including the Maugen-pattern armored cruiser, the Varric-pattern heavy cruiser and the Kewu-pattern battleship. On top of this, they operated various large carrier classes, as well as heavily armed battleships.

Ships of the typeEdit

Carriers
Main article: Covenant Carrier
Class Ship Name Notes
Ruma-pattern light carrier Ascendant Justice
CAS-class assault carrier Breath of Annihilation
Clarity of Faith Crash-landed on an unidentified moon in August 2552.
Day of Jubilation Destroyed at the beginning of Battle for Earth by an antimatter charge delivered by Spartan John-117.
Enduring Conviction Severed in half over Installation 00 by Aggressor Sentinels in 2559.
Eternal Reward Destroyed in the beginning of Great Schism by the Jiralhanae fleet.
Purveyor of Virtue
Resplendent Fervor
Seeker of Truth
Shadow of Intent Returned to Sanghelios after ceasefire in March 2553
Solemn Penance
Song of Retribution
Pious Rampage Unknown Status after the battle of Zhoist.
Sh'wada-pattern supercarrier Long Night of Solace Destroyed by a slipspace bomb during Operation: UPPER CUT.
Supercarrier Hammer of Faith Destroyed while under construction by a pair of HAVOK tactical nuclear weapons during Operation: SILENT STORM above Zhoist.
Sublime Transcendence
Unknown Lawgiver
Pledge of Holiness A carrier commanded by the Prophet of Inner Conviction which participated in the Rending in 850 BCE.
Splendid Intention Crash landed on Beta Gabriel
Cruisers
Main article: Covenant cruiser
Class Ship Name Notes
Varric-pattern heavy cruiser Blight of the Profane
Gathering of Praise Destroyed over the planet Carrow in 2558
Incorruptible Destroyed in the Onyx Conflict
Unwavering Discipline Crashed on the planet Carrow in 2558
Ket-pattern battlecruiser Harbinger of Piety Destroyed by a MAC shot from Nassau Station.
Indulgence of Conviction Commandeered by Flood, destroyed in the Battle of Voi by Fleet of Retribution for Flood containment.
Pious Inquisitor Destroyed in the Skirmish on Pious Inquisitor
Purity of Spirit
Purveyor of Serenity
Sacred Promise
Sanctity of Purification
Triumphant Declaration
Truth and Reconciliation Destroyed during the Battle of Installation 04 in its third raid by Lieutenant McKay.
Undiminished Entelechy Infested by Flood during the Battle of Installation 04, shot down by order of Supreme Commander Thel 'Vadamee.
CCS-U624
CCS-U321
Zanar-pattern light cruiser Panom's Canticle Destroyed in the Requiem Campaign
Spear of Light Captured by the Swords of Sanghelios from Tem'Bhetek.
Unrelenting Destroyed in the Battle of Chi Ceti
Unknown Axiom
Far Vision
Infinite Sacrifice
Rapid Conversion
Unidentified cruiser (Particular Justice) Destroyed in the Fall of Reach by the Alpha division of Red Team.
Destroyers
Main article: Covenant destroyer
Class Ship Name Notes
Sinaris-pattern heavy destroyer Bloodied Spirit Destroyed during the Onyx Conflict.
Esteem
Reverence
Radiant Perception Destroyed during the Battle for Arcadia.
Proclamation's Tithe
Fighter's Blood
Hammerstrike
Unknown class Absolution Destroyed during the Onyx Conflict
Defender of Faith Destroyed by UNSC Infinity during the assault on Vadam keep in 2553.
Far Sight Lost Destroyed during the Onyx Conflict
Rapturous Arc Captured by the Flood and subsequently destroyed by combined Sangheili and Jiralhanae forces at the beginning of the Great Schism
Retribution's Thunder Scuttled by its Sangheili crew during Battle of the Rubble after being betrayed by their Kig-Yar escort.
Frigates
Main article: Covenant frigate
Class Ship Name Notes
Ester-pattern armored frigate Contrition Unknown status
Penance Unknown status
Unknown Radiant Arrow Scuttled by its commander after being boarded by a team of Spartans over Netherop in 2526.
Reprisal's Fire
Retribution's Promise
Revenant Destroyed by the Incorruptible during the Onyx conflict.
Steadfast Strike Status unknown; last seen during the Battle of Netherop in 2526.
Tenebrous Destroyed by the Incorruptible during the Battle of Installation 05.
Transforming Splendor
Twilight Compunction Destroyed during the Battle of Installation 00.
Pure Resolve
Unflinching Resolve Decommissioned, later reinstated by Servants of the Abiding Truth and destroyed in March 2553.
Vengeful Deed
Corvettes
Main article: Covenant Corvette
Class Ship Name Notes
Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette Ardent Prayer Captured by the UNSC, used as transportation for a Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine makeshift bomb and destroyed in Operation: UPPER CUT by Spartan Jorge-052.
Elegy's Lament Stolen by the Banished.
Quester of Glory Fell into Sangheili control during the Great Schism; renamed Mayhem. Crippled and salvaged by UNSC Witness in Operation: FAR STORM.
Supplication of Purity Destroyed in the Battle for Tribute in 2552, later salvaged and displayed at Outpost Discovery.
Makar-pattern light corvette Infinite Fire Fell into Sangheili control during the Great Schism; renamed The Lookout
Intrusion corvette Divine Whisper
Quiet Faith
Sacred Whisper
Silent Truth
Still Devotion
Worthy Silence
Unknown Adherent Crew massacred by the Silent Shadow.
Sacred Whisper
Vengeful Vitality A stealth corvette used by Mken 'Scre'ah'ben.

OtherEdit

Covenant ships were not exclusively designed for war and often operated in a number of non-warfare based situations. This can include the Missionary ship, operated by the Ministry of Tranquility.[20] The Covenant also operated a number of tithe fleets, which were often filled with Sangheili Lursu-pattern brigantines.[4]

Ships of the typeEdit

Class Ship Name Notes
Forgeship Boundless Artifice
Hudal-class auxiliary vessel Piety Active, all crew killed in capture of a Huragok.
Missionary ship Minor Transgression Destroyed prior to the beginning of the Human-Covenant War.
Supply ship Journey's Sustenance

Production notesEdit

During the development of Halo 2, a level was planned to take place on board a Covenant ship.

GalleryEdit

Concept artEdit

OverviewEdit

SourcesEdit

  1. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, chapter 13
  2. ^ Halo: Fleet Battles, Core Rulebook - page 7
  3. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 155
  4. ^ a b c d Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Holiday Shipping (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
  5. ^ Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo, chapter Glossary, page 90
  6. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 76-77
  7. ^ Halo: Warfleet, Shadow of Intent - p. 70-71
  8. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx
  9. ^ Halo Waypoint, Catalog Interaction - Page 14 (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
  10. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 298 & 320
  11. ^ Halo 2, campaign level Cairo Station
  12. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 270-271
  13. ^ Halo Mythos
  14. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Eklund's Ensemble (Retrieved on Jul 20, 2022) [archive]
  15. ^ Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo, page 64 & 65
  16. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Armory Amore (Retrieved on Jun 1, 2020) [archive]
  17. ^ a b Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Concert of Worlds (Retrieved on Sep 25, 2023) [archive]
  18. ^ Halo: Mortal Dictata, chapter 2
  19. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 462
  20. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 50