Prophets

The religious and political leaders of the Covenant, Prophets are an elite class of bureaucrats. The theology that they apply to the Covenant species is based on the belief that firing the Halo array will herald, and indeed instigate a "Great Journey" which they appear to believe will result in some kind of sublimation event.

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Prophet of Truth

The deluded, possibly insane leader of the entire Covenant civilization, this pontiff is leading his followers down a suicidal path.

The Prophet of Truth intends to activate the Halo array at any cost, and is happy to sacrifice his culture to do so. The Prophet fully believes that he can follow the Forerunners to their mysterious final destination and share their ancient and unlimited power. The Prophet also knows that the secret to this power may lie in the ancient sands of Earth.

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Humans

Currently structured under the UNSC (a military command government), Humans find themselves damaged after years of fighting against the Covenant. Primarily a peaceful, exploratory species, Humans have attempted several diplomatic outreaches in this conflict, all ignored. Human occupied worlds have been destroyed and the current population has dwindled to almost nothing. Earth is currently being occupied by a Covenant archaeological/military force.

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Sgt Johnson

The battle-hardened Sergeant is the longtime cohort of the Master Chief. No other human knows the Master Chief as well as this capable and brilliant marine. Johnson is that most singular of soldiers; a professional who's never more at home than in the thick of battle, and a loyal fearless warrior who will do anything for his men, and his homeworld.

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Cortana

Cortana is the highly advanced AI (UNSC's most sophisticated) at the heart of the Pillar of Autumn spacecraft. Her design allows her to be uploaded into an appropriately configured battle suit, or to represent herself in holographic form.

After helping destroy the first Halo by piggybacking on the Master Chief's armor, she formed a closer bond with him - but that bond was wrenched apart by events on Delta Halo. Her last known location was aboard the Flood-infested Covenant capital ship, High Charity, in the thrall of the Flood hive intelligence - the Gravemind.

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Master Chief

Master Chief (real name John-117) is the last of the Spartan II warriors - an elite group of genetically superior, highly trained super-soldiers.

Spartan 117 is expert in all weapon and combat systems. He can run faster, jump higher and hit harder than any normal human. He is the perfect weapon, honed by years of battlefield experience and possessing a natural talent for war, unmatched by anyone left alive. He is our last and best hope.

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Hunters (Lekgolo)

Hunters are large, and heavily armored units, with Fuel Rod Guns molded into the armor around their right arms, and huge metallic shields that double as a melee weapons on their left.

In Halo 1, a Hunter could be killed by a single sniper or pistol shot to the vulnerable orange fleshy areas that were easy to hit when Hunters were relaxed and standing at their full height, or when their backs were exposed after a melee strike. Word is they will be harder to deal with in Halo 2.

Hunters always travel in pairs.

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Brutes (Jiralhanae)

Taller and stronger than Elites, Brutes function as ceremonial guards in Covenant society. Although many sites have reported that they are guards specifically for Prophets, this seems to be incorrect. At the conclusion of First Strike by Eric Nylund, the Brute called Tartarus gives the last three remaining fragments of the Forerunner artifact from Reach to the Prophet of Truth. The Prophet's 300 Elite bodyguards are surprised, indicating that usually it is the Elites that sit close to the Prophets. Brutes are big, strong, hairy, apelike, and carry a grenade launcher called a Brute Shot that has a large blade on the butt for melee attacks. The Halo 2 manual says that Brutes fight in packs.

SpecOps Elite

Special Ops Elites in Halo 1 were the toughest, fastest and strongest of the Elite variations in Halo 1. They used plasma grenades accurately and often would dodge grenades used against them most of the time and could survive a direct hit from a rocket launcher at point blank range. In Halo 2 it seems there may be more variations on the SpecOps Elite, as some have been seen in various colors (black or white) and carrying different weapons. Some may carry plasma swords, like the Gold elites of Halo 1, while others, like this example, might carry Carbines or Beam Rifles.

Prophet

The spiritual and political leaders of the Covenant are the Prophets, with their hovering chairs and their elaborate headdresses. They are guarded by Elites and, although not as physically imposing as them, are supposed to possess deadly and "unique" attacks. At one point Bungie mentioned the possibility of being able to distinguish individual Prophets from one another by their headdresses. Prophets may have specialized, individual roles in Covenant society. At least two specific prophets have been mentioned in various places: the Prophet of Truth and the Prophet of Regret. The Halo 2 manual says their significance is "administrative or religious in nature" and notes they have never been seen on a battlefield, and never captured or killed.

Elite Minor (Sangheili)

The Elite Minor, or blue Elite, is the weaker and more common version. This one is armed with a Carbine, the rough equivalent of the Battle Rifle, and probably more dangerous than Halo 1's standard weapon for the Elite Minor, which was a plasma rifle. In Halo 1, Elites also sometimes used needlers and plasma grenades. Elites have full body rechargeable shields that deflect energy and projectile weapons. Like the Jackal's armband shield, however, it can be completely drained by an alt-fire charge from the plasma pistol, leaving him open to damage from other weapons. When an Elite's shields are drained, he will generally seek cover. When his health becomes low, he will charge you in a suicide manuever. When near you, they will usually attempt a melee attack. Sangheili refers to all Elites, not just Minor ones.

Master Chief

The Master Chief, John-117, is a Spartan II cyborg with Mjolnir armor. In Halo 1, he wore Mark V armor, but is expected to get an upgrade to Mark VI in the sequel. He is shown here brandishing a shotgun. Like Covenant Elites, he has a full-body self-recharging energy shield that deflects energy and projectile weapons. It was, at least in part, reverse engineered from Covenant technology. Due to the Mjolnir armor and their numerous genetic and cybernetic enhancements, the Master Chief and the other Spartans are tougher, faster, and stronger than all other human ground forces.

Jackals (Kig yar)

In Halo 1, Jackals only carried plasma pistols, but as you can see from this shot, in Halo 2 they wield other weapons, including plasma rifles and possibly even needlers. The armband shields they carry are not as effective as the full body shields used by Elites, but they will deflect most projectile weapons and are even good against plasma rifles. The best strategies against Jackals are to try and shoot areas unprotected by the shield, which are easier to hit when they are in motion, or to use the alt-fire of a plasma pistol to drain the shield and then switch to another weapon while it cools. Like the Elite's shields, a drained Jackal shield will recharge over time. Jackals with drained shields, like Elites, will also often retreat and take cover while their shields recharge. Grenades can be effective against Jackals, especially when used behind them where their shields do not protect. The Halo 2 manual refers to Jackals as "excellent shots" and indicates they have higher status than Grunts.

Sargeant Johnson

Sgt. Johnson survived Halo 1 after being killed (at least once, if not more) and was not assimilated by the Flood because of Boren's Syndrome, a disease he contracted from hanging around too many plasma grenades. Johnson declined treatment for his Boren's Syndrome to get back into battle more quickly. The effects of the disease on his nervous system led the Flood infection form to reject his body. Boren's Syndrome is named after Brannon Boren, keeper of the Halo Bible and, as of this writing, working on Matrix Online. Johnson is shown here with a battle rifle. In Halo 2, you can exchange weapons with the Sarge or other human units.

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