Arbiter (player character)

This article documents its subject as it pertains to the gameplay of the Halo games, rather than the lore.

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This article is about the player character. For other articles including "Arbiter", see Arbiter (disambiguation).

Thel 'Vadam
Gameplay role
Faction:	Player (Covenant)
Unit type:	Hero
Character stats
Weapons:	any

The Arbiter is the playable deuteragonist of Halo 2 and Halo 3.

Universe and lore

Main article: Thel 'Vadam

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Overview

Main article: First-person shooter

The Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam, is a playable elite in the Halo series, and the first protagonist to be introduced after the Master Chief. A former Zealot, he offers a unique perspective for players to experience the Covenant's motivations and story from their viewpoint. Arbiter's gameplay is near identical to Master Chief having the same base stats and controls.

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Halo 2

Arbiter
Player stats
Run speed:	2.25 wu/s
Character stats
Body vitality:	30 10s delay, 5s recharge
Body material (?):	hard_metal_thin
Shield vitality:	70 5s delay, 2s recharge
Shield material (?):	energy_shield_thin
Jump velocity:	3.08 wu/s
Actions:	vehicle use (hijacking), grenades, melee, dual wielding, active camo, binoculars
Tag name(s) (?):	dervish

Campaign

Halo 2 opens with Thel 'Vadam, an elite Supreme Commander, on trial following events of Halo: Combat Evolved. He is being prosecuted for the destruction of Installation 04 at the hands of the Master Chief. Thel is stripped of his rank and branded with a Mark of Shame, after which he is not seen again until his first playable appearance in the mission The Arbiter. Arbiter has access to all of the same mechanics players would expect when controlling Master Chief. However, rather than having a flashlight integrated into his armor the Arbiter can instead activate a limited duration active camouflage that will recharge after depleting. The Arbiter is playable for 6 of the 14 playable singleplayer missions. Aside from the narrative differences that come from playing as an elite Arbiter is also accompanied by covenant npc allies on many of his missions.

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Halo 3

Arbiter
Player stats
Run speed:	2.25 wu/s
Character stats
Body vitality:	45 10s delay, 5s recharge
Body material (?):	Generic: hard_metal_thin Specific: hard_metal_thin_player
Shield vitality:	70 5s delay, 2s recharge
Shield material (?):	Generic: energy_shield_thin Specific: energy_shield_thin_player
Jump velocity:	3.08 wu/s
Actions:	vehicle use (hijacking), grenades, melee (detach turrets), dual wielding, equipment, flashlight, binoculars
Tag name(s) (?):	dervish

Campaign

After the events of Halo 2 the Arbiter along with other elites have formed an alliance with humanity. He is present from the first mission and accompanies the Master Chief as an non-playable character ally throughout the campaign. Arbiter no longer has levels dedicated to him being the primary playable protagonist, instead every single mission can have a second player assume control of the Arbiter during cooperative play. During these co-op missions the npc version of Arbiter will be fully replaced by the second player, along with all associated dialogue and scripted interactions not occurring.

The Arbiter has seen a minor visual redesign compared to his Halo 2 incarnation. His armor is more of a bronze color in comparison to his earlier silver, he now has mandibles guards similar to other elite armor designs, and a flashlight can be seen mounted on his left shoulder. While the npc retains the ability to use the armor's integrated active camo, players are not. The only way the Arbiter differs from Chief in Halo 3 is by spawning with his own covenant weapons. Unlike the npc he never spawns with the energy sword.

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List of appearances

• Halo 2 (First appearance)
  • Halo 2: Anniversary
• Halo 3