Elite
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Covenant Elite
The Sangheili (Latin Macto cognatus, meaning "I glorify my kin") are a saurian species of fierce, proud, strong, agile and intelligent warriors and skilled combat tacticians. Sangheili are named after their home planet, Sanghelios. Known to Humans as Elites, due to their adeptness and skill in combat, the Sangheili formed the military backbone of the Covenant for almost the entirety of its existence.
Sangheili are generally about 2.59 meters tall including helmet and armor, have two fingers and two thumbs on each hand which are much larger than human fingers and thumbs, which make the Sangheili look ungainly when wielding small human weapons such as the pistol. They look vaguely like lizards or theropods, except for their jaws. When wearing armor, they take on a shark-like look because of the "fins" on the sides of their helmets. Their jaws are made up of four separate mandibles attached to their face, similair to those found in the lower jaw of snakes from Earth. The Sangheili are attributed for great strength and intelligence, and are praised for their bravery and honor. Sangheili warriors augment these natural abilities further through use of Energy Shields integrated into their armor. Depending upon rank and mission objective, they are commonly seen in battle with Plasma Rifles, Needlers, Covenant Carbines, Needle Rifles and sometimes, if they are higher ranked, Energy Swords. Sangheili employ coffin-like Orbital Insertion Pods as well as Phantom and Spirit Dropships for military transit purposes and rapid-response operations.
Variations
Minor
Minors make up the majority of the Elites' numbers and are usualy in command of a squad of Grunts and/or Jackals.
Sangheili Minors are logically, physically, and pragmatically the least-experienced warriors of their race; however, they are still skilled in combat. They are somewhat weaker than their crimson-armored Major superiors. Being the lowest ranked in the Sangheili military hierarchy, they possess energy shielding that is weaker than any other Sangheili, (besides that of stealth units), and is also inferior to the shielding of MJOLNIR armor. Minors are seen making frequent tactical mistakes in battle, even occasionally hitting an Unggoy with a missed melee attack. They are still dangerous in their own right, especially when leading members of the lower castes in battle. The Minor's rank seems roughly equivalent to a UNSC Marine sergeant, compared to an Elite Major being equivalent to a lieutenant and an Unggoy or Kig-yar Major being equivalent to a corporal. Minors often lead lances of Unggoy and/or Kig-yar into battle. If the Minor leading the lance is killed, their subordinates will often flee. Sangheili Minors who are neither promoted nor killed during their first campaign typically commit suicide to retain their honor.
Major
Majors are veteran warriors whose rank is medium-low in the Covenant Sangheili rank structure, but are higher ranked than a Minor Sangheili. Only a Major can obtain the temporary rank of Ossoona, mainly due to the fact that a more seasoned warrior prefers combat, not stealth, and a Minor is too inexperienced to become the Ossoona. They usually command groups of Minors as well as other Covenant races in ground combat situations. In addition to commanding ground forces, Majors may also occupy the role of a "second-master" on a starship, effectively acting as the Shipmaster's second-in-command.
Majors have been seen wielding;Plasma Rifles, Needlers, Covenant Carbines, Concussion Rifles, Plasma Launchers, and Energy Swords.
Ultra
The standard Sangheili Ultras command specific operations and are the Covenant's equivalent to field officers. They are directly subordinate to Zealots, who command fleets and armies.
The Sangheili Ultras are one of the top tier Covenant units and have served gallantly in multiple engagements throughout the Human-Covenant War. They were seen leading a ground campaign on Reach as well as defending key locations for further reinforcements from the Covenant ships. They wield all basic Covenant weaponry.
Ranger
The Sangheili Ranger is a Covenant Sangheili rank, a specialty class like Special Operations Sangheili. They are suited for zero-gravity battlefields.
The Ranger corps is a special forces branch that conducts its operations in unusually dangerous battlegrounds, particularly the vacuum of space. Usually deployed for Zero-Gravity environments, it is they who are ordered by their superiors to seek and destroy a certain target or targets. Experts in low gravity combat, they are capable of posing a threat to ships, as well as many other types of aircraft.
While not distinctively a rank, Sangheili Rangers fall between Stealth Sangheili and Special Operations Sangheili. These units do not command troops but can be seen working together with one telling the others what to do, so there may be sub-ranks within this class of Sangheili. They have the shielding of Minor Sangheili, but the rank does not apply, and of course the lack of more powerful shielding could be due to the energy being diverted to the mounted Antigravity Pack.
SpecOps
Special Operations Sangheili are members of the Covenant Special Operations branch of the Covenant Special Warfare Group. Sangheili of this rank are extremely skilled warriors and are sent in to accomplish some of the most dangerous and difficult missions.
During the Fall of Reach, at least 3 Special Operations Sangheili fought to take control of ONI Sword Base. Later, they were encountered in the control room of the Long Night of Solace. More were encountered in the Covenant controlled Sword Base shortly before the planet was glassed
General
Sangheili Generals perform a role very similar to Jiralhanae Chieftains. Some will aggressively rush the player with Energy Sword drawn, while others make use of heavy weapons such as the Fuel Rod Gun, Plasma Launcher, Plasma Cannon and Concussion Rifle. They are often found overseeing important tactical locations, or leading large groups of soldiers into battle. While they are stronger than Sangheili soldiers of most other ranks, they are somewhat more reckless; if their shields are taken down, they tend to ignore the fact and continue with their assault.
Sangheili Generals have similar roles as Field Masters and Shipmasters, except that they are more common, and use heavier weapons such as the Fuel Rod Gun more often than Energy Swords, however, they are no where near as elegant when using them compared to the Field Marshall. They have only been encountered during the Battle of Reach, however prevoiusly they were considered a part of the Zealot Rank.
Field Marshall
The Field Marshall rank falls under the Zealot-class, but appears to outrank regular Zealots. Besides leading large-scale ground operations, Field Marshalls are known to lead small strike teams comprised of Zealot officers for operations that require both skill and precision to take out key targets to turn the tide of the war/make a key difference. The Field Marshall is the highest combat related rank a Sangheili can achieve.
The Field Marshall is theorized to be a principal, top-tier rank in the Covenant Army. Their designated role seems to pertain to command of ground forces in specific field operations, such as in widespread battles or invasions. Field Marshalls apparently outrank Sangheili Generals, and may be of a higher position than normal Field Masters. Field Marshalls appear to be Sangheili equivalent of the Brute Army Commander or a Supreme Commander in the Covenant Navy. It's possible that they are responsible for all ground operations on a planet.
Zealot
The Zealot is a Covenant command rank associated primarily with the Sangheili. They are extremely skilled in combat and are mostly seen using an Energy Sword, but take a more political role.[citation needed] Zealot is also a generic term for a Sangheili with official command responsibilities. Zealots hold the command offices of Ship Master, Fleet Master, Field Master, and Supreme Commander. The only known ranks above Zealot are Councilor, Arbiter, and Imperial Admiral.
While some Zealots are strictly deployed to non-combat Fleet or Field Command posts, they often operate on the front lines and are greatly experienced and skillful at combat, having killed countless enemies of the Covenant before attaining their post.
For the armor permutations in Multiplayer, see Elite Armor
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Some Information Taken from Halo Nation
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